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Budo
| | Posted on Thursday, January 29, 2004 - 02:30 pm: | 
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Well, several things to consider. One is resale. While you might not intend to sell the bike for a number of years at some point in time you will want to either sell it outright or trade it. I had a 1998 S1W and put 31k miles on it before I had to get rid of it. I found out real quick that Buell is very much a niche bike and that I had to find someone that wanted a Buell. Even then I sold the bike for $1400 under nada not including the thousands of dollars in aftermarket parts and accessories that I had put on it. Glad to get it too. The XB12 might be more desirable and have more resale than the XB9, but that is just my opinion. I had intended to keep my bike for at least ten years but the unending problems with the bike itself wore me down and the incompetance of my dealership finally did me in. I have to have a reliable bike, I have to have some kind of service support. Turns out the service, warranty, and parts fell pretty much to me. I would get parts in and take them to the dealership. If it were not for Modesto Buell I would have really been in tough sport. But the new bikes are supposed to be better. Just be sure your dealership is supportive, otherwise you might be screwed. Might also consider the extended warranty. Good luck. |
Darthane
| | Posted on Thursday, January 29, 2004 - 10:14 pm: |
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Not supposed to, Budo - ARE.
Check a list of problems with tubers vs a list of problems with XB platform bikes. You'll find that there are far, far fewer and much less severe problems reported.
And no whining about mileage, either, there are plenty of people on the BadWeb with 15-20k+ on their XBs already. |
03xb9r
| | Posted on Thursday, January 29, 2004 - 10:42 pm: |
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as long as you dont plan on going to the track, youll probly love the buell. and before eveyone jumps on me let me explain.. first, as far as i ve found, there are no really crash worthy frame sliders for the xb, that will protect the bike from anything more than a 20 mph lowside. and if you do go down, youll be out $1400 just for the frame, not counting anything else you break. and second, unless the track has no straight aways at all, everyone there will be passing you. you might catch up in the tight stuff, but as soon as it opens up again, youll be in the back of the pack. those are the only complaints i have about my bike. other than that, i couldnt be happier with it. every time i start it it puts a smile on my face. its s o much fun on the back roads, its scary. if you dont ever plan on going to a track, then i say get one, you wont regret it. that, and make sure you deal with a dealer that actually knows what theyre talking about. |
Glitch
| | Posted on Friday, January 30, 2004 - 09:13 am: |
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Buell is the most together group of riders out there. Good one Spidey!
One of the main reasons I bought mine.
That and them not being everywhere I go.
I like having a bike that stands out in a crowd, and looses them in the twisties. |
Skully
| | Posted on Friday, January 30, 2004 - 01:53 pm: |
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03xb9r -
I could not disagree with you more. I've seen Toby Leslie crash his XB9R more than once in the same day; one being a nasty high side. I was absolutely amazed at how little damage there was to the bike.
Regarding lap times, just this past weekend, I saw Marcus Macbain on Mark Godfrey's (englishman119) stock (engine) XB9R running faster laps at Oak Hill Raceway than many IL4 600 mounted riders (including me). Marcus has a total of 7 laps on Buells.
True, OHR does not have long straight aways, but what skill is required to go straight?
Keith
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Blake
| | Posted on Friday, January 30, 2004 - 07:00 pm: |
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03xb9r,
You spout off something as silly as that and you better be ready for a rebuttal. Here's mine...
The 2003 FUSA National LW Superbike Champion rode a Buell XB9R.
You seem to think that a Buell racer is going to compete outside his class or something. The XB9R is classed, and rightly so, as a lightweight along with SV650's and Ducati 900 Supersports and such.
