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M2nc
| | Posted on Thursday, October 26, 2006 - 11:06 pm: | 
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I have to agree with those that state that Buells would sell better if the dealers were someone other than HD at least here in the US.
Please do not get me wrong. I have been a Harley fan for a long time, I want a more capable motorcycle so the Uly is the perfect bike for me. HD is tempting me with bikes like the VRSC, especially the Street Rod and now the latest Sportster. The new 96" motor and 6 speed is sweet too. So I like that Buell and Harley affiliation, just the dealers need to improve and if not what would be wrong with a Euro or Japanese dealer carrying the brand. |
Cycleaddict
| | Posted on Thursday, October 26, 2006 - 11:07 pm: |
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i bought a buell because of what it is and what it can do ! to me it doesn't matter what "badge" it wears but. . . "harvey davise's" are a different beast (different from modern functional motorcycles) they have "special needs". and a lot of the riders of H.D. have special needs (LOOK at me !!) so i guess buell needs it's own identity .(don't look like no H.D. i ever seen b-4) you know how the "hardcore" H.D. riders call the sportster a girls bike etc. just imagine what a buell (labeled an H.D.) would be refered to ? let's keep it a BUELL ! |
Aldaytona
| | Posted on Thursday, October 26, 2006 - 11:08 pm: |
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That would be UNAMERICAN. |
Aldaytona
| | Posted on Thursday, October 26, 2006 - 11:17 pm: |
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"Hardcore" H-D riders calling the Sportster a girls bike, you've been duped by the pirate talking accountants and dentists. |
Cycleaddict
| | Posted on Thursday, October 26, 2006 - 11:23 pm: |
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no- sir, i first heard of sportys refered to as girls bikes in the 70 s ! |
Homing_turtle
| | Posted on Thursday, October 26, 2006 - 11:47 pm: |
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Nope. If Buells were badged with HD, they'd cost twice as much. |
Kdan
| | Posted on Friday, October 27, 2006 - 12:38 am: |
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R.U.B. - Rich Urban Biker.
Identified by the clean shiny leather garments and boots. Usually found hanging around bars, shining a Harley.
Give the poor guys a break, they're just trying to relive their misspent youth they never got a chance to misspend, cause they were too busy pleasing daddy and securing their inheritance. |
Thespive
| | Posted on Friday, October 27, 2006 - 12:59 am: |
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I have a Hot Rodded Sporty and a Buell... what does that say about me???
--Sean |
Ft_bstrd
| | Posted on Friday, October 27, 2006 - 01:16 am: |
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I have a Hot Rodded Sporty and a Buell... what does that say about me???
You're a poser.........and not! |
Tunes
| | Posted on Friday, October 27, 2006 - 01:19 am: |
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So far it seems 1/2 of ya like the HD association and 1/2 don't. Most of the HD/Buell dealerships intermingle the Buell's with the HD's. Ya, they line 'em up together, but they don't create a separate area, atmosphere, I dunno, it's own identity. To me, it doesn't matter that Buell's are sold within the same building as HD's, but they should have their own separate, permanent part of the floor/building and separate staff. Even a separate entrance that has a Buell (only) sign above it. Are we not special riders on unique motorcycles? Well then, treat us special. |
Kdan
| | Posted on Friday, October 27, 2006 - 01:29 am: |
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Well then, treat us special
Yeah!
And not special like "we have to wear a football helmet to the dinner table", special either! Bastahds. |
Kuuud
| | Posted on Friday, October 27, 2006 - 07:59 am: |
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Hmmm, I started on HD DIRT BIKES in the 70's cuz Dad was a Harley rider. I still ride HD but gravitated to Buell as HD riders became a 'dime-a-dozen'. The Buell exclusivity and comaraderie is where HD was in the 70's. ...and my HD riding Dad, he's 72 and rides a V-Rod!
Bret |
Isham
| | Posted on Friday, October 27, 2006 - 08:06 am: |
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I know i'll be hated for this but the prices need to go down unless they put in a dampener, slipper clutch, bar ends, etc. (premium accessories) I think people see jap bikes and think. Well I can get an R1 with all this stuff and more for about the same price and it's way faster. It's a shame that a bike that barely keeps up with 600s are priced so high. I think thats the real reason why buells don't sell. People want more for their money and the decision is easily made with their wallet.
