New Buell Owner

Hey everyone, just picked up a XB12S an 04 but found it brand new still, a dealership in VA had 2 04s still new that never sold.... Got a GREAT deal, under 8900 bucks! Any tips out there on what to do with these? First I want to do the exhaust, with ECM and air cleaner and all that stuff.... Any other lightning owners out there?

:welcome: man! Congrads on the new bike! :clap: I really like the Buells... and we have a few die hard buell guys around here.

:welcome::dthumb: :nopicsbs:

I love the way the Buell's look, and I think the design is full of great ideas. I just hear too many bad things about them to consider buying one.

The people that say all those bad things just don't know :wtf: they are talking about. They loose perspective to the object in the buells. Heck, most of them probably have never even rode one. F what people say! END OF STORY!

:welcome: to TWF mfarrell The people that say all those bad things just don't know :wtf: they are talking about. They loose perspective to the object in the buells. Heck, most of them probably have never even rode one. F what people say! END OF STORY! :iagree: The only bad thing I could ever say about a Buell is that its not beginner friendly. That's not really bad.

I absolutely love the Firebolts. I've heard the engine isn't realiable? Anyone?

Congrats on the new bike! You will love it. $8900 for an XB12 is a stellar deal IMHO. If you want to do some research on the best exhaust/ecm/airbox setup, go to americansportbikes.com and click on the exhaust shootout link. That is an exhaustive (pun intended) study that they just completed on each aftermarket setup for both the XB9 and XB12. Once you get the exhaust/ecm/airbox done, well, I guess you could look into suspension stuff, but the stock suspension is great the way it is... it usually just needs some tweeking for your weight and riding preferences. They do sell a big bore kit for the 9s, but I don't know about the 12. I put an aftermarked handle bar setup on my cityX (XB9SX) to lower the riding position a bit. One very important thing; If it did not come with frame pucks (black plastic pieces that are attached to the frame, just where it slopes in in front of your knees) I would HIGHLY recommend getting them. They have been proven to save the frame, and therefore your fuel cell in the event of a slide. They cost about $45 for the set. If you rub a hole in your frame into the gas tank, the bike is totaled and un-repairable.

:iagree: Frame pucks/sliders are a must for the Buell.

:iagree: Frame pucks/sliders are a must for the Buell. They should be for ALL sportbikes!!!

They should be for ALL sportbikes!!! Truth.

Thanks guys, this is my first of this style, had 2 Harleys before.... I appreciate the tips I will try to include some pics here later when i get a chance... how do you post them?:cheers:

I will try to include some pics here later when i get a chance... how do you post them?:cheers: Click here (http://twowheelforum.com/showthread.php?t=9035)for instructions.

Thanks guys, this is my first of this style, had 2 Harleys before.... I appreciate the tips I will try to include some pics here later when i get a chance... how do you post them?:cheers: Get to it pal.:tt:

:wredx: :nopicsbs: :wredx:

:wredx: :nopicsbs: :wredx: :withstupi

Congrats. Ok, I'm a bit late to the party.... Also check out www.badweatherbikers.com for Buell info. I have an '06 XB12R Firebolt with the race kit. It sounds more "harley" than my V-Rod. But if you like a loud sound, go with the kit. As far as what the others posted about reliability, I'm only at 1,000 miles and the bike has been great. 13k on the V-Rod and the only issues I have is wearing out the rear tire every 5k miles. Also, I'm 6'2" and 190 lbs and the Buell fits me very well. Enjoy.

I love the firebolt. Post more pics.

I love the firebolt. Post more pics. :withstupi

:withstupi :tt:

I put a picture of my XB up on the gallery in the buell section... we need more.

I put a picture of my XB up on the gallery in the buell section... we need more. :iagree: :withstupi :nopicsbs:

:iagree: :withstupi :nopicsbs: Yes.:iagree:

As far as what the others posted about reliability, I'm only at 1,000 miles and the bike has been great. 5.5K miles here and running like a champ. However, she is thirsty for oil. Burns off at least a pint every 1K miles. I asked the dealer to check it out, and they simply handed me a service bulletin that said they can burn up to a quart every 1K miles. :wtf: So keep a close eye on your oil level, particularly if you do a track day! After a full day in the upper rev range, my 'Bolt consumed a pint in just a few hundred miles.

check your upper crank case vent. It usually expels to the intake... I bet its expelling alot. Its the nature of the v-twin beast you have.