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Epyx
| | Posted on Saturday, December 17, 2011 - 05:30 pm: | 
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Still have hot heard anything regarding the XB and my offer. I'm guessing the dealer is not willing to sell for book value. Who knows, maybe Monday or Tuesday I'll get a call but seems unlikely.
I test rode a new Triumph ST3 last night. Wow! Great motor, sounds amazing, great dealer with lots of knowledge. They even gave me advice regarding the per owned triple that is at a competing dealer.
I think at this point I'll go with the best deal. I like both bikes very much and each has pros and cons. I don't think I'll regret either. One thing is clearly different, the Triumph dealer has been much more pleasant to work with than the Harley dealer. |
Mtnmason
| | Posted on Saturday, December 17, 2011 - 06:07 pm: |
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"the Triumph dealer has been much more pleasant to work with than the Harley dealer"
SURPRISE SURPRISE!!!!
some of that may have had to do with the fact that you were looking at a used buell instead of a brand new HD. either way, i would certainly NEVER own a buell if i didnt plan on servicing it myself. That alone might be the difference for many would-be buellists |
Tony216
| | Posted on Sunday, December 18, 2011 - 01:29 am: |
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I've had good experiences with three of the four nearby Harley dealers I've dealt with. One is full of sportster fans who've added lots of Buell parts for performance. They seem really into the Buells and ask a lot about my bike.
My local Triumph dealer told me that don't have oil filters... The next closest dealer for my Triumph was also great to deal with. |
Epyx
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 20, 2011 - 01:46 pm: |
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Still no word from Detroit regarding the XB9sx; however, I found a nice 09 XB12scg a little closer to home that is pretty tempting. The seller is hard to pull information from but the bike looks decent in the pictures...well other than an odd choice of cheesy cruiser mirrors and being dirty it looks pretty good. Tires still have the "hairs" at 3k miles so I hope they are not squared. I wish it had the same ergos as the SX, but I think I read that the suspension is the same with a lower seat, is that true? 28" seems pretty low for a bike with sporting intentions. I don’t want another kidney punishing commute like on my Nightster.
Hopefully, the seller is not a complete flake (often the case with CL). She has been hard to get information from so far, which is a worry.
3000 miles, black and 3hrs closer to home. Asking book value. |
Vanvideo
| | Posted on Friday, December 30, 2011 - 07:50 am: |
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I have a cherry red 2007 XB12Scg for sale, $4,000. It has 10,600 miles. Great condition, but it is in Jacksonville, FL. I'm the same height as you, and I like the lower seat height of the Scg.
I traded a Nightster for it and I can assure you, the Scg has way better suspension.
(Message edited by vanvideo on December 30, 2011) |
Epyx
| | Posted on Sunday, January 01, 2012 - 05:04 pm: |
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Vanvideo - thanks but I'm looking for an '09 or '10.
Looks like the XB9SX deal wont happen. Biker Bob's in Detroit is not willing to budge from the asking price of $6,700 which is about $1,200 over KBB & NADA retail.
The XB12scg I found on CL Cleveland also fell through. Contacted the seller and she either decided not to sell or sold to someone else.
Back to to searching Craigslist and Cycletrader....
Oh and the Street Triple....I passed. I think I can find one with less miles for the same price. Really prefer the Buell and no valve adjustments....ever.
(Message edited by Epyx on January 01, 2012) |
Rsh
| | Posted on Sunday, January 01, 2012 - 05:43 pm: |
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Why pick a bike who's manufacturing life is over, at least Triumph is still in business.
Valve adjustments are no big deal, with a 12000 mile service interval, living where you do, it would probably take 2 years before you need to have them serviced. |
Epyx
| | Posted on Sunday, January 01, 2012 - 08:52 pm: |
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RSH - I have not passed all together on the Triumph ST3, just the one bike I was looking at. It had 13k miles on it and the 12k miles service was done except for the valves being adjusted - I would have needed to to do that fairly soon.
