| Author | Message | ||
     Rocketman |
It's pretty obvious the interview is somewhat lost in translation. That's a poor call. We BadWeBers are having a hard time reading and understanding its true meaning so what of the thousands of others who are on the fence reading it? Rocket | ||
| Buellshyter |
And here I thought Court was just a construction worker  | ||
| Slaughter |
Mortarman! Right on the mark with your comment. The XB "system" works really well together. I love the "look" of the tuber (my streetbike is an S3) but love the handling of the XB - that's why it is being raced. MM Mike - ever think that since your "day job" is working with loud banging sounds and large tubes, that may be part of the reason you're NOT such a fan of the "Tubers?" (bad joke but hey, the coffee hasn't kicked in just yet) Merry Christmas to all - and especially to our folks who volunteered to be in harms way serving those of us who are sitting in the cheap seats. | ||
| Andre |
I love the power band of the existing v-twin. I DO NOT want an engine that comes on at 7000 and absolutely scary/squirrely at 10 grand ! a la new RRs. Power band is just to narrow. Shades of the old 2-strokes. | ||
| Spank |
Steve, Interesting side note, a friend of mine used to work at Don and Roy's. He told me that back in the day Erik used to come in there after hours and they would go through parts lists from different bikes. He would pick the parts he wanted to use for the bikes he was building at the time. So he obviously has a decent relationship with Don and Roy's! | ||
| Steve_mackay |
Spank, is that friend of yours Bill? The one who owns Badger Motorsports? He was the parts guy that helped Erik back in the day at Don and Roys. And later worked for Buell. | ||
| Spank |
Ya Steve, thats the guy. He's worked at a few different dealers around the area. Met him about a year ago, he's still a fan of Buells and even some of the guys who work for him race Buells. He definitely has some opinions on how the factory runs things nowadays. | ||
| Anonymous |
Pwest, Nice to see you got so many stars; and I notice that all posts negative to Buell get plenty, I'm sure from all the anti-Buell guys here. The guy (Tor) who wrote the article misquoted Erik, and said he was going to fix the article when it was proof read and that mistake was found. Apparently he chose not to, which is very frustrating. Perhaps it will be best if he never gets another interview with Erik. It probably won't matter anyhow, since our stuff is so boring... Journalists can be real a**holes; they have power but without resposibility for either product or the truth. Per the prior guess, what Erik said was that although Buell buys many competitive bikes, he hadn't ridden the latest 950 KTM's or the Ducati; not surprising since they are not available. Buell buys plenty of competitive bikes, and Erik and others there ride them, and test them. It's a rule at Buell that you can't invent without first doing your homework. BTW, the number plates on the XBTT were both a part count and weight reduction over other Lightning models, and the bike is an absolute hoot to ride on a supermotard track. Don't judge one 'til you ride one. | ||
| Anonymous |
Here's another tip on how journalists do things. What Tor actually asked in one question was why would anybody buy a more expensive Buell instead of a cheaper, better handling Ducati Monster. He posted the response, but edited the question that led to the answer. Standard journalist technique to distort interviews. | ||
| Ducxl |
Anti-Buell guys'??? i've two('99+'05) and between them grew disenchanted and went 996 Ducati.I'm again disenchanted and am considering a new 1098. I'm tired of pleading for an American superbike.Buell won't do it."Economics 101" is taking over and Buell will lose. GOOFY,useless plates,what JUNK.... | ||
| Ducxl |
I was a little off-topic.What bothered me was an observation by a (supposed) Buell rep. stating negative comments were from "Anti-Buell" guys'.Sorry,but you should be reading into the negative comments where you're not delivering what the MASSES want. Even if it's aircooled (preferable) it MUST surpass at least 110 RWHP. | ||
| Teddagreek |
TS: Does it ever frustrate you the lack of engine choice? “Hmmm, I guess we do have choices of other engines, but at the moment I’m trying to make the most of this air-cooled 45 degree motor. Because I really believe that’s a great motorcycle. Is that the only thing? Am I not going to build anything else? No, but I really wanted to give that engine a fair shot. Because in general, in the sportbike world people have gone, you know an air-cooled motor like that is not an adequate motor. Well, I disagree, I disagree very much. What do I need a 170 horsepower motorcycle for? It’s no longer a sport, it’s almost a battle! It’s interesting to see other people coming to where we have been for a while.” Pwest, Nice to see you got so many stars; and I notice that all posts negative to Buell get plenty, I'm sure from all the anti-Buell guys here. Anti buell no we just want a better Motor.. and Pwest it would be nice to have better way to protect the frame, Pucks are not enough.. Merry Christmas Mr. Anonymous | ||
