| Author |
Message |
    
Drum3rjay
| | Posted on Monday, May 31, 2010 - 04:19 pm: | 
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When I bought my Buell, I bought it abused...
The owner was a wheelie FAILURE! And then he painted over the bike flat black to hide the problems, but the bike is such an icon that I found value in taking that bike and making it my own.
-History-
At that time, I was between an R6, TL100, Monster, and 650R. The R6 lost out because, while it was a great, clean bike, it lacked character. The Tiller was MEAN; I almost bought it because I had an Acura TL at the time!  I paused when one of my friends who knows bikes called me a gixxer squid...rare to see a Tiller, but you see Suzukis all day...not my style.
I scraped the Monster owner's pipe...it just didn't have it! The owner understood, it was a 620 with so-so handling. Nuff said!
The 650R had a nice torque band and looked bad ass, especially with that exposed rear shock, but something in that bike said, "Jay, I am a well dressed EX650!"
There was nothing like that Firebolt though...It was not very fast, but it looked fast enough, and it was damn sure quick enough! I completely overhauled it, spending over $2000 to make it my own and I regret nothing! I have learned many things about bike maintenance that I would not have learned otherwise had I chosen a more "reliable" bike. Since my overhaul, of the electrical system shortly after the cosmetic treatments, I have not been let down by the bike, period. Things happen here and there, but I know that I can get from point A to B on my bike...even in the winter!
Not to mention, I still get the most stares riding my [crappy and unreliable] bike. When people see Buells, they stop looking at Ducatis, period. Call me whatever you like, but I like not only the fact that this bike stands out, but the way that it stands out. Erik went right for the WOW senses when he designed the XB; I wouldn't have it any other way!
...BTW, I commute 80 miles round trip about 1/3 of the year on bike and I ride HARD! I trust this bike and I hope that you will understand how reliable this bike can be if you let it.
-2004 Firebolt XB12R |
Cityxslicker
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 01, 2010 - 02:23 am: |
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off loaded a Kawi 6R and a KLR250 to get the Buell City-X.... 39K miles later, no second thoughts about offing the 6r... I should ahve kept the KLR.... oh well, you lives and ya learn. (and I will put the abuse i push my City-X up against any write up criticism; its a damn rugged bike) |
Trojan
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 01, 2010 - 07:29 am: |
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I can't say the same about the new Ninja 650, that is a very new design bike so there may be teething issues on it still.
The Ninja 650/ER6 motor has been around for 6 years now in various guises (and is basically half of a ZX14 motor anyway) so has plenty of anecdotal evidence regarding reliability and servicing issues. Plenty of people race these and cover big mileages without any bother (as do lots of Buell owners of course)
try looking at the Ninja owners forum http://www.kawiforums.com/ninja-650r-er6/ and I'm sure if you ask the same question there the answers will be similarly skewed towards their brand.
Try both before making your mind up. By all means take note of comments on owners forums but don't treat them as 100% objective, as most won't be anything like it 
(Message edited by trojan on June 01, 2010) |
Motorico
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 01, 2010 - 06:58 pm: |
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For the money, get the Buell, the suspension alone is worth it. |
Littlebuggles
| | Posted on Thursday, June 03, 2010 - 02:01 am: |
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A friend and I went for a canyon ride a few years ago, he on his 650 Ninja and me on my Buell Cyclone. We switched up and rode for a while and as others have stated on the suspension, I found the 650 soft and pretty boring to ride, the stock bars had a odd angle for me - too much pull-back turning my wrists at a slightly awkward angle. Great bike for a new rider still exploring and developing their skills with it's with smooth power delivery and easy clutch, as long as you don't push it too hard and overwhelm the suspension. The fairing was nice, I enjoyed the wind protection.
He found my M2 intimidating (which is why I like it). I like riding a bike that lets you know it's there.
I rode my XB up a local canyon last week, the Xb's suspension puts the stock suspension on my M2 to shame. While the motor is different than the 12 i think a City X is what they designed it to be, a great do it all bike. Get an additional windscreen from Palmer Products if you want more protection, they look to be a good addition for a more all weather bike.
Buells are great bikes, if you are ready for them. Given the price I 'd think the XB9SX is the better bargain, just ride carefully until you are used to it's suspension and torque.
(Message edited by littlebuggles on June 03, 2010)
(Message edited by littlebuggles on June 03, 2010) |
Kowpow225
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 08, 2010 - 05:23 pm: |
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My wife has a 650 ninja. Its a relatively smooth running bike with a decent amount of low to midrange power. There are some fairing vibration issues (which are easy to fix) and a few people have had issues with a cracked frame. A retuned front suspension would be beneficial if you're over 150 lbs. Overall a very nice bike for the dollar. |
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