| Author | Message | ||
     X0311 |
That is the question. This is my dilemma. I am a noob rider that has never ridden a motorcycle at all. I have yet to attend the MSC (a few more weeks!) but I am very interested in buying a '03 XB9SL as my first bike despite all the good advice given on this site. This is the bike I want to own and ride and I have been shopping around for a few weeks now looking for one to become available and now one has become available. Given the percieved "rarity" of this bike, I would like to take advantage of this opportunity to purchase it. What "requirements" would be needed for a beginner to even consider riding this bike? | ||
| Sub65chris |
best advice i can give is to step back and relax. why the sl why not a regular s? they are more available. I would take a long hard look at the bike you are thinking of and listen to it run, then I would ride it? I would say just wait and see how you feel after the rider course. good luck! | ||
| Redponcho |
I have an 03 9SL. I absolutely love it. I am 6' tall and dont fee cramped at all. I have around 7k on it now and besides a speedo transmitter nothing has broken on it. I have ridden 12's and a city X. I like the lower version the best. | ||
| X0311 |
I am dead-set on the SL due to the fact that I am Vertically Challenged at 5'3". I definitely would not consider the Scg at my current skill level.  | ||
| Redponcho |
As with any motorcycle if you are a new rider you need to take a motorcycle safety course. Take it slow and learn correctly. And most of all buy all the gear. The 9SL is a great bike that you will be happy with. | ||
| Badlionsfan |
If you get it, don't ride it until after you take the course. Then when you do start riding it, take it easy at first. Going from no experience to the MSF course bike is a big jump. Going from the course bike to the buell is gonna be an even bigger jump. The buell has a ton more power than the course bikes, will have better brakes than the course bikes. Ease into it and you should be fine. | ||
| Metalstorm |
If we can't talk you into a Blast or Ninja 250 for a first bike, I say the 9SL is a good choice. It's lightweight and has a pretty flat torque curve so there's no sudden huge hit of power that usually messes beginners and some of us more experienced riders up. Just check the tires if you buy it. If they're the stock Dunlops get rid of them ASAP and get yourself a set of Pirellis. It doesn't matter which Pirellis as long as they're Pirellis because the XB chassis seems to realllly like the Pirelli profile. They won't stand the bike up in a corner if you apply the brakes a little bit like the Dunlops will. Being that you are new to riding, having good predictable tires is very important for practice and learning. | ||
| Sanchez |
I'd pick something cheaper for a first bike, just for your own peace of mind. You don't have to feel bad if you tip over a $1200 piece of crap you found on Craigslist. I bought a 93 Kawasaki EX500 that had already been dropped plenty of times and rode it until I felt comfortable before I got my first Buell. Now with that said, the XB9 would make an awesome second bike. Buell motorcycles and more importantly the Buell community make ownership a joy. Buell takes a fantastic personal interest in its customers that you just don't see with other manufacturers. Badweb, Buell's corporate support, and the friends I've made here will always keep a Buell in my garage. | ||
| Nevrenuf |
i've ridden a 9 before and we had a scg last year before i wrecked it(had an old peoples moment) and either way would actually be fine. don't let a few hundred cc's intimidate you. you'd get accustomed to it alot quicker than you think. once again, the best advice i was ever given is always assume that your invisible and not one person on the road can see you, and always look at the front wheel of a car to see if it's moving. don't expect someone to look you back in the eye's cause most of the time their just looking through you. good luck and you will be happy. | ||
| X0311 |
Wow. I really appreciate all of your comments. Looks like I'm not just buying a bike here!  I'l definitely take all of your opinions to heart when i do finally make this decision. Thanks all. | ||
| Sarodude |
Here's my take... I don't really care about high horsepower bikes under new riders. What's more important is how confident you will be on it - and how forgiving the combo of man and machine will be. At 5'3" - and depending on your build and proportions - you may have a tough time holding the bike up in the inevitable low speed beginner bobbles you'll encounter. I'm not saying don't get the XB. I would STRONGLY suggest you at least get yourself onto something nice & low (Blast, Rebel 250, Suzuki Savage / S40) for a couple of thousand decent city miles. There's much more to a good beginner bike than lack of horsepower. -Saro |
