| Author | Message | ||
     Woodnbow |
Ok, I'm not new to Buells, used to be the proud caretaker of an '00 S3T which I still regret selling. I currently ride an 00 Road King Classic and a '89 FXR but I'm also looking at picking up a Uly for two up sport touring. I've narrowed the choices down to two, a 2008 with 14K, all three bags, excellent condition. They want $7000. I'm also looking at an 06 with 27K, side bags and tank bag, looks very well maintained and has all the service records to include rear wheel bearings at 20K miles. This guy is asking $4500. Are the 2008 and up bikes substantially better than the 06 and 07 versions? I'll be riding the bike for many years to come so I want one that's relatively easy to maintain for the long haul. thanks, | ||
| Mhevezi |
Sounds like a lot for the 2008. For reference, I got my 2008 XT, with 10K on the clock, brand new tires, a few upgrades and overall 9/10 condition for $6700. If it were me, I'd spend the extra on the 2008. Not that the older bikes aren't good bikes that last, but I'm glad I held out for a little newer machine. There were some nice upgrades on the 2008+ bikes. | ||
| Etennuly |
Being the owner of an '06 since new, I cannot say I have missed any of the up grades.....never had em! But I easily installed heated grips, and learned that a TPS reset only needs done every other year or so, and I can easily run 20,000 on a set of good spark plugs as well as rear wheel bearings, and I get about 8 mpg better average than the '08, and my '06 is just as fast, the tires wear out the same, my forks have a little more dive and flex even, but I don't mind, other than the initial soft front suspension dive, I can't feel the difference having ridden both, and my upgraded front rotor was an easy fix, and I like the stock '06 seat better, the wiring problems are well documented and easily fixed if they come up at all. Neither bike will be supported by the factory for any kind of warranty or much else in the near future. Is either one in a color that you like? | ||
| Ramman4x4 |
I recently bought a very low mileage (3 miles) '07 and have been slowly adding '08 parts to it. The biggest change for me is '08 triple trees to increase the turning radius from 54 degs to 74degs. There were a lot of other good updates in '08 like an easier method to reset the TPS, factory heated grips, 8-row oil cooler. The '08 models also got a larger crank pin (1.5in vs 1.25in on the pre-'08 models). An '07 model can certainly be updated with most of the '08 changes but you'll spend close to the difference in price getting there. I'd recommend going with the '08 and trying to talk them down a little on the price. Here a link with details on all of the changes: http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/142 838/442728.html?1360303945 Also, here's a link to the new owner section which has tons of good information. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/142 838/442053.html?1238017122 | ||
| Froggy |
Yes. 06s are unreliable, 07s have crappy cranks, and 08s have lots of subtle improvements over previous models. 09 and 10 also had some changes to make them better each year. That 08 is way overpriced, but out of the two bikes I would lean towards that one. Keep an eye out and you will find a better deal elsewhere. | ||
| D_adams |
http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/21/ 727841.html?1387383106 5k miles, $7250 and it's a 2010. Tough choice there. | ||
| Woodnbow |
D Adams, I saw that... tempting but buying racks and bags pushes the price out of my budget. This bike will be a sport tourer and in Western Colorado that means I need to be able to carry rain gear, an extra t-shirt, water and lunch, let alone the stuff my sweet wife requires on a day or weekend trip.  | ||
| Reepicheep |
The 08's and up are better, mainly because of peace of mind from the oil system and cranks. That being said, a $2000 to $3000 price difference goes a long way towards some future engine repair, especially if you take into account the time value of money, and the fact that few people actually "win" the bad crank lottery. Most owners will have sold or totaled the bike without a crank failure. So I'd say either bike is a good choice. I took the 07 cheap route. Knowing now how much I love the bike, I wouldn't not hesitate to go buy that 5k 2010 bike *tomorrow* if I needed a uly, then scrounge up the hard luggage, and ride the bike forever and give it to my kids. But I have no regrets for my 07 either. It was totalled by a careless Toyota driver, and I bought it back and repaired the safety related issues and put it back on the road under a salvage title. Because of the settlement and the fact that I am living with cosmetic damage and did the other repairs myself with used take off parts, the bike is literally "free" right now. Hard to argue with that, even if my crank flopped onto my garage floor tomorrow. (Message edited by reepicheep on December 18, 2013) | ||
| Buewulf |
I would definitely go with an '08+. Not that particular '08, however. That seems expensive from what I have been seeing. I have seen several '08s and '09s around here listed between $5000 and $6000 over the past several months. There is an '09 on craigslist right now for $6500 (6K miles, full luggage), but I bet he'll end up selling it for $5.5K or keeping it if he can't stand to part with it for that price. The lower pricing could be unique to my locality though. I bought my '06 with 4K miles on it from a dealer several months BEFORE the Buell shutdown for $4250. | ||
| Woodnbow |
Hmmm. I just saw an '09 for $6500. It's lacking the topcase but it has the sidecases, 5500 miles. Do you have a link for the '09 in your area? Thanks, | ||
