Buells - What are they like to own and live with?

0ni · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 Dec 2004 Karma :

Hey folks I know a few people on here have buells so was just wondering what they were like to actually own?

Got a test-ride on a couple this Sunday coming and after a few favourable insurance quotes I am looking into the practicalities of actually owning one.

Basically I would like to find out about general build quality and finish, regular maintenance that’s required and what they are like on petrol?

Would be even more interested in hearing about someone who has a high mileage buell?

Thanks in advance

oni
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Jack_Cheese · World Chat Champion Joined: 14 Jul 2005 Karma :

PM marjay the link to this thread Thumbs Up

Jack
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MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

Ok.

Build quality is good, but not as good as a Honda. Probably a fair sight better than most suzuki's though! The finish is nice, but lacks attention to detail. There are wires hanging out all over the place in the dash for example.

Maintenance needs to be done often, even on the fuel in frame models. The Tube frame models were worse for this though. The official service intervals are every 5000 miles, but if you commute on one, or ride in winter (ambient temp of less than 15 degrees) then you are supposed to change the oil and filter every 1500 miles. Tranny oil is supposed to be done evey 10k miles but both are easyish jobs. The valves have hydraulically adjusting tappets and so I guess they never need attention.

The exhaust silencers are known to rust if you sneeze on them, but most people go for aftermarket silencers anyway.

The Belt drive is a godsend, but they do have a primary chain drive inside the transmission that gets the power from the gearbox to the belt. This swims in a bath of transmission oil and (afaik) only needs to be adjusted occasionally. The belts are supposed to last around 15k miles. The rear wheel is always in line because it can't be adjusted like a chain driven bike.

Mine has done just over 7500 miles, and doesn't miss a beat. Occasionally when you haven't ridden it for a while the time clock resets when you hit the ignition switch, but it has never failed to start for me.

Fuel wise I get about 90-100 miles to a 'tank' (frame full). This equates to around 36-38ish mpg.

The brakes are excellent, probably the best brakes on any bike I have ridden. Loads of feel and a great deal of power. The bike handles very well, and is surprisingly good in town because it has a wide bar conversion. With all of the rotating mass of the engine it is very easy to balance at low speed despite the engine being very lumpy at low revs. Headlights are good to fair, and the underseat space certainly isn't the smallest I've seen on a bike.

The main downsides that I can see to Buell ownership are:

The fact that some of the fasteners are imperial, and some are metric.

The tank range isn't great, but its acceptable

It makes me ride like a bit of a loony. Not high speed, but wheelying and stoppying lots. This may be a plus point too! Wink

some of the maintenance tasks are very hard indeed, for example if something breaks in the gearbox, then its engine out and a full stripdown.

No other bikers nod at you any more. Cos they are all snobs.

The main advantages are:

It flatters my riding, I can ride round corners faster on this bike than I have on nearly any other bike

Everyone looks at you when riding it, especially with a loud exhaust.

The owners manual tells you what settings to give the suspension for your weight and riding style.

Some bits of maintenance are unneccesary. No coolant to change, no exposed chain to lube, and no need to adjust the valves.

Its hard to ride over 90mph. Doable, but hard. Will save my license on motorway journeys!

The bike isn't really a logical posession of mine. Its very much something that you just say "I've got to get me one of these!" and then you buy one. It isn't really practical, and they do have a reputation for going pop. But it is such a hoot!

HTH. Smile

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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

Oh yeah, and it vibrates like an old tumble dryer with an imbalanced load. That may be a good thing for you as they are gentle and extremely comical vibes, or you may hate it.

The best part is the way mine hops up and down when it is at idle. It just looks like it would get up and bite your nose off if it could. Honda would never make a bike like this!!
____________________
British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

0ni · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 Dec 2004 Karma :

Cheers MarJay Thumbs Up

Did you get a chance to test ride any of the 980cc buells before you got the 1200? Is there a noticeable difference?
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Its a lovely day, just wait until some bastard spoils it.

