Must...buy...cityx...

[SportsterSpive]

This past weekend at California H-D/Buell in Harbor City (South of LA), Buell was out with its entire product line and a free BBQ for anyone who showed up. With a nice 15-mile loop in and around Palo Verdes, I was anxious to test a CityX and Uly, so I signed up to ride.

First off I got on a yellow Firebolt X9R, which I have lusted after ever since I sat on Timbo's white XB9R a couple years ago. After riding the Firebolt, I realized a few things, such as who needs a 12, as the 9 is really well balanced and VERY linear. Also, I found out that the riding position is far too aggressive for my riding style, so I'll have to cross that one off the list, eventhough I think it is the best looking Buell. On my second ride I finally got to sample the CityX, which is, by far the most nimble, flickable, balanced and fun machine I have ever ridden in my life. I never imagined a bike could feel so right. The seating position and controls are perfect for me (really upright and odd, yet strangely comfortable and confidence inspiring) and I had sooo much fun that I didn't want to get off. The CityX has very good stability and soaks up the pavement imperfections without complaint. One thing about riding the CityX is that you sit ON TOP of it, but you can see everything and it feels great - it is everything (except power - but Aaron can fix that!) that I wish my Sportster could be.

I know I have been debating between a CityX and a Uly, but to be honest, I really am leaning to the CityX over the Uly, reasons being passion/character/fun/cost/insurance. The Uly, while I didn't get to ride it (only one demo available), appeals to another sense of adventure for me and two-up comfort. However, I might only use that bike to its potential 2 or 3 times a year, while I can use the CityX as designed everyday. And the CityX probably has enough comfort for the short 2-up rides that my girl likes to go on. If someone offered me money for my Rubber Rocket today, I would probably accept it and own a CityX tomorrow. My next bike WILL be a Buell, hopefully a Hero Blue CityX. Wish I could afford the maint. and insurance on both bikes! Bottom line is, I found Zen on top of a CityX.

Anyone want a REALLY fast Sporty? ;)

--Sean

[DC in PHX]

I am also very tempted to get another Buell. I love my sporty (more charecter), but I miss the performance and handlingof my lightning. Go toward the light..........
DC

[SportsterSpive]

Go toward the light..........
DC

Trust me, I am going. Just need to figure out what to do with the Sporty. I doubt I can trade it in with everything that has been done to it and I know I won't get very much for it. Heck I don't even know if there is a buyer out there since it is so customized to my tastes. I'd love to have two bikes, but it just isn't practical financially. The sad truth is I would probably accept a fairly low offer, as long as had enough to pay off the remainder of my loan and have a little extra $$$ for a down payment.

--Sean

[Moved On / My Own Choice]

I've been in your shoes many times.

You WANT, but don't NEED a Buell.

And you're selling a pretty neat bike.

So advertise it, put there word out, see if your Buell dealer will help. Do they have a BB or something where you can post a paper add? Will he tell people who come in the showroom about this unique rubber rocket etc.

If you get the price you want for it, go get the Buell.

IF NOT, be patient, put your pennies away and eventually get both.

One question on the XB9s you rode. What were the ambient temperatures and did the cooling fans come on? And how much? Any thoughts about crotch heat on the thing? Just curious, since our demos were in some SERIOUS heat.

Kev

[SportsterSpive]

You make a good point Kev, but my inner me says I NEED it, ha ha. The temp was about 85 or so on my test ride. I didn't notice the fan or heat on the CityX until I shut it off, it didn't come on during me ride, howoever, the XB9R did get hot on my inner right leg, yee-haw! I think the seating position is different enough that you don't get it on a CitX, unless maybe it is a very hot day. Another thing you might want to consider is a heatshield. Not sure if they work or not, but couldn't hurt. Found this online when researching XBs: http://specialops-online.com/11401.html Scroll down past the pipes.

--Sean

[Hogwylde]

There's a variety of bikes that I love including the Buell and Bonneville that I also think I NEED, but reality sets in and I simply cannot get rid of my Sportster. :doh

Take your time and really think about it

[Moved On / My Own Choice]

Oh don't get me wrong, I NEED a Buell (or a Duc) TOO, but I'm not getting rid of the Guzzi OR the Sporty to do it!

Thanks for the report on the heat.

If you read the other thread we demo'd on a REAL HOT day and the heat off the XB12 was getting a bit much. Not to mention the fan was annoying to listen to. But if you didn't hear or notice or feel it on the City X until you stopped, well, that agrees with what I THOUGHT I noticed about the X on our test ride. It was just hard to tell over the sound of the fan on the 12, ;)

Kev

[Skip the dog]

Hi guys, go for the city X in my personal experiance I have one, the best bike I have ever had, far better than the Uly on real roads and dose not cook your right leg. The Ully did and that was in fairly cold Scottish spring weather nothing like you guys experience. I had a few glitches with the bike when I bought it but a firm hand and a threatining letter to the dealer instigating leagal action sorted that out. It's the best bike on our not so perfect roads and can out corner any bike I have come come up against, not that I condone these immature goings on but it is fun to rip the piss out of a clown who has paid three grand more than you for a jap full faired super bike which ok might beat you on the straits but the Buell still is the King of the twistys where the real biker shows his/her worth. Go for the city it's meat enough.

