Table of contents
- Used advice Buell XB9 / 12R / S Under the microscope: Buell XB9 / 12R / S
- Technical specifications
- Facelift
- sightseeing
- Buel S1 / S3 / M2 / X1
- Technical data M2 Cyclone, Bj 1999
- Market situation Buell S1 / S3 / M2 / X1
- Market situation for Buell XB models
- Facelift
Buell
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Used purchase
Used advice Buell XB9 / 12R / S
Used advice Buell XB9 / 12R / S
Under the microscope: Buell XB9 / 12R / S
XB-Buells truly do not offer delicate technology and filigree details. Instead, they are honest and headstrong characters with a high potential for addiction.
Stefan luck
12/20/2007
Buells of the XB series look very mature compared to those of the tubular frame generation, although still far from Japanese precision. Inventor and namesake Erik Buell pursues a radical concept: concentration of the masses to improve handling and drivability. Which leads to idiosyncratic solutions such as the frame as a gasoline tank and the swingarm as an oil tank.
The concept doesn’t quite work, the combination of a short wheelbase, a steep steering head and a huge, internally encompassing brake disc ensures wobbly handling and sometimes an enormous amount of momentum when braking. Ironically, the initial Dunlop D 207 tires used at the beginning do not harmonize at all with the Buell models.
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The radical construction comes into its own when it is stripped.
The two engines with 985 and 1202 cm3 displacement originally come from the Harley Sportster and were heavily turned inside out for use in the XB. The smaller one is quite easy to turn, but overall the beefier torque curve of the larger one fits better with the character of the Amibike. One of the wheels tends to lose contact with the ground when the accelerator and brake are actively applied. Ultimately, a Buell is and will remain a bike for the enjoyable Sunday trip over the home route, as the often low mileage of the offers proves.
Technical specifications
Jahn
The 2004 cockpit has a Fisher Price look.
Lightning XB12S, manufactured in 2004
engine
air-cooled two-cylinder four-stroke 45-degree V-engine, crankshaft lying transversely, four lower, gear-driven camshafts, two valves per cylinder, hydraulic valve lifters, bumpers, rocker arms, intake manifold injection, ø 49 mm, no exhaust gas cleaning, 520 watt alternator, 12 battery V / 12 Ah, mechanically operated multi-disc oil bath clutch, five-speed gearbox, toothed belt.
Bore x stroke 88.9 x 96.8 mm
Cubic capacity 1202 cm3
Compression ratio 10.0: 1
Rated output 74.6 kW (101 hp) at 6600 rpm
Max. Torque
110 Nm at 6000 rpm
landing gear
Bridge frame made of aluminum profiles, upside-down fork, ø 43 mm, fully adjustable, aluminum swing arm, central spring strut, directly linked, fully adjustable, internal disc brake at the front, ø 375 mm, disc brake at the rear, ø 240 mm.
Cast aluminum wheels 3.50 x 17; 5.50 x 17
Tires 120/70 ZR 17; 180/55 ZR 17
mass and weight
Wheelbase 1320 mm, steering head angle 69 degrees, caster 83 mm, spring travel f / r 119/127 mm, seat height 810 mm, weight with a full tank of 209 kg, load 176 kg, tank capacity 14 liters.
