Hey guys. I figure this is a good place to ask this.

I use to ride a Crotch rocket and and times I miss it. I love my sporty and it's a much more comfortable ride. I'm not a speed demon but it would be nice to know it is there. My cousins all ride sportbikes but I ride alone for the most part.... So keep my 1999 1200C (has apes and stretch tank) or get a Buell? I was either thinking a X1 or a new Lightning. There is a nearby stealer with a X1 all polished out that I liked.

So what do you think?? How (un)comfortable is a buell compared to a sporty? or a Jap Sportbike?

To directly answer your question: I have found my XB9R to be quite a bit more comfortable than the sportster I had (2003 1200S). Most rotch crockets are less comfortable than my XB because they put more strain on your wrists. Seat is often a little lower while footpegs are higher and more backwards. I've done 3 hours plus continuous riding (just stop for fillups and go) on several occasions. No problems whatsoever. Then I've done three full days' of riding, (2 up!!) with a bunch of cruiser dudes. But I'll be honest, when I came home from that particular ride two guys were holding my bike and I let myself drop on the street like a piece of rotten fruit. I laid there for 5 minutes massaging my knees and neck before I could walk to the loo like an old fart. :frownthre

Now the older models (tubers) are generally a little more comfy because they are larger than an XB.

And to tell you something you didn't ask for, I would never get an old model tuber as my primary bike. Certainly not an X1. They are known to be plagued by major engine problems. They are simply not very reliable.

I would love to get an S1 some time (and I will!!), but I will be prepared to do major maintainance and repairs. It will a second bike next to my XB9R.

Now the XB is also a totally different animal. It's unlike any other buell out there. Regardless of what others might say and believe, the XB line is proving itself to be one the most reliable motorcycles on this planet. I have talked about this with insiders who know the numbers of warranty issues and recalls. It is becoming a fact and I believe numbers will be published, hopefully next year. The XB is also a totally different bike to ride than the previous models. Very lightweight and quite an extreme geometry make it quick to steer and superb handling bike (please don't quote my old posts from 8 months ago; I know I thought differently back then but there were a few problems with my bike; suspension wasn't setup properly and I had the wrong tires mounted).

If you are really thinking about getting a buell, please oh please do yourself a pleasure and demo an CityX (they ride MUCH better than older XB's because they come with Pirelli's instead of Dunlops). Leftover '03s and '04s can be get for just a little more than the tubers. Depending on where you're at I can point you to some excellent dealers that can and will help you out.

Keep us posted!

Ingemar - awesome information. I really need to ride a Lightning. I rode a Firebolt at one the HD demos and it was sweet but still uncomfortable like most crotch rockets. I am hoping the Lightning will give the best of both worlds.... I also hear you about the X1. That's what sort of scares me about them.

More input anyone?

something to throw into the mix - what about a V-Rod (yes, it's more expensive but what do you think about the bike?)

What riding style do you like most?
I noticed that my GSXR is more confortable than the Sporty but both bikes have different soul, both have positive and negative things .... :rolleyes:
But I like to ride both of them ...
The GSXR is my daily ride ...
Any crotch rocket can be made confortable by changing the handlebar ... :shhhh

...I really need to ride a Lightning....

Ride the CityX ... you know ... the one with the transparant bodywork? Don't worry if you think it looks fag but it's the one that will sell itself once demo'd.

Good luck and keep us posted. I'd really like to hear about it if you have ridden one .... even if it is negative.

I'll try to get on a Demo. The CityX does look more everday ridable. hmmm... we'll see.

Missyd - to be honest my riding is more of just a back and forth to work thing (now that I have a little one). And really I am never going to go on a long trip. I mostly cruise and ride by myself. I'm not looking to speed or anything like that but like I mentioned it's nice to know you have it. I like my sporty and the fact that it's a Harley (I know dumb) but that was part of the reason I got it vs a Metric Crusier. When people (who know nothing about bikes) see it and know it's a Harley they are in awe. I also like the whole "chopper" thing too.

But I do miss riding a sport bike. :frownone :o :rolleyes:

bikes are like potato chips, you can't have just one .
But if you must , keep the sporty.

I've been thinking about a Thunderbolt, what about the older models makes the engines unreliable? Still a Sportster motor right? Or..... I've heard about engine mount issues and exhaust cracking.

