BUELL XB12R FIREBOLT (2003 - 2007) Review

Year: 2005

Emotional bike

Year: 2006

Best bike ever

Year: 2006

Annual servicing cost: £60

Very fun unique bike. Excellent chassis with VERY aggressive geometry means you think about putting a knee down and it’s happening. Likes to give a little head shake on rapid transitions, but as soon as you set the line it settles down. Not enough to warrant a steering dampener unless you are doing fast track days. Speaking of which, this is definitely a 95% street / 5% track bike.

Buying experience: These things are dirt cheap these days, bought from a private seller that took good care of it. Beware of corrosion, OEM muffler likes to rot out if ridden in winter weather.

Version: firebolt xb12r

Year: 2004

Annual servicing cost: £400

Fantastic bike, makes you feel alive and always puts a smile on your face. If you're thinking of buying one avoid the bike shops, buy private from a caring owner. Anyone who puts down a Buell Firebolt has very likely never owned one, or even ridden one, they dont go wrong any more than any other bike in the real world. If 150mph and wheelieing in the first three gears isn't enough for you,get off the road and on the track.

Buying experience: Dealers are very untrustworthy these days with not many good ones left, always buy private as its easier to meet a genuine owner than try and deal with a guy in a bike shop who you wouldn't trust in any other situation,they are trying to make the most money out of you not give you a fair deal, just check out the prices yourself.

I had several Firebolt test rides and attended a Buell Experience at Mallory Park before I finally got a secondhand 04 XB12 in December 07. I run a Sprint 1050 ST as well so the 'bolt isn't my main bike but I've still managed about 5000 miles so far (total about 16K). I've always liked Vtwins and have previously owned several Guzzis, Dukes, a Honda Firestorm, Aprilias and 2 Harley FXR's, so I've experienced a selection of V-engines before I came to the Buell. I think the Buell delivers the kind of engine performance that I always looked for in the others. That is, a low revving torquey engine with a great sound (on a race can anyway) and with enough performance to excite, and cheap to run too. I've seen 135 on the clocks and it feels surprisingly good at that speed considering the relatively low-tech design of the engine. The Buell really does surprise you with how it feels on the road. It's pretty quick off the mark and I've caught out quite a few race rep fours at the lights who've found that they've had to dial in a few more revs than they thought to overhaul me. And when they do fly past and hit the corners, the Buell is not far behind most ordinary riders and can make up ground fast. The gearbox can be agricultural but is definitely not as bad some Guzzis. I get very few false neutrals and the box is very positive for 95% of the time as long as you have the clutch cable and primary chain coorectly adjusted. Like anything you learn how to use if effectively. You'll notice it more in town as you go up and down the box and it will seem heavier in these situations but it's no worse than many in that respect. You can buy kits to reduce the lever pressure but it's never bothered me that much! I have not had one single issue with reliability. I put fuel in and it goes. It uses no oil and returns on average 130 miles to reserve. I've kept a fuel log and average 54.08(uk)mpg,(lowest 44.28mpg, best 61.39). I've only done under 50mpg twice in the whole time!!! Because it's so low revving it's very deceptive at speed and very easy to find yourself doing an indicated 80mph or more when you think you're doing 60. I have got a non-standard Zero Gravity double bubble screen,though, which takes the wind blast down helping the sensation of effortless speed. The bike also came with an HP (Hot Performance) can which possibly allows it to breathe a little better.The engine may be an old design but whatever Buell do to the engine gives it just about perfect power and torque for real world riding. You can rev it through the gears if you want but it's equally as good changing up and letting the torque work for you. You can often leave it in top top and roll on and off the throttle making use of the huge midrange shove to overtake. Lazy and effortless. The single rim mounted disc is also very efficient and far better or equal to many twin disc set ups that I've used. The standard (showa?) rear shock doesn't always deliver the most compliant ride. It's worth spending time to dial in both front and rear as there is a comprehensive guide provided in the handbook for basic settings based on rider weight. I've had a play but never seem to get the bike absolutely right for me. The handling around corners is great but sometimes the rear seems too harsh over bumps.I'm no expert so it could just be me! I can say that I have never felt out of control on the bike so maybe I'm just being fussy - then again British roads are getting much crappier these days so maybe it's that as well!!!! The seat is very minimal for both rider and pillion. Having said that, I can't ever remember actually feeling any pain or need to stop for a rest because of it (Which I have had on the Sprint when touring). The riding position is pretty good and I've done several 120+ mile journeys without any aches or real discomfort. One absolutely diabolical part of the bike is the headlights. They really are the crappest lights I have ever sat behind! I won't even think of riding in the dark on an unfamiliar unlit road because it would be dangerous. When I say lights, Well, One side comes on for dip and one for main but they are both poor. It's an arse of a law or regulation that stops bikes having twin headlights.I haven't even tried to improve it - I just take the Sprint if I have to ride at night. If the Buell was your only bike, you would need to look at this area if you regularly ride at night. I've used BT020 tyres front and rear (same as I have on the Sprint. Just my preference but they seem to work well wet or dry and give good mileage. Both are still good after 5000 miles and should see 7000 or more. I would have expected the torque to punish the rear, but it certainly does not seem to be the case. The mirrors are so so. Sometimes they're ok but other times at speed, you can't really see what's in them due to the vibration! The belt drive (a first for me ) is great. No chain to oil, no need to adjust, no fuss, no bother. Another maintenance plus. The bike is nimble and easy to filter with and pass traffic on the move. The torque just zips you past slower traffic and I often find myself going for overtakes that I wouldn't go for on the Sprint because the Buell is small, light and nippy. The Sprint requires a bit more thought and planning because of it's extra size,weight and power!! I really really like the Buell, it's grown and grown on me over time. It provides you with a unique experience in biking and really delivers more in so many ways than the stats on paper would suggest. It never fails to put a smile on my face and that's really important for me. I can only suggest that you try one but don't blame me if it gets under your skin and you end up wanting one. Just don't expect anything like a Jap race rep as it's as far away from that as anything could be. But that is exactly why I love it.