I too witnessed Mr. Leslie's misfortunes at OHR last year. His bike was fine. He suffered other crashes at other tracks. One ended his season via a broken leg. The bike is still in good shape from what I hear. A dent in the outer portion of the fuel cell will not harm the integrity of the XB frame. The integrity of the frame's strenght and geometry is governed by the top, bottom and inner sides of the frame in the area of the fuel cell. The outer surface is all bulging and curved. It ain't carrying any load. |
03xb9r
| | Posted on Friday, January 30, 2004 - 08:48 pm: |
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whats silly about it? show me a set of frame sliders that actually protect the frame. ill be first in line to buy them. you just said yourself that the racer that crashed dented the frame. integrity or not, who wants to ride around on a bike thats all dented up. not me. you would think since they put all that work into making such a beautiful frame, they would make something to keep it that way. and i never said anything about racing, i meant doing track days. its not all xb's there. |
Wyckedflesh
| | Posted on Friday, January 30, 2004 - 09:00 pm: |
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To bad you can't see the ear to ear grin under my helmet...thats all I have to say about your trackday 03xb9r |
03xb9r
| | Posted on Friday, January 30, 2004 - 09:02 pm: |
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you dont have to tell me, im doin quite a few trackdays this year. but i still wish i had some frame sliders |
Wyckedflesh
| | Posted on Friday, January 30, 2004 - 09:06 pm: |
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Sure frame sliders would be nice...but not having them never stopped me before. |
Blake
| | Posted on Saturday, January 31, 2004 - 06:47 pm: |
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A frame slider is a very weak and meager bit of protection against scratching the frame. It won't do much in a serious crash. They break right off. The carbon fiber frame protectors will protect the XB frame from being scratched/gouged. You can also mount bar-end sliders to help keep the frame from touching pavement.
What is silly and utterly bullshit is your statement that "if you do go down, you'll be out $1400 just for the frame."
Bullshit.
And also your claim that "unless the track has no straight aways at all, everyone there will be passing you. you might catch up in the tight stuff, but as soon as it opens up again, youll be in the back of the pack."
Bullshit.
But I guess if having to be the fastest bike on the course during a track day is that important to you, you might not want to ride your XB9R on the track. You might need a GSXR1000 or CBR1000RR.
I wonder...
What tires do you use for your track day outings? |
Dynarider
| | Posted on Saturday, January 31, 2004 - 06:56 pm: |
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Blake, most of the bar end protectors I have seen while looking good really dont offer a lot of protection. Usually if you are wacking the bars that hard into the ground, the clipons just break off.
My own opinion on this whole issue is this. If you are so worried about scratching your bike on the track...then dont go. Odds are that eventually you will have a get off & while it may be minor, you will still incur some damage. Its part of racing. Either be willing to pay the price or stay a spectator. |
Easyflier
| | Posted on Saturday, January 31, 2004 - 06:57 pm: |
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Blake, unfortunately (or maybe by design) I don't think that bar ends will protect the frame. The bars bend and imprint themselves, and sometimes the lever, into the frame but it's superficial. I've thought about putting on stiffer bars but it's possible that would cause greater and more expensive damage to other areas of the bike. As it is a lowside will cost you some bondo and a can of touch up paint.
I have an idea for some frame sliders that I think will work but don't have the means to fabricate a set. Hopefully I can figure it out this coming year. |
Dynarider
| | Posted on Saturday, January 31, 2004 - 07:01 pm: |
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And also your claim that "unless the track has no straight aways at all, everyone there will be passing you. you might catch up in the tight stuff, but as soon as it opens up again, youll be in the back of the pack."
Bullshit.
On a smaller track such as Blackhawk farms..not unlike your favored OHR, the Buells do very well. Tight enough & short enough straight aways for them to beat the liter bikes.
But on a course such as Road america where the front straight is ungodly long, unless you can pull some decent speed they will smoke your ass. I know I kept beating a few liter bikes, including a ZX12R in the tight stuff, I would get a good little lead built up, & then we would have that damn long straight come up & they would blow by me like a run away train & there wasnt a damn thing I could about it except play catch up in the tight stuff again.
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Darthane
| | Posted on Saturday, January 31, 2004 - 07:40 pm: |
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Well, if you're going for 'track days' (ie. FUN) and not 'racing' (ie. competition), then what the hell does it matter if you get passed on straightaways? Like Blake said, if your manhood can't handle it just for the sake of going out and having a good time, buy yourself a racerep and stop pissing into the wind.
Now, I don't have a set, yet, but I've heard nothing but good things about the carbon fiber/kevlar frame protectors. And the best part about those is, if you really can't handle somebody seeing your scratched/and or dented frame, you buy a pair and cover them up. FWIW, I've lived with a scratched frame, front fairing, and cam cover since 3 months after getting the bike - and I'm not shy about telling people what happened (LOL...ask anyone at the Deal's Gap run two summers ago). Guess I'm just not hung up enough on appearances. I'll try to work on that so I can fit in with the flashy purple plastic crowd.
