| Author | Message | ||
     Trpldog |
Ok. I don't know why this is happening to me - but it is. I've had Buell in the bloodstream for a few years now, and Buell guy can know what I mean. Quick background - ridden since 1974, had about twenty different bikes throughout the years. Not a rich guy by any means - I've always sold one to buy one. I know my way around a wrench, but don't want to tackle a garage rebuild if you know what I mean. The dilemma - about 5 years ago, bought my first Buell, a white XB9r, which I totaled (the apex simply disappeared!), then a silly Honda, then Buell a XB12r w/ Drummer, then a Speed Triple, then stupid attempt at adventure riding - I found out I don't like dirt. Now I'm riding a 2006 XB9SX which I bought with 4,000 miles on the clock, and now at about 17,000. This minute I'm waiting for my drummer to be delivered from Kevin. The SX is great, and it's gonna sound great in a few days, and I got the handling dialed in perfect... BUT I cannot get away from the nagging hunger for a tuber. agggghhhhh! What is happening to me??!!! I know about them (normally) being more temperamental, generally needing more looking after, the recalls, etc, but I still got a hankering for one. In fact, I rode a blue M2 just for a short distance when I was looking to buy my first Buell, but because it didn't want to idle, I passed it up and then later found the 9r. Have you had this go on?? My XB is great and I run in the canyons often, and am a knee dragger at heart. I love the XB because of the handling for sure. Help me see this with a correct perspective. I know don't even have to explain it further it for you to understand. I can't have both bikes. What to do? Do I try to forget about it? The personality of the tubers draw me - the reliability question makes me cringe. Sorry for the long post, but I needed to come to the guys that would know. I gotta settle this thing. It ain't going away. Oy!! Thanks for any help in advance. (Message edited by Trpldog on June 14, 2014) | ||
| Blu1hockey |
Why can't you own both? You have the more expensive bike outta the way already. I'd keep my eye out for an inexpensive tuber. I love mine but I don't have the technical know how of many of (if not all of ) the people on here so mine seems to be down more than most. But I love my tuber. | ||
| Jolly |
oh yeah, own both!!! here is a nice S1 for 2500.00.... http://york.craigslist.org/mcy/4515219198.html | ||
| Yo_barry |
I've got one of each plus a Sportster. Tubers are fairly cheap to buy. | ||
| Gianni312 |
I own an s1 and just bought an xb9s and love it! | ||
| Phelan |
The s1 David linked is killer. Just keep your bike and save up until you find one you can afford. There are plenty out there. I paid $1000 for my S2 in running condition and it had more than that in motor work on it. | ||
| Trpldog |
I know, both would be ideal, but my wife sees two insurances, two license fees, etc. etc. I was just wondering if anyone had gone from new school to old school and not regretted it. Maybe later down the road a couple of horses in the garage might fly, but, In essence, in the mean time - if you could have either bike and wouldn't see any change for a long period of time, would you stick with the tuber still? | ||
| Trpldog |
I have to add, from what I'm reading, a 2000-2002 M2 might be a good choice. It's just me myself deciding if I want to go the tuber route. I think they have just about the most personality of any bike on the planet. Here in Southern California there are billions of Ducati's . Even the sound of a nice tuned tuber beats a Drunnerfied XB. I guess I need to stop thinkin about it - ha ha But I can't!!!  (Message edited by Trpldog on June 14, 2014) | ||
| General_ulysses |
I have an S1 and a Uly. As much as I like the Uly, I'm actually thinking about it selling it. | ||
| Alfau |
On the positive side, you'll refine your mechanical skills and If you need one as a commuter for work you'll be having lots of days off. On the negative side, parts are getting hard to get. | ||
| Cyclonecharlie |
Ok here's my experience. I bought a 2K Cyclone new. Loved the bike from day one,but still changed a lot of stuff to make it my own. When the XB's came out, I bought an XB9R, really liked the Firebolt. Road them both equally for 4yrs. Needed to replace my old truck,had to make a choice. One of the bikes was needed for a down payment on the new truck.Had to choose,I could never let the Cyclone go. Miss the Firebolt occasionally,but never doubted my choice.  | ||
