| Author | Message | ||
     Thisfatefulhour |
Hi everyone I'm deciding on what to get. I drive about an hour to work everyday. Should I go for the CityX or the Ninja 650R? I can get both brand new for the same price, about 6500 plus tax. Is that a good deal? I sat on both today for the first time, didn't get a chance to test drive yet though the buell seemed small compared to the kawasaki. Also I heard that they went out of business? Will it be hard to do repairs? Thanks! I definitely dig the look. Just tell me what to get!! | ||
| Wildman4x4nut |
Get the Buell. Yes Buell went out of business but you can get repairs done at your Harley Dealer. You will have way more fun with the Buell than the Ninja too. Get a repair manual and do most if not all your repairs yourself. | ||
| Rpm4x4 |
Since you asking on a Buell forum I doubt anybody will choose the ninja but I will say I love the crap out of my CityX, especially as a commuter. Very good torque for stoplight traffic and great fuel economy. As far as parts go I really doubt getting parts for an XB will be a problem. HD has to supply new parts for another 7 years. Mine has been dirt reliable so even if there was a part available problem I probally wouldnt even know. On a side note I swear the CityX makes me a better rider. I used to own a CBR and I currently own an 1125 buell but on my CityX I am by far the most capable. | ||
| Terrys1980 |
The Buell has a shorter wheel base and will put the Ninja to shame in the corners! | ||
| Trojan |
If what you want is a comfortable commuter bike with decent weather protection, good power, light weight, easy dealer access and servicing that will probably never let you down rain or shine, then go for the Kawasaki. If your daily commute is on main roads at reasonable speeds (60mph+) then the full fairing of the Ninja will be a boon in poor weather. If you want an involving owner experience, a fun bike and not just everyday transport, and want to broaden your practical mechanical experience then get the Buell. Make sure that your local dealer (either brand) is good and reliable for service and parts work and that you test ride both bikes before you buy if possible  if your bike is going to be your sole means of transport to work then reliability is going to be more important than fun, but if you can choose alternative methods but just fancy a bike for fun then either will do the job admirably. Whichever you go for will be more enjoyable than commuting by car/bus/train that's for sure (Message edited by trojan on May 28, 2010) | ||
| Jonzin |
I'd say get whichever one stirs your soul. I can sit and stare at my Buell for indefinite periods of time.... it is almost like the Tony Stewart ArmorAll commercial...lol Ride them both and let your heart decide. -Chance | ||
| Froggy |
Buell was shut down, not went out of business. Getting a bike repaired will be no more difficult that it was this time a year ago. Both are good bikes, and obviously posting on a Buell forum you are going to get skewed opinions. Buell in general has a poor reputation so if you post on a sportbike forum, they will tell you to get the Ninja. Ride both, see what calls you more. | ||
| Thisfatefulhour |
well i think i'm going for the buell.. going tonight, i will keep you guys updated, thanks for all the responses! I'm getting the black one! | ||
| Buelltroll |
http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/327 77/568307.html?1275069629 Good luck,Hopefully you'll have alot better luck than MOST people....and I'm sure in 5 yrs parts will be even easier to get.... | ||
| Thisfatefulhour |
hmm i see you're having a problem with it, is this a usual occurence for a lot of buell bikes or what? Is the ninja going to be more reliable? | ||
| Buelltroll |
90% of this board is NOT about how trouble free they are....just flip thru a few pages n see what threads are about problems...at least 10 on the first page of xboard alone.... (Message edited by buelltroll on May 28, 2010) | ||
| Drkside79 |
Gee should i post every day i don't have a problem how nice my ride was. Well fine troll rode to work today no problems! Oh and for the new guy. I ride an 08 xb9sx and love it. I treat her well she treats me well. I have had no problems other that a battery connector recall and getting hit while it was parked in a lot. Either way both times she was repaired and runs just fine. Its a great little bike with lots of torque and personality. If troll didn't pop a wheelie every two and a half seconds his bike wouldn't be all F'd up all the time. | ||
| Buelltroll |
You don't know me man OR how I ride....The years of trouble free riding group is DEFINETLY a minority....Don't try to force the buell aid down the noobs throat hes asking a honest question about reliability and deserves to know how much a lump these piles are. Oh and the SX MIGHT show the ninja whats what in the twisties IF it has the right rider but give that same rider a straight away with anything over 500 feet n the buell is playing catch up EVERY time. I AM a little disgruntled at the moment cuz my pile has been in the shop GOING ON TWO MONTHS NOW so I MIGHT be a little biased but either way I'd suggest doing what basiclly everyone is saying. Ride em both n go from there. (Message edited by buelltroll on May 28, 2010) | ||
| Froggy |
