Lots of Affordable Buells

[scottzilla]

And Scott's for-sale ad was epic; the stuff of legends.  

Wait till I sell the KLR.

[DogBoy]

Never, EVER said I didn't like it.
I didn't sell my Falco, Buell or Speed Triple because I didn't like them.

I remember Scott's "I love my Buell" thread about how well thought out wheel removal/replacement is on the XB and many other posts praising the bike.

[Kootenanny]

XB's are pretty awesome.  I miss mine.
People talk about bullshit like "Character" but Buell is a different riding experience; you have to ride them differently than Italian/Japanese bikes.  Not better or worse-just different.

I agree with this, although I would say the Buell has "character"--which is exactly why the riding experience is different (but yeah, they require a different style of riding, which takes a bit of getting used to especially if you're used to an I4 like I was).

[DogBoy]

Scott's for sale ad. Awesome.  

http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,40678.msg928240.html#msg928240

Note this post: http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,40678.msg945193.html#msg945193

[scottzilla]

Note this post: http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,40678.msg945193.html#msg945193

An, I did to back to two after all.  

[scottzilla]

I agree with this, although I would say the Buell has "character"--which is exactly why the riding experience is different (but yeah, they require a different style of riding, which takes a bit of getting used to especially if you're used to an I4 like I was).

I could have worded that better.  I'm saying the XB's have character.  Other bikes do not come close in the character department.  

[Rogue]

I agree with this, although I would say the Buell has "character"--which is exactly why the riding experience is different (but yeah, they require a different style of riding, which takes a bit of getting used to especially if you're used to an I4 like I was).

I really can't pinpoint or describe that thing about "soul" or "character" on a motorcycle (or car).  All I know is, I had the XB12R Firebolt and the VFR800 at the same time.  For almost 99% of the riding, I always went for the Firebolt keys even when both were available.  I love my VFR but it has always been "the back up" bike for me.  

This is still true even with my 1125R.  Oftentimes I plan to go sport riding in the mountains and promise myself I would take the VFR this time or that time, at the last minute I change my mind and end up taking either the Firebolt or now the 1125R.  They are just fun to ride my heart always begs to ride them.  

[Rogue]

I think listening to the on-going wheelnerds saga about Buell issues has pretty much removed any chance of me ever owning one.  

My '06 XB12R Firebolt was very reliable.  Never needed a single trip to the dealer for warranty work.  My other good riding buddy has an '07 Lightning and this bike has never had anything go wrong either.  He's never taken it to the dealer for anything and he still owns it.      

My 1125R (which I've only owned for a year), has also been very reliable.  My friend was the previous owner of this bike and I know he beat on it too when it was new!  He took care of the warranty/recall issues at dealer expense during the bike's first year (this is how I know Buell took care of all issues with the 2008 1125R's).  The bike never died or stranded him.  Him and I have taken this bike on sport tours without a single glitch.  But what do I know.....  

The XB's are so simple that if something did go wrong they are very easy to repair.  Not all Buells are this reliable, and early ones have had their issues.  At least parts are plentiful and dealer support still exists.  

[Rogue]

Since we're reminiscing, I miss mine.  

[tankhead]

I have owned the 2006 City-x and the 2009 Uly.  I had close to 28000 miles on the City-x for 2.5 years of ownership when I sold it.  I had always secretly lusted for the Uly.  The City-x never ever let me down.  The uly left me stranded a few times because of a bad fuel pump which was replaced the day my warranty was up.  No problems since. Though I will say I do miss that City-x.  I should just change the handlebars to the buell city-x bars and change the primary to the nine primary and basically be back in business.  We will see.

[Kootenanny]

I have owned the 2006 City-x and the 2009 Uly.  I had close to 28000 miles on the City-x for 2.5 years of ownership when I sold it.  I had always secretly lusted for the Uly.  The City-x never ever let me down.  The uly left me stranded a few times because of a bad fuel pump which was replaced the day my warranty was up.  No problems since. Though I will say I do miss that City-x.  I should just change the handlebars to the buell city-x bars and change the primary to the nine primary and basically be back in business.  We will see.

I like the XB9, and when the Uly first came out, I was wondering if the rear subframe, seat, etc. from a Uly could be grafted onto a CityX...

BTW, I've owned my first-year (2003) XB9R since new, and so far have had only one minor issue--which didn't affect rideability and was repaired under warranty.  I have never been stranded, and would never expect to be.  It's about as reliable as this image would lead you to expect:

[Bueller]

Because they are no longer in production Buells are now classified as bikes that can be imported and registered without a manufacturer's compliance sticker.  They are eligible for compliance testing by engineering companies.

They are being imported in quantity and snapped up.  One company that specialises in importing them is doing the import and compliance an wholesaling to dealers at AU$10,000 (US$10,700) with the compliance done.

Firebolts are fetching the best prices - $16,000 - $17,000 at a dealer.  12 months ago you were looking at $7,000 private sale as a good price.

I just helped an injured friend sell his 2006 XB12R for $13,000. (He broke his back in a motorcross accident a few years ago and it had come to the point where he would not be able to ride again.)  The bike was immaculate with only 2,690 km on the clock.

My 2007 XB12R is insured for $18,000 - agreed value.  They would have given me up to $23,000 (with a higher premium) because of the accessories on it.

[stromgal]

Wow.    If I ever give up on Torquemada I'll have to advertise in Oz.  

