| Author | Message | ||
     Eexb |
I have a dilemma trying to decide which bike to keep, I know opinions here will be "biased", but I would appreciate any advice or input: 1. I currently own an 05 XB12S (title at bank) and an 03 GSXR 1000 (free & clear). 2. The majority of my riding has been Sat & Sun morning "sprints" where ever I can find curvy roads. 3. I've only ridden the GSXR a few times since I got it running from a mild wreck, so I haven't been able to compare it (fairly) to the Buell. 4. I think there are track days in my future (next year) which makes me lean towards the GSXR. 5. I love my XB, but to get it ready for the track would probably take an "S" to "R" conversion which will cost at least $1500. 6. I paid $9900 for the XB and will probably take a $15-2000 hit if I sell it, so the $1500 for "S" fairings and etc isn't a big deal. I can't decide what to do, I hardly ever use a MC for transportation and between Sunday morning rides and the track either bike will work. Any "opinions" ??? Thanks, EE | ||
| Glitch |
Keep the Suzuki for the track and the XB for the street. If it were me that's what I'd do. After all the Suzuki was built for the track and the Buell for the street. Do you HAVE to get rid of one? You don't HAVE to go from S to R for the track. If I HAD to go with one bike, I'd stick with the Buell. I had a Bandit, but pretty much quit riding it after I bought the Buell. I didn't have to be rid of it, but it sat so much of the time, I wanted it to be enjoyed, so I sold it. | ||
| Typeone |
I would do the same, strip the GSXR down and turn it into a track weapon and keep the XB as your back-road weapon. Best of both worlds. If you can only keep one the GSXR is obviously designed for the track but I agree with Glitch, you don't HAVE to do a full R conversion for track days. I would think a set of Crossroads and the R pegs might keep you pretty happy. Guess it also depends on which motor you want on the track though. | ||
| Old_mil |
What percentage of your riding time are you going to spend on the track? If it's like most riders, it's going to be a pretty small percentage. Of the two, the XB is the better all-around machine and would be the one I'd keep. Plus, think how much you're going to save on insurance by dumping the gixxer... | ||
| Kowpow225 |
This is a pretty simple question really. Which one do you like most? Don't consider money, wrecks, insurance and other things because it all boils down to which bike appeals to you the most. Whichever one gives you more satisfaction is obviously the right choice. | ||
| Eexb |
Great advice - I appreciate the input. I do need to limit myself to one bike - I've been grappling with this for over a month and am having trouble deciding what to do. The Buell is more comfortable to ride, but the GSXR is more "spectacular". Unfortunately it's a lot more likely to get me in trouble with both the law and possibly the hospital. I wish the XB looked more like a race bike because that's what really "trips my trigger". Guess I'll ride the crap out of both of them and try to decide before the end of October. Thanks again, EE | ||
| Mrvvrroomm |
Interesting thread, great question. I bought my '03 XB9S, new this past April. I already had a garage full of bikes. My '04 FJR1300 and '03 GSX-R750, and my wife's '03 ZZR1200 & '04 ZX-6R (636). She has since gotten rid of her ZZR and replaced it with an '04 FZ6 for her touring duties. Back to the subject: I ended up selling my Gixxer a couple of months ago. I simply wasn't riding it. I absolutely LOVED my Gixxer, and actually felt guilty everytime I threw a leg over my Buell or my FJR and went out for a ride, leaving the Gixxer sadly sitting in the garage. My simple opinion: If you're not Matt Mladin, anything over 600cc is overkill for the track. I'm obviously speaking about Asian inline 4's. Keep the one YOU want. Keep the one that "does" it for you. | ||
| Indy_bueller |
Trade them both in for a new Firebolt. | ||
| Aldaytona |
Indy_bueller hit it RIGHT on the head. "Comfortable with looks more like a race bike", what you said. | ||
| Eexb |
Hmmmmmmmm, an '06 Firebolt !!! I'll take less of hit trading my XB12S back to HD on another Buell than I will selling it outright. A Firebolt will give me most of the "race look" that I like in the GSXR, and the XB12R will be a better street bike. Think I'll head out to the dealer and see what Firebolts he's got coming.Thanks again, EE | ||
| Fl_billy |
Hey EE, don't forget you can put full lowers on the XBR to make it really look like a race rep! There are some killer fully-faired XB's on this site....... | ||
| Eexb |
"don't forget you can put full lowers on the XBR to make it really look like a race rep! There are some killer fully-faired XB's on this site......." Yep, and a chain conversion kit, ram air tubes from front fairing to the airbox, rearsets, etc etc etc Unfortunately, the GSXR has most (if not all) of that cool stuff and it's a lot faster. But even though it's a rocket (GSXR) I'm still grappling w/ the Buell's uniqueness and "nimble" handling vs. the GSXR's "see one at every stoplight" and excess HP that's sure to get me in trouble on the street. The simple solution continues to be to own BOTH bikes, but I just don't imagine that being the "peaceful" (to my home life) solution. EE | ||
