| Author | Message | ||
     Outrider |
Sounds like more of a Troll Job than a Sales Pitch.  | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
M1combat Don: you are THE man!  FB&D | ||
| M1combat |
Sorry... I guess I just have a soft spot for un-informed people bashing Buells (not that I think they are perfect, but as close as you'll get on the street IMO). I'm sorry the guy bought a bike before doing any research stemming from his own wants/needs/desires, but that's just another mistake in a seemingly long line of them. In a nutshell... Get what you're happy with, not what someone sells to you. Thanks Jerry... I think . | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
Don, having recently ridden with you and broken bread with you (ok, so it wasn't bread, it was margaritas and other associated enhancement aids), the compliment was sincere. that was the best "in your face" i've read in a long time. | ||
| Iamike |
Don, I agree with Jerry. And I'll add that you could most like school Mitch too. | ||
| Unibear12r |
I agree, well spoken Don!  | ||
| Captainkirk |
Mitch- No disrespect, but maybe before you sell your Buell you should do a rider school (e.g. Code, Pridmore, etc) and have somebody show you what your machine is truly capable of. You might be surprised. Yeah, the Jap bikes will go faster...if that's what you're after. They howl like a coyote with it's leg in a trap...if that's the sound you dig. They buzz your wrists 'til they're numb and give you carpal tunnel...if you're into that kinda thing. Buells are loud, rude, nimble, naked gymnastic American Muscle machines....much like the musclecars of yesteryear. If that's not your scene then you bought the wrong bike. Shame on you for not doing your homework, and shame on the salesman for giving you beef when you ordered rice. If you wanted beef, then learn what kind of beast you can unleash with the right training. You picked a poor spot to trash the machine, IMHO. We all ride Buells because we know what you don't. We know what lots of riders don't know. We'd love to share it with ya- over saki and sushi  | ||
| Sandblast |
I have a feeling Mitch if your getting "Slaughtered" by an F4 on an XB12 with a race kit, you need to just go ahead and get a Busa or something similar. If you buy a Japanese 600 you are still going to get left behind by your friends bike. Maybe you could trade bikes with him for a while before you do anything hasty, he might like your Buell. | ||
| Aesquire |
I was chatting with the sales guy at the "other" store last week, ( the big building is Harley & harley parts & acc., the little (old) building is Kawa's & Honda's. Across the parking lot, a different world. ) I was bragging that I had done 90 mph. around a certain curve. ( 390 to 390 at the 390/590 split ) There was a story to it, ( dumb, really ) but it ended with "there I was... doing 90, thought the other guy was going to biff the wall.." He responded that he takes that curve at 120, on his 600, and agreed the guy in story must have been an idiot. I have no doubt he can take that corner at 120. If I wanted to actually hang off a touch, I could do it at 120, but at 90 I can do it sitting upright, drinking a soda. ( not that I do, but I could ) I know I can't do it at 140, the rev limiter kicks in. If I wanted to to 170+ I'd have bought a 'Busa. I did NOT know I was buying the easiest bike to go fast on when I bought the Buell, I DID know it was not the fastest. I wish Mitch luck finding a better fit for his needs. Try swapping with the bud with the F4 on a ride, he might be able to pay the difference in value. & he might want to. | ||
| Josh_ |
>buzz your wrists 'til they're numb and give you carpal tunnel.. Can I get an AMEN from the congregation | ||
| Superdave |
Henrik - thanks, dude. You were one of the first to wish me luck years ago! Thanks to all... Mitch - dude, that was like waaay rude. I have to agree with Reepicheep, if you had come here first would might have saved yourself some trouble. There are some very knowledgable, helpful and honest people here. Don't be too hasty, man, it could be to your loss. Hey...I eased the beemer past 90 mph today! Am I getting brave or what? Hahaha! | ||
| Henrik |
SuperDave; you're welcome - and should you ever swing by Gotham be sure to let me know. First couple of drinks are on me. From paralysis to 90 mph in 4 years ... that sounds like fantastic acceleration to me and is worth celebrating Henrik | ||
| Charlieboy6649 |
M1, I knew you had it in ya man but Wow! Well said. All we have is straight line roads around Yuma, but, amazingly the rice guys around here know the Buell for what it is and drool over it. | ||
| Angushendrick |
