| Author | Message | ||
     Jeffreyjames |
Hi All, I've had a bunch of bikes, mostly Harley's.. But I'm sick of them. I'm looking into Ducati Monsters and BMW's, and then someone mentioned a buell. I don't want a crotch rocket, and I noticed some Buell's are in a similar family to the Monster or some BMW's.. What's the riding experience like? Could you tell me a bit of detail about a Buell motorcycle that would match what I'm looking for? Thx! | ||
| Slaughter |
The "Lightning" series are a head-to-head comparison. http://www.buell.com/en_us/ (click on "STREET" for the product line) | ||
| Froggy |
Best advice I can give is to go and ride one. No bike is perfect for everyone, and nothing speaks louder than a test ride.  | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
If you are looking at air-cooled Ducatis and BMWs, Buells would be right at home in that comparison. Great torque. Good usable HP. Stone ax simple. Great handling. The main issue you need to look at is that Buell (the air-cooled side) are an instant vintage bike. If you plan on keeping it long term, just keep in mind that you might need to get creative finding non-wear item parts. Internals should be fine to find parts, but XB unique parts are beginning to become a little more scarce. Tubers are a little easier since many of the parts can be sourced from HD. The best part is that, bang for the buck, you can get more bike for the money with a Buell than either of the other two options. Bad news is that this works against you when you are looking to sell. Keep that in mind in case you are a frequent trader or are confused and consider a motorcycle an "investment". Recent convert to the Tuber world and LOVE it. Previous XB owner and would love to have another. Buell, the new Vincent. | ||
| Not_purple_s2 |
You looking for a standard? You mention the Ducati Monster so I'm assuming a standard. You'd probably like an XB9S or XB12S. The motors on all the aircooled Buells were based off the HD sportster motor so it'll be familiar to you. Just think of a Sportster that has nearly twice as much power, is a couple hundred pounds lighter, and that can actually handle and stop on a dime. The tube frame bikes (pre-2003) are a great choice too. If you're a big HD fan you might like them more since they have those great looking chromemoly frames. If you want a great touring bike the ols S3T's are great for that and they can still tear up the twisties. Take a look through the Buell lineage and see if something apeals to you. you can google all these and find pics and some stats. do a search here on BadWeB and you'll be flooded with information. The early (pre-1995) Buells are hard to find and are becoming collector's items. 1995-1996 S2 and S2T Thunderbolt 1996-1998 S1 and S1W Lightning 1997-2003 S3 and S3T Thunderbolt 1997-2003 M2 Cyclone 1999-2003 X1 and X1W Lightning 2003-2010 XB9S and XB9SX Lightning (there are a few variants of this model; Ss Long, STT, Scg Low) 2003-2010 XB9R and XB12R Firebolt 2005-2010 XB12X and XB12XT Ulysses There's also the Blast which is a single cylinder bike great for begginers and commuting. I've probably left off something or maybe gotten some of the dates wrong. But that should get you started. Wikipedia actually has a bit of information on each model. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buell_Motorcycle_Comp any | ||
| Superdavetfft |
Each rider is unique but I don't think you can go wrong with a Buell of some kind. I've got an M2, S3, Ulysses, 1125R and even a mutant Buell chopper. Each one has it's own set of pros and cons. While it's true it's a 'dead' brand and parts might be tricky to locate in the future we'll always have eBay! Plus imho Buells are very undervalued so you can pick one up quite cheaply and that savings well balances out any extra part expense you MIGHT have in the future. Of ALL my Buells I have had ZERO breakdowns, ZERO... 5 Buells, tens of thousands of almost maintenance free riding without a single hassle. (*knock on wood) But with that said, take 'em out, ride 'em and find what fits you and your riding style best. | ||
| Panhead_dan |
When I first began looking at Buells, there were a few things I didn't understand until after I made my first purchase: First, all Buells handle superbly and a little differently than pretty much anything else. So much so, in fact, that they take a couple hundred miles to actually get a good feeling for them. Different models or years does not matter. They were all built to handle better than anything else. Secondly, I should have looked harder at just exactly what I intended to do with the bike most of the time. For example, my first Buell was an '03 XB9S and while it was more fun than I ever imagined it would be, it wasn't the perfect bike for my commute to work. I had to use a backpack to haul anything and that got kinda old. I now ride an '06 XB12X and have tons of options for hauling stuff. Third, I wanted a brand that had a dealership in my area for repairs and service. Had I known then what I know now, this would have not been a consideration at all. However, I'm glad I went with a Buell. Let me explain. While there are some dealerships that are very good with Buells, it is not the norm. Mine turned out to be so so and has actually gone out of business. Warrenty claims were a nightmare. As it turns out, learning to work on my Buell has greatly enhanced the experience. I mean like 100%. Rather than owning a motorcycle I am riding a machine I love and I'm intimately familiar with it. I'm no expert mechanic but these air cooled Buells will reward the effort. I recommend going this route to anyone with even one good hand and a service manual. I have no experience with the water cooled Buells but I know I'm not a fan of shim adjusted valves. There is no need to adjust the valves at all on an XB. | ||