| Roly |
hi ,nice to use a gsxr as well ,good bit of kit,totally differant from a buell ,which do you like to use the most. | ||
| M1combat |
Yeah... Ride one or the other (not both) for two weeks each. I have a feeling that you'll walk away with a Buell. Maybe not... Keep the one you like. Flip a coin  . | ||
| Thin_air |
keep them both and get rid of the ol' lady! | ||
| Xb12burner |
The fully faired XB's look sinister IMO. And I got to agree with Mrvroom, a 1000cc bike on the track is a waste unless you can ride like Mladin, all those bikes are overrated. You have to put some serious time in to get that good. It is like everyone believes that they can put a leg over a 1000 and think that they can go win a AMA or something. So many people ride to impress, instead of riding to be impressed. | ||
| Starter |
Keep the Gixxer. | ||
| Paulson |
I'm with Indy_bueller on this one. If you have to have ONLY one bike, and can't decide between your XB12S and the GSXR, get a different one that (sort of) combines what you like about both: XB12R. | ||
| Bomber |
lookin like a race bike won't make it faster, ya know ;-} | ||
| Dago |
you're right bomber. it has to be black too. | ||
| Bomber |
well, of COURSE it has to be black -- sheesh, what else? | ||
| Fireflyer |
The Buell will be bad-a$$ for a long time, the 03 GSXR already looks old compared to the newer ones. If you keep the Gixxer you'll probably long for a newer one when you see your buddy's 05 or 06 GSXR. And you know you'll see lots of them. The Buell is kind of timeless, very sporty with the thump of USofA power. Yeah, I know the XB12 has more power than the XB9 but both models are still Bad-A$$. That's my opinion. I've been there. I had lots of ultra fast jap bikes but they are really missing a 'soul' so to speak.  (Message edited by fireflyer on October 04, 2005) | ||
| Cyclonecharlie |
Sell them both outright and be in a better bargaining postion when the time comes. Your HD dealer is not going to give you what you could sell it for yourself. Put them on E-bay with a reserve and ride which ever until there both gone. Good luck.........Charlie | ||
| Eexb |
Charlie, "Put them on E-bay with a reserve and ride which ever until there both gone." Pretty good idea, I agree that I'll probably get at least as much selling on my own than trading back to HD for an '06 Firebolt. If both are gone before Jan/Feb of 06, I'll be in a position to get the RIGHT bike before spring. Just got the Gixxer 100%, planning on riding all weekend (weather permitting), will have my own "best bike for EE" test over the next 2-3 weeks. Thanks, EE | ||
| Medic_2512 |
Put Heli or Converta bars on the Gxer so you can ride 8 hrs straight and you`ll have one incredible sport/tourer bike. In terms of performance its not even close, gsxr! | ||
| Buellboy05 |
I say shoehorn the Gixxer motor into the buell and hold on for dear life.......OR.... ram one into the other and collect the insurance money.......OR......sell both bikes, take the cash to Cancun for SpringBreak (alone), forget about the household and end joy all the beautiful drunk naked girls.  I think I would pick the latter, after all, in Cancun there are plenty of great rides to choose from.  | ||
| Eexb |
"I say shoehorn the Gixxer motor into the buell and hold on for dear life.......OR.... ram one into the other and collect the insurance money.......OR......sell both bikes, take the cash to Cancun for SpringBreak (alone)"} Hmmmmmmmmm - an XB with a 150 HP liquid cooled (and light weight) motor !!! Wonder where I can find (2) "squids" to head-on them into each other ??? Cancun, it would be my luck to get there an hour before another hurricane !!! All great ideas, just impractical ones. EE | ||
| Spatten1 |
Spend the $250 on the zero degree Crossroads bars for the XB12S and you will be much more comfortable in the turns. It makes a HUGE difference. You'll still get smoked on big tracks, but on tight ones you'll do just fine. | ||
| Eexb |
Well, it's no longer a "dilemma" !!! After riding both bikes several times a day for the last week, I'm selling the '03 GSXR 1000 and going ahead with mods to make the XB12S an even better bike for me. The GSXR is a LOT faster, it's smooth, has every feature you can dream of, but it just doesn't "fit" like the XB. And, it doesn't get around on the streets like the XB, feels a bit like a truck at very low speeds and you find yourself going too fast just about everywhere. In the end, the Buell does everything I want for now and it's also got the "uniqueness" that many of us have bought them for. Thanks for all the input, EE | ||
| Cataract2 |
Glad to hear you came to your senses Eexb.  | ||
| Tazbatgirl |
Ditto. I4's are overrated. |
