Come on over to the Buell-XB yahoo group. They are a hoot to ride in 100% twisty roads. But not a lot of fun in anything else. I think they are grossly overpriced. and the young lady will develop some hand grip strength that will put you in a world of pain if used incorrectly. I think a lowered SV naked would work the best.
Long term reliability of Buell lightning?
21 - 40 of 167 Posts
An easier option?
My buddy's wife is only about 5'3". She had a YZF600R but was a little intimidated by the seat height. Instead of trading or altering the bike, she searched for and found riding boots with heels about an inch thinker than normal. Not really "high heels" but enough to let her flatfoot at redlights. Don't know brand name unfortunately. Nice look boots tho.
Cheaper than maint costs of Buell
My buddy's wife is only about 5'3". She had a YZF600R but was a little intimidated by the seat height. Instead of trading or altering the bike, she searched for and found riding boots with heels about an inch thinker than normal. Not really "high heels" but enough to let her flatfoot at redlights. Don't know brand name unfortunately. Nice look boots tho.
Cheaper than maint costs of Buell
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10,900 Posts
Re: She's look incredibly cute on a Monster
I'm still running her in so I haven't had a chance to let her rip yet. It is a stunning machine and the effort to make every little part beautiful and harmonious in the total design is apparent.
The motor rips and has a vaguely Ferrari-esque sound to it. I believe Ferrari helped with the development of this motor. Even though I'm rpm limited it still wheelies with the greatest of ease.
The suspenstion tracks wonderfully through the corners but can beat you up over rough streets. I'm going to have to get fatter because there isn't enough padding in the piece of cardboard that is called a seat on this thing.
Once she's completely broken in, I'll ride up to Torrance and let Sean record an all gear dyno run (as long as he promises not to drop it off the dyno, right sean?) for you listening pleasure.
I'm still running her in so I haven't had a chance to let her rip yet. It is a stunning machine and the effort to make every little part beautiful and harmonious in the total design is apparent.
The motor rips and has a vaguely Ferrari-esque sound to it. I believe Ferrari helped with the development of this motor. Even though I'm rpm limited it still wheelies with the greatest of ease.
The suspenstion tracks wonderfully through the corners but can beat you up over rough streets. I'm going to have to get fatter because there isn't enough padding in the piece of cardboard that is called a seat on this thing.
Once she's completely broken in, I'll ride up to Torrance and let Sean record an all gear dyno run (as long as he promises not to drop it off the dyno, right sean?) for you listening pleasure.
Good choice on the Buell, I am keeping my eyes peeled for a low miles XB9s myself... know what I do when I want to know how a thing holds up? I call a few dealers and ask to talk to the service manager. Being un-salespeople mostly, they will usually totally give you the scoop. I think you'll find that beginning with the Blast, Buell reliability took a big step forward.
Amazing how people will parrot what they've read. Yes, they shake at idle, but there's nothing much smoother once rolling along. and if the wifey is smallish, she will dig the low seat, supershort wheelbase, etc.tho the clutch might be a bit of a pull if she's as effeminate as most motojournalists.
Amazing how people will parrot what they've read. Yes, they shake at idle, but there's nothing much smoother once rolling along. and if the wifey is smallish, she will dig the low seat, supershort wheelbase, etc.tho the clutch might be a bit of a pull if she's as effeminate as most motojournalists.
My wife is also looking for a new ride and also faces the same seat height dilema. She is looking at the BMW F650CS and the Ducati 620. The Duck is about $3000 cheaper than the Buell. If she's serious about the Buell then she needs to demo ride one at a dealer or at any major AMA race.. I rode both versions of the XB9 and all I can say is that its very lightweight but has a heavy clutch and doesn't shift well.
I had a difficult time choosing theTriumph Speed 4 over the Buell. The earlier Sportster engined Buells worked great - I loved the feel of their motors and they weren't at all intimidating like the crotch rockets - except that the gearbox wouldn't let me engage neutral and this was annoying. I used to have a 750 Virago and frankly I don't see how someone can hop off of that bike and onto a sport bike. They are very different in feel and ride whatever manufacturer you go with. I would think there are plenty of Jap cruisers to choose from that will feel a lot like the Virago if you really need to upgrade. What's wrong with the Virago? Is she bored with it?