| Babired |
Buell totally durable bike, very fun to ride, head turning. You would probably have to travel to a foreign country and pull some strings to meet BMW and Ducati builders, designers, engineers and here in the states you can personally shake hands with the guy who designed the bike. Something I always brag about after meeting Erik in 2007. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Nothing personal to Ducati owners, but I'm guessing that 15 years from now I'll have an easier time getting more parts for my Ulysses then they will for their Ducati. That's not to say don't consider the Duc, it's more to say don't rule out the Buell just because Harley got stupid. I'm restoring a 1971 Kawasaki right now, and having pretty good luck getting most parts I need for it as well. | ||
| S21125r |
I believe that Court/Froggy/Blake (somebody..) posted a hi res poster of all the buell models somewhere on this site. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
Go demo if you can, it will be a life changing event. I know it was the start of my addiction. | ||
| Froggy |
 http://froggypwns.com/buellpdfs/Buell_Poster_24x36 HR.pdf | ||
| Ratbuell |
+1,000 on the test ride. If the riding position feels great but the handling is not quite right...remember, the suspension is ADJUSTABLE. Unlike your HDs. You can "tune" the handling so the bike behaves just the way you want - and that goes for everything, from an S2 built in 1995 up to an 1125 built in 2010. Ride one. But you are warned - do NOT ride one until you are prepared to buy. Otherwise...well, you'll probably end up buying before you "think" you're ready to! | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
The problem is that it's harder and harder to find a bike to test ride. Kinda like suggesting someone go test ride a Vincent or Indian or BSA. Eventually that won't be an option. | ||
| Froggy |
Come to my house, I have more available to ride than the average dealership... | ||
| Buellbozo |
I recently purchased my second Buell...a 2000X1m. I went 5 years since my first one, an S3t, working through an mc bucket list. I've got miles on (borrowed) Monsters, Speed Triples, Oilheads, and even a 990 KTM. All great 100+hp mind blowing motorcycles. Two points here... The Buell is the bike that ended my mc bucket list (I'm 58). And point #2? My 100+hp razor sharp handling, never needs a valve adjustment, Buell grin monster cost me less than $3000. W/O that fact, I wouldn't be able to ride. | ||
| Davegess |
I have to plug the book! Read this and learn about the whole Buell way. http://www.whitehorsegear.com/25-years-of-buell | ||
| Court |
That's the book that was written by the two male models? | ||
| Kenm123t |
What were they modeling? | ||
| Spdrxb |
Their Jugs and nice tubed frames.  | ||
| Spdrxb |
Buy any Buell and you will not be disappointed. You will be buying a lot more than just a motorcycle. | ||
| Pkforbes87 |
Hell yeah! I've watched this video probably hundreds of times. Still can't walk away from it without feeling inspired to go work my ass off. | ||
| Whisperstealth |
PK, After every video I get bummed that He got shut down. Then excited at what he is doing now! Maybe my priorities are screwed, but I would give up my house and live in an apartment before I gave my Buell! Jeffery, getting one is something you will not regret! | ||
| Danger_dave |
She said 'Mail models - they both dress like postmen'. | ||
| Ezblast |
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| Court |
>>>He got shut down. Hahahaha . . nothing could be further from the truth. His association with Harley-Davidson was severed. . . . HOORAY | ||
| Ratbuell |
Y'know Court...that's a good way to look at it. HD closed a department; Erik is no longer tied to them. He doesn't have to run a department of HD anymore; he's free to run his own show now! And I second Froggy's invite - I know the OP is in Florida, but if you're ever in the DC area my garage door is open. You can sample one of every generation here if you like | ||
| Blake |
Jeffrey, On cool mornings I like to start the Buell as I commence gearing-up (helmet, jacket, gloves) for a ride. At that point, out from under cover, whether it be the '97 Cyclone or the '09 Ulysses the bike immediately seems to commence speaking, communicating its builders' intent, "hurry the f$&k up; get on, and let's ride!" That's one of the characteristics that I like about the Buells that is distinct from other sport/standard motorcycles, their visceral, unapologetic character. Beyond that is the amazing competence in handling and a beauty of simplicity, and in my eyes the visual appeal of the Buells is very strong. Don't let the self-described male model scare you; though he's been assimilated by the NYC crowd, he's really just an old-fashioned construction worker. There is no lisp there.  | ||
| Glitch |
I ain't no good with words... | ||
| Firebolt020283 |
I have a question about that poster. When was there a xb12sx? I never seen that one on the buell website or anywhere in person. |