[sprk_sprd]

Scott's for sale ad. Awesome.  

http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,40678.msg928240.html#msg928240

Lol - that's almost sticky-worthy!  

[Rincewind]

This story immediately made me think of this thread.  

http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2012/03/stop-me-before-i-buy-a-used-buell-xb/

Stop me … Before I Buy a Used Buell XB

[Kootenanny]

This story immediately made me think of this thread.  

http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2012/03/stop-me-before-i-buy-a-used-buell-xb/

Stop me … Before I Buy a Used Buell XB

Perfect!  One reviewer loves the brakes, another doesn't...ditto for the engine, power, handling, etc.  But overall, they all thought a Buell was good enough they'd want to own one (except, of course, the guy who was "too tall"...gee, that's too bad...he should try shopping for bikes at 5'4"...).

I will comment, though, on this line: "...sometimes you just need that top-end hit, maybe to break the law with a little more style, or when you want to relax a bit at a trackday..."  Yup, if that's what motorcycling is all about--breaking the law and trackdays--perhaps the Buell ain't your bike.  If, however, you don't have a track anywhere within a day's drive, and you actually kinda like having a driver's license, well then...hmmm...

Overall, though, the guys all seemed to "get it," that the bike is actually very good at what it's intended for--riding backroads and having fun doing so.  No, it's not for everyone--if you're one of those guys who needs the top-end rush of a 13K redline, or wants to pass huge lines of cars "up on one" at 135 mph then body-steer the bike back into the lane before the front wheel comes down, well then this may not be your bike.  Me, I couldn't ride like that no matter how powerful the bike is (remember, I'm "not that good"), but I love the feeling I get when I ride my Buell, and that's what does it for me.  Maybe I'm beginning to understand the allure of a cruiser...naaah...

[JTM]

I actually rode to work today, instead of taking the bus, and I was once again reminded why I loved this bike so much when I first got it. The third guy really nailed it with what make a Buell XB the bike that it is and why I love mine.

[Rogue]

I recall back in ’06 when I told an ex-coworker and fellow sportbike enthusiast that I planned on buying a Buell XB12R.  As soon as I told him, he went on and on about how unreliable they are and how he knew of this one guy who went for a ride with a bunch of Buell riders and these Buell riders all brought along tools so they could wrench on their bikes on the road.  He told me his friend told him that every time they stopped the Buell rider would check fasteners and tighten them.  I asked my coworker what kind and year Buells they were, he said they were called “tubers” (tube-framed Buells).  Anyway, he went on and on about impending doom if I bought a Buell and so he wished me luck.  

To this day this guy can’t believe how simple and reliable my Buell XB12R was.  He always asks me how the bike is running, as if he’s waiting for me to say it broke down or this fell off or I hate it, so as to vindicate his advice to me.  Of course, this is the same guy who predicted doom and gloom for aftermarket muffler manufacturers when the DOT required all mufflers to meet decibel limits.  We all know the aftermarket muffler builders have adopted and are doing just fine.

[Rincewind]

I will comment, though, on this line: "...sometimes you just need that top-end hit, maybe to break the law with a little more style, or when you want to relax a bit at a trackday..."  Yup, if that's what motorcycling is all about--breaking the law and trackdays--perhaps the Buell ain't your bike.  If, however, you don't have a track anywhere within a day's drive, and you actually kinda like having a driver's license, well then...hmmm...

Overall, though, the guys all seemed to "get it," that the bike is actually very good at what it's intended for--riding backroads and having fun doing so.  No, it's not for everyone--if you're one of those guys who needs the top-end rush of a 13K redline, or wants to pass huge lines of cars "up on one" at 135 mph then body-steer the bike back into the lane before the front wheel comes down, well then this may not be your bike.  Me, I couldn't ride like that no matter how powerful the bike is (remember, I'm "not that good"), but I love the feeling I get when I ride my Buell, and that's what does it for me.  Maybe I'm beginning to understand the allure of a cruiser...naaah...

I'm a backroad bomber as well -- that's my favorite type of riding.  I don't ride track, nor do I do 135mph wheelies either.  Now that my wife has a vtwin that gets good mileage (mid 40's), I am sort of jonesing for a v-twin.  And my Street TripleR is coming up on an expensive 24k service - by commuting it really ups the miles.  I should probably stop typing before I get any ideas, especially about the Lightning Long, XB12STT, or the Uly.  

I wonder if the author of the article sold his STR for a Buell or not.  

[Rogue]

In my opinion, being a person who loves sportbikes, there is no better alternative as a do it all bike for commuting, sport riding, touring, and low maintenance than a Buell XB.  A maxi-scooter comes close to the low maintenance commuter part but sorely lacks on everything else.  The low maintenance is a huge factor when you commute.  On top of that is the inexpensive buy in on used XB's with low miles, it's an excellent choice.  

Rince, I know someone who is selling his '06 Lightning XB12Ss (Long) with 19k miles on it for $4k.  He is in SoCal.  He has this bike detailed twice a year and we performed the maintenance and tire changes on it.  I know it's a solid bike and never had any issues with it.  I thought about buying it myself but I would have to sell one of my bikes and that is NOT an option.  Just so you know, the XB12Ss is VERY hard to come by nowadays.  This example is red with red wheels.  It comes with the Pit Bull rear stand, Factory Service Manual, and an extra tall windscreen (in addition to stock height number plate).  The original owner is a mature guy.  Never wheelies, no stoppies, no abuse of any kind.  I can vouch for this guy being anal retentive like me!