| Author | Message | ||
     Bad_pete |
Hello all, This is my first post here and I want to say this site is great for info. My problem is this. I am buying a Buell Monday at 10 AM. I was all wound up over the XB9S (black) but today I went to my local shop to talk to my Sales Rep. HE was in the Storage garage and I was told to go see him there. I walked in and we were BSing when I spotted something unusual. A brand Spanking New 1999 X1 Carbon Fiber edition with the Nuke Blue Frame and wheels. Price tag said 11,700 I think. But was crossed out for 10,700. That bike is sweet looking. But I have read many posts on this site that state many mechanical problems and I think some recalls also for the prior to 2000 X1's. Dudes I feel like I am choosing between Heidi Klum and Claudia Schiffer. BAd analogy, anyway. I would really appreciate any thoughts and such on the matter. Come Monday evening I will be on a Buell riding into the sunset. Or shal I say carving. Thanks in advance! | ||
| Darthane |
I'd have to say that for reliability, you're much, much better off choosing the XB9S. Problems with them are extremely few and far between. X1s seem to constitute the majority of 'bad' Buells out there. Either one will be tons of fun, but I'd go with the XB9S, personally. The carbon fiber deals are sweet looking, but I've also heard rumblings about the carbon fiber cracking very easily on those bikes. They shake rattle and roll too much! Either way, buy it and love it and ride the piss out of it! | ||
| Apex1 |
Pete, Get the XB. You'll not be disappointed. I traded my 1250cc '00 X1 with 100RWHP for a black 9S in October last year without any regrets. I've ridden just over 5,000mi's on the new bike so far, & enjoy every minute of it. Good luck with your decision. | ||
| Jim_witt |
My 2cents, The MOST IMPORTANT thing is finding a GOOD Buell dealership ... not many around. Seriously, I'd say an extremely HIGH percentage of the Buell dealers aren't worthy of being a Buell dealership. Everyone will tell you HERE that finding a good dealer is the most important thing in ownership (unless you’re a mechanic and do all of your own work). Now back to the X1. For starters, they’re asking way too much for the bike. It makes no difference if it’s a special edition or whatever. If YOU really want the puppy, then they need to come like WAY down in price! I could be wrong, but I thought they had fuel injection problems with that year too (others should know the facts). If you are really interested in buying a Buell and can afford it, then I’d go with the new 2004 XB12 simply because of the 2 year warranty. If not, then go for the 2003. PS: You also need to go back and re-read the first paragraph I wrote above several times. -JW:>  | ||
| Viros |
I had the X1 for a year before crashing it, I bought my XB9r 4 months ago and I love it. The X1 will give you some trouble, (oil leaking/spewing, sensors going bad, studs breaking) everyone will tell you the reliability on the XB9's is whole lot better, but having passengers on it sucks, and the X1 has more balls. They are both awesome bikes, personally I think XB12's are the way to go, best of both worlds. | ||
| Jim_witt |
PS: You also need to go back and re-read the first paragraph I wrote above several times. -JW:> | ||
| Sarodude |
Pete- One more thing: you might want to think about re-reading Jim_witt's first paragraph. -Saro | ||
| Kevyn |
Hey, Bad Pete, put your money in your pocket for safe keeping and come back when they have the '04 XB12's on the floor... Hey, Bad Pete, any relation to Dr. Lizardo or Monkey Boy? Dr. Gorpon? | ||
| Josh_ |
The X1 is fine if it grabs you right, but I don't think you need to pay full-retail for a 5 year old bike. Try to wrangle a racekit (or at least the ECM) into the final price, and try to keep it about $9k incl tax title & Lic provided the warranty is good. Oh, and re-read JW's 1st paragraph. I like the XBs but really can't see tying myself to a local dealer for warranty service. Josh 91RS1200 98S1WL 99S3T 00Blast | ||
| Blublak |