| Buewulf |
Here you go: http://houston.craigslist.org/mcy/4225853893.html | ||
| Arcticktm |
Froggy, I am glad my '06 can't hear what you said about her... | ||
| Uly_man |
I had a 06 bike (stolen) and now have a 10 bike which is close to the 08/09 bikes. This is just my own opinion. The 06 bike is fine and I would have another but like many bikes a few updates work well. If I had to choose though I would have a 08 plus bike. Why? The main reasons are the DDFI-3 ECM which is faster, has better maps and will take the new fan logic which works VERY well on this bike. The new "off set" front axle makes the steering better. The wider steering radius is much better. You will get used to it on a 06 bike but it can still be a bit of a pain in the ass. And the idle control valve system. Yes the bigger crank is stronger and a 10 wheel is better but I would not worry on those very much. The later bikes have had many little things changed on them and while they seem small they work well. Like the silver to black pegs. It was not just a color change. The black ones have a changed shape to the grip (saw tooth) that stops your foot slipping off if they are wet as the silver ones do. I see lots of 06 bikes for sale in the UK but not many 08 plus ones. For me a service history is not worth the paper it is written on. And lets face it just how much "servicing" does a Uly need. It is more about the owner/s and the history of the bike for me. I have just bought a bike with the best history I have ever seen on any car or bike. All the number match up for the 14k miles it is said to have done but the wear on some parts of the bike would indicate otherwise. That said the bike was dirt cheap, a very strong build as is the engine and will last a long time to come. Advise? Get the year/version with the black engine. It is worth the extra money. | ||
| Hailwood |
I bought an 09 XT with 8000 miles, luggage, extra pipe, screen, extra ecm and a lot more bits for USD6000 and shipped it NZ. Love it. I used to have an 07 X and there are some differences, mainly around turning radius etc. Just my opinion but that 08 seems a lot of money. I guess it depends on how much you want one...if you wait and look, it will appear at the right price. | ||
| Ramman4x4 |
Hailwood...I'm fairly certain the XT models did not get the steering radius upgrade so the '07 UlyX you owned and your new '09 UlyXT should have the same turning radius. | ||
| Super55 |
Shameless self promotion alert. My 08 Uly is for sale. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/21/ 726408.html?1384446518 | ||
| Woodnbow |
You sure about that Ramman? I can't imagine they'd upgrade the forks and triple clamps for the X's and not the XT's. Super55, nice looking bike. Shame you have to let it go and if I hadn't found this 09XT I'd be calling you... All, I'm really close to a deal on an 09XT with less than 5K miles, upgraded exhaust, taller screen and EBR ECM for $6500. I'll have to have it shipped halfway across the country but could have it here in a couple of weeks! | ||
| General_ulysses |
I went through the 06 vs the 08 debate when I decided to get a Uly last spring. After a lot of back n forth I found a real nice barricade orange 06 complete with bags and only 5000 miles at $3700. Similar 08's were selling for at least $2k more. I decided it wasn't worth the price differential and bought the 06. Been riding it all year and don't regret it a bit. The 06 is awesome, I haven't had problems with its "shortcomings." It's not that I don't think I might eventually run into some of the known problems, but they're all quirky bikes with certain flaws. Mines plenty fast and plenty plush - love it. | ||
| Ramman4x4 |
WoodnBow, I don't have a parts catalog nor have I ridden an XT, so I can't say for certain. However, fellow member Mbest stated they were different in the thread linked below (currently third post from the bottom). It seems the upgrade was only made to the X models because of their implied dirt usage. If someone has the parts catalog, it would easy to check if the X and the XT shared the same triple clamp part numbers. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/142 838/725049.html?1383878821 | ||
| 4_pete_sake |
woodnbow - Too bad your buying from across the country,paying for shipping, when i'm just over the Continental Divide....(someone else posted the link for the 2010 )...Have truck will deliver (its only 3 hours away)... but i understand your point of wanting bags... congrats on the find regardless, i'm still questioning my decision to sell the '10 i have and keep a '06... i've ridden both and I do jeep trails here in Colorado, and the '06 works great for me... -pete | ||
| Woodnbow |
Believe me Pete I've looked at your ad a few times. The numbers just work better on this 09 and I don't need to do anything with it but ride.  General, I missed out on an '06 with 18K and he was asking 3800. I think that bike would have been just fine for my purposes. (Ride the wheels off...) (Message edited by woodnbow on December 20, 2013) | ||
| 4_pete_sake |
You and I should have chatted.... I have a '06 I had posted for $4250 ( 15k ) and the '10 ( 5k ) for $7250... your want that these lack is bags... I have hard bags but I'm keeping them for the one I don't sell.... the bags are great but aside from weekend overnight trips a tank bag will haul everything you listed... regardless I will sell one of them at some point... I love Buells... too much sometimes i think I drooled over Buells for years and wanted one... I some how have 3 in the garage now... one needs to go They are perfect for Colorado |
