Buell?

[jackjabba]

Anyone had a Buell. Thinking of selling my 250 or Hybrid project to get one, as I am more likely to ride it. Just thinking how comfortable they are. The lightening looks ok but the firebolt maybe a bit too sporty.

[geoffb]

No direct experience but there’s a guy that does DGR every year on a 90’s Buell (Lightning I think). It’s a lovely unique looking bike but I have noticed a lot of vibration on tick over, so much that the panels rattle. 🤔

[rigga]

I had a xb lightning for a few years , quirky thing, but I really liked it .

Yea don't turn your back on it ticking over on the sidestand.

[headcoats]

Still got my M2 Buell but dropped down the pecking order
Scarcity of parts is a thing now and not loved like the Elsies where you can get most stuff
If you are in Midlands you can see mine if you like but it's not running at the moment
My 2002 Bonneville is my go to 4 banger and parts aplenty for them and easy to work on

[veg]

Depends on what you want out of a bike I bought Andy (spondon440) incredibly well sorted one having lusted after one for 25 years plus. For me it was don’t meet your heroes. I’m used to twins having owned numerous Ducatis, guzzi’s, triumphs, BMWs. I’d even had a 1200 sportster.
So my opinion is when they are parked up they look amazing get loads of attention and for posing on they are right up there.
I’m not a top end freak, rarely go over 125 ish but honestly they are slow, and they don’t like being thrashed but if you want to keep up with your mates with more modern bikes you have to.
I found that in isolation just riding on my own they were nippy enough, t**tting about with mates was a struggle. You have to over ride them to keep up.
Comfort simple they aren’t after an hour your arse feels it.
For me it comes down to consider what you want a bike to do, and be honest with yourself they aren’t quick they don’t handle exceptionally well they aren’t light but they look good.
This is my personal opinion no doubt some will disagree, be very clear why you want one. Glad I had one but just not for me.

[stoney]

Had an XB firebolt. Needs a Corbin seat for comfort. Wheel bearings can be prone to wear due to Buell design. And most important is make sure the oil pump gear in the motor has been upgraded as its a complete motor stripdown to change it and obviously a motor killer if it fails.

[jackjabba]

I have had a few v-twins before, Ducati, Aprilia's and Yamaha. Looking for something lazy to ride but with a bit more go than the Triumph Sprint that I had and not as rev hungry as my ZZR600. Always liked the look of the Buell's. I probably only do 80 - 100 miles on a ride out these days, before the joints and butt start to complain. I ride on my own these days, so no need to keep up with others, I ride in Weardale, Swaledale and Teesdale or North York Moors, so its mainly all bends with the occasional straight.

Didn't a Buell hold the record around the performance bike circuit back in the day?

[headcoats]

Are you liking the early bikes (tubers) or the later bikes (fuellers)

Both totally different bikes ,not sharing any components

[jackjabba]

I like the tubers, but the later bikes would also do it for me. Is that big front disk on the fueller's as good as it looks? Are the later bikes a more focused riding position.

I like riding the torque these days. The Thunderbolt looks like it may be a bit more comfy than the Lightning.

[veg]

The recommendation from those in the know is early bikes are a better bet than later, the later bikes motor was in a higher state of tune, and more susceptible to blowing up big time, the earlier bikes weren’t in the same state of tune. If you’re serious I’d speak to Andy (spondon440) or his best mate Maz who is renowned as the man to go to for all things buell. He runs The Emporium just buells. He put me straight about a lot of things on these bikes. I’d also if possible ride one, I still love them but having owned one for 18 months know they aren’t for me.
All in they are generally a slightly faster better handling and lighter Harley sportster.

[headcoats]

If I had the money I would get mine on the road again ,bit of a catch 22 situation really
If the belt snaps you are talking £200 and have to partly drop engine to fit one
Can't really fit a chain as the rear wheel has no cush drive and can strain the gearbox which is only a Harley one

Not an everyday bike and they shake like a shitting dog ,so nearly everything has to be loctited on !


If you have a few quid then get the Triumph 1200 Thruxton or the Speed Twin,they have 270 cranks ,so feel a bit like a V Twin

[lcmarky]

Never ridden one & they look odd. Are they still going?

[zed1015]

Had a couple of firebolts and a lightning through my hands.
All suffered big end failure on the rear forked conrod.
Motors are basically bored out over stressed sportsters on the limit of grenading when used in anger.

[donkeychomp]

I've had a go on one yonks ago. It was white with blue lettering no idea what model. Slow, didn't handle and I thought my fillings were going to fall out. Looks great though!

Alex