Hmmmm.. I know who Dr. Lizardo is, but are you talking about Lord John Worphin? (he and Lizardo are the same guy).. So you think Bad Pete should join the Hong Kong Kavaliers? What does he play  , how's his marksmanship and can he ride like the wind? As for the monkey boy comment, remember, that's what all us 'humans' are to the Lectroids.. Oh, this all just makes the ganglia tweetch.. huh? Ok, I'm off my 'Banzi' charge for now 'Buckaroo'.. hehehehe.. Hmmmm.. Maybe we should call Perfect Tommy and ask about becoming 'Blue Blaze Irregulars' .. Hmmmm, I'll bet we BadWebers would make a hell of a 'Strike Team' huh?  Later, | ||
| Bad_pete |
Blubak, I am retired now but I was a 19D40B4. So I am a pretty good shot. And I was a battalion B4 liason and keeper of the solo's. Do you know of what I speak? OK that is enough silly stuff. I am just Bad Pete. I used to play guitar but that was a long time a go. I think the strings and frets would tear up my now sensitive hands. Thanks for the input fellas. Keep it coming. I think I'm leaning towards the XB9S unless he (the dealer)cuts me a serious money saving deal on the X1 carbon fiber. Hell it is 4 years old new or not. | ||
| Freyke |
One Word XB9S I've had an S3 and now have an S.... you will not be disappointed.... | ||
| Roc |
Buy the XB. | ||
| Court |
XB | ||
| Court |
>>>One more thing: you might want to think about re-reading Jim_witt's first paragraph. Proven to be the SINGLE largest factor in how your Buell experience will be. | ||
| Bad_pete |
I want to say thanks to everyone for your help but the Buell biggest problem (Harley Dealerships) has managed to push away another customer. I went to the dealership today and the guy I was dealing with wqs not there but the "Sales" manager was. 1st off, that Carbon fiber edition, they still wanted 9895.00. The thing has sat for 4 years in their garage. It is clean but I would have to wonder about the condition of anything rubber. 2nd the deal I had worked out earlier in the week they spot the 10% down and I pay 8800.00 well that fell through. All I could say was sorry lady to rich for my blood. And why can't you ever talk to someone who can actually sell me a bike. Why do I have to wait fro them to run back forth to and fro the back offices. She must have done that shit 6 times. I think this is not a dealership to rely on. Man they pissed me off! Looks like I'll have to go back to my first love, Kawasaki. I found a new ZRX1200R for 6900.00. 121 ponies and pulls 84 lbs of torque from 5000 rpm right up to 9000+rpm. Too bad it is not as stylish as the XB. I guess there is nothing wrong with retro. Well maybe I will see} some of you on the road some day. Speed Safely! | ||
| Fasteddieb |
Bad Pete, Sounds to me like you were pretty easily discouraged. Most on this board encouraged you to consider an XB anyway. I was turned off by Ft. Lauderdale Harley-Davidson (as I stated prior to this list), but got my 'bolt at list at Phil Peterson's in Miami. Generally positive experience with Thunder Creek in Chatannogah and very happy with the help I've gotten from Earl Small's in Marietta, GA. If a Buell is the bike you want, find a dealer who will treat you right and buy it there. They are around (even on this list!) BTW, as soon as a sales rep "needs to run it by the manager" terminate dealings with that person and insist to speak with the manager or someone who CAN make a deal- it's just a game they play. | ||
| Jim_witt |
Good Luck ... have fun ... see'ya later, -JW:> | ||
| Mikej |
"but having passengers on it sucks" Went to Port Washington's Fish Day on Saturday, saw two bikes go past with passengers, one Ducati, one an XB9R. Judging by the comments of the people I was standing next to the XB9R passenger display position was more appreciated by the spectators than the Duc passenger display position. I'll leave any further commentary to your own imaginations. Butt if carrying a passenger is one of your considerations in this bike purchase then take the passenger with you to shop for the bike, otherwise you may be doing rides solo. "Why do I have to wait fro them to run back forth to and fro the back offices. She must have done that shit 6 times. " Sounds like the salescritter came to bikes from the car market. Read FastEddie's last paragraph. I keep re-reading J-W's first paragraph and I'm up to about 18cents so far, 2-cents at a time. Or, wait, was that the salutation and not the first paragraph. (I think I'll go hide now.) | ||
