| Author | Message | ||
     Buellboiler |
This may sound strange but I am close to making a deal on a friend's Sportster, however I would like to try out a tube frame X-1 first. If there is anyone in the Fort Wayne, Indiana area that would allow me to take a short, very controlled ride on their X-1 (so I can either get serious about an X-1 or go for the Sportster) I would appreciate it. The dealers around here have not had a tuber in for months and I need to make a decision. Thanks | ||
| Crashm1 |
Just buy the Buell you won't be disappointed. I still haven't quit grinning and it's been a year. | ||
| Dudeman |
Two very different bikes. I have a 99 X-1 as well as an 04 XL1200R. I must say that the X-1 gets ridden more as it is more fun to ride. But, when it comes to long trips, I prefer the XL as it also has highway bars. Cheers! Alan | ||
| Denfromphilly |
My X1 will run circles around my sisters Sportie. They are very different bikes and I much prefer the X1. Much more power, way better handling, amazing brakes. My sister rides mine and comes back with an ear to ear grin and so do I. Buy the X1, you will never regret it! Den 99X1 | ||
| Outrider |
Almost four years on my X1 and almost three on my Wide Glide and I am extremely pleased with both. I log more miles on the X1 as I ride alone mostly and love being able to play in the twisties. I used to ride two up on the X1 as well and my wife misses the excitement. However, the practicality of the Wide Glide (passenger comfort and a T-Bag) make it the bike of choice when we ride together. I could ride forever on either bike, but if riding solo, I prefer the Buell compliments of it's neutral riding position. Your choice, but if you are looking for a performance bike for solo riding, I would highly recommend the X1. | ||
| Buellboiler |
Thanks Guys, I have followed (via technical magazines, i.e. not motorcycle magazine) the Buell company and his innovations for years. I came up short by $78 on a 2000 Red Stripe Special on E-bay this spring. A friend has made me an offer on his Sportster that is difficult to refuse. Yet there is that nagging voice telling me to hold out and find a tuber to ride FIRST. It isn't fair for me to keep my friend hanging so I thought I would make a last chance appeal to the board to see if I could find anyone willing to share their X-1 for 10 minutes (or less). It will either confirm that I'm holding out for the bike I really want or it will tip the scales and push me toward the Sportster. If there was a used X-1 available at one of the area dealerships I would be the first to take a ride. However the '99-'02 X-1's are scarce around here. | ||
| Denfromphilly |
If ya got a license and want to come to Philly you can take a spin on mine. Den | ||
| S3t_bueller |
I say hold out and just get the Tuber. I had an '03 1200 Custom and have had more fun on my Thunderbolt than I ever did on the Sporty.  | ||
| Chasespeed |
I will also say the X1 is a sure fire winner.... I dont mind riding 2 up....around town, but not for a trip.... If you will be traveling 2 up, as stated, go with teh sportie... Otehrwise, get eth X1...more powerful, lighter, more nimble(an understatement)... otehr than the fuel injection(which I personally dont like, has no place on my bike as far as I am concerned), I love it...my buddies laugh, as I have fallen asleep in the garage( have a couch out there), debating on what to do next.... You wont be disapopinted.... Chase | ||
| Buellboiler |
Thanks for the offer Denfromphilly! I've got the MC endorsement otherwise I wouldn't waste your time. However, Philly is a little far from the summit city. The people on this site never fail to amuse me and bring a smile to my face. Even though I don't have a Buell this place is a great place to learn. I'll get that ride. where there is a will there is a way! | ||
| Denfromphilly |
I got a couple other bikes too, an older Gold Wing and a 200 Honda, ride a Norton Commando too. They are all nice but the Buell is just different. It feels like the Norton handles better, it's tight like glued to the road it feels like riding on Velcro. But, in reality a corner that the commando normally takes at 45 I take at 55 or 60 on the Buell. It's smoother and just does not feel as fast, flows better. There is no replacement for smooth cruising at 110mph and having 3/4 throttle left, like unlimited torque. Roll on throttle at 110 and the bike is pulling you off the seat. Go up a hill at 60 in top gear and roll the throttle and get your arms pulled out of their sockets. Stop on a dime, the brakes are even scarier with more response than the motor. My Buell is simply a feast for the senses, fun, fun fun. I took my son for a spin and never got over 25mph, goosed the gas a couple times and he said it was like a roller coaster, a total thrill. I rode my Gold Wing to work yesterday, then the 200 to the store and just had to take the X1 for a spin near sundown. It makes driving fun again....Den | ||