Measurements
MOTORCYCLE 22/2004
Mileage
Top speed * 217 km / h
acceleration
0 100 km / h 3.9 sec
Draft
60 ?? 100 km / h 4.0 sec
Consumption 3.8 to 5.4 l / 100 km, Super Plus
* Manufacturer information
Facelift
2002 Launch of the Firebolt XB9R, priced at 11,439 euros
2003 Introduction of the Lightning XB9S, price 11,439 euros
2004 Launch of Firebolt / Lightning XB12R / S, price 11499 euros, price reduction XB9R / S to 10439 euros, increase in service intervals from 4000 to 8000 kilometers, wider secondary timing belt, new belt cover, gear lever, side stand, rearview mirror
2005 Introduction of Lightning CityX XB9SX (9279 euros), XB9R / S no longer applicable. XB12R / S get Dunlop D 208 instead of D 207, upside-down fork with 43 mm stanchions, revised intake
2006 Introduction of the Ulysses XB12X (11,499 euros) and Lightning Long XB12Ss (11,249 euros) with a longer swing arm. All models receive a newly designed gearbox plus clutch and a new swing arm. Fine-tuning of many details, including timing belts and air boxes
2007 Launch of the Lightning Low XB12Scg (from 10525 euros) with a low seat height and the XB12STT Lightning Super TT (10999 euros) in a supermoto look. First tires Pirelli instead of Dunlop. Tighter suspension set-up for the Ulysses. All Buells get a new oil pump. Modifications of the intake tract, engine management, primary housing, engine seals, brake disc holder, exhaust coating and seat
Callbacks
2002 Checking the side stand of the XB9R for possible breakage
2003 Checking and routing the horn cable on the XB9 / 12S due to the risk of short circuits
2005 Check of the side stand pivot pin on the XB12R / S and XB9SX due to possible non-folding while driving
2007 Replacing the tilt angle sensor on the XB12X due to possible false triggering and switching off the ignition
Voluntary updates
?? The 2003 XB9R has a new side stand with increased stability on uneven ground
?? Some lots of the 2003 XB9R / S models receive new, improved wheel bearings
sightseeing
Eye-catcher: the Buell Lightning XB12S.
Although a Buell is not around every corner, it is often further individualized. The sound is especially popular. TuV or not. Therefore, pay attention to whether any changes have been entered. A full service book is also an advantage, as Buell makes improvements and updates as part of its inspections. The expansive frame is extremely susceptible to scratches and dents even if it falls over harmlessly, so be careful with large covers.
The models of the first years of construction were always closer to a hand-carved prototype than a production vehicle, as the many recalls show. Provided that it is regularly serviced by the dealer (checkbook), the corresponding model should correspond to the current state of the art. Buells are very idiosyncratic motorcycles, in case of doubt: “It’s not a bug, it’s a feature!” An extensive test drive helps to find out whether one can cope with the idiosyncratic character of a Buell in the long run.
Buel S1 / S3 / M2 / X1
archive
It all started with the Buell S1. “Radically different”, was the motto from 1997 to 1999.
Erik Buell, founder and namesake of the brand, was an engineer at Harley-Davidson in the 1980s and a passionate racing driver in his spare time. He is also a patriot and dreamed of an American sports motorcycle. After a few very idiosyncratic creations for the racetrack, small-scale production of street motorcycles began in the early 1990s exclusively for the USA.
It was not until 1997 that the time seemed ripe for the European market with the S1. Unfortunately, the American thunder bolts were not always up to the European way of riding, which resulted in numerous improvements to the engine and chassis. In addition to the recalls listed below on the right, improvements were made, known as “updates”, as part of the regular inspections. A fully stamped service book is therefore an advantage. Regardless of Buell’s efforts, it should not be forgotten that you are dealing with an extremely idiosyncratic motorcycle concept that is difficult to press into common templates. The combination of extreme chassis geometry, archaic drive and detailed solutions that are less committed to function than to being different is undoubtedly very attractive, but sometimes grueling in everyday life. Even more than the XBs, the tubular frame models are wonderful motorcycles for unfiltered biking. Whoever accepts this will be happy.
Technical data M2 Cyclone, Bj 1999
archive
The M2 (1997-2003) is hardly suitable for long distances, but definitely for having fun.
engine
Air-cooled two-cylinder four-stroke 45-degree V-engine, crankshaft lying transversely, four lower, gear-driven camshafts, two valves per cylinder, hydraulic valve lifters, push rods, rocker arms, dry sump lubrication, constant pressure carburetor, Ø 49 mm, no exhaust gas cleaning , Alternator 297 watts, battery 12 V / 18 Ah, mechanically operated multi-disc oil bath clutch, five-speed gearbox, toothed belt.
