Anyone on hear own or riden a Buell XB12R
Discussion
slim_boy_fat said:
Just thinking about getting one, would like some opinions on the bike.
Cheers
Alright mate! Good skills if you getting one!!! Have you ridden them before?
I used to have an XB9R as Ginge mentioned plus i've also ridden the XB12R and would have bought one this year if funds were permitting.
They don't actually manufacter the XB9R anymore plus the 12R is a much better ride with torque really kicking in at about 4500rpm. The bike will only rev to about 7500 or 8000 with the limiter kicking in.
The engine is very responsive with plenty of grunt which will steam you up to over 145mph (which is plenty), but the acceleration is intense. (Just check out my video when I ride against a Triumph T595 on my XB9R - www.njrennie.plus.com/vault/toyrun.avi - 45MB).
The handling is also superb although you need to dump the Dunlops you get with the bike as they are too round and don't let you hit the corners properly. Replace them with some Pirelli Diablo Corsas and the bike will really start to shine.
I've ridden Gixer 600's and SP1's and they simply don't handle like this Buell does. It really is incredible how you can throw this bike into corners and come out of them flying. I frequently outrode my friends riding those Gixer 600's and even a friend on an TL1000R (a brute of a bike).....
Back to the Buell though. Make sure you get one under warranty. Repairs are not cheap and they suffer leaks on the oil pipes between the swing arm oil tank and engine although this does not affect the bike even under highly stressed riding.
Make sure you also get the full XB Race kit. This will add some serious HP gains and make the bike sound absolutely amazing. (Best bike noise ever!!!)
With the XB race kit you'll get a race ECU, induction kit, various other parts and a pretty much straight aluminium race can. (Watch those flames at night when you let the throttle go at high revs and let the bike slow down!!!! Awesome! Plus it backfires too which is nice!!
) - You WILL need ear plugs for longer journeys!!!!! lol Not much else to say about the bike apart from you have to go and have a test ride. If you live anywhere near Maidenhead, go to Thames Valley Harley and ask for Leiber. When you speak to him, ask him for a test ride mentioning me
(Nick Rennie), and make sure you take your driving license with the paper counterpart along with your biking gear. You will love this bike!!!!!!! I just wish I could get one but it'll have to wait a couple of years I think
Any other questions, then please let me know! Here are some photos just to finish it off. Enjoy, have fun and beyond all, ride safe!!!!!!!!
(The sexiest girl on my bike!
- And people asked me why I fancied the heck out of her!!! 
) 
Ready for the Reading Toyrun! (There's a video camera hidden in that monkey!
(Check out my video mentioned further up......) 
>> Edited by beanbag on Saturday 16th April 21:52
Cheers mate, got the test ride booked in for 2 weeks time.
I am not overly keen of getting a new one at colse to £8k. Will be keeping my eyes open for a year old bike (with race kit) Should save atleast £2k on it.
The bike looks great, always loved the look of them.
How do you find the harley dealers in terms of servicing the bike etc?
I am not overly keen of getting a new one at colse to £8k. Will be keeping my eyes open for a year old bike (with race kit) Should save atleast £2k on it.
The bike looks great, always loved the look of them.
How do you find the harley dealers in terms of servicing the bike etc?
slim_boy_fat said:
Cheers mate, got the test ride booked in for 2 weeks time.
I am not overly keen of getting a new one at colse to £8k. Will be keeping my eyes open for a year old bike (with race kit) Should save atleast £2k on it.
The bike looks great, always loved the look of them.
How do you find the harley dealers in terms of servicing the bike etc?
Definately don't buy new. Get an ex-demo as they usually come fitted with an XB race kit. Plus you'll get a really good deal, the bike would have been fully serviced and looked after and you'll get at least 1 years warranty. Possibly more if you haggle a bit!
With a race kit your looking at about £6800 and without its about £6k from a dealer. Not so sure on private prices.
saleen05 said:
got my 12r from Warrs, 6500 ex-demo with 200 miles on the clock inc Race kit
went from the std tires to BT 014 front and BT 020 rear (as its my sensible commuter bike) but going for and 014 rear next time for grip over mileage
otherwise what beanbag said is spot on
Superb Fun!!
Cheers mate thats more like the price.
Once i get close to buying i will start phoning round the dealers seeing what is out there. Definatly not going to pay £8600 for a new one with race kit. A K5 GSXR1000 would cost less FFS!!!
I think £7000 for a new/ex-demo with race kit is closer to the mark.
Really looking forward to the demo week Saturday.
slim_boy_fat said:
How was the test ride!?
Are you hooked?!!!
Demo is this coming Saturday
Should be fun, not sure how long they give you, hopefully it will be dry, i cant see me going if its pi55ing down
If it's a decent dealership, you'll get a good hour or more if you express genuine interest. I was allowed to ride around on my demo bike (the one I eventually bought), for 4 hours!
beanbag said:
How was the test ride then?
Was ok, bike was standard which was a shame would have been nice to ride one with race kit.
Was a bit lumpy at low revs, i think the fueling needs work as around town it was a tad snatchy.
Out on the road felt very stable, i was surprised that it didnt turn as quick as some bikes, with the geometry it has, probably much to do with my lack of skill!!
There was a fair bit of wind blast once you got it above 80 which i am sure a double bubble would cure.
Load of grunt no matter what gear, keep it above 3000 and it just pulled and pulled.
Nice bike for sure but am not 100% sure its the right one for me. Biggest issue i think is the pillion side of things, i doubt my wife would be happy on it.
Hmmm....some love 'em.....some don't i guess.
The reason it didn't turn so well is probably the set up and the fact they put crap tyres on them from the factory.
You need to lower the forks half a notch and get some Pirelli Corsa on there to get the real deal.
The race kit also makes a massive difference with the power output of the bike in terms of smoothness and power.
I reckon you should try and find a dealership that has a demo bike.
Whereabouts do you live?
The reason it didn't turn so well is probably the set up and the fact they put crap tyres on them from the factory.
You need to lower the forks half a notch and get some Pirelli Corsa on there to get the real deal.
The race kit also makes a massive difference with the power output of the bike in terms of smoothness and power.
I reckon you should try and find a dealership that has a demo bike.
Whereabouts do you live?
beanbag said:
Hmmm....some love 'em.....some don't i guess.
The reason it didn't turn so well is probably the set up and the fact they put crap tyres on them from the factory.
You need to lower the forks half a notch and get some Pirelli Corsa on there to get the real deal.
The race kit also makes a massive difference with the power output of the bike in terms of smoothness and power.
I reckon you should try and find a dealership that has a demo bike.
Whereabouts do you live?
Dont get me wrong the bike was nice, just not convinced.
When you look at whats out there you can get a GSXR1000 K5 for just under £8k new and some cracking bikes for £7k very low mileage.
Going to have a go on a Blackbird and see whats thats like.
That's fair enough! No problem there if your not convinced!!
I think the Buell is definately I bike you've got to really want. It's not your standard off the mill Jap bike which makes it a bit special.
A bit like a Triumph Bonniville, Benelli or MV (I want the MV pleeeeeaze!)
Good hunting!!!! Don't buy anything your not sure about!
I think the Buell is definately I bike you've got to really want. It's not your standard off the mill Jap bike which makes it a bit special.
A bit like a Triumph Bonniville, Benelli or MV (I want the MV pleeeeeaze!)
Good hunting!!!! Don't buy anything your not sure about!
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