| Author | Message | ||
     Dongalonga |
Ducxl I have to say your comment about me never being able to own a Ducati is a pretty smug if not ignorant statement. You have no clue what I can and cannot afford. This is not something I would expect of you so maybe I am misinterpreting. The fact of the matter is that Buell is not a marquis brand of exclusivity that Ducati, Benelli, or Mv Agusta are. Buell seems to be trying to become more mainstream while sticking to their basic philosophies. My opinion is that to become even more of a household name they need to remain competetively priced. If you do not agree that is your choice but I think it will absolutely hurt sales if they try to compete head to head with Ducati's price point. I view Buell as a great alternative to Ducati as far a V Twin Sportbikes are concerned and hope it remains that way. | ||
| Trojan |
I will not pay 15K for my next Buell no friggin way We already pay MORE than that for our Buells in the UK. With the current exchange rate a Ulysses works out at around US$16000. Funny how the UK Buell retail prices haven't dropped in line with the exchange rate though isn't it. We can buy pretty much any of the top sportsbikes for little less than a new Buell XB costs over here. I put Aprilla and KTM in the same boat as Ducati....you are paying for a name and nothing more. Then you have never looked that closely at any of the above bikes, never mind ridden them. Build quality and spec of parts is way above the average sportsbike on all of these, and parked next to the current crop of Buells make them look very cheap indeed. If Buell can make the new bike as good as the KTM, Aprilia or Ducati then they will be doing very well indeed. | ||
| Nicozzzz |
pointed tail ??? | ||
| Dongalonga |
Trojan are you saying the Buell XB is not a well put together motorcycle. Just because a company uses exotic materials to piece together their machine does not mean it better build quality. I have been around a few Ducatis and know quite a few who have owned them. They are definately well put together as are XBs for that matter. Ducati is not without its quality control issues. Every manufacturer on the planet will have parts/products come back defective. I would rather Buell continue to use aluminum and plastic instead of exotic materials to save thier customers money. I dont believe this hurts their build quality compared to the aforementioned bikes it only makes them less expensive and perhaps a little heavier. Like I said Ducati is about exclusivity therefore they have to use the highest end product money can buy or they are doing their customer base a diservice. Buell is not it that boat nor are they going to try to save every possible penny like the Japanese. For me Buell is in just the right spot as far as compromise between cheap and exclusive and I hope that never changes. (Message edited by dongalonga on July 06, 2007) | ||
| 12r |
If Buell can make the new bike as good as the KTM, Aprilia or Ducati then they will be doing very well indeed. Kinda sad, but very true. It's the details that count. Tie-wraps on the wiring harness, boat clamps on the exhaust, cheap-looking wooden-feeling switches, stickers, grocery store fasteners. These things don't have to be exotic or expensive, but they drag the bike down compared to its peers. | ||
| Dongalonga |
I agree with the fact that Buell could use better quality fastners and electrical components no argument there. That however would not raise the cost of the bike 50% maybe a few % at most. The reason Ducati is so expensive is name and materials. Magnesium and carbon fiber is not cheap and neither is prestige. | ||
| Jaimec |
Benelli and MV are "Built to order" bikes?? Since when?? | ||
| Ducxl |
Ducxl I have to say your comment about me never being able to own a Ducati is a pretty smug if not ignorant statement. I'm sorry.I meant that our priorities are different.I invest a lot of money on motorcycles.But nothing else,except bicycles.My priorities lie in two wheels.I've never even travelled in a plane. So i would pay a premium for an exclusive kind of Buell.Because my passion lies in cool motorcycles'. Again,sorry if i offended..Greg | ||
| Swordsman |
