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Ok I've heard all the complaints about Harleys and the like, how they leak oil etc. etc.

A lot of it is probably blowing bull as HD still sells well. Good marketing? Sure, but there's a bit of substenance there.


However, the best rumors/lies are those that have a nugget of truth to them.


So I was looking at this and was thinking "Oh, Buell, neat" then I remembered Buell is part of HD and was wondering if Buell would be crappy as well?


And just how crappy, honestly, are HD in the whole maintenance category? They're styled very nice, but you always hear about them losing parts, dripping oil, etc.


Stereotypes aside, it looks like a very solid, sexy bike. And I know there's some Buell owners here on the board and would like to hear from ya'll as well.

Buells are awesome, reliable, easy to work on/maintain and in my opinion the best bikes built. I have my dream bike, the XB12S… 2004+ Buell models have no issues. If you have any real questions about Buell motorcycles go to www.badweatherbikers.com and ask there... I think the Blast is under-powered but the XB9 or XB12 bikes rule. I did hear that older Blasts had some issues.

Yah but then you're getting up into the liter bikes.


Anyone know the Buell's HP compared to a EX500?

xb12 Horsepower (North America per SAE J607) 103 HP @ 6800 RPM
Torque (North America per SAE J607) 84 ft. lbs. @ 6000 RPM

xb9 Horsepower (North America per SAE J607) 92 HP @ 7500 RPM
Torque (North America per SAE J607) 70 ft. lbs. @ 5500 RPM

They are very torquey... have long have you been riding?

I haven't. This'll be my first bike. I took the MSF back in October.

So I guess, about 10 miles within the course of a year. Money is a big problem but I worked all summer and will be working some this semester so I'm getting there.


But that's why I wanna keep the HP in the lower ranges. Somewhere around the EX/GS 500s.

Ok... I thought you have been riding for a while for some reason. You can probably get a newer buell blast for very cheap used. I think the torque is more of a concern for newer riders than HP if you have a good head on your shoulders.

I thought you have been riding for a while for some reason.

Heh would if I could man. I'm a 19 year old, male (Insurance...), college student.


And I like to think I have a good head on my shoulders. Until I do something stupid and prove myself wrong. Trying to prevent that from happening.

The buell 500cc puts out around 30hp. If you buy a pre 02 be sure the TSBs have been done. Avoid used bikes that were used in the Riders Edge course.

Shiv wrote:And just how crappy, honestly, are HD in the whole maintenance category? They're styled very nice, but you always hear about them losing parts, dripping oil, etc.

They got a bad rap in the 70s when quality went through the floor while they were owned by AMF. In the 80s and 90s the quality came back, and you really don't hear stories about them losing parts and dripping oil anymore.

But, there's such animosity between Harley owners and non-Harley owners, that the non-Harley side latches onto anything to attack the Harley side (and vice versa). When you have something that sounds as good as "they lose parts!" or "they leak oil!" it's hard not to repeat it endlessly.