| Author | Message | ||
     Runswithlightning |
One of my buddies is wanting to get a new bike. I ride a cityx and I was trying to convince him to get a firebolt. Another one of our friends is getting rid of his GSXR 600. And he let my friend ride it and he apparently wants is so bad now that he wont even listen to me. He went into our local Suzuki dealer and asked them about the two bikes. And they told him that there are tons of problems with the firebolts and that the Gixxer would be more reliable and last alot longer. Anyones thoughts on this please. Maybe someone who has owned both bikes. I tired telling him that obviously the Suzuki dealer would be a little biased telling him he should get a suzuki over a buell cuz when he needs parts or work wheres he going to go, duh Suzuki. But he wouldnt listen. Any help appreciated thanks guys. | ||
| Mnbueller |
Has your friend ridden your lightning? Drag his ass to a dealer and make him test ride a firebolt. That should set him straight. Other benifits: maintenance time/cost, uniquness (there are a million gixxers on the road). Looks better sounds better. | ||
| Marko138 |
If he's set on the Suzuki he won't listen. Just give up. Someday he'll grow up. | ||
| P_squared |
Just tell him WHY you like Buell's, then get him to a dealer for a test ride on a Bolt. If he still doesn't want to listen, let him get what he thinks he wants. In the long run, if you DO talk him into getting a Bolt and he ever becomes disatisfied with it, he'll likely blame YOU for it at some level. I've loved my M2's, X1 & 1125R, but I wouldn't be adverse to passing up a good deal on a Gixxer under the right circumstances for a track bike. | ||
| Retrittion |
I have a '07 12R Firebolt (see my profile) and I have had it for a year, zero problems, constant perm-a-grin. I LOVE MY BIKE! ...and the parts guys at the local Suzuki dealership where I pick up stuff a lot like my 'bolt too. We talk shop and there isn't any dissagreement among the techs and parts guys that my 'bolt is great. The only people who give me "the look" are the sales guys and I know they are just pissed because everyone gathers around my R when it's in the lot, not the 15-20 replica-metrics... and then there is the sound... and the acceleration... and the engine...I mean, come on, it's a friggen Sportster based design -- they are friggen bullet proof. Now to be fair, there are some issues with '08s and the 1125s but if your not in the mood to tinker with the bike get an '07 like mine...problem solved. Oh, and in case he has the usual stupid arguments: No 6th gear? Take my 5th gear, I don't need it unless I am on the track...period! Umm, yeah, thats the only squid complaint I get actually, and they shut up after that. Hell, if he wants a track bike tell him to step up and get a Triumph 675 -- at least that is something decent...otherwise he will just want a new bike in 6 months. Oh, and drag his sorry butt to a HD dealership and have him ask one of their salesmen about Suzukis and see what they say! Man, I'm just dieing thinking about that conversation. Anways, he might just need to work through his squid tendencies on his own -- try to be supportive, and when he is ready to get a real bike get him a test ride on a 12R or 1125R. Just remind your friend that dealers will only sell you something they have in stock -- if you went to a Honda dealer or a Kawi dealer and asked about GSXRs you would hear how much they suck compared to bike X that they just happen to have and want to sell you right this very day! Good on you to try and spread the faith though!  (Message edited by retrittion on May 30, 2008) | ||
| Barker |
a stock GSXR 600 is harder to ride than a firebolt. especially in the twisties (wide and tight) | ||
| Sloppy |
Dude, why care? As long as they ride (and ride safe) that's the important part. Instead of comparing just enjoy the time you have. Restlessness / worry are one of the five hindrances to a healthy life. Track performance and aftermarket options will make the GSXR a clear winner on the track. Insurance payments, fuel mileage and maintenance costs would make the Buell a clear winner on the street. The primary factor may very well be how good the local dealer is... something which I think Buell has continued to miss. | ||
| Reepicheep |
