Are Buell's good bikes???

[aszrael1266]

im really liking the new 1125r. If things work out i might be picking one up round march. the only thing that i found odd is people who have owned them seem split some have not had any issues and love them a couple have had issues and seem to be very vocal about them. either way 1125r looks to be an awesome bike

 

[patoke]

This will mix it up. Buell Firebolt versus zx9r. Which one is better and why?

 

[jiffy]

Just to add:
Dave Moss from Catalyst Suspension says that Buell has their suspension WAY OUT OF WHACK...they always tend to have WAY TOO SOFT front settings and the rear spring is WAY TOO HARD and usually needs to be replaced...
either way, get your suspension dialed by a pro like him if you have or get one.

Funny it has one of the best suspensions out of the box of any Bike maker. Not that he is wrong, but in comparison it is wonderful.

Buell is a great bike, if you are talking about 2003 and above. They have great components from the factory. They are a love it or hate it bike though. Go try one for yourself.

The Buell haters are many and most are have little to no experience.

 

[wrxboy76]

I love my Buell!!! It has razor sharp handling, and is purely a blast (no pun intended) to ride. My only reservations are related to the Hardly-Ableson supply system. The bike has a hot-rodded Sportster motor. That being said, you can't go down to your local Harley [only] dealer and buy parts. On top of this, even Harley dealers that carry Buell don't keep many Buell-specific parts on-hand. Everything has to be ordered. So what this boils down to is that the bike is awesome, but you have to deal with Harley-Davidson if you get one.

 

[NoCompromise]

xgambit, you have the right idea. Some people love them and some people hate them. Try riding one and you will figure out which side of the fence you land on. I really enjoy my Buell and there aren't any other bikes out there that tempt me (other than maybe the Superduke ). They are obviously unique, and if you find you like them then you will probably enjoy riding one for a long, long time. I didn't like the fact that my GSX-R was like my computer - it started looking dated after a couple years.

I have actually enjoyed dealing with the HD network. Vallejo carries a fair amount of Buell parts in my experience, or they can get them quickly. I like the fact that I can get parts so readily for a 10 year old bike. One of the advantages of the Sportster engine is that parts will always be available. Plus, there are tuning options galore - the performance just depends on how much you want to spend. There is no shortage of parts or knowledge on how to modify Harley engines.

It seems that the 03+ Buells have been quite reliable. I'm not sure about the newer models, but the older ones are very easy to work on. Everything is out in the open, plus Erik doesn't put too many extraneous parts on his bikes. Harley may be the only brand that polarizes people as much as Buell. The only way to find out if you like them is to take a ride. If you're still unsure, then get something else. I don't know that I necessarily enjoy my Buell just for the uniqueness, but I think it's great that people like so many different bikes.

 

[nweaver]

Say what?! Compared to what?!

All I'll say is ride one, you'll see.....................



Later haters

Mark

I have. I've demoed: BeeLast (bounced the revv limiter in 3rd just to keep up). XB9R, XB12S, Ulyessues. Namely, every buell made but but the new water-cooled one (which I SOOO want to try, because it should correct the two defficiencies: engine and transmission).

An engine which only runs well from ~3.5k to <7K RPM is not "torquey". It will get you exactly the same feeling of torque as one with 1/2 the torque which is geared twice as low, so it is spinning at 7k to 14k.

This is called PEAKY, not TORQUEY, as the bike is only able to make power in the upper half of the revv range.

It didn't help that I've ridden them back to back with Aprilias, where the engine is good from 3.5k to 12k+.


a: Demo ride them for yourself. On the airheads, if you forgive the engine and transmission, the rest is fantastic. (I can't)

b: Wait for the wethead. A real 6 speed transmission. A real, compact, water-cooled twin. With all the rest which IS fantastic.

 

[nweaver]

This will mix it up. Buell Firebolt versus zx9r. Which one is better and why?

Firebolt: Better handling. Better mass centralization, a wicked stereing head without being slap happy, and the ZTL brake is a good idea. Less hastle on the day-to-day (belt drive, self adjusting valves).

ZX9R: MUCH better engine and transmission. Probably more mechanically reliable.

 

[ScottRNelson]

It's refreshing to see a motorcycle brand with more haters than Ducati. And the same kind of negative opinions from people who have never owned one.

