Buells

gggGary

gggGary

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I see a fair number of XSer's are also Bueller's
I admit I watch the Buell ads and am often tempted.
So what are your Buell experiences? Do you like em? pluses minuses compared to the XS?
Maintenance durability reliability issues?
Models, years to desire/avoid?
Wandering minds want to know.....
 
I have ridden several, and now own a Tube Frame Buell Thunderbolt s2 1203...

Its a decent bike, torque is fun (kinda why I like the XS) but this particular bike shakes like you wouldn't believe... It makes a stock XS engined bike seem like a sewing machine. The Buell Purists will tell you the tube frame Buell's are the best ever made. I can say that this bike handles very well for its size/weight. I also prefer the upright riding position of a standard over the low bars on most sportbikes with clip-ons...

Honestly I was completely in love with it, until I picked up an SV650 V-Twin Suzuki for my wife. The SV is way more fun to ride, has the torque and top speed to make it fun... And way smoother running at all RPMS... I'm thinking of ditching the Buell for another SV650 for myself now... Maybe I'll just make a Buell based speedchop :)
 
I surely like the LOOKS of the tube frame more but I also like the "inside out" front disk....
So are Buell motors bolted in or are there rubber mounts?
A shaky Sportster motor? Hard to believe.
 
gggGary said:
I surely like the LOOKS of the tube frame more but I also like the "inside out" front disk....
So are Buell motors bolted in or are there rubber mounts?
A shaky Sportster motor? Hard to believe.
Click to expand...

Yeah, the perimeter brakes are pretty slick looking. I can do stoppies with the standard style brakes on this bike easily...

I haven't looked that close at all the models, but mine is rubber mounted.
 
This is a 1997 buell m2 cyclone.Its been lowered alot and extended 6inches in the swing arm. Its a blast to ride:thumbsup:






DSC08736_resize.jpg
Punkskalar said:
Yeah, the perimeter brakes are pretty slick looking. I can do stoppies with the standard style brakes on this bike easily...

I haven't looked that close at all the models, but mine is rubber mounted.
Click to expand...
 
gggGary said:
I surely like the LOOKS of the tube frame more but I also like the "inside out" front disk....
So are Buell motors bolted in or are there rubber mounts?
A shaky Sportster motor? Hard to believe.
Click to expand...

that's just to let you know they are awake :laugh:
 
I can't comment on the Buells, but can comment on the SV650/SV1000. Hugh, those are some fun bikes. I have an SV650 for sale right now. If you like the 650, you may want to look into the 1000, quite a bit faster. My father has been riding around 40 something years and the SV is one of his favorite bikes of all time. I sold it and he made me find him another one.
 
I've demo'ed Buells a several rally's. I liked the way they ran and handled. But I never liked their looks. To me they appear unfinished. To each his own.
 
Very affordable. I bought a 2006 SV650 with 33K miles for $1200, my father's 2003 SV1000S highly modded with 42K for $1,700 and my 2003 SV650 with 8,5xx miles for $2,000.
 
I LOVE BUELLS.

Personally, I would pick a tube frame Buell with a carb. The fuel frame and FI Buells, just dont feel as 'raw' to me. Plus, Buell / Harley refuse to sell tuners for their FI bikes, so if you want to modify the intake or exhaust you need to take it to the stealership for a tune... which will cost you about $750!!!

The tube frame buells are rubber mounted 1200 sportster motors with better heads, cams, and ignitions. They use the 1992-2003 style sportster engine. with simple bolt ons, a late model tube frame will easily make 100-110 hosepower. They are WAY faster and handle better thn an XS.

I have owned two, a 1999 and a 2000 Cyclone. I chopped the 2000 M2 up and made a custom out of it, that was probably one of the worst decisions I have ever made.

The 1999 M2 Cyclone:
CIMG2049.jpg


The 2000 M2 looked the same, except it was yellow.

Here it is after the chop:
086.jpg
 
Honestly, having ridden both....my ex wifes Ducati monster s2r800 kicked the living shit out of the Buell lightning i rode in every way.

To many awesome engine options not to own a ducati monster....55hp air cooled to 110HP air cooled....and the Superbike powered monster s4r with the 916 996 and 999 super bike motors. the testastretta found in the 07+ s4r monsters is 140 crank hp. Radial mount brembo 4 pistons, the option of Ohlins suspension.

endless customization. The DS1000/1100 air cooled motor in the s2r and monster 1100 evo is an effing torque machine. I prefer the air cooled actually. far better for a DD.

2007 s4r

10056103_20081223142625.jpg
 
I like the xb series Buells. They had all of the engineering special touches that buell became known for. Oil in swingarm and fuel in the frame. Lots of torque and a short wheelbase. Pretty cheap too.

If you want raw air cooled twin power go with the ducati. It is a more modern motor design anyway.

The SV650 is too long and sportbike-like. Plus I dont like the sound of the liquid cooled bikes.

I own a 2003 Buell xb9s and I love the heck out of it. Always puts a smile on my face.

4930524907_87111a7271_z.jpg
 
I have a 2000 Cyclone, bought it new . Been a great bike. Handles well in the twisties wheelies all the time though, don't know why. Had a few batteries and stators go bad but other than that still going strong after 11 years.:)
 

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I ride an sv650 every day to work 40 plus miles round trip! Love the bike it's fun and corners awesome!! Now I have been thinkin of buildin a chopper using a buell motor but not to sure of that yet. When I was endurance racing we had a team that raced a buell that had a butt load of problems with it!! But I love the sound it makes!! Lol
 
I don't miss my xb12s blowing hot air all over me sitting in traffic not a good commuter bike. But a great bike in the twisties.
 

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