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Xodot
| | Posted on Friday, June 11, 2010 - 08:03 am: | 
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My wife wanted me to get a sportsbike to get me out of the house (I was about to retire)
The only dealership nearby that I knew about was HD.
therefore, sportsbike+HD=.....2000 S3, my first bike ever. |
Mr_grumpy
| | Posted on Friday, June 11, 2010 - 08:12 am: |
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I had a Yam FJ1200 with a howling Remus 4-1 on it that went like stink & could mile-munch with ease, & a mate in England kept on at me about trying a Buell as he thought I'd like it.
I kept laughing it off every time we met or spoke saying stuff like "What the f*** would I want an asthmatic Harley engine in a steel tube frame for, my FJ would blow it off the road."
Then one idle Saturday afternoon I was doing the round of local bikeshops (as you do) & bumped into a friend who was off to test ride a Road King so I tagged along.
The dealer at that time had a prepped S1W with a V&H sitting outside & I was looking it over as my mate was getting sorted for the RK, & the salesman said why didn't I take it out to go along with him.
5 minutes later I was bit! |
S1wmike
| | Posted on Friday, June 11, 2010 - 08:43 am: |
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I knew about Buells for a little bit but the first time I walked into the local dealer and saw a shiny new S1W sitting on the floor, I was hooked. Lust at first sight. I didn't need to ride it to find out, I just had to have one!!! |
Teeps
| | Posted on Friday, June 11, 2010 - 08:56 am: |
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Simply put, I wanted a sport bike. But one that didn't look like a sport bike. Or have the jocky riding position.
Enter the XB12X Ulysses; best handling bike I've ever owned...
Oh yea, the upkeep, or lack there of, was an added bonus. |
Hotrats
| | Posted on Friday, June 11, 2010 - 09:01 am: |
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carbon fiber....
and beer |
B00stzx3
| | Posted on Friday, June 11, 2010 - 09:11 am: |
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Wanted a sportbike. Test drove couple imports....preferred American for anythign I drive.. grew up with a hardcore Fords-only family...
Saw the Firebolt. Had to have the Firebolt. Got the Firebolt, keeping and riding it forever. |
Cyclonemick
| | Posted on Friday, June 11, 2010 - 09:19 am: |
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I first read about Buell when I was a sophmore ( I think) back in 93. My buddy and I were flipping through a MC magazine and came across an article about Buells, I believe it was an s1. Anyway... I thought they were probably the coolest bike I had seen! I had always like harleys growing up, mainly because my Uncle always rode one and I thought that he and his motorcycle were the coolest things in the world but I was also a cocky teenager who loved motorcycles that were fast!! Dirt or street, didn't matter as long as they were fast! If I remember right the CBR RR was the Cream of the Crop back then, But no way cooler than the Buell in that Magazine! I knew one day I would have one! Now I do!  |
Road_thing
| | Posted on Friday, June 11, 2010 - 09:53 am: |
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About 10 years ago my local indy shop had a built S-1 on the floor that hadn't been moving. The owner told me, "I'm going to put a price on that thing that nobody can refuse--take it for a spin."
I took a ten minute ride then came back and wrote him a check for it. It's the same bike I led the S-2 guys around the hill country on last month.
rt |
Patches
| | Posted on Friday, June 11, 2010 - 09:58 am: |
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I Owned 1975 Harley Davidson Tele-Glide years ago but never had the money to repair it. When I seen Buell Blast at the local Harley Davidson dealership I had to have one. I had not rode a Motorcycle for about 15 years. What I rode before were home built BSA and Triumph hard tail choppers with 18 over Springer front-end. The way the Blast handled is unbelievable in comparison I don’t know how to explain it. One month after Purchasing the Blast I Bought a 2002 Buell M2L Cyclone. |
Balloyd66
| | Posted on Friday, June 11, 2010 - 10:13 am: |
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Had an '06 Kawasaki Concours and always drove by dirt roads thinking "man I'd love to go down that road." I'd been watching Buells for a few years, but really didn't want to deal with the HD dealer BS to try one out. Finally, after lurking BadWeb for a year and reading all the wonderful posts, I test rode a Uly XT. That was it; I had to have one. Paid off the Connie, saved my $ for a few months, and picked up my XT. Thank you everyone!!! |
Britchri10
| | Posted on Friday, June 11, 2010 - 10:20 am: |
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Started on Triumphs, BSA's Matchless etc' back in the 70's. Rode a 2-stroke Yamaha 250 then a Honda VFR 750 & a Yamaha XS750.
Moved to USA. Had a 20 year hiatus. Bought a Blast 'cause it reminded me of the Brit' bikes I had owned. Loved it. Bought a '99 X1 late last year. Love that more! |
Gentleman_jon
| | Posted on Friday, June 11, 2010 - 10:39 am: |
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That's funny Brit!
