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Your opinions on Buell motorcycles ...

Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2006 7:03 pm
by earwig
I just purchased a Buell Lightning XB12S. I really knew nothing about them before I made my decision... just 1 test ride... yes I am an impulse buyer... anyway... Does anyone have any experience with Buells or have any opinions about them? So far I love the bike, how it handles, looks, sounds... I love how unique the design is etc...

Thanks!

Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2006 7:09 pm
by jmillheiser
Have not heard anything bad about the newer buells.

Seems Buell has gotten most of the problems that their older models have ironed out.

Im amazed you found a buell dealer. Most HD dealers are dropping buell like a bad habit

Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2006 7:24 pm
by Mintbread
There is only one minor drawback to the Buells. That mobile air compressor they call an engine.

Posted: Sat Mar 04, 2006 3:24 am
by earwig
jmillheiser wrote:Have not heard anything bad about the newer buells.

Seems Buell has gotten most of the problems that their older models have ironed out.

Im amazed you found a buell dealer. Most HD dealers are dropping buell like a bad habit
There are a few here in NJ that still carry/service Buell. I believe the restructuring (sp) is completed so the ones that carry Buell now will continue to...

Posted: Sat Mar 04, 2006 3:24 am
by earwig
Mintbread wrote:There is only one minor drawback to the Buells. That mobile air compressor they call an engine.
What is wrong with the engine?

Posted: Sat Mar 04, 2006 3:44 am
by swatter555
I think that Buells are pretty neat, definately a different take on sportbikes than the Japanese. From the articles I have read on them, the engineering is unique. Incorporating innovations like storing oil in the swingarm and using the engine as the frame, that certainly qualifies as unique.

Posted: Sat Mar 04, 2006 4:41 am
by Gummiente
earwig wrote:What is wrong with the engine?
Oh, cr*p... don't get them all started again. :|

Posted: Sat Mar 04, 2006 4:56 am
by liablemtl
Buell is a unique brand of American motorcycle. They are well designed and decently built. In the past they've had some problems, but over the last few years they seem to have weeded out the design flaws and have become the proverbial "Great American Sport Bike". They are extremely well handling machines whose engines produce mounds of real world usable torque and decent horsepower. The XB12S is a great looking bike. I would buy one in a heartbeat.

I ran into a rider a few years ago who had a Buell... when I asked him what he thought he replied, "I've never had bike that spent so much time in the shop but was so much fun to ride... when I trade this one in, I will get another one."

To me, that says everything I need to know about the bike... sure, it may not be perfect, but a mountain of fun can make me a forgiving man when it comes to the little stuff.

Congrats on your new ride. I will someday have Buell in my garage... it will sit right next to a host of other bikes made by a host of other companies (HD, Triumph, Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki, ad infinitum)