38k mile XB-12 for $1,000

[Joey Stalin]

Coworker/good friend has an XB-12 (I want to say it is a 2005 or 2006, not sure) that he has put 38k miles on, he bought it new and has maintained it well. He's getting tired of sport bikes, is worried about future buell repairs and the increasing expense of repair of a buell as time goes on. Right now it has an engine code that he scanned, it is some exhaust flapper valve in the muffler. Needs a new muffler for ~$500 (flapper thingy is internal to muffler) and some electronic controller for about $160.

Anyway, he's older, wants to change bikes anyway, and offered it to me for a grand. I don't really need a fourth bike, but seems to me that it should be worth 2 grand at least. So my only motivation for buying it is as a toy that I can easily resell after I get some enjoyment out of it. Would I have a hard time reselling this? Even putting the money into the engine faults, if I could easily sell it for $2,000, I will probably do it.

If I didn't have 3 other bikes, I'd take it. I just don't want to be tied to yet another asset that I can't easily get rid of.

This is the kind of buddy where if I bought it and resold it for much more than I paid, I'd give him some money back. I'm not trying to make money off of a buddy - I only do that to strangers who don't know any better.

[Jesse]

That's a steal - go for it!

The exhaust actuator valve opens to improve engine response at wide throttle openings. If it's not opening it could be a cable problem or, more common, stripped teeth on the actuator gear. Some people wire them open when the teeth strip and do some voodoo to get rid of the engine code - don't remember the details but it will be easy to find on badweb (badweatherbikers.com).

Jesse

[Carbonero]

I'll take it if you don't.

[Jesse]

I'll take it if you don't.

My guess is that this price is only for close friends. If I had thought for a second that Joey Stalin wasn't just looking for a bit of encouragement and wouldn't jump at it, I'd have got in line at that price+  

Jesse  

[Rogue]

Is it a Firebolt or Lightning?

Is it '05 or '06?

There are significant differences.  Nevertheless it's a steal.  Will you be able to unload it for $2k?  Yes.  Fast?  Maybe, depends on its condition.  That kind of mileage scares most people.

The XB's, especially late model XB's are very easy to maintain and parts are still plentiful and inexpensive.  

[Joey Stalin]

It looks exactly like this



Needs a good wash and polish to remove the scratches, wear and tear around the triple clamp from keys, etc. other stuff from 38k miles of commuting. But the big thing of course is that I haven't ridden it yet. Probably next week.

[Kootenanny]

Holy crap.  BUy it!

I have an 03 XB9R with similar mileage, and there's no way I'd sell if for a measly $1k...this is one of the most fun bikes you'll ever ride!

BTW, the XB12R was ranked the "Best Cornering Bike Ever Made" by the UK magazine "Bike" in 2005.

Just buy the damn thing!

[Mastros2]

Just buy the damn thing!

Yep! Ride it for a few months and then post it on the Badweb to make a profit.  

[Joey Stalin]

How much do you all think it is worth?

Again, I'm not trying to make money off my buddy, if it sells for 3 I'd probably split the difference with him. But easy sale is the key since I already have 3 bikes.

[Jesse]

How much do you all think it is worth?

Again, I'm not trying to make money off my buddy, if it sells for 3 I'd probably split the difference with him. But easy sale is the key since I already have 3 bikes.

If it looks good and runs well, you should be able to get 2.5 or 3K IF you have someone who is specifically looking for an XB12. That is, someone who isn't worried about parts availability and "high mileage." The reality is that such buyers are few and far between for any type of bike and the fact that Buell no longer exists as a manufacturer will scare off a lot of potential buyers, at least in the short term. Some years down the road if/when Buells are still running and parts can be sourced that mindset will probably change. You might even have an appreciating asset on your hands.

If "easy" quick turn around is your goal, buy it but don't expect to make a lot of money. If you don't invest a lot, you *should* be able to make enough to cover your time and costs...but you may have to wait a while for the right buyer.

My bottom line advice as one bike lover to another: buy it, fix it and ride it, you'll very likely want to keep it. You've got a chance to pick up a piece of American motorcycling history for a song - don't pass it up if there's any way you can squeeze it into your garage even for a short term stay.

Jesse  

[Joey Stalin]

I rode it around the base, maybe 10 or 15 minutes, couldn't go very fast, 20-40 mph. Initial impressions were that I didn't like it. For all of this talk about mass centralization, why is it so hard to get the thing to turn? And when leaned over, it wants to stand up. Very nervous over bumps in the corners as well. The vibrations and heat were almost comical how bad they were. I may need to get going faster, maybe it turns better at higher speeds, so I am going to give it another try some day on some real back roads. But it felt really good to get back on my VFR, a bike I've never even really loved.