As for the Buell. I love the Lightning; the torque the look, the handling, etc. Also, Lightnings are very good value. Lots of unique bike for not much cash and maintenance is easy and inexpensive.
If I find a nice pre-owned ST3 I may still go for it, but most pre-owned are abused and not in great condition. In contrast, many of the Buells I see are well taken care of and in excellent shape. |
Rsh
| | Posted on Sunday, January 01, 2012 - 09:56 pm: |
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I have 2 Buell's, an XB9R and a 1125R.
Yes the torque of the Buell/Harley V twins is fun at first, they have a lot of character and are not on every street corner, it's just when things start to get fun, the power runs out.
That's what is nice about the 1125, it has similar torque, but the power band is much broader, It is the motor the XB's should have started with.
The handling aspect is subjective, some think yes and some do not, a number of threads on the subject are all over this site.
Maintenance can be inexpensive if you are capable of doing it yourself, otherwise be prepared for dealer labor rates which will be the case for any bike.
I don't know if I would consider the XB's a good value, other than they can be bought cheaply depending where you live, but that kind thing of happens with items whose support will be ending and were not that popular to begin with. New Saabs are a good value now.
I am sure you will find something you will be happy with, just don't let valve adjustments steer you away.
I am partial to the Triumph Tiger's at the moment, I have test ridden them a number of times, nice bikes.
Trading in one of my bikes is not much of an option, as the trade in value for either bike is little more than getting a discount, must be that good value thing you are talking about.
I will have to crack open my piggy bank. |
Epyx
| | Posted on Monday, January 02, 2012 - 12:41 am: |
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RSH - I also have a Saab 9-5 in the garage...
(Message edited by Epyx on January 02, 2012) |
Luxor
| | Posted on Monday, January 02, 2012 - 02:38 am: |
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RSH wrote" Why pick a bike who's manufacturing life is over, at least Triumph is still in business."
Hmm, with all do respect that is not a very wise statement. Buell is still producing parts and will do so for a long time, I don't mean Buell/Harley, I mean Erik Buell. Most of the new tech update parts being produced by EBR for the 1190RR/RS will fit the XB series, one example being ZTL2, not to mention EBR still supporting the XB line with custom ECM support. Another plus are companies like American Sport Bike. Thanks to them the Buell/Harley parts will be available for a long time to come.
With that said, Triumph is a great bike, very well built in fact. But just because Harley doesn't build the XB anymore does not mean it's a dead platform.
(Message edited by Luxor on January 02, 2012) |
Froggy
| | Posted on Monday, January 02, 2012 - 03:04 am: |
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quote:Why pick a bike who's manufacturing life is over, at least Triumph is still in business
There is no difference between any Buell and any other discontinued model from any company. The 9SX is no longer being produced, neither is various other bikes like the Ninja ZX7 or Harley Cross Bones. |
Ironhead1977
| | Posted on Monday, January 02, 2012 - 09:01 am: |
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It is all about profit.I am probably one of the largest Buell lovers here,but I understand that as soon as a suppliers profit reaches a certain level they will cut production. When E.B. and his investors decides the profit potential is not happening they will cut off the money drain.
The Buell situation is not like a manufacturer changing models,now if Kawasaki went out of business or Honda went out of business then that would be the same.Very few Buell parts are not Buell specific and when they are not made any more that buell may as well be an MZ. |
Tony216
| | Posted on Monday, January 02, 2012 - 10:19 am: |
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Harley's still making parts for some time to come for the Buell. Believe me, an out of production Yamaha can be harder to get parts for.
That said, what on a Buell is so unique that you'll have any harder of a time getting it than you would for an old Moto Guzzi, Husky, BSA, etc? The brakes are about it. And when that happens, I'll just change the fork lowers, wheel, caliper and rotors.
