I used to have a 2006 XB12R, the most comfortable bike I've had (and I've a dozen or two), rode like a 400cc. The only thing that made me get rid of it was insurance (it fell under super-sport/racing) and the chronic problem with start (I immediately sold it after changing the starter relay, so it may've been fixed). Otherwise, a joy to ride!
While giving my buddy the benefit of my biking experience going back 45 yrs (gosh-damn that dates me, uh?) for an alternative to his FL streetglide that was lighter, less intimidating to him with his minimal experience to 'learn' how to become a competent rider on, I came across an '06 Buell Ulysses For Sale that hit my funny/happy-bone nerve in the bestest-way, as the absolutely BEST all-around fun bike to have. If I could still ride I'd grab-it inna heartbeat, but the next-best would be to turn him onto it. The more I look at, watch reviews and listen to/read rider's comments about their 06-09 Buells, especially the XB12X's, the more they grow on me. I like everything about them, like their great American V-twin heritage, the masterful, deft engineering that Erik Buell put into making a world-class American muscle sport/cruiser air-cooled pushrod Hell-Raiser with bottom-end grunt and corner-carving style. Equally at home on the interstate, patchworked asphalt highways, small-town backroads and byways, fire-roads, high-plains gravel tracks, mountain canyon and county roads, hillsides and pastures and forest trails (at least not the too-vicious, gnarly gully-washers and goat-tracks, though perfectly up to crossing 24" 'shallow' streams and throwing mud and stones with the best dual-purpose/offroaders out there, like medium-to-big Suzuki, Kaws, Hondas, BMW and Ducatis up to the same 1200 hvy-duty adventure class. Its a whole 'nother dimension, a different metaesthetic, another gosh-darn better-way, different configuration to put the power-to-the-ground & Get-R-Done in the traditional overpowering-with-finesse innovative American way, that the XB Buells excel at ~ which is their iconic, traditional legacy ~ even to their found, confounded and abandoned history of being wooed, encouraged, supported, then manipulated, exploited, sabotaged and dismissed by powerful money-interests when the corporate beancounters got out their red-pencils, didn't realize what a rare ahead-of-the-game jewel they had and utterly lost the plot ~ and the whole point of the thing ~ That is, designing, making and selling more smiles-per-miles with out-of-the-box thinking that liberated creative ideas enjoined with the intrepid human spirit, a tribute to zestful fun-loving enthusiasm and just-can't-keep-a-great-thing-down, rarin-to-go attaboy! style. These out-of-production XB's will still tag-along and keep up, go head-to-head with any/all Jap/German/Italian sportbike cruisers, especially making-up any distance lost on long straightaways thru the twisties, hammering up to about 120 mph with authority until they begin to run-out of steam ~ two-valves per naturally-aspirated air-cooled pistons can't feed air or dump the heat like inline-4 water-cooled engines. But than, its not just bout staying ahead, but making smiles and havin fun. Only 109 hp but up-to 87 ft/lbs. Incredible machines, practically bulletproof, low-maintenance, good mpg and reliable, with 6.9 travel-inches of fully adjustable motocross-heritage Showa front-and-aft suspensions, about 450 lbs wet, intensely flickable with short-wheelbase, tight-rake and low center-of-gravity, top-of-the-line competition perimeter single-rotor 6-piston front-brakes, proprietary Buell-blueprinted-and-engineered Sportster-derived fire-breathing engine that barks, grunts, snarls and roars. This bike will pull strong in the 1st four gears, absolutely loves to stand-up tall as it accelerates out of sweepers and tight corners. As they say, hp sells engines, but torque wins races. Goddamned HD management was el magnificat stupido to hang Buell out to dry like they did, taking-over Buell and then letting-it wither-and-die of neglect. They lost SO much expanded market reach, a broad customer-base and heritage credibility when they let-go what they had made in partnership with ~ a gung-ho American-made V-twin adventure-sport-flattrack-cafe racer/speedway cruiser with TT-attitude and hillclimb-spunk, that could compete head-to-head with the Jap 4/German/Italian lineup, providing even more-smiles-pure-miles and pure throttle-twist bliss. Dang I wish I could still ride ... Buell's are an American Icon legacy fer shure, Keep 'em InTheWind, Cheers! And, sorry, I DO rambles on-a-bit, neh? ~ ; )
Erik Buell and Buell Motorcycles is the cycle equivalent of Kelly Johnson and Lockheed's Skunk Works! H-D really screwed the pooch when they killed Buell Motorcycles! The CEO back in '09 was a bean counter with no vision and I don't think he even rode! FUBAR!
