Buell XB9SX for first bike?? Help!!

[marcussoori]

Hi, I am considering 600s, and saw that many recommend a sv650 as a first bike.

However, I am very interested in the Buell XB9SX, which has less power and torque (is this correct?).

Anyways, would this bike be okay for a first-timer? I'm 6'3" and 150lbs.


Thanks

[clockworkjon]

If you're 6'3", try sitting on a Buell once. I'm 6'2" and I felt like a gorilla on it. They're very cramped. Go with the SV, or check out the Yamaha FZ6 also. Or as most people on here would tell you, look at the new Kawi Ninja 250.

[Squid Killer]

The FZ6 is roomy

[OldSchlPunk]

XB9's can be a whole lot of fun, but they can be a handful in the handling department. Probably not a good noob bike. Power delivery isn't bad, though.

[stevo_x]

6'3" 150lbs? You are one skinny person!

[Liver Shot]

Seriously, man... you a marathoner?

[Freshgrease]

OMG no. 1)ITs a Buell 2)It is a large engine 3) Cramped 4)It's a Buell 5)The engine is as shitty reliable as a Harley.

[spicy]

just because it's a large engine doesn't make it automatically excluded from consideration.

the harley engines tend to be much much less high-strung/tuned for performance than typical sportbike motors (but generally are heavier)... doesn't the xb9 only put out like 65hp? i though the 12 was close to 90, which is pretty silly when compared to 600ss making 105+, but whatever. variety is the spice of life and who am i to knock people's 2-wheeled choices...

at any rate, from what i know, the buells have reasonably extreme steering angles, which will make them not-so-great for learning.

but yeah, a 250 might make you feel a little silly, but it's the best way to go for a beginner. a 500 would be alright too (opens up a few more choices), and the 650 twins are pushing it as far as performance envelope goes. i only just started opening my SV650S to full throttle in the lower gears in the past month or two, and i've put almost 8500mi on it through 11mo.

maybe check out the hyosung 250 if you're looking for a physically larger bike, or better looking (though the new 08 ninja 250 has it beat).

[BikerRob]

Originally Posted by Freshgrease

5)The engine is as shitty reliable as a Harley.

Exactly how many Evo Harley's have you owned?

[Liver Shot]

Yeah, I actually thought reliability was Harley's strong point...

[coolatula]

Originally Posted by BikerRob

Exactly how many Evo Harley's have you owned?

Exactly,really I'm not going to flame you Freshgrease,but the EVO Sportster power plant are very reliable when compared to just about any other motorcycle engine on the market. They are also very easy to rebuild when that time comes also.

About the only time people get into reliability issues with them is when just like any other power plant people try to squeeze more and more H.P. out of a stock based engine that wasn't designed for that much stress. Also remember that many newbies that have never ridden a motorcycle let alone a Harley buys these things. Well,what do newbies do to brand new bikes? That's right they tear the S#@T out of them because they had no business buying a bike like that in the first place.

The Sportsters are how do I say this delicately um... sorta raw and mechanical in the way they run,shift etc. They are modern renditions that hark back to when the Sportster was King of the streets. When you buy one you are buying a modern,old school feel that has been toned down over the years as not many buyers would even think about a exact replica of a 1957 Sportster,you see the RUBs would never go for that.

That said my niece had a XB12 Lightening(race kit,awesome factory acc. lightening body kit etc.) before she bought her R6 and it was a fun little bike(and they are physically small) that ran out of RPMs way too quickly. That may not be a bad thing for newer riders,but for me it was just annoying as I feel the engine could have pulled a lot taller gearing.

The brakes are EXCELLENT and some of the best brakes on a stock motorcycle of any brand. The handling is very quick and light,almost too quick and light(wide bar) if your used to a slower turning bike. I would have preferred a Firebolt with clip-ons actually,or at least an good adjustable steering damper. Handling though is razor sharp and the suspension is not bad,not the greatest,but not bad as stock goes.

I don't know if it would be the best bike for a newbie as it exhibits some traits that I feel only a more seasoned rider could utilize/appreciate.
The engine on the other hand just doesn't suit the rest of the machines capabilities. It belongs in a cruiser where it came from IMHO and NOT in anything resembling a sportbike. Buell knew that and has of course taken care of that now with the new bikes.

The Sportster: History Of The H-D Sporty 1957-1967

"The Harley-Davidson Sportster, from its introduction in 1957, through the introduction of an electric starter in 1967, immediately became America's first sport/muscle bike, beating the foreign competition in the sport category. In fact, it runs alone as the primary muscle bike and does so with classic variability. A rider can strip it for a racey look or accessorize it for a mini-Twin appearance. And, of course, one can buy a Sportster right off the Dealership floor looking either way. No matter how it appears, sparse or dressed, it runs like a muscle bike should, with power and presence. With the styling, engineering and heritage that only the Harley-Davidson Motor Company can bring to the sport, it's very lifestyle was solidified. From 1957 through 1967 the Sportster went through ten critical years of improvement, and in 2003 is still one of our most intriguing models."

[DodgeBoy89]

(O_O)

Wow...
Very thorough(sp?)

But yeah... b/c the XB9R is roughly 900ccs (i know, harley engine) but if it's been improved for preformance then that would put it very roughly on par with the ZX-9, gixxer 750, and various other 600+cc sport bikes (even though the numbers say that it should technically be on par with liter bikes,... anyway...)
As much as i'd love to say get the Buell... I'd say that the Blast would be a better starter bike (smaller engine, great start) plus it will get your 'foot in the door' for the uniqueness of the Buell brand
otherwise, your height and weight would be fine to work the ninja 250 with (as a start, so you can the firebolt later

So i've read on the boards
(wisdom comes from the reading of veteran bikers' posts (sport, and cruiser))

[XB12R]

To the OP, no an XB9 is not a good bike to start on. Buells don't have the overwhelming horsepower at high rpms that a modern 600 has, but they do have double the torque as one and it is available from about 1,500 rpm. A common missconception of newbies is that a bike with lower horsepower like V-twins generally do would be a better bike, but realistically it is the torque that gets newbies in trouble.

The XB9 is about 85-90 hp with 75 or so ft lbs of torque at the rear wheel.
The XB12 is about 105 hp with 85 or so ft lbs of torque at the rear wheel.

To Freshgrease, please do not give advice about things you don't have any clue about. Do a little research before you give a newbie bad information.