Buell

Alright ne1 have a buell bike or kno if they're any good?  

I asked about buells a while ago. i only got a few responses. Some of the members seem to have a prejuce against them, saying that the older models are unreliable. But anyone who owns one will say that they are perfect bikes. It is hard to get an unbiased opinion.  

Buells are neither exceptional bargains nor are they anywhere near the highest performing sport-bikes on the market.  In fact, even the 1200s are easily blown away in terms of top-speed by a good 600cc Asian race-replica.  They are, however, incredibly fun to ride and have even become somewhat reliable over the last year or two.  There’s something to be said for a big thumpy twin on a sport-bike.  No it’s not going to give you the best lap time, but it is a lot more fun to be on in city traffic than a screaming in-line 4 that you find yourself having to shift every five seconds.  Buells are also very light and torquey which makes them hellions at a stoplight.

I honestly don’t think there’s much of a bias against Buells on these boards – with the exception of the Blast, most will agree that they are respectable street bikes.  The Firebolt and Lighting can also be very potent sport machines in the hands of experienced riders.  With their short wheelbases and low centers of gravity you can fling them all over the place (provide you know what you’re doing).

Horsepower and torque are simply numbers – sport riding is more about testing your skills and, above all, enjoying yourself than it is having the fastest bike on the block (any idiot with a fat wallet can have that).  If you’re considering a Buell, I think you should take a ride on one and form your own opinions.  If feel and style mean as much to you as raw performance, you should also take a look at Ducati, Aprilia and Triumph.  Asian bikes probably do give you the most bang for the buck, but they certainly aren’t the only game in town.  

I think it's been more than just that last year or two, if i may get technical, as the XBs started showing up in '02 as early '03 models and the '06s are now out.  Definately test ride a Buell, which should be uber easy as the dealers have a MUCH more relaxed policy about test rides and demos than any of the japanese bike dealers.  After you test ride one you'll know whether you want it or not, you won't need to ask others for their opinions then.  Don't worry about the *** bikes having more performance, the *** bikes are not going to "walk away from you" unless they're in the hands of a track day addict/racer on a race track....or some squid with little to no survival instincts pushing his luck on the street.  The other 99.99999999999% of the time, you'll love the Buells torque, feel, sound, looks, ect ect ect.  

I read an analogy on another forum that the buell is like the camero of sport bikes. Not quite the farrari, or subaru, which are both faster. But that they are more practical, and can be plenty thrilling.  

I completely agree with the enp83; since most of us never really come close to pushing the performance limits of our bikes on the street, you would probably rarely notice the top-end difference between an XB and a typical race replica unless you’re a track nut.  He’s also right about the test ride policy.  Here in central Massachusetts, there’s a Harley dealer (Sheldons) that has a couple of the 1200 Buells in its line-up of demo bikes and is pretty cool about letting people take them out.  They know how addictive those toque-happy monsters can be so they give you your first fix for free.

Good luck,
Goose  

The Buell Bikes look like to short im 5'9" but the videos on their website, the riders look too high off the bike and their legs are bent to much. I was wondering if they are smaller then other bikes or if the riders are tall and would that the lightning or firebolt be a good bike for my hieght  

Buell XBs too short/small for someone 5'9?  No way.  The riders may look bigger on a XB compared to SOME *** bikes but the latest race replica *** bikes are pretty damn small themselves.  The stubby Lightning models are gonna look real small compared to most *** bike with big fairings all over 'em.  The Firebolts ergos really aren't any tighter/more compact than those of a GSXR/Ninja/CBR/ect, and the Lightning is one of the most comofortable sportbikes I've ever ridden (and I'm 6'2).  A popular mod on the Firebolts to give you a little more leg room is to use the pegs off a Lightning, they'll give you an extra inch of legroom...which is noticeable.

 

Well, I've ridden a friend's Buell before, and I'll agree that they are comfortable, but I hate the engine. It's a turd.
Eric Buell ought to start putting Suzuki Intruder 1400 engines in his bikes. Then they would have a little less wobble and a lot more a$$.With a set of drag pipes, it'd still be loud enough to fool the Harley riders into thinking it was a Harley engine. The only giveaway would be that the bike had some actual power.    

buells are fun i had a blast for 3 years in high school and while a bit weak it was still fun and i learned a lot about control on it while not killing myself.  now i have a 2004 lightning xb12s and love it.  i'm 6'1" and i've had no problem being to big for the bike.  one thing is that with the wheel base being so short is that it is a wheelie machine.  have about 2000 miles on it so far and i've never had a problem with the bike's mechanics. it may not have all the power of a *** bike but who cares the bike is sweet and i've yet to meet anyone in my area with one.