Lots of Affordable Buells

[Kootenanny]

The point is neither the Buell XB series or mid sized Japanese bikes stand a chance against a fast bike.
You're not that good, believe me.  Keeping up with squids on a Buell is easy.  A capable rider on an R6 will beat you, wether you care to admit it or not.

Never said I was "that good."  In fact, I stated earlier that I've ridden with guys who'd probably leave me behind on a 250.  And of course, a "capable rider on an R6" would beat me (wereI racing), being as I am just a local hack.  The thing is, I'm aware of my own abilities and limitations, and for me, the 'Bolt is plenty "fast" enough.  Perhaps I have "extremely low standards," but I'm happy with the Buell, and it allows me to keep up just fine with most of the guys I ride with.  Sure, there are those I can't hang with, but I wouldn't be able to hang with them no matter what I was riding.  And that's the thing--lots of guys figure they'll be faster on a "faster" bike, but--other than in the straights--that's not always the case.

It's the rider, not the bike, that's "fast."

That said, I still believe the 'Bolt is a more capable bike than the SV650.

[Rogue]

Griso has screw adjust threads.  No shims.  No cams to remove.
Plus the jugs are out in the breeze.

Even the 8V?

That's very good to hear.  

[Rogue]

That said, I still believe the 'Bolt is a more capable bike than the SV650.

I'm laughing at Scott's comments....from SV and now to R6.  C'mon.

That's like saying the Monster 1100 EVO is inferior to an R6 in performance.  DUH!  Earth to Scott!  

The XB uses exactly the same principal to the aircooled Monsters....to put a torquey, yet relatively simple engine into a lightweight, high quality chassis.  The result is fun, fun, and fun!  

The SV650 is trying to do the same thing but Suzuki built it to a price so they had to put lower grade suspension on it.  That hurts its performance but Suzuki knew this.  The SV was designed to appeal to new riders and those on a tight budget yet want the bike to to be fun and affordable and be able to grow with new rider skills.  That it did very well.  But an SV just won't hold a candle to an XB's chassis.  An XB12R cost $10k back in the day, while an SV around $6k...something had to give.  

[Rogue]

VFR800 V-Tec is another one. Been there, done that, no thanks.

Yup.

That's why I paid to have someone else do this.  Just changinge the rear spark plugs on it was a major pain due to tight confines.

[scottzilla]

 These bikes offer modern performance thanks to higher grade components that is a whole level above those so-called affordable bikes from Japan.


That's your statement Rogue.  So, what Japanese bike are we comparing performance too, huh?  I said SV and Versays because Buells mighty air cooled 1200 motor is about as fast as a Japanese 600-650CC twin.  I'm wrong?
If you would like to explain your comment i'm all ears.  I owned a Buell and the fact is, the "Performance" is lacking.  It's a slow bike.  Handles great, built really nice out of top notch components but S-L-O-W.
Then again, I think your entire thread is out of whack.  Dogboy corrected you about the never-needs-adjustment valve train and frankly, used models are overpriced especially compared to Used Japanese bikes.  Just look at the massive depreciation Japanese bikes exhibit in the marketplace.
I see little value to used Buells and when compared to Japanese bikes, I see even less.  

[Kootenanny]

If you would like to explain your comment i'm all ears.  I owned a Buell and the fact is, the "Performance" is lacking.  It's a slow bike.  Handles great, built really nice out of top notch components but S-L-O-W.

Remember, it's more fun to ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow

(Even for me, although I'm "not that good.")

[scottzilla]

Remember, it's more fun to ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow

(Even for me, although I'm "not that good.")

I'm the guy that owns a KLR and previously owned a Buell.  I did not buy either because they are or are not fast.   My comments are a direct response to Rogues comment regarding performance, that's all.  

[Kootenanny]

I'm the guy that owns a KLR and previously owned a Buell.  I did not buy either because they are or are not fast.   My comments are a direct response to Rogues comment regarding performance, that's all.  

Well, I was responding to your comment about how a Buell Firebolt has performance that's "on par" with an SV650.  They are quite different; not only does the 'Bolt feature nearly 20 more horses, it feels even more powerful due to the low-end torque, and there is simply no comparison in the chassis and handling departments.