I wouldn't waste my time arguing with him. Both bikes are great bikes for the price, he won't go wrong with either. Either bike is probably *way* more then he will ever use, so he must be looking for an ego trip. The GSXR is a better bike to pump up your ego, so I think he is buying the right one. I'm lucky to reach the limits of my 1985 KLR-250 dual sport... (17 RWHP)... much less my XB9SX. After he dumps it once or twice or terrifies himself somehow and moves on to some other trendy thing, he will sell it cheap and somebody will get a nice stunt or track bike out of the whole thing. | ||
| Retrittion |
In fairness, a GSXR 6 (the bike in question) is going to have a hard time beating a 12R on a track except on a long straight -- they are a good bike, don't get me wrong (I wouldn't mind one for a track bike either) but they are still a 6... | ||
| Randomchaos |
Different strokes for different folks. Some like that instant punch of power off the line with a rather smooth/flat powerband. Others like that nice tame launch, with a surge of power in the higher RPMs. Two wheels is two wheels. Who cares what it is, as long as they ride. | ||
| Jedi74 |
American, American, American ..... Come on! | ||
| Azxb9r |
I agree with P squared, if he really wants the gsxr, and you talk him out of it, he may end up unhappy with you if he has a complaint with the Buell. Not worth risking your friendship over, let him spend his money on what he wants, then go ride with him.  | ||
| Js_buell |
Well as far as I'm concern yeah he should get the bolt but if he as to get a rice rocket I have always loved the gsxr's I had a 97 750 and it was a blast especially on the track, but on the street I got bored of having to rev the shit out of it to get power and I happened to test ride a 2000 X1, that was the end of my love for rice rockets on the street. Don't get me wrong every once in a while when I see a jap liter bike open it getting on the highway I miss my gsxr but as soon as I will get my 08 XB12S it will all be ok. | ||
| Hammer71 |
Have had both and currently have a Gsxr 600, the beloved 9r met it's demise last year and I was unable to get hold of an 1125 this year. Here's my take.. The firebolt in my opinion was too underpowered for me, easy as hell to ride to it's limits but just weak in the power department. Gsxr is fine in the power department and fast as hell (minus one tooth in front sprocket and all is good). Not as easy to ride as the Buell and thats only due to the instant throttle response. Have had both on the Dragon and the surrounding area during March Badness and can honestly say that both were very capable at a brisk pace, if I wasn't still gun shy after my crash I would have pushed the Gsxr a bit more. Both bikes are great choices but also remember and all (ok most) will agree that parts availability for a Buell is a bit on the slim side where as any bike shop will have parts on hand for a Gsxr. Talk him into an 1125 and see where it goes, more power than the Firebolt and the 600, and from what I understand alot easier to ride than either of them. As long as the guy is on 2 wheels I don't think either of them is a bad choice. | ||
| Paint_shaker |
You don't get a Buell because of a spec sheet or to "be like Mike"... If your friend likes the gixxer, I say let him get it. | ||
| Not_purple_s2 |
Remind him that they're salesmen, of course they're going to tell him to pick their bike over another brand. It would have been the same if he said he was also thinking of getting a honda or yamaha. Get him to test ride a Buell. If you trust him let him ride yours. In the end just be happy to have a friend to ride with. If he gets the gsxr give him hell in the twisties, i'm sure he'll give you hell on the straights. | ||
| Darth_buell |
The primary factor may very well be how good the local dealer is... something which I think Buell has continued to miss. BINGO... It seems a simple TPS reset is an hour of labor around these parts at the dealer...(Tucson, AZ).........  ........Don't have a laptop and no Bueller in laws around.What's a guy gotta do. | ||
| Firebolt32 |
Get him to test ride a Buell. That's what will turn him. I've never owned a Jap bike but have riden them enough to know. And considered one of my own. Once I rode my 9r... | ||
| Blake |
