Buell Motocross Bike reviews

4500 miles later. I just had a D&D slip on muffler race ecm and K&N race filter installed. Also had all California emmisions removed. WOW!!! This thing really screams. Eats Ducati Monsters for lunch. Only drawback is, this thing is way too loud!!! I've owned three Harleys in the past, all with straight open pipes and this thing is louder than all of them. Looking for a baffle for the exhaust. If I can't find one I'LL opt for a Vance & Hines slip on. Only problem I've had so far is the battery terminal bolts vibrated out and cables came off terminals. A little lock tite fixed the problem. I love this bike!! Handling is top rate and suprisingly comfortable on long rides. Anyone who likes torque and handling WILL LOVE THIS BIKE!! Show less

WHATS UP, MY NAME IS BRIAN AND I OWN A 02' X-1.I FIRST WENT INTO THE HARLEY DEALER WANTING TO BUY A CRUISER,THE SALESMEN TALKED ME OUT OF IT,HE SAID YOU LOOK LIKE A BIG GUY, SO HOW ABOUT A BUELL. OK.SO I BOUGHT IT. I LOVE THIS BIKE,ITS REALLY FUN TO RIDE,AFTER READING MIKES ARTICLE I WOULD HAVE TO AGREE. THESE BIKES ARE UNBELEIVABLE ON THE STREET. THEY ARE REAL STREETFIGHTERS,UNMATCHED IN RAW POWER AND HANDLING... I WAS WONDERING IF ANY OF YOU RIDERS HAVE SPARE KICKSTANDS LAYING AROUND? CAUSE HELL MINE IS WORN OFF!!!!!! ON MY SECOND SET OF PEGS TOO!THIS BIKE CARVES THROGH THE TURNS. WELL JUST HAVE TO SAY I DO RESPECT JAP BIKES FOR THE SPEED,BUT IF YOU WANT TO HAVE FUN ALL DAY AND MAKE PEOPLE LOOK,RIDE ONE AND FIND OUT FOR YOURSELF!! WELL KEEP IT ON 1 WHEEL.. GOOD LUCK AND RIDE SAFE........ Show less

I OWN A 01'X-1 HAVE ABOUT 3000 MILES ON HER. THIS BIKE IS THE BEST,BESIDE HAVING A BAD REP WITH ALL SPORTBIKE PEOPLE, THIS BIKE IS FARMOST THE TORQIEST TOY THAT YOU CAN RIDE. IVE OWNED A GSXR750,VFR750,AND KATANA1100.THESE WERE ALL SUPER FAST BUT NOT FUN. ALL I WANTED TO DO WAS GO FAST STRAIGHT,BUT ITS NOT ABOUT THAT ANYMORE. ALL MAGAZINES AND SPORTBIKE PEEPS SAY 101HP, 88HP AT THE REAR WHEEL IS A JOKE FOR 1200CC. 12.0 IN THE 1/4 MILE, WHAT A JOKE RIGHT! WELL MAYBE NOT, I RIDE WITH ZX7R, ZX6R, R6, TL1000R,AND XB9R. WELL I HAVE TO SAY THESE ARE WELL KNOWN BIG SPORTBIKE NAMES AND THE MAGAZINE PEEPS BRAG HOW FAST THEY ARE,BUT WAIT,A BUELL IS UP FRONT,THIS CANT BE. WELL BESIDES THE XBR, I THINK THE X1 HANDLES THE BEST. AND WHEN YOU PULL UP AT THE LIGHT I LOVE TO HEAR "WHAT THE HELL IS THAT"..WELL JUST TO SUM IT UP, DONT GO BUY WHAT IS PRINTED IN THESE MAGAZINES,DONT FALL INTO THE JAP BIKE HYPE.YES THERE FAST BUT BUELLS DO DESERVE MORE REAL LIFE CREDIT. IF YOU OWN ONE YOU KNOW WHAT IM TALKING ABOUT,IF YOU DONT OWN ONE, TRY TO RIDE WITH SOMEONE WHO DOES.IF YOUR IN JERSY AREA, HELL EMAIL ME. ;LATER P.S A GOOD REAL LIFE MAGAZINE SPORTBIKE OR NOT IS "BIKE". IT SELLS FOR ABOUT 7$ BUT YOU DONT HAVE ALL THE BS. JUST REAL PEOPLE ON REAL ROADS.. Show less

