Buell Firebolt XB9R

[leitzscope]

Hi folks, Just been offered a Buell Firebolt XB9R, 6000 miles, looks like new, £2500. Anyone know them? I'm not selling the R1100ss, just fancy a lighter fun bike (I'm old). Too dear? Are they reliable? Thirsty? I'm told the rubber band is a dealer fit with alignment tool or the band breaks in fifty miles - even needed after a rear puncture? Any thoughts gratefully received.

Ray

[Gromit]

Ray - I had one of these a while ago, loved it. If it's purely for fun you'll have a great time. I did approx 4000 trouble-free miles on mine in 4 months.

Belts can break, although the newer ones are fine as they're a lot stronger. As to aligning it, you can't on a Firebolt - the alignment is fixed. Harleys have adjustable belt alignment though.

Getting the rear wheel out is a bit of a pain (certainly compared to the S) but when you've done it once, you'll have no problems doing it again.

For £2.5k it's a lot of little bike.

Go to ukbeg who are a great bunch of folk. Loads of good advice from people who actually own and use the things - they're quite similar to us on here as they're not unaware of the bikes' foibles yet have huge enthisiasm for them.

[Harry]

Ray,
Do you know the guys at Silverstone HD in Towcester. You could always ask them if they've seen this bike before. 01327 353444

harry.

[herrman]

Hi Ray,
Like Gromit I also had an XB9R a while ago and loved it WHEN I could ride it ( had it for about 10 months and 10k miles) To many niggles with very poor dealer backup for me --Failed wheel bearings, Speedo packed up and the final straw was the belt breaking after it had been back to the dealer for a new rear wheel (due to the bearing failure) Belt had been twisted during the fitting of the new wheel despite Buells warnings about this and failed shortly after. If I could justify a toy for fine days and sundays it could be on my list and at £2500 for a 6000 mile example its probably about as good as it gets. Might have trouble selling it on in the future though as its not mainstream or special enough to command much interest. Just my view but hope it helps.

Regards Peter.

[GeordieBoy]

I test rode an XB12R this summer and absolutely loved it. In the end, the Ape just pipped it as an all-round package.

The XB9 is reckoned to be quite a bit down on power compared to the 12, and the early XB's are highly prone to reliability issues.

Ownership of hese bikes is not for the fainthearted, so make sure you know what you're getting into by studying the UKBEG site (as Gromit advised) and make sure you've got a good specialist reasonably close by (Harley dealers generally know and care little about Buells). There is a very highly respected independent specialist in Manchester ('Maz' on the UKBEG site).

Don't think I could own one as an only bike, but as a cherished, well-maintained second bike you could do a lot worse. Possible future classic too - could be amongst the last of aircooled Buells

Mark

[herrman]

I would most certianly agree with GeordieBoys comments about Harley dealerships and Buells-- They just do not want to know, Lets face it Harley/Buell ownership are are about as different as you can get whilst still sticking to 2wheels

Peter.

[leitzscope]

Thanks for all the input everybody. Looks like a good deal with reservations. I've heard a lot of stories about wheel bearing failures on the XB9R'. The only bit that really worried me was the story about the 'must have' alignment tool for the belt - especially as it was the Harley dealer that told me it was 'essential'. If it's only needed on Harleys it rather casts doubts on his knowledge of Buells. I've always done my own work on my bikes and the idea of paying somebody to fit a rubber band doesn't appeal to me! But what else is that cheap? CBR600RR....... rode one the other day it felt as light as a push bike after my 1100s .......

Ray

[PBBoxer]

One of the favourite bikes Ive ever owned was a TRX850. Fab handling and great character too.

[GeordieBoy]

But what else is that cheap?

I'm biased, so I'd say get an original shape RSV before the good ones disappear. Failing that, I'd consider a TL1000R / S or Firestorm.

If IL4's are more your bag, the smart money's on ZX9R's at the moment.

Mark

[iandunn1100ss]

+1 on the rsv but a good one is hard to find i have had my mille since y2k and i will not be letting it go an time soon
ian