I had a similar experience. Started riding in the late 1950's, when the only sporting iron was English or Italian. Harley's of the time were pretty agricultural.
Still are, if you ask me.
Anyway when I stopped riding in the seventies, I had a BMW R69S, but before that I favored British 500cc. singles, like the Velocette, Matchless and Norton.
So when I started to ride again about ten years ago, I was totally ignorant of the marketplace, I didn't particularly like rice, so the Blast seemed like the ticket for the perfect re-entry vehicle.
That lasted for about a month, and during that time I discovered the XB range. I erroneously thought that
the Harley connection might be advantageous: obviously I had not been in a Harley dealership.
In any event, I soon outgrew the Blast, and was delighted to discover that the XB's had a reputation for good handling, so I bought a nine, and then my current twelve, which I feel is better for a heavier guy like myself. |
Whatever
| | Posted on Friday, June 11, 2010 - 11:13 am: |
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In 1999 I was making about $15,000 per year driving cab. I was getting gas about a mile from where I live now when I first saw a Buell. I heard it and thought it was a Harley. When I saw it, all I could think was "WTF"? I thought it was the coolest thing I ever saw with those twisty pipes.
After my friend Victor died of a nasty head wound on his Harley, and I got a new job up north, I decided to give up riding. Sold my 750 SECA and moved up north in 2001.
By now I had been to the Sauk City HD-B dealership a half a dozen times to just sit on the Buells. When I moved up north the riding bug hit me pretty hard.
Now I was making roughly $25,000 a year. I tried a used purple S2 up in Wausau. It was really an awesome bike, but the guy at the dealership owned it and had surely abused it. It was also a few inches too tall for me.
I went back to Sauk and bought the 2002 Blue Streak M2L from Marty, who put up with me a few years drooling over the Buells, but never being able to afford one. I bought "Baby" on January 21 of 2002 and paid her off in December 2009.
Fast forward to February 16th of this year... new job... new money... Buell is shut down... never even thought I would be able to afford a new bike after 15 months of unemployment and just 3 months of work.
It was Thursday May 13, 2010 when a co-worker of mine said that same Sauk City dealership had lots of Buells for sale... of course they did not... but the guy did find the dealership that had them...
McHenry HD-B in Illinois had over 20 CR's. I went down to the dealership on Friday May 14th and rode the CR. It was not my cup of tea. I planned on riding the City X and a used Blast they had for cheap just for shits and grins.
The City X did it for me... smaller, more maneuverable and not too small for highway riding. I paid them $7090 that day on my debit card. They delivered "Piglet" on May 21st.
I love this bike. I have put around 1300 miles on her in the last 3 weeks. She is a 2010, only one of 281 bikes made. She is black on black and soooo much fun. Now I plan on making the M2L my touring bike with some hard bags and maybe higher handle bars.
"Piglet" and I will be at Homecoming in a week. This weekend I am focusing on getting a system worked out to put all my camping gear on her. The soft bags I got from American Sportbike for the M2 work on her. I just do not know how to get the tent, sleeping bag, matress and of course stove and coffee pot on her.
I will post up photos of her soon as I get her fully loaded this weekend... see you all soon!!!  |
Whatever
| | Posted on Friday, June 11, 2010 - 11:21 am: |
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Yes it is on a trailer... it was freakin cold in January in Wisconsin...
Piglet, cause hogs are for old farts...
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Preybird1
| | Posted on Friday, June 11, 2010 - 11:52 am: |
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My brother bought a lighting and i rode it and was hooked! I ended up buying his bike from him and totally decking it out! |
Hex
| | Posted on Friday, June 11, 2010 - 12:01 pm: |
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After owning many motorcycles (from my profile, Currently own: XB12R, XL12S w/ Liberty Sport Sidecar, BMW K100RS, Honda XR70R, 650cc BSA Firebird Scrambler, 2@500cc methanol-guzzeling Weslake Speedway Racebikes, Honda CR250M, 2@250cc Ducatti singles, Pre-uint Triumph Chopper. Have owned but stupidly sold: MotoGuzzi V50III, Triumph T100, Norton Atlas rolling chassis, Lambretta Li125, Lambretta Ld150, Jawa "Twin Cam" speedway racebike . Saddly stolen while I slep: Suzuki GSXR 1100.)
I decided to buy a Harley in 1999 it is an XL1200S. I bought it over Buell at that time because I wanted a classic motorcycle not a custom colored bird cage frame (S1 etc.) I didn't want that kind of attention from the law.
I road the HD for 60K miles and it held up very well with no major motor problems.
But Buell had caught my eye. Every time I went into the HD dealership, there was a new Buell to oogle over.
I fell in love with the XB9R in 2003-4, and it took me three years to make the purchase of a XB12R. Too bad that chain of purchase is no longer available.
