How bout them Buells?

Now that I have a full time job, I've been thinking about buying a newer bike. Since mine is 30 years old, it's not exactly the most reliable thing, and I would like to just test ride a Buell just for the hell of it. If I did end up buying one, it would probably be a 2000ish 1200cc Lightning or Cyclone. I like how you can get storage bags that strap on the gas tank and seat, which would be really nice to have. Theyre also fuel injected, which would be great, considering how many times I've had to dick with the carbs on my KZ. You don't see many Buells compared to crotch rockets, and even though they aren't near as fast, I think they would be a great bike to own. I wouldn't be getting rid of my KZ either, so no worries about that!

What are your thoughts on Buells? Ever rode one? It seems like most of the complaints I hear are the vibration, since it is a Harley engine we're talking about. I can't imagine it being very bad though, since most people are probably comparing them to crotch rockets. A lot of people seem to bash Buell too for being "so far behind" the Jap bikes. The way I see it, Buell isn't out to build a 4 cylinder bike that you can easily kill yourself on, but they seem to focus more on the rider, handling, and they seem to have some innovative ideas. The brake rotors are pretty wild looking that attach to the outside of the rim, the frame actually houses the fuel instead of a tank, and the engine oil is stored in the swing arm on some models. They just seem to be nice bikes in my opinion, and if I were to buy another bike someday, I think I would like it to be a Buell.

Let me know what you think!

Toadson, my brother has owned a few of them and he's a big time Hyabusa guy. He really likes the way they sit, the ride, the lean...he kinda' has accepted the thump-thump of the twin, even with the gynormous rubber bushings it still vibrates like Wisconsin Iron...but I've enjoyed the time I've spent on it. He has the new XB12Scg,it's got 103 horses...nice twin,...but I prefer my in line fours.

A friend of mine has one. I don't know what year it is and I think it is the carb model. (That kind of tells you how interested I am in it). I've ridden it and didn't fall in love with it. It vibrates terribly and will shake your arms off like a paint shaker in the city. Smooth on the highway he says. I never did any riding on it other than city. The only other complaint I had was the turning radius. Take how far the handlebars will turn lock to lock on our KZs and cut 50% is how the Buell is. This would take a lot of getting used to for me. At slow speeds would be very different to say the least. Like I say, this is not a new model, I'd guess 90 vintage so may be completely different as of late.

The guy i got a parts bike from had one,and he we started talking about it. He rode from aurora il. to somewhere in new york on it and was extremely happy with it. Said the best cornering bike hes ever owned, I want one too...

they are cool....but you gotta accept to much as "the way it goes" for me to even wanna look into their good points....if i wanted a quirky bike i'd think about a speed triple...or a uber tour beemer......there is one guy rides on a the 1200 buell around my parts a lot and he can ride....he is way used to his bike and drives it like some streetfighter......gives the impression that they can be made to really jam....this one guy..only buell i've ever seen looks like the friggin ghostrider just went by...:woohoo:

when ever i've ridden buell's i've always had a good time on them and wheelie they rock for that and they are pretty quick, way faster then the 1200 sportser motor should be if i could find a mid ninties lightening for a good price i'd be all over it like a fat kid after some smarties.

Good friend has one and it's a great fun machine. Shakes the world and yes it does wheelie with ease. I'd like one. :kiss:

See where Buell is torching their Buell Blast's. They say it never should have been made. It's not who they are.

Take a look at the honda 919s,I got an 07 this spring and really like it. Paid $6950 with 0 miles still in a crate. Inline 4,water cooled,a little over 100HP,fuel injected,runs on regular gas,6 speed trans,very nimble,a really bright high beam(I ride to work at midnight),avg.50mpg,accelerates like hell! Honda discontinued them cause they did'nt sell well here in the USA. Also got a good price on ins. cause it less than 1000cc's,a very nice red paint. I'm 57 yrs. old and it's plenty fast.

there is a guy around me that commutes on one...you can set your watch to him kawboy13 wrote:

Take a look at the honda 919s,I got an 07 this spring and really like it. Paid $6950 with 0 miles still in a crate. Inline 4,water cooled,a little over 100HP,fuel injected,runs on regular gas,6 speed trans,very nimble,a really bright high beam(I ride to work at midnight),avg.50mpg,accelerates like hell! Honda discontinued them cause they did'nt sell well here in the USA. Also got a good price on ins. cause it less than 1000cc's,a very nice red paint. I'm 57 yrs. old and it's plenty fast.

i worked on them till the XB9 came out. the older lightning's that were injected were a bit dodgy, stalled alot, and bear when cold, those were the ones with the Marrelli injection. the XB9's and 12's have the Delphi injection and were almost perfect. i love injection and often say i would not buy a carbed bike again, BUT the late 90's cyclones are real good bikes and can get them in 2500$ range, they are carbed, but as long as no one has messed with it they are good. they do shake alot at idle, and i am use to harley's and they shake alot! but you get use to it and most of it goes away once you are moving. they did have alot of recalls on them so check and see what has been done to ones you are looking at. swing arm isolators like to go and they can be a pain to change.

Thanks for all the replies! Good to know about the injection system, I will have to look more into that. As for the Honda 919, I don't think that is really up my alley. I did kinda like the newer Z1000s, but I wouldn't think a new naked bike would be too easy to get rid of if I didn't end up liking it. Then again I never sell anything anyway....

I'm going to have to test ride a Buell to see if I even like them or not. I know it will be a completely different ride from my KZ, but I want a bike that runs how it should and I don't have to keep messing with it! Hopefully I'll get my KZ running close to perfect so I'll at least be happy with it.

My buddy has a Buell Millennium X1. It's to say the least... a beast. We joke around saying that they finally put a V-twin to good use. It is by far probably one of the fastest bikes that I have every seen.

By the by, if anyone is looking for a Buell Blast! 500. He's got one to sell.