| Author | Message | ||
     Todd_martin |
I have been looking at Cyclones and XBs. My last bike was a ZX-10. I am interested in hearing from others that used to ride traditional sport bikes. How long ago did you switch from a traditional sport bike? What kind of Buell are you riding? What do you like most about it? What do you miss about previous bikes? | ||
| Aesquire |
I ride a '01 M2L Cyclone. Bought in late '02, new. ( & got a good deal, the deals are better now ) Last 2 bikes I owned were a Yamaha XS750 triple, shaft drive, & a Suzuki GS1100E. Both would be considered "standards", not "sport" bikes. I am, frankly, too fat & stiff to consider riding a race replica on journeys over 400 miles, so a "standard" is my choice. I miss the space under the seat for gloves & wallet, & the helmet hanger. ( Cyclones are as basic a bike as you can imagine, if it don't make it go, it aint there ) Also, no fat passengers. I love the handling, I mean world class Ducati/Bimota/etc. handling. Brakes to save your butt, stoppies at will, really controllable. Narrow engine, decent ergo's ( I have S3T bars & fairing ) get a Corbin or the "Buell Custom Color Matched" seat if you want to haul the little lady. And the Thunderstorm engine! I call it a sportster motor on ritalin. The lighter flywheels, better breathing ( lots better, 50-75% more power than a Sportster ) and rubber mounting make a Cyclone a very decent bike for burning a tank of gas, filling up & grabbing a Coke, & doing it again. How many machines do you know that get smoother the faster you go? Oh yeah, I fear for my license because I keep creeping the speed up from 70 to 90 on freeway runs. I does vibrate like a jackhammer at stoplights, true to it's Harley roots. If your lady gets a silly grin at idle, indulge her. I don't miss the buzzy vibes an inline 4 gives me, though the top end rush is nice. The Cyclones vibes are lower in frequency, as is the exhaust note. I prefer bellow to shriek. If you want more top end rush, I suggest a X1 Lightning, it has more radical cams, the Cyclones has "stock" cams for low end grunt. Got torque? yep. Consider the XB series too, I find them civilized in comparison to the Cyclone. With fuel injected motors, Radical braking, & cutting edge technology in frame & handling, I have to admit to a bit of envy of the newer Buells. I'm not selling. But if you're buying try one. | ||
| Coolice |
Got a XB9R, bought it in May 02. Really like it alot. Have the race kit, 12 airbox, Traction grips and pegs, touring seat, tankbag, and a few more Buell acessories. I am VERY happy with it. It has 7300 miles on it. I've done several trackdays, town riding, and even a few long weekend trips with gear packed on it. The more I ride it the better I like it. The previous bike, which I still have, Honda VFR 750 (1990) with 7000 miles on it. Haven't ridden it in 2 1/2 years now. I don't miss anything, actully the XB is easier to ride with the torque, and the motor suits my style, didn't like high rpm to make power. Try a demo ride soon to compare the 9 to a 12 and the S, R, or City models, they are all a little different but similar frames, engines, etc. Hope that helps, we are all here to answer questions. Welcome! | ||
| Todd_martin |
I have tested a XB9s, XB12s, and a 99 Cyclone. Thanks for the information. I like them all. I am leaning towards the 9 with race kit. | ||
| Daves |
Todd, Could I interest you in a trip to Wisconsin? I have some new, some used on hand and will make you a great deal! 1-866-757-1651 daves@h-dappleton.com I'll be back at work after about 10am on Tuesday Ride to the edge! Dave | ||
| Charlieboy6649 |
I have to come out up front and say that I did not own any "traditional" (by this I assume you mean rice offerings) sport bikes, the Buell XB9R was my first bike. Where I might be able to help you is that I can tell you this; after riding my Buells for about 10,000 mi now, I sit on the "traditionals" and want nothing to do with them. I don't know if you can relate this, but the "feel" of the bike just isn't the same. Nope, don't want one, even with their 120 HP to the rear wheel. I'm a Bueller.  | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
One thing to remember about a Cyclone/XB decision is that the M2 is relatively easy home maintenance with carb & a simple set up, whereas the XB is a lot more sophisticated with EFI etc etc. Whichever you get the grin factor is 10 & rising  | ||
| Grndskpr |
My last bike was a ZX7 and the one berfore it was a ZX7, along with a VFR, and i looked at the zx11, and several others, but as i got older my back started to bother me on longer trips(you know how your kinda leaned over to get to the vars) so i looked and looked and picked up a 98 S3, like it alot, has its problems, more than the Kawi did, but fun, easy to take care of, parts are a lot cheeper, but you will need more I went to the 98 S3 because i wanted a carb(ZX7's never went to FI, and are now no longer made) and i like it Looked at the XB12/0 s, and feel to small for the bike(thats me, you need to fit your bike) So really, go ride them, test them out, see what you like, there all fun R | ||
| Sfarson |
I ride an '02 Cyclone among other (very fine) sportbikes. The '02 is well sorted. Have had no reliability problems. Comfortable ergos. Great looks. Excellent torque, character, exhaust note, etc. Don't see many on the road -- kinda like that. It may be in the stable a loong time while others come and go. Versus other sportbikes... prefer the sportier ergos at speed versus sitting upright in the wind. Other sporting rides seem more planted in the curves at speed and I can lean further w/o dragging pegs. I prefer some fairing versus practically none. |
