What does everyone think of Buells?

[Pablo Uganda]

Are they are a popular bike?
Do they go well, like at least better than a sportster?
Is the motor hotted up a bit and whats the output of it, say the 1200.

I quite like the look of them, but never ridden one.
Buell is owned by HD now right?

[thehollowmen]

I love them
only ridden a couple but they're a very "Fun" bike.

Probably not very economical in fuel and parts but.. by god they're fun.

[skelstar]

Theres heaps of reviews on the net. The 1200cc bikes are around 110HP I think (without checking) but its seems to be more about the torque anyway. The firebolt is considered to be the best handling bike by a couple of UK bike mags.

I understand there are a couple of very devoted fans in CHCH: Raskika and Dangerous

edit - some of the parts like headlight units, screens etc are extremely cheap (like a third of the cost of japper parts). Would expect that the other parts would be similar in cost.

[Sniper]

Good bikes. Motor built by Harley, not sure if they own Buell though.

[WINJA]

as long as its not a honda id have it .
buells are like a fat girlfriend , lotsa of fun till your friends see you together

[Jackrat]

Yes HD does own Buell.
I know a couple of people that own them but never ridden one myself.
I have tried to get away from a couple in the twistys an didn't stand a chance.I went on a ride with half a dozen other riders a few weeks ago and one of them had an XB12.The road we were on is one that I've ridden on a very regular basis over the last twenty years so I gave it heaps.All but the buell slowly lost ground but that thing stuck to me like glue.
I was really impressed,even more so because this guy had never been on this road before an doesn't claim to be a real hot rider.
I've owned a 96 1200 Sportster and the buell would eat it for breakfast.
Last year I had the XS out on highway 22,another road I know very well.
I was going as hard as I dared and a rider on an older buell rode around the outside of me in a corner I was dragging my side stand on.That was a VERY humbling experience.

I love em'

PS,most HD parts are fairly cheap,it's not until you say the dreaded words "after market" that things get silly.

[Motu]

I like them - designed on a clean sheet of paper,I like bikes that break the mold.

One cleaned me up on an easy corner,then proceeded to show off with some fancy racing lines into corners,dragging his knee etc....I let him go.But when we got to the real twisties that I knew well he had an XLV750 on dirt tyres right up his date....really,I think most of these guys are too scared to push it in case they come off and scratch their $$$$$$ pride and joy.

[HenryDorsetCase]

I test rode an XB12S a couple of weeeks ago. I really really liked it.

it goes any amount quick enough for me. I like the styling (some dont). Belt drive has to be better than chain (particularly the '05 models because the belts are better).

they are tunable. if you want more horsepower.

value for money wise I reckon they are up there with anything else thats $20k new. I LOVED the turn the throttle and go aspect of the power delivery. I nailed it out of a second gear corner and withing a VERY Short space of time was doing 170kph in 4th.


I also like the brakes and detailing.

Why didnt I buy one? 2 issues: pillion comfort and I cant justify $20k of "our" money on a toy for me.

currently looking at/for either a second hand one (but I am aware there were QC issues particularly with the tube frame ones) or a Ducati monster or ST2

In another post somewhere I listed my shortlist... maybe yours is similar?

Oh yeah, Erik Buell worked at HD, left to set up his own business with engines supplied by HD, then when he did well and ran out of money HD bought 49% of the company (1999? 2000?) then they bought the rest of it after a couple more years. its not like they cant afford it: they sell 300000+ bikes a year.

ka ching!!!!

[Pablo Uganda]

In another post somewhere I listed my shortlist... maybe yours is similar?

My list is..

Buell XB12S
Ducati ST3
Ducati Monster S4R
Triumph Sprint
Aprilia Tuono
Umm...Dynaglide (wife's idea, aint gonna happen)

[HenryDorsetCase]

mine is similar except has HD XL1200R on it. the Ducati Monster in the current line up I like is the S2R (sure the 4R is faster but it aint as pretty... bloody radiator and hoses for africa).

The naked Aprilia was on special last week at woods $20k brand spankers.

I also like BMW R850 (and oooold R80GS)

[dangerous]

Are they are a popular bike?
Do they go well, like at least better than a sportster?
Is the motor hotted up a bit and whats the output of it, say the 1200.

Which model do you want to know about... all differ a bit like carbs/inj/1200HD motor Buell stroked motor, all different some with probs some with out???

Or maybe you want to know more about the new 1339cc Thunderstorm @
150+ peak engine horsepower at 8000 rpm
100 ft. lbs. peak engine torque at 6500 rpm

[busadayz]

Shit, what a list to choose from.
Got a few nice bikes to choose from there.
You will have to test each and every one though.
A mate i ride with has a 900'S, what a magic machine.
He has shown a couple of guys up on Taupo track not to mention on the road.
They are great machines, rode one a week ago and loved it, so much character. Not passenger freindly tho. Good luck in your search.

[Rashika]

I love them
only ridden a couple but they're a very "Fun" bike.

Probably not very economical in fuel and parts but.. by god they're fun.

def a 'FUN' bike!!
and so far the parts do appear to be quite a bit cheaper than other makes I've found, not that I've had to get much. As for ecomnomy, very surprising that. On most fillups I've actually used less juice than a lot of the other riders. Bit weird that considering its usually the biggest CC bike in the bunch.

Theres heaps of reviews on the net. The 1200cc bikes are around 110HP I think (without checking) but its seems to be more about the torque anyway. The firebolt is considered to be the best handling bike by a couple of UK bike mags.

Close...100HP standard, the racekit adds 10HP.

I understand there are a couple of very devoted fans in CHCH: Raskika and Dangerous

Oh yeah baby yeah! Altho there seem to be a growing number of admirers these days, especially those who 'just wanna take it for a spin'
I had a request from a guy who races a Lightning at BEARS who wants to take the 'Bolt out for a spin to see its handling difference to his old pig (as he calls it, I wouldn't I think it looks HOT!) ...he thinks it would be damn fun.

[buellbabe]

Dunno about the Firebolt and XB range but the X1 Lightening puts out 101HP stock standard, add Vance&Hines muffler and a K&N filter and mine has been dyno'd at 110. It ROCKS. Parts are relatively cheap but if you are the type of person who does their own maintenence there are a few tricks to learn and you will no doubt end up "making some specialised tools..."
I have never had any reliability issues with mine and last wkend it rolled over 78,000kms.
If you are the type of rider that wants to go for their top speed all the time then get a Jappa, the X1 is maybe capable of 240, possibly 260 given the right conditions. The clock goes up to 220 and I have had it off the clock which was plenty fast! Buells are geared for fun and enjoyment, thet love corners and with their short wheel-base you can really chuck em around!
Ok I could go on for a L-O-N-G time on this subject so I better stop now before I get REALLY carried away.
Just before I go just have to say, the XB range is getting rave reviews and is definately worth checking out but before they came along the X1 Lightnening was the top-of-the-range! If you want a ride that you can really feel (and hear!) then try an X1...

[Pablo Uganda]

I like the high bars of the XB12. Due to some injuries, I cant ride a bike with low bars, hence looking for a Monster/Buell etc.

I looked at a Buell some years back, and from memory they had a high seat height, and me being only 5 ft 7, and with a dodgy hip found it real hard to swing the leg over and be confident on tippy toes.
That was about 6 yrs ago I think.
Are the ride/seat heights adjustable on them.