New England Buellers (and all others) buying qeustions? Need answers

[smackdoogle]

Okay,  I got stationed on the USS Constitution in July and I'm looking to buy a Buell XB9S within the next few months.  Price range is around $5000.  Anyone have any suggestions of what to look out for other than normal wear (Obviously buying used)?  Is it necassary to upgrade the pulley's and belt if I get an 03?  Would anyone be willing to go "shopping" with me later this year.  I don't know what to listen for and what exactly to "feel" when riding a buell.  Any suggestions would be great.  I can't wait to come out of the closet and declare my love affair with Buells.  I've been lurking on BWB and sport twin for almost 2 years now off and on.  Thanks in advance.

[Kootenanny]

I have an 03 XB9R, which I bought brand new (leftover) in January 05.  Got over 25,000 km on it.  No problems at all so far, except for one minor warranty item (which was fixed at a dealer, no prob).  The bike has been bulletproof, original belt included--actually, the belt is due for replacement according to the manual, I'll just buy another 03 spec belt for it.

It's not the most powerful bike on the street, but it sure is the most fun bike I've ever ridden.  It really feels like a motorcycle, and makes you feel like you're actually riding the thing, rather than just along for the ride...

[smackdoogle]

Thanks for the reply Kootenany,  This will be my 4th bike and I know it's not a screamer or high horse power monster.  I'm getting it because I love the the sound, looks and most of all, I can ride it to work, then carve the curves on the way home while getting 50mpg.  Oh yeah, and the whole low maintenance thing is nice.  Plus I don't have to worry about seeing one just like it around the next corner.  Wish I could reenlist right now and get that bonus(active Navy).  There's a 03 XB9S on craigslist right now for only $2900 w/ 9k miles.  Oh, well.  I'll just wait 3 months

[Rogue]

Buell upgraded the belt/pulley almost every year on the XB's.  The '06's are currently the ones that do NOT require any replacement interval.  There is a conversion kit available to switch your older belt/pulley to the '06 and newer.  I think it's about $250 at American Sportbike.  If this conversion has not been performed, you need to replace the belt on older XB's every 25k miles.  Unlike a chain, you don't PUSH that mileage.  Belt failure is sudden.

XB's also seem to break their clutch cable wire guide in front of the engine.  No big deal as it is easily replaced.  But check this piece anyways.

Some owners complain of broken exhaust header bolt which is due to corrosion.  May want to check those bolts as well.

Finally, ride the bike.  Try to ride a new one so you have a baseline to compare to.  Then ride your chosen pre-owned model.  The early XB's will have a notchy shift action and a heavy clutch compared to the '06 and newer XB's.  I would make sure you can shift into and out of every gear without problems (notchiness is fine).  

The XB9S has about similar performance to an SV650, with a lot more torque.

[Kootenanny]

The XB9S has about similar performance to an SV650, with a lot more torque.

Hmmm...I recently rode an SV650S for the first time, and while it's a great bike, the performance was nowhere near that of my Buell--most specifically with regards to handling.  The SV would require some serious suspension upgrades in order to handle anywhere near my stock Firebolt.

Engine-wise, I found the SV650 sufficient, but a bit anemic compared to the XB.  My buddy--who was demo riding the SV650S--was amazed at how much more powerful the Firebolt felt (whether it really is or not, it sure feels more powerful, I think largely due to the low-end torque as Rogue mentioned).

[Rogue]

SV650 vs Firebolt XB9R:

Oh yeah.  I was only referring to straight line specifications.  

The XB9R/S will easily outhandle any SV650 stock.  The SV has nowhere near the chassis and suspension quality of the Buells.  

However, if you look at 1/4 mile and top speed times, the SV650 and 9R/S are very close. I'm sure the 9R/S will pull away from the SV650 up until the end of that quarter mile due to its torque advantage.  I wanted to give the original poster an idea of the 9's power characteristic.

[Kootenanny]

Gotcha.  And yeah, it's a valid comparison.  I was seriously thinking about an SV650S when I bought my Firebolt--because it was a "leftover," it was about the same price, and a LOT of people recommended I get the Suzuki (because, ya know, the Buell is gonna be a maintenance nightmare, being as it's built by Harley and all... ).  It was the suspension that sold me...

Quarter mile drags?  Sure, get the SV up into the top of the rev range, it's a great engine and I don't doubt it'd keep up to or surpass my Buell.  But since I don't drag race, and avoid straight roads like the plague, that was never a consideration for me--I want a bike that handles well.  If I wanted to drag race, I'd have bought a bike more suitable than either of these (and old Mach III, perhaps?)