Write a review

MOTORCYCLE Type

Other types

Make and model

Year

Buell Dual Sport reviews

4.9 (21 reviews)
Write a review
Reliability
5.0
Overall quality
4.9
Performance
4.9
Comfort
4.5

Top 10 Dual Sport

Reviews

Stars Refinement

21 ratings and reviews

Voted most helpful review

Sam

Hadyai, Thailand

Reviewed on July 2, 2009

Motorcycle reviewed 2003 Buell Lightning XB9S view listing

5.0
As I've been riding on the big bike just a little over a decade, the Lightning finally explains my 'Review Title' without any doubts. Just got it for a couple of months with excellent condition and as all the Lightning's lovers do, I take it on the road almost everyday with no burdens. Ultimately, this is one... read more
As I've been riding on the big bike just a little over a decade, the Lightning finally explains my 'Review Title' without any doubts. Just got it for a couple of months with excellent condition and as all the Lightning's lovers do, I take it on the road almost everyday with no burdens. Ultimately, this is one of all two wheels kind that you have got to take on if you want to get into the heart of 'Live to Ride' spirit!!!
Reliability
5.0
Quality
5.0
Performance
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Show less
Helpful (1)

FlagReport

Flag this review
Please select a reason
Voted most helpful review

K. Hazelton

Seattle, Washington

Reviewed on September 13, 2007

Motorcycle reviewed 2007 Buell Lightning XB12STT view listing

5.0
I bought my new Buell XB12 Super TT last December. Easily, it's the best bike I have ever owned. It has some quirks which I will tell you about, but overall, it's a sweet ride. It has plenty of juice for traffic. You don't have to shift down to get any maneuvering power, it's instant, and it's on demand... read more
I bought my new Buell XB12 Super TT last December. Easily, it's the best bike I have ever owned. It has some quirks which I will tell you about, but overall, it's a sweet ride. It has plenty of juice for traffic. You don't have to shift down to get any maneuvering power, it's instant, and it's on demand. The riding position is perfect. It sits high enough so that you can see traffic and your body position isn't too agressive. This is an excellent posture for urban slalom. In a drag-race, my Buell will do about as well as a 650cc Suzuki. My red-line is at 6.8 grand so a 650cc bike will bound ahead but will lose ground in the top gears. My Super TT will top at about a buck-fourty, which is a bit faster than a 750cc, and then it's `sayonara.` However, bigger bikes will leave me behind. In a cornering contest, my Super TT makes all the competition cry. The lean angle, handling and corner-exiting torque are all supierior to anything else on the road. Maneuverability and its ability to escape and accelerate through traffic are superb. Trust me - I live in Seattle. As I mentioned, there are some quirks: First; you have to `un-learn` your Japanese riding style. This is no exageration. Second; you must warm-up this bike before you ride away. If the engine is hot, you feel the joy. Otherwise, a cold engine isn't much fun to ride and could be unsafe. Again - trust me on this. Third; Road grime. The number plates really suck up the road-grime and it gets everywhere. I can't explain it, it just does. I turned those goofy number plates into a couple of `frisbees.` Then I got the Ulysses lower front fender and now road-grime isn't a problem. One last opinion: This bike is not for beginners. It can perform well past a newbie's ability to control it.
Reliability
5.0
Quality
5.0
Performance
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Show less
Helpful (0)

FlagReport

Flag this review
Please select a reason
Voted most helpful review

ray weber

santa cruz, California

Reviewed on July 16, 2007

Motorcycle reviewed 2003 Buell Lightning XB9S view listing

5.0
I bought this bike new in Feb. '03 because it was what I had been looking for. I had also looked at the Ducatis, Triumphs, Aprilias, etc. I wanted an air cooled, belt driven,compact, light, nimble, reliable, locally serviced and if at all possible, American made. I also required a bike that needed 0 upgrades ... read more
I bought this bike new in Feb. '03 because it was what I had been looking for. I had also looked at the Ducatis, Triumphs, Aprilias, etc. I wanted an air cooled, belt driven,compact, light, nimble, reliable, locally serviced and if at all possible, American made. I also required a bike that needed 0 upgrades to correct design/build flaws. The Buell met all the requirements on paper, received excellent reviews, and has been tons of fun to ride and live with. Thumbs up!
Reliability
5.0
Quality
5.0
Performance
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Show less
Helpful (1)

FlagReport

Flag this review
Please select a reason
Voted most helpful review

Matt

Reno, Nevada

Reviewed on July 6, 2006

Motorcycle reviewed 2004 Buell Lightning XB12S view listing

5.0
My wife just baught an XB12SCG. It is a little small in stature for me but wow does it handle great. After riding her Buell for an hour or so I get back on my ZX6 and have to actually work to ride it. The Buell is very torqy and long in the gears. What a blast.... read more
My wife just baught an XB12SCG. It is a little small in stature for me but wow does it handle great. After riding her Buell for an hour or so I get back on my ZX6 and have to actually work to ride it. The Buell is very torqy and long in the gears. What a blast.
Reliability
5.0
Quality
5.0
Performance
4.0
Comfort
4.0
Show less
Helpful (2)

FlagReport

Flag this review
Please select a reason
Voted most helpful review

vance

reedsburg, Wisconsin

Reviewed on January 19, 2006

Motorcycle reviewed 2003 Buell Lightning XB9S view listing

5.0
I never owned a bike before I rode a couple of bikes - a Suzuki, a Yamaha... I seen a Buell Lightning and couldn't believe it. I bought it without a test ride, AWESOME!!! I recommend this bike to a new rider, they are so easy to ride and when you want to challenge the road, it will work with you.... read more
I never owned a bike before I rode a couple of bikes - a Suzuki, a Yamaha... I seen a Buell Lightning and couldn't believe it. I bought it without a test ride, AWESOME!!! I recommend this bike to a new rider, they are so easy to ride and when you want to challenge the road, it will work with you.
Reliability
5.0
Quality
5.0
Performance
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Show less
Helpful (1)

