| Author | Message | ||
     Elvis |
"It's just the simplest sections that a computer can generate" To me that is beautiful. Give me simple, efficient design over a Harley any day. | ||
| Fasteddieb |
I had a couple other items (front brake clicking, sidestand recall and inoperative turn signals ) Hope we have at least one more day of nice weather up here - it's supposed to go downhill later in the week. | ||
| Timbo |
LOL, Hey Kerr, ever heard the expression, 'it's better to keep your mouth shut and be thought of as a fool, than it is to open it and remove all doubt'? I know it's all in the eye of the beholder, but the expression applies here. What an idiot. Timbo | ||
| Court |
>>>I know it's all in the eye of the beholder, but the expression applies here. What an idiot. Timbo: Down Boy . . . the is still some animosity about Erik Buell being selected as the "premier dreamer of the century" for a major event a couple years ago. There was to be a panel consisiting of 4 designers and a "The Future, as seen through the eyes of Erik Buell" event. The idea was borne of passion by a European, sqaushed by the $$ of another European who was agast at an "American" designer. I saved all the paperwrok and planning documents. Mr. Kerr, as have many on the internet, is a person who's considerable learning and credibility have been rendered moot by his foolish assaults. His tree may, in fact, fall in the woods....no one will hear. Court | ||
| Spiderman |
That loser spelled Erik wrong. | ||
| Smitty |
Sounds like sour grapes to me. He probably has a certain amount of dislike for American tastes. One of his designs here didn’t last and wasn’t well received here but is popular in Europe. Yet the Buell line has gotten good comments and front page on several magazines here since its announcement. I really think he is jealous. Tim | ||
| Xlcrguy |
11/25/2002 Buell XB9S Gets Design Award From a press release issued by Buell: BUELL LIGHTNING XB9S RECOGNIZED BY CHICAGO MUSEUM OF ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN Milwaukee, WI (Nov. 25, 2002) - The Buell Lightning XB9S has been selected as a recipient of the 2002 Good Design Award presented annually by the Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design. The award acknowledges the best and finest new design innovation for products and graphics. Two distinguished juries comprised of authorities in the design world based their decisions on aesthetic criteria measures such as: innovation, form, materials, concept, and function to select award winners. "I was pleased to see that the Museum of Architecture and Design recognized Buell’s ability to merge stunning good looks with technical innovation,” said Mike Samarzja, Manager of Industrial Design for Buell Motorcycle Company. “The Lightning XB9S combines sensuousness and raw brutality in its visual appeal." The Buell Lightning XB9S will be on display for the Chicago Athenaeum’s Good Design Show Exhibition in Chicago, Ill., from April 1 to May 17, 2003. The list of award winners will be posted on The Chicago Athenaeum web site: www.chi-athenaeum.org on January 1, 2003. | ||
| Rick_A |
There's always been people knockin' down Erik...many with apparent animosity. He's a pretty strong man to still be doing things mostly his way after all these years. Don't listen to them! Anyway...my local dealer has yet to sell any of the 3 or 4 9S's, but has been selling 9R's fairly regularly. I was pretty surprised to hear that. | ||
| Ray_Maines |
My most local dealer has 5 or 6 R's on the floor but all of the S's are pre sold and don't even get to the floor. | ||
| Chainsaw |
...I've yet to see an S in person, and I've never seen more than 2 R's in any place at once. | ||
| Ezblast |
Go to Dudley Perkins they have plenty of both - for the price of 14 large out the door - hurry - hurry! Just Blasting on the Dark side1 EZ | ||
| Paroyboy |
Finally got to se a 9S in person when I dropped the 9R off for the race kit install. I walked around it several times, checking it out from all angles and I just can't say I like it. I sat on it and that didnt do it for me either. I think the instrument cluster looks better than the 9R but, the bike itself reminds me of a big Blast. Not that it's a bad thing, just not my thing. They told me that it was the first 9S to sit on the floor for more than a few hours. I think they had 3 9R's sitting there. | ||
| Mitchelob |
I was able to test ride a race kitted 9S and 9R back to back yesterday. The Firebolt felt soooo much better. The 'bolts ergos actually were much better for me than the Lightnings. The upright position on such a short/tight package as the 9S felt odd(my 6'4" height has a lot to do with this). The 'bolt had the Buell accessory softer/taller seat and with the addition of 9S footpegs I may have to reconsider purchasing one of these buggers. Now if they only offered it in red... | ||
| Retiredmxer |
Does anyone here use a rear stand for their Firebolt? If so, what brand are you using? Thanks, Blake M. | ||
| Matty |
Get yourself the elcheapo Lockhart Phillips stand. You'll need to bend it open a bit, but it's the only one I've used that's wide enough so far. Pitbull doesn't fit yet - they're working on it though. | ||
| Bykergeek |
I have the el-cheapo L-P series 2 stand and it works fine as long as you lose the springs. As soon as I get some more washers, I'm going to shim it so the paddles stay at the proper width for the bolt. | ||
| Timbo |
Bykergeek says, >>As soon as I get some more washers, I'm going to shim it so the paddles stay at the proper width for the bolt.<< That's exactly what I did with my LP lift. Did it with washers found in my "assorted box". I shimmed it just enough so the lift fits snugly on the swingarm. Works great. Timbo | ||
| Two_Buells |
I Bought this stand at FT. Washington HD/Buell about 5 years ago. I just have to spread the thing apart a little and it fits snugly on the XB9R swingarm. the Brand name is Micron  | ||
| Two_Buells |
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| Two_Buells |
buy the Micron stand here for 84.95 http://www.tobefast.com/micronstands.htm  | ||
| Two_Buells |