I am a pretty short guy (5'6") and was seriously considering a Buell Cyclone or Lightning X1 (still a lot of new 2002 and 2003 models out there) to upgrade my Nighthawk 750. But after I actually got on few different bikes and experienced how heavy they felt, I determined that (for me) being able to have both feet flat on the ground wasn't as big an issue as I thought it would be and am now the proud, tickled-pink owner of a naked '03 Suzuki SV1000. For me, the long-term reliability issue outweighed me keeping both feet on the ground while reaching for the stars.
First, Join a Buell Owners Group
Before making a decision have your wife join (membership is free) one or all of these groups:
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/Buell-XB/
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/Buell/
Have her state all her concerns, likes and dislikes; ask about problems. She'll probably find other female riders in the groups as well. Ask whether there are good mechanics and Buell shops in your area. Then make your determination. Buell and H-D have been on a major quality-control emphasis since 2000 and it is starting to show. I would have no problem owning a Buell.
Before making a decision have your wife join (membership is free) one or all of these groups:
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/Buell-XB/
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/Buell/
Have her state all her concerns, likes and dislikes; ask about problems. She'll probably find other female riders in the groups as well. Ask whether there are good mechanics and Buell shops in your area. Then make your determination. Buell and H-D have been on a major quality-control emphasis since 2000 and it is starting to show. I would have no problem owning a Buell.
Re: She's look incredibly cute on a Monster
Ok I'm officially jealous. The Italians do make beautiful looking machinery. Ferrari did help with the engine development. Now that you are over 40 putting on that much needed extra weight will be much easier. VWW
Ok I'm officially jealous. The Italians do make beautiful looking machinery. Ferrari did help with the engine development. Now that you are over 40 putting on that much needed extra weight will be much easier. VWW
I believe the stock Breva seat is 31" but I think a 28" seat is available. I'd take the Breva too, even over the sv650. Won't see one on every corner, shaft drive, Italian and probably reliable. But I'd go for the new Sportster if I had to buy Harley. Too many of my friends have had trouble with Buell. One of my co-workers rides a Blast and has had no trouble with it though. But then I don't see how that bike could make enough power to hurt itself.
Good site thanks has an interesting poll
From: [email protected]
Date: Fri Jan 30, 2004 1:43 pm
Subject: Poll results for Buell-XB
The following Buell-XB poll is now closed. Here are the
final results:
POLL QUESTION: What problems have you had with your
XB Firebolt or Lightning?
CHOICES AND RESULTS
- Drive Belt - Cracked/Broken, 1 votes, 0.91%
- Drive Belt - No Problems, 13 votes, 11.82%
- Suspension - Leak or something else, 0 votes, 0.00%
- Suspension - No Problems, 13 votes, 11.82%
- Rocker Box Gasket - Leak, 1 votes, 0.91%
- Rocket Box Gasket - No Problems, 12 votes, 10.91%
- Electrical - Rough running in rain, 1 votes, 0.91%
- Electrical - No Problems, 10 votes, 9.09%
- Transmission - Broken shaft or something else, 2 votes, 1.82%
- Transmission - No Problems, 11 votes, 10.00%
- Stock Exhaust - Cracks/Breaks, 0 votes, 0.00%
- Stock Exhaust - No Problems, 11 votes, 10.00%
- Race Kit - Idling/Tuning glitches, 0 votes, 0.00%
- Race Kit - No Problems, 7 votes, 6.36%
- Oil Cooler - Leaks, 3 votes, 2.73%
- Oil Cooler - No Problems, 10 votes, 9.09%
- My HD/Buell Shop - Don't go near 'em, 1 votes, 0.91%
- My HD/Buell Shop - Only if I have to, 2 votes, 1.82%
- My HD/Buell Shop - Getting better, 5 votes, 4.55%
- My HD/Buell Shop - I couldn't be happier, 7 votes, 6.36%
From: [email protected]
Date: Fri Jan 30, 2004 1:43 pm
Subject: Poll results for Buell-XB
The following Buell-XB poll is now closed. Here are the
final results:
POLL QUESTION: What problems have you had with your
XB Firebolt or Lightning?
