I sold my R1 a few years ago when I bought my house and now I have the bug to get another bike. I am trying to decide between a used 04-05 S4R or save some money and get a XB12 of similar year. In the past I rode about 4K a year or so and will probably do the same with the new bike. I will use it to commute, canyon riding, and an occasional touring trip. Can anyone give me the pros and cons of the 2 bikes that have ridden both of them? I was an experienced rider but have not been on a bike for about 3 years. Thank for all your help.
That's a no-brainer--the S4R!
Completely un-biased opinion: S4R all the way.
This being a Monster forum, the opinions will be biased. There are a couple of threads that talk about the Buell. I'd choose the S4R of course.
Thanks for the help guys. I did a search and got some great info. I know the monster is a much better bike but the buell will cost me 2-3K less. I am still leaning towards the Monster though.
Comparing similar years you'd be way ahead with the S4R. Build quality is much better. The Ducati has better handling, better brakes, better power & better resale value. Of course you will need maintenance and repairs with either of them so you will have to factor in how close the nearest dealers are and how many dealers you can chose from. Every now & then I get tempted to look at Buell Firebolts. When I get a good close look I always say, "Nah". I'd go with a Japanese bike before a Buell and that's not a knock on Japanese bikes.
I rode the buell at the dealer demo during bike week in daytona. Overall, it was very torquey and a fun ride. The main complaints I have are (1) it sounds like a piece of farm equipment (2) it REALLY shakes while idling and (3) it is also fairly hot on the exhaust side (radiating heat into your leg is uncomfortable). The dealer in Daytona had about 10 of them deeply discounted -- apparently they were very poor sellers for that dealer.
Certainly can't go wrong with an S4R ;D
Better than [bacon]; let's see someone argue that!
I hear they make a Buell that is composed largely of Bacon. [cheeky]
XB12R is actually a pretty neat bike. My friend has one. I havent seen his yet, but after sitting on one at a dealership once, i wouldn't mind owning one if the price was right. And like you I had to choose between XB12R and a S4R Monster. I wanted a change since i previously owned a Monster 900. I couldn't find an S4R at the right price and ended up finding a steal for a mint condition S2R1000. I'm glad i did, because the buell is a monster load of plastic. Im not saying its poorly built, but its a poor choice of material to cut cost. My friend says his XB12R corners better than his CBR1000, its really shaky up until 35+mph and no one would bother stealing it so hes happy.
As far as the heat goes, if you think the buell is bad, you probably havent been on an S4R. its worst. S2R are the same. Since the udder is mostly o nthe right, the heat on it just emanates and cooks your ankle.
Quote from: He Man on August 15, 2008, 02:28:46 PM
My friend says his XB12R corners better than his CBR1000,
That is pretty interesting...I would have never thought that - must be an older CBR1000. The new CBR1000 is reported to corner like a 600....my 600 turns on dime (too bad...I don't always stay attached to it).
The salesman trying to sell me an xb12s was trying to tell me they are the best cornering bikes, mostly because of the hollow axle in the front, saves weight, rotational force, yada yada yada, no other bike has them blahblah, then i get my monster, hollow axles front and rear! Durh! Ducati has been doing this on at least the monster since at least 2003. dipshit tries to tell me its unique...
I've had an '06 Firebolt 12 from new and sold it after 1.5 years. Bought an '07 S4Rs. Absolutely no regrets. The monster blows the buell away in all respects except in torque from 1500-3000. And remember 3K is almost half of the available revs for a buell! The buell would cook both mine and my passenger's ankles on the right side. Really sucked in town. Haven't had any problems witht he heat on the monster. The shake at idle was something else too, but you do get used to that. The front brakes on the buell are prone to warping. Suspension setup is supposed to be CRITICAL for good handling on the buell. The bike was adequate but far from magical. Maybe I never got it right. But the monster right off the showroom floor was incredible!!!!!!! I tried for a year and a half to fall in love with the buell. I really wanted too. Eventually I stopped riding it due to the annoyances. The only annoyance (for me) with the monster is the stiff clutch. But a $160 slave cylinder is supposed to clear that up or even just removing 2 clutch springs for free. It just hasn't been enough to do anything about it. However, wheelies and controlled slides (in a controlled environment of course) are really really easy on the buell. And in my opinion the Buell Lightning and Firebolt are both very good looking bikes. Of course the monster is far from a slouch in that dept either.
Quote from: He Man on August 15, 2008, 02:28:46 PM
As far as the heat goes, if you think the buell is bad, you probably havent been on an S4R. its worst. S2R are the same. Since the udder is mostly o nthe right, the heat on it just emanates and cooks your ankle.
I have never noticed exhaust heat to *any* degree on my S4R. Not in 27k on the beast in California. Perhaps you were missing a heat shield?
Quote from: someguy on August 15, 2008, 05:30:31 PM
I have never noticed exhaust heat to *any* degree on my S4R. Not in 27k on the beast in California. Perhaps you were missing a heat shield?
You have heat problems but not from the exhaust. [laugh]
ex R1 rider here. get the S4RS.
Quote from: DucatiBastard on August 15, 2008, 04:06:40 PM
The salesman trying to sell me an xb12s was trying to tell me they are the best cornering bikes, mostly because of the hollow axle in the front, saves weight, rotational force, yada yada yada, no other bike has them blahblah, then i get my monster, hollow axles front and rear! Durh! Ducati has been doing this on at least the monster since at least 2003. dipshit tries to tell me its unique...
[laugh] [laugh] [laugh] [laugh] [laugh]
If he would've told me that the axle being hollow saved rotational weight, I would probably still be laughing.
'Cause last I checked, the axle doesn't rotate.
Get a S4Rs and you won't be disappointed. Dolph
This is one question that doesn't even deserve a response.