One other thing. Sport bikers like to whip up on other bikers and when you get blasted buy a 600 it will make you want to trade in your bike for something else. I personally do it for the curves but more power to whip up on 600s would be sweet also. |
Gentleman_jon
| | Posted on Friday, October 27, 2006 - 08:16 am: |
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" A rose by any other name would smell as sweet."
Wm. Shakespeare
I guess I would just go along with the Bard on this one.
 |
Buellrcr
| | Posted on Friday, October 27, 2006 - 08:18 am: |
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PUT A BIG BORE KIT AND CAMS, AND IT WILL OUT RUN 600 AND SOME 750. |
Jackbequick
| | Posted on Friday, October 27, 2006 - 09:16 am: |
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I'm with Al on this. This all lives in the heart and mind of the rider.
My Dad did not ride, no others in my immediate family did either. I took a long circuitous path to owning a Buell and then a H-D and it was and still is an enjoyable journey.
At no step along the way did I feel a need to make any major changes in my day-to-day thinking or values. And there no major changes in the visible accoutrements other than those acquired in the interest of self preservation, warmth, and to meet various laws and rules.
If you are not attracted to Buells or H-D's because of the engine you may be a poser.
If you are attracted to a H-D because of the badge, you *are* a poser. No doubt about it.
If you view your H-D as place to put accessories that compliment your "costume" you *are* a poser.
How many of you folks with Buells wear "costumes" to ride your sport bike? I'm not talking about just wearing good and proper riding gear or the ATGATT good thing. I'm talking about wearing full gear but all colored and branded to portray yourself as "someone special"? If that is you, you may be a "sports bike poser".
Jack |
Isham
| | Posted on Friday, October 27, 2006 - 09:46 am: |
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Buellrcr
You can make anything go fast with time and more importantly money. So I put a big bore kit on my bike and money invested jumps up to 17k just to compete with a 10k 600. The Factory needs to lower the price or make a better bike with more goodies. Otherwise consumers will go jap. |
Brucelee
| | Posted on Friday, October 27, 2006 - 10:04 am: |
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One other thing. Sport bikers like to whip up on other bikers and when you get blasted buy a 600 it will make you want to trade in your bike for something else. I personally do it for the curves but more power to whip up on 600s would be sweet also.
I will be laughing at this post for days. Thanks for the chuckle.
Oh, and enjoy the R1. |
Brucelee
| | Posted on Friday, October 27, 2006 - 10:07 am: |
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If that is you, you may be a "sports bike poser".
Where is this "poser" dictionary everyone but me seems to have?
Is there a test or special license? Are these posers less American than the rest of us?
Elitism knows no bounds.
We all want to be the equal, but somehow better that the rest. |
Daves
| | Posted on Friday, October 27, 2006 - 10:17 am: |
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Does my Buell Vanson jacket make me a poser?
Oh, no!
I also have a Buell helmet.
Does that make me a poser or someone that is proud of the brand of bike I ride?
Good question.
We could make a whole thread of "you might be a poser if" statements |
Hoax
| | Posted on Friday, October 27, 2006 - 10:38 am: |
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I think that the Buell name is going to be dropped, it's just a matter of time.
The only point of Buell from Harley's perspective is to bring younger customers into the Harley family to offset their rapidly aging customer base. Buell doesn't have the best reputation for quality bikes. As soon as the XB line washes away some of the memories of the problematic tube frames, I expect Harley to absorb Buell under the Harley name. |
Daves
| | Posted on Friday, October 27, 2006 - 10:51 am: |
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I wouldn't start holding my breath there Hoax. |
Pwnzor
| | Posted on Friday, October 27, 2006 - 10:54 am: |
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I must be a bigtime poser. I wear a Harley-branded helmet. It was free with the bike. It's all banged up and the visor likes to fly off if I get on the freeway while it's open. But it still works so I'll not buy a new one.
I bought a Harley jacket that was hanging right next to some Buell jackets. To me, the quality of the jacket was much higher, and I needed a new jacket for warmer weather and I wanted one that allowed me to open and close all the vents without removing my gloves or taking off the jacket itself.
