talk me out of a 2007 buell xb9

[HardDrive]

I like the concept, but hard to get past that engine. If only there we something along the same lines, but with a free revving 900cc L twin in it....;D

[Arizona_928]

The engine is not that bad. They're only around 1,200 in parts to rebuild. Including new pistons/jugs/crank/flywheel, with assorted bearings, and seals. Very comparable to rebuilding a type 1 / 2 vw.
The torque is something to be desired; a lot of it!!!

The Buell I totaled, ended up on craigslist 8 months later for $3500 with a rebuild title. It sold quick. If the one you're looking at is comparable in price, I would not hesitate to buy it...

[GH85Carrera]

You'll put yer eye out kid!

How is that?

[nynor]

Originally Posted by Gogar

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.

i've had a CBR and FZR. i like the simplicity of the air-cooled stuff.

also, if what i am reading is correct, the XB's are fuel injected, which is a huge plus.

Originally Posted by peteremsley

While the engine might not be that bad, it's not a great foundation for a sport bike. Competent canyon ride with just a couple shifts every 10 miles? Sure, but not a sport bike.

you do see that i live in salt lake city the vast majority of the riding i do is the 8 mile commute to and from work and the canyons. my 900SS cannot keep up with the real sport bikes.... except in the canyons. the torque just powers out of the corners. my only complaint is that it is a bit tricky to ride, compared to, say, my friend's 749.... that thing is ridiculously easy to corner. but, i hate working on it.

so, the fact that it is a competent canyon ride is a plus, to me.

[gsxrken]

Originally Posted by 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.

Agreed. Most on this forum get that you can enjoy a mechanical thing without it being on the cutting edge of anything.

[nynor]

there is nothing wrong with it. it is simply a tall bike with a lot of the mass up high (battery, fuel). the 749 is simply much more civilized (mass is low, battery is nearly at the bottom of the bike). what appeals to me about the 900SS is that rawness of the machine. i think i need to sit on a buell and give it a spin.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Absolutely take the Buell for a ride. I'm 6'2" and 225 lbs. and I had fun taking an XB9R for a test ride. I'm sure I looked ridiculous but I still enjoyed it. Sure, it's not your typical rice burner but that's a plus, not a negative.

I may be biased because I don't get along with inline-4 motors. The buzz puts my hands to sleep.

[varmint]

you all forgot to mention the wonderful red headed step child treatment from the dealerships.

[dlockhart]

Originally Posted by nynor

you do see that i live in salt lake city the vast majority of the riding i do is the 8 mile commute to and from work and the canyons.

A Tuono of either generation would be a nice fit. The old V2 was not bad. The new current V4 is a beast. A friend is planning on racing his at Pikes this year. He raced a SVX550 sumo last year.

And thinking about it, for a 8 mile commute and canyons, a supermoto would be great fun.






I don't have the cool canyons but now I want a supermoto again.

.



.

[Rednine11]

I had one.
Its a top heavy bike but I never had any problems with it
Lots of torque but not the top end I had hoped for
everyone loved it that seen it.
Sure there are better options but at the prices I see these bikes selling for I might buy another one
post a pic if you buy it

[nynor]

Originally Posted by BlueSkyJaunte

Absolutely take the Buell for a ride. I'm 6'2" and 225 lbs. and I had fun taking an XB9R for a test ride. I'm sure I looked ridiculous but I still enjoyed it. Sure, it's not your typical rice burner but that's a plus, not a negative.

I may be biased because I don't get along with inline-4 motors. The buzz puts my hands to sleep.

good to know, as i am about the same size. perhaps a XB12 would be better.....

[BlueSkyJaunte]

I think the 12 and the 9 have the same dimensions everywhere except for the motor. A few extra HP to haul big goons like us around can't be a bad thing.

The weirdest thing about the bike was the rubber-mounted turn signals. At stop lights they jiggled like a fat chick's thighs thanks to the engine vibes.

[Adam]

Agree with most of the above - I had an '09 XB12Ss, I'd buy another one in a heartbeat, loved it. Torque monster.

[alexbrown]

What makes the XB9R such a sweet handling motor cycle is all of the design ideas that Erik Buell built into the bike to give it its very low centre of gravity. Together with the steep steering angle you can chuck the thing from side to side with abandon, As an earlier poster has said, you will never get near many other machines in a track situation, but what a magnificent and entertaining sports bike it is on the road. Apart from the clunky gear shift that is!!!

[nynor]

i bought the bike. what a sweet piece of machinery. and the similarities with the HD engine pretty much end with the fact that it is a 45 degree twin.



different cylinders, crank, flywheel, con rods, cylinder heads, fuel injected, fit and finish by buell, dry sump oiling, etc., etc. and no leaks. imagine that!!!

i'll post up with any issues or praise.

darell

[84CAB]

Knew it. Most people that bash them have never been on one or haven't spent enough time to discredit their preconceived notions. Loads of fun.

[nynor]

the two big bashes i read were: the clutch is stiff and the the feedback from the front brake is terrible.

BS.

you want a stiff clutch, try the hydraulic clutch on the '99 ducati supersport.

as for the front brake, i couldn't tell a difference in 'feeback'. the damn bike stops and it stops really really well.

[porsche4life]

Congrats D!

[nynor]

Originally Posted by porsche4life

Congrats D!

thanks!

i am super stoked!

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Cool! Now, you know we need pics, right?