crashnscar

iTrader: (9)

WOAH, go to http://ridewithmcgraw.com/ and get a quote.

When I was 18 years old, with a 2000 CBR600 F4, I was paying under $200/year.
Now I am 23 with a 2006 Husqvarna SM610 and pay $80/year. These are both bare minimum for insurance.

From today's ride:


A few weeks ago:

vehicular

iTrader: (3)

Both that Monster and that SM610 are fantastic motorcycles.

Fireindc

iTrader: (13)

I absolutely agree with this. Beautiful machine you have there Sam, my brother used to have a 620 dark, it was a nice bike albeit underpowered(imo). The 1000 otoh should be perfect, around the hp/tq of my bike(buellxb12) - and I don't desire any more really even after 1.5 years of ownership.

Also, SEXY husky man, I'm jealous.

To anyone who cares I'd like to drop a brief review of my Buell here after 1.5 years or so of ownership. Mine's on the left.



I just got back from another nice ride today. I -------. Love. This. Bike. I still drool over it while I walk up to it in a parking lot, I still giggle like a little girl carving canyons with it, I still get that feeling in my gut (you know the feeling) every time I hammer onto the throttle, even short shifting. I've since put some nice ebay adjustable levers on it, a upgraded front brake rotor, and Jardine exhaust/uni air filter/race map flashed on the ECU. It should make around 95whp at 7500 RPMS/90ftlbs at 6000rpms.

Now this bike isn't for everyone. Actually, I say DON'T get one unless you not only can stand, but actually LIKE the idea of the following things.

1) It's a Harley motor. Not only that, but its a "built" Harley motor. Lopeier cams, higher compression, the works. It hisses, clicks, spits, and sputters. Think a hot rod, or muscle car. It's got good throttle response off idle due to the EFI (if tuned right), it idles high around 1100rpms, its air cooled and gets HOT in traffic, WHEN it gets hot it retards timing via the ECU, thus gets slower. Cold nights it runs ridiculously good, wheelying in the first few gears. During a hot day it can barely ride out a 1st gear wheelie.

2) Parts are going to be somewhat rare and thus somewhat expensive. Don't think MV agusta expensive though, think Ducati expensive. The motor requires no valve adjusts whatsoever, you change the oil and go. It's belt drive and belts last 12k miles. There is PLENTY of aftermarket available. Sportster jugs/heads fit, but many companies make buell specific parts with bigger cooling fins. Lots of jugs, big bore kits (think 1500cc stroker), head work, etc mods available. Most anything for a Harley Evo motor will work. So most of the motor parts are guaranteed available for years to come. H-D is required by law to supply Buell parts until 2017 (7 year rule), after that hopefully aftermarket will pick up the slack. There's actually tons of parts available now, so if you're like me and want to keep this bike forever stock up while you can.

3)This ---- vibrates. Seriously. loc-tite everything, get used to not using your mirrors for more than a vague outline of what's behind you, I always turn my head to actually check before switching lanes and never trust my mirrors. It will vibrate bolts loose, exhausts apart, and your *** to sleep. Once rpms rise about about 3k, its smooth as most bikes, but when your loping around its a beast(again, think hod rod/muscle car).

4) You're the outcast. Boo-hoo, I know. But it's true. "sport bike" guys look down on you for not purchasing a "real bike", cruiser guys (most of them) don't think your cool enough to be associated with (who cares really), and ducati/exotic guys will talk trash on build quality. The good thing here is you have quite a rare bike and there are also just as many people who absolutely drool over it, think its a 20k dollar bike, etc. It goes both ways. My point here is make sure you buy the bike for YOU, not to impress others.

5) Best handling bike I've ever ridden. Now I havn't ridden all that many bikes, but I have ridden these: 2007 ducati 620 dark, 2006 r6, hd-sportster, ninja ex500, 07gsxr1000. Now I'm not going to say it outright out handles all of these, because I don't know. I havn't pushed the limits of any of these bikes to their maximum, they were all ridden on the street. I will say that the short wheelbase and low center of gravity, along with light weight (sub 400lbs) inspires confidence. I love the way it falls into corners, and I've drug pegs on it a few times and never felt like I was going to lose it. It rails through bumps mid turn perfectly, assuming you properly adjust the suspension to your weight, riding style.

6) THE SOUND. If you like the sound of a good v-twin this bike is for you. It has an intoxicating exhaust note that makes my ***** tingle. I love the raw deep growl it produces screaming at 7krpms. GET AN EXHAUST. the stock one sounds like a sewing machine due to lots of valve noise and no exhaust note.

