| Author | Message | ||
     Jonnyrotton |
So, now with the new 1125, what do you guys think will come of the xb series? DO you think IF Buell keeps them in their line, that they will continue to update the motor and transmission? Or go they way of the Katana, maybe new body work but same old motor suzuki's been using for years | ||
| Froggy |
John F said as long as people keep buying them, they will keep making them. | ||
| Teddagreek |
Updates are must.. I think the XB line could have long running success but the key is striking while the Iron is still hot. In Other words don't let the bike become too antiquated by the competition.  | ||
| Jonnyrotton |
Yep I was looking at that bike earlier this week......what a beauty | ||
| Chippy |
ducati definitely stepped it up with the 696, until they make one with self adjusting valves i'm not going back. (Message edited by chippy on October 11, 2008) | ||
| Kowpow225 |
I had the opportunity to test ride the little 696er. Nice bike. It could keep me entertained for a little while but I'd crave something a little meaner at the end of the day. Fantastic intermediate motorcycle. Reminds me of my wifes 650 Ninja in a lot of ways. Plus it's a looker. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
I see the XB line going the way of the tuber. I don't see many updates possible without a complete revamp. I don't think there is enough life in the engine platform to justify the retool. | ||
| Doughnut |
What was the life span of the Tubers, 1995 -2002? | ||
| Werewulf |
i owned several tubers and i was not happy the way the line went belly up.... over-night, they were completely abandoned by the moco... i hope if the xb line goes down, that factory support wont cease as fast... | ||
| Froggy |
Well the Tubers were pretty much just XB's without the fuel in frame. The 1125 is a totally different monster, it will take a few years before the MoCo pulls the plug on the lineup. If sales keep strong, they will have no reason to even discontinue them. Perhaps each year they knock another XB off the list, give us some new kind of XB or 1125 to replace it. Perhaps XB9X? XB9 engine, Uly tall suspension, Uly frame and tail section? Or perhaps they might actually update the Blast! | ||
| Hughlysses |
The oil pump/crankshaft upgrade to the air cooled engines in 08 seems like a pretty big deal. I figure that's an indication that engine's gonna remain in production at least a couple more years. OTOH I don't see a whole lot more they can do with that engine, except for maybe a streetable big bore/short stroke variant, like a de-tuned XBRR. I think there's a reasonable possibility they'll do a clean-sheet air cooled V-twin design at some point. | ||
| Birdy |
All good things have too come to an end. BUT after seeing the 1125CR yesterday they better keep the XBs or starve to death. Sorry but I thought the CR was the ugliest bike I've seen in a while. I think the XB still have a few years in them...now if Buell comes out with an 1125ST I'll be first in line. Think Uly with a water cooled motor and the R type faring but taller bars, lower pegs and bags. | ||
| Ducxl |
I don't get all of this pessimism towards the ongoing life of the aircooled Buell. There are MANY manufacturers right now making BOTH air and water cooled motorcycles.TOO many to list. It seems too many people are too caught up in the 1125r specs. and feel the XB line inferior and antiquated. I don't believe it,and have gobs of fun on my aircooleds. So much hysteria around the 1125r | ||
| Brumbear |
They could drop the price on the XB to around 8K and take quite a bit of the jap market away like the sv650 and ninja650r or whatever they new one is | ||
| Firebolt020283 |
if they droped the price to that of a sv 650 they would probly take a hit in performance too like when the sv series went from being tl to the sv the handling compnents were changed and the engine was detuned. I think they should not do such a thing. | ||
| Redbuelljunkie |
Firebolt- the TL and SV engines are not related- only the oil filter is common between the two bikes. Birdy- I agree, the 1125 aesthetics are probably holding Buell sales back. I would like to see a modern air-cooled powered XB , and a redesign of the 1125 line to get the market share the bike's performance deserves. Chippy- the desmodromic system is iconic, but does require adjustment. Other than XB's all other sport bikes out there require adjustment too, and at least the 2-valve Ducatis are very simple to work on. But I'm spoiled by hydraulic valves also! If Buell does drop the XB's, and does not de-ugly the 1125s- my XB12R will be the last until they do. | ||
