I bought a Buell xb12x!

**86GSXR** · 27th September 2009, 08:17

I've got the Tiger 1050 which I love. It's extremely comfortable and the engine is great. 10000K service intervals and the 20K is the biggie.

Problem is, my lovely lady has the XB12 and I've done a few 100 ks on that as well. I didn't think I'd be saying this but of the two the Buell is definitely more fun and versatile.

The handling is superior and the power delivery is out of this world. The Tiger is a great bike and like any bike it has it's limitations, especially when pushed. The Buell is more 'instinctive' and handles like a razor. Both bikes have a great upright position and with the Buell, you are more 'in touch' imo. Both bikes get along very nicely and the Buell is more fun at moderate speeds.

The Tiger tends to snatch a bit to much for my liking, especially at low speed, low gear moderate revs while the Buell delivers in a totally predictable linear manner, probably partly due to the belt drive which has a great automatic tensioner (and a very effective stone guard - important)

The Tiger is slightly taller too and the standard screen gives you a fair bit of buffet. The 09 Buell screen is very quiet and does a better job. Heated grips are standard on the Buell but not on the Tiger. Buell service intervals 8000km, and very simple.

I prefer the Tiger's looks, but the Buell ain't to shabby in this dept either. The front end lets it down slightly I think.

I'm seriously considering a swap, don't know yet though.

**TripleZee Dyno** · 27th September 2009, 08:29

Originally Posted by MotoKuzzi

I'm seriously considering a Buell XB12X or possibly a Tiger 1050 for my next bike, mainly because low back problems are limiting my enjoyment of riding on the California. Be interested in any comments from this perspective by Buell or Tiger owners.

As someone with a broken MotoGuzzi who also has a Ulysses I may as well offer my 2 cents.
I have ridden a 1050 tiger but have done more miles on the 955 Tiger.
I think the thing worth noting is that these bikes are essentially road bikes with longish suspension and an extra couple of inches of ground clearance. The off road adventure thing is marketing bs. Your cali would be a better metal road bike than either of these. The earlier tigers were OK on the metal.
If you are going to do a lot of adventure/off road riding then get a KLR650 or similar.
But as a relaxed/comfortable/touring bike with a bit of go in it when required, you cant go wrong with either the Ulysses or tiger.
Ulysses
Cons unladen seat height too high (for me). Put an XB9 (I think) shock in the rear and thats now all good. Pathetic steering lock. I have got some ali sitting there waiting for me to machine some new yokes. one day when it really pissess me off and I will get it done.
Lighting. Was losing nearly a volt by the time the electrons got to the bulbs and back to the battery. Made better by running fat wires up to the front and using relays to run the lights.
pro's comfortable,economical. Over 20km/l on a trip. I can do 300k between gas stops and maybe the last 15-30 min I end up moving around a bit. luggage and bags no problem. Wide flat seat and grab rails make it easy to pack. I have a packrack fitted. The triple tail thing works. zero warranty or breakdown issues. I use the Buell as a test bed for EFI maps I do and so it spends a bit of time on the dyno. I am always swapping ecus, running dataloggers, swap a few mufflers, and generally fooling around, no problems at all.
Hve fitted a right side scoop and it seems to have stabilized engine temps. A bit lower than before and not so much variation. According to my logger anyway. Tried the touring screen, for me a waste of money, too much turbulence.
Servicing costs are minimal. All I do is oil and filter. Adjusted the Primary chain once. Everything else is check/replace as neccesary. Running stock tyres, both last in excess of 10000k
The 955 Tiger went OK but the 1050, like the Buell is more road oriented. 17" wheels, fat tyres etc
The Tiger doesnt do anything for me. its toooo nice
Another bike worth a look at is a Vstrom. Had one before the Buell. Kinda bulky, kinda conventional/boring but better than the buell on a metal road. 400+ km to a tank. Excellent tourer, excellent luggage capacity and pretty good 2 up. Pretty good bike actually, I'd have another one. The Barracuda Orange buell or the battleship grey Vstrom? Mr sensible or mr something else? I guess the orange got me.
The Buell sounds like a bike. Runs rough and shakes at idle get the engine spun up a bit and it really performs. Bit like a Guzzi. Blows heaps of bikes away thru the twisties. (the vstrom was useless through the twisties, too much like hard work) The only time I cut loose is when there is a nice bit of road coming up. And thats one thing the Buell does better than most, IMHO anyway.
good luck

**MotoKuzzi** · 27th September 2009, 14:13

Originally Posted by TripleZee Dyno

As someone with a broken MotoGuzzi who also has a Ulysses I may as well offer my 2 cents.
I have ridden a 1050 tiger but have done more miles on the 955 Tiger.
.........

Good warts and all write up TZ, given me more to think about. BTW, sorry I never made it in for TPS check a few weeks back, the Cali drive shaft shit itself outside your workshop at 5.30am on the way to work. Got towed home courtesy AA plus.

**Flynn** · 21st November 2009, 10:22

Just brought one of the last, if not the last xb12x T in the country. So far done 175 km, just love it. See how it pans out over the months to come when summer finally arrives

**lanci** · 21st November 2009, 11:13

I read the Superbike magazines opinion on this bike a while back and was surprised to see the polar opinions here. Just proves to me that you have buy what you like...

**Buellluva** · 27th November 2009, 14:21

Congrats man, cool bike, welcome to the club. Have had mine a while now, luv it to bits, favourite bike to ride out of all the twins, fours etc i've owned.
Pissed me off how harley Fucken davison have ditched the brand, bunch of assholes.
Makes me more determined to keep it as they will become rarer as the years go by.
Enjoy.

**howdamnhard** · 27th November 2009, 14:48

Very nice !

**carver** · 27th November 2009, 14:55

poor you.
buells have more warranty claims than harleys

**YellowDog** · 27th November 2009, 15:04

Originally Posted by carver

poor you.
buells have more warranty claims than harleys

Not much chance of a warrantee claim now Buell has ceased trading.

I can't see any problem with availability of spare parts as parts is big business

**Flynn** · 27th November 2009, 16:12

Originally Posted by Buellluva

Congrats man, cool bike, welcome to the club. Have had mine a while now, luv it to bits, favourite bike to ride out of all the twins, fours etc i've owned.
Pissed me off how harley Fucken davison have ditched the brand, bunch of assholes.
Makes me more determined to keep it as they will become rarer as the years go by.
Enjoy.

Yeah, really enjoying it so for, I tell ya, more people take a second look that what I got on my gsx 250!

Originally Posted by carver

poor you.
buells have more warranty claims than harleys

May be you've been reading that mormon book too much

Originally Posted by YellowDog

Not much chance of a warrantee claim now Buell has ceased trading.

I can't see any problem with availability of spare parts as parts is big business

Yeah true, but hey as you say parts are huge, my second choice was a tigger but for the price, just couldn't beat it really.

**Flynn** · 3rd January 2010, 14:04

Well, done 2000km on the black beast now and going great.

Had a small hick up at 800km when the oil light came on while riding over the saddle road. Turned out to be a faulty pressure sensor, replaced and no worries since.

First service done so onwards and upwards.

Looking forward to putting the luggage on it loading it up and going for a decent ride, which hasn't happened yet.

**banditrider** · 3rd January 2010, 15:12

Originally Posted by Flynn

Well, done 2000km on the black beast now and going great.

Had a small hick up at 800km when the oil light came on while riding over the saddle road. Turned out to be a faulty pressure sensor, replaced and no worries since.

First service done so onwards and upwards.

Looking forward to putting the luggage on it loading it up and going for a decent ride, which hasn't happened yet.

We'll have to do something about that then...