I got an 08 xb12r. This is the first bike I've owned that I've struggled to think of a reason to sell/upgrade. I used to have a harley sportster and a yamaha r3. Even though theres faster bikes than this buell, I just haven't ever felt like I needed "more" power than I currently do. Even after a year of ownership I still get that giddy (and sometimes scared!) feeling in my stomach when I open the throttle. They are fast, make no mistake! But god damn its the looks that make it so special. Nothing quite looks like these bikes and the compliments seem to come in daily. I just don't know if I will ever be able to sell this bike, even if someone made a premium offer.
saw one at a harley davidson event. it's pretty strange to hear a v twin and see a sport bike! when the guy fired it up i thought it was a harley and I couldn't believe my eyes! anyway pretty cool bike !
It's the same HD engine just a different frame. I was blown away the first time I seen one in stop go traffic. I hear it slowly creeping up then I look over and see that bike.
@@bierlichen1 well considering the power it delivers I wouldn't call it the same engine hahahahaha. Yeah back when I found these bikes I was amazed. Unfortunately still haven't had the chance to ride one.
Roxic12 I hated to see this company go belly-up. It was my dream to get a Harley-Davidson Buell up until 2 to half years ago. it was the best bike I have ever owned
I bought two Buells yesterday. I got a 2010 Long with 8000 kms and a 2007 Ulysses with 14000 kms. It surprised me how much I like the long. Both have been stored inside and appear like new. Canadian winters keep the Km's down. I think a new exhaust is in order.
Even tho this bike is quite old compared to something like a MT09, I really like the fact that it is unique in some ways. When I get my liscense in a month or two, this is definitly what I am planning on getting as my ride. Realy nice bike dude!
you right about the weight, it's all on the lowend of the bike but you are wrong about it's good for the twisty roads, its more easy to ride but when the weight is more on the top end of the bike it would actualy lean faster and it would be easier to go from left to right.
U couldnt be more wrong. Xb series bikes are some of the best handling motorcycles ever made. UK streetbike said the xb12r was the best real world handling bike produced to date. And they hate American bikes.
@@fvgc454ss well a xb9sx was my first bike and I now drive a bike which has a totaly different weight distribution and can say it leans way easier or lets say faster. The xb is more comfortable even tho it is so small and is by far the most stabile bike I have had but I stay with my claim about the twisty roads stuff. It's more of a tourer bike than it is a sportsbike.
@@swansmeister idk bout all that. And that's coming from someone that's had 12 different liter bikes, 2 dual sports, multiple buells, zx14 and a turbo vrod and riding 20 years. Xb series bikes are some of the best handling bikes ever made especially on the street. They out corner pretty much everything out there.
I used to own a Buell xb12s and it was the best bike I have ever owned. Unfortunately I had to get rid of it two years ago because of my job period I miss this bike so much. your bike looks sick by the way. I will always be a fuel fan. I will eventually purchase another one. one question though. What made you want to get the lightning instead of the Firebolt
Hey Ed, do you know if there are alternative seats available for these bikes? I’m entertaining the idea of getting one but cautious coz I 2-up a lot. Thoughts or experience with riding with pillions? Cheers
I've not really seen seats that would fix that problem for me, check out the badweatherbikers forum, the buell Ulysses guys would probably be the most useful. Im 6'1, I've found the passenger is more comfortable than me, no matter their size, I end up with crushed nether regions, not fun.
Do xb12s actually feel fast? The power is "ok" , "adequate" or "decent" with around 100 rwhp and 400+ lbs it should be pretty brisk, my 3 harleys from60hp and a 70hp ironhead to a 80hp shovelhead low rider ive had went decent the shovel felt pretty balsey but ive ridden a 110 rwhp 103" stroker s&s (prob 125+ at the crank) in a 85 softail that went really good and i rode a 115rwhp 100" super sidewinder (prob 130hp @ crank) to in a hardtail and that thing really hauled (both were dynoed), the softail is really heavy and the hardtail is alot lighter but still no lightweight so with the KB12's power to wieght ratio it shud feel really fast. Ive never ridden a Super sport bike like the 125 rwhp R6 or even a 180 rwhp liter bike so i wouldnt have that insanity level of HP to compare it to so i would have that bias when trying out a KB12... because everthing feels slow compared to those bikes i would think.