I didn't buy the Buell because it's "fast," but because I really enjoy riding it.  However, I've never felt it to be "S_L_O_W."  Neither have the guys I ride with... (Indeed, I've had a few comments along the lines of, "Wow--and I thought Buells were supposed to be slow!")

[Rogue]

I believe Scott had a Buell XB9S City.

I myself have ridden the Buell XB9R Firebolt and I would hardly call that bike slow.  I rode that bike back to back with my Hayabusa and unless I was passing multiple cars at high elevation, the XB9R did not feel slow to me.  

In any case, everybody is entitled to their opinions.  When I owned my XB12R Firebolt I didn't ride it like I was at the track, redlining and bumping off the rev limiter.  I rode at the Pace level and it was glorious.  Slow?  Far from it, even after owning the Busa for many years I never yearned to have that power of that bike.  To me that is a very clear case that the XB12R was not slow.  I could cruise at near 100 all day, pass with authority and safety, carry luggage on it and still ride it quick, etc.  

Anyway, it's sad this thread has degenerated into a Buell vs the world thanks to a few detractors.  The fact still remains:  great buys are plentiful on Buell XB's.  Those who want their multi-valve 14,000 RPM screamers (along with their associated maintenance) look elsewhere.  

[Tpoppa]

The point is neither the Buell XB series or mid sized Japanese bikes stand a chance against a fast bike.
You're not that good, believe me.  Keeping up with squids on a Buell is easy.  A capable rider on an R6 will beat you, wether you care to admit it or not.

If you mean on a track I would agree.  On a twisty backroad, however, where cornering ability means more than top speed my old XB could easily hang with or gap seasoned track riders on R1s, GSXRs, etc.

BTW, I am currently upgrading a Gladius with GSXR suspension.   It has more 'sport' than you would think.

[Kootenanny]

Anyway, it's sad this thread has degenerated into a Buell vs the world thanks to a few detractors.  The fact still remains:  great buys are plentiful on Buell XB's.  Those who want their multi-valve 14,000 RPM screamers (along with their associated maintenance) look elsewhere.  

My apologies for contributing to the degeneration.  I will admit that I get a bit annoyed when people diss Buells for being "slow."  But what really got me going here was the taunt about how, if you don't agree that the 'Bolt is slow, you must have "extremely low standards"--and that if you CAN hang with guys on "fast" bikes, well they must just be squids with limited riding skills.

[Rogue]

Well I've ridden with a guy on a Harley Street Rod,  in the twisties, and that SOB could ride and easily keep up with the Ricky Racers.  Another time I watched a really good Ducati rider, same twisties (Palomar Mountain in San Diego) and this guy on a 1980's Vintage VFR750 kept up with him.  

So yeah, it's not the bike.  

[Rogue]

My apologies for contributing to the degeneration.  I will admit that I get a bit annoyed when people diss Buells for being "slow."  But what really got me going here was the taunt about how, if you don't agree that the 'Bolt is slow, you must have "extremely low standards"--and that if you CAN hang with guys on "fast" bikes, well they must just be squids with limited riding skills.

Koot, I think Scott's statement about the 'Bolt being slow is based on his experience riding his CityX which has the same motor.  The XB9 is about equal to an SV650 in terms of overall acceleration.  In fact I think the SV650 might have a slight edge in the 1/4 mile time.  This statement was of course silly because you can't say the SV650 is "slow".  There are people who also say the VFR800 is "slow".  This mentality is basically, if it's not at least as fast as a 600SS then it's "slow".

[Kootenanny]

Koot, I think Scott's statement about the 'Bolt being slow is based on his experience riding his CityX which has the same motor.  The XB9 is about equal to an SV650 in terms of overall acceleration.  In fact I think the SV650 might have a slight edge in the 1/4 mile time.  This statement was of course silly because you can't say the SV650 is "slow".  There are people who also say the VFR800 is "slow".  This mentality is basically, if it's not at least as fast as a 600SS then it's "slow".

