Ducati Monster Forum

Okay, So I still love my Monster ... but I am considering a purchase of a Buell XB9S Lighting. I'm curious if anyone has any first hand experience with Buells. How do you like them? How might they compare to my Monster. What was the reliability like. Any input would be appreciated.

Valor

What is it that the Buell can provide that you don't get with the Monster? They are very similar so I'm just wondering...

specially a bigger one  ;D

I know Littleyellowduc used to own a Buell I am sure he would share his experience just send him a PM.

Bummer, I'm sorry to hear that. Hope you get back to riding soon.


































 [laugh]

No, no ...not selling the Duc ... I just have an opportunity to buy the Lightning in addition to the Duc. Just want some FHE on Buells.

I like Buells, but don't own one.  Lots of pull down low, then...nothing. ???   If you like to ride like that then you might be stoked.  No chain maintenance. [thumbsup]   Belt is good for 100,000 miles.  No driveline lash. [thumbsup]   Do they even need valve adjustments?

See this thread... http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=3602.0

My biggest complaint about the buells is the vibration.  My friend who I ride with has one and when we are idling his handlebars flop up and down.  I'm not a fan of the looks either, but that's just my taste.

I my self own a buell and like it.  It's true about top end it doesn't exist.  If your city ridin which is about all its good for because your top half is always exposed, no wind protection, you'll be good.  People say they don't handle very good but I would say mine(05 xb9sx) handles better then my monster.  As far as reliability, mine not so reliable.  Two head gaskets and both fork seals(about 9000km) plus after they fixed it my pushrod covers started leakin like mad.  I think I got a faulty one because I have heard that others have been very reliable. ???

I have NEVER heard that they were reliable...

I worked for Harley for two years and got to ride every Buell out there, and even had a couple of them in my rental fleet.  I always enjoyed them.  Great handling, super fun to ride.  No, you don't rev the piss out of them, but they make great power down low so you don't need to.  I will say that the XB12 is way more powerful than the XB9 so if you can swing it, go for the larger engine.  The one real downer I found on all the Buells was engine heat that radiates up into the rider's crotch.  There is a guy out there that offers what we used to call the "Buell diaper" that is a form fitting heat-resistant mat that goes under the faux tank and covers the top rear of the engine area to insulate the heat from coming into the rider.  It is a very definitely worthwhile investment.  Hey, hydraulic valve adjustment and belt drive, there's not much to do but change the oil and beat the thing senseless.  I never had a problem with any of my rentals, and my customers had overwhelmingly positive experiences with them.  They are different, but fun.

One of my local riding buddies just sold a '99 Lightning (the generation prior to the XB series bikes).  His experience was similar to macker's.  He thought the bike was fun to ride when it was running, it was just aggravating to keep dealing with all the little issues.   :-[

That said, if I could keep my Monster and buy a Buell XB to go along with it, I sure would!   [thumbsup]

The XB bikes are great looking motorcycles and cool as hell.   [evil]

OK,
If it is an 03 9S , check for the updated belt and sprocket .

Next , check for updated wheel bearings, they should have black seals and not orange.

Can you do work on bike yourself? If not , most Buell dealers suck , there are only a handful

that care if your bike ever runs right or not.

Also the suspension WILL need to be upgraded as will the brake pads .

Most parts are very cheap, check out  American Sport Bike for parts.

Badweather Bikers has a lot of info as does Sporttwin.

Do you like tractors? Maybe a big diesel fan? Because if you do you'll love the Buell motor. Otherwise it's a lumpy-lump of Milwaukee "engineering" that makes no sense in a modern sport chassis. It redefines the concept of torque in a motorcycle, because all it has is torque.

The handling is probably the strongest point, but it's unnerving. They change direction like a fly and feel flighty, like a small twitchy bike that will spit you off at the first bumpy stretch of road. Except it isn't a small bike, which makes it even weirder. I found the front brake was pretty good for a stock setup, that was about all I liked about it. Everything else just didn't impress me. And the vibration would get irritating fast.

One of my friends has an XB12, he enjoys it but the quality just isn't there. He's had a handful of stupid little quality control issues and everything looks cheap and cheesy on them. Ducatis cost a lot, but you get a lot in terms of parts quality and finish (if not outright reliability). Buells cost a lot and look cheap, like some budget streetfighter cobbled together from the cheapest rung of the Lockhart Philips catalogue.

