| Author | Message | ||
     Mikej |
Harley may build it, but I would bet it gets the Buell name on it. I was thinking the same thing. Harley = cruisers Buell = sport bikes Consider the "Thrill" text: "First one to the next light wins" Riddle me this: Does this speak of cornering or drag racing? Which bike is functionally better suited to drag racing, a V-Rod or an XB? When one says "straight line bar hopper" does the "thrill" text fit in with that description? I don't see my Buell(s) as sport bikes, nor do I see them as crotch rockets, nor as bar hoppers, nor as drag race bikes. I see them as road bikes. I don't know the direction the 2005+ bikes will take us, but I do believe it will be farther away from the tube frame legacy. IMHO YMMV  | ||
| M1combat |
I think we will see more colors this year... That's it. MAYBE a 1350RR or something to that effect. Maybe a white lightning version of an XB. | ||
| Mikej |
http://www.geomagic.com/advantage/harley-davidson/implications.php3 http://www.geomagic.com/advantage/design.manuf/harley-index.php3 edited by mikej on June 28, 2004 | ||
| Wyckedflesh |
Profstack look at mine and Gonen's profile pics, we got our S models and windshields and a little practice can have you switching back and forth in a couple hours. From an S to and R is fairly easy if you have the parts. Mikej:Stop light to Stop light reminds me of the old muscle car ads. Where everything was stoplight to stoplight on the street. I still think more of the torque factor then of the high HP in a stoplight to stoplight scenario. | ||
| Mikej |
Wycked, Could be. Some dealers are starting to tip their hands: http://www.boswellsharley.com/
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| Glitch |
When I said Buell = sport bikes, I also thought of saying sportier bikes. I think you know what I meant. I also think if HD decided to go into sportbikes (read repli-racers) that it would still have the Buell name. HD has an image to keep, and rules to go by as far as what makes it to market. Remember all the hooplah over how the V-rod wasn't really a Harley. Buell is Harley's door to come up with a less Harleyish motorcycle. Expanding without forgetting their roots. If that made any sence it's my opinion. If it didn't it wouldn't be the first time. | ||
| Jasonblue |
I am not so sure it would have Buells name on it. What with all the Harley dealers that are ditching the Buell brand. In a motorcycle publication in the last year (don't remember wich one) there were a couple of concept sketches of naked styled Harley "sport bikes". Someone is thinking about it. Not saying Harley WILL make a bike like that. Its more like a "What if?". The only thing that may help Buell in that scenerio would be the fact that the Harley bike would probably have a stratospheric price attatched to it. | ||
| Mikej |
Sometimes conceptual design reviews are interesting meetings to sit in on. Especially if the sledge hammers are not present to keep comments in check.  | ||
| Jasonblue |
Glitch, One thing you have to consider is that the V-rod is a stepping stone. The V-rod is alot more accepted now than when it was first introduced. I think it did a great job of softening up the general public as to the "definition of a Harley". Will Harley always make their bread and butter bikes? Sure they will, but with the success of the V-rod I think you can look for broadened horizons from HD. | ||
| Glitch |
Some dealers are starting to tip their hands: I dunno, sounds a lot like someone trying to move the 2004s before getting the new models in. I could be wrong though, it happens from time to time. Hard to believe I know | ||
| Glitch |
Jason, we're on the same page I think. I also think Harley will make "foot forward" bikes, and leave the "sportier" style bikes to Buell. And as with the V-rod, the XB has done quite a bit to broaden horizons as well. Seems funny to me though, the XBs and the V-rod have both sold better overseas than here. | ||
| Jasonblue |
Yeah I sure wish we had as many people developing aftermarket goodies here as they do overseas!  | ||
| Mikej |
Glitch, Yep, but is the motivation well founded (like moving '03 XL's before the '04 rubber XL's arrived), or is it just the usual mid-season clearance, or is it a sign of unsold inventory signaling the end of the 100% sold sit yourself down on the waiting list era? I don't know, I'm just sitting here twiddling my fingers as the computer runs waiting for it to finish so I can think about something else. | ||
| Outrider |
