| Author | Message | ||
     P0p0k0pf |
Every couple of years or so, I get around to scoping out 2-wheeled market. A little ways back, I punched in www.buell.com in my searching and ended my search there. You see, I haven't come across a bike that I liked enough to think about seriously buying until I took a look at the XB models. Japanese-style sportbikes don't appeal to me, and I already have a plastic-laden 4-cyl. vehicle. It just says VW Jetta on the back... My last experience on 2 wheels (besides my mountain bike) was an 80cc dirtbike in my early teens. I am 23, have realized I'm not invincible, and I plan on doing things the right way, starting with the Rider's Edge program. I know that, after all, it is up to me what I decide, but I'd appreciate anyone's insight, opinions, and experience concerning my possible decision to start my riding on an XB. Do you think it will be a bad idea? Fine idea? Should I be restrained and put away? Thankya in advance for your time! p0p0k0pf NE Atlanta, GA edited by p0p0k0pf on May 10, 2004 | ||
| Glitch |
Well if you live in the Duluth area, I'd say buy something used so you don't mind so much scratching it up or dinging it or being paranoid about doing something such as that, so you can concentrate on riding. There are people here that will say go ahead and buy it just be careful, others will say different. If you ask me, just buy something cheap and get used to riding on the street first. You know how the traffic gets around here. | ||
| Dyna |
Dont fall down. Crashing is way over rated. | ||
| Fullpower |
well, i am having a lot of fun with my XB. I dont know if it would be my ideal choice for a first bike, but i am sure you will have a bunch of fun on one. and that is what its all about.... welcome to the badweb. regards, dean | ||
| Socoken |
im with dyna, ive never liked the idea of buying a used bike or cheap bike with the intent of crashing or damaging it. both of those options suck, so why plan on it? i rode an XB9R about a week ago, and i thought it was great. real composed and stable, very confidence inspiring. plus, its got the handling and brakes to get you out of trouble should you get in it. not overly powerful, but not slow either. sounds good for even a starter, and will still be great once you become a pro. if you buy a used bike that you plan on wrecking, you wont like it, and you might not like riding, and that might take the wind out of your sales and you may never realize your dreams. go for the XB, i cant imagine anyone regretting it. my M.02 cents | ||
| Jasonxb12s |
Go for the XB dude. You'll love it. I just picked up riding again this past april on an XB. Haven't been riding since college..Approx 6 years. For me, the Buell XB was a good choice to start riding again with. Good luck, Jason | ||
| Oneway |
buy the buell [take some riding courses] have fun.Would like to see some of the riders i seen ride this week do so | ||
| Daves |
Get the bike, get the gear,wear the gear, get training, be careful, have fun! Go to the dealer in Duluth,tell Dennis, the owner Dave formerly from Waterloo,now from Appleton says Hi. Or, just come to Appleton WI and I'll hook you up! Ride to the edge! Dave daves@h-dappleton.com | ||
| Captainkirk |
Nothing wrong with starting out on an XB...why not learn with the best handling bike you can buy with enough torque and HP to get you out of harms way when you need it? If you spend a couple grand on a used rice rocket you'll end up losing money when you're ready to trade up. Just try to avoid getting overconfident...familiarity breeds contempt, and that's about the time you get up front and personal with the asphalt. Like Dyna said, crashing is overrated! | ||
| Austinrider |
p0p0k0pf - Welcome to the badweb. My first bike was a yellow XB9S (2003). I had ZERO experience riding (picked it up 1 week before my riders edge to take advantage of the 3.9% financing last year). At first it was a bit intimidating. I did not know the difference between a 600cc Inline 4 and a 984cc V-Twin (air cooled). Having ridden both, I say go for the Buell. You gotta respect the Bike though. Like somebody said - familiarity breeds contempt. The XB does have a good amount of torque. I flipped mine due to being over confident (and a bit pissed off at a cager). I learned my lesson and have had 0 problems since. I've had the chance to ride cruisers and jap bikes since I bought my bike last year. Nothing, and I mean NOTHING, brings a smile to my face like riding an XB. Its not the fastest beast on the road, but it is the funnest. Just out of curiosity, what will the insurance run you on it? Have you thought about which model yet (Lightning or Firebolt)? I hope you decide on a 9 and not a 12, but ultimately that is up to you. Be safe, get and wear the gear and most of all have fun. Riders Edge was cool, but if I had to do it over again I would have chosen another MSF provider, just cheaper since the state helps subsidize those classes and the R.E. program is a private program with no subsidizing. Just food for thought | ||
