| Author | Message | ||
     Adrenaline_junkie |
That is what my garage has, a Buell deficiency. I haven't owned one since I sold my XB12Ss in the spring of 2009. I want another one. The EBRs do not appeal to me. I'm really more of a Supermoto guy than a naked guy (it's all about the seat). My Lightning Long looked like an XB12STT without the side plates when I got rid of it. The two Buells that provide the most draw for me are the XB12STT and the X1. The X1 has a major lead in this department. I think the X1 is one of the best looking motorcycles ever made. They are available for reasonable money. Now for the down points. 1.) I don't know how well they handle. I know they are Buells so they handle better than a Sportster but how far behind an XB series Buell are they in the cornering department? 2.) They are fuel injected. I love fuel injection as long as I can buy replacement parts. I don't think that is the case for an X1 or an XB. If there are still some replacement parts floating around now will there still be some in 5 years? 3.) Are there any kits available to convert an X1 to carburetion? If you did this would it mess up everything else on the bike? I assume that would only leave the ignition system and that it is basically stock Harley. I don't know so I ask. 4.) Are there any other things about tubers in general and X1s in particular that I should know before I get too serious about buying one? Unobtanium bearings or motor mounts? Self destructing exhaust systems? I want another Buell. Help me choose the right one. I know S1s have the carburetor I'm seeking, but they don't have quite the same lines and I just love that aluminum sub frame on the X1. That being said, I don't want to get myself into more problems than good times. Any suggestions, opinions, etc. will be appreciated. I am particularly interested in the views of people who have had or currently have both a tuber and an XB. Thanks, Roy (Message edited by Adrenaline Junkie on March 21, 2017) | ||
| Midknyte |
I have limited seat time on my X1 as having acquired it just the year before last and it being out of service last season (money needed to be spent on other things...), but can answer two of your questions. Fuel pumps and injectors and the like are still available (those were on my fix). The shock mount apparently as well - shop caught that and applied the recall replacement, still free of charge. Thing handles like a big bicycle! Read that as fun. Not as surgical knife as the XB's. Nasty grin inducing. No way around it. Mine has a race kit, so it does not like to lumber along. That is not a criticism. It feels like a big dog begging to be set loose to play. I cannot think of a reason why you could regret a purchase.  | ||
| Airbozo |
While not the X1 you are asking about, I have a 2000 S3T and a 2009 XB12R. The handling on the XB has taken some getting used to because of the short wheelbase. Look at a corner and you are in it. Still some instability, but that could be due to me not having enough seat time on it (~1000 miles). The S3T has better riding position for me and _feels_ faster especially accelerating hard, though not the pulling your arms out of their socket like my sportster. I have not had any issues getting the S3 parts except a few cosmetic items. As i get older I can see the riding position of the XB becoming bothersome, so I am enjoying the hell out of it while I can. The XB will be the first one I sell off. I would love an X1, but feel I need to spread the motorcycle love around. | ||
| Adrenaline_junkie |
Thanks guys. Keep the info coming but I'm liking the trend so far. | ||
| Henshao |
M2 Cyclones were carb'd right up to the end. You can probably retrofit an M2 carb to an X1 without much difficulty. | ||
| Sifo |
My main concerns for my XB12Ss was having spares for the drive belt and isolators. I think most other parts will be available either in aftermarket or fleabay. It might take some figuring to find something like the TPS sensor, but I think it's a common auto part if memory serves. Does our knowledge vault have a list of comparable parts? I've already rebuilt my forks with Ducati parts. I did that back when you could still get the parts from HD. I finally got the front Isolator about a week ago. I ordered it last August! | ||
| Henshao |
Can't speak for the XB series but there were no shortage of drive belt options for my tube-frame Buell, seems like a Sportster item. The only time I wished I had an X1, though, because changing the belt on an M2 is like trying to use a herd of cats to perform rocket surgery. On the X1 it's almost as simple as a changing a chain. | ||
| Sifo |