I like the idea of Buell staying with sport bikes geared to the go fast and road racing crowd. I also like the idea of Harley introducing a sportier version of the V-Rod. As I said repeatedly a V-Rod StreetTracker would motivate me to by another bike NOW. Think of it as a sportier retro styled decent cornering Harley more than a sport bike. It has to have a tube frame and we all know HD does that best. So, this is my dream bike...  In retrospect, I probably would scarf it up in a NY Minute if it only came with an XB12 engine even though I have a hang up for liquid cooling. However, to be a Retro StreetTracker, I feel it would have to be a Harley as that is their historic racing forte. Incidentally, I don't care if it is bigger and heavier than their dirt trackers as it won't be raced. It will be proudly ridden fast and well cared for by those of us with Team Jackets with numerals like "66" on them. | ||
| Glitch |
I think it's the end of the 100% sold sit yourself down on the waiting list era | ||
| Glitch |
Outrider, that looks cool, but way heavy. | ||
| José_quiñones |
2005 XL's Announced | ||
| Glitch |
 | ||
| Jasonblue |
This is more like what I was thinkin: www.badweatherbikers.com/beull/messages/4062/11787.html | ||
| Jasonblue |
OOPPPS, try this: www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/4062/11787.html | ||
| Spike |
The price of the '04 XB line doesn't compare to the other bikes. A Suzuki litre twin was $3k less then my XB12, a Honda RC51 was $2000 less. I could even get an Aprilia Mille For exactly the same price. If I wanted the full scale RR Mille model it would have only been $1500 more. Wycked, I'm not sure where you're doing your shopping, but around here the '04 XB12 has an MSRP of $10,995. That's $604 less than the MSRP of the RC51 and $2,904 less than the MSRP of the Mille. The Suzuki SV1000S is $2400 less than the XB12, but aside from the motor I'd argue you're getting at least $2400 less motorcycle. I'll agree on the perfect bike though. If I had no bike and $11k to spend all over again, I'd get another XB12R . . . probably before the weekend.  Mike L. | ||
| Outrider |
Glitch...You are probably correct concerning the weight. However, I wouldn't expect it to perform like a Buell. Just a stylish V-Rod that leans would be fine. Only please don't make it look like some mutant from a chopper factory. Keep it sporting like a street tracker. Then again, this is probably just a fantasy. Heck, HD has yet to make a Sporty that looks like a street tracker. They had to rely on Bartell's and others to come up with the kit to do it. Ugh | ||
| Glitch |
I'm with ya Bill. | ||
| Outrider |
Of interest, I have a 2003 Wide Glide that handles the twisties (Wisconsins Holy Hill area) well for it's size. I have also ridden a plain wrap mid peg Sport Dyna though the same section and it is much better. Therefore, I assume with a little engineering effort on HD's part they can make a good handling StreetTracker if it in the plans. If it isn't in the plans, perhaps HD will sell me the prototype (if it exists) with an assembler's title, no warranty and a nondisclosure agreement so they don't get blamed for it. Trust me, I would be one happy 56 year old Teenager!!! | ||
| Mikej |
    http://www.thunderplex.com/flattrack/flattrack1/flattrack1.htm | ||
| Glitch |
On Any Sunday... | ||
| Mikej |
yeah yeah rough days at work the mind wanders to places it'd rather be sun shinin' boss whinin' bike waitin' places I'd rather be yeah yeah I hear ya. | ||
| Starter |
The price of the '04 XB line doesn't compare to the other bikes. A Suzuki litre twin was $3k less then my XB12, a Honda RC51 was $2000 less. I could even get an Aprilia Mille For exactly the same price. If I wanted the full scale RR Mille model it would have only been $1500 more. Well to put things into perspective from Aust. The XB12 is $17,500 (+1300 on road), XB9 is $16,000 (+1200 on road). SV1000 $15,000, RC51 (we call them SP2) $21,000 and a Mille $25,000. On the other side of the coin Jap 600cc are priced between $13,500 - $15,000 (+1200 on road). The part that is really killing the Buells over here is the fact they are competing at the 1000cc Jap bike market price. Pretty scary when you think that a Focus 2.0L with free air, alloys and a host of other goodies is $19,990 on road. | ||
| Coolice |
OK the 05 Sporty's are out and still nothing about the 05 Buells yet? Cmon there has to be a little bit of info out there....... | ||
| Court |
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