| Chasespeed |
I will not discuss MY exploits with my favorite bike ever....  Chase | ||
| Tom_b |
Buy both and get it over with! can never have too many bikes. | ||
| Denfromphilly |
Tom obviously has his priorities straight. My next bike is a Triumph 955i Daytona...assuming I like the test ride...come chase, no teasers, you can share with us....we need a peer to emulate..  | ||
| Bake |
If we are starting confessions, I am up to 7 bikes..... but may "thin the herd" to 5 for a while. Really as an XB owner and took my first sportster ride 2 nights ago, I won't be rushing to buy one soon. Look at your ridding style to make that decission, wanna cruise or do you like cornering at speed with plenty of hp? (Message edited by bake on June 30, 2005) | ||
| Buellboiler |
"My next bike is a Triumph 955i Daytona...assuming I like the test ride..." What's this? After all of the talk about foregoing the test ride, just buy the bike; the same group now says they need a test ride before purchasing a bike!!!!! You can't tell others to 'just buy the bike' then turn around and disregard your own advice. Something about what is good for the goose is good for the gander. | ||
| Chasespeed |
I will say this much, my buddy @ my local dealer(parts guy), WILL NOT, sell me anymore pegs, and/or brackets, untill I get rear sets.... He figured I would mellwo out a little, and you know what, he was right... C'mon, to keep ahead of these import things, I REALLY, have to push it.... On anotehr note, I am safely in MASS, arrived last night. Had to sit on the side of the highway for a while, to let the bike cool(traffic), it got so hot, I could smell, cooked oil.... Checked it at a service plaza later...and it wasnt even me....but, I am gonna change it anyway... I need a corbin...600 miles...my butt didnt even go numb as it used to on my old bike, it went str8 to the OMG, cant wait till this is over...LMAO And I get pretty good mileage cruising @ 90.... I love this bike, just not the seat for LONG rides... maybe the 60 lb backpack had something to do with it.... I dunno.... Chase | ||
| Denfromphilly |
Well, part of your problem is that there is no Buell to ride and/or buy in NE Indiana or am I mistaken? You want to compare an apple to an orange so to speak but oranges are hard to come by and the apple is tempting you. I didn't suggest you buy a bike without a ride, if you find a Buell RIDE IT, and then I bet you will buckle at the knees and buy it. It's just that apples and oranges are very different fruit with different texture and appeal to different tastes. We of course prefer oranges or we would be on the Sportie web site spouting the rationale for our personal choice. I for one would never buy a bike without a test ride, especially a crotch rocket as I am tall and need a lot of crotch area. If you think you want an orange and you buy an apple you will still want the orange. So, find and orange and ride it. Den 99X1...I also want an 1100 Katana and an old Honda Interceptor assuming I like the test rides... | ||
| Mmmi_grad |
I live In Kendallville north of fort wayne , owned my x1 2001 since april , bought with out riding it and i love it. You can test ride them at bailys or rivercity , you might get lucky they might have a x1 for sale but i dont think they will, got mine in chicago and rode it home. Far as the free ride goes I cant help ya but you can visit mine and drink some beer if ya want. | ||
| Ryker77 |
I had tons of fun on my 883 sportster. Thing was so dang slow -- but I could ride it hard as hell! Had to down shift to 4th to keep speed up hills.. LOL Now my buell is the opposite. Its so damn fast that I can't ride it hard/fun. | ||
| Crashm1 |
