Buel Firebolt

**enigma51** · 7th September 2005, 12:18

So I had my first ride on one this morning. Now lets make one thing clear Im not a naked bike or Harley fan I actually have a sort off hate for Harleys (Personal choice) but I think I can live with having a buel.

Well let me start from the beginning. Somebody at work was looking for a comuter and was looking at a naked bike but something he can take out for a ride on the weekends. He ended up taking some bike a red baron for a ride which he was very keen on but it turned out that they where how shall I say …… problems with the sale (Bloody sharks).

He then came to me and asked if I know anything about buels and I said no but have not heard anything bad about them exept for the fact that they are made by harley and expensive to service. So he ended up buying the thing and that is how I got to ride it this morning.

First impression…. Its small realy small very short and very thin ! but comfortable and nimble compared to my gsxr this thing feels like a bmx it will turn on a 20c piece it also feels light and well balanced even though it’s a 1000cc. It sound great! I think the coffen doggers for miles would be jumping for the mute button on there hearing aids every time you press the little yellow button.

Its pretty quick of the mark and the front wheel does get kinda light but after a few meters it kinda runs out of steam but a quick look down at the speedo and you realize that you are moving to the 28 day walking zone. So it is not slow but not as quick as I would have expected it to be.

The brakes are f#$%king good a slight pull on the lever and you have to pull your eyes of the visor. I think it has to do with the big brake disks and brembo calipars. When braking in a corner I did find the bike standing up faster than expected but than can also be because of the short wheel base and me not being use to the bike.

Overal the bike is great it’s a easy ride with lots of torgue and nimble handling. It has great breaks and does not look bad either so out of ten I will give it an 8 and reason for that is that I expected more “speed” from a 1000 than what it gave. Will I ever choose it over a sports bike? Maybe not now but when I get older and Im not a flexible as Im now then yes it will be on my shopping list.

PS I do not see myself as expert on bikes etc and I did not ride the bike to its full capacity (first its not mine and second I cant) this is “report” from someone that likes to ride bikes and thought I would share something with others that like bikes.

**Rashika** · 7th September 2005, 16:29

now you can see why I'm so in luuuuuuuvvvvvvv.....

with my new baby 1200 Firebolt

**Sniper** · 7th September 2005, 18:18

I wouldnt mind one, but I would have to test ride on first

**Rashika** · 7th September 2005, 19:33

Originally Posted by Sniper

I wouldnt mind one, but I would have to test ride on first

Gee.... I wonder which one?

**White trash** · 7th September 2005, 19:39

Enigma, liked your points and comments EXCEPT for the fact you'd heard Buells were expensive to service. Buells have the cheapest servicing costs of almost any modern motorcycle in NZ. In fact, 2/3 of the price of servicing my GSX-R600K3.

Parts are also fucken cheap. Indicator, complete? Suzuki $115, Buell $25. Fotpeg? Suzuki $156, Buell $40.

Great bikes all 'round. I'd own one in a heartbeat.

**Rashika** · 7th September 2005, 19:44

yep totally agree here
Had to get another mirror for mine (as the guy I got it from had removed certain bits for racing) $48 (cheers Lou!)
My Yamaha Virago needed one and it was around $100 from memory...damn expensive

**enigma51** · 7th September 2005, 20:25

Originally Posted by White trash

Enigma, liked your points and comments EXCEPT for the fact you'd heard Buells were expensive to service. Buells have the cheapest servicing costs of almost any modern motorcycle in NZ. In fact, 2/3 of the price of servicing my GSX-R600K3.

Parts are also fucken cheap. Indicator, complete? Suzuki $115, Buell $25. Fotpeg? Suzuki $156, Buell $40.

Great bikes all 'round. I'd own one in a heartbeat.

I think the problem is that everyone assumes that because its a harley its going to be costly. In that case I will have to move the rathing from 8 -> 9

It is such a nice ride and so easy to ride!

**Sniper** · 7th September 2005, 21:56

Originally Posted by Rashika

Gee.... I wonder which one?

I wasnt thinking of you but if you were offering.......

Nah I think my next bike might be a CBR600 or something else in the 600 bracket

**enigma51** · 7th September 2005, 21:59

Originally Posted by Sniper

I wasnt thinking of you but if you were offering.......

Nah I think my next bike might be a CBR600 or something else in the 600 bracket

The buel is a good buy! I would say the 1000 produce as much horses as 600 if not less but what makes it great is the short wheel base and light frame (Well at least thats what I think)

**Sniper** · 7th September 2005, 22:02

Yea, I would like to do a sensible move to a 600 though that will let me take the girlfriend on the back for minor distances. Im not a tourer but like a blast to clear out my head

**dhunt** · 7th September 2005, 22:20

I had a go on the 1200 a few months a go and it was quite nice to ride, actually lots better than I expected. Quite interesting having no fuel tank and having the oil stored in the swingarm. Overall I was quite impressed with everything except the price tag.

**loosebruce** · 8th September 2005, 01:50

Originally Posted by White trash

Enigma, liked your points and comments EXCEPT for the fact you'd heard Buells were expensive to service. Buells have the cheapest servicing costs of almost any modern motorcycle in NZ. In fact, 2/3 of the price of servicing my GSX-R600K3.

Parts are also fucken cheap. Indicator, complete? Suzuki $115, Buell $25. Fotpeg? Suzuki $156, Buell $40.

Great bikes all 'round. I'd own one in a heartbeat.

Yea with trashy on this one, parts are fkn cheap and easy to get hold off, I took an XB9R out a while ago when i had my TL, no where near as quick in the speed dept, but fuck me if it would be a hell of a lot of fun, quite keen to try the 12 out, i'd buy one too, just for something different and more than capable in the twistys and er stunts - fuck yea, and cheap parts from crashing doing stunts - fuck yea. the Q is XB12S or R hmmmmmm

**Lou Girardin** · 8th September 2005, 08:16

Buells crash well too. We've got one here now that lowsided and hit something hard enough to rupture the rear tyre and dent the rim. But, apart from that, it had some scratches on the swing arm, dinged indicator and the left clip-on was ground down to half it's length.

**enigma51** · 8th September 2005, 08:25

Originally Posted by Lou Girardin

Buells crash well too. We've got one here now that lowsided and hit something hard enough to rupture the rear tyre and dent the rim. But, apart from that, it had some scratches on the swing arm, dinged indicator and the left clip-on was ground down to half it's length.

Sounds like my type of bike! Can withstand lots of falling