Well... I was sure till today.

[Bf109]

I was virtually certain (96.8%) that my 998 was getting traded in for a R1100S next week. Then I heard if you test rode a Buell you get a backpack. I figured what the hell, I saw a new XB-12R on the street the other day and it looked good.

Well, long story short it was the most amazing bike I've ever rode. Unbelieveable torque, good looks, great in the twisties, tons of fun, and a good looker.

Now I'm torn and don't know what to do. I would like to keep my 998 but my testicles are against it. I suspect a biased (towards the BMW) answer but why would the BMW be better? Help me out fellas I'm torn here......

[Don Ro]

How's the backpack?
.
Best,
.

[aap1966]

Reliability.
Longevity.
Minimal maintainance.
ABS.


Any of these an issue?

[Bf109]

Originally posted by Don Ro
How's the backpack?
.
Best,
.

It's a keeper!

[Bf109]

Originally posted by aap1966
Reliability.
Longevity.
Minimal maintainance.
ABS.


Any of these an issue?

ABS is not an issue.

As far as the others, I have to assume that maintainance on an air-cooled V-twin is pretty easy. As for reliability and longevity it is a similer engine to that of a 1200 sportster (I think) and I assume those are pretty solid. Plus it makes all it's power low in the power-band so the engine isn't turning 8,000 RPM all the time. Although I don't know for sure if this promotes longevity or not.

Seriously, 24 hours ago I was the guy making fun of Buell riders, no more though.

[Bf109]

Originally posted by Bf109
It's a keeper!

[Jeff Williams]

If you rode the BMW and still cann't decide, buy them both.... One for each city. The question is which one will you ride in St.Paul.

Bottom line: pick the one you enjoy and buy it. Don't listen to us, we only ride the best.
CYA
Jeff

[Jeff Williams]

On another topic. does your bowling ball fit in that bag?
Jeff

[BMWRider]

as far as reliabilty goes for the buell it is a definite letdown...if it is the HD motor good luck on that thing lasting more than 10K without oil leaks and many other problems...i've never seen a sportster engines without problems...all the reviews i've seen and the people i know that own a HD are nearly almost always fizing it more than riding it...but who knows you may get lucky....

[markjenn]

My experience on Buells is the same as Vincents, Bimotas, and Laverdas - zip. So discount accordingly.

All bikes have their merits, but there sure are a lot of folks who think they're pretty dodgy bikes. One of Motorcyclists' editors rode the XB12S and said, "This is truly the worst motorcycle, I've ever ridden. No fun at all." And it's hard to forgive them for foisting the Blast on beginners - for training courses using these POS, I'm surprised any students come back for the 2nd day of training.

Buells have always impressed me as innovative chassis looking for a (much) better engine, with quality control that ranges from acceptable to downright abysmal, mostly depending on whether you're on the front end or the tail end of a production run. Not that the BMW boxer is a paradigm of refinement or trouble-free-ness, but it does hold some unique advantages in BMW's application - I don't see any advantages in using HD's engines in the Buell chassis and I'd love to see a 51 motor in their bikes.

But whatever floats your boat. It sounds like you're buying more for emotional tug rather than practicality or performance, so if you think you'd look back over your shoulder more times walking away from a Buell, go for it.

- Mark

[JustAnotherSquid]

Originally posted by Bf109
As for reliability and longevity it is a similer engine to that of a 1200 sportster (I think) and I assume those are pretty solid.

I know several ex-Buellers, and one soon-to-be ex-Bueller, and based on their experiences I don't think that is a safe assumption at all.

[David Scott]

BF, I had a buell and love the handling. It was the very first one that came out and I preordered it (bad mistake) The Engine was a dog. It would not scare my grandmother. When I tried to get rid of it, found that getting rid of AIDS would have been easier. Even at half price couldnt move it with 2k miles after three years. I had another bike and found myself riding it. Bike had no damage. I finally had to trade it in for a used harley at the dealer I bought it from and sold the harley (FXR2). I wouldnt have one. The R1100S is not the fastest or scariest bike I have ever rode, but it is simply the best. If you buy one buy it used there are plenty around with few miles on them, like most harleys. You could not give me one if the stipulation was I had to ride it, even with a free backpack.

