Finally! New Bike Day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Rattlehead]

So, I finally dove in and bought a new (to me) bike.    I had been looking for quite a while for a clean, unmolested, never-been-dropped sportbike that would be within my budget (under $5G). Having failed to find such an elusive creature for a solid 6mo I decided to travel a different path. I returned to the bike that I had owned a couple time before (3 if you count the one I bought as an unfinished project and put back together and sold for a profit), to a bike that, for various reasons, had always pulled at my heartstrings, one that had that special “something” that no other bike on the planet could duplicate. I bought another Buell.  

This time around I purchased an 05 XB12R (my second of that exact model) for WAY under budget. The idea being that I would put a little money into this bike and the rest would go into getting my 69 Mustang project back on the road. The project that had taken a back seat to kids, moving, and various expenses for FAR too long.  

One ride the Sat. I brought it home had me grinning ear to ear and wondering why in the world I ever got rid of my Buells to start with.    There is just a certain magic there that I have yet to find in another bike. Sure it’s quirky, not as fast as other ‘true’ sportbikes, and it shakes at idle like it’s having a seizure   , but it has a certain ‘character’ (soul, some would say) that is so unique that if you were to sit on one blindfolded and thumb the starter button, you’d know IMMEDIATELY what bike you were on. I’m hoping to keep this one for the long haul as I’ve been trading around and ‘sampling all the flavors’ for long enough to realize that ‘Buell” is a flavor that I enjoy.


Sorry for the crappy pic (it’s from the p.o.). It’s the only one I have as the bike is currently COVERED in mud/dirt splashes from my Sat ride (melting snow and road crud sure do make a mess of things!)
**just realized that the pic doesn't show up unless you're logged in. I promise, there really is one there!  

[Sport-Touring]

[Flyer]

 
Hey Mister! NICE Harley!

[Chronic]

One ride the Sat. I brought it home had me grinning ear to ear and wondering why in the world I ever got rid of my Buells to start with.    There is just a certain magic there that I have yet to find in another bike. Sure it’s quirky, not as fast as other ‘true’ sportbikes, and it shakes at idle like it’s having a seizure   , but it has a certain ‘character’ (soul, some would say) that is so unique that if you were to sit on one blindfolded and thumb the starter button, you’d know IMMEDIATELY what bike you were on. I’m hoping to keep this one for the long haul as I’ve been trading around and ‘sampling all the flavors’ for long enough to realize that ‘Buell” is a flavor that I enjoy.

WORD!!  Having had various Guzzi's, so, I know of which you speak.  It's not a "fast" bike, but, it's a bike that can  be ridden  fast, eh?  Especially in tight twisties.   That torque delivery is perfect for a tight moutain road, right??
 Always liked that particluar model

[1KPerDay]

Sweet! Congrats!

[Rogue]

Congratulations.

Looks just like my '06.  Loved that bike (still do).  I miss mine a lot actually.  It was one of those bikes you just get on and ride, and ride, and ride.  Low, low maintenance.  Handled great.  Was a good light sport-tourer.  It's also a great bike you can add a few farkles to improve its overall performance.

Enjoy!  

[nater]

New Bike Day is pretty much the best day of the year, isn't it?

[Stripes]

Congratulations.

[Blunder]

 
Hey Mister! NICE Harley!

Most Harley people would scoff at the rice burner pictured.  

Nice find. Those things are cool.  

[nater]

 
Hey Mister! NICE Harley!

That wasn't necessary and you know it.

This isn't a Harley any more than an MV Agusta is a Harley.  Both companies just happened to be owned by Harley at one time.  

[1KPerDay]

Lighten up, Francis.  

[X1Glider]

Congrats and welcome back to the darkside.

wondering why in the world I ever got rid of my Buells to start with.    

I came full circle too.  Had 6 since '92.  While I enjoyed the R1100S & GS during the same ownership period and a Guzzi NTX and Ninja 1000 afterwards, I had to come back for #7.

Almost bought a local '99 S3T yesterday for $2500.  Someone "just" beat me to it.  I'd have given him cash last night and rode it home even with my jacked up spine.

I have zero interest in the new EBRs.  They'll never have what the old Sportster based lumps had.    

[Rattlehead]

WORD!!  Having had various Guzzi's, so, I know of which you speak.  It's not a "fast" bike, but, it's a bike that can  be ridden  fast, eh?  Especially in tight twisties.   That torque delivery is perfect for a tight moutain road, right??
 Always liked that particluar model

Never riddin a Guzzi, I suspect I would enjoy one though. I certainly wouldn't turn down the opportunity if it popped up.  
You are 100% correct though, the powerband is ideally suited for street riding, especially tight curvy roads. I rode my previous Firebolt on a trip and it was pure magic on the Dragon and the surrounding area.  

New Bike Day is pretty much the best day of the year, isn't it?

Pretty much like Christmas.  

Most Harley people would scoff at the rice burner pictured.  

Nice find. Those things are cool.  

Truly a tragedy that they (Harley) just never got behind Buell.
I always think of Buells as 'the Sportster perfected'  

Congrats and welcome back to the darkside.

I came full circle too.  Had 6 since '92.  While I enjoyed the R1100S & GS during the same ownership period and a Guzzi NTX and Ninja 1000 afterwards, I had to come back for #7.

Almost bought a local '99 S3T yesterday for $2500.  Someone "just" beat me to it.  I'd have given him cash last night and rode it home even with my jacked up spine.

