Anyone ever rode a buell? Or own one? I rode one yesterday - a 99 lightning x1 with a vance & hines ss2r exhaust. I think it a 900cc or so. Very nice...lots of torque, good speed, it was impressive. Sounded very cool, throaty - healthy - didn't get to ride it very long, couldn't tell on the handling.

 

No offense intended to any Buell owners but...

While Buell's are neat bikes and the newer bikes have some interesting engineering in them, they usually aren't built as well nor do they usually have the fit and finish that the avg. Honda or Yamaha does.

What they do offer is a lot of personality and a very unique experience among the sport bikes. In addition, they get you accepted within the Harley crowd (as they're closely related) which is something that no Japanese bike will ever do, if that's important to you.

 

The Buell fit 'n finish is much improved, and I really want to buy American, but they still miss the mark (for me).