| Spatten1 |
Anti-Buell???? I'm on my second Buell. One would think that would make me the wrong person to write off as having irrelevant opinions about the brand. Oh well, write your own ticket. | ||
| Anonymous |
The multiple stars were celebrating the comment that Erik doesn't ride the competition, "how does he know they're better." Sorry, I don't see anything in that response about wanting a better motor. That's a response cheering that Erik is "ignorant". Bottom line is the interview explains what happened with the V-Rod motor, and you guys hammer on Buell? What the he** did we do other than try to have a water-cooled motor in an American sportbike by 1998? That was the scheduled launch date. We failed, but we went ahead to make great air-cooled bikes. Maybe there will be a water-cooled Buell some day, but does that make our air-cooled bike irrelevant? We are trying and succeeding more than anyone else in the US ever has, and if it's not good enough for you, then that's your choice. But don't ever think for a minute that we don't know what the competition builds, that we don't ride them, and that we don't know what we do well and want to do more. Yeah, we write our ticket every day busting our a**es to make the best products we can. Intelligent comments are welcome, Spatten, and there was no negative comment about what you posted. More power in the air-cooled would be welcomed by many. If you added a star to celebrate Erik's "ignorance", though, then that's pretty sad. Lots of folks have had a wonderful time riding Buells, and many more will in the future. Merry X'mas to all. | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
I own 2 Buells and a Mazda Miata and I like them for the same reason = the twisties. I know my Miata will not keep up with a vette in a drag race, but go to the Dragon and its a different story. | ||
| Cochise |
you know anonymous, in these guys defense, anony's sometimes fly off the handle a bit like you did, I know there probably isn't much time in you guys' schedule, but maybe a couple lessons in tact may be a good thing. Some of us readers can only read what the magazines write, so you can't be down on the ones that don't have that 6th sense thing and are named "Cleo". | ||
| Spatten1 |
Understood, and I appreciate your clarification very much. | ||
| Jeffnights |
I was really wanting to get a Buell. But stuff like this just makes me sigh and tells me its time to move on. A couple friends have Buells, one has a tuber the other an XB, i've ridden both, yes they are fun and yes they handle well. Bottom line is I was looking forward to a new a launch, and the "TT" is what we get...thats great for europe, but i'll pass. I see the price of an XB12 compared to its competitors and I just cant justify the difference. I will grant that in the twisties the buell may have an edge, but its definitely not a night and day difference...it you think it is you are just drinking the Kool-aid later | ||
| Paint_shaker |
Good thing my tuber will always be air-cooled... It is mostly stock and has plenty of HP to leave a smile on my face when I ride it... | ||
| Hughlysses |
I was really wanting to get a Buell. But stuff like this just makes me sigh and tells me its time to move on. Jeff, If I was you, I'd hold on a few more months. There have been some heavy hints dropped that something big is in the works for 2008. Check the Buell 2007 Formula Extreme Effort in the Racing forum. Bad news for racing, but BIG hints of something good for the street bikes next year. | ||
| Tleighbell |
An engine's characteristics include important factors besides power output. When Ducati were developing their "L" twin, the narrow width of the design was considered important because of its contributions to aerodynamics (less frontal area) and chassis dynamics (centre of gravity low and forward). These were considered important advantages over the I4 competition. According to scripture, when Erik chose the Harley engine for his next creation, it was based on similar considerations plus the fact that the engine vibrated in a single plane which was advantageous from the point of view of mounting the engine. Plus, the Harley's power output was competetive at the time. This was the genesis of our favourite bikes as well as the marriage to Harley. Anonymous tells us that there are factors besides steering geometry which contribute to the uncanny handling of the XB and weight distribution is probably a big one. The architecture of the Harley engine must be essential to this as it can be placed low with the crank close to the front axle to get more of the total bike's weight onto the front wheel. The shape of the motor must give more flexibility as to placement in the chassis in order to optimize mass centralization. The engine is an integral part of the whole package. Whether or not