Let me tell you how it is. I had a sportster with 50 hp and I got a buell xb12r. Ive had the chance to ride a gsxr600 before too. Lets just cut straight to the point: The gsxr600 is much faster beyond highway speeds. However, from 0-80 or so the buell will hang nose to nose. The buell has so much low end it's insane. You can actually move over to the left lane on the interstate and pass that semi with the 53 footer within maybe 2 or 3 seconds WITHOUT changing out of top gear. I can assure you if you've never had a bike with 100 hp its gonna feel very fast. And it actually is! I got my xb12r to 135mph, and I think it probably had another 10mph in it since it was still pulling, I just got spooked and let off. I also roll raced a mitsubishi Evo with dynoed 410 wheel horsepower on the interstate. we went at 50 mph and from 50 all the way to 110mph we were nose to nose. Trust me these bikes with the 1203 will probably scare you with how hard they pull. Unlike the 600s these bikes have power in all gears, from the bottom to the top of the revs. No matter what gear you're or RPM you will have plenty of power in your right hand. You will most certainly be happy with the purchase. Check out mine on my channel if you wanna see a well taken care of beauty!
I used to have a 2006 XB12R, the most comfortable bike I've had (and I've a dozen or two), rode like a 400cc. The only thing that made me get rid of it was insurance (it fell under super-sport/racing) and the chronic problem with start (I immediately sold it after changing the starter relay, so it may've been fixed). Otherwise, a joy to ride!
only a buell owner would know that feeling and sound you get when starting the bike, nearly as good as riding it
With this Jardine exhaust it actually shakes the ground, you can feel the concrete below your feet shaking. Freaking awesome. I love my firebolt 12
While giving my buddy the benefit of my biking experience going back 45 yrs (gosh-damn that dates me, uh?) for an alternative to his FL streetglide that was lighter, less intimidating to him with his minimal experience to 'learn' how to become a competent rider on, I came across an '06 Buell Ulysses For Sale that hit my funny/happy-bone nerve in the bestest-way, as the absolutely BEST all-around fun bike to have. If I could still ride I'd grab-it inna heartbeat, but the next-best would be to turn him onto it.
The more I look at, watch reviews and listen to/read rider's comments about their 06-09 Buells, especially the XB12X's, the more they grow on me. I like everything about them, like their great American V-twin heritage, the masterful, deft engineering that Erik Buell put into making a world-class American muscle sport/cruiser air-cooled pushrod Hell-Raiser with bottom-end grunt and corner-carving style.
Equally at home on the interstate, patchworked asphalt highways, small-town backroads and byways, fire-roads, high-plains gravel tracks, mountain canyon and county roads, hillsides and pastures and forest trails (at least not the too-vicious, gnarly gully-washers and goat-tracks, though perfectly up to crossing 24" 'shallow' streams and throwing mud and stones with the best dual-purpose/offroaders out there, like medium-to-big Suzuki, Kaws, Hondas, BMW and Ducatis up to the same 1200 hvy-duty adventure class.
Its a whole 'nother dimension, a different metaesthetic, another gosh-darn better-way, different configuration to put the power-to-the-ground & Get-R-Done in the traditional overpowering-with-finesse innovative American way, that the XB Buells excel at ~ which is their iconic, traditional legacy ~ even to their found, confounded and abandoned history of being wooed, encouraged, supported, then manipulated, exploited, sabotaged and dismissed by powerful money-interests when the corporate beancounters got out their red-pencils, didn't realize what a rare ahead-of-the-game jewel they had and utterly lost the plot ~ and the whole point of the thing ~
That is, designing, making and selling more smiles-per-miles with out-of-the-box thinking that liberated creative ideas enjoined with the intrepid human spirit, a tribute to zestful fun-loving enthusiasm and just-can't-keep-a-great-thing-down, rarin-to-go attaboy! style.
These out-of-production XB's will still tag-along and keep up, go head-to-head with any/all Jap/German/Italian sportbike cruisers, especially making-up any distance lost on long straightaways thru the twisties, hammering up to about 120 mph with authority until they begin to run-out of steam ~ two-valves per naturally-aspirated air-cooled pistons can't feed air or dump the heat like inline-4 water-cooled engines. But than, its not just bout staying ahead, but making smiles and havin fun.
Only 109 hp but up-to 87 ft/lbs. Incredible machines, practically bulletproof, low-maintenance, good mpg and reliable, with 6.9 travel-inches of fully adjustable motocross-heritage Showa front-and-aft suspensions, about 450 lbs wet, intensely flickable with short-wheelbase, tight-rake and low center-of-gravity, top-of-the-line competition perimeter single-rotor 6-piston front-brakes, proprietary Buell-blueprinted-and-engineered Sportster-derived fire-breathing engine that barks, grunts, snarls and roars.