After reading the article in the latest Cycle World about the new 1125R, I think there may finally be a bike other than Ducati that I would like to own. I like their innovation.

 

[codger]

I owned one for four years. they are fun to ride handle well not gsxr well but pretty well. they have questionable reliability. I'm hearing the same problems from owners of the newer models as most of us had with the tube framed models. nice second or third bike but not for your only bike. I have heard of some with impressivly high milage but most will never get there.
If buying used stay away from any bike with the race kit ignition this allowed the motor to rev higher and in doing so pushed the piston speed too high for the long stroke shortening bottom end life. A buell needs to be ridden like a harley short shifted and riding on the torque if you try to ride it like a japanese bike spinning it up in the power band you will certainly experience the
Buell big bang! very expensive. avoid any tuber that has not had the factory shock recall performed the shocks break at the front eyelet and riders have been killed when this occured the bike drops to the ground as the rear suspension collapses locking the rear wheel at what ever speed you happen to be traveling.
Speedo sensors die frequently at $50 a pop rocker boxes on older bikes leak unless the gaskets are replaced with aftermarket units the stockers always seem to develop leaks exhaust studs break or loosenup they take a little maintenance if you like to tinker this is your bike. Avoid any tuber with Fuel injection it was iffy at best and they never seemed to get them dialed in many owners removed it and installed a carb. this applies to the older tube framed bikes the new models have some of the same motor problems and different chassis problems. hold out for the new model with the rotax motor.

 

[Sane_Man]

It's refreshing to see a motorcycle brand with more haters than Ducati. And the same kind of negative opinions from people who have never owned one.

After reading the article in the latest Cycle World about the new 1125R, I think there may finally be a bike other than Ducati that I would like to own. I like their innovation.

The problem is innovation.

They make the average owner a beta tester, unlike a certain software company.

I'm sure that all of the haters got together to disparage Buell and Ducati.

Most people don't want to be guinea pigs to test out new-fangled, ways to make performance, they just want to ride. It takes more time and more money to keep them in proper adjustment, otherwise they will leave you stranded on the side of the road.

Only the dedicated hard-core rider wants to tinker with their bikes all the time to keep them running. Everyone else wants to ride and blow-off maintenance until they get around to it, knowing that the bike will keep running if you miss one service interval. That's what you get with the typical Japanese sport bike.

 

[auntiebling]

i had a 2001 X1 for about a year, it was my primary bike, rode it to las vegas and back and i regret selling it. of course i regret selling every vehicle i've owned but that isn't the point.

it was one of the dreaded tube frame, fuel injected ones. a previous owner installed the "race" ecu and i never had a fuel injection related problem. it did like to vaporlock, but i attribute that largely to the removal of the factory airscoops that were there to keep the fuel delivery system cool. a previous owner did that too, and i'd do it again. the airscoops are FFFFFugly :vanity

that said, i'd avoid the tube framers as a primary bike, the XB series of bikes is much better. go to fremont cycle center, they'll let you test ride with proof of insurance, an M1 endorsement on your license and a brain bucket.

 

[fast4d]

now that it's getting a rotax engine and better trans I'd like to try a buell.

 

[xgambit]

i had a 2001 X1 for about a year, it was my primary bike, rode it to las vegas and back and i regret selling it. of course i regret selling every vehicle i've owned but that isn't the point.

dood i loved your bike!!! (i wish i had that pic of me on it. dammit i cant find it)

 

[auntiebling]

 

[Janna]

Friends don't let friends buy Buells.

 

[xgambit]

i wish i coulda borrowed it before you sold it

 

[xgambit]

Friends don't let friends buy Buells.

oh believe me, i dont! i tell them i have to do an engine rebuild every week and that the radiator leaks coolant everyday.

 

[mototireguy]

now that it's getting a rotax engine and better trans I'd like to try a buell.

+1

Do you think Buell owners will still be welcome at Harley events on bikes running a motor made in Austria?

 

[flying_hun]

the radiator leaks coolant everyday.

on the gravel........ on Redwood Road.... in the rain...... or was it Lucas Valley?

Wait till the IIHS hears about this!

 

[auntiebling]

i wish i coulda borrowed it before you sold it

should have said something. i've ridden an XB since selling it.... totally different bike, in a good way

+1

Do you think Buell owners will still be welcome at Harley events on bikes running a motor made in Austria?

they aren't welcome with the sportster lump as it is.