[Rogue]

Joey, that XB12R is set up way wrong.

The XB chassis is very sensitive to suspension set up and tires—a lot more than your typical Japanese machinery.  The bike needs to be set up to your weight…the Buell owner’s manual gives you a table specifically stating spring pre-load and damping settings for a weight range.  You need to get that right.  Then the tires.  Tires make or break the bike’s handling.  If the front is worn, it will exhibit strong tendency to resist turning and will stand up under braking.  Ditto if the tire profile disagrees with an XB.

When I got my XB12R brand new, it came with Dunlop D207’s, which were standard equipment for this bike due to H-D’s insistence.  These were horrible tires for the XB.  The turn in was heavy, and the bike stood up to attention under braking.  These on new tires!  I replaced the tires with Pirelli Diablo’s, later Diablo Rossos, and my last sets were Bridgestone BT016’s.  All of those other tires eliminated the XB12R’s ill handling characteristics.  Since ’07 Buell fitted all their XB’s with Pirelli Diablos.

Whatever the case you are buying a used bike.  It will need to be set up to you.  Tires could be worn.  Brakes could be warped.  Engine may need a tune up.  The XB12R’s even more so.  After I got the suspension and got the right tires on mine, it handled beautifully.  Even compared to my VFR800, the XB12R still out-handled it by a fair margin.    My XB12R flicked into turns and settled into deep lean angles that has my VFR protesting and wallowing.  Every time I would go for a ride in the mountains, the XB12R was the bike I took because it was built for it.

As for engine heat, it will have it.  The fan sucks in cooling air through the frame rails and out the back.  So at slow speeds, you WILL feel that heat.  It’s not made for stop and go traffic and low speeds.  Get it out on the highway and the mountains.  Get the suspension sorted out.  I wish I could do it for you so you can see how that bike can really shine.  Unfortunately, the XB12’s are not “universal” or “mainstream” bikes.  They require a modicum of fine tuning to get them to perform the way Buell intended.  That fine tuning is almost specific to Buells so known formulas for Japanese sportbikes may not always apply.  Sorry.  

[Kootenanny]

I rode it around the base, maybe 10 or 15 minutes, couldn't go very fast, 20-40 mph. Initial impressions were that I didn't like it. For all of this talk about mass centralization, why is it so hard to get the thing to turn? And when leaned over, it wants to stand up. Very nervous over bumps in the corners as well. The vibrations and heat were almost comical how bad they were. I may need to get going faster...

Well, yeah.  

The Firebolt isn't meant for tootling around at slow speeds.  I was at a Triumph demo a few years ago, I wanted something from the convenience store 2 blocks away so I jumped on my 'Bolt during a short break to head over there.  After riding the Street Triple, my Buell felt like an old pickup truck...slow, heavy, and rough.  But ya know, on the way home (four hours of twisties) I never once thought, "Gee, that Triumph would be nice!"  In it's environment--fast twisty backroads--the Firebolt is incredible.  Yes, it shakes at idle, and yes, the steering is not light at slow speeds.  But there's a reason "Bike" magazine rated it the best at cornering--the Buell may need a bit of input, but the response is immediate and very precise at speed, and it is a very satisfying ride in the twisties.

Now, I understand that not everyone's gonna like it, but...well, if I had the chance to pick up another Firebolt for $1K, I wouldn't hesitate at all.

[Bueller]

I rode it around the base, maybe 10 or 15 minutes, couldn't go very fast, 20-40 mph. Initial impressions were that I didn't like it. For all of this talk about mass centralization, why is it so hard to get the thing to turn? And when leaned over, it wants to stand up. Very nervous over bumps in the corners as well. The vibrations and heat were almost comical how bad they were. I may need to get going faster, maybe it turns better at higher speeds, so I am going to give it another try some day on some real back roads. But it felt really good to get back on my VFR, a bike I've never even really loved.

Short wheel base with a big difference in tyre radius means you need to countersteer a bit more.  Dropping the elbow on the side you want to corner helps a lot as well.  Having it set for your weight plus liitle adjustments to taste make a big difference to the cornering as well.

Your comments remind me of my initial impressions.  They didn't last long  The bolt does everything I like just the way I like it now.

[sprk_sprd]

So whatever happened?  Update please.