Hotdog · Nearly there... Joined: 28 Sep 2005 Karma :

The Good bits:

The chassis.

The bad bits:

If you don't replace the engine breather (valve type thing) with an aftermarket one - they spew oil everywhere if you rev them.

The engine and gearbox are antiquated junk and the rear wheel locks every time you downshift during 'spirited' riding.

They overheat often and the huge car fan is on constantly throughout the summer months.

You can get a much better riding experience and better performance from a CCM R30 for a lot less money.

You can buy a decent bike for the price of a Buell.

They are pretty crap (sic).

You are paying thousands more for the additional 'benefit' of having a harley engine.

There are many Jap engines that would work in a Buell and the bike would be far superior and much cheaper if it had a decent engine in it.

Hotdog.
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Cillit-BANG · World Chat Champion Joined: 05 Oct 2005 Karma :

Hotdog · Nearly there... Joined: 28 Sep 2005 Karma :

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

Hotdog · Nearly there... Joined: 28 Sep 2005 Karma :

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

Irezumi aka Reuben · Carrot Top Joined: 28 Sep 2004 Karma :

Hotdog · Nearly there... Joined: 28 Sep 2005 Karma :

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

Hotdog · Nearly there... Joined: 28 Sep 2005 Karma :

Hotdog · Nearly there... Joined: 28 Sep 2005 Karma :

Marjay:

https://www.dirtysanchez.co.za/blogimages/nobs_110705.jpg
____________________
He's a gentleman, a scholar, he's an-acrobat, he's the one and only truly original.......
Hotdog....(Defender of the weak, the poor and the innocent)
He's The Ace - He's Amazing...He's the Strongest... He's The Quickest.... He's The Best!

alien.46.uk · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 24 May 2006 Karma :

Didnt read it all so dunno if its been said but they have a very short wheelbase, good for city use, top cornering ...

I went to the harly HQ for the UK and they let me sit on one and i looked silly on it, its soo small Razz

Then sat on a HD Fatboy and WOW the difference is hudge ...

But man there UK HQ is amazing inside every door is glass and slides with a little tap of your little finger and thats with 3m wide 3 tall double glazed glass ... all chrome and each individual office has a harly in each on the floor up on a wall at an angle ... WOW

But as to the Buells they are real short Razz

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MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

Anybody can post an amusing picture Hotdog, but your 'real world experience' still hasn't appeared anywhere. Your arguments seem to consist of trying to find small weaknesses in existing posts and battering people over the head with them until they submit.

https://i.cnn.net/cnn/2003/US/07/04/july.fourth/story.hotdog.pose.jpg

Wink

____________________
British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

Hotdog · Nearly there... Joined: 28 Sep 2005 Karma :

byke95 · World Chat Champion Joined: 25 Mar 2004 Karma :

Hotdog: put your ego to one side and re-read this thread.

Oni asked 'what are they like to own'?. Marjay's tries to give a clear and balanced view as he doesn't shy away from what some may not like. Compared to Marjay's account of his experiences with his Buell, it is not even clear if you have owned one, or even ridden one (I can only presume you have).

Share your experiences by all means but arguing opinion is not going to help Oni make an informed choice.

Karma

Oni: Which Buell are you thinking about getting/test riding? I do like the look of the City X! Drooling

Keen · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Apr 2002 Karma :

I love the look of the Buell's, I would just find it hard to justify buying one, no good 2-up, expensive, no luggage space, cramped. If I could afford a fun bike for the weekend though, I'd be tempted by a funky buell.

They definately have something, but buying one is a heart over head decision (not necessarily a bad thing) Thumbs Up

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extreme3d · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Dec 2004 Karma :

Marjay, you mentioned that going over 90 is tough on the buell. I thought the firebolt's screen was quite effective?

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

Keen · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Apr 2002 Karma :