| Author | Message | ||
     Rocketman |
I am currently monitoring a little HD/Buell undertaking in Dubai, UAE. Dubai is not representative of anything outside of Dubai. It's a playground for the filthy rich, where the cops carry machine guns. Mind you, they gave me a free cup of coffee last time I flew in under armed escort. Dubai? Easy pickings for HD to sell into. Rocket | ||
| Midknyte |
It's going to change and unless I miss my guess there are a team of folks, under the lead of a native New York who's been at HD for years, who are planning 7 years out. stick a 4 in front of that seven  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5xDsebv7vY&eurl= | ||
| Humboldtblast |
dubai huh.,...wowwhat are you doing in dubai court? isnt that where they have the man made islands that look like palm trees? is it really a motorcycle market there? (Message edited by humboldtblast on May 31, 2007) | ||
| Norcal_blast |
are the KTMs using Rotax engines? If so, reliability may be an issue in the long run after all. Hopefully, they'll use an in-house engine. Aprilias have used Rotax engines and have been known to blow up, crack heads, eat head gaskets, and burn valves The Rotax twin in the Mille and the Tuono is a fantastic motor, equal to the best from Japan as far as reliability and build quality. Anyhow KTM designs and builds their own engines | ||
| Cityxslicker |
mmm all the dirt and sand, right next to all that water... somebody tell them it makes wonderful MUD. UAE... Anything going in the FIS? (need a man in Moscow???) | ||
| Buellboiler |
Can't say much about the Mille & Tuono but the damn Rotax engines they put in SkiDoos have issues. My 460cc twin siezed a main roller bearing (no oil injection problems) and them my 600cc triple burned the PTO side piston (PTO seal failure?). They are nothing like the Rotaxs of the 70s, that lasted forever. I won't be looking for a SkiDoo next time and if I had the option to buy a bike with a Rotax....I would PASS!!!!!! | ||
| Cgocifer |
"The Rotax twin in the Mille and the Tuono is a fantastic motor, equal to the best from Japan as far as reliability and build quality." Ha, Yeah, my bro's 2003 Mille had it's engine replaced at 2300 miles due to a burnt valve and piston! Oh, then the replacement engine detonated due to a wiped bearing! He opted to let them buy the bike back for full price. He rides a Yamaha now. Rotax singles are great for race bikes (speedway, flat track, etc.) but as for street bikes...  ROTAX | ||
| Imonabuss |
The Aprilia 1000 Mille motor seems to be a bit of an anomaly from Rotax. In most cases excellent, but it does have some history of quality issues, especially the early ones. If you were following the history of the original Aprilia 1000 launch (which I was, being a big fan of twins), you will remember there was a serious conflict apparently going on between Rotax and Aprilia over launch readiness. My bet is that Rotax wanted more time, or wasn't satisfied with Aprilia's test methodology. Probably Italian passion and excitement vs Austrian logic and thoroughness. The BMW/Aprilia 650 that Rotax builds has a great reliability record, and BMW chose them to build the new 800. That indicates BMW must be satisfied. Although there are some disappointments with every brand, in general Skidoos are considered very reliable among the snowmobile brands. Also the Bombardier ATV motors have an great reputation for being bulletproof. There is a lot of conjecture among us as to who may be building the motor for the Buell dirt bike that was announced, but I don't see a lot that would throw them out of contention in being involved with it. As far as there being a water cooled top end put on an XB, as some have suggested they know is happening, I wouldn't bet on that being real. But I've been wrong before. | ||
| Rocketsprink |
Guess we'll all see in a matter of weeks. | ||
| Jiffy |
It wouldn't hurt Buell to build a Gixxer killer. Triumph did it with the 675. | ||
| Buellshyter |
There is a lot of conjecture among us as to who may be building the motor for the Buell dirt bike that was announced I seem to recall a Buell memo posted here a few months ago stating Rotax was going to be the manufacturer. From Buell News - “We’ve told our dealers about our plans to bring an off-road, closed-course competition motorcycle to market within the next two years,” said Chairman and Chief Technical Officer Erik Buell. I don't think we will see the dirt bike in July. I think it will launch with no specific date. It will arrive when it's ready regardless of the time of year much like the TT. I'm leaning towards a detuned XBRR motor in a Firebolt configuration for 08. Call it an XB anniversary edition. A quick fix for you adrenalin junkies until the hyper sport is ready. | ||
| Spatten1 |
I seem to recall a Buell memo posted here a few months ago stating Rotax was going to be the manufacturer. The smartest thing they could possibly do. | ||
| Spatten1 |
Now that I think about it, there is another independent engine manufacturer located right in Milwaukee. Briggs and Stratton may the big secret weapon we've been waiting to hear about. Air cooled, two valve, it sure fits the bill. | ||
