In 3 years, I have owned two Buell XB9's and two HD Sportsters. Before owning either, I just liked the sound of the HD v-twin, and the look of the XB Lightning. So I bought an '05 XB9SX, but after a couple of weird noises and rattles that apparently couldn't be diagnosed, I replaced it with a Sportster, just to end up missing the Buell. So then I bought an '09 XB9SX, only to have the headers crack, and the fuel pump go, so I bought another Sportster. I was pretty much thinking: "Don't buy another Buell, it'll just break".

Yep, maybe I'm a bit quick to change my mind, but i do kinda like getting new bikes; I get to modify them a little, try them out, then sell them and try out a different bike. I've got a Ducati Monster 796 at the mo, thought it would be a good commuter bike, and it is, but I just can't get used to twice as many revs, I need a big v-twin again.

I've been thinking about a Tuber, but I can't be bothered with carbs anymore; any carb I get I end up spending half my time cleaning it, adjusting it, getting it wrong and doing it some more. So the X1 could be a good call, as I prefer the look of it to the S1, but I tried one out today that was for sale, and it just seemed a bit 'soft' for want of a better word, compared to my XB's I've had. The tyres were fine, the head bearings were good, there was no play anywhere, so it must just be the geometry.

So what do I buy? with my experience, the XB's are unreliable, or have I just been unlucky? I've heard people say that the "Japanese made plastic bits" on an XB are what goes wrong on them (if that is actually true), and the Tubers are more reliable, "good old fashioned engineering". Although, some reviews say that the XB's ironed out the reliability issues of the old Buells.

I know nobody can choose for me, and my heart will want what it wants, but can I really bring myself to buy another XB if they all seem to die on me?

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Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.

There is a post on here from a bloke a few days ago who has a very nice yellow X1 to sell, '02 model. Very nice, far superior to any XB.

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Try doing this to yer fueller...........

I've got an '05 Firebolt, left me at the side of the road a few times, twice with a snapped belt, but the other times were due to aftermarket parts failing (exhaust, alarm), or issues caused by an inept Buell 'Specialist'. Despite all the neglect it's suffered over the last nearly 8 years of my ownership, it's still running, with the only actual breakdown of a Buell part (apart from belts, but I seem them as more of a service part) being back in 2010 when the Reg/Reg died. At the end of Sept this year it did develop a very odd and worrying rattle, but that turned out to just be a snapped bracket for the horn (which reminds me, I still need to fix that).

I know people rave about tubers, but there are plenty of high mile XB's out there that are still going.

No reason to be scared of carbs. Just follow these simple rules:
Don't fiddle with it.
Run it only on prime Super UL eg Shell/ BP/ Esso.
Don't fiddle with it.
Over the winter, drain the tank and run the engine till it stops if you can't use it once a fortnight.
Don't fiddle with it.

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'98 M2 Razorback, it's a keeper.

Having a tuber doesn't mean you HAVE to be a fat bastard
You say you have tried a S1 but found it a bit "soft" IMO that's a bit rich coming from someone who's experience of Buell is XB9's (I'm not saying they're shit. ..but they ain't a patch on a S1)
Advice from me (WTFDIK) is....get the S1, send it to Maz and get it "sorted" then dare to say it's "soft"
If you don't like it, you can sell it for a shit load of dosh or keep it as a rarity collectable

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I hate being strapped for cash....but it pays the bills

No, I tried an X1 yesterday, I never intend to buy an S1 because, as I said, the carb, but also I don't like the rear end of it - the seat section and pillion hangers being part of the frame and not removable like the X1, and I prefer the swingarm of the X1. Those aren't problems with the S1, just my opinion, so I'm not saying its a bad bike. People have crucified me before for saying this, but the looks of the bike are important to me, and I'm not prepared to start changing swingarms, and chopping the frame.

When I described the X1 as 'soft', I was talking about the physical feel of the geometry and handling, it didn't feel as precise as the XB, and (obviously this is true and not bad) older. I didn't have any complaints about the engine.

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Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.

Oh and I don't have the space or money to keep a bike that I don't want to ride, as a collectable, I'm not a museum!

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Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.

Never mind then...
Have you tried a KTM? you might like that!

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I hate being strapped for cash....but it pays the bills

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Buell Ulysses XB12X 06/08

Well I tried the Monster 796 because I thought it would be more similar to the v twin I like, but even that doesn't quite cut it for me.

Which KTM has a big low revving torquey engine?

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Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.

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'98 M2 Razorback, it's a keeper.

Go and test ride an " r nine t " . I did and didn't stop smiling for hours . It will be my next bike .

Unfortunately I felt like a giraffe riding a bicycle when I had a go on one, but great bike.

I ride a firebolt and a cyclone , love them both,and there aint.Owt wrong with a well Set up mikuni flp atslide