Anyone here got a Buell ?
Discussion
Buell dealers are very keen to give out test rides. I had a go on a City X which is basically a Lightning. To be honest I was very underwhelmed. It had a great riding position and lovely handling but wasn't as punchy as I'd imagined. I think it has something to do with the emission restrictions.
A 1200 with an Vance and Hines pipe might be interesting though.
A 1200 with an Vance and Hines pipe might be interesting though.
Vesuvius 996 said:
I got annihilated by one on the M4 this morning....!
I used to have an XB9R. Awesome bike. The noise was something else, but if you do get your hands on one, you must get the XB Race Kit. It's a totally essential piece of kit that transforms the bike.
Check out my vid on Google: http://video.google.com/videoplay?doc
Definately head down to the Harley dealership where they'll be more than happy to offer a test ride. You'll be hooked! I put my 5k down 10 minutes after my test ride
Also, just so you know, I recommend the Firebolt to the Lightning. You get much better wind protection and the ride is more comfortable. Also, I'd go for the XB12 series as the engine is much better although the XB9 is still great
I've read most of the reviews and they all say that they're great handling bikes. There are a few less friendly reviewers who think these bikes are a little too agricultural with that Harley engine.
I'm lalso ooking at one - as a first bike. The Lightening certainly felt more comfortable when I sat on one at the dealership, but the Firebolt looks much nicer IMHO.
Is the XB9 really not worth the hassle, even for a novice?
I'm lalso ooking at one - as a first bike. The Lightening certainly felt more comfortable when I sat on one at the dealership, but the Firebolt looks much nicer IMHO.
Is the XB9 really not worth the hassle, even for a novice?
maars said:
I've read most of the reviews and they all say that they're great handling bikes. There are a few less friendly reviewers who think these bikes are a little too agricultural with that Harley engine.
I'm lalso ooking at one - as a first bike. The Lightening certainly felt more comfortable when I sat on one at the dealership, but the Firebolt looks much nicer IMHO.
Is the XB9 really not worth the hassle, even for a novice?
I'm lalso ooking at one - as a first bike. The Lightening certainly felt more comfortable when I sat on one at the dealership, but the Firebolt looks much nicer IMHO.
Is the XB9 really not worth the hassle, even for a novice?
Novice on an XB9? Are you nuts? This bike is a wheelie machine!!!!
To be quite honest and to answer your question, it is too much for a novice. The bikes are great fun and quite reliable and those people who say the engine is too agricultural are boring forward thinking bikers with no soul.
The Buell is a fun machine. It was never meant to be a fast bike. It was however designed to be a bike with power you can actually use on the road with plenty of torque for the twisties. It's fun, it feels fantastic and rips your arms off when you go on the power and is certainly NOT a bike for a total novice.
I've personally had a lot of bikes in my time and if you've just passed your test, settle with a 650 SV or something similar for a year or so. This will allow you how to learn a bike before letting yourself loose on a 1000cc monster like the Buell.
I've had the XB9R wheel spin at 60mph on a damp motorway in 4th gear. Easy situation for a novice to get into but not an easy one to get out of.
Definately NOT a novice bike
beanbag said:
Vesuvius 996 said:
I got annihilated by one on the M4 this morning....!
I used to have an XB9R. Awesome bike. The noise was something else, but if you do get your hands on one, you must get the XB Race Kit. It's a totally essential piece of kit that transforms the bike.
Check out my vid on Google: http://video.google.com/videoplay?doc
Definately head down to the Harley dealership where they'll be more than happy to offer a test ride. You'll be hooked! I put my 5k down 10 minutes after my test ride
Also, just so you know, I recommend the Firebolt to the Lightning. You get much better wind protection and the ride is more comfortable. Also, I'd go for the XB12 series as the engine is much better although the XB9 is still great
Watched the vid but can't help thinking that the triumph rider wasn't even trying - I think he was a bit nervous of the wet roads...going wide on corners....rubbish lean angles etc
The Buell sounds good but I don't think the video 'proves' anything so to speak.
carrera2 said:
beanbag said:
Vesuvius 996 said:
I got annihilated by one on the M4 this morning....!
I used to have an XB9R. Awesome bike. The noise was something else, but if you do get your hands on one, you must get the XB Race Kit. It's a totally essential piece of kit that transforms the bike.
Check out my vid on Google: http://video.google.com/videoplay?doc
Definately head down to the Harley dealership where they'll be more than happy to offer a test ride. You'll be hooked! I put my 5k down 10 minutes after my test ride
Also, just so you know, I recommend the Firebolt to the Lightning. You get much better wind protection and the ride is more comfortable. Also, I'd go for the XB12 series as the engine is much better although the XB9 is still great
Watched the vid but can't help thinking that the triumph rider wasn't even trying - I think he was a bit nervous of the wet roads...going wide on corners....rubbish lean angles etc
The Buell sounds good but I don't think the video 'proves' anything so to speak.
The video was more for the noise than anything else.....makes me shudder everytime I hear it and completely despair to think that I sold it
The Triumph guy is a mate of mine (obviously), and he didn't know the roads at all. The area where it was shot is near to where I live so I know the roads, bumps etc pretty well. It's a shame really because I could have given it a little more but backed off to help him keep up.
Just to point out though....some t
t van driver undertook him on the motorway (M1), about 3 weeks later and wrote off his bike. God knows how but he managed to keep it upright from 70mph and finally come off at about 40. The bike was totally smashed from the right side, but the good man went out and bought another Triumph as soon as the insurance money came through. The van driver admitted guilt later in court admitted dangerous driving and was given 9 penalty points as far as I know.
I just really thank goodness my friend was ok. I've already lost one friend to motorcycles and i'm only 24.
RIP Mark
beanbag said:
carrera2 said:
beanbag said:
Vesuvius 996 said:
I got annihilated by one on the M4 this morning....!
I used to have an XB9R. Awesome bike. The noise was something else, but if you do get your hands on one, you must get the XB Race Kit. It's a totally essential piece of kit that transforms the bike.
Check out my vid on Google: http://video.google.com/videoplay?doc
Definately head down to the Harley dealership where they'll be more than happy to offer a test ride. You'll be hooked! I put my 5k down 10 minutes after my test ride
Also, just so you know, I recommend the Firebolt to the Lightning. You get much better wind protection and the ride is more comfortable. Also, I'd go for the XB12 series as the engine is much better although the XB9 is still great
Watched the vid but can't help thinking that the triumph rider wasn't even trying - I think he was a bit nervous of the wet roads...going wide on corners....rubbish lean angles etc
The Buell sounds good but I don't think the video 'proves' anything so to speak.
The video was more for the noise than anything else.....makes me shudder everytime I hear it and completely despair to think that I sold it
The Triumph guy is a mate of mine (obviously), and he didn't know the roads at all. The area where it was shot is near to where I live so I know the roads, bumps etc pretty well. It's a shame really because I could have given it a little more but backed off to help him keep up.
Just to point out though....some t
t van driver undertook him on the motorway (M1), about 3 weeks later and wrote off his bike. God knows how but he managed to keep it upright from 70mph and finally come off at about 40. The bike was totally smashed from the right side, but the good man went out and bought another Triumph as soon as the insurance money came through. The van driver admitted guilt later in court admitted dangerous driving and was given 9 penalty points as far as I know.
I just really thank goodness my friend was ok. I've already lost one friend to motorcycles and i'm only 24.
RIP Mark
RIP indeed
Sorry to hear it.
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