The one time I rode an SV650S, it certainly didn't have the "grunt" my XB9R had...then again, I admit, I did not rev it to redline, either (plus, the stock chassis/suspension didn't really inspire that much confidence in me to "push it," so...).  That said, I read somewhere that Steve Crevier (Canadian racer) once set the fastest lap time at a small track near Vancouver, BC...on his wife's SV650S, which he borrowed because it happened to be there...so, hell, a "competent" rider can humble guys on track-prepped supersports and litrebikes with an SV650S, if he knows what he's doing.  (BTW, Steve raced a Firebolt for a time...and also an 1125R)

[Brad1445]

What great bikes the last 1200xb's were . Buell would still be selling at through Harley dealers if they had not rushed the 2008 1125 3 foot wide electrical nightmare to market.

I would not pay $1,000 for any Buell now. I will never forgive Erik for bragging about how perfect the 1125 was a dream come true. His ego was so wrapped up in celebrating the 25th anniversary with a new model he did not realize he crapped on the brand name and by not fixing it or pulling it from market sent a message to all that the customer did not matter.

What a sad ending to a great bike we all wanted and waited fit a water cooled version of the worlds best handling bike and what we got was joke like a slap in the face. I have a Buell banner hanging in my garage who ever sends me a pre paid return tube can have it for free.

If the Buell team did not smoke weed on their lunch brakes that i'll blame arley for not firing Erik when he got so far from reality and the market. We are now arguing Buell vs a sv650? That's why thebpriceskeep falling just when things were going great. You send out the same turd the model years in a row and it don't sale without a $5,000 rebate you can't blame the dogs for not liking the food after the first year. They should have done customer groups and listened before the press got ahold of it. Idiots.

[Tpoppa]

What great bikes the last 1200xb's were . Buell would still be selling at through Harley dealers if they had not rushed the 2008 1125 3 foot wide electrical nightmare to market.

I would not pay $1,000 for any Buell now. I will never forgive Erik for bragging about how perfect the 1125 was a dream come true. His ego was so wrapped up in celebrating the 25th anniversary with a new model he did not realize he crapped on the brand name and by not fixing it or pulling it from market sent a message to all that the customer did not matter.

What a sad ending to a great bike we all wanted and waited fit a water cooled version of the worlds best handling bike and what we got was joke like a slap in the face. I have a Buell banner hanging in my garage who ever sends me a pre paid return tube can have it for free.

If the Buell team did not smoke weed on their lunch brakes that i'll blame arley for not firing Erik when he got so far from reality and the market. We are now arguing Buell vs a sv650? That's why thebpriceskeep falling just when things were going great. You send out the same turd the model years in a row and it don't sale without a $5,000 rebate you can't blame the dogs for not liking the food after the first year. They should have done customer groups and listened before the press got ahold of it. Idiots.

Didn't your Dr. say to keep taking your meds?

[Croak]

Brad, do you ever post anything else?  Seriously, variations on your 1125 screed is all I've seen from you in the last three or four years.  

Let it go, man, let it go.  

[Rogue]

Brad is like a woman scorned.  He will never forget....the pods  

OTOH, I'm sure he can find a very early example of the XB9R Firebolt or XB9S Lightning for $1,000.  

What Brad does NOT know is that Buell did fix all the issues with the 1125R and did so within a year of introduction.  They did so via a few recalls and TSB's as well as warranty.  On top of that, the one most difficult fault that surfaced with the '09 1125R (that H-D did not want to address except through warranty) was fixed by Erik Buell Racing with new parts.  So even after Erik broke his affiliation with H-D, his team still went back to fix that last issue.  So there is still continued support through the H-D dealers and EBR.  Of course Brad knows nothing about that because he's never owned an 1125R nor does he bother doing any research on it.  Even if he did, he will totally ignore facts and make up fiction based on his personal vendetta.

[Tpoppa]

Brad is like a woman scorned.  He will never forget....the pods  

Hmmm.   That reminds me of something...what was that again...

http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,50164.0.html

[Tpoppa]

What Brad does NOT know is that Buell did fix all the issues with the 1125R and did so within a year of introduction.  They did so via a few recalls and TSB's as well as warranty.  On top of that, the one most difficult fault that surfaced with the '09 1125R (that H-D did not want to address except through warranty) was fixed by Erik Buell Racing with new parts.  So even after Erik broke his affiliation with H-D, his team still went back to fix that last issue.  So there is still continued support through the H-D dealers and EBR.  Of course Brad knows nothing about that because he's never owned an 1125R nor does he bother doing any research on it.  Even if he did, he will totally ignore facts and make up fiction based on his personal vendetta.

He shoots, he scores!