| Author | Message | ||
     Cycleaddict |
just got my new MCN (july 2007 issue)and on the back cover "NEXT MONTH--MCN exclusive! Buell's '08 Ulysses. could this be the "big" news from the mothership ? (i sure hope not!) | ||
| Jiffy |
A change to the Uly would be a disappointment in my eyes. The sport bike area of Buell needs an update IMHO. I believe many would agree. | ||
| Xbullet |
The sport bike area of Buell needs an update i agree, but on the other hand.... i just bought an '06 and i can't afford to trade up yet. maybe another year wouldn't be so bad.  then again... it would give me somethin' to look forward to when i do buy a second buell... | ||
| Pinball |
I saw on the raptorsandrockets website that there will be a liquid cooled buell announced.! Could be specific to the Uly or the whole model range! | ||
| M1combat |
It is Buell's 25th anniversary yes? | ||
| 12r |
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| New12r |
Hey, lets all start guessing and starting rumors for things none of us have any clue about! | ||
| Greenlantern |
Hey, lets all start guessing and starting rumors for things none of us have any clue about! Why not?. Buell in cooperation with Apple Inc. And Marvel Entertainment LLC. will introduce the 2008 Buell iStorm! Specs include but are not limited to: iPod compatibility Adamantium frame/swingarm assemblies Apple/Intel designed ECM with powerful OSX Leopard ™ dynamic mapping. Pirelli/Richards F.F. Doom tires with patented Unstable Molecule technology. Integral frame mounted "Negative Zone" Inter-dimensional Infinite Reserve Fuel Tank. iLost ™ mapping software using the powerful Safari ™ web engine. Fork mounted Repulsor Sweeps to keep road gravel and debris out of your track. 1203cc air/fan/oil cooled Thunderstorm ™ V-twin engine. | ||
| Jaimec |
Don't forget the Gamma Performance Inducer: The gnarlier the road gets, the faster the bike gets! Buell SMASH! | ||
| Mikej |
This past week I've seen two different vehicles running around, or the same one in two different places. Everytime I see it I think it might be interesting if Buell came out with one of them. I haven't been able to see the name on the tank yet or what the engine looks like though. Always around sunset or sunrise and in the opposite lane going the other direction, or coming out of a subdivision with a passenger as I just went past and too late to brake and turn around before they are long gone. Kind of like the first 3 or 4 V-Rod sightings I had a few weeks before it was released, but I'm fairly confidant this isn't a Buell/H-D product. So, no rumor mongering, just a sighting of something it'd be neat to see a Buell rendition of. I'll say nothing more until I know for certain what it is. | ||
| Fmaxwell |
Pinball wrote: I saw on the raptorsandrockets website that there will be a liquid cooled buell announced.! Could be specific to the Uly or the whole model range! I'm skeptical. The V-Rod engine is big and heavy, so that seems unlikely as a powerplant. Buell does not sell enough bikes that Harley would likely fund development of a Buell-specific engine. Harley fans are die-hard pushrod, air-cooled, 45-degree V-twin riders (as evidenced by disappointing V-Rod sales) and just got a new engine. I am getting ready to buy a Buell XB12Ss because I like the more laid-back character and relaxed gait. Sure, a good Buell rider on a tight road can outrun the squids on the 600cc sport bikes, but the Buell market is really for people who want sport bikes for the street rather than race bikes with lights. I'm in no hurry to see Buell make radical changes to their product line. Short production runs + limited sales = no aftermarket parts. I'd rather see them focus on refining what they have. Being able to retrofit our bikes with factory and aftermarket parts that improve reliability, shifting, power, handling, etc. seems like a good thing. | ||
| Punkid8888 |
maybe if the Vrod sales are not what were expected, HD might have tons of tooling and manufacturing capabilty to produce the engine, but not enough bikes to put it in. so why not put it in a Buell model and see if its a hit or not. Regardless of the reason not to do it, I bet it would be fun whip feed the flame.....feed the flame | ||
| Trojan |
The V-Rod engine is big and heavy, so that seems unlikely as a powerplant. Erik has said this repeatedly, although the proposed Roehr superbike using the same engine seems remarkebly compact, as does the Nicco Bakker framed German 'Race Rod'. Maybe there has been a change of heart at Buell regarding this motor? | ||
| Fmaxwell |
maybe if the Vrod sales are not what were expected, HD might have tons of tooling and manufacturing capabilty to produce the engine, but not enough bikes to put it in. so why not put it in a Buell model and see if its a hit or not. I can't find numbers right off, but I believe that the V-rod engine is heavy. We know it's not compact, being a 65 degree V-twin rather than a 45. The reason to not put it into a Buell is because Buell is an engineering, rather than marketing, driven company. Erik Buell is not the type to say 'slap it into a frame and let's see if someone buys it'. If you want high-revving, liquid-cooled, OHC sportbikes, there are countless examples already available from Ducati, Aprilia, and the Japanese big four. The air-cooled, slow-revving, 45 degree V-twin really defines part of the Buell character. | ||
| Hughlysses |
It seems to me that there's nothing inherently heavy and big about the V-Rod engine, it was just "styled" to look massive which resulted in the weight. I'll bet a redesign, using the existing engine internals but with all the external "fluff" eliminated would be significantly smaller and much lighter. Such an engine wouldn't require nearly the design effort that a complete new engine design would and it would allow much of the existing tooling to be used. | ||