[toe]

What's the difference between the CityX and the XB12S other than displacement?????

[Gone]

drove the bike today temp was about 101 first off it does get a bit hot between the legs but even moving in slow traf helps second the only time i hear the fan if when i turn off the bike keep in mind that i do have the race kit. and no the extra port does not bother my feet. i am 5'8. bike has 16k and is ridden hard and the heat did not phase it. i have ridden it in phila when it is in the 90 degree mark and i had no issues. my 1200 sporty was more tempermental in the extreme heat but only because of the carb. dude this bike is good not to say that you are not looking at some other good bikes I just feel that the buell is the most practical in the choices. i have not come across any issues that i could not fix with in a day. i don't know if the others have that kind of support. but like i said i am not knocking your other choices. JJ

[SportsterSpive]

What's the difference between the CityX and the XB12S other than displacement?????

Taller seat, handlebar guards, headlight grille, gearing, tires, colors, price, insurance.

--Sean

[SportsterSpive]

So yeah, I went to the dealer today and got some pricing on a leftover 2006. I talked them down to $8173.25 to get my OTD total to $9999.18. Is that a good price? Think I should try and get that price if I decide to buy, or should I talk them down.

I am going to have to decide what to do with my Sporty.

--Sean

[toe]

$1825.93 for taxes and registration.................

That seems high........


Get a used Blast, much cheaper :banana

[edman]

I can’t believe your willing to part with your baby. :( I hear you with the “I really want to get a Buell” thing. Me too. That CityX is currently my fav also. I just can’t get rid of my Sportster. If I get a Buell (and that’s a big if) I would have to convert the Sportster back to stock-ish configuration for my wife. She would like something like buckhorn bars and a big fat seat... OMG I can’t do that to my baby. Never going to happen.

[Moved On / My Own Choice]

So yeah, I went to the dealer today and got some pricing on a leftover 2006. I talked them down to $8173.25 to get my OTD total to $9999.18. Is that a good price? Think I should try and get that price if I decide to buy, or should I talk them down.

I am going to have to decide what to do with my Sporty.

--Sean


Granted I'm on the other coast, but when I rode the CityX the other week and asked them for a price their OPENING offer was $1k off MSRP or $7895 putting the PA OTD price at $8887.70 (I've got the sheet sitting on my desk with the brochure and business card).

I'd try to talk them down a bit more.


Kev

[SportsterSpive]

Yeah, it seemed like we could do better than that. I didn't really like the sales girl, she was slimy, so I left. I was mad when she told me she could offer me no discount on Buell parts for dropping $10K on a bike because "The Parts Manager would be mad." I told her that was unacceptable, but it gave me an idea of how they were willing to play. She also gave me the this price is good for today only bullshit and I told her I would take my chances, seeing as though there were 3 '06s on the floor and '07s on the way. Hey Kev, was your quote on an '06 or '07? Also since the '06 and '07 bikes are identical, which one should I look for? I am concerned about looming smog regs here in CA, as I am going to want to put on the Race ECM and exhaust (BTW, Buell has discontinued thier Pro-Series race muffler), and I don't want to be caught owning a year that smog checks are starting for, I have heard '07, '08, anyone know for sure.

Also, I am pretty sure I'll be keeping the Sporty, at least for now. Doesn't seem to be much intrest in it. And I still love the hell out of that bike.

--Sean

[SportsterSpive]

$1825.93 for taxes and registration.................

That seems high........


Get a used Blast, much cheaper :banana

I think she had some hidden fees in the setup, etc. Also, she had to keep going back to the sales manager for approval, which I was down with. You can either pull the trigger or you can't.

--Sean

[Moved On / My Own Choice]

Hey Kev, was your quote on an '06 or '07? Also since the '06 and '07 bikes are identical, which one should I look for? I am concerned about looming smog regs here in CA, as I am going to want to put on the Race ECM and exhaust (BTW, Buell has discontinued thier Pro-Series race muffler), and I don't want to be caught owning a year that smog checks are starting for, I have heard '07, '08, anyone know for sure.

Also, I am pretty sure I'll be keeping the Sporty, at least for now. Doesn't seem to be much intrest in it. And I still love the hell out of that bike.

--Sean


Mine was on an 06, and it had obviously been there a month or two (cause I'd stopped in an looked at it a month before).

Can't tell you about upcoming regulations but I SUSPECT Buells already meet most/all of them, unless CA is doing something funky again.