Hello all, I'm going to buy a new standard. I'm considering the Suzuki SV650 (or SV650S) or the Buell XB9S (or SL). I want to use the bike for my Washington D.C. commute on a mix of city streets and freeways about 12 miles one way on nice weather days. I might also like to take it on moderately long rides occasionally (say 3 hours in nice weather). Although I have a backup car for foul weather, reliability is very important because I'm busy. My previous (and only) bike was an early 90's FZR600. I rode it for about a year and a half, from 1997-99 then got hit by a sleeping motorist in stop and go traffic, which totaled the bike and saved my license which was racking up points faster than a Buffalo Bills superbowl opponent. I liked the bike (cuz it was light, quick, and maneuverable), but it made my arms tired even on rides home. I'm 34, 5'5", 165 lbs (fat) and have a 28" inseam. I prefer boxer-briefs and I'm a non-smoker, who likes pina coladas, getting caught in the rain... err... wrong post. Any advice on which bike makes more sense for my porpoises? Any advice on the various Buell dealers around the DC area? I think I can get an SV650S for around $6,000 + tax and tags based on the invoice report from CycleBuy.com. Can Buells be had for less than MSRP? There's a 2003 XB9SL on ebay near Philly, that I've been ogling (trying to find something in the same price range). Any pros or cons to buying used? Things to look for or beware of? Thanks much, Angus P.S., This is my first post, so please forgive any faux pas. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Welcome! The SV650 is a great bike, especially for the price. I have several friends with one, and have ridden several. The XB is what the SV would be if they would upgrade... well... every single piece of the SV-650 except the handle bars and seat. The SV-650 is an excellent implementation of the classic naked standard. The XB is a revolutionary motorcycle platform. The stuff done (perimiter rotor, fuel in frame, oil in swingarm, short wheel base, low end grunt motor, perimiter rotor, super aggressive geometry, zero lash drivetrain) all REALLY WORK day in and day out, and at the times you most need it. I do stuff that used to cause serious pucker on other bikes I have owned, and the thing just calmly and cooly does what I ask. Things like the perimiter front rotor (which gives the front wheel like 7lbs less unsprung weight then an R1) is not just some marketing blurb for next years model (*cough* radial brakes *cough*). It really works. You see it when you are cranked over for a hard turn and suddenly find yourself on washboard asphalt... and the front wheel just *sticks* in ways you did not think a wheel can stick. Same thing for hard stops over choppy asphalt, it just *sticks* in ways that don't seem possible. I had a similar experience with the rest of the 9sx practicing in a parking lot. I was doing slaloms between the ends of diagonal parking lines, and picked a speed that would have been challanging on my previous bike (a Cyclone) and certain death on the bike before that (Yamaha Radian). The 9sx just ripped through it, calmly and unremarkably. I kept cranking the speed up and repeating, and chickened out long before the bike was approaching any kind of limit (I was probably doing close to 50mph, and swinging the handle bars almost lock to lock probably 3 or 4 times a second). Anyway, the SV650 is a fantastic bike for the money. The XB is a very affordable exotic. Also, if you roll up on an SV, or tell somebody you have one, their response will either be a shrug, or to talk about how "nice" the SV they had was until they sold it and got the bike they REALLY like and have now. Or how they want to get one of those for their wife. Or how they got one for the track, because they are really cheap to wreck. The Buell is an almost guarenteed conversation starter, even those that would never want one are intruiged by them. So again, don't get me wrong, the SV-650 is an outstanding bike for it's niche. Just know that everyone that I know who bought one (many of them on my advice, before the XB platform was a reality), liked them a lot, but were looking for the bike they *really* want within a couple years. What I *would* recommend is that if you want an SV-650, get it used instead of new, so it depreciates less if you want to turn it over and get something else next season. I have seen some screaming good deals on used SV's, and so long as you don't destroy the thing, a used one won't depreciate much in a year. My opinion is that the SV is the peak of naked standard evolution, but the XB is the start of a revolution. Good arguments exist for both niches, but don't underestimate the role of passion in choosing motorcycles, and make sure that what carries you can move you as well. I love my XB9SX for the kind of riding you describe. You might have to swap the seat out for a lower one, but otherwise, the thing is perfect for you. An older XB9s would work very well for you as well, probably just by swapping on the "low" seat. So welcome here regardless of what you buy, lots of SV-650 fans here. | ||