2 weeks ago i test rode every model buell makes, including the 1125r, i did not ride the blast(one lunger). was not impressed at all with them . lots of vibration, brakes suck, lots of engine heat & the handeling is similar  to a tow behind log splitter. i rode harleys exclusively for 35 years, & was re-assured a couple weeks ago why i will never own another one. sorry if this sounds negative, but, it is the truth.

Personally I think the XB Lightnings and 'Bolts are fantastic looking bikes.  No chain maintenance, no valve adjustments.  Too much engine heat, lotsa vibes at idle.  Aggravating in town. They are incredibly easy and predictable to slide/power wheelie/ any combo there of out of turns - fun fun.  That being said I just sold my '06 12R and after 1 ride in N GA this weekend on the new S4Rs I almost forgot I ever made the mistake of keeping the Buell for so long!  All I can say about the Monster is WOW!  Don't be surprised if the Lightning languishes after the initial charm wears off.  And thank you to Ducati for making such a fantastic motorcycle.  This thing is AMAZING!

I'm being offered a new Buell Ullyses XT here in Germany at whatever cost I can find at any stateside dealer (has to be a deal sheet, not an ad).
Anyone good friends with a dealer that can help me out?

Holy thread revival Batman :o

the Buell dealer in gastonia, NC had an 07 Ullyses for 7-8K. I went to the Ducati dealer and bought an 08 Hypermotard for just under 9K. 

rode a buell once

Handles better than a monster
loads of low end torque
no top end (litterally, RPMs top off at some low ass number)
Too much vibration
XB12R looks sick, i really like it.
cheap plasitc (feels like i could cut i with a childproof siccor)

Ive seen 1125's for 4999 stateside. i wouldnt pay more than 5 grand for any buell brand new. Is there even any support?

Would I buy one? If it the price is right yup.

Heh heh, gotta love the H-D/Buell haters on this board....

I've got several buddies that own Buells, and they get flogged mercilessly without fail for the most part. Not much maintenance is offered among this group either (one had a tweaked '94 M900 until he got sick of its constant needs). Only one of these guys' bikes has issues, and they're early fuel injection woes brought on by mods that the computer can't deal with.

My $.02? Buy an XB9 because they're dirt cheap. They also have a nice, short stroke versus the XB12. Once you think you're tired of it in stock form, there are a couple of companies out there that make big bore kits tailored to the '9 specifically. Then a little headwork. Then some hairy cams (I have suggestions for valve timing if you're interested). Voila - a wicked little beast that'll give you Permagrin and rev to 8K+.

the dealer here only has 2 Ulysses left, and X and an XT (with panniers) so that''s what i'm looking at for a deal sheet.
I was thinking 6500. anyone think a dealer in the states would do that? saw one ad on cycletrader, but that doesn't count to the dealer here.

I passed on the Buell because of the price.  I thought almost 8K for an 07 bike that's being discontinued was too much $$.  I was also unhappy with the way the bikes were presented -- I came in there with data about their bikes and what I saw was a showroom that had "discounted" prices that were misleading -- they were supposedly offering a 6K discount on the Uly that had a 13K + price, and there were no mention that the bike as an 07 leftover (the salesman was "not sure of the year") and they did not want to do any test rides!  The buying experience was altogether more pleasant and straightforward with the Duc guys which is why I gave them my business. 

If the Buell was dirt cheap, I'd have gone for it.

Tell them you will give them $5,000 for the Ulysses XT and if they don't like it then you will be back in 6 months and give them $3,000 for it.   

yeah the catch to all this is I need a real deal sheet with another dealer for him to give me my price. i already offered 6500. he said get it in writing and we'll talk.

How the hell did my thread from 18 months ago get brought back to life????   AAAAUGGG!!! Thread ZOMBIE!!!!!!

Have you ever checked out the Buell forum?  It is called www.badweatherbikers.com (http://).  You may have to register, but I bet those guys could point you in the right direction. 

Alot of H-D bashing on that forum.  ???

I'm sure they feel let down.  They loved their bikes and they want to blame somebody for Buell being killed.  They want Buell to stand on its own and feel Harley won't let this happen. 

ok sorry for the thread revival... gonna let it die now... purchase not happening.