I once road a TriTon that John Galivan and Paladin put together out of TT Motors in Berkeley. I worked there in the early 80's as a motorcycle mechanic.
After that ride, I always wanted to build a TriTon, but the Buell has satisfied my craving, for now. |
Supafast
| | Posted on Friday, June 11, 2010 - 12:30 pm: |
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I worked at a Harley/Buell dealer in WI and the only thing I knew about motorcycles was that they had 2 wheels. As I learned more about them the M2 Cyclone caught my eye. I sat on it everyday on the showroom floor. I wanted it! But, my co-worker wouldnt let me buy it. Made me buy the Blast to learn on which, looking back, probably was a good thing. I put about 14,000 miles on my blast and then bought my XB9S Lightning. I LOVE my bike! I cant imagine owning anything else! |
Jandj_davis
| | Posted on Friday, June 11, 2010 - 01:20 pm: |
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My first experience with a Buell was sitting on a white X1 in 2000 or 2001. At that time it was the only "naked sportbike" that I knew of. The broad shoulders, aggressive stance, looks, and sound struck my fancy (and I have a thing for white machines, be they two or four wheeled), and I observed Buell from afar for a few years.
In 2003 the local dealership was doing a demo day, and I booked a ride on a 2003 XB9S. My only other bike had been a Honda CB550sc Nighthawk. While it was excellent for a first bike, it had some fueling issues that limited its top speed to about 65 mph. I hammered that Buell up the on-ramp to the local interstate and it felt like I was going to lose a shoulder joint. The torque was incredible! I looked down and marveled at two things, I was doing 100 mph, and the bike was only turning about 5K RPM! My Honda didn't even get into its power band until 7K. The ride was short, involved no corners and didn't really give me a sense for the bikes character, but I didn't care. I knew I had to have one.
Three years later, and I was out of college, working a good job, and finally decided it was time to graduate to a new bike. I knew exactly what I wanted, an XB9R. I found a guy here on the BadWeb selling his, met him, and bought it. It's been my only bike since August of 2006, and has never let me down.
I've since tried to convince myself that it is time to try something new. However, there is no manufacturer in the world that combines 75 ft lbs, 50 mpg, near-zero maintenance, and "character" like a buell. So, if I do upgrade, it will likely be to an 09 XB9SX. No other bike has what the Buell has. |
Ezblast
| | Posted on Friday, June 11, 2010 - 03:01 pm: |
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American made, but I staid because of the fun!
EZ |
Jrfitzny
| | Posted on Friday, June 11, 2010 - 03:53 pm: |
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I wanted a Buell for many years, but kept reading about how they were being held back (top speed wise) by Harley engines.
Once the R/CRs came out with the Rotax engine, I had to get one.
I've always been in awe of the engineering ingenuity of Buells, so I finally pulled the trigger and got one. |
Crusty
| | Posted on Friday, June 11, 2010 - 05:05 pm: |
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What brought you to Buell?
BMW motorcycles
They're enough to make anybody want a good handling motorcycle with personality.
Actually, I was riding a BMW when I bought my S3-T. |
Fast1075
| | Posted on Friday, June 11, 2010 - 06:47 pm: |
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Why??? cause they are different...AND they kick Azz....  |
Mueller
| | Posted on Friday, June 11, 2010 - 09:52 pm: |
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Alex Prior drug me into a Harley dealer.
One short test ride sold me (how could it not?).
Meeting fellow Buellers took any doubt out of my mind. |
Phelan
| | Posted on Friday, June 11, 2010 - 09:57 pm: |
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two words... Aaron Wilson. I used to ride sportsters like sportbikes, and i was a member of the XLForum. i found Dan Dunn and Aaron of NRHS Performance there, and became infatuated with their stuff. they were having an open house one year, so i attended, and we rode together trough the mountains of CO. One of my favorite rides to date. After the twisties, Aaron offered to let me ride his "mildly built" '96 S2T (107 RWHP). A 10 mile ride and a 30 MPH stand-up wheelie had me hooked , though it wasn't until over a year later I quit tinkering with the sporty and bought Priscilla, my '95 S2 #814. |
Bking
| | Posted on Friday, June 11, 2010 - 10:21 pm: |
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5 Harley's in 27 years. Always loved the v-twin torque and sound. Never thought the handling was that great. Ran into some financial/tax problems, had to sell 2 Harleys. Went for 3 months with out a bike for the first time in 40 years. Said this is BS and made a deal with Uncle Sam to make payments on taxes owed and went bike shopping. Couldn't afford another harley, and not a Japanese bike fan. Had a couple of Triumphs when I was a kid, test rode and bought a Speedmaster. Nice bike, handles better than any Harley I ever had, but boy I sure missed that Milwaukee v-twin. Never was really a sport bike guy. A long test ride on a Uly and soon enough a new 07 Ulysses was in my garage. Handling + V-Twin. Love it.