"Wrong market. Similar to Ducati, Aprilia, BMW, KTM, MV Augusta and Triumph, Buell ain't at all in the business of building cookie cutter repliracers that sell for the lowest $/cc. Buell builds very unique, technologically innovative artful motorcycles." Don't get me wrong here... I love my Buell, possibly more than a lot of others simply because my Ss is the 1st bike I've ever owned, and I have nothing else to compare it to. But even being the noob that I am, it's easy to see that Buell doesn't have anywhere near the same "street cred" as any of the above mentioned bike manufacturers. For that simple fact alone, you'd would think Buell would NEED to compete with the repli-racers to ever make any headway.... gotta walk before you can run, right? Again, I love my Lightning, and it is certainly unique, but there ARE some things about it that give it that "cheap" feeling, and it has nothing to do with the engine. The cast aluminum bits are pathetically fragile and poorly sculpted, and really, the plastic body pieces don't help the image at all, because they LOOK like plastic and don't fit together very well (look at the uneven gaps around the airbox cover where the plastic doesn't curve properly). That said, I do PREFER them being plastic... cheaper to replace, utterly dent resistant, and easier to customize. BUT, it doesn't help the look at all. The ginormous, sloppy frame welds are an eyesore as well. Had it not been for the simple maintenance of the engine, the comfy seat, and simple patriotism, I quite possibly would have gone elsewhere for my 1st bike. ~SM ~SM | ||
| Spatten1 |
Have you guys actually spent time looking at an MV Agusta in person? They are so beautifully crafted it is insane. You can find amazing details on every square inch of the bike. Regarding craftsmanship, They are in another league from Ducati, by far. | ||
| Garrett2 |
i think everyone (mostly) has the same thought i had when i put the 10kish comment earlier. These arent Ducatis, dont price them that way. Ill agree that they arent the standard literbike from H/S/K/Y, but come on, when you can go to a buell dealer, buy a new 12R for 10.5 and get 101hp and some great torque. They handle great! Go to suzuki and get a gsxr 1000 and it'll handle probably just as well in most of our hands and have almost double the hp at the wheels. Im sorry, but I cant justify 15k on a bike right now, and Im not going to pay more than 12 (hopefully much less) for a buell with 120 hp. I love buell to death, but some of you are off the map, thinking its the greatest thing ever. Its not as 'common' as the big 4, but its not as elite as ducati etc price it right (10-11ish) and you'll sell as many as you want (if the rumors are true about the 120-130ish hp). overcharge like now (its sorta true) and well.....it'll be like now, just sitting around in the showrooms and i apologize to anyone who thinks im bashing buell, i love buell and its what i really want. i have a s3 now and am looking for a new bike, have a buddy with a killer deal on a cbr600rr for dirt cheap, but even with a great price im still leaning towards paying twice as much for a new buell with the same power. i love the brand. but i still see its flaws, im not blind | ||
| Dongalonga |
Jaimec what I mean is you practically cannot get an MV or a Benelli stateside. You dont just go to your local dealer test ride one walk out the door with it. This is one of the things that makes Buell great though in my mind. I would rather be able to take the bike for a spin before putting 10K down on it!! Ducxl no prob man I thing we just were not understanding one another. I wish I was in the posistion where I could ride year round because I would be on a 1098. It sucks having snow for half the year. Finally I will reiterate I would be in line if Buell built a 120-130 hp pure sportbike for 12K. I do not want something that has the worlds greatest craftsmanship over every square inch. I just want somwething competent that is reliable and will get the job done. I dont care if every person on the road is amazed by the tightness of the body gaps and whatnot. I just want to ride and ride American!! | ||
| Jaimec |
I'm spoiled. The MV Dealer is closer than my Buell dealer. The Benelli dealer is a bit farther away, but still less than an hour away. And they have bikes on the floor ready for purchase. I REALLY have my eyes on a metallic root beer Benelli TnT... but the reliability reputation is worse than a tube framed Buell at the moment. | ||
| 12r |
Have you guys actually spent time looking at an MV Agusta in person? They are so beautifully crafted it is insane. You can find amazing details on every square inch of the bike. Regarding craftsmanship, They are in another league from Ducati, by far. I agree they have the edge. The MV F4 is the Lamborghini of the motorcycle world and has gorgeous and yet purposeful details; the footpegs belong in an art gallery. I rode one in January this year and it was an animal - a spine-tingling exhaust note and a frenzied, agressive engine that is nothing like a Japanese IL4. I would have one at the drop of a hat but I also need a Firebolt for those mellow days  Whatever happens on Sunday I hope we get some of that Italian flair GO!!!!!!! BUELL, my money is waiting  | ||
| Barker |
is this the "red" bike?  | ||
| Prof_stack |
If Buell comes out with a 450cc dirt bike, do you think there is a good chance they will plop that motor in the Blast and breathe some life into that old thumper? I would probably be first in line for one. | ||
| Imonabuss |