| Peyote |
If I didn't commit to the xb9r, I would go for the black xb12r, but sounds like you wanted something yesterday. Since I have an xb9r, I'm gonna' ride it til' Buell makes a liquid-cooled monster. Could be a while & if I can't talk my wife into riding it later (when I get a new one), I'll do the nallin thing now. There's no way in H*ll I'll let her learn with a 1200 nallin xb. Decisions~ edited by peyote on July 21, 2003 | ||
| Docrecon |
Bad Pete, Find a dealer who WILL deal - keeping in mind J-W's first paragraph, of course... I've seen speculation that H-D/Buell will slap the 2-year warranty on untitled '03's. I've had an '03 XB9R for about a week now (bought it used). I love the bike; however, I found that climbing on my '97 M2 the other day wasn't too bad either... | ||
| Bad_pete |
I just wanted to thank everyone for their help. I am the proud new owner of 2003 XB9S in Black. All I can say is "Holy shit hang on, this thing has torrrrrque!" That was my expression at Stop sign number one. Then MotherNature felt the need to give me the full riding experience by raining on me for 20 miles of the 50 mile ride home. But I am happy to say the bike and my slef got home and both are still in functioning order. | ||
| Fasteddieb |
Good choice! Welcome to the club! May I ask what you ended up paying? | ||
| Docrecon |
Bad Pete, Good on ya guy! Keep tha shiney side up & have fun! | ||
| Bad_pete |
Eddie, I gave up 8500 buckaroos. It was not the cheapest deal that I came across but it was the closest to my home and the sales guy is a Buell rider and the dealer gave me a warm and fuzzy. So i think I did OK. I f anyone is in the NW part TN go to Abernathey's HD they a had a 2003 for 7500 and Lynchburg HD in Virginia had one on Ebay with race kit installed for 6900, last Time I checked. Although, the auctions usually end around 8300. | ||
| Fasteddieb |
I think you did fine on price. I paid full $9,995 plus $350 freight/set-up for my XB9R just over a year ago. The cheapest deal isn't always the best deal. Keep the bike a few years (or decades) and a couple hundered dollars more or less on purchase becomes kinda trivial. If I had waited, I would have missed my memorable (and previously posted) winter Cherohala ride!  | ||
| Bad_pete |
Eddie, Tell me you pushed the bike out there for a photo. My first accident on my ZXR7 in Germany back in 1990 was on black ice at about 20 mph at 5 in the AM. I was leaving my girlfriends house. The last thing she said as she rolled over to continue sleeping was "take the car it will probably be icy out" I said Nah, parking lot looks dry. I got up the road about 1 km and all of a sudden the bike became weightless. I would not have wrecked except there was a turn in the road and I could not slow down fast enough to stop before it so I ended up in the meter deep drainage ditch. | ||
| Fasteddieb |
The photo is (unintentionally) deceptive. It was taken at an overlook parking area - the actual road surface was generally clear and just above freezing, as seen below: I've been a S FL boy since 1975 and treat ice and snow ith a LOT of respect!  | ||
| Tripper |
FastEddieB be a crazy dude. When are you going to be in Georgia again? I'd be honored to meet your acquaintence. Ping me thru my profile and I'll plan to meet you in the N. Ga. Mountains. | ||
| Fasteddieb |
I'm headed to the EAA Fly-in in Oshkosh on Tuesday (by way of a friend's farm in MI) I may in at the N GA house for a few days on or about the weekend of 8/2 and 8/3. Love to get together with any Atlanta, N GA, W NC or E TN riders.  I'll ping the list one more time when the dates become more certain. | ||
| Tripper |
Do it. | ||
| Docrecon |
Fasteddie b, Wot kinda bags you got on that bike? | ||
| Fasteddieb |
Oxford bags, purchased at Deal's Gap. www.sporttouringusa.com/store.php Seem well thought out and verasatile. It's handy being able to carry stuff, even on day trips.  | ||
| Daves |
Bad_Pete, Need any parts for that new bike?  Ride to the edge! Still waiting for my first 12 to show up Dave HD/Buell Cycle center Waterloo Iowa dave@iowaharley.com |
