| Author | Message | ||
     Thumper74 |
Okay, I got a lot of feedback in regards to my question the 9 vs. 12, S vs. R, etc. See this, http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/406 2/309382.html?1191210748 I've also developed an affinity for some of the tubers... They're great looking bikes. Specifically, I'm attracted to the X1's. How does a low mileage 99 X1 compare to XB reliability? How do they handle in comparison to the XB? Is there a lot of aftermarket out there? Sliders, etc? | ||
| Jaimec |
I had a 2000 M2 Cyclone. I now have a 2006 XB12Ss Lightning Long. As far as reliability is concerned, I can't believe these two bikes came from the same factory. As much fun as I had with my Cyclone, it was CONSTANTLY in the shop for oil leaks. Fix one leak, and another one would spring up somewhere else. It also blew TWO batteries leaving me stranded both times (internal shorts). When it ran, I LOVED that bike, but it spent way too much time in the shop. The XB12Ss, on the other hand, has been as reliable as any other bike I've owned. Less weight and more power too. Gotta love it! As far as aftermarket, stuff for tubers seems to be drying up quickly. American Sportbike still carries some stuff, but the choice narrows every year. | ||
| Bartimus |
I'm amazed at some of the problems i see others having with their tubers. I've got 4 tubers, and they have ALL been great bikes. My first S2 gave me 155,000 trouble free miles before being retired in favor of S2 #2. Which has an NRHS 1250 stage 2 kit in it. It too, has been relatively trouble free. The only problem my '98 S1W gave me was the alternator went out at 14,000 miles. I replaced it myself for under $200. Other than that the price of riding a tuber has been tires, and lots of them. With the miles I ride, I average about 3 sets of tires a year between my tubers and my XB. Not cheap. While the XB does handle better, IMHO the tubers have the looks, and the soul that most of us are looking for in a bike. My XB, while a great bike, has never won a place in my heart like my tubers have. I would sell it in a heartbeat if I wanted something better, like an 1125R. But my tubers? Nope, never would I even think of selling one. Well... maybe the S3, I still haven't found out what it can do that the S2 doesn't do better. ;) AL at american sportbike does still have tons of stuff for the tubers. Go to their website and look around, they are a sponser on this board... | ||
| Slaughter |
The tubers are possibly a bit more maintenance if ridden hard. Hard riding might put you in the garage with wrenches more than you'd like. The rev limit is hard on any of these engines I ride a tuber, race an XB. I take pride in riding for WEEKS on the S3 and NEVER breaking 4,000 RPM. The engine never gives me any grief. The X1 has cool styling but there have been many stories about them self-destructing. I think many of them are the result of hard riding and hitting rev limiter too often. (Message edited by slaughter on October 04, 2007) | ||
| Cereal |
I've got an XB9R and an S1. I love them both and have had about an equal amount of trouble with them. The XB was abused by the previous owner though, so I'm not sure how much of it is the bikes fault. I think the S1 is one of the best looking bikes on the road (never been a fan of the X1), but the handling isn't even a comparison. I find myself riding the XB more often, especially when the route has a lot of twisties. | ||
| Oldog |
Thumper: I have an X1: these bikes DO require regular careful service, and they will "bite" if neglected or abused That being said Mine has required a number of replacement items, keyswitch, shock, steering neck bearing/swingarm bearing - wheel bearings, Iso's, crank seal..... I also do Preventative maintenance which has solved many problems, and keeps the sled ridable. I have had to push it 1/4 mile home after breaking a belt,( abusing it ) I am not totaly displeased as I enjoy wrenching. I have made a number of long trips 24 days 5 days 3 days etc.. with no trouble what so ever, I commute on it too. On the Xb I have assisted one of my neighbors ( a board member here ) installing a race kit. That XB has spent more time in the shop than on the road. for running and drivability problems( with and with out the kit!) The factory fully involved in trying to solve the problems. His other bike Xb as well is GTO (gas tires oil) and is trouble free. My 0.02$ If you dont wrench buy a new XB and enjoy it, If you want to persoanlize it and like to tinker I highly recomend the X1. As expressed above the accessories are becoming hard to find, the factory custom seat is one, that sadly should still be available .. with 28k on the clock I have really enjoyed mine.. | ||
| Cereal |
You can personalize and tinker the hell out of the XBs just as much as the X1s. | ||
| Oldog |
Fortunately the Xb bikes require less fiddling, I found them well thought out but a bit cumbersom Vs a tuber for service I dont have to seprate part of the frame from the engine to change my plugs, or split the cases to service the tranny. Tuber gear boxes need attention once in a while, so not having to dismantle the engine is a plus. My 02 as well.. ME if I ever buy an XB it will likely be an XB9s lightning as the 9 motor is the smoothest buell engine and the suspension is great IMO. now if I could get that in the Long chassis with the tt suspension | ||
| Rubberdown |
I'd love to see an S1 type produced with an XBRR derived engine with no fan. What a fun bike that would be! | ||
| Jayvee |
Aftermarket in general for the tubers is evaporating, but not nearly as fast as the Factory accessories were abandoned. A lot of the good stuff for tubers seems to be from Europe now. | ||
| Oldog |
I'd love to see an S1 type produced with an XBRR derived engine with no fan Thats just SICK......  err can you get that with an X1 frame for belt changes? | ||