This is after all a Monster forum, right?
Or maybe we should change the forum name to POSBuellWorldwide.org [laugh]
Quote from: red baron on August 15, 2008, 05:37:00 PM
You have heat problems but not from the exhaust. [laugh]
[laugh] [laugh] burn. litterally.
Nah, im talking about the rad fans turning on when your stoped dead in the heat of traffic. My S2R1000 is make the beast with two backsing HORRIBLE. in dead traffic. i dont have a fan, but 300 degrees eminating from my crotch isnt cool. an what heat sheidl are you talking baout? i never owne one, just took her for a spin aroun hte block. that took like 10 minutes to circle from traffic.
Quote from: sportskid1 on August 15, 2008, 09:26:50 AM
Thanks for the help guys. I did a search and got some great info. I know the monster is a much better bike but the buell will cost me 2-3K less. I am still leaning towards the Monster though.
I haven't ridden one but one of my riding buddies has a firebolt and hsi wife an xb12sg. He likes it, however, he says the dealer support is *terrible*. He had a clutch cable break and couldn't get a replacement for about 6 weeks. Finally cannibalized his wife's bike for the clutch cable, modified it a little so it'd work, and then ordered a new one for her bike. Around here at least, they're HD's bastard son and the HD dealers don't want to waste any of their time selling or fixing them.
That said, buy the bike you like.
good luck,
Andy
After 15,000 mi. and an 04-s4r and 25,000 on an s4rs I have never noticed ANY problem form heat. None.
Of course YRMV. ;D
LA
My first question when people talk about heat off a bike is what they are wearing. I would notice stuff in jeans I don't feel in leather. A guy in shorts on a Buell would be roasting chestnuts in traffic.
Thanks for all the great replies. I am going with the monster. I was leaning that way at the beginning but though I would get some opinions on the Buell before I pulled the trigger as I like the styling but have not really heard much about them. I figured that is they have positive reviews I might try one as they are much cheaper. Sounds like they are a bit on the cheap side and not worth the savings.
Quote from: sportskid1 on August 16, 2008, 11:01:58 AM
Thanks for all the great replies. I am going with the monster. I was leaning that way at the beginning but though I would get some opinions on the Buell before I pulled the trigger as I like the styling but have not really heard much about them. I figured that is they have positive reviews I might try one as they are much cheaper. Sounds like they are a bit on the cheap side and not worth the savings.
Although I gave you a sarcastic answer earlier, if I were you I would ride both and then decide. It should still be an easy decision but at least you won't have any buyer's remorse.
Quote from: He Man on August 15, 2008, 10:21:02 PM
Nah, im talking about the rad fans turning on when your stoped dead in the heat of traffic.
Ah, I get it now. I would've never noticed this-we lane split her ein California, AKA I've never sat in traffic.
You will not regret choosing the Monster over the Buell. I've had the good fortune to spend a ton of time on both, and while the Buell does have its positive points and is definitely fun to ride, the heat that radiates off the engine and up into your crotch is just too much to bear in the tigter/slower stuff. At speed it's not really an issue. There is a company out there that sells what I call the "Buell diaper" that consists of a heat-resistant cloth pad cut to shape that fits under the faux tank and (somewhat) prevents the heat from radiating upward and cooking you. But really, why should we put up with such nonsense when the Monster is so darn awesome. And if you can spring it, get the later S4RS. Definitely a better handling bike, and the Testastretta motor is really a jewel. Have fun and welcome to Monster owership!
I'd get an S4Rs myself. And I am a Harley proponent, as most here know. ;)
However, I am semi-seriously looking for a nice, depreciated-out Buell XB9. There are simple ways to get a bazillion HP out of one, and the '9's short stroke means it'll wing to near-2V-Duc levels. [evil]
Get the Buell. No reason why, just 'cause I guess..... :P
Get the S4RS it is a nasty beast !!! <------ That was meant in a very good way...a second gear power wheelie way...a you wont see a Ducati every day way. Sounds like you made the right choice...you wont be sorry !!!
I would buy a skateboard before I bought a Buell.
At least on a skateboard you know you'll get home!
The new Buell with the Rotax motor is ok ,well only the motor is, the rest of the bike is crap.
The old aircooled bikes...............comes from the shitster which was designed in the early 1950's
which actually was an offshoot of the old pre unit twins from the late 1920's.
If you want to go slow, have a bike that does not handle, does not stop, overheats etc buy a buell.
If you want a bike that you can ride buy a Ducati.
my .02
My last bike was the pictured XB12S with minor modifications done by me. I chopped the tail, added frame pucks, swingarm and fork sliders, removed the decals, added a Jardine can, and Buell Race ECU. That was the most fun motorcycle I've ever owned. My current S4R is a blast; but, it actually doesn't feel that much different in the lower speeds. I've only had the Duc a couple of weeks, so I'm sure once I open it up more, the difference will be greater. Once the suspension is set up for your weight (the owner's manual has all the settings for you), and tweaked for your liking, the bike handled better than anything I've owned (had bikes since I was 5 years old including R6's, GSXR's, etc. The maintenance and parts are cheap!! All I had to do was change the oil and filter and... NOTHING else! Put gas in it and go. No chain maintenance, no valve adjustments, nothing. Do a search on you tube for XB12S. You'll see a vid of my ex Buell on there next to a white truck. Turn your speakers up!
Here's a pic:
(http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa66/cgocifer/Chevelle/biketailmod003.jpg)
Quote from: Monstermash on August 15, 2008, 09:18:32 PM
This is one question that doesn't even deserve a response.
This is after all a Monster forum, right?
This echoes my feelings on this question, seriously man what did you expect to get for a response.
I've ridden one. I like my monster better.
though, that new ulysses or whatever....thats a purtty sexy tourer 8)