I rode a XB12 a while back, real fun but not a long distance kind of thing. I ride a R1100S that is great for Sport touring rides over 500 miles. If you are into K bikes and have $$$ sitting around, the new K1200S looks pretty sweet.
2 years ago I sold my '00 Buell X-1, with all the modifications the individual 2-3 posts up described: ECM chip, exhaust, etc.
And went with a '02 Honda VFR ABS.
I did this for pragmatism: didn't have time for the occassional problem*, the ABSOLUTELY mandatory pre-ride and post-ride inspection*, breather oil puking into my nice K&N filter (AGHHHH!!!), wanted hard bags because i commuted, etc. etc.
*note: I had an x-1, not a xb9r so a lot of this stuff was fixed on the newer models so i've heard.
But you know what?
I really REALLY miss my buell. I mean REALLY miss it.
Don't get me wrong. I'm much faster, more agile, can carry stuff in my hard bags way more conveniently, have ZERO maintenance issues, can slice through the 15-20 mph hairpins in the VA backwoods carrying much more speed into the turn...
with all this... I should be happier right?
yes and no.
I got everything I said I wanted: low low maintenance requirements, improved handling and performance, hardbags... so what's the problem you might ask.
The VFR just doesn't stir my blood. Everytime I got on my buell and clunked (yes, CLUNKED) into first and cranked my wrist on that heavy throttle, only one word comes to mind:
"W00T!!!" and a big sh!t-eating grin.
Sure, it could be my memories about the buell are all pleasant ones, and the not-so-pleasant ones I've forgotten like many other memories.... and sure, I do smile everytime I jump on the VFR.
But I certainly don't GRIN. I miss ROARING from 1k- 6k RPM... so its not a 600 with a 13k rev limit. Sure it revs slow, but its like an ol' '60-something mustang...
there are some people who prefer that ol' classic V-8 RIPPPP/ROOOARRRR to the newer high performance RRRRRWWWHEEEE.
I think my next bike purchase will be an air-cooled again... to each his own.
Yeah, well not around here. I was in a Harley dealer about a week ago and they didn't even have any XB12Rs left. Had one XB12S and they didn't seem to be dealing. Then again, they still don't seem to be very interested in them at all.
But let's say your theory is correct and I could get one for $9,000. Add the HD sodomy fees and I bet you're still close to 10k.
From what I can tell, the Buell basically fits into the 600 SS class. I understand the paying a premium for uniqueness, but they need to build a customer base. Based on the competition, this bike shouldn't cost more than $8,500. This probably isn't going to happen because of small production numbers and less than favorable economies of scale. (Remeber that H-D is a Wall Street darling, so an agressive pricing program, at a potential loss, to increase sales and production ain't gonna happen. It's a shame.) So for those of you who are willing to pay that much, God bless. It's hard for me to justify it.
Throw in the dealer apathy, which is palpable, and the high service fees, and the Buell experience can become potentially frustrating and quite expensive.
As the owner of a 2004 Buell XB12S I submit the following comments.
1. Sound: Buy the race kit! Goodbye Maytag hello Harley / Ducati sounds with a nice pow pow on throttle roll off, oh and more top end power.
2. Weird Feeling: Buy the XB12S instead of the 12R. I borrowed my friends R model and had the same weird feelings riding it as you mentioned, with the S you have a far more natural stance.
3. Shifting: Break-in does wonders, it and you get used to each other, neutral is a no-brainer after a few thousand miles, and the shifting gets smoother.
4. Enjoy the looks, comments, oohs and awwhs that come with the bike. I have people follow me home, stop at gas stations etc etc all the time to ask what it is, who makes it and where is it made.
5. Smoke unsuspecting cars off the line. Because the bike looks so small especially the black S model you catch cars off guard all the time who think you are riding a much smaller displacement bike. Plus you dont have to rev the bike at all to really take off from a start.
I had to had problems you mentioned on the older bike...
I too had the problems you mentioned on the older bike on my 2001 Buell M2 Cyclone. But I have trashed the living hell out of my XB12S and it has not leaked a drop of oil anywhere! The only thing I have seen is a slight buildup of almost a mist of oil around the drain between at the base of the cylinders. It takes around a 1,000 miles before this builds up so it's really slow.
And yes, it is a hell of a lot of fun, reminds you of a 60's mucsle car for sure.
Good idea about the "living with..." series. As much as I enjoy the track day and canyon-carving short term tests, they're foregone issues for those of us who live the wide open spaces like the central plains and mostly use our bikes to commute in traffic. I want to know exactly how "liveable" a bike is in the real world.
Oh, and just to answer one of your questions, EbonFlame, I've put a little over 8k on my '99 Ducati Monster 750. In the almost two years I've owned it, I've done NOTHING to it beyond changing the oil, replacing one set of tires, and riding the hell out of it every chance I get. I just had the 12k mile valve adjustment performed, as well as the timing belts replaced. The total for parts and labor was $203.60, which I thought was pretty freakin' reasonable. Granted, I had the service performed by an independant (and Ferracci-certified) Ducati/MV Agusta mech, and not the local dealer. They have the same guy do their work and then mark up the cost! Anyhoo... It's been a GREAT bike that gets lots of attention. Unfortunately, I have a baby on the way and will be selling it shortly... But I guarantee my next bike will be another air-cooled Duc!