You mean how most people don't get the run around from their dealer that doesn't know how to fix their 8 year old abused bike? Anyway, Buell's aren't any less reliable than any other brand. I got 4 of them right now, I have had my fair share of issues, but my Suzuki GS500 which I had for one summer still was more problematic than all my Buell's combined. Every brand will have its lemons. Good news is, the XB's have been around for 8 years, so the bugs have been worked out, all the potential problems are known, and you can easily get help if by some chance you need it. 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. Oh for what its worth, I don't have a car anymore, I only have Buell's, if the reliability was that bad I probably would of been fired from missing work too much | ||
| Thisfatefulhour |
another thing is i get 2 years of service with the buell... i dont really care too much about super speed or anything... i'm coming from a dirt bike background if that gives you anything to go off | ||
| Drkside79 |
The Xb9sx has a very similar riding position to a dirtbike. | ||
| Drkside79 |
Buell troll, Your profile shows you popping wheelies says you broke your bike from hard landings and has a personal quote of "will wheelie for boobs" I cant imagine where i got the idea that you beat the crap out of your bike. That being said I'm sorry you are having issues with fixing it. (Message edited by drkside79 on May 28, 2010) | ||
| Drkside79 |
Oh and i never said the Buell was faster than the ninja but my Buell gets to 80 fast enough for me and i very rarely go much faster than that as i live in a city. | ||
| Thisfatefulhour |
thanks man | ||
| Greg_e |
Go ride both, only way to know for certain. The fairing on the Ninja will be most comparable to a 9/12R or 1125R so you might want to consider that aspect the S is basically a no fairing machine. I have to say that my old Suzuki Katana was no problem, but I bought it new. Had I bought my 9R new I might have had a similar story. The 9R is way more fun on the road as the handling is several times better than the old Kat. Both are air cooled, both have similar rear wheel horse power. | ||
| Bads1 |
Troll, The reason you are giving crap right now is because your having a issue at the present and your taking it out on this forum at this very time.Its funny.... the guy has kicked the crap out of his bike on daily habit and it gives him a problem and he gets po'd.lol Troll you come here every day and post.....I wonder why. Is it because you like the bike. Or you have nothing better to do??? Man I hope its not because you have nothing to do. To the the new guy. The XB is a great bike. Take care of it and it will take care of you. I've owned mine since 03. Has had a couple small issues. Thats in 7 years remember. | ||
| Zekster76 |
Buell diffently buell, want reliabilty get a car | ||
| Ourdee |
I got my Buell because I was tired of working on my Honda, but I don't claim all Hondas are bad. My Buell rocks. I had a Yamaha last winter; replaced piston, cylinder, rings, cam chain slider piece, metal collapsed filter, a spoke, grips, valves, keepers, lapped the valves in, valve adjusters and nuts, battery, and some gaskets and I know I'm missing somethings. Bikes need upkeep, they are like women. Find what you like and can handle. To each his own. | ||
| Chessm |
my GF had an 06 ninja 650r for a while and i have an XB9s now. the 650r isnt a bad bike, it has some advantages to the XB. like it's lighter. it only asks for regular gas. its very skinny so lane splitting is very easy on it. also its a comfy bike for a passenger. when my GF 1st got it i would steal it every now and then just because it's a new bike. but in the end, the bike just got really boring. unless you were flogging the thing and riding at 8/10s and above it was so easy to ride you could fall asleep riding it. so fast forward to now, my GF sold that bike and got a z1000 and i now have an 1125CR. but i still love riding my XB. my GF and i dont really miss the 650r very much. | ||
| Fltwistygirl |
I for one am pleased to have had another enjoyable/problem free ride on my Uly today. This makes about 200 days of problem free riding since she joined our family. In the four years I've had the City-x, I've only had a couple minor issues with it but it has never left me on the road...unlike some other bikes in our stable  . Some people in my house actually chose to ride (cough cough) my bike when other bikes were (ahem) behaving badly. The blast to lightning to Uly was a very easy and logical transition for me after spending the first part of my life on dirt bikes/dual sports. I demo-ed a city-x and a Uly before I took the plunge with each, and after each ride, all I said was "Yep". Go for the one you think you will ride the most. I don't ride the City x as much as the Uly anymore, but I had fun tearing up the MN roads and putting 700 miles on her last week! Good luck and ride safe. | ||
| Fast1075 |
The Buell has a real suspension system..fully adjustable on both ends. | ||
| Lukesw |
buell = lot of fun | ||
| Drkside79 |
Well as he stopped posting i guess he got the ninja  | ||
| Xb9er |
or he got the buell and is out riding | ||
| Jxb |
My '06 XB12Ss is still awesome. It has been a great bike since buying it new in late '05. Other than replacing battery, tires, oil, (normal stuff) it still does all I ever ask of it & puts a big smile on my face each time I start it (or even walk by it). |
