| Author | Message | ||
     Makenzie71 |
I'm niche bike kinda guy. That's the biggest reason I bought my TL1000S. Liter V-Twin, semi-naked, tour-able, and not popular. However, shortly after getting one, they got popular...actually my crowd changed, but still...I was faced with a lot more people liking and owning them. Now she's getting kinda old, and the only logical modern replacement for the bike is the Aprillia RSV Mille. But now even those bastards are getting too popular for my tastes. So I'm thrown back to entertaining the idea of a Buell. I thought about one a while back, but the XB was too expensive at the time and resale was horrible...I have to buy used anyway any more due to my tendency to not keep the bike long. Basically what I'm looking for is a comparison between what I'd be stepping off of and onto. I use my TL for standard commuting, and touring occasionally, and with a pillion as often as possible. I'm pretty much eliminated the idea of owning an R due to the pillion seat...I only really like the R's headlights, anyway. How does the S handle with a pillion and how comfortable is it as a pillion bike? I guess that's about as much as I can ask concerning the two on that level. Probably not a lot of TL owners here. Aside that, what can I expect from her on the throttle side? I'm not a big quarter mile person or straight-out speed person, but I like being able to run 10's and I like being able to power to 160+ with reletive ease. It's not something I need, and I know the Buell won't compare as well, but will it be disapointingly slow? Also, what cna be done to open them up? How responsive are the XB9 and XB12 to simple mods like a free-flowing muffler and K&N? Would they need remapping to support those mods? Just tell me what to expect. | ||
| Lovematt |
Makenzie71, I don't own a TL (but did in the past) but I do have an SV1000S along with my XB9R (both 2003 models). Much can be done by getting the Race ECM and a Drummer or some other exhaust. Total cost on my bike was about $800 for all performance mods. As for throttle response it will not be a quick on the acceleration or be as fast but I feel the power is more usable. In other words, a Buell has power characteristics very much like a really big powerful Dual Sport 4-stroke bike. I will say the S is probably not good for 2-up riding and the R is okay...there just isn't much room. Plus both bikes are much shorter than the TL so doubling up will be less comfortable on the Buell. However I am selling my SV at this time in order to go back to a Dual Sport which I used to have and miss that type of riding very much. I don't plan to sell the Buell anytime soon...she has really caught my heart and the handling/stability of the bike is far and away the best of any I have owned so far. All that funky geometry and weight distribution thought that went into these bikes really REALLY does work. On the plus side, the emotional attachment to the sound, character, and power traits of the bike really make riding so much more fun. I don't think 160 MPH will be possible on a streetable platform very easily...running 10's might. I feel my bike is faster than my '68 Elco and that puppy runs 11's with a 383 motor. | ||
| Makenzie71 |
I seldom run that quick, I just like to have the abillity to. I understand that op end just isn't the Buell's strong suit, after reading all the reviews I have. I keep falling more and more into wanting one just for the maintanance and the style...I never did like doing valve adjustments. I'm hoping to be able to fenagle one soon, though, in trade for my truck...best way to get the experience is to play with one, and I don't need a truck. Just looking for as much info as possible before hand. Are you a member of www.tlplanet.com? The SV being zooki's replacement for the TLS, lots of members there have them. Also svriders.com. | ||
| Makenzie71 |
What might an XB9S see put down with a free'er muffler or race muffler, filter, and the race ECM? Can the stock ECM be remapped? | ||
| Reepicheep |
I was pleasantly surprised at how well my 9sx did riding two up. I expected the handling to get really bad and my passenger to get really cranky, but she had a good time and no complaints, and the handling change was not that bad. We rode around for a couple hours at a moderate pace with a number of relaxed stops. We could easily have done another two or three hours. The 9sx seat is a drop in replacement for any of the S model XB's. The XB12, having the exhaust valve, is already pretty darn well tuned from the factory. You might get more noise with mods, but you are not going to get a ton more performance across the board, the factory had pretty much done it for you. | ||
| Lovematt |
Stock ECM can't be remapped but a more open exhaust, Race ECM, K&N filter, and a more open airbox (only the top portion kept) did absolute wonders for the power characteristics of my XB9R. I know someone with an S and they said exactly the same thing. Like I said it is 800-1000 buck max to open them up and the performance is great. It just doesn't hit hard all at once...more like a rush of a bunch of noise, excitement, and then you look down and you don't have to go 160 to enjoy the ride. If you ride twisties or anything other than mile long straights all the time then you should be happy with just about any Buell. I rode an X-1 for my first Buell several years ago and was hooked from then on. Interesting observation from Reepicheep on the 2-up deal. I did try sitting on the back seat once with my buddy in the driver seat and it wasn't bad...I did the same on my SV and there was more room. I just don't do 2-up much is all. | ||
| Fullpower |
M-71 take a (long) test ride. you may well enjoy an XB, but the only way to know for sure is to RIDE one. enjoy. dean | ||
| Makenzie71 |
I've ridden one pretty extensively but it was a couple years back. At the time I was riding a 1986 FZ600 ex-gp bike which left a lot to be desired on both sides of the spectrum (things I liked about the buell, things I like about the FZ). But the ride was all in-town. Where I live we don't have curves or anything...and I use the bike mostly as a commuter. I guess I don't usually rail that much, and I don't make many attempts at the sound barrier, but I know that I need something that is pillion friendly and will do 90mph easily (about how fast I typically cruise). | ||
| Brookz |
How cool are most dealers with letting you take bikes for a test drive. I know they have open houses on occasion but can you walk in and ask to ride anything on the floor? | ||
| Makenzie71 |
The dealers I hit up can be pretty picky at times and really happy to lend you a bike on others. The XB9R I rode was for sale privately, and I rode it because I had cash in hand. The XB12S I rode a short time later was from a dealer. If you ride your current bike up to the dealer, they'll happily let you test ride, usually...they're usually pretty certain you'll give up your current ride for their's. | ||
| Truk |
I have an R1 as well as an XB9R. I also had a Honda VTR SuperHawk. There is no comparison between the top end of a water cooled engines versus the air/oil cooled XB9R. It is closer with the Xb12, but still not to my R1. But as you mentioned unless you do track days or race, not sure how much real issue that is. The Buell is really designed for street riding and is a really great and satisfying experience for what it is. I picked up my slightly used Buell in a personal sale and feel I got it at a great price. I traded my XR650L plus some cash The new XB12Ss or XB12X might be better choices for two up...especially the XB12X. My XB9R get looks and question all the time, so it meets the unique and special category. | ||
| Dago |
Makenzie71, you've been PM'd. | ||
| Thansesxb9rs |
I think you would really like the Buell and you will only be stepping down in top straight line speed. Here is a picture of a bike you may like, alot of people are modifing their bikes with parts from both the R and the S.  | ||
| Thansesxb9rs |
Cruising at 90mph is easy even with a passenger. Just remember that you will not have to wind this bike out you can cruise at 4k and have plenty of power to pass or haul some azz still. |