When I asked my salesman for a number he went to get the paperwork on that bike, came back and sat down saying "my sales manager must like you, he's taking $1k off bla bla bla"

I chuckled to myself thinking that I'd called earlier that day and asked for the sales manager by name (he was the guy I'd dealt with previously when inquiring about that bike), but was told he wasn't IN that day. And I didn't see him the hour or two we were in and out on our test rides etc. So I knew it was just part of the usual game.

Good luck man,

Kev

[SportsterSpive]

Well I got a much better and much more honest quote this afternoon by another dealership.

OTD retail is $10,244 (8895 retail, 495 setup, 45 doc, 689 tax, 120 dmv). The other dealer said retail was $10,780 and as I said before, the "deal" was $9,999. The OTD for the new dealer is $9743 with $500 off retail. I bet I could get them down another $500. I think I would do the deal with $1000 off MSRP, then it would be around $9166.

I just wish I knew how low they could go. I'd probably feel pretty good with a righteous $750 off.

--Sean

[Moved On / My Own Choice]

Sounds like you're almost to the first offer they made me at the po-dunk PA dealer.

Maybe you need to go further out of town ;)

Seriously, I think you're getting to the right ballpark though.

Keep us posted.

Kev

[SportsterSpive]

The girl at the first Buell dealership called me back and said, "Good News! I talked to the parts manager and we are willing to throw in a $100 gift card to the part department for the price I quoted you yesterday." I told her she was wasting my time, and not to call me back unless they could get me to $9000 OTD. She said that she couldn't do that and I originally wanted 10K OTD. I told her that I wanted 10K OTD w/the race kit and the price she quoted me was an insult since she burried in the fees and if she wants my business now, she better get me down to $9K OTD. Guess what, my phone just rang. I sent her to voicemail, I'll let her stew a bit while I check on my financing options.

--Sean

[Moved On / My Own Choice]

Isn't the sales game fun...:rolleyes:

NOT :frownthre

But keep working it man :banarock

[SportsterSpive]

The first dealerships final offer was $9999.18 OTD w/ $500 gift card. But I rather have a cheaper OTD price and get my parts of the internet than pay retail back in to the dealership. I asked her to lower the price w/o the gift card and she yelled at me on the phone. I told her that was no way to make a sale. So far the best offer is an opening offer from the second dealership, which is around $9700. Maybe I should just shoot for $9500 and be happy.

--Sean

[Moved On / My Own Choice]

I asked her to lower the price w/o the gift card and she yelled at me on the phone.

:doh what an IDIOT!

[Moved On / My Own Choice]

So far the best offer is an opening offer from the second dealership, which is around $9700. Maybe I should just shoot for $9500 and be happy.


That's still $800 more than my dealer's first OTD offer. But it's a totally different market on your coast.

And I don't know, maybe my dealership put their best foot forward and that's their BEST offer too. Not too big a difference at that point, that's for sure.

:banarock

[SportsterSpive]

Yeah, just spoke with a friend who used to work for a Buell dealership and says thats a great deal for the West Coast. Plus I called several dealerships and they are all out of CityXs, only a handful have '06s left. The first dealership who offered me $9700 said he would see if he can go lower, I told him I would go down there if he could get to $9500.

--Sean

[DC in PHX]

I think she had some hidden fees in the setup, etc. Also, she had to keep going back to the sales manager for approval, which I was down with. You can either pull the trigger or you can't.

--Sean
Yeah, watch out for the "doc" fees. Total bullshit charge! I had a dealer try to charge my 750$ doc fee on a bike once. Note the word try. Good luck with your bargaining!!
DC

[SportsterSpive]

Well I did it and I couldn't be happier. I guess I am a Bueller now!

--Sean

[PlanB]

Alright, Sean! Congratulations! Nothing like having the best of both worlds now! I'm pretty dang envious...I sure like the way you've gotten the Sporty set up so nice and now you get to play on your Buell, too! I'll check back in a year and see what you're going to be adding to your fleet with next! :clap

[Moved On / My Own Choice]

Well I did it and I couldn't be happier. I guess I am a Bueller now!

--Sean


DAYUM, some people talk (me) and some people DO IT (you).

Awesome.

PICS ... where are the friggin' pics???? :dpepper

[Sportster Girl]

PICS ... where are the friggin' pics???? :dpepper


Yes, pics the pics!

And tell the story. Which dealer did you go with? Did you smack up the smart mouth sales lady? Inquiring minds ya know.....


Did I say pics?

[SportsterSpive]

You know, I haven't even taken any pictures yet! Been too busy with work. As soon as I get a chance to catch up I'll fill you guys in, but I am travelling now and won't be able to get any pics until next week.

--Sean

[PassTheGravy]

A belated congrats on the new City-X. I own an S3 Thunderbolt and I've ridden the City-X, and it is HUGE fun. I like the way the 9 spins up faster than the 12. Plus the City-X has MUCH better stock tires, and is just a great bike all the way around. Enjoy!

Oh, almost forgot. Where's the friggin' pics????!!!