A new twin?

I've been offered an 03 Buell Lightning for £2500 from a mate's dad. He's after 3k for it but offered me it at mates rates after I said that I liked it. I've had the 650 SV and now have a 900 Monster so this is a logical step in that respect. However Buells are plain weird which is part of the appeal for me but does it make working on them a pain?

The bike has race cans, fancy levers a carbon tail tidy and all the stock parts too.

Opinions on wheteher to go for it and what to look out for.

Originally Posted by Heed

I've been offered an 03 Buell Lightning for £2500 from a mate's dad. He's after 3k for it but offered me it at mates rates after I said that I liked it. I've had the 650 SV and now have a 900 Monster so this is a logical step in that respect. However Buells are plain weird which is part of the appeal for me but does it make working on them a pain?

The bike has race cans, fancy levers a carbon tail tidy and all the stock parts too.

Opinions on wheteher to go for it and what to look out for.

That engine was invented before the dinosaurs had turned in to that treaclely goodness that is oil. I'd hazard a guess that you won't find it faster than the monster.

Personally, I like them.

Looking at specs the monster is 72BHP and the Lightning is 100BHP. My Monster is getting old now (it's a P plate) and as much as I love her she doesn't scare me any more when I'm riding her. The Buell looks better IMO but that's mainly due to how it's engineered more than the aesthetics themselves.

BHP alone does not make a fast bike, it might be quick in a straight line but suck when you try to courner it... Take it for a ride if your really thinking about it.

Also if you think Suzuki's and Duke's fuzz up in the winter then you ain't seen nothing untill you've owner a Buel. A good mate of mine had one and it was the fuzziest, fuzz of a fuzzy rusting bike you have ever seen, he used some strong words too.

I know it's not outright power that makes a bike quick. I'll be taking it for a test ride before I even give it serious consideration. I've seen the bike in the flesh before but it was wet so I didn't want to take it out. I'm a fair weather rider most of the time anyway so furring up isn't an issue to be honest. I'm just bored of the Duke and want another twin. I was considering a faster monster but the Buell has a lot of character.

they are fun bikes. i would recomend having a spare bike though. there are some problems with them but the same wiht the dukes. you wont find anything as fun as one unless you get a supermoto. i would go for it if i was you. its one of the bikes i am seriously looking at.