30k on my Buell XB12R Firebolt

[2DFlyer]

Well Rogue,  I am very sorry to hear about your Mom and Dad.  I'm not much older than you but the realization that we're the next generation is a bit sobering.  I find comfort in the belief we're only separated from our loved ones for a very short time.  

I still have a house full of kids and an understanding wife that also understands I'd be a much bigger prick if I didn't have the bike in the garage.  All my riding comes in the form of commuting and that's okay.  I get to ride in relatively sedate conditions (slab against traffic in a rural direction) and there's enough back roads to make the Friday afternoon ride home fun but short enough to get me home for dinner.

I guess the point is something doesn't have to dominate your life to remain an important part of your life.  I know you'll find your sweet spot brother.

[Rogue]

Thanks 2D.

We are indeed THAT generation and as the Baby Boomers are retiring we are taking over.  My parents were the parents of the Baby Boomers and part of the greatest generation ever.  My Dad fought the Japanese in WW2, and my Mom survived their brutal occupation.  That experience really taught that generation to act and rarely ever whine about life.  They just dealt with adversity and made the most out of their lives.  I'm proud to also say that my parents were the type of people I consider movers and shakers of their time.  They didn't just work their asses off, they went beyond that by taking control of their lives via their own business that they grew and employed lots of people.  They are my heroes, and now it's my turn and my daughter is looking up to me to live up to those expectations.  The one difference I have with my parents is that I never went through much hardship.  I never had to actually fight for my own freedom and survival.  I also had many advantages that they never had.  So, I have more time to pursue pleasure and sometimes that pursuit has led me astray and/or blind to the needs of others around me.  I'm trying to change that now.  Riding will no longer dominate my life but like you said, I still plan to enjoy it to a lesser extent.  

I just put new BT-016's on the Firebolt, changed the oil, and next week will be brake fluid flush.  After that she'll be ready for another 4k miles or so.  That's the nice thing about her, takes very little work to keep her running.  I hesitated doing her service because I thought I would simply trade her in.  But now those plans are on hold.  In the mean time, she's still a lot of fun and the motor is tight as a drum and just keeps on rumbling away.  I realize I'm not doing the motorcycle industry a favor.      

[Mastros2]

I just put new BT-016's on the Firebolt    

This spring I mounted them on the tuber.  Great tire.  I really like how they handle.  

[Rogue]

I've tried a variety of tires on the Firebolt and the BT016's seems to be the one it likes the most.  It lightens the steering considerably and they do stick.  

[Brad1445]

I loved my 04 Firebolt so much I did 23,000 miles in 12 months.  Then when they introduced the 1125 series I bought another Firebolt.  A bike that is so good you must ride to understand.  And unlike the newer water cooled Buells you will not be stranded or laughed at.

[steve.m]

they're just physically a wee bike, kinda miserable for those taller than 72"

[Tpoppa]

It's hard to appreciate whats really good about XBs without a lot of seat time.  I put 34,000 sport touring miles on an '03 XB9S.  It was absolutely trouble free.  I eventually sold it an picked up a Honda 919, after 2 months and 2k I sold that (loved the motor, HATED the handling).  I've had a handful of other bikes during that time, but none really inspired me to rack up the miles like the XB.  So, I wound up buying a used '05  XB9SX.  After 8k, I traded the XB9SX in on a 1125R during the fire sale.  I use the 1125 as a sport tourer, it does surprisingly well in that role.  About 3 weeks ago I did 650+ miles in a day in relative comfort.  The 1125 is a better performing bike in every way, however, sometimes on a really tight technical backroad (like 20-25mph switch backs) I miss the crazy flickability of the XB.

Rogue, sounds like we have similar riding styles...on the sporty side of sport touring.  Have you looked at the new 2011 Ninja 1000 (faired Z1000)?  I just found out it has available sidecases and a top case.

[Rogue]

Rogue, sounds like we have similar riding styles...on the sporty side of sport touring.  Have you looked at the new 2011 Ninja 1000 (faired Z1000)?  I just found out it has available sidecases and a top case.

I've seen the pictures and the info.  I like the idea since I'm already liking the Z1000 naked.

Having said that, I kind of like the look of the naked Z.  Because honestly, if I was in the market for another sporty bike it would be the R1 with the Cross-Plane crank (ie. V4 firing order and flatter torque curve).  Bottom line is I'm lusting for a naked.  In the meantime, still enjoying the Firebolt.  I may not have a proper daytime running light (have it on high beam right now) but still liking it.  It is very suitable for my daily commute.  Lots of torque off the line and in the midrange which is perfect for city and suburb running.  Small and narrow which is great for lane sharing.  Low maintenance.  Not a big target for theft since it's not any of the Japanese makes.  Since I use a Timbuk2 Messenger bag, no need to have any type of motorcycle specific bag to mount and dismount.  So the miles are piling up slowly but surely until the inspiration to replace returns.  

[Tpoppa]

Regarding the lights...I never owned an XB-R, but I believe the was an updated/improved headlight reflector that was available as a recall.  Not sure if that applies to you bike or not.

[Kootenanny]

they're just physically a wee bike, kinda miserable for those taller than 72"

But great for us short-asses!



The small physical dimensions are one of the things I love about the 'Bolt (although I had to install Helibars to bring the grips within easy reach of my short arms, and it's good that I'm OK with tall seat heights--especially when I have the "Buell Custom" seat installed).

[Rogue]

Regarding the lights...I never owned an XB-R, but I believe the was an updated/improved headlight reflector that was available as a recall.  Not sure if that applies to you bike or not.

It applies.  But it's too late for that now.  I would rather replace both headlights with the Hella's like Bueller did.  Wish there was a bolt on kit.  In any case, I can easily spray the reflector portion with a mirror coat.  Just don't have time and the motivation right now.  

[Bueller]

Greg_e on BadWeb has a post on the Hellas.  He has a new type with shutters for high and low beam - Halogen and Dot approved unlike the Hella Bi-xenons.  He's got a bracket he's working on and I think he is looking at making them manufacture quality.  It looks pretty good.

The Headlight Upgrade ended in July this year.  From what I can tell,  from those who got it, the limit date for manufacture of the bike was around December 2005.  A lot off 2006 models and all 2007 models (like mine) weren't eligible.  The orignal headlights for the 2003 were the same part number as the 2007 which indicates that there wasn't an improved version of the lights for those who missed out.

[Rogue]

The headlight and tailight quality on the XBR's were simply inexcusable!  Granted it's not the first time this has happened in a motorcycle but still.  I finally got my low beam working again.  The wiring inside has frayed due to heat damage and I had to clean it out, re-attach the spade connector, wrap the compromised portion of the wire, then re-connect.  This is the 2nd time I've had to do this.  I'm trying to avoid having to remove the whole light and R&R the whole thing but it's getting to the point where I'm left with no choice.  

Right now, I'm simply manually pushing the high beams on so that both high/low beams are on for daytime running.  I find this minimizes automobiles from cutting in front of my path because they see me sooner.  Bueller, I have not placed the order for the dual running light wiring as I want to make sure the low beam is reliable first.  I will have to see how my repairs fair in the coming week when I plan to ride the bike for my commute to work.

[Bueller]

You're right to check out the lights and get them working again before looking at the TL.

The stock wiring to the lights is so thin and I've seen how the insulation start to harden and crack on the low beam.

As soon as I saw my the way my friend'd light degraded I started planning the Hellas.  I've run complete new wires through them from the battery that are much thicker.  The wiring in the TL is also much thicker than stock.  It's one of the things we've done to gt he lights brighter.