crbocaj125
Parking Attendant
Posts: 5
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posted October 12, 2005 08:04 PM
Newbie here!
Hey all- I have been racing Pro MX and HS(offroad) for about two years, riding dirt all my life. I am 19 and in s. florida. I am in the market for a bike to ride back home from college on the weekends, and i want something to look awesome and be functional on my 70 minute backroad trip, without buying a jap crotch rocket( not that there is ANYTHING WRONG with them, its just not my style). The bike i found to fit exactly that description was the buell lightning XBR9 version. any advice on that model bike?
But getting to the point, i will be handed the 5 or 6 grand to buy a used bike, but i have no idea what the insurance would be like per month. I heard that you do not need insurance as long as you are not financing, and anything extra might not be a necessity considering the bike will be in a very secure area at all times when im not on it.
what do you guys think?
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Jake Gilliam
#100AA/PRO
FTR offroad series
   
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trenace
Needs a job
Posts: 3056
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posted October 12, 2005 08:06 PM
 Edited By: trenace on 12 Oct 2005 21:06
Even new Buells are of questionable reliability. A used one? Probably not smart.
But since you don't want to ride "Jap" or a "crotch rocket" then get the Buell. Your prejudices and desire to label things derisively will get you a worse motorcycle but it's what you want.
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crbocaj125
Parking Attendant
Posts: 5
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posted October 12, 2005 08:17 PM
Edited By: crbocaj125 on 12 Oct 2005 21:19
damn, i thought i was pretty clear on stating that it just wasnt my style. but hell, you must ride one, so i guess i should too? thats not cool. giving me the advice on reliablity is one thing, in fact it is much appreciated. But considering that there are 1500 guys in my home city that baught a crotch rocket just to look cool while riding around with wind in their hair, I was accually aiming to AVOID labeling, all while riding a sweet looking american ride.
now with the buells: im not sure how many miles the average used bike has, but the few that i have had my eye on all had under 5000 miles. I figured they would still be like new, maybe even be under warranty. If not a buell, is there any other sportbike you would suggest that has the similar uniqueness? and would maybe be more reliable?
also considering you are from florida,could you also maybe have an aswer to the insurance part of my question?
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Jake Gilliam
#100AA/PRO
FTR offroad series
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NinjaNick
Needs a job
'08 ZX14 (Blue)
Posts: 4558
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posted October 13, 2005 07:09 AM
No insurance is need on bikes in Florida as long as you don't have a loan with a bank that requires it. If bike is paid for no insurance is needed. Which I wouldn't do, but to each his own.
Oh and do some research on bikes and technology on them , ride them, test them, etc....and you won't get any ride with the performance of a sportbike. The posers you speak of in your town don't know how to ride anyways by how you described them. They just try to look cool to the uneducated rider. To a REAL rider they looks ignorant cuz they know they're just a poser. A real rider is what you see leathered up looking for some twisties or on the back roads tearing them up. Doesn't see the city at all except to fill up on gas. Doesn't care who sees them or anything. They take that Hi-tech top of the line performance sportbike and give all they can on it in the countryside looking for the next hard corner and straight to the next.
But to each his own. If I was you I'd get a Kawasaki Z1000 if you want some power but with the naked bike look that is not a PURE breed of sportbike. And alot better than a Buell.
Like I said, do some research. You got the internet right in front of you. Go to the manufacturers websites (all of them) and browse around. Don't let us influence you, do it yourself and see what appeals to you.
Best wishes on your search man 
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crbocaj125
Parking Attendant
Posts: 5
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posted October 13, 2005 07:22 AM
I have been researching them for two weeks now. I have read almost every bike test/road test that has been done on them. The only thing bad that they have to say about them is the lack of power, which doesnt bother me. I came to this forum hoping someone who knows first hand what the problems are with a buell, if there are any major ones. I wish that i could go down to the shop and the salesman would give me his warnings if he had any such as you riders would. In my experience with MX bikes, the owner of a Yamaha will tell you that a Suzuki is the biggest Piece ever, and a honda owner the same about a yamaha. But i have owned almost every brand, and it all comes down to what you treat your bike like. If a buell has problems with reliability, i thought someone who owns one could tell me whether it is from hard riding, and not my 70 mile a week trip only doing max 75 mph. Any MX bike will last almost forever if they are barely ridden.
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Jake Gilliam
#100AA/PRO
FTR offroad series
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fish_antlers
Administrator
The Truth is Out There
Posts: 21894
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posted October 13, 2005 08:04 AM
Since I happen to love all bikes, and I've owned many brnads, I'll try to give you an unbiased opinion.
I was pretty anti "jap-scrap" myself for many years.
First off, with regards to the Buell. I think Buell makes some awesome bikes, but they are (at least the older models) plagued by reliability problems.
With specific regards to the XB9... I've ridden the 9 and the 12.. the XB12 stomped the 9... this year Buell offers a "long" version which has a 2" longer wheelbase. I found that the 9 seemed to upset the chassis laterally un heavy upshift and downshifts.
There are several other choices avaible to you. Ducati's are wonderful. I owned a 900ss and I loved it. Could be the best bike I've ever owned. You couyld alos consider KTM and of course BMW.
On the "jap side" I think you're screwed. There arent any big bore motard style jap bikes in north america (yet) .. spare the Suzuki Vstrom.. but the Vstrom is so much heavier than the Buell or Ducati etc it's almost like you;re talking about a different class of bike.
Does this help?
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thundermonkey
Novice Class
Posts: 61
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posted October 13, 2005 08:51 AM
Have you considerd some of the super motard bikes,they dont come with a label and probably more fun than a buell
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crbocaj125
Parking Attendant
Posts: 5
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posted October 13, 2005 09:08 AM
I have considered a dual sport type, such as an xr400 or 650, street legal, but i wasnt aware that there were many super motard types besides a ktm. I would definatly consider getting a ktm if it werent so hard to get parts for in my area. I have been riding hondas most of mylife, and i guess another option i should look into is a crf450, super-moto style.
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Jake Gilliam
#100AA/PRO
FTR offroad series
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fish_antlers
Administrator
The Truth is Out There
Posts: 21894
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posted October 13, 2005 11:01 AM
I think you'd be disappointed with the power and highway performance of any of the japanese motard options...
KTM, BMW, Ducati and Buell seem to be your current choices..
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What business is it of yours where I'm from, Friendo?
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beansbaxter
Needs a life
Posts: 5911
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posted October 13, 2005 12:22 PM
welcome to the forum crbocaj125, glad to have ya.
Everyone in my region that I know who super motards uses Kawi's - no joke. wormser77 on the forum here is big into it.
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crbocaj125
Parking Attendant
Posts: 5
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posted October 17, 2005 03:53 PM
I have changed/made up my mind!!!! Considering my love for OffRoad bikes, i am buying an 01 xr650, and super-motarding it out! this is going to be fun!
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Jake Gilliam
#100AA/PRO
FTR offroad series
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