Den's comments hit home with me because the first bike I ever fell in love with was my 750 Combat Commando, the X1 is the second and 7500 miles later I still grin everytime I roll on the throttle coming out of a corner. Or do a stoppie, or pick the front wheel up shifting into third gear. I traded a FXSTC for it, some parts and a helmet and don't regret it a bit. I bought the Saggytail after a 13 year break from motorcycles and hated (well maybe just strongly disliked)it. I took a ride on an XB, liked it a lot but I think I'm too tall, then took my bike for a ride and fell in love. Chase is right about the stock seat though, they suck. A corbin is in my future. Otherwise two Metzler Sportecs and half a D205 later it's been a fun ride that I don't want to get off of. | ||
| Normally_aspirated_sucks |
If you want to try a 02'M2, I live in Bluffton. | ||
| Denfromphilly |
Yo Crashem, My brother rides a 72 Norton Commando Interstate he bought in 1974! (for $600)He's rode the same bike for 31 years, the only bike he ever owned, as a kid it was the only bike he ever wanted. When I was considering the X1 I tried to get him to split the cost with me but he was not interested. After I bought it and he took it for a ride it's the only other bike he fell in love with. He's offered to buy it twice since March this year (I bought it in Feb). The Norton and Buell are similar machines, the Norton tight like a WW2 fighter plane, the Buell well I don't know what to compare it to. It's more modern and utterly unique, it's not like your average crotch rocket and not like any other bike I have ridden. Gobs of torque right at cruise RPM, crazy brakes, greasy smooth flickable cornering. I feel the Buell will be a classic like the old Norton's are today. Funny thing is I knew about them, saw Eric Buell race one in 1984, saw one up close at a California dealer in 1996 and just thought it was weird looking. I never, ever considered buying one until a buddy of mine with a Triumph dealership and got my X1 on consignment. I kept seeing it there and it just looked like the baddest most serious bike I ever saw. The styling finally got to me and I plunked down a deposit and took it for a spin. It was truly breathtaking and amazing and I still feel the same way. One of the worlds really great machines, a feast for the senses. My son is sure I am obsessed. He says I am a yuppie because I bought a buell sticker for my truck and a buell pin for my jacket and all I do is work on my Buell. I have had it apart and back together many times, it really didn't need the work but it's fun and easy to work on. I keep wringing a little more torque and a little more finesse from the handling, polish this and check that. It does become an obsession and I hop on and put 200 miles on it on a Sunday morning ride. Then another 100 in the afternoon. It's just that kind of bike...and my grass is getting pretty tall and the house is a mess...Den 99X1 | ||
| Deltacruiser |
Den, I see I'm not alone in suffering from Buell Obsession Disease (BOD). I don't think there is any cure and it is highly contagious . I passed the BOD on to my wife, as she got her first bike, a Blast, about 4 months ago. I just wish she would catch it a little worse so she quits complaining about me buying parts and hanging out in the garage working on my bike. Oh well, life's short. As soon as I get on the bike if forget about the grass that is getting so tall and the rest of the project list. Take care, Brett | ||
| Crashm1 |
Den, Actually I have owned three Commandos. Two plain and the Combat which had a Dunstall 810 kit on it and an Axtell 3s cam. Methinks Den if you are taking apart your bike just to fiddle that puts you in the gearhead category. I haven't met a yuppie or a RUB yet that works on their bike. Delta, My wife suffers from an Italian obsession, since she started riding last year she's gone through a 1966 CA77 Honda Dream (how I tricked her off the back of my bike) a MotoGuzzi V50, a Moto Guzzi 850T and she just recently traded the Guzzi's for a Ducati 900SS. She has test driven an XB and my bike a couple times and likes them a lot but seems to need a bike that is as high maintenance as she is. Plus she says the Duc fits her perfectly ergonomics wise. I think it's kinda too refined. It does everything it is supposed too but doesn't say "Come on let's just ditch the yard work and go for a ride. I need some exercise." like the Buell does. | ||
| Deltacruiser |
Crash, That's pretty funny. I thought I was "tricking" my wife off the back of my bike also. As usual, now I'm not sure who tricked who. | ||
| Crashm1 |
Brett, I can relate. At least your wife's bike doesn't need the valves adjusted every 6K. I'm gonna be workin' on this thing every other week. | ||
| Mmmi_grad |
adjust valves every 6000 miles??????????????? what? | ||
| Crashm1 |
97 Ducati 900SS |