(Message edited by Tony216 on January 02, 2012) |
Epyx
| | Posted on Monday, January 02, 2012 - 11:39 am: |
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Tony216,
Those are about my thoughts. The ZTL brake is the most proprietary part and as you said it can be worked around in a pinch. Sure the frame and swing-arm are proprietary but it either of those are damaged the bike is probably a total loss anyway. Maintenance items should not be a problem, especially for an XB. Its not really something Im too worried about. I figure in 5 years a 09/10 XB will be worth either next to nothing or it will be worth about $4k (seems like that is where most bike bottom out) - in either case, my total exposure is about $6K in a worst case scenario. That is the same as if I bought a brand new Speed Triple (for example). In five years it would be worth about half - so I would stand to lose the same amount invested. The Speed would actually cost more though, as I would have to finance and the maintenance costs are higher. |
Rsh
| | Posted on Monday, January 02, 2012 - 01:04 pm: |
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I have over 100,000 combined miles on my Buell's, I have purchased lots of tires, brake pads, rotors front and rear, oil, filters, a few belts, a few batteries, throw in a stator and voltage regulator, oil pump drive gear and new lifters as well as a primary chain shoe, fork and shock rebuilds and front and rear isolators, that is the XB parts list for 70,000 miles.
The 1125 parts list is not as extensive, oil, filters, tires, battery, brake pads, it is time to replace the front rotor and rehab the forks, a new rear shock would be nice. The majority of maintenance has been performed by the dealer, my bikes are in very good shape.
I picked the Buell's because I like Erik's vision. It also wasn't something you would see on every street corner.
I got to enjoy the XB and 1125 at Buell's peak. I am sure EBR's peak will be much higher, and I will jump in again at that time.
It is just time to either replace or add to what I have, and I am thinking Triumph Tiger.
It seems kind of funny that people would chime in saying not to worry about finding this part or that part. Truth is parts are already starting to become a bit more difficult to get, items that used to be stocked now need to be ordered, now that may or may not be an issue, but when your friends want to go on a ride and you find your clutch cable a little ratty and the dealer has to order it, that blows.
(Message edited by rsh on January 02, 2012) |
Epyx
| | Posted on Monday, January 02, 2012 - 02:25 pm: |
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RSH- You ride WAY more than I do so I think your perspective is a bit different. I'm a commuter but I only ride about 12 miles a day 5 days a week about 8 -9 moths a year, plus the weekend riding I can get in when I have time (I have a 2 year old and wife that demand lots of time). So I am lucky to get 3K miles a year on my bike. My commute and typical rides are urban or back roads so a high revving bike is not as important to me as I never get into the fun part of the power band on my typical rides.
If I buy a brand new Triumph ST3 (Im still considering) maintenance will be cheap and it comes with a 2yr warranty. Used is a different story as I said, most of the bikes Im finding are not well taken care of, so that is a big worry and Triumph parts are really expensive. I can do much less myself on the Triumph because Im not as familiar with the motor. Fluid changes and plugs seem easily enough though. Like I said before, Im still looking at Street Triples, just not the 08 model I originally considered because of it needing a set of 400 passenger footrest hangers and a valve job - so about $900 in extra (known) cost. So $6200 for the bike plus another $900 made it not such a good deal with 13K miles when a new one could be bought for $8,500.
09 Lightnings book for $5500 to $6200 and many I see for sale are practically brand new with less than 3000 miles. The bikes are a good fit for my type of riding and I've always wanted one. Maintenance is super easy and I can do almost all of it myself. Tires, suspension, filters, and even cables are all easy to get from anyplace and have nothing to do with Buell OEM availability.
I understand your apprehension for buying another Buell right now, but I think our situations are different. BTW that new Tiger is very nice bike. |
Rsh
| | Posted on Monday, January 02, 2012 - 03:53 pm: |
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Most of my riding is commuting, canyon strafing and track days have to be planned well in advance these days. I have a wife and 3 kids, a bit older than yours, but still need attention.