I get a few strange looks here and there but my attitude has always been, "F you, I wear what the hell I want."
I get no sh1t from my buddies in the VNVMC or when I go visit the VA hospital. They know I ride a Buell while they all ride "real bikes". I'm proud to be the only shiny red sport bike in the funeral processions and nobody tries to tell me I can't ride with a fallen warrior.
Ride what you want, ride how you want, where you want and WEAR what you want.
 |
Blake
| | Posted on Friday, October 27, 2006 - 11:30 am: |
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People sure are funny...
If it ain't faster than a repliracer, it should cost less? That's a strange view on what makes a motorcycle valuable. It may be valid if you are a squid who hangs his self-worth on the top-speed or peak HP of his motorcycle.
My view is that...
If you have to rev the thing to over 6,000 rpm just to get into the power band, it should cost less.
If you have to hide the engine behind plastic or leave exposed a big ugly radiator and all its plumbing, it should cost less.
If the fuel efficiency doesn't exceed 50 mpg highway, it should cost less.
If it requires periodic valve adjustments, it should cost less.
If it requires sixteen times more valves and four times more cylinders and four times more throttle bodies and twice the RPM range, it should cost less.
If it requires frequent drive chain maintenance and adjustment, it should cost less.
If it makes annoying high pitched whining noises, it should cost less.
If it doesn't employ state of the art real-world innovative technology like fuel-in-the-frame, oil-in-the-swingarm, and ZTL front wheel/brake system, it should cost a lot less.
If it looks like just one more of so many plasti-clad repli-racers buzzing around the streets, it should cost a lot less.
If it doesn't evoke a sense of passion and adventure for riding a motorcycle, it should cost less.
If you will never be able to meet the man whose name is borne by the motorcycle you ride, it should cost a lot less.
If in a typical low-side crash, the bike is prone to burst into flames, it should cost a LOT less.
If the manufacturer lies about the peak RPM of the bike in order to entice buyers, it should cost a LOT less.
If racing organizationss require that you install aftermarket engine side-covers to prevent oiling the track in a crash, it should cost a lot less.
If it doesn't come with a two year or better warranty, it should cost a lot less.
If it doesn't sound like an American hot-rod, it should cost a lot less.
I could go on, and on, and on...
I cannot disagree more strongly with the notion that Harley-Davidson motorcycles are only good for reliving the olden days of motorcycling. H-D builds the best, highest quality cruisers in the world, and they perform their intended role extremely well. |
Freezerburn
| | Posted on Friday, October 27, 2006 - 12:12 pm: |
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One of the old owners of the nightclub I work at recently took note of the bike I ride.
He said "Is that your Buell?"
I respond "It sure is!".
He says "Let me guess, you've been riding motorcycles all of your life".
I said "Yes. And what do you mean"
His impression was that a Buell is a motorcycle enthusiast's bike, not some beginner poser's bike. He also saw Harleys as having a bit of a poser following and was surprised to hear that the Buell was associated with the Harley mothership. He saw the Buell as quite 'unHarley' yet inspiring.
I see my my bike as 'unHarley' and nothing like the Japanese repliracers. I see it more like an up to date BSA.
Just my thoughts
Freezer |
Brucelee
| | Posted on Friday, October 27, 2006 - 12:13 pm: |
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Well said, Blake!
BTW- on the point of how the Buell sounds, I had an ephiphany yesterday. I was over at American Sport Bike and Al was riding my XB9S with race kit up and down the road. I was delighted with how the bike sounded when I was NOT riding it.
Boy, now I get why I get so many questions and interested folks milling around the XB.
Man, I love that bike.
And the new Dyna Super Glide too! |
Chadhargis
| | Posted on Friday, October 27, 2006 - 12:56 pm: |
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Buell would sell more bikes if they did a few of the things already mentioned such as making the bikes less costly or adding more power...
BUT....
They know this, and haven't done it. Why? Because they are in a niche market. Look at the competition between the "big three". Changing their designs every 2 years. Spending countless R&D dollars for a few extra ponies that most customers will never use or even notice. To most who buy the repli-racers, it's all about the stat sheet or the dyno chart.