CHOICES AND RESULTS
- Drive Belt - Cracked/Broken, 1 votes, 0.91%
- Drive Belt - No Problems, 13 votes, 11.82%
- Suspension - Leak or something else, 0 votes, 0.00%
- Suspension - No Problems, 13 votes, 11.82%
- Rocker Box Gasket - Leak, 1 votes, 0.91%
- Rocket Box Gasket - No Problems, 12 votes, 10.91%
- Electrical - Rough running in rain, 1 votes, 0.91%
- Electrical - No Problems, 10 votes, 9.09%
- Transmission - Broken shaft or something else, 2 votes, 1.82%
- Transmission - No Problems, 11 votes, 10.00%
- Stock Exhaust - Cracks/Breaks, 0 votes, 0.00%
- Stock Exhaust - No Problems, 11 votes, 10.00%
- Race Kit - Idling/Tuning glitches, 0 votes, 0.00%
- Race Kit - No Problems, 7 votes, 6.36%
- Oil Cooler - Leaks, 3 votes, 2.73%
- Oil Cooler - No Problems, 10 votes, 9.09%
- My HD/Buell Shop - Don't go near 'em, 1 votes, 0.91%
- My HD/Buell Shop - Only if I have to, 2 votes, 1.82%
- My HD/Buell Shop - Getting better, 5 votes, 4.55%
- My HD/Buell Shop - I couldn't be happier, 7 votes, 6.36%
Re: Good site thanks has an interesting poll
Am I reading this correctly? Of 14 resondents, 1 had a drive belt failure, of 13 respondents 2 had a serious transmission problem, or 13 respondents 3 had an oil leak? I've never seen complaint rates that high before in other groups polls.
I know the unhappy tend to respond to the polls more than the happy, but still those are very high rates. Sounds like my 2001 Harley, where my dealer and I were never able to stop a small oil leak (other than selling the bike).
Bryan
"bbtowns"
Am I reading this correctly? Of 14 resondents, 1 had a drive belt failure, of 13 respondents 2 had a serious transmission problem, or 13 respondents 3 had an oil leak? I've never seen complaint rates that high before in other groups polls.
I know the unhappy tend to respond to the polls more than the happy, but still those are very high rates. Sounds like my 2001 Harley, where my dealer and I were never able to stop a small oil leak (other than selling the bike).
Bryan
"bbtowns"
Re: Good site thanks has an interesting poll
Yep I am with you. I thought it was a little high but like you said the unhappy usually respond to these things. However, I think that if there was 2 in 100 serious transmission problems that would be too high for Japanese standards. The 3 with an oil leak blows me away. Seems like that should never happen on a modern motorcycle.
Yep I am with you. I thought it was a little high but like you said the unhappy usually respond to these things. However, I think that if there was 2 in 100 serious transmission problems that would be too high for Japanese standards. The 3 with an oil leak blows me away. Seems like that should never happen on a modern motorcycle.
Re: She's look incredibly cute on a Monster
The "Middle Class Misery Index" of Bush's and
previous administrations and found a 13-point dip, from 112 to 99,
between 2000 and 2003. A higher score means families are better off.
The report listed a drop of five points during President Reagan's two
terms, a decline of 12 points during the presidency of Bush's father,
George H.W. Bush, and a 23-point improvement under Clinton.
Click here
The "Middle Class Misery Index" of Bush's and
previous administrations and found a 13-point dip, from 112 to 99,
between 2000 and 2003. A higher score means families are better off.
The report listed a drop of five points during President Reagan's two
terms, a decline of 12 points during the presidency of Bush's father,
George H.W. Bush, and a 23-point improvement under Clinton.
Click here
21 - 40 of 167 Posts