If you are still comparing the XB9SX and Street Triple, the Triumph motors are in a completely different universe than the Buell. Have you ridden a Buell, it will seem agricultural compared to the Triumph. I have the same feeling between my XB9R and 1125R, the 9R is like a lawn mower and the 1125 a real motorcycle.
Cost being a factor in your decision, I enjoy bang for the buck as well, I just think at this time, unless you get some incredible Buell deal, and they are out there, the Triumph may be the better choice, as you have noticed with your brief dealer interaction. I also think there is a better resale market for the Triumph in case things change in your own situation. Good Buell dealers are far and few between, I am lucky I have a couple of the best in my area.
You are putting a lot of emphasis on maintenance, other than the valve adjustment, one additional spark plug and drive chain adjustment and lube, maintenance is basically the same
You drive a Saab, how can maintenance bother you.
Is that your add on Craigslist?? |
Epyx
| | Posted on Monday, January 02, 2012 - 08:51 pm: |
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RSH - Ha, you got me there regarding the Saab. The big Swede is a bit expensive to maintain (mainly parts) but it has been fairly reliable for us - not Honda reliable, but still decent.
Yeah, I do have a Craigslist post on the Pittsburgh page. 2 actually. 1 selling my Nightster and 1 looking for a Lightning. There are a couple other WTB Buell ads that are not mine, one in California and another on the east coast someplace.
You are correct, the resale market for Triumph is very strong from what I am seeing. The used bikes dont last long. I missed out on two 09 ST3s. Both sold before I even had a chance to look at them. Pre-owned bikes are hard to find, and as I mentioned, many that are for sale are beat. Triumph seems to find owners that ride them.
I've had a few bikes on "potential list," ranked by preference:
1. '09 Lighting,
2. '09 ST3,
3.'10 Bonneville/Thruxton,
4. '09 XR1200
5. '11 Yam FZ8.
All can be found for less than $7.5K with the XB and the ST3 being the least expensive and the Bonne and XR being the most expensive. The Yam actually is the best deal but the least interesting bike by far. New ones can be found for $6.5K.
I have not ridden a XB9 (or 12) but I have ridden a Uly on few occasions for a few hours. I agree the motor does have an agricultural sound and feel - strangely, even more so than my Nightster, but I still enjoyed the bike very much. Honestly, any bike on my list is a massive upgrade to my Nightster in terms of performance.
I know a Triumph (Bonne or ST3) is probably the most sensible choice but I've always lusted after the Lighting. Head says Triumph, heart says Buell.
(Message edited by Epyx on January 02, 2012) |
Robinpeck
| | Posted on Sunday, March 11, 2012 - 07:34 pm: |
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I ride a 2011 Triumph Speed Triple (traded up from a 2007 KTM Superduke 990) and a 1998 Buell lightning S1 with full Buell Pro-race kit...the Buell is like a tractor compared to the new Triumph...but tractors are still fun to bomb around on...I like it on the highway too...the low RPM at hwy cruising speed...the Buell gets a lot more looks than the Triumph if you care about that sort of thing (I don't).If I had to give one up, it would be the Buell. |
Macbuell
| | Posted on Monday, March 12, 2012 - 10:28 am: |
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I love my Buell but if I had to do it all over again I would buy the speed triple over the Buell XB. I just love everything about that bike and it isn't short of HP or Torque.
(Message edited by macbuell on March 12, 2012) |
Erwin8r
| | Posted on Sunday, March 25, 2012 - 01:57 pm: |
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Get the Buell. It's unique, American, and as you mentioned, it flutters your heart. They're very easy to maintain, simple to fix, and an exceptionally unique ride. I own a KTM SuperDuke 990R, an Aprilia Mille Factory, and an '06 GSXR 1000. My Buell is my favorite ride. Tractor motor?? More like a slice of a big, honkin, gnarly big block V8...
Want cookie cutter? Get the trumpet. They feel "almost" like a good Japanese inline four. I happen to like the way they look, but I'm not a big fan of the 1050... |
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