"In fairness, a GSXR 6 (the bike in question) is going to have a hard time beating a 12R on a track except on a long straight -- they are a good bike, don't get me wrong (I wouldn't mind one for a track bike either) but they are still a 6..." Dude. That is sooooo inaccurate. Step away from the kool-aid. | ||
| 4cammer |
The 2007 GSXR600 is rated at 103 ponies, and does close to 160 mph. This would eat a 9R/12R. No matter, I'd rather have my 9R. | ||
| Vicfirebolt |
Have him get the buell so you can keep up on your rides. It's time buell riders realize these are slow ass bikes that just look good. I love my buell but they are slower than almost every sport bike out there. So if its about speed GSXR if it's about style BUELL. I love the buell because I see less than 5 on a whole day ride where as I pass 5 gsxr's on the way too work easily. | ||
| Ustorque |
went out with my brother for a ride last weekend (he owns a gsxr 1000 '06) he's been dying to ride the 9 since i changed my bars out so we swapped for about 30 miles. i forgot how inlines rode in comparison to the buell, i was all messed up with the power delivery and the 13,000 rpm redline and the ride was just basically uncomfortable.....cool bike but at the end of the day i wouldn't take it for free.....I LOVE MY BUELL. it was also funny to here a 225 lb guy say "i can keep the front end down on this thing"  in closing let your buddy get what he wants, he'll come around someday and see what he missed. (Message edited by ustorque on June 01, 2008) | ||
| Ustorque |
It's time buell riders realize these are slow ass bikes that just look good. kind of an exageration don't ya think, i definately don't agree with this. not to mention you give a great rider a BUELL and a good rider any inline, i bet i know which bike would perform better....overall power is not all it's cracked up to be.IMHO (Message edited by ustorque on May 31, 2008) | ||
| Ferrisbuellersdayoff |
Let him have his GSXR, then when he see's how much more fun you have on your Buell he'll kick his own ass. CC's and RPMs those numbers add up to nothing. Have a friend tell you your buell wont stand up to his Hyabusa or Kawi Vulcan with 2K cc's. Know what I do? toy with the Vulcan and when I see that Hyabusa getting closer I light up the brake lights so he sees me slow down, then when he's out of his band, click one down and get back up there. | ||
| A1203r |
let him get what he wants, let your other buddy sell his bike. however, you buddy has a bias because he rode the gsxr, any I'll bet anything, that if that suzuki salesman had a used xb, he would have walked him right over to it and done his best to sell it (more margin on used). | ||
| A1203r |
Have him get the buell so you can keep up on your rides. It's time buell riders realize these are slow ass bikes that just look good. I love my buell but they are slower than almost every sport bike out there. Can you turn? or do you only go straight? An xb will almost always have a faster corner (with a capable rider). I ride the front of my pack, i always have room after the corner. Sure go ahead and pass me on the straight, you'll see my tail after the next apex. | ||
| Point_doc |
I ride with two GSXR's, one's a 6 and the other a liter. Bill with the liter just reduced his front sprocket by one tooth, in hopes that the distance between our bikes will be reduced from off the line and in the back roads. On the hgwy the liter and the 6 is Rocket’s, I’ll get to 120 first and then it’s a blue (liter) and red (600) streak!! Let your friend get the gsxr and then go riding on your favorite twisty roads. (Message edited by point_doc on June 04, 2008) | ||
| Spatten1 |
I like both. I can't imagine any scenario where the GSXR will not outperform an XB with equal riders. However, I prefer the Buell. Last week I came to the conclusion that the XB is a great bike, and has enough performance for my current riding, and plenty of soul. If this guy is young, he should get the gixxer and have a blast. It will be a great bike for him. I would have hated my XB when I was in my 20s and early 30s. In fact, I test rode Buells a few times, and the engine made me ill. Tons of vibration, and what then felt to me like piss-poor power. Now I am at the stage in life to appreciate it for what it is. I love riding the XB and would never trade it for a 600. | ||
| M1combat |
"easy as hell to ride to it's limits" LOL | ||
| Darthane |
...who says you have to be in your 40s to enjoy Buells? =P |
