| Author | Message | ||
     Pjd2ss |
Looking for advice. I'm considering a Buell and have been a fan of the bikes for a while. Locally a dealership has new 04 XB12Rs for $8995 but I've also found what looks like a very nice 2002 Cyclone with very low miles. Which do I go after? The Cyclone is about 1/2 the price of the XB. I've been riding for about 20 years. I do a mix of commuting and weekend riding. I like the Cyclone, because I'm 6'3" and it seems to fit me better. The Firebolt feels a bit small, although I think there are some mods I could do to help that (Lightning pegs, Helibars, etc). I gather that the XB would probably have better reliability, but by 2002 weren't most of the bugs worked out of the tubers? Comments (on topic) appreciated. Thanks. | ||
| Roadsurfr |
Go with the XB. Now where did you say that Cyclone was?  Butch | ||
| Buellbozo |
Bang for buck factor says get the tuber. If you're inclined to do your own wrenching, get the tuber. I've never wrenched HD before, but these bikes are fairly easy to learn your way around. If the bike doesn't fit you physically, you won't ride as much, get the tuber. I'm new to Buells- see my profile- and claim no expertise at all. Congratulations on whichever you choose. My Buell,and this community are the best thing that's ever happened to me in 30+ years of riding and 17 previous bikes. ITs A WIN/WIN DEAL!!! Welcome to the madness.  | ||
| 99buellx1 |
I had a tuber, and enjoyed every ride on it, but I wouldn't trade my XB for it. | ||
| Bomber |
2002 tubers were the best of the litter -- all the quirks had been minimized or disappeared -- Rs are great scoots, but at 6'3", likely a lil cramped for you (I'm an inch shorter, and the R seires was not kind to my knees {which are trashed} ) like the man said, wrenching on these animals is easy, and bang for the buck, it would be the MaDuece, in my mind ride em both -- that's the best way to decide | ||
| Paulson |
Buy both!!  | ||
| Ryker77 |
buy the m2.. the value will remain stable, easy to work on, simple carb set up, easy and cheap to upgrade power. you have save enough to buy nice helmet, riding gear and a years worth of insurance xb-- is allready to small for you. your allready looking to spend more money in hopes of making it fit you. then the value will drop over the next 2-3 years untill it becomes stable. | ||
| Djkaplan |
The XB is better for carving apexes on your favorite twisty road and has more top end power, but the M2 is no slouch and it'll fit a 6'3" rider better. The only thing you'll have to do to the M2 is rejet it, even if you leave the intake and exhaust stock (impossible, btw). If you really like to rail the corners, you'll have to get some peg risers (not rearsets) to keep from dragging your big feet on the pavement. The M2 pegs drag pretty easily at 9/10ths. It's totally subjective, but I think M2's are the most beautiful of the tubers and it's been said by people smarter than me that it's the best bike Buell ever made. | ||
| Xldevil |
It's totally subjective, but I think M2's are the most beautiful of the tubers and it's been said by people smarter than me that it's the best bike Buell ever made.  YESSSSSSSSS SIR!!!!!!!!!!!! | ||
| Tcskeptic |
I'm 6'4" and ride a 12r no problem. I did put on the S pegs and that has improved the comfort for longer distances, but I can do a 500 mile day without much of an issue. | ||
| Jlnance |
I'm 6'2. I used to own an M2 and now own an XB12X. I've ridden an XB12S but never an R. I prefer both the X and the S to the M2. But my perferences are all based on personal not technical things. Ride both bikes if you can, and pick the one you like better. I don't think you will go wrong either way. | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
Mmmmm2 is more hands on, if you don't like wrenching or you always take it to a dealer, you'll be better off with an XB. But if you're into the whole experience of playing with, and tweaking, and modding, and shoestring repairs; it's the M2 every time. Try them both. | ||
| Crusty |
Take a Ulysses for a ride. Then you'll be looking at a different set of problems; like, "How do I come up with enough cash to buy this bike?". Seriously, I've got an M2 out in the garage with 55,000 miles on it. It's a pretty bike that has a lot of personality and is easy to work on. The XBs are more trouble free, but more of a pain in the ass when something does go wrong. You say you'll be using the bike for commuting and weekend riding. I used my M2 for similar types of riding. However, my idea of a good weekend ride is to travel the length of Vermont on State Route 100 then return home through New York on State Route 22. The M2 is quite up to the task. If you're limited in funds, I'd say ride both and see which one feels better stock; if you dislike having to work on your bike, buy the Firebolt. However, if you can squeeze up enough money to buy one, test ride a Ulysses. | ||
| Crusty |
Oh, and incidentally; THE S3 IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL MOTORCYCLE EVER MADE! Period | ||
| Gearhead |
