Buell Lightning X1 reviews

I OWN A 01'X-1 HAVE ABOUT 3000 MILES ON HER. THIS BIKE IS THE BEST,BESIDE HAVING A BAD REP WITH ALL SPORTBIKE PEOPLE, THIS BIKE IS FARMOST THE TORQIEST TOY THAT YOU CAN RIDE. IVE OWNED A GSXR750,VFR750,AND KATANA1100.THESE WERE ALL SUPER FAST BUT NOT FUN. ALL I WANTED TO DO WAS GO FAST STRAIGHT,BUT ITS NOT ABOUT THAT ANYMORE. ALL MAGAZINES AND SPORTBIKE PEEPS SAY 101HP, 88HP AT THE REAR WHEEL IS A JOKE FOR 1200CC. 12.0 IN THE 1/4 MILE, WHAT A JOKE RIGHT! WELL MAYBE NOT, I RIDE WITH ZX7R, ZX6R, R6, TL1000R,AND XB9R. WELL I HAVE TO SAY THESE ARE WELL KNOWN BIG SPORTBIKE NAMES AND THE MAGAZINE PEEPS BRAG HOW FAST THEY ARE,BUT WAIT,A BUELL IS UP FRONT,THIS CANT BE. WELL BESIDES THE XBR, I THINK THE X1 HANDLES THE BEST. AND WHEN YOU PULL UP AT THE LIGHT I LOVE TO HEAR "WHAT THE HELL IS THAT"..WELL JUST TO SUM IT UP, DONT GO BUY WHAT IS PRINTED IN THESE MAGAZINES,DONT FALL INTO THE JAP BIKE HYPE.YES THERE FAST BUT BUELLS DO DESERVE MORE REAL LIFE CREDIT. IF YOU OWN ONE YOU KNOW WHAT IM TALKING ABOUT,IF YOU DONT OWN ONE, TRY TO RIDE WITH SOMEONE WHO DOES.IF YOUR IN JERSY AREA, HELL EMAIL ME. ;LATER P.S A GOOD REAL LIFE MAGAZINE SPORTBIKE OR NOT IS "BIKE". IT SELLS FOR ABOUT 7$ BUT YOU DONT HAVE ALL THE BS. JUST REAL PEOPLE ON REAL ROADS.. Show less

Some of my past bikes include..Norton 850,Guzzi LM11,Guzzi MKV (Ult ED.)GPZ 900R ,GSXR 750 M,ZZR1100(98),& 99X1 Buell.....I wont part with the Buell.Minimum maint will prevent problems and with very little work the bike has never let me down.Fantastic hills scratcher...hard to beat, very forgiving.Always gets looks & enquiries.Its like no other bike Ive ever ridden. Simply...........I love it. Show less

had mine almost two years and 11000 miles with only a speedo sensor to replace.sounds awsome with the vance-hines muffler.really fun bike to ride. Show less

This bike is simply too much fun. I have had a race kit installed and the power is staggering while remaining silky smooth. Oh, and the sound is awesome. This bike is a blast to ride and a real head turner. This is my second Buell and I have no complaints with the bike. Additionally, dealing with the sales and service staff at Danbury H/D-Buell is truly a pleasure. Show less

I'm the proud new owner of a 2001 X-1. I will tell you that after years of driving different makes (Kawasaki, Yamaha, Ducati, Honda) while overseas Germany, where there are no real speed limits, a foreign bike is what you want to own. Fast, cheap, disposable, plus there are many places where you can speed-up your bike to its limits. Here in the States, well, if you're willing to pay $12,000 for a street legal bike that will do 160 MPH,(where?) then more power to you. My point is, the X-1, turns heads everywhere I've gone with it, it has enough power to handle any (LEGAL) speed in the US HWY's, and if you care for it, it'll last as long as any other foreign bike. Plus it will keep its value, better than most of them. So far I'm impressed with bike, the dealer's customer service and the Harley Davidson's engine. Just my opinion. Show less

I own a 1997 S1 lightning and it rates a 5+ on my scale. Curvey rodes and launches from the start are with an ease of the throttle. No cranking of the rpms is needed and the torque is always ready to pull you off the seat. This bike is so much fun, its like a large dirt bike that has the refined movement of a street bike...and the best thing is the service charges are alot cheaper than other bikes of its class. Show less

This is by far not my first bike, and it's one of four I own now. I did a lot of research before purchasing it and knew what I was getting into. Since I've owned it the bike has been in the shop four times, that's four times in four months. I've got about 2000 miles on it now. Not sure the actually millage because on my last trip the odomiter failed when the charging system went south. So far it's been in twice for an intermintant surging/rough running problem that has yet to be diagnosed. The shock has had both recalls, the highbeam indicator went out, it used over a quart of oil in 1500 miles, (factory says 1 quart in 1600 is usual), a seal came off in the air cleaner, and as of yesterday the entire charging system failed. Had to stop every 30 miles or so with my buddy and use his bike to charge my battery to get home. Long day :) You would think I'd pretty much had it with the bike by now but not so. I purchased it at San Diego Harley Davidson, they have been great. They have top notch people with outstanding Buell knowledge. (They have a Buell race team) The mechanic's have known proper set up and the fixes for most of my troubles. Hopefully the surging/rough running will be fixed with this charging system replacement. When the bike is working, it works like nothing else. The handling is wonderfull, the throtle response is frightening and it never fails to start conversations where ever I pull up. I'm sure that once it's dialed in and the bugs are worked out it will be a true dream. I also know I'll always have to tinker with it....and that's OK. Like I said, I have three other bikes. If you are looking for a one and only, turn key ride, this may not be the bike for you. If you are looking for American made Exotica with more hrumph and grumble than anything from over seas and don't mind tinkering from time to time, this may be the ride for you. Show less

Man I had this bike since June 00 I put 9500 miles on it. The thing leaks oil. My muffler broke 4 times and waiting on new race kit for about 3 months / but if this bike hit 180mph and would last longer than 1 month with no problems then I think it would be probably the best bike out but till then its just a great ride. Show less

My good friend and neightbor owns an X1, every time my cell phone rings with his # on the caller ID I know he broke down on his X1, so I hitch the trailer and do the neightborly thing. He bought this bike against my advice I had an S1 for about 4 months, this bike stranded me 9 times on different days, guess who used to come and get me? Show less

I love riding this bike! It is not the fastest bike in the world. With 1203 cc motor, you'd think it would be faster. but there is tons of torque that makes the twisties a blast. I ride with guys with sportbikes and they sure eat my lunch, which is annoying since my bike has a bigger engine and costs more. But there is something about this bike I love. Maybe it's just because it is one tough bike. Show less