| Xb9er |
I had a 99 X1 and now I have a 04 XB12S and the xb handles soooooo much better than the x1 and is more comfortable than the x1. As far as power the xb has more grunt than the x1. so I guess my trying to say that my xb is 100 times the bike the x1 was(and i liked my x1). | ||
| Rick_a |
Tubers - handle like big, heavy, low slung supermotos...and just as fun. There's a lot of stuff out there for 'em. American Sportbike probably has the best selection. I ride mine hard but also maintain it well...I've still had about anything that can go wrong, go wrong. It currently needs a new bottom end and pistons. | ||
| Buellfighter |
 Did someone say supermoto  | ||
| Nevrenuf |
just one naked beast | ||
| Thespive |
I'd love to see an S1 type produced with an XBRR derived engine with no fan Why all the fan hate? It is there for a reason and it really isn't that big of a deal. --Sean | ||
| Sanchez |
Tuber: Easier to work on XB: Less need to work on I owned a 2002 M2 with about 11k miles (though I only put on 5k), and I now have a 2006 Ulysses with about 11k miles. In that mileage, the M2 stranded me twice, forced me to ride bitch on the back of my uncle's Harley to a nearby Home Depot for a bolt once, and leaked oil from the primary, starter, and cam cover gaskets. The cam cover gasket sprayed oil all over the back tire, but fortunately I noticed it before doing any hard cornering. By contrast, the worst problem I've had with the Uly has been a turn signal blinker module that stopped blinking. The Uly is also far more comfortable. Beyond the suppository S1 seat I had on the M2, it also vibrated my hands and feet into numbness pretty quickly. The Uly, OTOH, is quite smooth. It's like riding a giant stick of butter. For style, nothing could top the M2, but the Ulysses was a better bike in almost every other way. I do miss my tuber, and I'll probably buy another one eventually, but if I had to pick just one bike, it would be the Ulysses. | ||
| Ceejay |
I just rode my XB to the track "raced" it all day, and then rode it home. Of course during that time I was chasing two tubers(both M2's BTW-nice riding guys). In all honesty I wouldn't have tried that with my 00 M2. The tubers look better, but I think that is the only advantage that they have. It's up to you to decide what is more important I guess. | ||
| Wolf102 |
the tubers have more soul than any other bikes i have ever rode. i have owned imports and currently own a vrod. i will never sell my s2.the s2 is both reliable and fun.the vrod has almost 10 thousand on it and the s2 just hit 48 thousand today. it does need a lot of tlc though. i wouldnt mind adding a 1125r to my collection though. | ||
| Nevrenuf |
thump, the m2L that i bought new in sept. 01 had over 23k on it before my daughter got hit on it. how many miles more, i don't know because the speed sensor went out a couple of times but they finally got that figured out. other than the rockerbox gaskets the 02 didn't have no major problems. although we have an scg also the tt is the closest thing to the m2 that i have tried out which is a possibility maybe oneday. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Chalk me up as agreeing with Ceejay and others above... I put 27k on an M2, loved the bike. But in terms of reliability, I also can't believe it and my XB came from the same factory... day and night difference. And like Ceejay... if I took my M2 to the track, it would have been a slower accelerating and worse handling and I would have fully expected something to be broken badly at the end of the day. The 9sx, if anything, was running better at the end of the day then it was when I bought it 20k miles ago. The tubers are great bikes, that look wonderful, and make great hobbies, and can be made to work well (if you make doing so your hobby). They are more reliable then the 1985 KLR 250 I have sitting in my garage beside my XB. But for a daily rider, the XB would be a far better choice. | ||
| Road_thing |
The tubers are great bikes, that look wonderful, and make great hobbies, and can be made to work well (if you make doing so your hobby).  What Reep said... rt | ||
| Ftd |
'02 X1 vs '06 ULY XB more polished, better performance. Tuber better looks more "character. To me it is like comparing a '67 Corvette to a 2007. Repairs after ~12,000 miles I call it a draw: X1: rocker box gaskets, TPS replaced, speedo sensor replaced ULY: stator replaced, kickstand and BAS recalls Frank   | ||
| Road_thing |
A draw? Not even close!! The model on the X1 is MUCH better looking! rt | ||
| S1wmike |
I have ridden every XB available at the last 2 MB Bike Weeks although relatively short spirited guided runs and enjoyed every second, but that said I do not get the same level experience as I do on my S1W. I bought the bike with 4757 on the odo and have already double the mileage since purchasing on 4/13/07 (yes it was friday the 13th). out side of my force pipe cracking repeatedly at the collector I have had NO Problems with the bike. To be fair I am looking to buy an 08 XB12R in white after the first of the year. Then maybe i can give a more informed opinion. | ||
| Slaughter |
XB:    Tuber:  | ||
| S1wmike |
Oh I can feel the LOVE!  | ||
| Jaimec |
Ya know, I've always pictured a separate club of older Buell owners forming a club similar to the BMW riders who stuck with the old air-cooled twins. They call themselves the "Airheads" and their logo is a front view of the venerable boxer twin wearing sunglasses with crossed tools. I picture "our" club called "The Tubers" featuring Mr. Potatohead riding an S1. Anyone feel artistic enough to create this logo? | ||
| Slaughter |
Hey S1Mike don't take it personally - my XB racebike is in pieces in the back of the pickup. My S3 is my daily rider! | ||
| S1wmike |
Hey it's all love on the Bad Web |