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| Sparky |
Be careful if you overfill the "gas tank" because the next couple of minutes of driving may include sputtering and stalling. This has happened both times I filled it to the top including burping to get the last 5 cents worth in. I haven't looked into why it does this but it's (obvious dummy) why the owners manual says not to do it. BTW, it's got the charcoal cannister & race kit, and can get 140 mi to the reserve light while commuting. Still learning, Sparky | ||
| Captainplanet |
I got my mirror extensions for my XB9R from http://www.ironmachine.com. I can see behind me much better now. The extension measure about 1.5 inches and have very nice hardware. I thought they were a little pricey until I got them and saw the quality. Nice pieces. Now if anyone will just make a handlebar riser, I would be all set. Jeff | ||
| Daves |
Go to the "we are a Pit Bull dealer thread. The Pit Bull stands do fit as you can see in the picture. Yes they are snug but that's OK in my book. Ride to the edge! Dave HD/Buell Cycle Center 4022 Sergeant Rd Waterloo Ia 50701 1-800-342-7539 ext 14 | ||
| Bykergeek |
Is it me or do the Micron and Handy Industries rear stands look identical? Same color, same thru the frame axle bolts for the wheels..... I wonder who really makes them. | ||
| Matty |
Yes, they do squeeze on there - now try to remove the rear wheel. It's a big pain! The stand is too narrow. That's $129.00 for a headache instead of $70 - at the track, that's the difference between a new tire or a take off. I've been carrying Pit Bull for a couple years now and the cheapo's can't compare, but I don't recommend them for use on the 'bolts yet. | ||
| Retiredmxer |
I've listed my XB9R for sale in the classifieds section if anyone's interested. I realize this is the wrong place, but just didn't know if anyone ever browses the classifieds. Thanks, Blake M | ||
| Retiredmxer |
I'm curious as to whether or not anyone has tried the 1050cc bore kit and head work from Nallin racing? As I am unable to find a buyer for my XB9R and don't want to make payments on the bike as it sits idle in the garage, I've been thinking again about having a little work done to the bike. I've read the specs, but would prefer some feedback from guys that ride with that mod on a regular basis. Thanks for the help, Blake M | ||
| Anonymous |
It’s sometimes said that most modern sports bikes are so similar that if you stripped off their paintwork, you couldn’t tell them apart. Buells, on the other hand, are bikes from a different planet (America actually). They traditionally have Harley V-twin engines, zany styling and odd chassis features such as the rear shock underneath the engine. At first glance the American firm’s new XB9R Firebolt looks almost conventional, because its frame is a twin-spar aluminium construction. But Buell hasn’t sold out and become normal. For starters, that frame is also the fuel tank, and holds 14 litres of juice inside its beams. The dummy petrol tank contains air, so there’s no need for previous Buells’ ugly sticking-out airbox. Meanwhile the swing-arm, also made fromm ‘aloominum’, doubles as the oil tank. And on the front wheel sits a perimeter brake disc, bolted to the rim not the hub. The current industry buzz-phrase is ‘thinking out of the box’. Buell’s designers, though, led by Erik Buell, a former racer and Harley engineer (which explains a lot), have never seen the box, let alone considered thinking inside it. Erik’s background and the fact that Buell is now 98 per cent owned by Harley, based nearby in Wisconsin, means that recent Buells have used tuned V-twin engines from Harley’s Sportster 1200. So does the Firebolt, though its 984cc aircooled motor has so many changes, including reduced capacity, that it’s essentially new. Short-stroke dimensions allow slightly higher revs and a peak output of 92bhp at 7,200rpm. Buell’s clever partial rubber-mounting system allows the motor to shake in only one direction, adding frame rigidity yet giving a smooth feel. Other chassis features include beefy upside-down forks, a rear shock under the seat (the oil tank’s no longer in the way, see) and that unique front brake. The huge 375mm disc increases leverage at the six-piston caliper and transmits force directly to the wheel rim, so spokes and hub can be lighter. The Firebolt’s tiny fairing (shaped by Brit designer John Keogh) has a mean twin-headlamp stare and the bike feels aggressive with its typical sportsbike riding position and controls. That 92bhp output is modest even by middleweight standards and the Firebolt ain’t exactly fast. But the pushrod V-twin has character, a fairly broad spread of torque and enough power for easy 85mph cruising and a max of about 130mph. Its injection system is excellent, giving very precise throttle control. Firebolt riders won’t outpace many sports bikes in a straight line, but on the Spanish launch the Buell’s light weight and compact, racy dimensions made it brilliant fun on twisty roads and the smooth curves of the Valencia grand prix track. The Buell is as short as a 250cc race bike and feels wonderfully agile, aided by excellent suspension, sticky Dunlops and near infinite ground clearance. That front brake bit hard too, and delivered heaps of feel at the lever. Horse power junkies will doubtless dismiss the Firebolt, but at least this is one sports bike that should be well suited to thrashing on Gatso-lined UK roads. And the Buell’s £7,345 price is very competitive for a stylish, cleverly engineered, distinctive machine that proves once and for all that Americans can build outstanding sports bikes. | ||
| Daves |
Matty, We've used the Pit Bulls at the track to do tire changes and one belt change without any trouble. I talked to Charlie at Pit Bull and he will make you a wider stand if you want. Call him up since you're a dealer for them too. Ride to the edge! Dave HD/Buell Cycle Center Buell sales Mgr BattleMaster BRAG club director wannabe racer go fast gear sales HD sales Track day junkie Waterloo Ia 1-800-342-7539 ext 14 dave@iowaharley.com rdcapt@hotmail.com Master of the Buell Universe! |
