Considering buying a 2001 Buell X1 Lightning. Are these good motorcycles?

April 01, 2025, 05:40 PM

stickman428

Loving it so far!!!

This Buell has Thunderstorm heads, SE-585 cams, race ecm, and force winder intake.

This bike needs a tune up. It hasn’t legally be on the road since 2020.

First impression: I really like this bike!

The aftermarket grips/throttle tube will be getting replaced soon but I don’t really see myself modding the bike anytime soon. It seems pretty damn good as it is. Maybe a different exhaust eventually.

April 01, 2025, 05:57 PM

P250UA5

Buell always made neat looking bikes. Congrats!

April 02, 2025, 03:25 PM

HRK

Sounds great, that v-twin always had a great cadence, have you had it out on the twisty roads yet.

Check your email....

April 03, 2025, 08:02 AM

Calif Phil

That looks sharp, you will have fun with it and yes you need new grips. ODI makes some nice grips. I run the ones that look like the gum rubber soles of Vans shoes.

April 04, 2025, 12:59 PM

hudr

I know I voted “nah” on the Buell…..but I’m STOKED that you bought it!
Now I get to live vicariously through you.
You are a biker like myself. Some things you just can’t explain to people that don’t “get it”.

Was it a good purchase? Who cares!!!
Now post more videos of that thing. I want to hear it under load exiting a corner.

April 04, 2025, 01:20 PM

creslin

Where do you ride at?
I just recently picked up an Indian FTR 1200.
Very similar bike to what you have.
I'm near Winston-Salem NC

April 04, 2025, 02:55 PM

Browndrake

Sweet Bike! I've got a buddy with one and he says he'll never sell it. I have another good friend that has an 1125, a Thunderbolt, and a Ulysses. He loves them all, but the older Thunderbolt is special. Eric Buell was ahead of his time.

April 04, 2025, 04:03 PM

vthoky

quote:
Originally posted by creslin:
Kernersville

K-Vegas!

I drive through there once a month or so... I need to stop in and explore the town sometime.

April 04, 2025, 04:13 PM

creslin

quote:
Originally posted by vthoky:
quote:
Originally posted by creslin:
Kernersville

K-Vegas!

I drive through there once a month or so... I need to stop in and explore the town sometime.

Honestly aint much to it...

April 04, 2025, 04:48 PM

vthoky

I hear the place is a little nutty.

April 04, 2025, 04:58 PM

ArtieS

For a guy my age, that sounds even better than "OOO Yes! Faster... faster!"

"I vowed to myself to fight against evil more completely and more wholeheartedly than I ever did before. . . . That’s the only way to pay back part of that vast debt, to live up to and try to fulfill that tremendous obligation."

Alfred Hornik, Sunday, December 2, 1945 to his family, on his continuing duty to others for surviving WW II.

April 04, 2025, 05:21 PM

downtownv

quote:
Originally posted by stickman428:
HRK, she is MINE! This is my first American made motorcycle so I am SUPER STOKED. I contacted my moto guru to provide some advice on this acquisition and all be damned if he didn’t come close to talking me into a 1970’s 500cc parallel twin Yamaha UJM. . I bought a bike from him years ago that he wants back badly so this Buell may very well become a most excellent combo deal in the moto acquisition dept. Hahaha.

I’ve always wanted a sportster 1200 with a bit more “sport” injected into it. I found my unicorn and I am loving it so far!

[FLASH_VIDEO]<iframe frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RDuO8ejZWBU?si=ePgNwVBl4eVF8A2D" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>[/FLASH_VIDEO]

Congratulations, I think you couldn't go wrong at that price range. My buddy had a Buell, and it was a beast, and he loved riding it.

April 04, 2025, 05:45 PM

XinTX

Had one just like it sans the blue frame. It was a total blast to ride. Not great for long trips. But has tons of get up and go once you twist the loud handle. Watch out for the exhaust. They'll crack the weld at the muffler inlet from time to time. Tune up and TPS reset and enjoy.

My screen name is from when I was riding the X-1. Was fairly active on the Buell forums then. Sold it to a guy on that forum who came from Dallas to pick it up.

_______________________
“The only power any government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren't enough criminals, one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws.” Ayn Rand

“If we relinquish our rights because of fear, what is it exactly, then, we are fighting for?” Sen. Rand Paul

April 05, 2025, 07:02 PM

stickman428

quote:
Originally posted by creslin:
Where do you ride at?
I just recently picked up an Indian FTR 1200.
Very similar bike to what you have.
I'm near Winston-Salem NC

Nice score! The FTR 1200 is a great moto!!

I primarily ride two lane black top in the rolling hills south of Winston Salem. The more rural the better. I ride around: Advance, Clemmons, Midway, Lexington etc.

April 06, 2025, 05:30 PM

stickman428

It took me MUCH longer than I was expecting to remove the seat from the bike. Even after having to contact the previous owner to get a hint where the keyhole was located it still took me a bit of time to find it.

I removed the “Harley Davidson” stickers from the tank. I was planning on acquiring stock Buell tank stickers but I like the look of the tank sans any logo. I think I’ll keep it blank.

April 07, 2025, 02:03 PM

AH.74

Glad as heck you went ahead and got it.

I have for many years now owned one of the last of the “original” FXR’s, which was designed for HD by a team including Eric Buell. IMO it’s one of the best bikes HD ever built and I will never get rid of it.

I look forward to hearing lots more from you about the bike. Enjoy and stay safe.

April 07, 2025, 04:31 PM

HRK

Those stickers had to go, it's not a Harley, it's a Buell!

April 07, 2025, 04:57 PM

stickman428

quote:
Originally posted by AH.74:
Glad as heck you went ahead and got it.

I have for many years now owned one of the last of the “original” FXR’s, which was designed for HD by a team including Eric Buell. IMO it’s one of the best bikes HD ever built and I will never get rid of it.

I look forward to hearing lots more from you about the bike. Enjoy and stay safe.

Man I’m glad I got this Buell too.

I have wanted an American Made motorcycle for a long time now. First impression has been glorious. I love this Buell so much!! It is so different from the bikes I have owned before.

How is it different? It is VERY small. It’s about the overall size/weight of my favorite 400/399 inline four screamers. It’s compact and confidence inspiring the first time you throw your leg over it.

quote:
Originally posted by HRK:
Those stickers had to go, it's not a Harley, it's a Buell!

I agree 100%.