| Paint_shaker |
Airheads rule!!! | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
There'll be an air cooled Buell in the future, but I don't think it'll remain an XB frame though. | ||
| Froggy |
Fuel-In-Forks? | ||
| Swordsman |
I really like my THUMP. If Buell does away with that, I won't be coming back for a 2nd bike. ~SM | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Duc, I think the point was more whether there would be a major revamp of the existing XB line. I don't see how there could be. A clean slate, air-cooled design would be better. Who would produce the engine? Does Rotax make an air-cooled motorcycle engine? Is there enough money in a clean slate engine design? | ||
| Redbuelljunkie |
I would think less Rotax, and more MV Augusta. Although they are known more for liquid-cooled I-4's, a clean-slate Italian designed air-cooled twin (90 degree?) would suit me fine. Of course, a liquid-cooled triple would make me happy too- as long as Tamburini does the styling. | ||
| Brumbear |
The twin goes I might have to I can't affoed MV augusta prices and they are I4's I think dropping the price of the XB would work the bike does't really need any RnD right now and they could drop it to 8600-9000 and they would sell like hot cakes IMO at least I don't even know what an SV costs but if you were within a thousand to fifteen hundred of one I am quite sure on looks alone you would kill the SV | ||
| Skully |
I think there's a reasonable possibility they'll do a clean-sheet air cooled V-twin design at some point. And a face lift. Here's hoping... Keith | ||
| Dingosm8 |
A lot of people that have never seen buells seem to be proclaiming their lust for the 1125. I am not a fan of them aesthetically, their big silly side scoops and all. “John F said as long as people keep buying [XB], they will keep making them.” so.. they're stopping making them then? They don't sell so well but maybe they don't try. They don't make so many. You can find 2006s in showrooms right now in some places. I don't know what's wrong with the local HD/buell •••••••. But they have an 06 07 08 and 09 ulysses in the showroom. Right up front. But no discounts on any of them. Heck.. my wife's blast is a 2001 bought new in 2004. If you cant move $5000 starter bikes.. you can't move bikes. | ||
| Corporatemonkey |
Question, anyone know of what HD is doing in the engine department? They have the wonderful VRod motor, but it too heavy for Buell use. Everything I read about the new twin cam 96in, says it is a very hot motor. I know they put a skip spark mechanism to help alleviate the heat in traffic, but that doesn't fix the original issue. Do you think HD will come out with a new aircooled motor that Buell could repurpose? If they do, that could be destined for the next XB. | ||
| Jonnyrotton |
I like the XB series bikes, and am glad that Buell also makes the liquid cooled 1125. I have always thought that having the sportster based motor in such an advanced chassis was a neat idea. They have made small but good improvements to the XB line since they first came out. I am only afraid that maybe the 1125 is Eric's new baby and maybe, the one he wanted even more than the xb. (there have been rumors that Eric was stuck with the XB motor concept and did his best with what he had to work with) I am afraid because, I think maybe all his energy and efforts are going to go into the 1125 and the xb is going to sit idle on the side lines now that Eric has the bike he always wanted. | ||
| Court |
>>>They don't sell so well but maybe they don't try. That is an inaccurate statement. Tell me where you got your information. How many do you think they made and sold? I just got a new Buell and I think the motor is elegant. I find myself amazed at what Buell has done with the air cooled Sportster engine. They've taken it from crude to perfect for the application. Buell has made HUGE improvements to the air cooled motor (with the help of HD PDC folks) that HD could not make. Erik (his name is Erik, not Eric. . welcome to Buell) rides an air cooled XB everyday . . rain or shine. . . .east to say the XB "is his baby". The XB is not sitting on the sideline and neither is Erik. You'll be glad to know that the 1125R is not taking all his time . . . in fact three neat little things you have never even heard of are . . . I see that as "good news". I'd be willing to suggest the air cooled motor will be around for a looooooooong time. Just my opinion. | ||
| Jonnyrotton |
OOPS, I missed spelled Erik, well now that I spelled it right, I'm part of the "Buell Brotherhood" | ||
| Thedavyboy |
Still love my xb12 |
