Buell reviews

Well I liked it so much I bought a second one! Maybe that's all I need to say. I rode most of what Yamaha, Suzuki, HD and Honda had to offer around 1200 cc. I wanted it all-fast, torque, thrilling in corners, lean but seats two for day-long treks with no complaints, light and doesn't look like a chrome two wheel Winnebago. I can drive in the bubble when I feel the need for speed but don't have to all the time feel like I'm tying my shoes all day. I have my fast tour bike but when I drop the rider and the luggage - I have my crotch rocket! The second bike I did most of the same add ons but that one I did the custom exhaust. The first one is stock exhaust. I will say that the best tires I driven on with these bikes were the Pirellis - it came with and playing with widths and race tires mostly left the bike feeling odd in twisties. Further testimonial to those stock tires is surviving a rear blowout from sharp metal at 94 mph! Yes I know that's speeding. The tires rode flat and did not disintegrate under me but it was a nightmare ride across lanes and median! A lesser tire would have been the end. I drive long distance and short hops but almost all on highway ramps, highways or crazy city streets with the worst South Florida maniacs! The torque is awesome and I've playfully left just about most guys, bikes, cars, etc. in the mirror at times. With the exhaust mod on a traffic-less day, I made an easy 147 with gobs more to go. Except, that is, for my obvious realization of no good excuses for the officer who pulls me over and my delayed common sense of what a crash at that speed will feel like. I made this a one time just to see trip told me to knock it off. I wired the Zumo for ear bud for both positions for rider tunes and love these bikes to death. My two Honda's are truly for sale My Harley brothers keep trying to get me to buy an HD too but when I get them to ride the Buell XB they love it and start scratching their heads. Truthfully, I've never had anybody try the bike and not say what the heck?!?! Wow! Dude-be careful - that's a rocket and man it corners fantastically! Show less

I bought my 03 XB9R used with 6,000 miles on it from the original owner. It has fantastic handling, is comfortable (even 2 up), has great sound & looks, with fun while having usable power (especially on winding hills we have here in Colorado). I love the bike and, thanks to Erik Buell's unique design, I have gotten nothing but compliments on it for its looks, sound, and even its performance from the friends I've let ride it. The only troubling issues I've encountered have been high and premature (I think) maintenance costs (Intake manifold seals, injectors, and fork seals required replacement at 7,500 miles) but otherwise it runs flawessly. This probably wouldn't be half as bad if someone other than HD could provide service and parts for the bike. It seems that these cycles are not universally understood by the HD mechanics tasked with providing OEM services to them and parts, controlled completely by HD, may become an issue as present inventories lessen. But, like any piece of art, it's beautiful to behold, fun to experience, and I think someday will be considered a classic. If you have one, take care of it. Show less

I'll startout by saying Buells aren't for everybody. If you're looking for warp speed, look somewhere else. If you're looking for a bike that is a good all around bike, then a Buell is a bike you want. There is mounds of negative press about Buell and for years it deterred me from buying a Buell. I couldn't resist looking at Buells everytime I started thinking about a new bike. Finally, I bought one. Somebody was almost giving away a S3 that his wife had ridden only once or twice and didn't like it. I found the negative press to be exaggerated a little. The bike does shake/lope a little bit at idle, but it is smooth as silk once you get above 2500. I have never had a major problem or a minor one for that matter. The motor is solid and doesn't leak. If you're thinking about a Buell, get an older tube frame Buell, you won't be disappointed. Show less

I wanted a Harley at first but saw these Buells, and fell in love. Lots more power, and a lot more functionality than a Harley, and all you lose is a little bit of the image. Great sport-tourer or adventure-tourer or sport v-twin, whatever you want to call it. I replaced the pirellis immediately with dunlop 616's so I could explore and camp up on the mountain forestry roads. Works great, definitely not a dual-sport, but gravel, or hard packed dirt; it's good to go. Each bag will fit a full face helmet and then some. Seat is excellent, thought it was too hard at first but rode 600 miles and felt fine. Windsheild takes the wind off of your torso, but still hits your helmet. Acceleration is sport bike like and top speed is pretty close. Just going off of power and rpms at 100mph in 4th and 5th; it would probably top out at 140-150 but doesn't have quite the aerodynamics of say an R1, so not a supersport bike. It's also not an adventure bike like the ktm 990's, but gives you plenty of confidence on gravel, although I did take the bags off the only time I took this down gravel roads.(lightened it up) Hoping gas mileage keeps improving. Gets about 45mpg right now, hopefully this will improve. Heated hand grips are still too hot to use, I will try them in the dead of winter. Great bike, and something different and a blast to ride. Show less