Garrett2, A GSXR 1000 is $11,495. Why in the world would Buell have to price their products lower than the Japanese??? If that's where you are regarding buying one, I don't think you will ever own another Buell. Not that I understand everything about the business, but how could a 10,000 unit per year company produce products for less than a company that makes a million motorcycles and cars per year? | ||
| Jackelfox |
paying a couple of thousand more for a MV (which i very nearly did) or an Ducati (which i test road and gathered up deposit details on aswell) Isnt what put me off about either of those. But the thousands i was expected to pay to merely keep my original warranty effective, and to keep the bike running. Well that made me end up with a buell. Well actually 4 buells. If i could pay 14-15 thousand but never have to visit my service department (so just like the xB's) I'd happily do it. | ||
| Aatch |
seriously? that red bike is "it"??? i'm a little disappointed if that's all we're getting... notice drive on other side, and new motor, otherwise it looks like a rehashed "long" version.... | ||
| Swordsman |
So Aaych, you'd prefer a cosmetic makeover more than a new engine?  ~SM | ||
| Garrett2 |
imonabuss, wow, must be higher where you are, you can get one out the door for 10k here. | ||
| Garrett2 |
swordsman - some are happy with the power and dont feel the need for more, im with you, i love the looks of the xbr, so with more power im stoked on this | ||
| Aatch |
..i guess i'd be happier with BOTH a cosmetic makeover AND a new motor. Also, from what i've read, this is a 120hp, and not the 150 or so a lot of us had been talking about. right now it's all speculation though, so who really knows. i guess i was just hoping for MORE in general. expectations rarely live up to the hype i guess... | ||
| Swordsman |
Aatch, Yeah, I'm really just poking fun. After all the moaning everyone's been doing about wanting a new motor, someone finally shows a pic of one, and you say "That's it?" I was imagining 200 Badwebbers choking in disbelief!  I personally don't care for a new engine this year or not. I won't be buying another anytime soon! I certainly wouldn't mind some new plastics that bolt on the XB frame, though! ~SM | ||
| Elvis |
"Aatch, Yeah, I'm really just poking fun. After all the moaning everyone's been doing about wanting a new motor, someone finally shows a pic of one, and you say "That's it?" I was imagining 200 Badwebbers choking in disbelief!" Speaking for myself, if that really is it, I'll be at my dealer Monday, check in hand. . . . but the rumors have gotten out of control and I think most around here don't know what to think or hope for at this point. 120 HP from a "modern" water-cooled engine in an XB would be GREAT. Is it for real? Is it still possible we'll be getting "bold new graphics"? It's still quite possible that the answers to those questions are "no" and "yes" respectively, so it's hard to get excited about what may just turn out to be a photoshop. | ||
| Lake_bueller |
If this new motor is available in all models, I might be persuaded to buy another Buell. But I've had 2 bikes breakdown in a 3 week period. I'm probably done with Buell until something really catches my fancy. It's still interesting watching/reading the speculation  | ||
| Ridrx |
Why would Buell tell us about the dirt bike(not due for 2 yrs), and then unveil a new sportbike without a single word? The local dealer has motoX helmets on display now, a little soon for a bike not due out for 2yrs wouldn't you say? (Message edited by RidrX on July 06, 2007) | ||
| Chadhargis |
I've become a trackaholic, and I've been eyeballing a sportbike for track duties. I love my Ulysses, and have no desire to sell it as it's paid for and not costing me anything other than insurance. If Buell comes out with a completely new bike, with a new engine...I may have found my track bike.  I like Erik's philosophy and I like the fact that his bikes are different. I've looked at CBRs, Gixxers, Ninjas, etc...and the only bike that is just giving me fits to buy it is the Triumph 675. I want a light weight bike that I can take to the track and carry some serious corner speed, yet still have enough juice to get down the straights with the big boys. Oh yeah...and it need to have humane ergonomics for my 6'5" frame. LOL! | ||
| Spike |
Just some food for thought regarding Buell pricing compared to other brands: 2004 MSRPs: Triumph 955i Daytona $10,599 Yamaha YZF-R1 $10,599 Suzuki GSX-R1000 $10,799 Buell XB12R Firebolt $10,995 Honda CBR1000RR $10,999 Kawasaki ZX-10R $10,999 Honda RC51 $11,599 Aprilia RSV-R $13,899 Ducati 999 $17,695 2007 MSRPs: Buell XB12R $10,495 Kawasaki ZX-10R $11,249 Suzuki GSX-R1000 $11,399 Honda CBR1000RR $11,499 Yamaha YZF-R1 $11,599 Honda RC51 $11,999 (2006 model) Aprilia RSV-R $13,999 Ducati 1098 $14,995 | ||
| Dongalonga |
Exactly and I hope that pricing trend continues. |
