| Author | Message | ||
     Nutsnbolt |
What would you do or change about the bikes currently in the Buell Stables? Add some, take away some, change things on certain models? Here's your time to let it all come out. | ||
| Indy_bueller |
I'd offer the Firebolt in a "Long" version, mainly because I'd like to have the extra fuel. Offer the Firebolt with "translucent" bodies, and/or fully faired. Investigate the possibility of a 60 or 90 degree, liquid cooled v-twin. (Evo "junior" kinda) | ||
| Xbduck |
It would be interesting to see some models built for the dirt first. I think the Blast motor would probably be a good fit for a bike like this. Just my $0.02. | ||
| Steve_mackay |
I may sound like a broken record, but I'd make a *REAL* replacement for the S3T... | ||
| Diablobrian |
I would get rid of the current Blast production line and start putting the Blast motors into XB the chassis for it's next generation. I would use the space freed up by the deletion of Blast line to produce the water cooled twin powered XBRR-esque sport bike everyone has been clamoring for. To be sold along-side the current XB line of lightnings, Uly, fire-blast, and firebolt I would also look into a s3t replacement for Steve  (Message edited by diablobrian on January 05, 2007) | ||
| Tdiddy |
I'd love to have a full fairing "long" Firebolt. I'd also put track stand mounts on the swingarm. I'd also love to see a factory built limited production bike with all the plastic replaced with carbon fiber, six speed tranny, slipper clutch, and a really bad ass exhaust. | ||
| Diablobrian |
Hmmmm also a BlasTT might be fun | ||
| Rocketman |
I'd make my own engines and get shut of HDI. From an engineering \ development perspective they're clearly using Buell for their own agenda way over and above what agenda Buell can gain from having HDI as their parent company. Rocket | ||
| Interex2050 |
If I worked for Buell... First of all I would need to understand what is being developed and proposed. Only then would I be able to provide and sort of input. | ||
| Xbduck |
Interex2050, Can't I dream, don't take my dreams. Some times, no wait, most times that's all I get. | ||
| Ezblast |
A XBBlast TT would be so light weight - lol - I sat down and did a paper comparison - of parts needed for my project vs needed for a twin Buell - I come up way less weight than a stock Blast - GT - JBOTDS! - EZ  | ||
| Liquorwhere |
Well I used to work at an HD Stealership. I would say I would change the customer service first. I would do my best to get more dealerships away from HD dealerships as soon as possible. Allow if at all possible Buells to be included in motorsports sales areas..ie conglomerations where BMW, Ducati, Honda or whatever are sold as well..that way we can get some Buell people to service and sell to Buell people and get this great bike and great idea away from the Evil Empire of HD. Talk about dreaming....the bike development would take care of itself if we could only get the blockheads of HD to just INVEST in the future of the company know as BMC. Wow...really dreaming now..might as well go for broke..a factory funded and ran race team...think of the development..and if and I mean if they can develop a machine that can win..well you win on Sunday you sell on Monday...I am getting light headed and I am seeing things now..gotta stop.... | ||
| Liquorwhere |
Oh yeah..why the stealerships have to have the Buells and why they cannot be included with a non HD Dealership...the parts folks..access to HD parts..if HD allowed their parts to be sold by anyone..well the Stealerships would FAIL!!! Cause very few people would wanna go there!!OK..enough bi*%hing! | ||
| Chasespeed |
First, the C/S at my local stealership is great... The parts guys see me, and flip the book rack around so i can flip through undisturbed... Anyway..2 things... MOTARD with the Blast motor..period.. Second, as was mentioned else where, OUTSOURCE a a twin with gobs more power, and a 6th gear..output on the wrong side? No problem. Suzuki, Rotax, KTM etc, those engines dont have an oil bag, SO, the there would be no need fro the XB specific swing arm..PLUS, it would fall under the trilogy thing, with all the weight centrallized.. PLUS, there would/could be less unsprung weight Go full fairing on this model, true clip ons, adjustable rearsets.. Offer the option(either dealer side, or factory), of having the bike delivered with the aluminum polished, etc... BUT, as long as the IronTower holds things, I dont expect it...which is sad, as I love the bike, I love the inginuity tht goes into these bikes.. And, while I do love the low maintnance of this motor, its performance is killing me. Ah well... Like duck said...we can dream cant we? Well, guess its back to Italian bikes, or maybe a brit this time... Chase | ||
| Kootenay |
I'd like to see a smaller version of the Uly, using the same frame and engine as the XB9S. Don't get rid of the XB9R! Oh, and maybe update the Blast with a smoother engine, lighter clutch, etc... | ||
| Maxbuell |
Bring Back The Tubers | ||
| Nevrenuf |
tubers forever. no way could i put myself on the firebolt or lighting for over 3k miles in a week and i'm to short for a uly, even with a low seat, i've ridden one. nothing compares to the tubers yet for long distance riding even with 2up. | ||
