2007 Buell Lightning XB12STT
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i love the look of the lightnings but i live on roads meant for a Ulysses. looks like a good compromise but i cant imagine enough people in situations like me exist to warrent this model.
maybe folks that can only own one bike and want that bike to be a street bike but also want to do some light supermoto on the weekends?
and whats with the paint schemes?
maybe folks that can only own one bike and want that bike to be a street bike but also want to do some light supermoto on the weekends?
and whats with the paint schemes?
As an owner of a XB12S...
As an owner of a XB12S I just have to ask, "Why are you giving us another repackaged Lightening?"
What we need is that new 150 HP engine with 120 foot pounds of torque, a little longer wheel base would be nice and bang! I would buy another Buell.
I have 26,000 miles on mine now, when I reach 100,000 I'm going to trade for some more power, if Buell delivers a lot more power, it might be a Buell, if they don't it's goodbye Irene, er I mean Buell.
As an owner of a XB12S I just have to ask, "Why are you giving us another repackaged Lightening?"
What we need is that new 150 HP engine with 120 foot pounds of torque, a little longer wheel base would be nice and bang! I would buy another Buell.
I have 26,000 miles on mine now, when I reach 100,000 I'm going to trade for some more power, if Buell delivers a lot more power, it might be a Buell, if they don't it's goodbye Irene, er I mean Buell.
You gotta live where I do to appreciate what this bike is made for. The road depicted in the story is the norm here in the western Maryland mountains. I don't know if I'd go for the Uly, the CityX or the TT, but those are some great choices. I thought I got over these bikes last summer. Crap. My wife is gonna be pissed, I'm gonna be broke, my dealer is gonna ***** me off...Time to refill that Zoloft prescription before the anxiety attacks return. What are the chances of winning the Maryland lottery?
I hope that the crayon scribbled paint scheme wasn't the best submission in Buell's goofy "you-design-it" contest. My three year old grandson makes better messes on my kitchen table with his magic markers. I guess it wasn't aimed at my demographic. Time to eat that Zoloft and go sit in the corner.
I hope that the crayon scribbled paint scheme wasn't the best submission in Buell's goofy "you-design-it" contest. My three year old grandson makes better messes on my kitchen table with his magic markers. I guess it wasn't aimed at my demographic. Time to eat that Zoloft and go sit in the corner.
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This is the first XB model I can't warm up to at all.
GB hit the nail on the head with "repackaged Lightning."
Supermoto, TT, whatever. It should be called the "XB12SF Superflous."
Yeah, it's nice to have a bike that can handle urban environments and sketchy roads but don't they already make those bikes? Seems like parsing a niche market pretty fine.
Of course, the TT is just another way to introduce an "all-new" model using basically the same parts with very little R&D cost. That may work for H-D but it's not going to go very far with the crowd Buell hopes to attract.
Worse, it's ugly in pictures and only slightly better in person. And not ugly in a good way.
GB hit the nail on the head with "repackaged Lightning."
Supermoto, TT, whatever. It should be called the "XB12SF Superflous."
Yeah, it's nice to have a bike that can handle urban environments and sketchy roads but don't they already make those bikes? Seems like parsing a niche market pretty fine.
Of course, the TT is just another way to introduce an "all-new" model using basically the same parts with very little R&D cost. That may work for H-D but it's not going to go very far with the crowd Buell hopes to attract.
Worse, it's ugly in pictures and only slightly better in person. And not ugly in a good way.
Re: As an owner of a XB12S...
Have you installed the air filter/race ECU/free-flow muffler combo? No, it won't give you the 150HP that you want, but it'll certainly give the bike a nice pick-me-up. My XB12 responded nicely to this simple mod.
As much as I love the old Sportster-based motor (and I do indeed) it seems that extracting 150 HP from it while maintaining the day-to-day street reliability it has now might be asking a bit too much.
Then again, there are good aftermarket sources of piston/cylinder mods to obtain displacements in the 1400cc+ range. I'll bet you could get a good 130/140 HP with no compromise in reliability. If and when my stock motor needs a teardown, I believe I might go for it... (heh)
Have you installed the air filter/race ECU/free-flow muffler combo? No, it won't give you the 150HP that you want, but it'll certainly give the bike a nice pick-me-up. My XB12 responded nicely to this simple mod.
As much as I love the old Sportster-based motor (and I do indeed) it seems that extracting 150 HP from it while maintaining the day-to-day street reliability it has now might be asking a bit too much.
Then again, there are good aftermarket sources of piston/cylinder mods to obtain displacements in the 1400cc+ range. I'll bet you could get a good 130/140 HP with no compromise in reliability. If and when my stock motor needs a teardown, I believe I might go for it... (heh)
I really like Buells but *YAWN*. This is a HD type new model introduction. They used 95% of an existing bike and tweaked the suspension and rake a little and now they have a new model. I would like to see Buell use some of the innovation and creativity to come out with a truly new model. Of course his handlers at HD most likely have the last say in those decisions. I know all manufacturers make parts bin specials but all of Buells bikes are getting this way.
Excellent review Pete. Nice pictures...
"I'm not an arrogant guy. Those [other] guys are making some good bikes. I just want some respect for what American engineers can do."
I applaud what Erik has done given his resource constraints i.e. not allowed to build a proper engine. Even Buell owners like gbrummett are asking for more power. Well the only way to do that given the antique motor design is to add displacement again. I can see it now XB-14s ..
Also I agree with others this isn't a new bike. Like to see a sport tourer with ABS an hard bags.. I don't mean the Uly boys.. I mean a real ST like the old tube frame one..Thunderbolt ST I think it was called. Lower pegs and higer bars.
Heck if you offered a bike like that with ABS I even might buy it to commute with. Even with the antique motor..
"I'm not an arrogant guy. Those [other] guys are making some good bikes. I just want some respect for what American engineers can do."
I applaud what Erik has done given his resource constraints i.e. not allowed to build a proper engine. Even Buell owners like gbrummett are asking for more power. Well the only way to do that given the antique motor design is to add displacement again. I can see it now XB-14s ..
Also I agree with others this isn't a new bike. Like to see a sport tourer with ABS an hard bags.. I don't mean the Uly boys.. I mean a real ST like the old tube frame one..Thunderbolt ST I think it was called. Lower pegs and higer bars.
Heck if you offered a bike like that with ABS I even might buy it to commute with. Even with the antique motor..
Excellent Post
"As much as I love the old Sportster-based motor (and I do indeed) it seems that extracting 150 HP from it while maintaining the day-to-day street reliability it has now might be asking a bit too much.
Then again, there are good aftermarket sources of piston/cylinder mods to obtain displacements in the 1400cc+ range. I'll bet you could get a good 130/140 HP with no compromise in reliability. If and when my stock motor needs a teardown, I believe I might go for it... (heh)"
You nailed it great post..
"As much as I love the old Sportster-based motor (and I do indeed) it seems that extracting 150 HP from it while maintaining the day-to-day street reliability it has now might be asking a bit too much.
Then again, there are good aftermarket sources of piston/cylinder mods to obtain displacements in the 1400cc+ range. I'll bet you could get a good 130/140 HP with no compromise in reliability. If and when my stock motor needs a teardown, I believe I might go for it... (heh)"
You nailed it great post..
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