talk me out of a 2007 buell xb9

[nynor]

these bikes are dirt cheap. i've always wanted one....

[HardDrive]

Did they have a HD or Rotax power plant?

[motion]

H-D engine. Not really much of a bike, but could be fun to own.

[Jeff Higgins]

Glorified Sportster with some quirky features that really don't make them any better than any normal 600 sport bike. The Sportster motor is the big downside. While they have gobs of torque, they also develop big problems if run hard often. At least a few folks I used to know in my HOG chapter days thought they wanted to get into bike track days, while staying true to the HD brand, so they tried to do it on Buells. They quickly found they just didn't hold up to that kind of use.

I thought of buying one as my first "sport bike" for many of the same reasons they bought theirs, although I wasn't going to track it. I've ridden a few, and they are fun street bikes, but compared to my 900SS, they are found wanting in many ways. I think one would be kind of a step down from your current ride.

[Gogar]

I agree that since you love your 900ss you might have a confused and disappointed feeling getting on the Buell.

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

Glorified Sportster with some quirky features that really don't make them any better than any normal 600 sport bike. The Sportster motor is the big downside. While they have gobs of torque, they also develop big problems if run hard often. At least a few folks I used to know in my HOG chapter days thought they wanted to get into bike track days, while staying true to the HD brand, so they tried to do it on Buells. They quickly found they just didn't hold up to that kind of use.

I thought of buying one as my first "sport bike" for many of the same reasons they bought theirs, although I wasn't going to track it. I've ridden a few, and they are fun street bikes, but compared to my 900SS, they are found wanting in many ways. I think one would be kind of a step down from your current ride.

yup, +1

[nynor]

the torque and HP are quite a bit better than my 900ss and i have read that the handling is very nice....

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by nynor

the torque and HP are quite a bit better than my 900ss and i have read that the handling is very nice....

my neighbor had one. He spent ALOT of time tweaking and tuning that thing. He finally tossed it for very cheap.

[84CAB]

They are great bikes. No, you won't take it to the track and beat everyone or beat the Japanese bikes running around the interstate...nor will a Buell stand up to that kind of treatment.
However, your fun per mile will be unmeasurable. To me they are the air-cooled Porshe of the bike world.
I guess it all depends on what you want to do with it.

[JavaBrewer]

I always had a soft spot for Buell. A different mindset to be sure. I was close to buying an XB12R but elected to go with a Triumph Speed Triple. I am guessing it was a wise decision as I don't particularly care for the twin experience (Aprilia) due to the hand numbing vibration (yes it can be addressed) and off throttle transition (can be addressed with slipper clutch).

[HardDrive]

Didn't some of the later Buells use a Rotax plant?

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Originally Posted by HardDrive

Didn't some of the later Buells use a Rotax plant?

Yes, the water-cooled 1125 bikes had their motors sourced from Rotax. They were pretty impressive.

[Ferraripete]

Originally Posted by nynor

the torque and HP are quite a bit better than my 900ss and i have read that the handling is very nice....

then step up to a 916. still the prettiest machine on the road!

[Noah930]

The motor is the big negative. The power and wakes up at 5K. Below that and it's like one of the cars at Autopia. Just as the fun starts, it tails off at 7K. The chassis is very quick, though. The rake is something ridiculously steep. The wheelbase is short, and it's one of those bikes that makes you feel like you're riding perched on top of it. I think you'll be a little disappointed, coming from your injected 900SS.

[Charles Freeborn]

Love the styling and sound, but the company is gone, so support & parts will get rare and expensive.
-C

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by Charles Freeborn

Love the styling and sound, but the company is gone, so support & parts will get rare and expensive.
-C

HD still fully supports them and does a very good job of doing so. The "Buell unique" parts seldom fail and are not the problem - it's the over-stressed HD parts. They are dirt cheap and readily available. The problem is, you will get to know your friendly local HD parts counter guy. And his wife and kids.

[Arizona_928]

Those and the xb12 love to spin rod bearings. I haven't seen one with more then 30k without being rebuild. I think they're cool though. If you can pick up one with the transparent fairings.
The parts thing sucks, you will order everything online, and will be lucky if you can find a dealer to work on it. If you buy it, you'll need a parts manual. Those things are worth its weight in gold.

[RANDY P]

[Gogar]

Originally Posted by nynor

the torque and HP are quite a bit better than my 900ss and i have read that the handling is very nice....

Well, if you're itching then go ahead. Barring some kind of grenade incident I doubt you'll take a bath on it.

"Have fun" is the answer at the end of it.

If I were in your position I would look for something besides an air-cooled twin, just for variety.

[javadog]

That would be about the last sportbike I'd consider buying. Actually, I'd buy a cruiser before that.

Erik always had to be different and different didn't mean better.

Buy anything else.

JR