| Author | Message | ||
     L48shark |
Greetings! I just registered here, so I thought I would say hi. I have been riding since March 2004, and my first bike was a 2001 BMW F650GSA dual-sport. I didn't do a lot of off-roading on it (but did manage to take a few "soil samples" :-), and once I started to keep pace through the twisty bits with bikes nearly twice my displacement, I knew the time to upgrade had come. I really liked the Buells from the day I discovered them. Why? Well, for starters... 1) Unique styling. This is also a reason why I like BMW’s. (Of course, half the stoplight stares on a Bimmer are the I-didn’t-know-BMW-made-motorcycles variety.) It's hard to tell the difference between most of the sportbikes out there today. Buell's design would make a baby cry - and I love it. 2) American made. While buying my BMW automatically included the pretense of owning a premium brand (thanks in part to their automotive division), owning a Buell is your ticket to "screw imports" ranting around the campfire. (So long as no one listening knows you bought your wife a Honda, at least.) 3) Innovation. Fuel in frame, oil in swing-arm, under-slung exhaust, belt drive, and that beautiful, counter-rotating idler pulley. Geek candy, all of it. 4) Modernized old skool muscle. I was a Corvette enthusiast before I retired my plastic quad in favor of the 2-wheeled variety. We used to catch a lot of flak from the compact, inline, OH cam, VTEC, Jap tuners who would rag on our supposedly obsolete technology, which consisted of gas-guzzling, monster displacement, pushrod V’s massaged into a state-of-the-art chassis and cockpit. Sound familiar? Yada, yada, yada! What’s this nonsense about you buying three XB12’s?!? Glad you asked. Due to pricing and the fact that I am raising 2 very young men, I was probably going to end up on a Kawi Z750S somewhere around tax return time. (A desire for big torque aside, it seemed like a comfortable and reasonably priced all rounder.) But low and behold, a tip from a friend led to a H-D dealer who wanted to immediately clear their lot of all their Buells, and I got a killer deal. I took advantage of it by buying all 3 of their remaining 2005 XB12’s, two Firebolts and a Lightning (all of them black). Therefore, my plan is to sell my Bimmer and two of the XB’s leaving me with one of them for my very own at a price I can afford. Another friend wants one of the Firebolts, so now I have the enviable task of deciding between the R or the S and selling the other. Decisions, decisions! I had been thinking I would want the Lightning, as my upright dual-sport has ruined me for the crouched over riding position. However, I think I am leaning towards the Firebolt. (Multiple puns intended.) I am no stranger to spirited riding, and as much as I get adamant about a comfortable, long-distance riding posture, more than 90% of the riding I do is commuting or afternoon jaunts with buddies on twisty Arkansas roads. (In all the time I’ve had the BMW, I only made one overnight trip on it; we did 2K miles in 5 days to The Dragon and back.) Besides, I figure since I am still relatively new to riding, I should try something different, right? Regardless, I take delivery of all 3 bikes in a few weeks, so I will have a better idea of which one I like better once I get them in my garage. I’m looking forward to many happy miles and smiles on my new Buell, as well as possibly learning a lot about them from you guys. Oh, and while I realize there is a separate forum for classified ads, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention I obviously have a few bikes for sale. My BMW is on consignment at Bentonville BMW (www.bentonvillebmw.com, not yet posted in inventory as of this writing), asking $4750. And whichever XB I do not keep will be offered for sale for $8500. Oh, one other thing... Where are the signatures in this board? Half the fun of the Corvette forum I used to visit was seeing all of the cool pics in the sigs as you browsed the various threads! So in lieu of a sig, I’m including a link to a pic Killboy took of me smooching an apex on The Dragon this summer: http://www.photoreflect.com/scripts/prsm.dll?PhotoCard?id=07D50000001C0003002D00 2EEBGOEYQK Cheers, Tom | ||
| M1combat |
Congrats  . You'll love the firebolt. When the trip gets a little long, just lay your chest on the tank. It's really more comfortable than it looks. You can put your feet on the passenger pegs pretty easily too. WRT the profiles... The board is having an issue or two ATM. Our normal profiles can be found by removing the "-moderator" from the URL once you click our name to the left . Hope that helps. | ||
| Kootenay |
When I first saw a Firebolt, I wanted one. Then I tried the Firebolts and Lightnings back to back, and I decided I wanted a Lightning due to it's more forgiving posture. However, I still preferred the look of the 'Bolt, and eventually that's what I got--along with a Helibars riser tripleclamp, that raises the bars 1" and moves 'em back 1 1/2". | ||