My understanding of the XB belt was that a Sportster belt could be fit (not sure about the Ss though), but they have very short life spans due to being flexed backward by the tensioner. I would think there will be aftermarket belts somewhere, but I didn't want to take the chance for a fairly minor investment. YMMV. | ||
| Froggy |
I have an X1, in addition to multiple XBs and watercooled Buells. The handling on the X1 is terrible in comparison to all of them. I've been playing with it to see what I can do to make things better, but for now I won't ride it harder than a cruiser pace in the twsties, it is that bad and not confidence inspiring. The entire fuel injection system short of the ECM and wiring harness are off the shelf automotive parts. Converting to carb would be a mistake, there are no advantages of that headache. Parts in general are expensive on the X1 and are getting hard to get. I've been fixing mine up and finding out things no long exist, but nothing that couldn't be worked around yet. The XBs have been much better in this regard. | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
Of all the bikes I have ridden at the WV Buell Rally... Nukeblue's S3T has put the biggest grin on my face. That's why I went right out and bought one. You can ride mine in August if you like. Show up with a fist full of Benjamins and I might let you take it home. | ||
| Ratbuell |
Froggy's input notwithstanding (see me sometime Frank, and we'll get you dialed in on the X1!), tubers are great machines. Are they scalpel-precise like the XB? Nope. The XB feels like it is carved from a solid billet of metal - zero flex, zero "body language", as was noted up above "you look at a corner and you're in it". Tubers have some personality in their handling - some body language. Nothing like my old 96 FLHP bagger that would flex and wobble like a wet noodle...but there's some personality in the handling of a tuber. You feel it doing its job. It still does it extremely well...you're just a little more aware of what it's doing as its doing it, that's all. As for longevity...it's a Sportster motor with ported heads and big cams (in simple terms). Buell added DDFI-I fuel injection. Should it crap out, and parts become unobtanium, you can easily swap in a CV40 carb and intake, put a petcock in place of the tank mounted fuel pump, and install any aftermarket standalone ignition system you desire (I ran a nosecone-mounted setup on my FLHP, totally bypassing the factory setup and wiring, the whole module mounted on the end of the single Evo motor's camshaft where the pickup cup used to be). In car terms...the water cooled bikes are more Ferrari. XB's are...more like a Viper. Tubers are closer to a Camaro/Firebird/Challenger - tons of torque, excellent handling (especially for the age), and a grin a mile. Me and my '95 S2 don't have any problem keeping up with the hooligans on rides like WVBR, or trips to the Dragon. Totally capable platform. And my current stable includes four tubers, an XB, and an 1125 - I'm familiar with each generation  | ||
| Adrenaline_junkie |
Thanks for all of the input guys. I knew I could count on Bad Web. | ||
| Henshao |
In the twisties I have no problem walking all over your fair-to-middling sportbike guy on a tube-framed Buell. the X1 will go much further over without scraping I think than the S3 or M2. Not sure what's going on with Froggy's bike. Anything from wrong tire inflation, fork height, preload, etc can be drastic | ||
| Thumper74 |
While we are on the subject... Which of the three; tuber, XB, or 1125 are we going to likely be able to keep on the road for another 10 or 20 more years? It seems like the Tuber has the most in common with parts from H-D, while there are more XBs... I don't know enough about the 1125, but they were the shortest production run, right? I'm thinking about another XB, but it's competition of bikes in the same vintage would be the M109R and the Honda VTX1800 | ||
| 86129squids |