Bore x stroke 88.8 x 96.8 mm
Cubic capacity 1199 cm3
Compression ratio 10.0: 1
Rated output 65 kW (88 PS) at 6100 rpm
Max. Torque 107 Nm at 5400 rpm
landing gear
Trellis frame made of steel, motor elastically mounted, telescopic fork, Ø 43 mm, adjustable spring base and rebound stage damping, two-arm swing arm, spring strut directly hinged, fully adjustable, front disc brake, Ø 340 mm, rear disc brake, Ø 230 mm.
Cast aluminum wheels 3.50 x 17; 5.00 x 17
Tires 120/70 ZR 17; 170/60 ZR 17
mass and weight
Wheelbase 1410 mm, steering head angle 65 degrees, caster 99 mm, spring travel f / r 119/125 mm, seat height 820 mm, weight with a full tank of 222 kg, load 180 kg, tank capacity * 19 liters.
Measurements
MOTORCYCLE 6/1999
Mileage
Top speed * 206 km / h
acceleration
0 100 km / h 3.6 sec
Draft
100 ?? 140 km / h 10.0 sec
Consumption 4.9 to 7.7 l / 100 km, Super Plus
* Manufacturer information
Market situation Buell S1 / S3 / M2 / X1
archive
A rare sight: a Buell S3.
As a rule of thumb, around 2500 Buells of the tubular frame generation are driving around Germany. In other words, they stand longer, because annual mileages of just 2000 kilometers are not uncommon. Despite the age of now up to ten years, the price level is high, offers for accident-free and ready-to-drive Buell below 5000 euros are rare. Most owners, whether voluntary or not, have invested a great deal of time and money in keeping American treasures alive. Hardly any Buell remained in its original condition, the crown of the exotic is the extremely rare S3 Tourer.
Market situation for Buell XB models
fact
Sought after: the Buell Lightning XB12Ss.
A total of around 7,500 Buells are registered in Germany, around two thirds of which are XB models. Accident-free and well-preserved copies are never really cheap, nothing goes below 5000 euros. For this sum, there are 9 XBs with fairing. The much beefier 12-series models start at around 7500 euros, although the R versions are cheaper here too. Seriously titled as a travel enduro, Ulysses is the exotic among the Amibikes and is very rare to find. The City series is considered an entry-level Buell and is the only current model that still has the “small” 1000 engine.
Facelift
archive
The M2 (1997-2003) is hardly suitable for long distances, but definitely for having fun.
1997 Introduction of the S1 Lightning, M2 Cyclone, S3 Thunderbolt, prices from 9200 euros
1999 Launch of X1 Lightning, price 10220 euros, M2 and S3 receive extensive retouching of the engine and chassis, S1 is being phased out
2000 S3 is being phased out, X1 and M2 will receive many small changes such as the modified brake disc holder, new engines with a heavily revised crank drive, hydraulic valve lifters and oil supply, as well as a gearbox with changed ratios. X1 also with injection, prices from 9200 euros
2001 Plastic parts are no longer painted, but colored through. Modifications to the valve train, oil supply and shift linkage. Wiring harness, strut and swing arm changed. New silencer and swing arm bearings. Rearview mirrors with longer arms. Prices from 9480 euros
2002 Market launch of the completely redesigned XB9R. X1 and M2 are being phased out and are undergoing final changes to the exhaust, hydraulic valve lifters and shock absorbers. Prices from 9806 euros
Callbacks
1997 Brake disc bearings on all 1997 and 1998 models will be checked
1998 Exchange flasher relay of the models 1996 to 1998, swing arm of the 1999 models checked for possible cracks.
1999 Front engine mount, earth cable, rear brake line (X1), side stand switch, tank mount and ventilation checked, also again rear swing arm and shock absorber, whereby the defects differed depending on the model and year of manufacture
2000 Checking the rear brake line on S3, fuel filter and shock absorber, on various models
Voluntary updates
?? All 1997 to 2000 models receive a new control unit, larger main jets on the carburettor models, modified spark plugs, engine temperature sensors and modified float chambers to protect the rear cylinder from overheating
?? All 1995 to 2000 models receive a modified exhaust bracket
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