This bike will pull strong in the 1st four gears, absolutely loves to stand-up tall as it accelerates out of sweepers and tight corners. As they say, hp sells engines, but torque wins races.
Goddamned HD management was el magnificat stupido to hang Buell out to dry like they did, taking-over Buell and then letting-it wither-and-die of neglect. They lost SO much expanded market reach, a broad customer-base and heritage credibility when they let-go what they had made in partnership with ~ a gung-ho American-made V-twin adventure-sport-flattrack-cafe racer/speedway cruiser with TT-attitude and hillclimb-spunk, that could compete head-to-head with the Jap 4/German/Italian lineup, providing even more-smiles-pure-miles and pure throttle-twist bliss. Dang I wish I could still ride ... Buell's are an American Icon legacy fer shure, Keep 'em InTheWind, Cheers!
And, sorry, I DO rambles on-a-bit, neh?
~ ; )
Erik Buell and Buell Motorcycles is the cycle equivalent of Kelly Johnson and Lockheed's Skunk Works!
H-D really screwed the pooch when they killed Buell Motorcycles! The CEO back in '09 was a bean counter with no vision and I don't think he even rode! FUBAR!
I got an 08 xb12r. This is the first bike I've owned that I've struggled to think of a reason to sell/upgrade. I used to have a harley sportster and a yamaha r3. Even though theres faster bikes than this buell, I just haven't ever felt like I needed "more" power than I currently do. Even after a year of ownership I still get that giddy (and sometimes scared!) feeling in my stomach when I open the throttle. They are fast, make no mistake! But god damn its the looks that make it so special. Nothing quite looks like these bikes and the compliments seem to come in daily. I just don't know if I will ever be able to sell this bike, even if someone made a premium offer.
saw one at a harley davidson event. it's pretty strange to hear a v twin and see a sport bike! when the guy fired it up i thought it was a harley and I couldn't believe my eyes! anyway pretty cool bike !
It's the same HD engine just a different frame. I was blown away the first time I seen one in stop go traffic. I hear it slowly creeping up then I look over and see that bike.
@@bierlichen1 well considering the power it delivers I wouldn't call it the same engine hahahahaha. Yeah back when I found these bikes I was amazed. Unfortunately still haven't had the chance to ride one.
Nice bike... i have an xb12r
Mr. Buell is a genius engineer, too bad his company went belly up.
They were betrayed by Harley, but now they are back, and independent from Harley. The new company is EBR, Eric Buell Racing.
facebook.com/ErikBuellRacing/
actually the economy collapsed and HD stock lost 90% of its value, HD shut down all side projects... they had no choice actually
They R Back....EBR on Facebook... Eric is the Chief Technical Officer (CTO) Now 2017 Models Coming Soon... 04xb9r Owner Here....
Roxic12 I hated to see this company go belly-up. It was my dream to get a Harley-Davidson Buell up until 2 to half years ago. it was the best bike I have ever owned
These are realy nice bike's need to restart the factory, something to think about
Might want to fact check your ‘Harley Buell ‘ comment. The only thing Harley did for Buell was shut them down. It’s a shame, great bike!
It is a great bike, and you are right, but that doesn't make his statment false.
This bloke looks like a gta character 😂
Yeah he does 😂
For the best handling you have to set up the suspensions in base of your weight.
I bought two Buells yesterday. I got a 2010 Long with 8000 kms and a 2007 Ulysses with 14000 kms. It surprised me how much I like the long. Both have been stored inside and appear like new. Canadian winters keep the Km's down. I think a new exhaust is in order.
That's a great find on the SS long...
The 2010's had about every kink ironed out.
Even tho this bike is quite old compared to something like a MT09, I really like the fact that it is unique in some ways. When I get my liscense in a month or two, this is definitly what I am planning on getting as my ride. Realy nice bike dude!
Please tell me you didn't get an XB12 for your first bike?! Haha
I’m planning to have an xb12 as a first bike. I know: I’m brave
Just purchased 99 Lightning X1. Already in love with the bike. So addiciting. Such amazing handling. Massive torque. Great sound. America!
Very nice! Yeah, same way about my '05 Scg.
you forgot to mention the sexiest exhaust routing of all bikes in the history of biking.
LOL this was a great review I wasn't expecting it to be this good 😃
you right about the weight, it's all on the lowend of the bike but you are wrong about it's good for the twisty roads, its more easy to ride but when the weight is more on the top end of the bike it would actualy lean faster and it would be easier to go from left to right.