Wow. This thread made me remember a guy... My time at SMHD/BUELL (back in tha day) as the "Buell guy" allowed me the chance to meet some interesting people... one weekend I met a guy from Ohio, "Johnny Rotten". IIRC it was around when we did the "World Record Burnout"- he was riding a tuber, might have been an S2T, don't really remember that detail. Anyhoo, he had entered a contest back home to win a CityX, and won! Once he got the bike, he just stored it at home... he was an old school biker, maybe a 1%er, but we got along like brothers. Long story short... Before he headed home, he'd planned to do the Cherohala/Deals gap loop, and I said I'd lead. At the time I had my CityX, and was riding the shizniot outta it. So, we did the Cherohala, and swapped bikes! What Joe said earlier is completely accurate. the nature of the XB frames and 52-54" wheelbases compared to the tubers is very notable. Scalpel vs. boning knife, both are sharp but the latter takes more effort and attention. At the time I was glad to get back on my XB, but to this day I'm jonesing for an S3T. Also- I bought my XB about a year before anyone knew about the Ulysses, DANG if I wasn't PO'ed about that! If I can procure any 2nd gen XB, with the 54" wheelbase, I'll do so. One of my best buddies has an '09 XBSS, cherry bomb. He's promised me first dibs if/when he releases it. Yeah, I get a Buell deficiency. I truly loved my Triumph Sprint ST 955i, especially after Vern painted it... but my CityX allowed me to be the best rider I'll ever be. Getting old, so I'd really love to get that S3T or just any good old tuber someday. | ||
| 86129squids |
"I'm thinking about another XB, but it's competition of bikes in the same vintage would be the M109R and the Honda VTX1800." That does not compute. Forget about the Honda. The Suzuki would be a better, MUCH stronger beast. But neither compare to XB's... A big reason I sold my CityX was that I'm getting older, fatter, and less limber. I remember my last ride to TWO, feeling like butter knives were being shoved into my knees... then I got the Triumph, and sold it for the same reasons plus it could kill me! I used to be fast... I'll be curious to see how Graham does on his ride down from DC- he's gone from Buell, to a Honda VFR, to a Yamaha Raider. I'll be fine on my old R75/7. BTW, if anyone is interested in a very decent Y2000ish Vmax, my best buddy is selling his. | ||
| Henshao |
Keihen carb, Showa shocks I think, sportster drivetrain, semi-generic italian body elements (to put it simply)...as compared to an 1125 or an XB I can only guess I've got it made in the long-term parts department with my M2. | ||
| Ratbuell |
....or just do maintenance so stuff doesn't break... Not "my buddy says I should" maintenance. Not reinvent-the-wheel maintenance. Just...keep after it like the factory says to do. 35k miles on my uly. Ride it like I stole it. Other than farkles I've had to replace ONE battery, replace two belts, redo the 77 connector...and change to a shindengan VR. CR? Has had the charge relay done. 11k miles. S1W, oil changes. M2L, same. Although I do have to troubleshoot a hard start, thinking cam sensor on that one. Look at how many "old" motorcycles the aftermarket supports. And how many are still running around. Buy the one you want. If a part pops up for sale, buy it as a spare. Take care of the machine. Ride, smile, repeat. | ||
| Henshao |
Maintenance is fine, well, and good, but on a long enough timeline survival rate for everyone drops to zero. And on a long enough timeline all parts are consumable imo | ||
| Midknyte |
I lust for a Corvair. They have been out of production for nearly 50 years, yet they still can be found, restored, and driven. I try to console myself in this fact. I also try to believe that I have not jinxed myself in these lustings by having bought a two wheel equivalent. | ||
| Fast1075 |
I had an XB-12s. I loved it. It fit me like a glove. It handled like a razor. It had some sniggles and quirks. All interesting machines (and women) have sniggles and quirks. I had it for several years and put over 50K on it. At that time it had begun to get long in the tooth. I sold it to a local guy who was dying to buy it. I realize that had I kept it, by now it would most likely need crank work and transmission work. Did I mention quirks? The transmission was balky and notchy on a good day at least compared to all the other bikes I have owned. If I just developed a "hafta getta Buell" again attitude, it would be a tuber, most likely an X1 for simplicity and the trapdoor transmission. I had a chance to buy a beautiful X1 a few years ago, but medical bills blew that one for me. | ||
| Adrenaline_junkie |
I was starting to lean toward an XB series. There is even an XB12Ss in the same color and year as I used to own here on BadWeb classified........and then Vern started looking for a Uly belt. Swinging back toward the X1 now. Choices, choices. I don't see a chain conversion on the internet for long frame Buells. | ||
| Froggy |
I've seen it done, I know of some chain Ulys. As far as I'm aware its the same as the shorter wheelbase bikes, just a few more links in the chain. | ||
| Phelan |
Sifo, the Falcon SPC belts are of Goodyear construction and fine for use on XBs, so we are still well supported on aftermarket parts. |