FlagReport

Flag this review
Please select a reason
Voted most helpful review

DueceDriver

Wheatland, California

Reviewed on October 19, 2005

Motorcycle reviewed 2003 Buell Lightning XB9S view listing

4.0
Plenty of power, splendid handling and iconic good looks. The horsepower and torque from the 984 are sufficient for any application short of actual competition on the track. Corners are cake. Even a relatively inexperienced rider can flick the bike back and forth with easy confidence. Finally, there a... read more
Plenty of power, splendid handling and iconic good looks. The horsepower and torque from the 984 are sufficient for any application short of actual competition on the track. Corners are cake. Even a relatively inexperienced rider can flick the bike back and forth with easy confidence. Finally, there are bikes that look better on paper, but none that look better on the street. This bike turns heads right off the showroom floor.
Reliability
4.0
Quality
4.0
Performance
4.0
Comfort
4.0
Show less
Helpful (1)

FlagReport

Flag this review
Please select a reason
Voted most helpful review

Scott

Nashua, New Hampshire

Reviewed on September 8, 2005

Motorcycle reviewed 2003 Buell Lightning XB9S view listing

5.0
This is the quickest turning bike I have ever ridden, it handles like a motocross machine. You've got to ride it to truly understand just how agile this thing really is.... read more
This is the quickest turning bike I have ever ridden, it handles like a motocross machine. You've got to ride it to truly understand just how agile this thing really is.
Reliability
5.0
Quality
5.0
Performance
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Show less
Helpful (1)

FlagReport

Flag this review
Please select a reason
Voted most helpful review

chris

coppell, Texas

Reviewed on September 4, 2005

Motorcycle reviewed 2004 Buell Lightning XB12S view listing

5.0
I purchased my bike purely on looks and the rareness of seeing them in my area. Since then I have gained a whole new respect for it. I had the race kit put on it when i bought the bike so I never got to experience it without it. But as far as the power goes, the front wheel will come up with ease in 1st th... read more
I purchased my bike purely on looks and the rareness of seeing them in my area. Since then I have gained a whole new respect for it. I had the race kit put on it when i bought the bike so I never got to experience it without it. But as far as the power goes, the front wheel will come up with ease in 1st through 3rd gear. Was recently in Colorado and got to experience the handling aspect of my bike, and can't say I've ridden anything better. Far as I go....I'm a buell customer for life!
Reliability
5.0
Quality
5.0
Performance
5.0
Comfort
4.0
Show less
Helpful (0)

FlagReport

Flag this review
Please select a reason
Voted most helpful review

Jim Russo

Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Reviewed on January 29, 2005

Motorcycle reviewed 2004 Buell Lightning XB12S view listing

5.0
I am one of those long term, older, motorcycle riders, who continues to ride his motorcycle for work transportation during nice weather, and for the simple pleasure of owning, riding and working on his own machine. After 13 sorted machines with 6 H-D bikes among the listing that includes one '73 350 cc single... read more
I am one of those long term, older, motorcycle riders, who continues to ride his motorcycle for work transportation during nice weather, and for the simple pleasure of owning, riding and working on his own machine. After 13 sorted machines with 6 H-D bikes among the listing that includes one '73 350 cc single SS H-D, three Sportster's, one '82 FXR, and one '96 Road King in those 35 years, I became tired of heavy 600+ to 700+ pound motorcycles and looked to make another change. So in July of 2003 I just happened to test drive a 2003 Buell XB9SL demo. What a difference between the extreme "light weight" 400+ lbs. and high torque performance from its air cooled 984 cc highly modified Sportster V-Twin engine in this Buell. For me it put all the fun back into owning a motorcycle that I had been missing with some of the heavier machines I had owned. It then took me till August of 2004 to actually sell my 2001 Victory cruiser and purchase a Black 2004 Buell XB12S which had 913 demo miles on it from our local H-D/Buell dealer. I also really appreciated all the effort that Buell did in their engineering design of the Lightning model, between the fixed rear axle with belt idler, to fuel in the aluminum frame, oil in the swing arm, zero resistance air intake and their outstanding fuel injection system, to its rider responsive handling just to name some features. So my suggestion would be to motorcycle riders who feel as I did, to just go and drive one, to see what I and others are talking about. It's a truly different sport "street bike" or motorcycle in general for all the right design reasons. The key word here is "Fun".
Reliability
5.0
Quality
5.0
Performance
5.0
Comfort
4.0
Show less
Helpful (1)

FlagReport

Flag this review
Please select a reason
Voted most helpful review

NC Buell Rider

Greensboro, North Carolina

Reviewed on December 20, 2004

Motorcycle reviewed 2003 Buell Lightning XB9S view listing

5.0
This bike is truely awesome. I have had the bike for several months now, and I get excited everytime I get it out of the garage. The bike is a real eye-catcher and I get compliments on it everytime I ride. It's reliable and quick with little to no drawbacks. Get the aftermarket race kit for true power and s... read more
This bike is truely awesome. I have had the bike for several months now, and I get excited everytime I get it out of the garage. The bike is a real eye-catcher and I get compliments on it everytime I ride. It's reliable and quick with little to no drawbacks. Get the aftermarket race kit for true power and sound. A great buy.
Reliability
5.0
Quality
5.0
Performance
5.0
Comfort
4.0
Show less
Helpful (1)

FlagReport

Flag this review
Please select a reason
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 1 - 10 of 21 reviews