U couldnt be more wrong. Xb series bikes are some of the best handling motorcycles ever made. UK streetbike said the xb12r was the best real world handling bike produced to date. And they hate American bikes.
@@fvgc454ss well a xb9sx was my first bike and I now drive a bike which has a totaly different weight distribution and can say it leans way easier or lets say faster. The xb is more comfortable even tho it is so small and is by far the most stabile bike I have had but I stay with my claim about the twisty roads stuff. It's more of a tourer bike than it is a sportsbike.
@@swansmeister idk bout all that. And that's coming from someone that's had 12 different liter bikes, 2 dual sports, multiple buells, zx14 and a turbo vrod and riding 20 years. Xb series bikes are some of the best handling bikes ever made especially on the street. They out corner pretty much everything out there.
Fantastica moto
I used to own a Buell xb12s and it was the best bike I have ever owned. Unfortunately I had to get rid of it two years ago because of my job period I miss this bike so much. your bike looks sick by the way. I will always be a fuel fan. I will eventually purchase another one. one question though. What made you want to get the lightning instead of the Firebolt
How many miles have you done on this great bike? I'm wondering whether you've had any problems.
What difference with xb12xt?
Hey Ed, do you know if there are alternative seats available for these bikes? I’m entertaining the idea of getting one but cautious coz I 2-up a lot. Thoughts or experience with riding with pillions? Cheers
I've not really seen seats that would fix that problem for me, check out the badweatherbikers forum, the buell Ulysses guys would probably be the most useful. Im 6'1, I've found the passenger is more comfortable than me, no matter their size, I end up with crushed nether regions, not fun.
I am 6 feet 1 Will that go or is the Bike too small for me?
Do xb12s actually feel fast? The power is "ok" , "adequate" or "decent" with around 100 rwhp and 400+ lbs it should be pretty brisk, my 3 harleys from60hp and a 70hp ironhead to a 80hp shovelhead low rider ive had went decent the shovel felt pretty balsey but ive ridden a 110 rwhp 103" stroker s&s (prob 125+ at the crank) in a 85 softail that went really good and i rode a 115rwhp 100" super sidewinder (prob 130hp @ crank) to in a hardtail and that thing really hauled (both were dynoed), the softail is really heavy and the hardtail is alot lighter but still no lightweight so with the KB12's power to wieght ratio it shud feel really fast. Ive never ridden a Super sport bike like the 125 rwhp R6 or even a 180 rwhp liter bike so i wouldnt have that insanity level of HP to compare it to so i would have that bias when trying out a KB12... because everthing feels slow compared to those bikes i would think.
Let me tell you how it is. I had a sportster with 50 hp and I got a buell xb12r. Ive had the chance to ride a gsxr600 before too. Lets just cut straight to the point: The gsxr600 is much faster beyond highway speeds. However, from 0-80 or so the buell will hang nose to nose. The buell has so much low end it's insane. You can actually move over to the left lane on the interstate and pass that semi with the 53 footer within maybe 2 or 3 seconds WITHOUT changing out of top gear. I can assure you if you've never had a bike with 100 hp its gonna feel very fast. And it actually is! I got my xb12r to 135mph, and I think it probably had another 10mph in it since it was still pulling, I just got spooked and let off. I also roll raced a mitsubishi Evo with dynoed 410 wheel horsepower on the interstate. we went at 50 mph and from 50 all the way to 110mph we were nose to nose. Trust me these bikes with the 1203 will probably scare you with how hard they pull. Unlike the 600s these bikes have power in all gears, from the bottom to the top of the revs. No matter what gear you're or RPM you will have plenty of power in your right hand. You will most certainly be happy with the purchase. Check out mine on my channel if you wanna see a well taken care of beauty!
How to look like a duchbag 101 with self discovery tattoo kit.
Hey man, you still riding the Buell?
Fantastic thanks
Nice rewiev
so what makes it long???
no idea haha
that's what I thought because they all sort based bike.
no, its got a few inches more wheelbase vs the s and r models making in about the size of a Japanese 600
It has the same longer wheel base of the Ulysses. It is effectively a low Ulysses.
1990 yep
Lightning*** not lightening
Yep, put a horn on a jelly fish
Interesting tattoo..are you a cult member
hope you don't wear those type clothing anymore, looks ridiculous
Dude really bought into the thrift shop SOA prospect thing lmfao. He's trying way too hard not show that he's a male nurse
bar end mirrors look crapo
Blá blá blá??????
Junkeroo....
Umm.... you're a dumbass.