For the bike riders - Buells?

[99RangerKrazy]

I'm thinking of upgrading from my 08 Ninja 250 to a bigger bike for this Spring. I just went to Schumate Harley Davidson and they have an 08 Buell Firebolt XB12R for $8,000 - has almost 11,000 miles on it. I did a little bit of research and they have a 24 month warranty. I can't find too many reviews for them though. Has anyone had any experience with Buells, or know anyone who has? Parts prices compared to say a Kawasaki or Honda?

Thanks everyone

 

[LittleHorse]

A buddy of mine has a late 90s S-1 Lightning. Back then they were a bit more Harley Davidson than they are now.

AFAIK, he hasn't had many problems with it. His speedo cable broke and his exhaust rattled off, that's about all I know of. It is a 10 year old bike though.

Since they are lower production than the Jap bikes, you can expect to pay more for parts and aftermarket stuff.

Sweet bikes though, probably worth the extra $$$ just for the cool factor if nothing else.

 

[daniel3507]

buell makes some pretty sweet looking bikes. there are a few though that look too much like dirtbikes in my opinion. a guy i used to work with though had one and loved it. he wont ride anything else now

 

[99RangerKrazy]

Yeah I'm not worried about the price of aftermarket stuff, I'd keep it stock. I'm just wondering about maintenance parts and the prices of them. But I don't think they'd be TOO much more expensive than other Jap bikes..but yeah I'm no expert haha.

 

[oatmealman]

I've ridden one for a few minutes,and while they are fun bikes they really like higher rpms.

 

[99RangerKrazy]

Well the one I looked at today redlines at 7k. My Ninja 250 I have now redlines around 13K. So it's not as bad as the Ninja anyways.

 

[oatmealman]

no it's not that you gotta keep them at redline to go anywhere it's just like a 4 banger jap car,they don't really pull from down low but get em up in the higher rpm's and they'll pull like a freight train.

 

[rusty133]

hey check highdeserthd.com their in caldwell and boise idaho. they have used bikes on their and have what you looking for...

 

[99RangerKrazy]

Thanks! I'll be sure to check them out

Edit - Wow, they have some killer deals on Pre-owned bikes.

 

[Nipplechops]

Buells are like blue cheese; they can be an aquired taste. The whole concept that the XB series is built around makes them a love/hate machine. I happen to absolutely love them, but I know many that don't share that love.

I would suggest that you find a place that rents them and take one for a spin before you plunk down eight grand or try and convince the place that has the one you are looking at to let you test it (most motorcycle dealers will tell you to pound sand).

Even though the 12 runs a long stroke, pushrod V-twin, it it is considerably more powerful than your current machine. I've ridden both the 9 and 12 and I prefer the 9 simply because it revs another 700RPM and feels like more of a corner carving sport machine. The 12 is bitchin' too (unless it is in the Ulysses, which is more spaceship than motorcycle) but there is just something about the 9 that gives me wood when I bang through the gears.

If you think you are ready to make the jump, go for it. But like I said, you may not love the XB like you think you will in the end, but then again maybe you will. Only one way to find out!

 

[99RangerKrazy]

Yeah, I've heard the same. The only reason I'm looking at this Buell is because it's a pretty good price and I know one of the salesmen that works there (he's the father of a girl I went to school with). So he may let me take it for a test ride. It's also the same place where I bought my Ninja 250. I really like the feel of it just sitting on it. It's comfortable, where you can lean if you want, but it's still partially upright. I'm going to think it over the next few days and see if they still have it..then we'll go from there. I really like my 250..it's been a great starter bike..but I'm to the point where I'd like something a little bigger. Thanks for all the imput everyone.

 

[BlackBII]

Used to own an XB12, I sent you a pm RangerKrazy.

I loved mine. Take one for a test drive as suggested, then you'll know if you like it or not.

 

[martin]

One thing you might consider is that it will probably hold its value better than most bikes.

 

[TinyBear]

I am a huge fan of the XB model Buells. I have ridden most of em including the New 1125r's.

That being said the only one i could se owning is the Uly XB12XT as its the only one that is comfy enuff for me on longer trips. ONly down side is the small fuel capacity and the hefty up front cost. On a plus side the bikes maintence is super cheap as other than filters and oil their aint mutch to do.

 

[240cubes]

i rode my friends 06 xb12r around for about 6 months when he was in afghanistan and that thing ripped. it had a jardine exhaust, chain conversion and some other small things i cant remember, but that thing was a monster. and getting it on a road with lots o the twisties! oooooh. anyhow i loved it. nuff said.