Buell Firebolt 987 cc review

[Richard]

For those that don’t know Buell basically it’s a modified Harley Davidson engine in a very small ( think 250 size) frame, the petrol tank is the frame and the oil tank is the swing arm. Stunning handling with very a lot of vibration at low rev. 
I have had many bikes, ( I was on here as TNT many years ago) and it’s a favourite.

95 bhp

50+ to the gallon

belt drive 

oddly comfortable 

[Stu]

Hi and welcome back I remember you 

 

Your old account is still available if you wanted to use that one? https://themotorbikeforum.co.uk/profile/187-tnt/?wr=eyJhcHAiOiJmb3J1bXMiLCJtb2R1bGUiOiJmb3J1bXMtY29tbWVudCIsImlkXzEiOjEzODc3LCJpZF8yIjoyMjk1NTF9

[Mickly]

11 hours ago, Richard said:

For those that don’t know Buell basically it’s a modified Harley Davidson engine in a very small ( think 250 size) frame, the petrol tank is the frame and the oil tank is the swing arm. Stunning handling with very a lot of vibration at low rev. 
I have had many bikes, ( I was on here as TNT many years ago) and it’s a favourite.

95 bhp

50+ to the gallon

belt drive 

oddly comfortable 

I test rode a Firebolt, I found it cramped even compared to my GSXR750 at the time.

Handling was great.

Worst bit was constantly hitting the rev limiter as it was considerably lower than the Gixxer, not something you want to happen when performing a cheeky squeaky overtake !!

[Richard]

I agree it’s small, I have Renthal bars on which de cramp you a bit. As for the lower rev, I understand different bikes for different purposes, I don’t ride at full chat, so it doesn’t worry me. It definitely is not a bike for all people 

[Richard]

8 hours ago, Stu said:

Hi and welcome back I remember you 

 

Your old account is still available if you wanted to use that one? https://themotorbikeforum.co.uk/profile/187-tnt/?wr=eyJhcHAiOiJmb3J1bXMiLCJtb2R1bGUiOiJmb3J1bXMtY29tbWVudCIsImlkXzEiOjEzODc3LCJpZF8yIjoyMjk1NTF9

 

[Richard]

Thanks Stuart, I would but I can’t remember how to get in it at all, different email and password. If it could be reset to current I would, sadly I could not see how to with my Luddite capabilities 

[Stu]

12 minutes ago, Richard said:

Thanks Stuart, I would but I can’t remember how to get in it at all, different email and password. If it could be reset to current I would, sadly I could not see how to with my Luddite capabilities 

 

When I get chance I will merge the two accounts for you and you will just login as normal using this account

 

[Richard]

Thank you Sir

[Bender]

Mate has a buell not sure what he has but ticks most of those boxes, not comfortable, not great riding position, but he likes it, parts bin special from harley. 

[Stu]

54 minutes ago, Richard said:

Thank you Sir

 

All done for you  

 

All your all posts from the old account will now show under this account 

[Stu]

Now back to the buell! 

 

I was offered one of these for 2.5k when I was looking to buy the TL many moons ago! 

 

I really wanted it but had my heart set on the TL and I do regret not buying it 

 

They are suppose to handle superbly 

[fastbob]

The original idea was for these bikes to be sold as Harley Davidsons but Harley changed its mind . All the Buell developed engine modifications , however , were incorporated into the 2004 Sportster i.e. big valves , higher compression , rubber mounts  and bigger cooling fins . And that's good because I've got one .

[Richard]

1 hour ago, Stu said:

Now back to the buell! 

 

I was offered one of these for 2.5k when I was looking to buy the TL many moons ago! 

 

I really wanted it but had my heart set on the TL and I do regret not buying it 

 

They are suppose to handle superbly 

 

[Richard]

They do handle lovely and the brakes are good for an older bike, my other bike is a 1200 monster which is a better bike, but I actually prefer the Buell

[MikeHorton]

Talking of slightly different bikes I always liked the idea of the yamaha szr660 a sporty little single! 

[Richard]

29 minutes ago, MikeHorton said:

Talking of slightly different bikes I always liked the idea of the yamaha szr660 a sporty little single! 

I have never ridden one, but I very much like the different and not necessarily the best bike out there. It’s important that we are all different otherwise we would have nothing to put photos up about or challenge. 

[fastbob]

1 hour ago, MikeHorton said:

Talking of slightly different bikes I always liked the idea of the yamaha szr660 a sporty little single! 

I've only ever seen one . I always thought the tank was an awkward shape at the back . 

[fastbob]

1 hour ago, Richard said:

I have never ridden one, but I very much like the different and not necessarily the best bike out there. It’s important that we are all different otherwise we would have nothing to put photos up about or challenge. 

I've owned a couple of FT500' s or Ascots as they were known in the US . I only paid a few hundred quid . Nowadays you can't find  them very often and they go for stupid money . Great fun to ride . Bloody hell rusty stand and a ripped seat . One of mine was nicer than that and I only paid £200 I think . 

 

Edited January 21, 2022 by fastbob

[Richard]

That is big money all of a sudden, I pai 200 quid more for the Buell with less than 6000 miles on it.

Edited January 21, 2022 by Richard

[Richard]

https://www.facebook.com/richard.h.whalley/videos/994852931127214/
 

for those that have never heard or seen a Buell