Which is better overall, a Japanese Motorcycle or a Buell American Motorcycle?

Question

Like quality, ergonomics, maintenance, price, etc...

Answer 1

short answer is japanese motorcycle. the buell motor cycle can be compared to a really cheap low quality harley davidson. the harley bikers out there will not like this answer, but just about any japanese bike is better quality than a harley. Why? Hydraulic self adjusting valve lifters. all jap bikes have them, harley does not. it means the difference between going to the shop quite often, or not. the best of the japanese bikes, in my opinion are the honda's. why? shaft drive, water-cooled, plus the self adjusting valves. honda's are a little more costly than the other jap bikes, because they are all water cooled. But they are still way less expensive than harley, and much better quality. more time on the road, less time in the shop.

Answer 2

All motorcycles are (distantly) related to bicycles, the first motorbikes were basically a bicycle with an engine fitted. The ergonomics have changed since manufacturers realised that by creating different models, rather than a basic do-it-all model, they could sell more bikes and create customer loyalty, but essentially they each have a similar compromise to suit as broad a range of riders as possible. Within that development is the aesthetic and marketing – advertisers and manufacturers get wet dreams over associating biking with riding horses, as a cowboy or as a knight in armour, – the opportunity is too good (who hasn't seen films where the cowboy rides into the sunset with his gal by his side or the knight receiving favours from his maid and wished they were in that position) to pass up. A jaundiced eye might say there are different types of (horse) saddle which might have dictated the position of the rider, cowboy saddles tend to have a longer straight leg position compared with the tucked leg position. There are more practical reasons for the position of the rider, at speed the ‘Japanese, European’ style uses the wind to partially support the chest while keeping the weight centralised, the drawback of this is that at low speeds there is a lot of weight taken by the wrists (ride a Ducati 748 with its heavy clutch through a town to experience the agony of this). The ‘American’ feet forward style is more relaxed at lower speeds and can become an effort to hold onto at higher speeds. Both of these are gross generalisations since most manufacturers make radically different models.

Answer 3

Buell has it's followers. I don't really like twins in general and especially V Twins. Are there any other 2 cylinder sportbikes around? Ninja 250 maybe? Ducati? The Buell is unique, but most sportbike rider would probably rather have a nice smooth 4 cylinder transverse engine. The Buell just doesn't appeal at all to me, and certainly doesn't have the following that the Jap sportbikes do. Why? The Jap sportbikes are smoother and faster.

Answer 4

A Honda will outlast and out perform any buell

Since when is a shim under bucket a hydraulic valve lifter? honda RC51 world superbike championship
Ducati Wsbk champ
Aprilia rsv mille
Suzuki Tl1000R

A few examples of 2 cylinder bikes that will best a Buell in every way

Answer 5

Ride them both for your self personally.
I choose the buell x1lightning, everyone has gixxers.

This first guy needs to do more research you dont have to go in for valve adjustments all the time, they are not adjustable they are hydraulic. and for the most part trouble free.

Answer 6

if u got a motorcycle license, why not rent 1 of each for a day and do ur own comparisons. i smell alot of wanna-be's that either: a: dont ride, b: dont have the balls to ride, or c: cant get over the fact that amf and harley parted ways a looooooooooong time ago and now their making rockets.

Answer 7

Buell is high-performance, depends on your wallet and your riding skill level....I'm looking at the 1.4 liter Kawasaki cruiser, due out this year...

Answer 8

Some people just plain like to buy American bikes. That's fine for them. I like all kinds of bikes. There are too many Jap bikes that outperform the Buell in every way for me to ever consider owning one.....but if you like the novelty of the v-twin, harley-sounding sport bike, go for it. Used ones are comprable to used Jap bikes.

Answer 9

A BUEELL IS A OFFSHOOT OF HARLEY DAVIDSON SO QUALITY IS STILL THERE BUT THEY ARE MADE TO RUN LIKE THE JAP BIKES QUICK