Another Buell? I must be crazy.

[blackbuell]

It's that time of year again when I feel compelled to think about buying a new bike. The debut of the 1125R initially got me excited; at last, a Buell with a modern motor! But for various reasons, I've lost interest in that bike. Instead, I am considering an XB12XT.

I've owned 2 Buells over the past 11 years: first a '97 S3T and next a '00 S3, which I still have. Riding the S3 still makes me smile. However, over the past 5 years, I have only used the S3 for local riding, and haven't taken it on long trips, which are reserved for my CBR1100XX. I have had so many issues with my Buells, that I feel reluctant taking the S3 far from home.

My blackbird is a great bike, but I am finding it more difficult to ride as I get older (I'm 59). I prefer the more upright riding position of the S3. The 'Bird is also becoming too heavy for my 150 lb body and declining strength. Besides, riding over 100 mph is just not as thrilling as it used to be.

There are a few questions here: are the XB's much more reliable that the old tube-framers? How does the XB12 performance compare with that of my S3? Will an XB12XT be a good all-arounder?

I went to the local Buell dealer yesterday. They did have two left-over new XB12X's, but no XT's. The bikes were too tall for my 30" inseam. BTW, the XB12X's were significantly discounted; can they be lowered?

Any comments will be appreciated.

Jon

[Kootenanny]

The XBs have a much better reliability rep than the tube framers.  My 03--the original year of the XBs--has had zero reliability issues in 25K or so km.

I would imagine the suspension from the XT (or the TT, which I think is the same) could be grafted onto the XB12X.  Still, the XT looks like a nice package, and is the bike I'd be most interested in were I to buy another Buell (or perhaps a CityX, onto which I could graft--somehow--a Uly seat and rear end.  I just like the "9" engine, I guess).

[R.Markus]

I went to the local Buell dealer yesterday. They did have two left-over new XB12X's, but no XT's. The bikes were too tall for my 30" inseam.

 

I have a 30" inseam and have no troubles with the seat on the Ulysses.

[Brad1445]

I'm seriously thinking of getting a new Ulysses.  I miss mine.  I loved the height.

[Rogue]

The '07 and newer Ulysess had lower seats.  The '08 engines have nearly zero maintenance (oil/filter/spark plugs/air filter).  

The XT is a better street bike and a better all around bike.  It just doesn't have the dirt road capability of the XS.  

I have over 15k miles on my '06 Firebolt and absolutely zero issues.