| Court |
First things first. . . . >>>>I would use the space freed up by the deletion of Blast line As of this year the BLAST is built on the same, and only line, at Buell. Buell uses a "gumball" method to queue bikes down the line. You can see, in the below photo, how event the motors arrive "in order". This works very well and on a recent day Buell shattered their own production record. On that day they also had an incredibly high "good bike" score. A "good bike" is one that, during the course or rolls and bright lighting is found to need zero rework.   I think my three, and I'll spare you the gory details, would be. 1. Fully develop the BLAST. This motorcycle, as will later become evident, changed motorcycling and the way motorcycles are manufactured in the United States. The BLAST has the capability to be the solution arrow that is fired at the upcoming social problem. Vespa sales in New York City are off the charts, the BLAST has a potential role here. I'd have Uly luggage mounted on one model and another "off road only" model and I'd spend my days laughing and giggling. 2. I confess a yearning for another S-2. Ergo, I guess this throws me in the "I want a tuber" line up. I'd like to see about 12 people (and I have the list written out) assigned to Buell Retro and build, I suspect it would only happen for a 1 or 2 year run, a "modern" run of S-2's and S-1's. How many NEW 1996 S-1's would Dave Steuve be able to sell? Of course, I am also itching to get my hands on one of those old RS frames and build my dream RSS-1200. 3) I'd like to see a Techno-tourer. My dream would be something as innovative as the XB frame modified to hold 5 gallons, have handling optimized for touring, great luggage (I'd use the existing with a few changes and integrate it to the body style) and some very high tech stuff which would include onboard navigations, communication and entertainment. Call yourself as pure as you want, I enjoy the beans out of "gadgets" when I am on the road. I'd make the cockpit look like a cockpit not a child's video game and I'd use LOTS of bluetooth tech. This like wires to outboard components like directional signals etc, would be a thing of the past. One side of the frame would be +; the other - and the bike would have less than 24" of copper wire in it. Oh yes, it would also, via Wi-Fi constantly be "upgraded". I'd expect, just like I get the note from Microsoft that my computer was upgraded in the night, tell me, when I turn the key . . . "Welcome Court . . your EFI software was upgraded to version EFB4.3 during the night. . . enjoy your ride". Now. . . do you have to shoot me?  | ||
| Rocketman |
The Blast has never endeared me an a zillion others to the Buell marque. As good a motorcycle it may be it is in no way a motorcycle dripping in style. Even if it changes the way American motorcycles are built in the future, which is bull shit speak for bragging about its production methods and of no real consequence to the end purchaser, it is still an obnoxiously ugly motorcycle that's major purpose is cheap to build and bigger profit margin, which has little to do with the customer apart from persuading them to part with more dollars than they really should. As a result of such practices Buell should rename the Buell Blast as a Harley Blast. Thus protecting the value of Buells image as a builder of unique large capacity motorcycles aimed at those who want the attributes normally associated with Buells past and present. China is full of ugly bikes like the Blast. If you're going to join 'em at least do it discreetly. Very discreetly unless you can build something as stylish as a Vespa. Rocket | ||
| Danny_h__jesternut |
If I worked for Buell I would like to be the test rider. Geting paid to ride the latest greatest all day every day would be enough for me. Leave all that decision making to others. Now wilest testing, in the coarse of me duties when I talk with the big boss man I would inform him of my new cool ideas/inventions of future tech. I have an idea that would blow him away. | ||
| Court |
The BLAST will impact the way many things, motorcycles among them, are manufactured. Interesting that most the visitors, coming to learn about production methods, are not from America. Many are not vehicle manufacturers. Non are so blind as those who refuse to see or are willing to learn. Court | ||
| Ducxl |
Second, as was mentioned else where, OUTSOURCE a a twin with gobs more power, and a 6th gear..output on the wrong side? EEEEEEWWWWW! Can you say Hyosung? Of course i'd work as a prototype machinist and help manufacture a new watercooled superbike engine..Remind me to tell you sometime about the Delphi engineer i supplied ABS components to... | ||
| Gomo |
Well I got to agree with Courts ideas/dreams. I think it would be great to have conversion kits available for the Blast. One for those who want to zip around the wooded dirt roadway, one for city passage (a top box only set up - bags just get bashed in places like NYC), and finally one for those who want to do a weekend overnight ride. I would love to see an updated (motor and such) version of a RSS 1200. Finally a sport-tourer with all the bells and whistles. One last item (and this one I can see happening)- Buell as a stand alone dealership/network. | ||
| Dragon_slayer |