| Buckinfubba |
get the xb but becareful and have fun....ditto what daveS said | ||
| Jaredkuper |
I was in the exact same position a very short while ago. I bought a Blast just so I could learn on something that I wasn't afraid of, with the intent of selling it in less than a year. I ended up getting so comfortable on a bike that I sold it in less than two months and getting what I REALLY wanted, the XB. There was nothing wrong with the Blast at all, but why not ride the bike you actually want? My $0.02. | ||
| Darthane |
Ooooooor - you buy the Blast and ride it till you're comfortable and have some experience under your belt, KEEP the Blast and get the XB. Quite possibly the best series of choices I've ever made. Welcome to the BadWeb - stick around, play nice, and you'll learn a HELLUVA lot. | ||
| Klareralt |
It's hard to wrong with an XB... I've only put 600 k's on mine, but I love it. Then again, I'm much a two cylinder guy. Even after riding an F4 for two years.... | ||
| Daveinm |
I say get the bike. I was in the exact...EXACT!...same position a month ago. I'm a hard-core mountain biker (don't laugh...I live in South Florida), rode small dirt bikes in high school, don't care for Jap bikes too much, have a VW Jetta VR6, and was hesitant to buy a bike. I never really considered getting a street bike. I just felt it was too dangerous in South Florida. Nobody here knows how to drive. Anyone that lives here or has been here knows what I'm talking about. A friend came over with a brand new XB12R and let everyone ride it. That was the end of it. I'm glad there weren't any chics around when I got done riding it, cause I was definitely pitchin' a tent  . All my friends are hooked on Buells now. Another buddy just got a used 9R. My brother is gonna get a 12R soon. We all love the Buells. I put a lot of thought into getting a bike before I made my decision. I decided to get one and ended up with a used XB9S, '03, 2500 miles on it, with the race kit, in perfect shape, for $8200...plus I got the 3 yr. Harley warranty. I got it on 4-22 and already put 2100 miles on it I can't help but ride it. It looks so lonely sitting in my garage. It's definitely bad for work Good thing I have my own company Overall, I'm really glad I got it...even though I almost wiped out a few hours ago...An oppossum walked right in front of me at 65 mph....ROADKILL!!! I thought for sure I was gonna eat it (the pavment, not the roadkill). That was a hell of a rush Being on a bike is different than driving a car. I'm much more aware of what going on around me when riding my bike. And there is a lot of heavy traffic down here. If you get it, get good gear to go with it. Good Helmet, jacket, and gloves. Wear good shoes...something with a leather toe, sneakers or boots. My gear would have saved me had I actually wrecked earlier. Be responsible! I believe if it's your time, it's your time. I know bad things can happen on a bike, but I'm not the type to not do something because you can get hurt doing it. I ride how I feel comfortable riding, but I open it up here and there. If you want to keep your speed down, go with the lightning. On the highway, I can't help but do 120 mph on the 12R. I like chillin at about 85 mph on my 9S though. Plus, I think the Lightning is more fun driving around town. Oh yeah, insurance is really expensive at our age. I'm 24, but I'll be 25 end of June. My insurance right now with State Farm is $340 a month. Insanity. I could have gotten better rates elsewhere, but I would have been stuck with those rates for a year. My current rate drops to under $100 once I turn 25. It's crazy that 2 months makes that much of a difference. I say if you want it, get it. You can always sell it.............or give it to me Dave edited by DaveINM on May 11, 2004 edited by DaveINM on May 11, 2004 edited by DaveINM on May 11, 2004 edited by DaveINM on May 11, 2004 | ||
| Southernmarine |
Hey, been off a bike for a good while, last year I stumbled upon Buell, bought the Blast, had one, and now I own the XB12R. Like they said, get what you want but get the gear, read your manuals, take the safety courses, keep your eyes open, stay smart, and enjoy every minute you get to ride. You can be the safest rider out there, but it only takes one idiot "who doesn't see you" to make for a bad day. My MSF instructor was one of the safest I knew and he was killed because some lady, "didn't see him". We were driving through Scottsdale, AZ Saturday, I was on my bike following the wife through traffic. She asked me today what I thought about all the sites, "Honey, in traffic I don't site see, I watch everyone around me, that's how I stay alive." Enjoy the ride, but please keep your eye's peeled. Hope that don't scare you away. | ||