| Anonymous |
Maybe there has been a change of heart at Buell regarding this motor? In a word, no. | ||
| Fmaxwell |
It seems to me that there's nothing inherently heavy and big about the V-Rod engine, it was just "styled" to look massive which resulted in the weight. That's not what Eric Buell says. Consider that it has to have water jackets around the cylinders, a radiator, the water throughout the cooling system, and a water pump. Because it churns out more torque and horsepower, it has to have up-sized transmission components (gears, clutch, etc.). It's larger bore, so that means larger jugs. The larger V-angle means that it is physically longer front to back -- which is the opposite of what Buell wants in an engine for it's ultra-short wheelbase bikes. This is an engine that has been out for years and I'd bet that it was Buell's for the asking. I don't see any compelling reason for them to suddenly want it now. | ||
| Jaimec |
I seem to remember reading somewhere (here?) that the Revolution engine was originally built with Buell in mind. However, after seeing it, Erik said "No way." After having invested all that time and money in that engine, Harley then decided to build a line of their bikes around it. That would kinda-sorta explain the sportbike-like power delivery it has. Maybe next time they design a high performance engine, they'll keep someone at Buell in the loop rather than going off on their own? | ||
| Hughlysses |
OK, Anony just convinced me we're gonna see a 1340cc streetable XBRR plant this year..  | ||
| Cheesebeast |
Nah, Anony clearly stated that there would be an ultra svelte two(or three- I am starting to waffle) stroke (waffle stroke(TM)?) engine. The engine is direct injected with high pressure goodness for fuel efficiency, predictable power, and environmental efficiency. It has the lightest weight/power ratio of any MODERN sportbike motor. It is clear that is what Anony MEANT to say, at least. | ||
| Hughlysses |
That's not what Eric Buell says. Consider that it has to have water jackets around the cylinders, a radiator, the water throughout the cooling system, and a water pump. Because it churns out more torque and horsepower, it has to have up-sized transmission components (gears, clutch, etc.). It's larger bore, so that means larger jugs. The larger V-angle means that it is physically longer front to back -- which is the opposite of what Buell wants in an engine for it's ultra-short wheelbase bikes. Fmaxwell, I was just trying to make the point that a 1000 cc water cooled V-twin doesn't have to be nearly as big and heavy as a V-Rod engine. You COULD put the V-Rod internals in much lighter, more compact cases and MAYBE have an engine much better suited to the XB chassis. There are definite advantages to an air-cooled, 45 degree pushrod V-twin and Anony seems to be indicating Buell hasn't finished exploiting them by any means. Of course, Cheesebeast may be right....  | ||
| 07xb12scg |
I was just trying to make the point that a 1000 cc water cooled V-twin doesn't have to be nearly as big and heavy as a V-Rod engine. See KTM's LC8 engine for a great example of this! (Message edited by 07XB12Scg on June 22, 2007) | ||
| Cheesebeast |
Of course I am right. Hold on. Just need another hit:  | ||
| Cityxslicker |
All you have to do is look at Erik's response to watercooling when they asked about it in the ULY unveiling live chat. The VRod motor would fit nicely into the ULY, if you drained all the fluids, and dissassembled it, it would fit nicely in the side and top cases. or something very similar to that. Besides, dont monkey with what works! The ULy is our top seller locally for a reason. That bike is a complete package in a nice price range. The VRod is NOT. Now, where are the rumors and pics of the "NEW" enduro!?! | ||
| Damnut |
I was lucky enough to attend a lecture in January conducted by none other that one Erik Buell. He was asked point blank about the VRod engine. He said repeatedly that you will NEVER EVER see that engine in a Buell motorcycle. Although it did start out as a future Buell engine it will never be introduced as such. That doesn't mean that they, Buell, are not still looking for/developing a water cooled engine that will work for them. It was clearly stated that the VRod engine did not. | ||
| Johnnylunchbox |
I still think the v-rod mill would make an excellent sport-tourer, where a 52" wheelbase wouldn't be a necessity. | ||
| Cheesebeast |
OK, I am jussssst fine now. Two stroke! Wave of the future! I don't think they could keep it under their collective hats, though. Too much evil laughter in Troy would alert the neighbors that something HUGE was on the horizon. Still, a modern two stroke would have the effect of tying a bunch of competing motorcycle companies to the railroad tracks and letting them wiggle about helplessly while the massive BUELL train roared down the mist covered tracks. Gotta go. Stuff is wearing off. | ||
| Trojan |
The ULy is our top seller locally for a reason. Unfortunately that is not the case worldwide. The Uly appears to have been a sales disaster in the UK and definitely needs a boost. There are plenty of 60/65 degree V twin engines in sportsbike chassis around that prove that the concept works. Take a look at the Aprilia RSVR/KTM 990 for example. The VR1000 engine was not huge and heavy, it just became that way when being developed for the V-Rod. The tooling for that motor must be laying around the factory gathering dust somewhere, so why not use that motor in the XB chassis? It is certainly more modern in design than the current engine. | ||
| Trojan |
if you read Spanish http://www.motociclismo.es/Noticias/buell-rotax-xb -rr-nuevo-bicilindrico-kw-ficha.jsp%3Fid%3D2332 | ||
| Reepicheep |
Cool quotes from that article as a computer translation...
and
What beautiful language! |