First things first, "Move the blasted clutch cable from in front of the gauges!" Seems like a small task for engineers.  | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
No doubt, the first thing I did to my Uly was to put a zip tie on the clutch cable, not to tight, just enough to move it so I could see the gauges. Doesn't someone make a hydro clutch? | ||
| Aldaytona |
Other manufacturers produce almost all of the imaginary bikes wished for in the threads so far. Me, I would just put REAL chrome on the inside of the headlight housings on the XBRs. I'm easy. | ||
| Teeps |
Court Posted on Saturday, January 06, 2007 3) I enjoy the beans out of "gadgets" when I am on the road. I'd make the cockpit look like a cockpit not a child's video game and I'd use LOTS of bluetooth tech. This like wires to outboard components like directional signals etc, would be a thing of the past. One side of the frame would be +; the other - and the bike would have less than 24" of copper wire in it. Oh yes, it would also, via Wi-Fi constantly be "upgraded". I'd expect, just like I get the note from Microsoft that my computer was upgraded in the night, tell me, when I turn the key . . . "Welcome Court . . your EFI software was upgraded to version EFB4.3 during the night. . . enjoy your ride". Now. . . do you have to shoot me Be careful what you ask for... | ||
| Oldog |
Air cooled fire breathing mill, with 6 speeds Unique to Buell for the sport bikes. 110 RWHp as a Target. V twin of course just not a warmed over sporty mill, and not the lead sled juggernaught revolution motor. A sport / touring sled with luggage and body work options, having more fuel capacity, and as Court indicated optional gadgets. A retro "hooligan" with a steel tubing frame, minimal body work, and motor and suspension options A blast line with a standard, options for as Court indicated luggage, an off road version, and a sport version. the blast motor should get a warm up to mebe 45+ hp at almost 80 mpg and a sub 400# weight a cityX version might be cool Improve the EFI and possibly offer a retro kit for the older tubeframe fuelies the above are in no way grounded in the reality of the american market and real world business, "but we can dream" | ||
| Doerman |
In retrospect, it is easy to see that the product vision at BMC is great. Over the last 10 years, there's been more innovation and product improvement coming out of East Troy than companies 100 times their size. That is fantastic. I can only think of Triumph as a company that might have come close. And there is no reason to think that this will slow down in 2008 and beyond. BMC's ability to think anew and put exciting products in the market is unique. It is obvious to me it must be loads of fun to work there and be part of such an innovative team. So BMC can conceive of products, put them together, and have an effective manufacturing operation for their limited space. If I were to lead BMC (yeah, ambitious, I know, and I think the job is taken), I would concentrate on issues that is not as exciting as product innovation but possibly more important. Some of the answers as to what needs to be improved are found in the recent J.D. Powers report. Close scrutiny of success and failure as evidenced in the report would drive my improvement agenda. If I read behind the lines, BMC could improve: Schedule: I think the reason some of the dealerships are as lax with regard to Buell is because they can not trust the BMC schedule for bike delivery, parts, and service delivery. If they can't get accurate schedules form BMC, they will be less committed to the brand and also the customer. As the "little guy", BMC must be excellent here to remove dealer excuses. Internal Motivation The BMC employees must all be on in the same page as the company with regard to it's strategies. I think some internal re-educaton would help in getting everybody on the same page Access to information BMC has gotten bigger, at least in product line. It is important that each employee is outfitted with proper software to track information about models, suppliers, dealerships, warranty issues, and the list goes on. The importance of this is so that strong and weak attributes of systems and product can be evaluated and corrected. Product channels Currently BMC is riding on HDI's sales channel. I would be exploring alternatives. Put the renowned BMC innovation to work here as it has so effectively worked for the product itself. Internet for parts, apparel, and accessories. Perhaps a totally fresh approach for outlets ala "Wallmart" approach. I would also "Musical chair" the top management in the company to freshen up thinking and break down the walls between different departments. Asbjorn (Message edited by doerman on January 06, 2007) | ||
| Court |
First. . . . put me on the MOVE THE CLUTCH CABLE bandwagon . . . terribly embarrasing and I can only assume pure oversight. Next, Asbjorn you have hit on four of the areas in which I think Buell is best positioned. What does picque by interest is the perception that those things are lacking. I'm going to print your comments out, carry them about for a day or two and mull them over. Your points are indeed essential elements for success. Could you give me a couple examples or "why you thinks" on the 2nd and 3rd items. Court |