[UberXY]

Have you had to take the backpack back to the dealer yet for repairs?

[repoe3]

Originally posted by Don Ro
How's the backpack?
.
Best,
.

and i thought his description was of the backpack, not the bike. they figure, "give them a backpack, so when parts fall off, they have something to carry them in"

repoe3

[bikerfish1100]

"As for reliability and longevity it is a similer engine to that of a 1200 sportster (I think) and I ASSUME those are pretty solid. "

I'd call that a relatively faulty assumption. Same engine, same problems. However, the bottome line is - whatever floats your boat the highest.

[JustAnotherSquid]

Originally posted by bikerfish1100
I'd call that a relatively faulty assumption. Same engine, same problems. However, the bottome line is - whatever floats your boat the highest.

I'd go even further and say same engine, bigger problems. They've taken the same basic design and almost doubled the power output.

edit - BTW I'm not a Buell-basher, I love the XBxS', and would own either in a heartbeat if I thought I could get 5 years of reliable service out of them.

[ckcarr]

One thing is for sure, you are now looking at two different animals. Be reasonably sure as to why you are buying the bike. You should not even be comparing between them as a practical matter. I see an unhappy S rider in the making here now - to replace the one thats leaving!

The new XB12S would be great for having a "unique" bike with a cool sound for canyon carving or whatever there is to do in St. Paul. Its fast no doubt. I think I read it is the fastest in the Harley line - including the V Rod.

The 1100S (or other BMW) will get you on one of those highways heading out of town though, plus more than enough "canyon carving." With luggage you can leave for a month and probably not worry about breakdowns. It also has a unique look, adequate performance, and numerous features you can read about on this forum Like a clock, but no fuel gauge!

I've actually though about one of those Buell's - but then that opens up the door to the Monster S4R and other Ducati's (which you are getting rid of), Aprilia, and all those Japanese bikes built for those under 21.

[BMWRider]

if anyone wants to know how crappy is about there motors then they should watch the discovery channel special on HD...they have on of there head engineers bragging about there motors he actually says "the original EVO motor was designed to go about 30,000 miles without a rebuild, but the EVO2 is dsigned to nearly double that (60,000)!!!" and he was proud and excited when he said this...not that 60,000 isn't alot to throw on a bike motor but i know guys who have over 100K on goldwings that are still kicking strong as ever....like i've stated before my bro in law has an 883 sportser he calls it the hugger and i call it the chugger...the dam thing has more oil leaks than the exxon valdez...it's a real buzzsaw to ride around...i remember the vibes on it being so bad my teeth hurt...performance wise i used to spank him hard on my old BMW F650...and that bike was by no means fast...i believe this is the motor HD is using for the Buell, if it is i wouldn't touch it with a 10 foot no screw that a 20 foot pole!!!! That motor has got to be one of the worst ever built....

[motoyoyo]

One problem I've heard of with the Buell is perhaps related to the Harley Davidson motor as well. Mind you that the rest of the chassis is excellent and the bike is truley a fun sport bike to ride. However, some Buell owners have reported a tendancy for the bike to exhibit a slight drifting towards every bar and saloon it passes by as if it were trying to stop there. Kind of weird, don't know what's up with that.

[Skippy]

Cant beat the Buell for original design but for the rest the reliability is a real problem.It also depends on your riding style and what you intend to do with it.But if you intend to scream the engine all day and ride around at speeds of more then 150 km/h for longtimes you better leave the Buell alone.I had a S1 white lightning and realy loved the way the engine picked up from down low and the way the rev counter flew up into the limiter if you didn't shift fast enough but I also had some blown gaskets oil leaks faulty front disc and loads of parts falling of as I rode it.Bottem line if you drive much and hard buy a R1100S or any Jap bike you like but if you want to ride it for a few thousand miles a year the Buell could be a lot of fun as long as you have a great dealer who fixes everything under waranty like mine did.Here in europe I've never heard of a Buell that did more then 25000 km without blowing it's engine once or twice.Good luck deciding on wich bike your gonna buy.P.S. I never regretted owning the Buell for one second and had a great time on it for 3 years...