| Author | Message | ||
     Islanddave |
Hello All, I have an Cyclone in pieces, and am getting the Buell itch again. I am looking at trading my 99 Fatboy for an XB. What are the best years for this bike? Thanks David | ||
| 04colly |
08-10 unless you're going turbo then 03-05. | ||
| Islanddave |
No not wanting to go turbo. I think the stock is more than fast enough for me!  I just want the most reliable year for the XB. Thanks David | ||
| Meggadeath |
Not for nutin', but you are likely to take a major "hosing" considering the value of a Fatboy versus the current values of pushrod Buells. I have 2 "big bikes" and 2 XB's and wouldn't even consider parting with ANY of them (unless maybe on my "death bed"). If I were you, I would seriously entertain restoration of the Cyclone before doing anything rash. That being said, pretty much ALL XB's have their good and bad characteristics--condition and degree of care are the critical considerations. Just my 2 cents---- | ||
| 04colly |
I like my 1125 but there is something about the xb bikes that is so different so unique about them | ||
| Islanddave |
Well it couldn't be an even trade there would have to be cash involved aswell. It's just that the Fatboy is well.......boring,slow, and just such a cliche. It is indistinguishable from everything else out there. There is nothing like a Buell. David | ||
| 04colly |
All the Buell's I've dealt with are 08 and newer lol   | ||
| 1_mike |
I'm really happy with my 05, 12S. Runs well, handles great. I put 1125CR handle bar on it, along with a few other changes. Only has just over 36,000 miles (R1000SS BMW is my daily driver) without problem, but the little Buell is MUCH more fun overall to drive. I just wish it had power closer to the big BMW..! Gotta get my CR back together. Mike P.s. - forgot, I did have an ECM go bad on the 12S. Luckily had a spare. | ||
| 04colly |
The 1125 is the powerhouse and the best handling lol | ||
| 2008xb12scg |
The 2008 and up had internal engine upgrades. Hopefully somebody will chime in with the exacts I don't remember at the moment (beer induced memory laps) | ||
| 04colly |
Oil pump was changed and upgraded. Stronger connecting rods. Tps reset can be done without a laptop and tools. | ||
| Reepicheep |
08's are definitely better bikes. The XB9's of all years have always been REALLY durable, like "Honda" durable. The 08 and up XB9's with the new crank and oil system will probably dissolve into cosmic dust before they wear out. Lots of people have gotten lots of life out of the pre 08's too though. And if you can find a $3000 to $5000 Uly or something, its not hard to get $3000 to $5000 fun out of it, so i wouldn't rule them out either. Here are some stats on longevity... remember that people with no problem typically won't report, so assume most of the bikes not tracked are fine. We will generally only get the ones with a problem. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/384 2/648773.html?1374261251 That table tells you a couple things... First, it shows there was a problem with pre 08 bikes and the fix put in in 08 was a good and necessary one. Secondly it shows you that you aren't necessarily doomed having a pre 08 bike, it IS absolutely possible to go 100k miles without a problem, which is a LOT for any bike. Also take into account normal maintenance for other bikes. My valves on my 07 XB12X were getting pitted and gunk covered after 30k miles. I pulled the heads, sent them to Cycle Rama for a full rebuild, and put them back on with less time, work, and $ than the valve adjustments would have been for overhead cam bikes during that same 30k mile interval. So while I'm not thrilled at a 30k head rebuild interval, in perspective, its not much different in costs or work. And for the record, I pulled the head to address a mystery tap that it didn't end up addressing, the bike was running fine both before and after. I didn't really need to do it. (But it runs much stronger now, better than new, as the head rebuild was porting by Pam and Wes Brown, so I'm very happy I did it.. gotta watch out for those accidental second gear throttle wheelies now... that was never a problem before). | ||
| Ffbuell1 |
Hi 2008 and later XB model's have the one and a half inch crank pin and bigger sprocket shaft bearing , as well as the higher capacity oil pump and rev to 7100 rpm's instead of 6800. | ||
| Slaughter |
What Ffbuell1 said. The bigger bottom end bearings and improved oiling system in the 08+ I'd also think that IF you can get an XB9 motor instead of a 12, the shorter stroke is going to be a tad more reliable - no data, just opinion. Both my race bikes are short stroke, big bore. | ||
| Greg_e |
The one you are sitting on? Just thought a different perspective might need to be given. Now that I fixed up the damage from the previous two owners, I don't feel my 03 9R is really going to fly apart on me. It does have a few gremlins I should chase down, but nothing that is serious enough to compel me to start the work. If I keep the 20/50 oil in it, no real complaints. (Message edited by greg_e on November 04, 2014) | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
Don't forget that the 2008 and up bikes' ECU has computer controlled idle so that the TPS resets can be done without hooking it up to anything. Most of my gripes I have had with my 2008 uly are electrical in nature. Specifically, the grounding points fatigue. At around 45,000 miles, the voltage regulator got weak and was replaced but that's pretty much it. If you add a 2010 rear wheel, the bearings don't eat your vacation too. | ||
| Brother_in_buells |
Well i like my 2004 XB12s  It's still a young-on with only 16000 miles |