| Trpldog |
Alfau, that bad? I was hoping the late M2's were pretty sorted out. Has it been big engine stuff or what? Even for the XB, blue loc-tite has been my friend. | ||
| Easy_rider |
I recommend you teach the wife to ride the XB.... | ||
| Alfau |
I believe an old bike like that would prove to be an expensive hobby for a young family is all. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/476 23/325017.html?1402669437 | ||
| Wildbuellrider |
I traded an XB9R for my X1. I've never looked back... T | ||
| The4ork |
the only difference between tuber and your XB is: 1. Way more fun to ride, way more attitude 2. stuff gets loose, gotta look her over now and then and tighten things that need tightening. usually they are trivial stuff. 3. parts are getting harder to find (such as pre 99 exhaust for an S-1, as well as bodywork and seats.) 4. Its carbureted. This can be a blessing and a curse. I was afraid of a carb'd bike because i love fuel injection. But, after some learning how the cv carb works i love it. I have mine perfectly dialed in and i had fun doing it. Now ive outgrown the carb and need bigger. With FI it would be a tune, but with a carb its manual labor. but i like doing it... contrary to how i thought i would hate doing it. to each their own i guess. Im a fan. Get an S-1 And just for reference: I went from blast -> XB12SCG -> S1 -> S1 /w stage 3 XB heads + 1250 + cams I'm lovin the S-1 and i pity riders on XB's 'cause they dont even know what their missing, and most of them have no interest. (Message edited by the4ork on June 15, 2014) | ||
| Swamp2 |
A lot of tubers were FI. Both of mine are ('99 S3 & '00 X1). Anyway... On some twisty roads, I've never been on a bike that's more fun than my XB9R - Buell or otherwise. With that said, tubers do have more charm and a "rawness" about them that XB's don't possess. The only acceptable answer is to own both. And you should probably throw and 1125 in there while you're at it... | ||
| Babired |
yes you can for both....why not the tubers are awesome i have the x1m with 60,000 on it amy xb ride is the uly go for it man!!! | ||
| Kalali |
It sounds like my wife and yours think alike and we are stuck as one-bike guys. The only word of caution I can give you is this may be your last bike. I always thought there are too many nice bikes out there to get stuck with one brand/type and I bought my X1 with the full intent of keeping for a year or two and move on. Six years later and the X1 is still sitting in my garage. I have lost count of how many times I've come inches away of selling it and move on but every time I take it out for ride I say, well may be next year. Mine is a 2000 now with 22K miles and it has been absolutely reliable with no issues whatsoever. The trick is being proactive and there are enough experts here to tell you what to look for. In my opinion, there are only two groups of folks, those who like a Tuber and others who hate it, with nothing in between. You know which group you belong to. | ||
| Littlebuggles |
My 2000 M2 has been far more trouble free than my 2007 XB12STT was, and as much as I liked that bike and it's excellent handling and two up comfort, the M2 is the bike I still own and ride. | ||
| Lynrd |
I'm on the other side of the fence - I am considering adding a stock XB to the stable. A certain cute little XB9R has caught my eye. However, if I was told that I had to give up Rhonda or Veronica to get the XB, I would have to say "No, Thank You". Thankfully, no wife worries here with "Too many bikes". Since I have not owned an XB - I cannot compare, but would expect the XB to be even more "Refined" feeling than my S3, which is quite a bit more refined than my S2. Well maintained tubers are a joy to own and operate. I personally think you need to be very comfortable doing your own repairs and maintenance if you choose to own tubers - but then again, XBx are heading that way fast. | ||
| Lakes |