I've owned both, a 2000 M2 which I bought new and rode until the XB12R came out, then traded it in. The M2 is a great bike with plenty of power, simple maintenance and a great ride. I did several track days on it and they are very capable if you want to do that too. I did eventually put a peg riser kit on it though. The XB is a more aggressive ride but that's what I was looking for when I bought it but I still wanted to torque pull for the 1200 cc engine. I'm just under 6' and 49 years old TODAY and the XB fits me just fine. I've track dayed and toured on it as well as daily commuting. The XB is sharper in the twisties than the M2 but if I were buying my first Buell, I'd go with the M2 first. You'll be able to experience the Buell  factor at half the price. There will be plenty of XB12R's available in a few years when the XB-RR becomes street legal!! | ||
| Buellbozo |
WHAT CRUSTY SAID  | ||
| Prior |
Happy Birthday, Ralph! | ||
| Gearhead |
Thanks Alex!! Can't wait for Spring!!!  | ||
| Essthreetee |
I gotta go with Crusty about the S3. But then again have a looky at my logon name... I say go for the tuber. I don't think you will be disappointed, plus if you are...sell it for what you paid and get the XB. My .02 | ||
| M2nc |
I have two Buells in the barn, an M2 and Ulysses. I was at the same cross-road as you in 2004. At the time I had a Honda and a friend, Aydenxb9, was just all about these Buells. So I wanted to try one but did not want to invest a lot of money on a Buell until I got to know it better. A couple of months later I bought the M2 off of e-bay and have ridden it 16,000 miles over nine states so far. The bike has a totally different look than the XBs, but it is a beautiful bike in its own right. The guys at work (non-Bueller chopper types) like it better than the Uly. The bike has not been trouble free for me, but then again nothing major has ever gone wrong with it. The bike has always started and carried me home. The M2, especially with the Corbin seat, is just more comfortable for serious road trips than the Firebolt. Last October at Lavale, the wife and I rode 180 miles of mountains roads one day and had a great time. In comparison to a Firebolt, it is just more well rounded. Not the case with the Ulysses. That bike is just at another level in comfort, off-road capability, luggage, passenger comfort and space, and still has the same engine and similar geometry of the Firebolt 12. My only complaint on the Uly is that it is sometimes too reactive and I scare myself. Now that said, I am in love with the Firebolts. I bought the Uly because I have a wife and kids that like to ride with me, and I like to travel on the bike. I gave up a little handling for the comfort and room. Last year I tested an XB9R and the XB12R. The bikes are just handling scalpels. During my test ride in Daytona of last year, I rode Sarah, a Yellow XB9R through 20mph curves in excess of 70mph and did not know I was going that fast. The bike became a part of me. I had hoped the Uly was as good, but the more comfortable sitting position and taller wider bars, make the Uly a bit numb in comparison to the Firebolt. The Firebolt in the curves is just king! I tried the XB12R a little later in the year at my local dealer and it would stand up and wheelie easier, but I actually consider that a drawback for corner carving. The power delivery of the 9 motor was smoother to me, and the extra RPM capability was perfect for screaming out of curves. I fell in love with Sarah, but I need something more comfortable and there wasn't enough room for three bikes in the barn. Summation. I do not know what criteria you have for a bike. If you need something that is more comfortable, with two up capability, the Uly is a perfect bike as long as you can handle the seat height and price tag. If you say no to both, the M2 is for you. If you want the best handling motorcycle every made, the Firebolt is for you. I would suggest you look at the XB9R before buying though. That bike is less expensive and to me is better as a dedicated corner carver. | ||
| Newfie_buell |
Sorry Boys but the 1996-1998 S1 is the best bike ever built. | ||
| Crusty |
Unless you want to ride to Wisconsin in comfort. Newfie, don't ever take a Ulysses for a test ride. It will throw your life into severe turmoil as you do your damnedest to figure a way to come up with the money to buy one. | ||
| Jlnance |
And don't every put your wife on the back of a Uly if you don't intend to buy one. | ||
| Lowflyer |
The Ulysses is the best bike ever made by human hands. All other Buells should be considered early XB12X prototypes. | ||
| Lowflyer |
Seriously, I think I would go for the M2 if you are more comfortable on it. Besides, you have little to lose if you decide to go with the XB later since the depreciation is likely already paid on it. If you take the XB, you stand to lose substantially if you decide you don't like it. | ||
| Timconnly |
I'm 6'2" and thats why I went for the M2 and I love it fits perfect & endless mods if thats your cup of tea. that just me. |