Um, I might be feeling a little different about the ergos after that trip.
I think I would buy the R model. I've already got a ZRX, so I would want something quite different. Besides, after getting accustomed to the bike, I enjoyed the riding position. Not everyone will, but I did. In some respects it seemed more civilized that many sportbikes.
Not sure I'd be happy about spending the coin for the airfare, taking a five hour flight to FantasyLand, and then being ignored by another Harley salesperson.
It would be a hell of an experience to ride cross country, though. Maybe...
There are bikes that get you from point A to point B faster and in more comfort but lack that elusive character that makes you want to take the longest path from A to B. I like a bike that gives you lots of feedback. Vibration at idle that smoothes out at speed is a feature to me. Hit the starter button and it comes alive. If you want electric motor smoothness then you should look elsewhere. This thing shakes and lets you know its running. Like JB said in one of the Buell reviews there is something to be said about the quality of a motors sound signature. A P51 Mustang flew 100 feet above the water of Cape Cod bay over my head one summer day about 15 years ago. I remember the glorious sound of it to this day. Something about that lazy power pulse of the Buell does the same thing to me. The basso profoundo when rapping the throttle open is F-U-N.
The sad story is Ive only test rode Buells a handful of times. An XB9R stock, XB9R w/race kit and the XB12R stock. The stock XB9R was weak and it really needs the race kit to make me happy. Youll find yourself hitting the rev limiter often as its lightweight flywheel lets you rev the motor easily into the limiter. The XB12R stock made enough power and with its heavier flywheel and more torque I didnt hit the lower limiter as often as I found myself doing on the XB9R.
I will purchase a Buell XB-R bike one of these days I really love the character of these bikes. Ive held off waiting to see if the reliability issues got worked out. So far it seems that Buells are reliable. Now its time to save some money and finally purchase one.
$8,995 for a 2004 XB12R or XB12S at Chandler AZ H-D Buell
It's only $8,995 for a 2004 XB12R or XB12S or $6995 for a new 2003 XB9R or S at Chandler Arizona H-D Buell and they have over 20 in stock with all colors ready for delivery.
Yep the R is okay but if you had ridden the S on that route, wait, just about any route, you would be wanting one badly about now. All that dreck about standing up on the brakes, etc, goes right out the window with the high wide handlebar, and the pegs are lower too which is cool if you're tall i imagine. Far as price goes, I could be just as happy if not more happy with 9S. Slightly less lumpy idle with shorter-stroke clankshaft, higher RPM ceiling, shorter gearing, and doesn't feel like much less power esp. with race kit. I bin riding borrowed Kawa Z1000 and missing Buell too, snif...
Hey, man. If you don't already know, there's a nice little mention of you in the most recent Cycle World (letters section). A reader wrote to lament your absense. The Ed. replied with little blurb about how they missed you but you're making too much money writing ad copy so you won't return their calls, yada, yada, yada...
Just thought you'd like to know.
And welcome to the tortured, masochistic creed of advertising copywriters. I know your pain.
XB9: I was considering the 9 because I heard that the race kit makes a big difference. You really feel that strongly? I haven't had a chance to ride a 9.
yeah man I saw it and parlayed it into passes to laguna seca. It's like E Buell said, diff. between 9 and 12 is kind of like small-block and big-block Vettes. I think the 9 has a lighter feel to it that fits the XB's character better, and the thing runs smoother at part-throttle cruising around cause of smaller power pulses and shorter gearing. I think. as you know, once above 50 mph or so they are both dead smooth cruisers. I am also cheap. Even if I weren't i might rather have the 9. With race kit, 9 has plenty of acceleration and it revs, even without it.
You see, this makes the decision harder. The bikes are the same, but ones bored out, with a lower rev limit. Ones revs better, but makes less power. They both weigh about the same, so whats the real difference?
Clarify some more, oh great sage.
I have never complained about reving a bike to get it going, and I don't understand the big deal about having to shift. Its part of the feel of riding a motorcyle. The interaction with the machine, the tactile feel of shifting, turning, moving around on it thats makes it more enjoyable than any other land vehicle.
I guess some people just want an automatic transmission on their bike.
Anyway, what is the practical difference between the 9 and the 12, then whats the gut tell you?
12 i think has 1/2-inch longer stroke so it feels thumpier and rougher, and heavier crank (i think?) seems like it doesn't turn so quick and light as the 9 does. 9 revs more cause it's geared shorter... ***** man, ride em both, Buell dealers give test rides do they not?
As opposed to what? The excellent management practices in Italy?
I did enjoy the article. Informative, well written and organized.
I've spent some time on an XB9R, and it's a fun bike, but not so much that I would spend the asking price. It really did stand up under braking, and the front brake feel was somewhat soft. It was also very heavy steering. I left the setup alone, since it was a friends bike.
A rear wheel bearing disintegrated at around 8000 miles. It was fixed under warranty even though this was an early XB9R, and was out of warranty.
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