the relationship with Harley is now an impediment to progress in the area of power production, a newly designed or acquired engine would probably require a redesign of the whole bike. That is an expensive process. Buell obviously doesn't have the sales volume to make that economical the way the Japanese factories can. Every bike has its shortcomings and the consumer chooses the package of assets and liabilities that suits him or her best. For me the Buell is that package. I love that old Harley engine. It is powerful enough for street use, the torque is more important, it gives me a beautifully balanced bike and it is low maintenance compared to a Ducati for example. (BTW, someone told me that the KTM engine, which some of us lust for, requires a properly accredited dealer to change the oil because the system must be properly bled.) For me, once you have a certain level of power and torque, handling and feel is far more important, and in fact a less powerful bike is more fun to ride. No doubt Buell will have to start putting out bigger power numbers in order to keep selling bikes in the sporting segment. It is what the market seems to demand. Hopefully the gains in that area will not come at the expense of chassis dynamics. With respect to the air cooled V twin, there was an interesting article by Kevin Cameron last month about developments by another Wisconsin manufacturer which suggest that there is plenty of potential left in that configuration. Of course, what do I know? Only what I read (all of which is written by journalists) and what I observe by riding various bikes every once in a while. | ||
| Jaimec |
Now available in the US: http://www.ktmusa.com/990-Super-Duke.46.20.html If it were available two years ago, I may not be riding the XB12Ss I have now. But then I'd also be worrying about screwing around with valve and drive chain adjustments along with the messy ritual of keeping the chain properly lubricated. I consider it a GOOD thing, then, that KTM dragged their feet bringing this model here. However, now that it IS here, it hits Buell right in the marketplace (though it costs more... something to note for all those people who complain about Buell's pricing). | ||
| Steve_mackay |
The Superduke is way cool. But how much more is it giving you? 118HP VS 103HP 74 FT/LBS VS 84 FT/LBS You gain 15HP, but lose 10 FT/LBS of torque, unless KTM is rating that at the wheel? I'd rather have the Duc 1098 What is the price on the Superduke? | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
The KTM movie sure makes that bike look fun to ride. | ||
| Midknyte |
...The engine is an integral part of the whole package...a newly designed or acquired engine would probably require a redesign of the whole bike... It's amazing that we can all recognize the effects of minute adjustments in suspension settings or tire pressures and at the same time believe [some anyway] that another engine could be slapped in willy nilly. | ||
| Jaimec |
Steve, The Superduke is about $1,000 less than the 1098, but with a more humane riding position and you don't have to muck around with desmodromic valves. Also, a LOT less bodywork to replace/repair if something bad should happen. That should also spell cheaper insurance premiums as well... | ||
| Court |
UPDATE: Answered my own darn question. . . found some KTM dealers and started calling. Consensus is that they **THINK** they are going to ship to the USA in March or April. Dealer I spoke to has 3 coming, two have deposits placed on them and he has an orange one left. He indicated they too were "keeping our fingers crossed this time". I hope and pray they don't take the abuse Buell did when they delayed shipment a couple months. I'll bet if they do ship they'll sell well. Court | ||
| Spatten1 |
"When yoiu go to the KTM website, select the Super Duke and pull down the countries list, alas there is no USA. Seems odd on the KTMUSA site. Real or a glitch?" In October, a buddy of mine put down a deposit at a dealer in WA and is supposed to get delivery in March. | ||
| Jaimec |
According to the KTM USA website, they'll be available in February of 2007 in this country. I've seen several websites that said KTM will be selling them in the USA for 2007. AND we'll get the versions with the larger tank size too (though believe it or not, the XB12Ss, XB12X and XB12STT all carry a half gallon more fuel than the Super Duke). When that bike was first introduced in Europe they had the most wonderfully politically incorrect commercial I've EVER seen. A rider is stunting through heavy traffic, pulling wheelies while splitting lanes and generally riding irresponsibly EVERYWHERE. KTM was eventually forced to pull the ad, but I think I managed to save a copy for myself. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Kinda looks familiar:   Glad to see KTM really working hard to come up with something NEW! Seems to me that KTM is chasing Buell not the other way around. I wonder if there will be KTM "cheesegrater" eliminators as well.  |