You got to give it to Harley Davidson and love them. When they took over they finally brought some sense into Buells. Erik had great visions but not the ability to build quality bikes. The Tube frame models are cheap produced and that is why they are failing. HD could see the good side of Erik he is a visionary thinker but he did not know how to make good and lasting bikes. He has the concept and HD makes it real and good. There you go you have the XB series reliable and with a fair quality for a good price.

The R is a little more sharper than the S because of its sportsbike riding position and the clip-on handlebars other than that a brilliant and reliable bike.

I bought an XB12R new in 2004, complete with race kit. A really good handling bike, and not too slow considering the age of the motor, although I don't know where you get 155 mph from, as mine was bouncing off the rev-limiter in top at 145 mph. Totally reliable, and not too bad for touring with a Ventura pack fitted. Recommended.

I said i was considering the 1200 had one now 4 a year love it . But it needs input so if your used jap bikes . You ll prob hate it

I've had my 07 firebolt for 3 months and i want to marry if i could. She is black and red all stock standard (for now) . Could do with a bit more power but it still a great bike . I want to buy a race kit but all the one i have seen are so damn expensive can anyone help me with a good kit at a low cost

I fancied a big twin again,had my fill of jap fours,all seem the bloody same.I rang up my local dealer Just Harly's of Newcastle,I asked the sales guy if I could have a test ride on a Firebolt,he said yes no problem I arrived the next morning and took one out for three hours. I fell in love with the bloody thing strait away, masses of grunt from tickover,very sharp handeling flicks from side to side with no efort at all. The vibes at tickover smooth out once you are running,and it is very roomy on the bike for it's compact size.I got back to the dealers three hours later and orderd a new Bolt strate away. I would recomend a Firebolt to any fellow biker,just book a test ride you will love the thing.

I have always liked the look and sound of this bike since its launch, but was always put off by the reviews, until I test rode one!! That was it, had to have one. Now its not a Japanese straight line rocket, but as individual as the rider him or herself, with all its quirky misgivings, but still an amazing riding experience.Weaknesses: Me - I want two!!

I have had trouble with the bike, the side stand bolt snapped, the engine rattled when warm, the belt pully bearing seized, the exhaust corroded badly, the front wheel bearing collapsed, finally the key fell apart in the ignition. All this between December 23rd  2005 untill october 15th 2006! Strengths: The bike handles well when not broken, looks good. Weaknesses: Everything!

Its a real fun bike the handling is excellant so is the braking. The fuel consumption is very good so is the service back up .Dunlop 207s are the best I've found. I've ridden it all day and comfort is fine, even for a 50 year old! I am considering the 1200, but it has the same lights, which are useless! I can't believe Buell let the bike down with such crap head light. Strengths: Handling , comfort, braking, fuel mpg, dealer back up. Weaknesses: Head light crap.

Loads of torque and engine sounds nice. It took me about 300 miles to get used to the short wheelbase but now I love it and ride it everywhere. Previous Buell was an XB9S and it really lacked the oomph I wanted, XB12R solved that, now I just need some decent tires, stock suck. Strengths: Torque, looks. Weaknesses: Gas mileage.

I won this bike as a result of a competion I entered through this site. At first I was seriously considering selling it, especially as it is so small and at 6'6" and 1** Kg I am not exactly a small person. When I first rode it, I was even more unsure about keeping it. This was mainly due the the extreme handling characteristics. It just didn't seam stable in bends, and I didn't feel very comfortable in the brakes as it felt like my weight was entirly over the front wheel. I decided I was going to finish off the bedding in period before making a decsion, as I was keen to know if the power band that was just starting to appear at the running in revs carried on much further. BTW the running in is a nightmare 1000 miles of it! I am so glad I did. Over the thousand mile bedding in, I learned to trust the brakes, they are a lot better than they initially seamed, but you do need to use a slight ammount of rear to stabilise the bike. I also learned how the bike liked to be turned. Strengths: * Very good at turning * so much torque * great sound * big grins every time I get off! Weaknesses: * A little bit of vibrations, they especially make rear mirrors useless. * low tank range about 95 miles.

Had no intention of buying one at all, rode the xb9r thought nice, needs more oomph though. Test rode xb12r firebolt 'cos bored, off work for day, bought it 3 days later. Strengths: Torque, oomph, makes me laugh like a nutter! Weaknesses: Don't know yet, not heard anything though...