New 1200cc Buell's Firebolt & Lightning

[BlueBuellFool]

Buell shock recall??

Actually, the shock they use to replace the defective one looks just like the old one (except with a little, remote canister to adjust the the shock with).

It depends on where you took your bike to have the switch done.

When I called Peninsula HD they said that they would only add a (stupid looking) bracket to the shock mount, and that if I wanted a whole new shock, it was going to cost me plenty! WTF??

Dudley Perkins however replaced the whole thing with a new shock AT NO COST. (that's what their supposed to do..... f*ckers!)

If you take a look back, you'll find that lots of bikes and cars have had recalls on them..... That doesn't automatically make them sh*t.

I love mine, and that's really all that matters

-T

 

[little-al]

A note on build-quality/impressions....

I haven't owned one of the new Buells so I can't comment on reliability, but I will say the following: The bikes(XB9) looks a lot better in person than in photos. A lot, and I was no fan of Buell's build quality/fit&finish in the past(no offense, but that was my impression).

I had really liked the looks of the previous trellis-frame, and bikini fairing, and although my first reaction from press photos of the new frame and body-work was less than inspiring(initial = yuck ).... in person the bike was really cool looking.

The paint, materials, and QA seemed top-notch... and to have come a long way. And gosh-darned-it, there was even real metal for some of the body pieces

If long-term these bikes hold-up, I'd think about getting one for an around-town hot-rod. But being short/stubby and with limited wind protection, I'd probably not want one for my primary bike... but that's just me and my riding style.

BTW, I like the belt drive... no maintenance = good to me

al

 

[Squidposer]

Re: Buell shock recall??

If you take a look back, you'll find that lots of bikes and cars have had recalls on them..... That doesn't automatically make them sh*t.

I love mine, and that's really all that matters

-T

Thats a valid point, but if you're comparing cars to bikes based on reliability, ALL bikes fall way short.

I've never seen a bike make 250.000 miles with only routine maintenence yet it's fairly common on modern cars & trucks. If you really want to compare apples and oranges, bikes are pretty much all piles of crap.

From my experiences, Harleys and my first Buell have been quite reliable. My old Ironhead only made it 35 years. Talk about poor quality. For the record, it didn't die of natural causes, I killed it all by myself.

As you've pointed out, all that really matters is if you like it.
If I don't like your bike, it's ok 'cause I don't have to ride it. If you don't like mine, that's ok too 'cause I'm not gonna let you ride it.

 

[BlueBuellFool]

No comparison

No, I'm not trying to compare bikes to cars.. I was just saying that having recals doesn't automatically make something a piece of sh*t.

I still stand behind my idea that it depends on how you ride it (for the most part). If you beat the crap out of anything, it'll eventually come back to bite you in the ass.

Just my $0.02

-T

 

[HighWayDrifter]

im looking into the xb9r as my first bike any thoughts? I think it might be a bit much for a first timer, but no point in wasting time and money on a junker (plus i dont have time nor money to waste)

Any thoughts to share? Good bad call? Dumb or smart?

I have been on several dirt bikes and quads etc. So i know how to shift and balance and what have you. Just never been on a street bike. And well i dont realy want to be like ever other biker fan boi i know and hope on a r6 or r1 and instantly think they are gods gift to the road. Plus i love that damn v twin sound!

 

[BlueBuellFool]

HighWayDrifter

You like that "sound" & the way they look?? Save the gobs of money you'll spend at the HD dealer & buy my Cyclone!!
(it's in the classified's section of the forum)

I've already done the "important" stuff, like change the pipe & intake, and I just bought brand new tires & brakes for it too!!

-T

 

[FrigginChi]

sunuvabitch! if i had only waited a few more months i woulda had black with 1200 cc's...

 

[mercurial]

I love the comments about 'tractor motor' and 1950's technology. A lot of modern tractor engines are very high tech, actually. They've come a long way from the old Holt 4 bangers.

So... along the same lines, a Z06 engine isn't much different than a '57 Vette engine, then, eh? Hell, you could even get the '57 fuel injected.

Also... I-4's, watercooling, overhead cams, and even fuel injection and superchargers have been around a long, long time. There's more to technology than engine config.

uh hello? the Buell's engine is air-cooled with pushrod based cam action. its core technology is so old that it doesn't even have those innovations you cite as having "been around a long, long time". There sometimes is more to technology than engine config; in this instance it is clearly not the case.

 

[budman]

Corb likes Harleys! :tsc

Corb likes Harleys! :tsc

The top one looks sweet!

 

[Corb]

Corb likes Harleys! :tsc

Corb likes Harleys! :tsc

The top one looks sweet!

I'm just happy that things start moving in the right direction for the US made bikes. After reading the tests on the bike I like the XB12S more than the XB12R. I think the engine suits that type of bike better [naked muscle bike]
I really think Buell need to get his hands on the V-Rod engine and build a Futura/ST4 type of sport-touring bike

 

[hashde]

I really think Buell need to get his hands on the V-Rod engine and build a Futura/ST4 type of sport-touring bike

That is the best idea in this entire thread. Well, that and my KTM buyout idea.

 

[Lesbusa]

When Willie G. lets buel play around with the V-rod motor I'll wake up and pay attention.