I recently got a chance to ride the XB9R with it's 'race' kit installed. The new mufffler makes the bike louder (of course) and the new computer and air filter seem to be doing their jobs well. The increase in HP is not really noticable until you get on the throttle. The bike accelerates smoothly thanks to it's really nice fuel injection system and almost doesn't feel like your going as fast as you are, then as you reach the top of the tach you feel it kick in. With a grunt of torque and the familure pull on the bars that you get from most other sport bikes finally hitting you. Turns even at high revs with high speeds (ok, I was only doing about 85 in a 40) are easy and quick. The bike has an incredibly light feel to it with all the weight centered and lowered to allow you to really flick it over, even if your a little lighter than the guys that ride. Careful if you light (compared to some of the guys I ride with) you may change lanes without realizing it. Compared to a GSXR or bike of that ilk, this is not a screaming fast crotch rocket, however, once in the turns there is a confidence that makes you unaware of how far your leaning over. This thing has a 45* lean angle.. on both sides.. and you can find your knees a lot closer to the ground than you thought they were in a hurry! I did have to wonder about the popping and mini backfire sounds that I kept hearing. Did the 'race' kit cause this or is the bike not set up right first off? Brakes on this bike are incredible and you will want to play with the adjustable levers so that you don't high side yourself, it's a one finger stop on the front brake, while the back wouldn't stop you from 60mph in less than 150 yards (at least that's how it feels).. Of course, you just lay on the rear going into a turn, and with all that torque you pull right out of it with power to spare. The 'race' kit does up the rear wheel HP which this bike needs. At stop lights, I couldn't help but think I was sitting on a large vibrator but once it's rolling, that almost obscene and annoying buzz goes away for the most part. If like me, you like to carry a few extras for when you stop.. well the 'trunk' really isn't. I could fit maybe a small wallet, 2 tampons, a lip stick and a small cell phone in, barely. The CBR's have a much nicer trunk and a girl does need her carry space. The odd look of the bike (marvin the martian?) makes it kind of neat, it's not a 'every' bike. The colors are kind of woeful though. I like the blue but wish you had a choice of something other than that orange some color blind stylist picked for the lettering on that bike. The white version has blue and orange for lettering. Oh well.. it's minor and cosmetic but I get to worry about things like that, you may not care. The riding poisition, compared to a gixer or CBR is almost relaxed, your handlebars are a little higher up and your tuck is not as severe, this keeps less of your weight on the arms and lower back. don't get me wrong, this is no toursport type ride. You will want to stop and take those stretch brakes while carving back roads, maybe just not as fast you would on a full bred sporter. Overview? If your looking for really fast, this is not it. If your looking for handling.. Grab this bike and hang on. If you want looks, it's unique enough to draw a lot of glances and even a few 'what is that?' at gas stations or other places you meet riders. It's fast enough for any back road or twisty, but on the super slab there are cruiser bikes (not just v-rod or Mr. Max) that I think can outrun it. But out turn.. never. For what it's worth.. I'd like to see a few better color choices. A little more power stock. Less backfire pop, pop while I'm riding and perhaps a little more room under the tail cowling. Hey, where do I hang my helmet on this thing? Show less

Over the past few years, i have had a wide range of bikes. I have been waiting to get on one of these since I first saw the pics.My current bikes are a 1998 honda ace750 and a 2001 kawasaki zrx1200r. I recently bought sold a 2001 triumph daytona because of the riding position on my bad back! I did a 10 mile demo ride and here are my thoughts: styling: refreshing and different,, quality was impressive. Handling: fantastic, loves to fall into turns and very light on it's feet! Power: needs about 30 hp and it would be awesome! Engine: idles rough and shakes like a paint shaker. Horrible compared to the competition///NEEDS THE VROD MOTOR! Like it, but wont buy one. Show less

Little? you say? Yes, that's right. i am only 5'6" with boots on and i feel very comfortable at stops( I use the one foot method, due to reasons listed earlier). My reason for 4 stars and not 5 are as follows. The mirrors suck, and I wish it was more in the 95- 100 HP ball park. However, I'm a bit spoiled you see, I work in a dealership. i get to ride all sorts of rockets. My buddies I ride with are on GSX-R 750, Triumph Daytona 955i, and Yamaha R1. I do have a hard time keeping up on the long straights, but in the twisties it's all about the rider!! I only have 550 miles on my new XB so I have only pushed it slightly. It seems to wheelie OK in 1st and 2nd around 5500 rpm's, But it's no liter bike. Overall, a very fun little bike. Handles like a dream, accelerates nicley. If more HP is my only complaint than so be it. Ride the son of a b@*ch!!! Show less

I have not had a chance to ride one yet but love everything about it. The only thing that i am worried about is the fact that there are only three go fast parts put out for it so far and they will give it another 10 ponies or so not the 110 hp at the wheel that any other V-twin can easily put out. I love the new wheel and brake assembly up front. It makes the bike look a little custom. The new xb9s is the bike to have if you like twins and dont need 110 hp. Show less

Ok, I know what your thinking.. what does he mean by 'amost'? Ok, here's my experiance on the bike. First off, let me tell you about the good and the better.. The bikes got a new engine that produces TONS of torque. The brakes are the most incredible (almost deadly) thing I've ever felt. The frame is one big leap forward in design. Tiny (52") wheel base, 52% of the weight on the front tire.. Get the idea? This bike will turn on the edge of the dime, it's almost thought controled. The brakes stop you so fast that more than one finger application could high side you at moderate to high speeds. I was able to 'acidentally' pull a wheelie through second without really trying. The digital fuel injection seems dialed in and ready to produce as much power as the engine can, the forced air intake works. Dings? A couple.. That cooling fan is a little odd when you shut it down and listen to it hum. Why is it not water cooled? The steering is kind of twitchy, so beginners or idiots this bike is for..NOT! For those of you that crave all out straight line flight.. it's got some, but not enough power to rival the big liter bikes from the Japanese names.. However. if you want to turn, and turn now.. like on the back roads, you can't beat it.. This bike is almost perfect and shows that some Americans can think in terms outside the usual box. There is nowhere that I know of where 165mph plus speeds are usable on the open roads.. So this is a greater joy to ride and to turn.. it's designed with real riding in mind.. and if you have what it takes.. grab a hold and straighten some curves! This is a spetacular ride! Show less

YES SPEED IS GOOD,CHASING SPEED IS VERY BAD.BUELL IS SOUND AND ESSENCE AND FEEL AND COMFORT AND TORQUE AND TREMENDOUS BRAKES,WITH A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF SPEED.THERES THE PULLING OF THIS BIKE UNLIKE ANY OTHER.YOU SIT ON A MOTOR.ITS A HARLEY TO A LARGE EXTENT ,AND I'M NO HARLEY EXPERT YET,HENCE THE BUELL.FOR ME THERE IS NO OTHER BIKE THAT I'D WANT.I don't WANT AN R 6.VERY VERY SPECIAL.MOTORCYCLISTS MOTORCYCLE,FEEL. Show less

This thing flat out shocked me. I swear I thought about turning and it did. I've never ridden anything so effortless. Show less