| Author | Message | ||
     Motorbikejoe |
Hello everyone. My name is Joe and I live on the Oregon coast. Tillamook for those of you who are familiar. I'm 30 and I've been riding motorcycles for about 20 years (mini/dirt/street.) Just for background information, my first street bike was a 1960's Honda CB90. Over the years I've owned a 1974 honda Goldwing, a Yamaha 650 Maxim, 1988 Kawasaki Ninja600, a CBR 900RR, a 2000 Triumph TT600, 1998 Triumph Daytona T595, 1997 Honda CBR1100XX Superblackbird, 2002 CE Triumph Daytona 955i, 2002 Triumph Bonneville America, 2007 Triumph Daytona 675, and now a 2006 Buell XB12SCG. In the year 2000, just before the purchase of my TT600, my neighbor had hand built a Buell. It was my first introduction to Buell and I thought it was about the coolest bike I'd ever seen. I did some research and realized, that if you weren't handy with a wrench, Buell might not be your best bet. I was handy "enough" with a wrench, but I didn't want the hassle. As the years went by, I've kept my eye on Buells hoping that the reliability track record would improve. Now that it has, and with much wisdom extracted from you good people while lurking around here as a guest, I finally decided to pull the trigger on my XB against the advice of some of my fellow motorcyclist friends. I assured them, "really guys, Buells have come a long way," and they have. I found it on Craigslist in Washington (7.5 hours from home) with 4500 miles for 6K. I convinced a friend to take the trip with me in his grocery gitter Honda Civic. I'd pay for gas, food, and give him my old helmet and textile jacket he liked. We were soon on our way. About 8 hours later I was forking over 6 G's for probably the coolest bike I've owned to date. Before handing over the fat wad of cash, I took the little XB up and down the road and I must say it was much different than what I expected, and different from anything else I had ever ridden. On our way back, during the feeling out process, I was starting to understand how to properly use the power curve of the big twin. The short wheelbase, radical rake, and Uber quick steering was also something I was quickly growing accustom too. As soon as I completely fell in love with this Buell, I lost 5th gear. I was just loping along at 70 and suddenly 5th gear was a new neutral. I quickly down shifted to 4th and it was gone as well. I down shifted to 3rd and was able to catch my friend in his Honda and subsequently pulled off to the side of the interstate. I explained what had happened and decided to try and limp the bike off the interstate in the lower gears. Between the time I pulled over to the time I was able to get off the interstate to a nearby gas station, I realized the bolt to the shifter linkage had came loose and fell out. I was able to get it into neutral by hand, and by this time the gearbox was totally gone. I knew I had to find a safe place to leave my new bike and head home. In a short time, I was approached by a sweet elderly woman who offered a tin shed if I could find a way to get it to her house. I pushed the little XB for two miles to that shed. I then called the guy who sold it to me and he swears up and down that he had no idea and offered to help with whatever cost I'm going to incur. On my way home I called the Harley shop in Kennewick Washington and they agreed to drive all the way to the shed (in Boardman oregon) and pick the bike up for me for 150 bones. I was pretty thankful but still worried about the repair bill. I guess I'll find out soon enough. That's my story. I bought the bike I've wanted for years and I made it less than 100 miles. Of course when I got back I got the "I told you not to buy a ******* Buell" speech. I'll keep everyone informed about how it goes and my experience with the dealer in Kennewick. Regardless, I'd like to thank everyone here for all the useful information I was able to get before my purchase, and that if anyone is ever in Oregon feel free to look me up for a ride (once the XB is fixed.) Joe | ||
| Pogue_mahone |
welcome aboard joe...damn sorry u are having such luck.i think the trans is a bit chunky as fas as shifting goes,but have read it is a stout box and should last and last. i hope u give erik's passion for a new kind of american motorcycle a 2nd chance....i have an xb9s....wow what a riot to ride--love it! i am scheming to move up to a 12 and keep the 9 too. man i'd love to hit oregon up in summer for some exploring and camping and fun.been thru a couple times in my jeep,loved it. post up whats going with ur gearbox. scott  | ||
| Motorbikejoe |
Thanks Pogue....Did you cut your own fender? | ||
| Pogue_mahone |
i believe it is stock...not sure where u mean it might be cut? | ||
| Pogue_mahone |
oh der you mean the rear cheese grater LOL damn i feel dumb now :P the previous owner trimmed it | ||
| 2008xb12scg |
Welcome. Good luck with the bike and I liked this partoffered to help with whatever cost I'm going to incur don't hear that much. | ||
| Piotr12 |
Welcome to the boards Joe! I hope you get your transmission sorted out so that you can get out there and enjoy your new bike! Pete | ||
| Boney95 |
Joe, how did you like your 675 Triple? A buddy of mine has one and we swap bike here and there. I found it to be super smooth, a bit twitchy and sensitive, fast, but all the torque hits at about 10.5k rpm. But when it does you better hang on, up comes the wheel. | ||
| Boney95 |
I wouldn't allow my bike to be photographed too close to his.  | ||
| Js_buell |
Welcome to the board and to the family. Sorry to ear about your bad luck, I hope everything will be fine and low cost. | ||
| Motorbikejoe |
Well, I didn't get a call today so I'm assuming maybe sometime next week *grumble* As far as the 675, I loved that bike. I know what you mean about the torque, but you're probably speaking comparatively to the Buell. The 675 had much better torque than any 600 I-4 IMO. It handled really well, was very fast, and most of all a beautiful bike. My ex-wife laid it down and smashed it into an SUV.  Thanks for all the welcome responses. | ||
| Ducbsa |
Use blue loctite a lot and get the manual and parts book. Be careful with the oil drain plug torque, use the Search here to see what the latest recommendation is. Original factory spec was too high. | ||
| Panhead_dan |
Welcome to the BWB Joe! On this site there is a section that is only viewable if you are a member and signed in. It's called "BUELL RIDER ASSISTANCE NETWORK" or "BRAN". No guarantees but sometimes it can be very usefull. For example, I was within 30 miles of your breakdown and may have been able to assist. You might consider checking out this section and maybe even entering yourself on it. I hope Shumate can get ya fixed up propper. The Buell tech there (Frank) is a damned good one. When you get your bike back, take the time to get familliar with it. Not just the handling and such but also the little things it does. It may have the habbit of vibrating a certain bolt loose or something. A drop of blue locktite and that problem will be an X problem. Once any gremlins like this have surfaced and been dealt with, you will be more intimately familliar with your bike and in part because of that you will love the thing even more than you would otherwise. | ||
| Ourdee |
Joe, Welcome to the best kept secret on the web. BRAN, Buell Riders Assistance Network, will show you what a great group of people are working quietly behind the scenes. Look at the "pay it forward section". Just good hearted people with a passion. |