| Slamber777 |
Ouch! | ||
| Bueaddicted |
Today I heard from a dealer where I had my front rotor/brake/pads replaced that the Firebolt was history!!! Anybody heard this rumor? Well, hopefully something amazing is coming out - I'm not ready to leave the sports bike riding position yet! | ||
| Blake |
"I seem to recall a Buell memo posted here a few months ago stating Rotax was going to be the manufacturer. " That was not a Buell memo, it was a statement made by a moto magazine and it was not attributed to Buell or H-D. Might be accurate, might not be accurate, but Buell never made any such statement. | ||
| Reepicheep |
The Firebolt XB9R is gone... they are all 12's now. Maybe thats what the dealer meant. Maybe a dirtbike was the camels nose under the tent that got a non Motor Company engine in a Buell bike... Which sets the groundwork for the hypersport. I'm glad my 9sx has a sportster motor though. If Buell offered it with a water cooled 800cc motor making a reliable 100 hp, I would have bought it... but somehow think I would be less satisfied. That sportster lump has some special charisma thats hard to quantify, and I am Glad Buell did so much work to keep it alive and viable through the first decade of 2000... | ||
| Spatten1 |
If Buell offered it with a water cooled 800cc motor making a reliable 100 hp, I would have bought it... but somehow think I would be less satisfied. That sportster lump has some special charisma thats hard to quantify I'm in the same boat. I can't justify anything about it, especially after all the headaches I've dealt with, but I just love it. | ||
| Court |
 It's sometimes fun to imagine what would happen if Buell actually built what folks are speculating they will . . . it'd damn sure be an odd contraption. Not much of the foregoing information holds water and when, and if, something new comes out I'll have some frickin' hilarious stories for you . . . . what else is new, right? | ||
| Firemanjim |
I just wish you would get around to writing them in a book or actually telling us---this constant "remind me to tell you--" is aggravating.   | ||
| Court |
Then I've got great news for you . . . . there will be TWO books. | ||
| Court |
Actually . . . make that MAY be . . . decision will be made within the next 2 weeks by the publisher. | ||
| Ducxl |
I'm leaning towards a detuned XBRR motor in a Firebolt configuration for 08. Call it an XB anniversary edition. A quick fix for you adrenalin junkies until the hyper sport is ready. THat's no quick fix.Sounds like a viable solution to me.I could live with,and desire one of those.More cubic inches? Sure!They've already done the research/testing on the XBRR too.I bet the next bike is a street going XBRR.Seems like a logical choice.And puts off the watercooled desires. | ||
| Sub65chris |
i would want a street xbrr !!! i would have to make it a lightning so a xbsr? | ||
| Rocketman |
Buell should build their own engines. End of! Rocket | ||
| Ducxl |
Buell should build their own engines I think that's one of the few things they do build.Buell or Harley to me is the same.An XBRR based street bike would "kick it up a notch" and give us a little more still. | ||
| Kowpow225 |
Absolutely, Rocket. Maybe call in a little help, but an in-house design is a must. Keep that character. | ||
| Buellshyter |
It was speculated by someone else that the Harley Vr1000 motor might be reincarnated in a Buell. I agree with the above posts - keep the motor, which I consider to be the heart and soul, in house. | ||
| Cgocifer |
The Vr1000 is too heavy as stated over and over again. There is a company however who has created a superbike with that engine. Sells for around 30 grand though. I'd be wary about an XBRR street bike. The races I've seen usually end in the mechanical failure of the bike. Oh, if they do end up with a street version, I hope it doesn't look like an RR. That thing is Fugly! Fairing is wayyy too big. Looks bloated. | ||
| Rocketman |
Well, I meant a new engine. As in not a pushrod air cooled V twin. Something with overhead cams please. Somehow though, I get the impression we are (as usual) being kept in the dark because those wanting a new performance engine in a big Buell aren't going to get one. Reading between the lines from those in the ivory tower, sounds to me like the forthcoming dirt bike is getting an all new engine (There is a lot of conjecture among us as to who may be building the motor for the Buell dirt bike that was announced, but I don't see a lot that would throw them [Rotax] out of contention in being involved with it., and the big Buells won't be getting one. So the question is, what exactly is the 'new Buell'? A Rotax powered dirt bike then. Such indicates that's all Buell will bring this year and the XB platform will remain pretty much as is. So when I say Buell should build their own new engine, I'm not talking about a dirt bike powered by some other manufacturers engine. I'm saying, Buell should build their own engines to replace the XB power plant, and such an engine does not want to be an air cooled pushrod plodder. Of course though, the ivory tower comment could have been a red herring! Rocket |