I have zero interest in the new EBRs.  They'll never have what the old Sportster based lumps had.    

And my wife thinks I'm insane because I've owned 4.    They really do have something special, don't they?  

I, on the other hand, am EXCITED to see what EBR comes up with. I hope against hope that someday they'll take off and get into the relm of affordability for me. Even though there will never be another XB (let's face it, Harley will NEVER build anything like it), I get giddy at the though of an affordable American made sportbike. Given the proper financial ability I would have an 1190RX faster than you can say "wheelie monster"!

[Rincewind]

XB12R remains one of the most fun bikes I've ever test ridden.  Congrats and happy miles.

[X1Glider]

I, on the other hand, am EXCITED to see what EBR comes up with. I hope against hope that someday they'll take off and get into the relm of affordability for me. Even though there will never be another XB (let's face it, Harley will NEVER build anything like it), I get giddy at the though of an affordable American made sportbike. Given the proper financial ability I would have an 1190RX faster than you can say "wheelie monster"!

I probably should have stated that I'm not interested in buying what he has to offer right now.  Of course I'm excited about his new bikes, but not to own.  I prefer the power delivery of an older style Super-sport over a race replica as well as the ergos.  It's just more useful and satisfying IMO.  EBR is trying to fit in with the Panigale and the bike is too narrowly focused.  I'm getting older, I know.  But how many 21 year olds wearing Icon gear can afford $18k?  Erik will have to pull out of WSBK because he won't meet homologation numbers.

[nater]

Lighten up, Francis.  

You wouldn't want someone making fun of your bike choices...

[X1Glider]

You wouldn't want someone making fun of your bike choices...

It was stereotypically funny and expected.  People who buy Buells have a thick enough spine and enough of a historical-reliability-performance sense of humor to not be offended.  It's like being Polish and listening to countless Polack jokes.  

[MisterSmooth]

New Bike Day is pretty much the best day of the year, isn't it?

Word!    

Congratulations.  Those are cool bikes.    

[nater]

It was stereotypically funny and expected.  People who buy Buells have a thick enough spine and enough of a historical-reliability-performance sense of humor to not be offended.  It's like being Polish and listening to countless Polack jokes.  

I guess I misunderstood.  

[Rattlehead]

It was stereotypically funny and expected.  People who buy Buells have a thick enough spine and enough of a historical-reliability-performance sense of humor to not be offended.  It's like being Polish and listening to countless Polack jokes.  

Riding a Buell does pretty much require thick skin. Most people just don't understand them.
The worshipers of the parent company (Harley Davidson) don't get it.
The worshipers of all things high tech don't get it
The worshipers of hp/speed/spec-sheet racing don't get it.
The people who don't try to compare them to supersports or the latest technological marvel usually understand why there is some appeal in a tractor motor mounted in an very unconventional chassis. Of course, that's like 5% of the motorcycle community....on a good day.  

BTW, I was not at all offended by anything said in this post. The ribbing is all in good fun and is part of the charm of owning an odd-ball bike.  

[X1Glider]

I'm sure Ural owners get it worse from the peanut gallery.

They deserve it tho.

[Need For Speed]

I   new bike day!

Enjoy your latest ride.

[Zixxerpilot]

XB12r is still one of my all time favorite bikes. It's one of only a couple I regret selling.

So simple, yet so capable and easy.



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[squeezer]

Congrats! Not many things are more fun than a new bike. It's a beaut.

[Rattlehead]

XB12r is still one of my all time favorite bikes. It's one of only a couple I regret selling.

So simple, yet so capable and easy.



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Simple and capable pretty sums up 'Buell'.

I've b een riding it every chance the weather allows and lovin' every second of it.  
I've found myself accidentally running 65-70 through 35mph corners (winter crap/sand and all   ) because the bike just makes it SOOOOOO easy. It really did feel like I was just "out for a Sunday cruise".
Dial in the suspension, find a good road and pure magic happens on these things.  

[Rattlehead]

deleted.
Somehow managed to quote myself.    

[FBRR]

That wasn't necessary and you know it.

This isn't a Harley any more than an MV Agusta is a Harley.  Both companies just happened to be owned by Harley at one time.  

Right!! And those MV Augustas never used a Sportster engine!

[Tpoppa]

I've owned 3 Buells (XB9S, XB9SX, 1125R), and enjoyed all of them.  I doubt I'd get another unless it was a smoking deal that I couldn't pass up.  Dealer support sucked when Buell was still in business, can't imagine it's any better now.  At least with the XBs, the maintenance is simple enough for the average home mechanic.

[Rattlehead]

I've owned 3 Buells (XB9S, XB9SX, 1125R), and enjoyed all of them.  I doubt I'd get another unless it was a smoking deal that I couldn't pass up.  Dealer support sucked when Buell was still in business, can't imagine it's any better now.  At least with the XBs, the maintenance is simple enough for the average home mechanic.

Sinmple Maintenance? The whole bike could practically be taken apart and reassembled in a day with a basic $70 tool kit from Sears! Any shadetree worth his salt can work on a Buell with his eyes closed  

That's the beauty of doing 100% of my own maintenance/repairs/service though; I can ride whatever the heck I want and don't have to give a second thought to dealer support. As an added bonus, the bike is so simple that if there is problem along the roadside I can most likely fix it with just a basic assortment of tools.