| Author | Message | ||
     Teofan |
Hey guys, Last year I was looking into buying a Buell but couldn't find a good bike. I bought a Honda CBR954RR instead. This bike is simply awesome. It has looks, handling, heaps of power, etc...... I found a couple Buells that are sweet the other day at the dealer and now begin my problem. Will the Buell thrill me the same way the Honda does? I commute a lot (7000 miles in 3 months) will the Buell stay together with no problems like my Honda? Can somebody give a an unbiased opinion? The main reason the Honda is being considered as a trade is that it just has way too much for the street, I find myself abusing the power of my bike. Also the insurance is killer. Sorry about being long winded and I look forward to the answers. Thanks! | ||
| Wyckedflesh |
AS the owner of a 2003 ZX-6RR and an XB12 I can say that in my opinion the Buell wins the fun factor hands down. The ZX just doesn't fit the day to day ride to me like the XB does. The ZX is either in too low a gear cause to change up would bog or be slow to respond to throttle inputs cause the revs were down. For the road I would definately take the XB. | ||
| Tripp |
i commute with my cyclone daily(weather permitting) and it's awesome! i have had problems with my bike but no more than with others(honda, kawasaki)i blew the motor but i was always revving the crap outta the poor beast(i love the sound)anyways i certainly think the ergos are more conducive to commuting. iv'e never owned a rice rocket but have ridden them and have definitely determined that all that weight on the wrists is no fun (for me)my hondas and my kawi were standards(cb750,kz750)and i find the cyclone is comfortable for long hauls, not to mention the head turning factor! people are always saying "what the hall is that, that's the coolest bike i've ever seen" even none bikers! | ||
| Jrh |
My honest opinion,i seriously doubt if many 954 owners would be happy with a Buell.But you could test ride them and find out. | ||
| Jmartz |
Trip, I commute ( or did until recently when my bike was totaled) daily on an R1. Yes the beast is a torture rack but for a few miles every day with and 8 hour brake in the middle they are quite manageable. Freeway acceleration is unparalleld as is high speed stability. 140 comes very easily and in the blinking if an eye. No need to limit yourself (if it is financially possible) to 1 bike. Buells excel in tight quarters when speeds are modest (under 70). They also (yes even an S1) are quite adept for touring. One thing is certain, you can put a lot of miles on Jap bike w/o any serous issues. | ||
| Teofan |
Thanks for the input! The 954 doesn't strain my wrists one bit. The real issue is that here in Connecticut the insurance companys are screwing the hell out of us. I owned a Honda 919 before the 954 and my insurance for full coverage only cost 340.00 a year. It would cost me almost 900.00 now insure the same bike. I have a clean record, its just the insurance companys are against jap bikes. I love the look of the Buell its just that I found the Hondas before a good one. I test riding a 2001 Cyclone with 3000 miles this weekend. | ||
| Jmartz |
My bill went up from $140 (1 year, liability only) for my S1 to $365 for my R1. My record is dirty though. | ||
| Kaese |
I was looking for a daily rider last year when my Ninja 600 that I had put 35K on needed repairs that were more than the bike's worth. Ended up with a S2 with all the race goodies. Took it in for service at the local Buell dealer, I needed to kill a few hours. They offered up a XB9R demo ride and that was it. 3 months later I took home a new XB9R. I do the 82 mile commute (Round Trip) and could not be happier with the Firebolt. Lane splitting on the tuber was not quite as enjoyable as with the 9R. I tight quarters less than 10MPH sometimes could be a little hairy because I thought the tubers a little topheavy. Not so with the XB. Reliability - Somewhere on the XB thread someone posted that JD Powers had declared it the most trouble free new bike out there. Maintenance compared to other bikes out there is minimal. My favorite feature is NO CHAIN! No cleaning the lube goo off everything! I've had mine for about 4 months, put 7300 miles on it, done an exhaust and ECM mod and expect to put at least 20K on it this year. I guess I should be looking into picking up a XB12 next year. I could have gotten the XB12, but couldn't justify the extra $3K in price and the amber wheels didn't do anything for me. The wheels are kind of growing on me, maybe they will offer differnt colors for the 05 model year. edited by kaese on December 30, 2003 | ||
| Ftd |
I am with you on the wheels Kaese. I am hoping for some expanded color choices for the '05's. A black XB12 with black wheels would be nice. | ||
| Wyckedflesh |
The insurance on my XB12 is higher then my ZX-6RR...according to the insurance comapany its because "its a Harley so it will be more expensive in parts to repair" | ||
| 99buellx1 |
Wow, your insurance compay dont know *#it! | ||
| Wyckedflesh |
Considering they are still cheaper then everyone else...eh I deal. |
