Buell XB12

eddclarke · Brolly Dolly Joined: 10 Jul 2006 Karma :

Im thinking about selling my FZ6 and getting a Buell. I just wanted to know peoples general opinion on them?
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Honda XR125L 06 ----> Yamaha FZ6 05 + ex SAS XR250 --> VFR800 + XR250r

Thom · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Oct 2007 Karma :

Despicable. Yet i'd have one, but i think it's for the tarty factor, a Harley engine in a sports bike set up i image could prove quite fun.
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Previous Bikes: 1990 Honda NSR125 'Rothmans' (The smoking one), 1990 Suzuki GS500e 'Caf? fighter' (The loud one), 1987 Kawasaki GPX400r (The quick one), 1997 XJ600s Diversion (The reliable one), 2000 Kawasaki ER-5 (The spontaneously combustive one)

eddclarke · Brolly Dolly Joined: 10 Jul 2006 Karma :

Billy Balthorpe · Trackday Trickster Joined: 05 Oct 2008 Karma :

Is the XB12 the one that supposed to look like an off roader tourer like the GS1200?

eddclarke · Brolly Dolly Joined: 10 Jul 2006 Karma :

This is what is like what i want
https://www.bikewalls.com/pictures/Buell_lightning_XB12S_2006_11_1024x768.jpg
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Honda XR125L 06 ----> Yamaha FZ6 05 + ex SAS XR250 --> VFR800 + XR250r

kitty kat · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 Jun 2007 Karma :

Great fun to ride, I have ridden the Lightning Long & short version. Easy to ride, nippy and filtering through heavy Birmingham traffic was fantastic on it.
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s44678 · Guest

Pure hooligan bike that serves no purpose other than to be ragged around. Which is its appeal I guess.

Looks amazing as well.

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

I used to have an XB12R Firebolt.

Awesome bike. If its not your main transport then go for it. They aren't the best built bikes in the world, but boy are they fun. If I could afford it I'd have another tomorrow.

Mine never let me down in the 18 months that I owned it, and it was awesome fun. It was totally impractical, very very cold in the winter, ran very very hot in the summer but there was nothing like it for simple honest to goodness grunt. Open the throttle in any gear any speed and you get fired forward on a cushion of torque.

I would reccomend getting as late a model as you can afford as there were a number of improvements made over the few years that the R Firebolt was available (the S Lightning pictured above is still available). One of the last changes was a newer slightly better swinging arm.

I've also never known any bike to be as confidence inspiriong or as fun in corners. It really flatters the rider. And with a decent exhaust it sounds awesome. The fuel tank is a little on the small side, but the belt is virtually maintenance free and doesn't need lubrication. My bike had done ten thousand miles on the original belt. With Pirelli Diablos it was a real weapon. The main reason why the handling is so good is that the user manual has a table that tells you all of the correct suspension settings for your weight.

The Buell XB models are truly underrated bikes. And As I said, if I could get a decent one for the right money I'd have one tomorrow. Unfortunately I can't currently afford £7k for a bike, and I can't be doing with a second hand one that still costs £4k. i'd ideally have an XB12Scg (the low seat model).

https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=102650&highlight=buells

https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=85323&highlight=buells

https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=80392&highlight=buells

https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=73199&highlight=buells

https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=127673&highlight=buells
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PeterNSR · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Mar 2008 Karma :

Nice bikes Cool

.Popular over in Ibiza.
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chris-red · Have you considered a TDM? Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Karma :

They are built for midgets, tiny tiny bike. I swear I had more room on my RXS. Servicing is meant to be extortionate.
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eddclarke · Brolly Dolly Joined: 10 Jul 2006 Karma :

I went to Harley Davidson in Leeds the other week and sat on a few. They dont seem too small. and Im over 6ft. As soon as i can sell my Yamaha ill be getting the latest Buell i can afford. About 4k - 4.5k.
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Dr. DaveJPS · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 May 2008 Karma :

i nearly went down that route, but couldn't get a test ride as so few places round leeds offer them. Sad

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eddclarke · Brolly Dolly Joined: 10 Jul 2006 Karma :

What sort of top speeds would i expect from a XB12?
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Honda XR125L 06 ----> Yamaha FZ6 05 + ex SAS XR250 --> VFR800 + XR250r

Dr. DaveJPS · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 May 2008 Karma :

Buell XB12S Lightning (2003-current)
£7,745

1203cc, 100bhp, 150mph, Insurance group 16

stolen from MCN ( i'd reckon on a real world 125-35, if your neck can take it)
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eddclarke · Brolly Dolly Joined: 10 Jul 2006 Karma :

Billy Balthorpe · Trackday Trickster Joined: 05 Oct 2008 Karma :

Can i just point out that this is a Harley engine we are talking about. You cant just treat them like a Honda. I'm in a bike club and i've seen a few highly expensive Harleys break when subjected to constant thraping as you would with a jap bike. My mate bought one "because they looked like fun" he is loaded and he bought it to go with his collection, he still sold it because he was going to break it if he kept riding it like he was. He would not even keep it as an occasional bike, he was that worried it would break.
The bike was passed round his family for a couple of months and was sold with 2000 miles on the clock. They all said the same thing (as i do), great fun, agile, fantastic brakes, torque!, fun, fun ,fun, but it will break if you ride it to get the best out of it.

Just take the faring off, throw a pair of Rethals and some Bates lamps on the front of a '98 Blade. Kepp all the stuff so you can put it back to standard for trackdays and shit. Two bikes in one!

OK i may be a tad biased Embarassed

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

P4LERIDER · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 17 Aug 2006 Karma :

I had an XB12R and spanked it for over 8000 miles and although it burnt a fair bit of oil, i didn't have any issues with it.... Apart from the fact that the Micron system on it near as deafened me if I was stupid enough to forget my ear plugs!!

Otherwise, i loved the bike. Especially the lack of chain adjustment required!!

Don't fool yourself though, it doesn't compare to more recent jap 600cc + sports bikes for speed & acceleration.

One other thing - if you get it, invest in some r&g's. I low sided it on a roundabout & if it wasn't for the r&g's protecting the frame, it would've been a write off....

Good luck with it if you get it Thumbs Up

Billy Balthorpe · Trackday Trickster Joined: 05 Oct 2008 Karma :

dudeskin · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 11 Apr 2007 Karma :

hi mate, a good choice of bike.
i say go for it.

I work at robin hood HD in nottingham on parts. so anything you need email me, or email [email protected]
and i can sort you out with anything you need.

these bikes dont deal with everyday use that well. its reliable, but older ones have primary case problems, alot with air cleaner cover problems etc.
normaly not a problem tho.

cheers, dudeskin
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scorps · World Chat Champion Joined: 29 Jan 2007 Karma :

Im looking at the xb12 as my next bike, a mate of mine has just got one and its the lower version not previously available in the UK and I can actually ride this model. bloody expensive up here and the nearest dealer is Edinburgh

hey dudeskin I used to work at Big Rock when I lived in Nottingham Thumbs Up

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