Buell Firebolt advice wanted

**prettybillie** · 21st April 2009, 18:50

Hi all

I am just wanting some advice about the Buell Firebolt. My baby was recently written off after a wee oopsie at the track and I am in the market for a new one.

I went into a shop today and looked at a few bikes and this one totally caught my eye as I totally love the shape of it.

A couple of things firstly - I have not yet ridden any bikes as I am still broken. I am also not a racer, but I want a bike that I can have fun on the track with (totally love track days) and have fun on the road with.

Do these bikes hold their own on the track?

Are the fun on the road?

What are the main issues with them?

I know that I can only make my mind up once I have ridden it, but before I ride it and totally love it I want to know as much information as I can and know that people have fun on them on the road and the track.

Taaaaaaaa

**AllanB** · 21st April 2009, 19:00

Ah is this a quiz?

Is the bike a GSXR600?

If so then yah - it would make a reasonable track bike........

**AllanB** · 21st April 2009, 19:02

Or is it a Firebolt?

What's with the GSXR thingy in your ride bit?

Buells - give em heaps - you'll have fun

**White trash** · 21st April 2009, 19:09

Depends if its a 9 or a 12.

I personally prefer the 1000cc. It has more over rev available and is smoother than the 12. It's also easier to change direction on. Both are as slow as fuck and your Six would give either a spanking.

The front brakes are good for standard street work, warp easily when you start riding really hard and absolutely suck on the track. Belts are expensive to replace but seem to last farily well due to the ingenious pre-tensioner.

Parts and servicing are cheap as chips.

**prettybillie** · 21st April 2009, 19:12

Originally Posted by AllanB

Or is it a Firebolt?

What's with the GSXR thingy in your ride bit?

Buells - give em heaps - you'll have fun

Hey Bud!!

The bike that has just been written off was a GSXR600.

The bike that I am asking advice and information on is a BUELL XB12R FIREBOLT 2005

**Ocean1** · 21st April 2009, 19:18

Originally Posted by prettybillie

Buell Firebolt.

Do these bikes hold their own on the track?

Never had mine on a track, but I doubt you'd disgrace yourself in the company of "normal" sprotsbikes.

Originally Posted by prettybillie

Are the fun on the road?

Ohyeahz.

Polar opposite to a 600R, brutal torque and no revs, unless you grew up a loooong time ago you'll need to learn how to ride again. Love 'em or hate 'em, either way you'll never look at twistys the same way again.

**dangerous** · 21st April 2009, 19:20

Originally Posted by prettybillie

A) I want a bike that I can have fun on the track with (totally love track days) and have fun on the road with.

B) Do these bikes hold their own on the track?

C) Are the fun on the road?

D) What are the main issues with them?

a) Ideal then

b) if riden by some that knows what they are doing... damn right, beter suited to tighter tracks tho.

c) fark yes, gets me in the shit every time I hit the road

d) They love the rear wheel only, hehe na...none, well Iv had a few issues but thats my bad riding

Originally Posted by White trash

Depends if its a 9 or a 12.

I personally prefer the 1000cc. It has more over rev available and is smoother than the 12. It's also easier to change direction on. Both are as slow as fuck and your Six would give either a spanking.

The front brakes are good for standard street work, warp easily when you start riding really hard and absolutely suck on the track. Belts are expensive to replace but seem to last farily well due to the ingenious pre-tensioner.

Parts and servicing are cheap as chips.

hahaha.. what a load a shit old man

ask Flame last month at the SOT she was only beaton by 3 Buells hahaha... ok bad example

**Big Dave** · 21st April 2009, 19:55

Originally Posted by prettybillie
I want a bike that I can have fun on the track with (totally love track days) and have fun on the road with.

Big Fun bikes

B) Do these bikes hold their own on the track?

Basically, no. 103hp 190kg.
They hold their own in the class for bikes that wouldn't win a race unless there was a class for them.
Still fun to wring its neck and not much is quicker in the corners.

C) Are the fun on the road?

My personal choice. 'Fun' is my main criteria. Top Speed is low on my list.

D) What are the main issues with them?

For me - parts availability.

**tigertim20** · 21st April 2009, 22:43

Sucks that your bike broke! but youll have fun riding heaps of bikes and finding a new love!! hope ya mend quickly!

**Hailwood** · 22nd April 2009, 11:20

Just take one for a test ride and then you will know for sure. Although I own a different model, I love my Buell..so much fun to ride all day....enough power for me and handles exactly as I want it to.

Is it as fast as some jap racebike? No...so what....I love it for all my own reasons and thats all that matters.

It will be far better for you to ride one and then decide rather than risk asking people who actually havent ridden one but supposedly know everything anyway

**TOTO** · 22nd April 2009, 11:39

I have a question about those bikes too:

Are they more expensive to service compared to japanese bikes?

What are the servicing intervals in terms of Kms ?

Cherio.

**MaxCannon** · 22nd April 2009, 12:52

Whoa - I'm surprised the GSXR was written off, didn't look to have much damage at all.
Is it for sale anywhere ? - I'm looking at getting a dedicated track bike.

I feel a bit sorry for the Bandit when I take it to the track, poor thing gets a thrashing.

From what I hear the Buells are a riot in the corners. Never ridden one.
The Firebolts so look awesome, keep waiting for it transform into a robot
I have heard they feel very different from a normal sportsbike - probably as far away in concept from a GSXR600 as you can get.

**nallac** · 22nd April 2009, 12:56

cheap to service,
oil and filter only no valve shims to do.
it is a sporty based engine, very simple to work on..

**sinfull** · 22nd April 2009, 13:01

Originally Posted by MaxCannon

Whoa - I'm surprised the GSXR was written off, didn't look to have much damage at all.
Is it for sale anywhere ? - I'm looking at getting a dedicated track bike.

.

My thoughts exactly !
Who were ya insured with ? (looks to see if any notification of a gix 6 on auction has arrived)

**MaxCannon** · 22nd April 2009, 13:28

Ah - you see what I meant to say was it looked terrible, needs a new frame, the block had obviously cracked, bent forks......
Clearly wasn't ridden back to the pits

Where can I buy it from - I've got a shiny dollar coin