Now this comes with a few drawbacks. First because of the short wheelbase its not considered the most stable at speed. However the bike will only do 140(gearing limited) so it never becomes an issue. Secondly it takes getting used to, as due to its short wheelbase it doesn't feel like a "standard" Japanese sport bike - it's not worse, its different. Ride it and see if you like it.

Now I think that covers most everything, I'm sure there's a few other things I could go over like riding position, etc. But they make a few different models of XB to accommodate that. I like my clipon bars, but I've ridden my brothers lightning and its fantastic as well. Now you might think I'm just some Buell fanboi, and maybe I am. I love this bike that much, and I certainly had my doubts going into ownership(Bought a absolutely abused/lemon bike for cheap as a project and rebuilt it) I will own it forever, and hope to acquire a few other bikes along the way. Next on the list is a clean RC51. Then maybe an 1125R, or a SM like a KTM or a DRZ400.

If you look at a Buell and love everything about it, WTF are you waiting for, BUY ONE!

DAT ***

vehicular

iTrader: (3)

High post?

fooger03

iTrader: (2)

If only they weren't so damned ugly.

Fireindc

iTrader: (13)

Vehicular - no higher than usual. Fooger - that's a damn sure sign you shouldn't get one. I enjoy the styling quite a bit.

I'm sure I'll get flamed for my buell fanboy post, but hey I did mention all the things that suck about the bike too. I like the way it always sounds like its going to blow up, and idles erratically. ;P

vehicular

iTrader: (3)

I response to your novel:

- 90lb ft at 6000rpm is 103hp. Bonus!

- The late model (07-08, maybe?) motor mounts make light years difference in ridability. A rebuilt/ balanced motor makes a massive difference, as well. Several of my old riding buddies had Buells, and the riding difference between an ~05 XB12SS and an ~08 XB12SS is unreal. I'd be lying if I said the later model bike was Japanese in it's level of vibration, but it didn't shake itself in circles around the kick stand, or try to throw the turn signals off like the early bike, either.

- The Micron full system is the only good sounding exhaust I've ever heard for Buells. It actually sounds like a V-Twin. Everything else sounds like a Harley/ Kubota tractor.

Fireindc

iTrader: (13)

Mines got a 07 motor in it, as well as 07 mounts/isolaters. Never got to experience what the original was like (chassis is an 04).

Agreed, Microns sound great. I've got the Jardine GP1, I love the way it sounds. Its not as "harley" sounding as the regular Jardine can that just lets out underneath the bike, it has more of a refined quieter sound. I like it.. But will upgrade exhausts eventually.

LOL, thanks for taking the time to read my novel. Just putting it out there for anyone considering a buell. Don't buy one unless you can put up with all their ----.

dustywang

Thanks man. It took me about a year to finish and about $1800 including cost of bike, title and reg. It should have taken about 2 months or so but i didnt work on it for months.

MatthewakaMatt

My bike is a 2000 YZF-600R.

Stein

iTrader: (46)

Forgot that I never posted a pic of the Tiger.

vehicular

iTrader: (3)

I traded my CB350F ( :( ) and an E30 325is track day project I had kicking around the shop for a Sport Touring'd out Bandit 1200 yesterday. Somebody buy it. I be needin money so I can buy new wheels and motor parts.

TurboTim

iTrader: (9)

I'd've traded your CB350 for forged wiseco internals.

vehicular

iTrader: (3)

Both the CB and the BMW needed more of my time to be sellable. This thing is ready to go right now.

TurboTim

iTrader: (9)

Wait, I think I was supposed to say:

I'd've traded forged wiseco internals for your CB350

yeah. Good luck with sale though, looks clean

Landrew

iTrader: (2)

Here is mine. We have a fleet of off-road bikes & ATV ute/sport/kids.

The video is a place I love to ride and an ending not so pleasant. Just bruised and wiser to narrow busy trails.

[YT]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydnsrVPwXo0[YT]

98mystique2

Went to the motorcycle show over the weekend, got to see a guy endo into the barricade/crowd
Fail @1:43

NastyNate

iTrader: (1)

Picked this up a couple months ago. 2010 Triumph Daytona 675 SE. Came with 2000 miles and is among 350 in the US. So far I've done flushmount signals, clip-ons, and upgraded the headlights to yellow bulbs.

98mystique2

gonna drift it lol?

Erat

iTrader: (5)

Front of that Triumph reminds me of Toothless.



But dang it looks soooo good.

Never knew this thread existed, i'll take a picture of mine once it's nice out and cleaned up.