Long-Term Wrap-Up
Long-Term Wrap-Up
Buell XB12S LIGHTNING
V-TWIN VINDICATED
OUR LAST LONG-TERM Buell testbike, a midNineties Thunder-bolt S2, proved more maintenance-intensive than a desperate housewife. Although the sport-touring-oriented S2 was an amiable pack mule when all was well, over time it developed a laundry list of issues ranging from spittin' screws and a blown head gasket to high oil consumption and cracked bodywork, the latter caused by poor fit and excessive engine vibration. At one stage, when an anti-bottoming bumper inside one of the fork sliders came apart and got lodged in the shim stack, the bike had
but one good leg on which to stand.
With the introduction of the current XBbased sportbikes came a promise of vastly improved durability and quality assurance. Was this just damage-control-driven marketing hype? To find out, we ordered an XB12S Lightning and subjected it to the test of time.
Aside from routine
service and a fresh set of skins along the way, our new-generation Lighting required only two replacement parts while in our care: A new drive belt (covered under warranty), installed after an errant rock damaged the original; and a new clutch cable ($24) to replace the original, which snapped where it exits the housing near the lever. And you thought we were wimps for complaining about the heavy pull on pre-2006 models...
Because we lost no time chasing down far-flung fasteners or fixin’ what shouldn’t need fixin’ in the first place, we were able to explore ways to enhance range of use. During the S’s tenure, we tested an XB9SX CityX, an extremely fim streetfighter that immediately won the staff’s favor. If only it had the added torque of the larger-displacement Lightning mill, how much more fun would it be?
The answer was readily available in the form of the SX’s taller seat ($99) and plastic handguards ($34), both of which, along with an MX-style AFAM handlebar ($70), fit our S like a glove. From a functional standpoint, everyone who rode the pseudo XB12SX appreciated the additional legroom afforded by the generously padded seat.
While the S is no long-haul sport-tourer, closer to home it’s pretty much a hoot. “Strengths include the front brake-the XB-S is the stoppie machine,” noted photographer Barry Hathaway, who also praised the smooth, addictive performance of the air-cooled V-Twin. “The feeling I got when the engine was in the midto-upper revs kept me coming back for more.” Regarding handling, Executive Editor Mark Hoyer was less than pleased. “The tendency to stand up while braking and run wide when exiting low-speed corners while opening the throttle takes a lot of the fun out of this bike.”
"I own an `06 XB1 2S Lightning Long; before that, I owned an `04 XB12R. The S is more com fortable, but the lack of wind pro tection wears me ouL" -Joe Frus Rogers, Arkansas
"After 21 months and 22,000 miles, I can say my 2004 XB is a magic carpet on two wheels. This is a bike that you will nev er regret climbing on and fall ing in love with." -Loren Mock Baldwin City, Kansas
We hoped swapping the stock Dunlop D207s for the Pirelli Scorpion Syncs ($266) that are standard on the more agile CityX would help. They did to a degree, offering lighter turn-in and reducing the bike’s tendency to stand up when trail-braking into a comer.
While its bikes by design remain outside the mainstream, Buell Motorcycles has certainly addressed the first order of business: ridding itself of the proverbial mechanical monkey that plagued its predecessors. Clearly, the company is now swinging in a positive direction, and the quality of its products are finally on par with biking’s best.
“Plentiful amounts of horsepower and torque, a pleasantly comfortable ride, but best of all it has soul that continues to cry out to the true rider long after the ride is over.” -Paul Camfield Murray, Kentucky
Quotes from the logbook
I might consider a Ducati Monster or a Suzuki SV1 000 as cheaper alternatives if I were shopping for a sporty street-going Twin. I'd be much more comfortable on those other bikes over a 300-mile day than on the Buell.
I like a vehicle that shifts gears like the Buell. It reminds me of my hot-rod childhood, like we're moving big things, heavy machinery.
As tong as you get your braking done before tipping into the cor ner, or trail-brake with the super-strong rear binder, then get on the throttle early, the XB works pretty well. It'll come out of second-gear corners with the front end just off the pavement. Good fun!
SPECIFICATIONS
$10,995
