Thursday, June 23, 2011

Buell input wanted

Cyclone
Lightning


So I am doing some research on my next bike purchase that will likely happen either in fall or spring 2012. Was looking seriously at XR1200's and if I find one at the right price I may still go that route...only because of the styling, lame I know..but it's all about form right;) However I have been bitten by the Buell bug as of late and I can get a tuber for less than half the price of an XR. If I go Buell I definitely want the older "tuber" frame as I like the look better. Can anyone shed some light on Cyclones and Lightning..differences, advantages, accessible parts etc. Basically all I want is a good to excellent handling bike with an HD1200 power plant...for the sound of course!

14 comments:

tom said...

I loved my Buell, it was great machine. Go with a Lightning if you can find one. They have much better forks (usd), a cooler tail section and possibly a tach. The one picured (the black one) is not stock at all. Looks like they gutted the battery and electrics compartment. They do have a few downsides as well. Heavy as fuck. To tall (obnoxiously tall). And utter dis-respect from both the harley crowd and the sport bike crowd. I loved it because it was a black sheep for sure.

tom said...

oh yeah, plastic gas tank is kinda weird as well.

Dan Yoder said...

I just read some more reviews and it seems the general consensus is to go with an XB. Been reading alot of reliability issues with the older tubers. Though I dont prefer the look of the massive frame spars on the newer models...I can get over that for more reliability. What year did you have Tom? Was it a 1200? Hal's HD has a XB12scg and an XR1200...gunna ride them both this weekend. Saturday is going to be nice..anyone wanna ride to Milwaukee with me. I win the longest reply of the day award!

Dan Yoder said...

...they piss off both the HD and the sportbike riders..perfect, we kill two birds with one stone!! Kinda like motarding a staple of the adventure touring world:)

tom said...

I had a 99 M2 cyclone, yes it was 1200. I think the ergonomics and handling between a XB and a XR are going to be night and day. The XB Buells have a way more aggressive stance than the tubers. My bet is you'll go apeshit for the XR1200 and find yourself with a bike payment just moments before your wedding. Priorities bud!

Dan Yoder said...

Oh my ass would be in the ringer for sure if I buy a bike before the wedding! Shouldnt be test riding anything but I'm gunna anyways!

Ben said...

Buells are pretty cool. XR1200s are also cool but if it was me I'd hunt down an XR750. If I could afford one it would proably already be in my garage. I think they started putting tachs on the Buells in 99 or 00. You should just save up for the one with the rotax in it, then you can piss off certain other Buell riders as well as the Harley and sportbike chumps. I say chumps because people who criticize others' choices in bikes are generally chumps. When and if you buy your v-twin I will be happy to test ride it for you and make sure it's safe and running well. This should only take 6 months to one year to complete.

When you all get back from MKE on Saturday, stop by, I was planning to burn a fire in the backyard in my new firepit.

And the award for most rambling reply so far goes to me. this is what happens when the fields are too wet to work in.

Dave-O said...

I'm a pissed off Harley guy.

Shortest post award.

Dan Yoder said...

Shit...I certainly dont have 20k to spend on an XR750 though it would be nice to have one! And for 20k you prolly wont get a running XR750..have to throw another few K to get it up and running.

Ben said...

Dave, didn't mean you, meant the Harley guys who hate on Tom because he rode a "beginner Harley" as they call them or give me the bird on the road because I'm on a Japanese bike.... there are plenty of Harley riders out there who aren't so small minded, including you.

tom said...

personally, I've got the Harley bug, something fierce. And I regret selling the Buell, daily.

aaron said...

Someone get something sportster powered, please, and then let me machine down that giant cam cover into a cool little metal inkblot.

Patrick said...

I have been bitten by the Buell bug as well, looking for a deal on a Ulysses.
And I gotta sell my ironhead

aaron said...

The ulysses is great, except for the font brake. The one I rode yesterday had 10,900 miles and the front rotor was warped, which I guess they tend to do every 10k. I like the concept, but that's just not worth it.