Might buy a Buell

[Valor]

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

[NAKID]

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...

[jesse370]

specially a bigger one 

[DesmonsterS4RS]

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

[Scottish]

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


































 

[Valor]

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.

[Grappa]

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.   Belt is good for 100,000 miles.  No driveline lash.   Do they even need valve adjustments?

[ltnuke]

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.

[macker]

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.

[NAKID]

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...

[mxwinky]

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.

[monsterduc]

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.

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!   

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

[Lars D]

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.

[NeufUnSix]

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.

[Capt baz]

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.