Buells: are they any good?

[Buick355]

I'm looking at a couple of early 2000's Buells, they're cheap, and I'm looking for a cheap fun bike. Are they junk or what?

[Super Coupe]

I'm looking at a couple of early 2000's Buells, they're cheap, and I'm looking for a cheap fun bike. Are they junk or what?

The only two buells i have ridden have been fun as crap but they were brand new.

[Big Pencil]

They're different - short wheelbase, pretty tight ergonomics so if you're tall it might be a tight fit. The most important thing to remember is that its powerplant is a Harley. If you're cool with that, and all it entails performance-wise, etc., then you might dig it. Eric Buell is a rider first, and an innovative engineer second, not scared to do shit different and there's alot to be said for that. He values light weight, handling, and braking.

If you can find one that's been "breathed on" and modded to run a little harder than that's even better.

Good luck.

[89stangGT]

the buells I've looked at are fun and average 45mpg city and over 60mpg highway, so def a good buy in my book. I like the Lightnings, since they're more of a street fighter. the things I don't like is that they vibrate like a mofo and are air/oil cooled.

that new 1125CR is freakin bad ass!

[Pro88LX]

a coworker has an 1125r in black. handles well, not overly impressed with acceleration, but overall a fun bike to ride.

[JasonRR]

I've had a lot of personal experiece with various Buell's, and would steer you away from the older "tube frame" bikes (S1, M3, X1 etc...). They have extensive issues ranging from engine failures to snapping belts and worn isolators. They're also expensive and hard to fix.

The newer XB (03+) bikes are much, much better and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend one of those. I'd definitely suggest you ride one though to be sure you're satisfied with the power delivery, cause even the 12R's won't keep up with a modern 600cc bike (in a straight line).

They're very cool bikes, and you can see Eric Buell's designs starting to find their way onto newer Japanese bikes, but the earlier models require an awful lot of maintenance and wrenching.

PM me if you'd like more details.

- Jason

[Super Coupe]

I have ridden everything from every 600 made to zx12s, r1s, zx10s, and the most fun bike I have ridden is the 1125. It is simply a beast!

[momo stallion]

the buell is nice, but id take the triumph speed triple!

[flashstang04]

I'm looking at a couple of early 2000's Buells, they're cheap, and I'm looking for a cheap fun bike. Are they junk or what?


http://www.dfwstangs.net/classifieds/showproduct.php?product=88468&cat=500

[abxr1]

Reliability is not all there. I have recently ridden a suzuki sv 650 that had some work done to it and that was more fun than my old R1

[evil jose]

a coworker has an 1125r in black. handles well, not overly impressed with acceleration, but overall a fun bike to ride.

I don't know about the rest of you but the 1125R gives me wood. I've been reading about it for the past year and I like everything about it that I've read in reviews. Yes it's not built for speed but I like the other aspects of it from the styling, the handling, the broad power delivery, the ergonomics, the dash, and the way it was designed to minimize cost in maintenance and repair if you happened to go down.

Here's a good write up on the bike. Maybe once it's been out a while and there are some used examples on eBay I might consider it for an upgrade bike but for now I'll just drool at the pictures :D

2008 Buell 1125R - First Ride (http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/Article_Page.aspx?ArticleID=5256)

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/Photos/37332Buell_1125R_0255.jpg

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/Photos/Buell_1125R_4641.jpg

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/Photos/Buell_1125R_30862.jpg