Now, take a look at Buell. The XB has had a few changes since it's introduction, but it's basically been the same bike. The Ulysses and Ss showed up last year with a new frame and swingarm, but nothing earth shattering.
HD and Buell both know the value of not pissing in their own oatmeal. They know they have a loyal customer base. BMW is rowing the same boat with the boxer engine. They tried to kill it off back in the 90's and their die hard loyalists screamed bloody murder.
Buell isn't in competition with the Jap 600's. They really don't directly compete with anyone directly because they are so different. The Ulysses can be compared to a Multistrada or GS (to which it compares favorably), but the rest of the XB platform is different. That's the beauty of Buell. It's different.
Sure, Buells have their flaws, and I wish they'd ditch the sportster derived mill and do a clean slate design just to show the world what American ingenuity can accomplish. Like I said in another post, do Buells "need" an new engine. No. Do I want one, hell yes! |
Greenlantern
| | Posted on Friday, October 27, 2006 - 01:11 pm: |
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I have seen phrases such as "blasted by a 600"and the such many times on this board and have to ask, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?!?!?
Are these people always riding side by side with a 600?
Do they have some kind of Blastometer that benchmarks what displacement it would take to exceed their bikes performance at that moment??
I'm sorry but that power for displacement jive works great at the track but on the street does not make much sense (to me anyway). I have rarely if ever ridden in a group where the participants are of equal riding ability and experience. I've been "blasted" by 400 Fzr's and Goldwings and have "blasted" Gxr's and Cbr's riding supposedly superior/inferior bikes.I have learned over the years to stop paying attention to what people are riding and more attention to how they are riding. The bike does NOT make the rider and the same goes for the reverse.You choose your ride(s) because that is what makes your "motorcycle experience". Part of this is a mindless rant and the other part is just friendly advice. Purchase a bike because YOU want it, not because someone says it is the best or some paper says it's superior to all "pretenders", you will have buyers remorse before you get it in your driveway.Practice proficient motorcycle riding and you will be pleasantly surprised at who you can keep up with! (though there will always be a bunch of "blasters" out there to keep you honest.)  |
Daves
| | Posted on Friday, October 27, 2006 - 01:23 pm: |
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Damn it, you mean if I go buy a GSXR1000 I won't instantly be as fast as Matt Maladin?
I don't believe you |
Bigdaddy
| | Posted on Friday, October 27, 2006 - 01:32 pm: |
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Dave, I suspect that you would be as fast as Maladin until the whole entry/exit/cornering speed was factored in 
(I know that you're faster than most,,,,,)
G2 |
Jackbequick
| | Posted on Friday, October 27, 2006 - 01:43 pm: |
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Don't take my remarks about "posers" too seriously or as aimed at any particular type of motorcycle owner.
My key point was that "This all lives in the heart and mind of the rider", posers of any ilk and can usually be identified pretty quickly.
Here is how I define poser:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poseur
"..a person who adopts the dress, speech, and/or mannerisms of a particular group or subculture, generally for attaining acceptability within the group. A poseur may not share or understand underpinnings of the group he or she is trying to identify with. Some subcultures may view what they regard as poseurs with varying degrees of mistrust and scorn."
Great thread here!
Jack |
Brucelee
| | Posted on Friday, October 27, 2006 - 01:46 pm: |
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As Groucho said,
"I would never join a group that would have me." |
Ft_bstrd
| | Posted on Friday, October 27, 2006 - 09:38 pm: |
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Why don't we just ask Erik to fudge the numbers on the tach and tell us there is a 17,000 redline? Do we really want that kind of bike?
Anyone can do a buck fifty in a straight line. Real riders are buttery smooth in the turns and could dust your butt on a KLR regardless of what you were riding.
It ain't the bike. It's the rider. I can't use 150 HP where I ride.
I took a secret delight one day when I rolled up on a group of sport bike guys with my "touring bike". It was fun to see them keep looking over their shoulders to find me with them......still.
Granted, she's a sexy beast and hard not to look at, but you could tell that there was a certain arrogance that having a POS Harley breathing down their necks really rubbed them sideways.
Who the hell wants yet another Gixxer? |
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