Bryan
edited by darthane on January 31, 2004 |
Henrik
| | Posted on Saturday, January 31, 2004 - 08:29 pm: |
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On track bikes clip-on bars often helps buffer the impact in a crash. As long as you don't tighten the clamps too much the clamp will pivot as the bar hits the pavement. Bar end sliders help in a minor low-side. Most often the clip-on bar will bend.
In a couple of right-hand track day low-sides, my bar bent but kept most of the bike/frame off the pavement.
Henrik |
03xb9r
| | Posted on Saturday, January 31, 2004 - 09:55 pm: |
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you guys need to take a deep breath and relax. just cause i want real frame sliders doesnt mean i hate my bike, or that im obsessed with looking cool. and since when does being competetive make you a poser? maybe your perfectly happy being smoked by everyone, but its alot more fun to ride in the pack, than watch from behind and try and play catch-up every lap.
i was going to get the carbon fiber protectors, until the guy selling them told me they were more or less just for looks, but they MIGHT help in a slow lowside. no thanks, ill keep my 350 |
Nevco1
| | Posted on Saturday, January 31, 2004 - 10:07 pm: |
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This probably has no bearing on this thread, but the SuperMoto rules at Road America require frame sliders on all bike competing on the kart track. From what I gather, it has to do with protecting the track, not the bikes. |
Captainkirk
| | Posted on Saturday, January 31, 2004 - 10:18 pm: |
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Wally, Beaver, go to your room and no coming out 'til you've made up. |
Easyflier
| | Posted on Sunday, February 01, 2004 - 12:35 am: |
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Henrik, you probably haven't had the need to examine the bars on the XB*Rs but they are keyed in the top clamp and don't rotate. They do keep the frame off the pavement though, you are correct on that point. The bars on an XB*S might provide more protection without hitting the frame but I've never looked at them closely.
If I had to live with a ding in my frame, or have it ground to nothing on the pavement I'll take the ding every time. |
Blake
| | Posted on Sunday, February 01, 2004 - 05:37 pm: |
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Some of you act like the only other bikes on the track are AMA class repliracers. I guess no one rides SV650's, Honda Hawks, FZR's or other such lightweight class machines where you live. That certainly isn't the case here. There are virtually more SV's than I can count at CMRA events.
As Henrik affirms, the handlebars indeed DO protect the frame/bodywork. And bar-ends only add to that protection. They helped save the bodywork on my Cyclone in a 40mph lowside. We are talking lowside crashing here. A highside is another matter entirely where any manner of frame sliders are not likely to be much help.
03xb9r,
You obviously bought the wrong bike if your hope was to lap with literbike repliracers at a high speed racetrack. Suggest you try riding with other LW class machines, or find a tighter track, or get a literbike for the track, or learn to deal with getting passed on the straights.
If I had an XB on the track, I'd have some manner of protection on it akin to the CF covers. I have an idea that might prove useful in that regard and provide a bit more impact protection as well. It's a neat enough idea that I may try to profit from it.  |
03xb9r
| | Posted on Sunday, February 01, 2004 - 06:59 pm: |
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like i said before.. i love my bike. i knew when i got it that its slower than alot of other bikes. i didnt care then and i dont care now. its not like i got it and then was supprised that it wont smoke a 1000 racerep.
half the threads on this board are about making more power. does that mean everyone here bought the wrong bike?
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Nevco1
| | Posted on Sunday, February 01, 2004 - 08:58 pm: |
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half the threads on this board are about making more power. does that mean everyone here bought the wrong bike?
Only if they want to race out of their class!!!
Most of us just prefer the tight twisties either on or off the track. That is where one's riding skills are put to the test.
Like they say, anyone can go fast in a straight line. Want proof...Just look at the bottom half of the pack in any race venue on two or four wheels.  |
Easyflier
| | Posted on Sunday, February 01, 2004 - 09:59 pm: |
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Blake, I am talking about lowsiding on an XB. The damage to the frame IS caused by the bars, but I already stated that the level of damage caused by the bars striking the frame is probably minimal compared to frame against asphalt.
My point was that adding bar ends is not going to keep the frame of your XB pristine in the event of an accident.