| Road_thing |
Angus, I can't give you any advice on either of those bikes (I'm a tube-frame kinda guy) but something tells me most of the folks who read this board will tell you to buy the Buell... rt | ||
| Lake_bueller |
Angus....keep an eye on the classifieds. Or better yet, call Dave Steuve (pronounced stevey) at Appleton Buell (a BWB sponsor). He just sold 2 left over 2003 XB9SL models for $6595. That's a TON more (and better) bike for only a few bucks higher than the SV. Good luck with whatever you buy. It doesn't matter what you ride, as long as you're riding  | ||
| Superdave |
Isn't there a thread about "how to choose a motorcycle"? If not maybe there should be. Give new buyers some of what we have learned ? I sure we all have a different approach on how to decide what to buy based on something other than "wow, that's a cool looking bike"... something along those lines. Dave | ||
| Phatkidwit1eye |
lol...You could buy Mitch's bike  | ||
| Angushendrick |
Well, I jumped on a 2002 X1 White Lightning that was on eBay cuz it was only $4450 and local to me. Now I need a lowering kit... Angus | ||
| Hotrodsportster |
Angus: Did you buy the X1 that was in Dumfries VA? It looked like a good deal. Good Luck | ||
| Eeeeek |
Reep: You said "The XB is what the SV would be if they would upgrade... well... every single piece of the SV-650 except the handle bars and seat. " While I agree that the frame and stock suspension pieces of the XB are better than the SV, I would not agree that the XB engine is an upgrage. I also don't care for the single sided brake. As for oil in the swingarm, the SV doesn't need an external oil tank. Next, let's talk upgrades. I've been looking into racing an XB and just can't justify the costs. I'd have to buy a whole new swingarm to allow for a chain drive, the 5 speed tranny is a bad thing, the aftermarket support for race pieces is moderate at best. Race enhancements often traslate to street enhancements and the options for the XB are rather limited. The SV is tried and true. The race enhancements directly translate to easy upgrades for the street. GSXR front end swaps are a meer $55 bearing away. That includes the GSXR brakes which are better than the XB brakes. There are also lots of low cast shock upgrates and scores of other aftermarket parts available, from many different types and styles of full fairings to rearsets to controls. Is the XB a better out of the box bike? Yes, I think so. If you just want to buy a great handling, semi-exotic bike, the XB is a good choice. Vik | ||
| Josh_ |
"I'd have to buy a whole new swingarm to allow for a chain drive" www .britnett. net /Trojan-Horse/ listings/ 523.html (ok, what's wrong with the link and newurl commands?) What track are you needing 6th for? | ||
| Bomber |
If you just want to buy a great handling, semi-exotic bike, the XB is a good choice. made me chuckle -- wasn't so long ago, there WAS no such thing ;-} funny how quickly we become spoiled by all the riches available to us, yes? | ||
| Eeeeek |
Hmmm..intereting chain alternative. I'd like ot see that in person. Did you really just ask what track I need 6th in? Every single one I run. Gear your bike right (hense the need for a chain drive) and you use all your gears. With the rather lacking top end of an XB, a 6 speed would really be helpfull. Vik | ||
| Ted |
AND the sv650 has a cool optional chin spoiler !  | ||
| M1combat |
"That includes the GSXR brakes which are better than the XB brakes. " MAYBE so... maybe... However, Why not just brake a little earlier (just a little...) and use less of your $10 for it, and use the leftover for being inch perfect on the entry? I'll tell you why... because you're still in a hurry. That's not fast... Smooth is. Also... One of the forces that a brake needs to act on is the rotational inertia of the front rim and rotor. There's less of that with the Buell AND the caliper has better leverage. I think that when the speed is very elevated the ZTL will prove to be a superior design. Quite frankly though, I kind of like the feel of it on the street myself... Especially because the ZTL system allows one of my favorite things about the XB... I can run it over washboard bumps at a high lean angle and it still stays welded to the line I chose. Oh, if you need a sixth gear with that much torque when YOU ONLY HAVE FIVE then YOU aren't geared right. Really... "There are also lots of low cast shock upgrates" Same here. Penski, Ohlins, Hyper-Pro etc... /me thinks - "Why exactly would you want a cheap shock anyway?" "GSXR front end swaps are a meer $55 bearing away." WOOT!!! You too can have an extra eight to ten USELESS pounds of un-sprung weight . YEAH Baby... Yeah . Sheesh... "I've been looking into racing an XB and just can't justify the costs. " Sorry to hear that... "I'd have to buy a whole new swingarm to allow for a chain drive, " Nope. "the aftermarket support for race pieces is moderate at best." You haven't been looking around much. Call Pammy's or Nallin Racing and ask how much it'll cost to get to 135HP. "As for oil in the swingarm, the SV doesn't need an external oil tank. " Doesn't need or doesn't have? You have a problem with depth of perception don't you? I only ask because there are OTHER BENEFITS to having an oil bag. Only one of them being a REDUCTION of weight... "Race enhancements often traslate to street enhancements and the options for the XB are rather limited. " That's because people are having trouble making real meaningful improvements to the XB •••••••... Most of what is needed is out there. Billet aluminum everything, shifter upgrades, lightweight drivetrain pieces and light clutch hubs, stronger rear brakes if that's your thing, CF and glass body work, wiring harnesses, lightweight tail sections, TRUE race ECM's, heads, jugs, rotating assemblies, intake systems, exhaust systems, good (great) head shops, you name it you can get it on a Buell. How much WOULD it cost to make an XB competitive with a 998 or RSV Mille R? My guess is right about the same as the original price difference. How much would it cost to make a SV competitive with an XB? More than the difference in price I would bet. I see the XB as a 998/Mille/Tuono rival that you just need to tinker with a little. I'm a tinkerer. | ||
| Firemanjim |
Sorry,but I'll have to agree with Vik on this one.Just check out the Formula Extreme Buells or even AFM bikes.Vallejo has changed to a complete Gix front end to get the better brakes.They were warping the stocker on longer races.Buell race parts are harder to find and more expensive than the jap bikes.Only 2 chain conversions I have seen and the least expensive one still isn't cheap.135HP---not likely,not cheaply, and not reliably.AFM limited to 1210cc(IIRC) and formual extreme is 1350(?).Very limited factory contingency money.Make an XB competitive with a 998 or Mille R,nope.You list all those parts available for the XB,but they are all going to be more expensive than their counterparts.And the real race ecm,have to get it from Henry Duga and have to be an expert in MSDOS. Don't get me wrong,I like the XB's but have seen what Vallejo has gone through to get their bike up and ready. | ||
| José_quiñones |
Angus PM sent.... | ||
| José_quiñones |
Edited version of what I wrote Hello Angus Saw your post on badweb! I'm José Quiñones, director of the DCBRAG club based out of Ft. Washington HD/Buell in Maryland (HDW). I live in Springfield as do quite a few club members. We meet at HDW on the first Saturdays of the month at 10 am, followed by a ride. Our next ride will be on Monday May 30th out to Summit Point to watch the FUSA races. We will meet at HDW at 8 am on Monday. FUSA features the Thunderbike Class, which has Buells, SV's, BMW's and Ducatis racing against each other. Last year the Summit Point Thunderbike race was won by an SV, so the Buell teams want revenge this year. We have a website, www.dcbrag.org, and a YahooGroup. Shoot me an email to xxxx and I'll get you into the YahooGroup. I have a 99 S3T which is similar to the X1, if you have any issues or questions about the bike I'll be glad to try to help you out. There is a lowering kit you can buy for the bike I forget who sells it but I have seen it available. BTW, I also have an SV650 that I commute with into DC like you mentioned. So I have experience with both. So you already decided but here's my $.02. The SV is fun because it's very light and easy to toss around. The power is good and easily controllable. It does need suspension work for people of your weight and mine (170's) and better tires than it comes with stock. It is bulletproof and very easy to maintain, and has great aftermarket support. The Buell is heavier, has more torque and horsepower and handles just as well if not better because it gives you confidence in the turns like few bikes I have ridden. It has great "feel", you can take it from peg to peg and feel like you're hardly trying, where on the SV on the stock suspension/tires would not give you that same "feel". Now DC traffic....... The Buell has a heavier clutch pull and will get hotter quicker stuck in traffic compared to the SV. I would recommend that you make sure your clutch cable is well lubed and you run Synthetic oil. The SV's needs nothing except chain maintenance and proper sealing of the front spark plug, it tends to get wet and misfire when ridden in the rain. The 03's have a plastic shield over the front sparkplug hole which helps alot. Anyway's hope you enjoy the bike and I hope to meet you soon. |