| M1combat |
"Honey, in traffic I don't site see, I watch everyone around me, that's how I stay alive." Amen. | ||
| Seanp |
Ok, as I mentioned in a thread I started, I am in the same predicament. I am trying to think with my rational rather than my emotional side. This isn't helping.  Now, I don't even have a motorcycle, so I am not speaking from experience. So discount my ideas/attitudes as you like. How much would repairs cost to fix a dropped, (low-sided, high-sided, whatever) XB9 or 12? And potential hospital bills? A new helmet, or other gear, depending on what got damaged in a wipeout? Increased insurance premiums? And how much would you lose if you bought a used bike, rode it for three or four or ten or twelve months, and sold it for, oh, say, $500 less than you bought it? I'm guessing about $500. And if you drop it, well, you can buy new plastics, or not. And it will be less likely to put you in the hospital I'd think. And if you total it, well, you're out a 2001 Blast, or a 2000 KLR650, or a 2002 Ninja 250. Not a 2004 XB9/12. And I think a person would be far less likely to lose control of a Blast, KLR, or Ninja250 than to lose control of an XB9/12. But again, I have ridden only the little 250's in the MSF course. Nothing else. See, I just think that it's cost-effective to start with something smaller, cheaper, and easier to handle, not to mention safer. But again, that's my rational side talking. My emotional side wants to hop on a brand new XB12R and start riding. I guess you just have to work out the relationship between your two sides, and see which one wins out. I'm still working on it, too.  Good luck. | ||
| Naughtynurse |
As a new Grad from the MSF class ...my words to you is to take the class they teach you so much!!!! I rode away from that class with so much more understanding. We rode Buell blasts (492cc).. and some insurance companies will give you a discount for taking the class. like 10% | ||
| Agave_juice |
The fact that a few people have picked XB’s for their first bike doesn’t prove that it is the best choice, for you. Sure, it can be done, but consider the following: -A less expensive, lower powered used bike will be more forgiving in both control input response and cost of repair (if god forbid, you have an incident). -A new rider planning to ‘ride restrained while learning’, on a bigger bike, has almost no plan at all. Nobody ‘plans’ to let a bike get out of control, but it happens. And, it happens easily to inexperienced riders. -A higher powered bike may demand your focus remain on avoiding loss of control. That will not inspire rider skill confidence, and it will take away from your ability to watch for cagers that are not watching for you. -It is very easy to let your lust for the badazz XB, talk you into a bike that you may not be ready for. Be honest in the evaluation of your readiness. -Lower powered motorcycles are still REALLY FUN to ride. Just my $0.02. MSF courses rock! Good luck. Know your limits. Wear your gear. | ||
| Glitch |
That would be Duluth, Georgia. Sorry for the confusion. | ||
| Macbuell |
I agree with what everyone else here says. I think the XB9 would be a good first bike. The 12 may have a little too much power. Take your courses, buy and wear the gear and always ride within your abilities. Don't try to impress anyone or you'll be on your ••• before you know what happened. Two other pieces of advice that I try to follow when riding around Atlanta; 1) Always assume every car you see is going to pull out in front of you. You'll be much more prepared and ready to react just in case they do. 2) Always keep two fingers over the front brake lever when riding in traffic. It'll shorten your reaction time and might save you a lot of pain. I'll tell you this, it is almost impossible to not have fun on an XB. Ride safe and have fun. | ||
| P0p0k0pf |
Wow! I can't thank you all enough for the responses! You guys have helped me out a bunch, and hopefully I'll have some 1st hand experience to share sometime soon in the future-- Thanks again- | ||
| Oneway |
they offer classes with small bikes supplied, drop it, while you learn. | ||
| Bigj |
I think an XB9 would be good for a first bike. It is similiar to an SV650 in power, although a little heavier. Lotsa people start out on an SV650.  | ||
| Shotgun |
The Blast is the best Bike ever built to learn on! It will give you confidence. It will let you know when you are ready to move beyond it or to soup it up. A used Blast is cheap, cheap to insure. A riot of fun. And a friend for always. Think BLAST! | ||
| Captainkirk |
And read "The Proficient Motorcyclist" by David Hough not once, but twice, before you even lay down coin. |