I also have an idea for frame sliders that will withstand the impact of the bars and protect the frame from getting dinged. I just need to get the time and resources to fabricate a set. |
Henrik
| | Posted on Monday, February 02, 2004 - 10:50 am: |
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Easy; I have quite recently had good reason to look closely at the bars of an XB9R and I see what you mean. I was speaking in very general terms of what many do to track bikes.
XB frame slider; I can't imagine it would be difficult to pull a mold of the XB frame and make 1/2 to 1" thick polyurethane frame sliders that would fit nicely in the "impact prone" location. Stick them on with industrial grade velcro (the stuff that more "snaps" that just sticks) and off you go.
It wouldn't be pretty, but it would prevent bad wear and might distribute a hit enough to prevent denting in case of a low side 
Henrik |
Easyflier
| | Posted on Monday, February 02, 2004 - 04:58 pm: |
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Henrik, we're on the same sheet but I think it can be done in a way to still look good.
Your comments give me a great idea though, interchangable sliders for street and track. Heavy duty ugly as hell covers for the track where the chance of high speed slides are more likely and a 'pretty' set for the street that still afford protection for parking lot spills and the like. |
Azfirebolt
| | Posted on Monday, February 02, 2004 - 05:35 pm: |
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03xb9r, dude you'd think you hated buells or something the way everyone is after you! Just ride it like you stole it and you'll be fine! |
Henrik
| | Posted on Monday, February 02, 2004 - 08:39 pm: |
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Easy; the interchangeable frame sliders are a very good idea. Go for it.
Henrik |
Reepicheep
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 03, 2004 - 07:23 am: |
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Henrik... you and court are dropping hints... Do you have a new toy? A 12 or a 9? S or R? Track or Street?
Enquiring minds want to know! |
Road_thing
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 03, 2004 - 09:17 am: |
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Henrik: Enjoy your new toy while you can. Once the Money Pit gets a hold on your wallet, you won't be able to afford gas!!
(It was good seeing you last week. Food and drink always taste better when someone else is buying, yes?)
r-t |
Henrik
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 03, 2004 - 11:09 am: |
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Easy; yeah there's a new toy in the Williamsburg household.
Like R-T hinted, there are other expenses looming, so I haven't yet decided what to do with it. It's very tempting to take it to the track, but as others have pointed it out - don't do that unless you're willing to dump it and have to trailer it home ....
R-T: thank YOU so much for stopping by Gotham. Great to see you again - and thanks so much for the t-shirt. It was a great hit with Melissa, who as you know spent quite a few years in Texas. Houston actually (oh, and remember the correct pronunciation )
Henrik |
Road_thing
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 03, 2004 - 12:00 pm: |
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"Yew-stun" is correct. "House-ton" is a Yankee abomination!
r-t
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Nevco1
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 03, 2004 - 12:42 pm: |
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Ahhhh...the New York Dialect.
Tis enough to make a business traveler cringe. House-Ton isn't bad compared to the Dutch and Native American abominations they have.
An an exciting place to visit but am still thankful I passed on the career opportunities to move there. In comparison, Gotham made La La Land feel like Mayberry, USA. LOL |
Steveford
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 03, 2004 - 04:45 pm: |
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Henrik,
Don't you go crashing that bike. I was only kidding about customizing motorcycles with road rash. |
Easyflier
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 03, 2004 - 04:50 pm: |
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Henrik, good for you, I'm confident that you'll enjoy yours at least as much as I do mine. |
Henrik
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 03, 2004 - 08:32 pm: |
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Steve; no worries. I've got the SV for crashing
Easy; thanks. Yeah, I'm really looking forward to some warmer weather so I can take it for a spin.
It really is a sweet little bike - tiny actually - and I'm sure it'd be a hoot on the track. And with the few mods Steve already did, it should be about 10 HP and some 20 foot lbs or torque up on the SV. We'll see - it could en up being too tempting
Henrik |
Glitch
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 04, 2004 - 08:03 am: |
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I got here late...
Question:
To Buell of not To Buell?
Answer:
To Buell!
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Lornce
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 04, 2004 - 09:30 am: |
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Boys,
Saw a racer's XB9R derived bike at a Mosport event last summer to which he'd adapted a pair of knee sliders to protect the frame's high points. Don't know how effective they'd be in a get-off, but it demonstrated a creative sense of humour....
Lornce |
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