| L48shark |
WRT? I was actually planning to remove the passenger pegs, provided it is easily accomplished. I won't be hauling anyone behind me, and I like the look of a cleaned up tail. Good idea getting the risers. I'll keep that in mind. Cheers. | ||
| Tunes |
L48shark - Biggest differences between the Firebolt and Lightning: - Hand-Seat-Feet location (ergonomics) - Seats and aftermarket choices - Handlebar location and selection of aftermarket choices - Weather protection from fairing or lack thereof - Looks, if that's important to you Passenger pegs are easily removed - two hex bolts, each side. 'Bout a 45 min. or less effort. I have a '99 S3 and like the fairing.... and was considering the Firebolt but for the handlebars and footpeg location. When I did finally buy an XB in a killer deal, the Firebolt was not available. The handlebar conversion would have made the decision more difficult. Also consider seats... In my opinion, the S models have a better aftermarket seat selection than the Firebolt, but I'm sure that depends on YOUR seat. Sometimes those flat seats are fine... A painful decision, no doubt, but, an enviable position to be in. Enjoy! | ||
| Davefla |
Re passenger pegs: I understand the sentiment, L48. But looks aside, some of the guys here who've crashed have commented on the fact that the passenger pegs saved the swingarm when they went. Pegs are what, $26 per pair, while the swingarm costs a few hundred? Just food for thought... | ||
| L48shark |
Rear crash bars, eh? Nice. | ||
| Medic_2512 |
Thats a good price for the new XB. Some of the local dealers charge msrp plus about $1500 more for setup, frieght, and whatever else they can make up. Goodluck | ||
| Eor |
Hey Tom! I do business with Bentonville BMW [nice folks]...I was there Friday, BTW. Your F650 isn't silver, is it? I saw a guy on an F650 in Rogers/Little Flock on 62/94 when we were riding though. I was on the Ulysses and the wife was on her yellow F650. Which dealer was clearing the floor of Buells? Jones? Denney's? | ||
| Eor |
I clicked on the link.... obviously that wasn't you we saw the other day... | ||
| L48shark |
No, Bob had just sold that silver one. (Mine is red.) He told me I had just missed a Ulysses, though. Small world. Honestly, I don't know the name of the dealership because they're not local, but over in Oklahoma several hours from here. Guess I could ask next time I speak to them, huh? :-) | ||
| Xbolt12 |
L48, Removing the passenger pegs on the Firebolt drops 3lbs of weight and also makes the bike look even better. You can always get some Dark Horse rear axle sliders to protect the swingarm. BTW, you may not know that the S model footpegs fit the R and drop the pegs about an inch which can make the Firebolt more comfortable on longer rides. Price is about $13 per peg (ya gotta love Buell). Also you can cover the holes after you remove the passenger pegs with wide black PVC tape and it will hardly be noticeable. Welcome to the fun... | ||
| L48shark |
Black PVC tape? I was gonna use some "Oklahoma chrome" tape.  | ||
| Medic_2512 |
Hey Shark let us know about anymore great deals on Buells! | ||
| L48shark |
Oh, I know of one.  I think I'll be keeping one of the Firebolts, and my friend's wife said he couldn't have any more toys until they get a new house. That means I have an XB12R and an XB12S for sale. Both are 2005 models, black, and brand new. I'll extend the same price I offered my buddies to members here, which is $8500. Cash buyers are preferred. (I'd like to avoid having to hold checks until they clear, etc.; too many Internet scammers, you know.) A cash buyer would be able to pick up the bike and its title the same day, or else have the title mailed to them in case it has not been received from the DMV yet. (Since I'm not a dealer, I have to re-title them in my name just to resell them, which is a real PITA!) PLEASE discuss with your significant other, loan officer, insurance agent, priest, etc. BEFORE you contact me! :-) I will take delivery of the bikes on the 16th. I can be reached at l48shark@yahoo.com and will reply to those interested in the order messages are received. Cheers. | ||
| L48shark |
Went ahead and posted in the Classifieds section while I was thinking about it: http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/21/144308.html?1125891823 I'll wait a bit before advertising in the local paper; I'd like some real enthusiasts here to share in this deal. Oh, and while I'm at it, someone buy my Bimmer! http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/21/143835.html?1125631742 Can't wait to get my Buell! | ||
| Xbduck |
Welcome to our little (but growing) corner of crazy. I love your personal quote, a home brewer around here just might raise some eyebrows. |