I have a 00 and 01 x1 and I love the bikes they got personality, I am in my early 40's and have no problems with the comfort which to me is excellent. The foot peg and "REAL" handle bars can be changed around for more comfort. I have not had any real problems with these bikes and the dealer took care of any minor things I had, I bought both brand new from my dealer so maybe thats why I no real issues with them. I think buying an good condition older bike can be a good value because I think they lost as much value as they are going to loose, even for parts they can be an excellent buy. I am really not sure why some say the X1's have many problems?, I wish I could see a list or get info on what they could be?.

just to add, they are a ton O fun to ride and I get lots of looks... more than ANY jap bike I had. I always thought if I got too old and too fat for this style of bike I could use the parts for another chop... BUT! now I feel it would be just a sad waste of an EXCELLENTLY designed bike (I am now on a diet). To me it's like, I have this awsome high tech chassis with an old classic engine that every once in a while farts... burbs...chugs... but makes a TON of grunt and it wheelies, takes corners, keeps pace with the best of them.

If I get a new bike I will get the Buell Ulysses. If it was available when I got my 04 Sporty I would have gotten it instead. In fact if I can talk the wife into letting me sell the sporty I will get one. I can't see selling something with less then a 1000 miles on it though. I was hoping to put some miles on it last summer but went to Iraq instead and now my new position I am in I go all over Europe but I am gone more then I am at home. I normally have to use government transportation and they also have a policy when using your own vehicle that it can't be a motorcycle so it spend most of its time setting with a cover on it in front of my apartment. LOL. Maybe in a couple years I will be able to get the Ulysses.

I am lucky to have one of each. I have a 2002 Buell Blast, that has been upgraded to a 600cc bike and has a loud V&H pipe. I just purchased a 2005 883 low in January. It is in the process of being done up. I like the performance of the Blast and the looks I get when I pull up next to a rocket or a Harley. It stands out at the local bike meets and gets people scrathing there heads. I haven't had the opportunity to really ride the sprorty, being winter in the North East, but the two times I was able to get out, I really liked it. It seems to be alot more comfortable and more of a relaxed ride. I am just stoked that I have two bikes, one to rip and one to cruise.

I was wondering why Buells have such poor resale value. I had decided not to buy a Buell because of it and went with the Sportster. I hadn't heard about the reliability issues. Glad the newer bikes are better.

When is Harley going to let Buell loose on the Sporty's motor and suspension? I could use the hp. I'd pay the same price for the Sporty as a Buell.

I was wondering why Buells have such poor resale value..

This same thing really bugged me, my H-D dealer told me its because they group these bikes like the jap sport bikes (which to me makes no sence), they told me in there words, it's because they look at Buells as a bike that is ridden hard and put away wet. Meaning I guess that they are thrashed on more than lets say a standard 1200 sporty... to me that is bull crap. I seen lots of sportster guys beat there bikes. but yet with a lower performance engine and lower tech parts they can expect to get more for resale???

If you price out the cost of the buell just in parts... it can make more sence just to part the bloody bike out. Anyway I can only see the bikes go down in value so much because of the value of the engine, wheels, front end and so on, they should always be worth something regardless of year because of that.

Maybe the XB series bikes will hold their value better. I am surprised actually that the Sportsters hold their value so well. Really, considering the suspension and brakes are not all that sophisticated compared to a Buell or Ducati Monster. The older Buells really lose value, are they seen as plagued by problems? I mean it is still a Sportster engine, are the Cyclones bad bikes? Saw one at a Stealership for $2799! 1200cc Sportsters are never found that cheap...

What I'd like to see is a factory Cafe Sportster, bigger tank, rearsets, better suspension and brakes, but a more traditional styling than a Buell. Something like a Harley Thruxton... Anyone see the Ecosse in Cycle World? There are some cool looking sport standards being built around Harley motors.

Makarov,you seem too know a lot about Buells,what model do you have and what troubles have you had.

What I'd like to see is a factory Cafe Sportster, bigger tank, rearsets, better suspension and brakes, but a more traditional styling than a Buell. Something like a Harley Thruxton... Anyone see the Ecosse in Cycle World? There are some cool looking sport standards being built around Harley motors.

HEY NOW! I'd go for that!

You definitely need BOTH! :smoke

Rode my XB9S to work this morning - it's a Blast! No wait - it's a Buell! ;)