(Message edited by bking on June 11, 2010) |
Tepiddeath
| | Posted on Saturday, June 12, 2010 - 12:48 am: |
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I was living in North Florida a few years ago, my (at that time soon to be)x husband had wrecked my 00FLHR about a year prior, some friends of mine were coming up from the Tampa area to go to Jennings GP for open track day. They had to pass right by my house, so I coaxed them into picking me up for the weekend. I was struck with awe and amazement at the art of riding a sport bike, dragging knees, and commanding that much control over such a large amount of power! I always have been, am now, and always will be a driver/rider of an American made vehicle. When my stars aligned, and the time was right for me to be in the market for a bike again, I started looking used bigtwins, but that was when HD announced that there would be no more Buell, then they announced the deep discounts, and all of a sudden that put a brand new bike right in my price range! The day after I (finally!!!) got my endorsement put on my license I was riding my brand new 2009 XB12Ss, and the rest is history!
Instant love affair!!! |
Tbolt_pilot
| | Posted on Saturday, June 12, 2010 - 02:18 pm: |
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Omaha, NE. One day sitting at the light to exit the custom Truck shop I worked at in the mid 90's, I heard an HD coming and saw a tightly-packed package with lots of tubing and not much bodywork roll past. "What the H311 was that?! It was bada55!"
Couple of years later I moved to a different job on the Air Force base and every day during the summer I walked past a black 98 Thunderbolt parked by the fenceline. "That Buell bike is cool. That's what I'm getting if I ever get a bike." I worked with the owner. Two years later we were both moved to the DC area to the same unit. Saw him at a Buell demo truck event and he mentioned selling the bike to get a boat that his instant family (new wife+daughter). About a month later, I owned the first Buell I ever saw and drooled over.
I since sold the S3 to a local guy here and have my XB9S now. I'm a Buell-ite forever. |
Rex
| | Posted on Saturday, June 12, 2010 - 03:21 pm: |
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I had always had a motorcycle of some kind. I was thinking of a Ducati, when the Buell S1 came out on the front page of Cycle World. I started looking at them, took some test rides, but could not afford the S1 or S3...then the cyclone came out, and was almost affordable. I picked one up and that was history. Got connected to Battle2win magazine, and the buell owners in northern cal. REX |
Ducxl
| | Posted on Saturday, June 12, 2010 - 04:25 pm: |
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What brought me to Buell was modified Sportster dis-enchantment and a wallet that couldn't afford that Ducati Superbike.Got two each Red and yellow Buells' & Ducs' now |
Snp304
| | Posted on Saturday, June 12, 2010 - 05:17 pm: |
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When I was very young, there were always Harleys around. My dad is a Warlock (havent seen him since I was about 8 years old)...anyway, guess you could say I have it in my blood.
Years later, was talking to a buddy of mine, at a bar, about getting a bike, told him that I wanted a Harley, but that I am just not the "cruiser" type. Then he took me outside and showed me his new 96 S1 that he just got, wasn't even broke in yet, had like 200 miles on the odometer. That is when I knew that I wanted a Buell.
Fast forward another 10 years or so...gas price are through the roof, right at $4 a gallon. I drive 37 miles one way to work. Just the right time to try to convince the wife that I need to get a bike. She took the bait, hook, line and sinker.
Bought a 97 M2, was happy with it, but always knew that I would want a S1...I love the old tubers.... Anyway, rode it for a good 8 months or so, before it got totaled (lady made an illegal lane change and then stopped right in front of me)....finally settled on a pretty High Voltage yellow S1 with just under 4500 miles on it. I have put over 6k on her since last October and love every minute of it. |
Hmartin
| | Posted on Saturday, June 12, 2010 - 05:22 pm: |
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What brought me to Buell? Intrigue. Also, having owned Japanese sport bikes, I learned what wasn't fun about them - no torque, peaky power delivery, cramped riding position, scary fast - and what was fun about them - light, flickable handling, lean angles, wheelies . I read about Buells first, and soon recognized an RS1200 rattling its bolts out at a stoplight, and then I watched Buells become more and more refined over the years when the XB's came out. Then came the Uly and that was it. |
Cringblast
| | Posted on Saturday, June 12, 2010 - 06:51 pm: |
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Well went to get first bike.
Was on my way to get a Kawasaki Ninja 650.
On the way, saw some Buells sitting out front of the dealership before I got to the Kawasaki dealer.
Did not know a thing about Buell then. Ended up leaving with the Blast, 30 days later traded it in on the XB12R.
Then added the CR.
I love it.
C. |
Idaho_buelly
| | Posted on Sunday, June 13, 2010 - 01:50 am: |
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Rented an 06X,then bought a new 07 Vstrom 1000 because it was cheap,rode it 10,000 miles,then went back and bought a new 09X, it now has 12,000 miles and have not looked back since! |
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