Well, Back in 1997, a friend who wrenched for a dealer in Roaring Sporty's, here in Aussie, was working on dealers bikes at Daytona somehow got a S1, gave me a ride on it i loved it. then in 99 i got to ride a m2 had race kit ( air cleaner lightning ignition . i really loved it felt real agro. i latter test road a few XB's they did not feel as agro as that M2 the M2 felt a lot quicker to me. but i always had HD's had ridden them from the 70's to present then saw a cheap M2 bough it love it, my friends have HD's & two have XB's but i like my m2 must be crazy. | ||
| Jolly |
Wait...... Buell built other bikes than "tubers"???..... I'm so confused!!! But not conflicted!!!! Love every one of the tube frame Buells I have!!! There are faster bikes, far faster than I am, there are more refined bikes..... Again ...  .... These just fit the way I ride! Clearly I'm well on my way to being the old guy with strange bikes... Tube frame Buells, Triumphs and Moto Guzzis fill the garage!! 12 in all and my wife, bless her soul, is trying to convince me to bud on a Moto Guzzi Griso...., but no room, and giving nothing up .... The tube frame Buells are here to stay! | ||
| Trpldog |
Yeah. The raw(er) stuff has always appealed to me - CJ 5 and 7 jeeps, black powder guns etc. I think if I try to boil it all down, I believe what's keeping me from pulling the trigger is a nagging fear that the engine would gernade. Maybe it's all those horror posts I've read throughout the years. I am very proactive on the XB and do enjoy going over it every few days just to have a wrench in my hand - lube pivots, clutch cables, adjust things, paint license plate bolts flat black, wax, armora-all plastics, etc etc - then repeat. I just enjoy having the opportunity to mess with the bike. Kinda therapeutic for sure. I suppose any bike could go belly up - but I tell ya - those YouTube vids with the tubers running down a twisty road with a nice sounding pipe gets the juices flowing for me. I had a 1050 Street Triple not real long ago, and it was about the perfect bike. I found myself doing power wheelies whenever I could, and it sounded so so good - but, quite frankly, even that stuff became old. The XB has personality, a rough and gruff attitude, and if I don't lift the front wheel - it really doesn't matter. I came across a speed triple on a ride I was on, and I wouldn't have traded the Buell for it, and that said something to me. I think the tuber would be just that much more of what I enjoy in a bike. Thanks for input. Appreciate it all. (Message edited by Trpldog on June 15, 2014) | ||
| Jolly |
Best advice I can offer.... BUY ONE!!!! Do the basic list of stuff to it and then ride it! After properly prepping a tube frame buell I have never been stranded by one!!!!! Rocker box cover swap out and catch can Oil pump drive gear Billet front motor mount Primary chain tensioner Proper tension on primary chain and drive belt Properly set up and mount the exhaust with the upgraded front exhaust hangar Zippers collapsible push rod tube covers and billet bases with stock push rods (my personal thought) New isolators Upgraded front brake rotor either 9 button stock or a braking wave rotor Ride Ride Ride Ride!!!!!!!!! | ||
| Trpldog |
Jolly - ha ha! Very good. I'm sitting this minute in a Starbucks in So Cal waiting for my Drummer muffler to arrive for my XB on Tuesday - and I am already thinking of how to tell the XB - it might be over between us!! | ||
| Blu1hockey |
Is insurance really that much? After the initial hit of the purchase it shouldn't be that much to keep both. | ||
| Jolly |
"AND".... Not "or"..... AND is so much better than or!!!!!! There are some REALLY good deals out there on a few different bikes that you have a great choice on either M2, S1, X1 or an s3!!! | ||
| Devo1959 |
I started my Buell adventure with a 96 S1 loved the way it looked and its attitude. So when I walked into a 98 white lightening in classic white with nuc blue, I added that one then last stance and attitude of the S1 hooligan bike, the uly is the most comfortable, combo of practical riding loaded with fun and handling great 1 up or 2 up and can go on limited off road. If I could keep only one it would surely be the Uly. Jeff | ||
| Littlebuggles |
There will be badweb member, Buell enthusiast restored X1 up for sale in the not too distant future, right there in California. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/476 23/735720.html?1402895945 |
