Buell Firebolt XB9R reviews

Buell had the guts to design something that does not look Japaneese and that has the torque that a Mustang or Camaro owner could appreciate. The braking is awesome. The bike is a lady picker- upper. The sound of the bike gets the attention of any teenager and you are suddenly cool. The bike is so reliable most guys think it's a Japanese bike. Even my Japanese friends are buying Buells now. Show less

THIS IS A REALLY FUN BIKE TO RIDE. NO, IT MAY NOT BE THE FASTEST, BUT IT HAS GOT PLENTY OF POWER AND A LOT OR TORQUE. YOU CAN EASILY GET THE FRONT WHEEL UP IN FIRST OR SECOND GEAR. I BOUGHT MINE THIS PAST SEPTEMBER AND HAVE HAD A BALL WITH IT SO FAR. I HAVE NOT ADDED THE RACE KIT YET, BUT PLAN TO DO SO SOON. I LOVE THE FACT THAT YOU don't SEE THEM EVERYWHERE. Show less

First off this bike was not intended to compete with the inline four top end screamers. I had an XL lightning in which had a good amount more power, but lost it in a wreck. So I test rode a XB12r and XB9r, I bought the 9r cause it was a little less and didn't seem much slower as it would pull up in first gear pretty easy and the other 9r they had would not. I'm no motorcycle expert, but I have owned different bikes and have been able to ride many a bike. The XB9r fits me the best, good torque, good brakes, good gas mileage, comfortable at least for me, and as the add says different in every sense, isn't that what riding is about, finding a motorcycle that fits you the best and just riding it. It's not the best at anything but it does everything very well. And the 9r will do better than 120 mph. Just a little note the X1 I had would pull up into a wheelie at 2600 rpm with just throttle, how many inline fours will do that. Show less

Walked past the bike in the dealership as I thought it was a 250cc. Decided to spoil myself and had organized to ride the race kitted version of the XB9R straight up. I now believe there is such a thing as one finger brakes as coming down a grade to a stop sign I managed a fifty meter endo. My face was still hurting three days later from grinning whilst riding possibly the most fun bike ever created. If you can get over the spec sheet bulls**t and put away the egos about who has the most HP you will actually enjoy the bike for what it was designed. Show less

Ok like most of the others on here I'll be the first to admit its not gonna brake any top speed records. But thats not what this bike is all about, its light, short and flickable, the looks alone are what sold this bike to me, I ordered it from 300 miles away without even riding it or any other Buell. Got it on my door step and just drooled over its looks, wanted one ever since I saw it at the NEC bike show in the UK. Its a fantastic bike to ride, handles really good, will keep up with most things up to about 120mph, which is quick enough for most. Who wants to be doing 160mph+ all the time I mean when's the last time YOU did over 140mph?? So why do you need a Fire blade that does 175mph??? It makes me laugh when these people buy a bike because its got 160bhp, there is that old saying BHP sells bikes, Torque Wins Races enough said, this bike has plenty of that, in fact this bike has similar torque as the following: (bare in mind the Buell is a V-Twin and V-Twin's have more torque than BHP) First the Fireblade CBR1000RR 2004,163 hp, 178 kg and 80 ft*lbs. Second the R1,172 hp, 172 kg, and 76.6 ft*lbs. Third the ZX10R, 170 hp, 165 kg and 75 ft*lbs. For the XB9R, 92hp @ 7200 (REMEMBER IT'S A V-TWIN), 92Nm-68 ft-lb @ 5500 rpm and Weight is 175kgs. So when you start to look at the details and the fact that it drops into corners like nothing else you have ever ridden, and the fact that the wheelbase is shorter than an R6, you start to see the potential. Torque is where its at on this bike, its got LOTS of it, I got The Race Kit fitted and the XB12S air box cover (add's more grunt due to its internal design), plenty of over run, popping and rumbling like those monster V8's sounds fantastic, its just so different from any other bike out there, when its parked up at the pub with the other Japanese bikes, its always draws the attention away from the more tricked up bikes. I had a Honda Hornet before, and was worried about build quality of the Buell's, but I've not had it long but I also have not had any problems with it at all, runs fine, goes great, looks fantastic, its so very different from the other stuff out there, they all look the same. Its a bike for the individual, if you want to be different and your not shy......get yourself one of these things!! Show less

Have a "03 XB9R. Almost 6000 miles. Not one problem. Not the fastest bike out there, but as quick as anything. Lot's of get-up-and-go and quick handling. Will outhandle ANYTHING comparable and carry more speed through the turns than any other street bike. Show less

I recently purchaed this bike and had the race kit installed. It has plenty of torque and power.I had owned ducatis to gsxrs , and this by far is the most fun bike to ride. It is so nimble and compact. Only reason I'm not giving it five stars i would like a little more power, but for a v twin the bike is awesome. Show less

Just got my first ride on this bike and it definitely impressed. The belt drive left the biggest impression on me as it is way smoother than a chain. I also rode a Lightning that did not have the race prep and it was noticeably slower. The Firebolt feels much faster than my current Ducati 900SS if that is any comparison. Overall the bike felt very tight and well put together. Plenty of power and tourque. Show less

I purchased my Firebolt this May and have since put about 5,000 miles on it, and I still have mixed feelings about it. For one thing it is way too expensive, and definately should not be classified as a sportfighter. It doesn't have the horsepower or torque to compete with any 600cc or larger sportbike on the road. This includes in town where the torque should help or in long straight aways. Even worse, I live in the coldest city in the continental US and it overheats. They put a lot of money and time into this bike and they should have at least liquid cooled this motor and bumped the hp at least 30 more ponies. The transmission is average, mine seems to be very sticky at slow speeds, and will not go into first gear from second unless you are moving at a farily good rate. The only other complaint I really have is the low beam headlight, the first time I went into a corner at night I lost all vision of the inside of the corner and nearly drove into the ditch; nor could I read any streets signs that night. I corrected this by moving the focal point to a considerably higher position, but now on coming traffic always brights me. I guess that's ok now that I can see and read where I'm going. As far as the handling, unless you are professional, you will not be able to out corner another sportbike. I don't care what the ads say, you really have to know whay you are doing. All in all this is a great beginner bike. Good torque to get going from a stop, but not enough to get you into much trouble. You really have to try to get the front tire to come up. I love my American products, and I hate to say this, but I think Eric made a great bike to cruise on in stlye not to race. When it comes to racing and durability, you had better buy a Janpanese bike. They are just flat out a better built and faster bike. don't believe me ask your local Buell Mechanic, if he says otherwise he's lying and find somewhere else to buy you Firebolt. Show less

I can honestly say (because I have both Jap Bikes and American) that the XB9R for the twisties is the best... for all out top-end however, the mods will require extensive and expensive re-work of the engine and body. If you want a Deal's Gap killer, this is the bike. It will out pace my GSXR-750 and 1000R all the time in the corners and can out pace and out run the compitition in the twisties hands-down!!! The Suzuki's however are tops in the top-end as are the Kawasaki's but where you loose these jap bikes with this little American wonder is in the deep twisties. The XB9R stock is pretty pathetic... it does require the Race ECM, Race Muffler, Power Commander and reduction of about 10 lbs in total to really be a major threat to the R1. http://groups.msn.com/xb9r The XB9R is a great bike of low weight and great power to weight ratio.... the power is easy to stroke from this bike with a stroker kit and is a real kick-ass machine with the Brian Nallin 1050cc kit installed and re-maps. Show less