I've owned Suzuki, Honda, HD, and other Buells over the years, but have never been this satisfied with a motorcycle...there is nothing that makes me feel like I might one day sell it and that is saying something. I've ridden halfway across the country on this thing through about a third of the United States and the bike handled every situation well from canyon passes to rain storms to gravel roads. Also might add that the bike did everything while remaining comfortable during consecutive 600 mile days...not even tired or sore at the end. The only negative for this bike is that if you are much shorter than me then you might not fit the bike, but I'm not taking away a star for something that is directly responsible for the way the bike handles and the comfort level. Even went camping with a tent, fishing poles, cooler, air mattress, and all the other gear. Show less

Power? I think for anyone in their right mind or old enough to know better it should be ample. It will wheely and will pull at least 120mph(I ran out of courage) with the bags. Handling? This is a true sportbike. Not a Goldwing or Harley cruiser type. There are six separate suspension settings, enough combinations to keep one busy for awhile. It handles. Buells own the curves they say. Comfort? For me,living in a cooler climate the right leg heater is quite nice. The seating position is upright and comfortable. I wasn't really expecting a LazyBoy recliner. Reliability? Read 'Big, Bad and Dirty Buell XB12X Ulysses Adventure Board'. There might be some minor issues, but all bikes generally have them. I just traded my FLSTN on the ULY about a week or so ago. One employee at the Harley dealer asked me, 'Are you really trading your Deluxe on a Buell? another said So, you're the one trading your Harley for a Buell. I felt kind of defensive about this and in the back of my mind thought I may have made a huge mistake. I had owned Harleys since 81. I did not screw up. The ULY is the best I've owned. After this I will not go back to Softails, Roadkings and Electraglides. This thing is a HOOT! Sorry Harley, I won't be buying any of your chrome doodads for this one or loud pipes or performance kits. It needs none of it. I think I'm more in the market for protective clothing with this one. Maybe a GPS and a few more minor upgrades, but not many. Anyone in the market for a beanie helmet? How about some well used tats? I'll keep the beard. Show less

As I've been riding on the big bike just a little over a decade, the Lightning finally explains my 'Review Title' without any doubts. Just got it for a couple of months with excellent condition and as all the Lightning's lovers do, I take it on the road almost everyday with no burdens. Ultimately, this is one of all two wheels kind that you have got to take on if you want to get into the heart of 'Live to Ride' spirit!!! Show less

Initially attracted to the fuel-in-frame & oil-in-swing-arm technology and the beefy, wrap-around frame of the XB12S (2004), I ended up selling the XB and keeping my M2. The M2's 23-degree steering head vs. the XB's 21-degrees, was just enough difference to provide a more planted, confident feel to the handling. Likewise, while the mirrors on the M2 smooth to crystal clarity at about 2800+ RPM, the XB's mirrors never stopped vibrating, leaving you wondering if the vehicle behind you was a VW or a Peterbuilt. Ease of seat removal and no screaming mimi rear cylinder cooling fan were also deciding factors. With a Forcewinder intake providing greater knee room, and a Vance & HInes SSR2 making music and providing better exhaust flow, the M2 leaves nothing to be desired. And, in my prejudiced opinion, it's a prettier bike. Show less

This is Buell's Swiss Army knife. Great handling, best suspension I've ever ridden, and the ability to handle two-up without any issue. This is truly a sport-touring dynamo. You forget you've got enough storage capacity to travel for weeks, because you feel like you're ready to tackle the track. I love this bike. It's my first Buell. Show less

This bike looks great and rides and sounds perfectly. It has a very sporty look. Hands down it is the greatest handling bike out there and has the awesome sound of an American V-twin. It also gets excellent gas mileage. I will be riding Buells for a very long time. I highly recommend Buell to everyone! Show less