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Buellshyter
| | Posted on Saturday, February 03, 2007 - 08:07 pm: | 
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What ,to you, is a solid performer for privateers and what would you consider to be a success at Daytona this year? Not trying to be a wise @ss.
The bike has enough hp to make it competitive. The problem appears to be reliability. It can be the greatest bike in the world but if it can't get off the line or finish a race it's just a museum piece. Look at what Nate Kern has done with BMW's fledgling racing effort and he's done it on basically a bulletproof stock bike. I think a modest show of success would be finishing Daytona this year. Look, I'm pro Buell all the way. I want them to succeed but wishing it so doesn't make it so and I don't think you can call the RR project a success at this point. The typical squid or person that attends a race doesn't give two s*** what the reasons are for failure. It's about results. It's about perception and the perception at this point is the RR can't run with the big boys at the pro level. It appeared to me that Buell rushed the RR project so it could compete at Daytona last year and I can understand that. My sense is Buell, as a company, has a passion for motorcycles. It's not just a business. They want to compete and at the same time enjoy themselves in the process. I really feel for Mr. Buell. He has tried his hand at racing several times and he's suffered many setbacks. You really need to admire his perseverance. Barring a meltdown in the economy, I think Buell will be around for a long time and eventually Mr. Buell will get his day in the sun - just keep plugging at it.
He doesn't play music for profit and I doubt the RR project was for profit either.
Although there will soon be a guitar with his name on it Erik works for a motorcycle company.
I said playing music. Playing music for enjoyment is not the same as designing a guitar for profit. I have no idea what Mr. Buell's arrangement is with HD concerning his employment status but I guess you could say he is an employee of HD. However, employee or not, I bet it cost way more to develop the RR than was recouped by selling 50 bikes at 30k apiece. } |
Bads1
| | Posted on Saturday, February 03, 2007 - 08:14 pm: |
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Blake I agree with ya but at the same token I don't. That bike was suppose to go head to head with AMA FX racing. Erik is a board member of the AMA for crying out loud. So what is Erik supporting in AMA now as Board of directors member?? The xbrr is...was my glimpse into the future and HOPE I see it come true. |
M2nc
| | Posted on Sunday, February 04, 2007 - 12:48 am: |
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The Uly was a hugh step for Buell
Glitch - What you talking about, Willis?
Hugh - Your welcome. SHHH! don't tell Glitch  |
Xbduck
| | Posted on Sunday, February 04, 2007 - 01:49 am: |
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Something to think about. Not to long ago I saw a picture of a family in one of the HD/ Buell published magazines that showed them all with their motorcycles. Can you guess what the youngsters were standing beside, Honda dirt bikes. How much did that hurt them to put that in the magazine.
A dirt bike line just give more options. It gives HD a more complete motorcycle lineup.
Will it work is the big question. It all revolves around, you guessed it, CUSTOMER SERVICE!!
just my $0.02 |
Xbduck
| | Posted on Sunday, February 04, 2007 - 01:53 am: |
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OH, yeah, and what Lake said, too. |
Rocketsprink
| | Posted on Sunday, February 04, 2007 - 07:36 am: |
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"Can you guess what the youngsters were standing beside, Honda dirt bikes. How much did that hurt them to put that in the magazine"
I may be wrong, but I don't see H-D/Bueull offering a 50cc bike. |
Donutclub
| | Posted on Sunday, February 04, 2007 - 08:20 am: |
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Customer service is indeed the white elephant that needs to be addressed by Buell. It's very typical to step into a HD dealer and find that no one knows anything about Buells.
I was told by a service manager at AD Farrows (Columbus, OH) that he never liked Buells when I took mine in for warranty work last year. Why would a dealer tell a customer this? I wanted to light the guy up, but I figured it wouldn't help expedite my warranty work.
I stopped in at Farrows yesterday (Saturday) to pick up the free knit Buell hat and they didn't have a clue what was going on. Needless to say, I didn't get the hat...they told me to stop back next week once they figure it out. WTF?
I talked to a lovely sales women about Buells, and she didn't have a clue. I had to tell her that the XBRR that they had on their showroom floor was a $30,000 bike that was built for racing only. "Yea, that's right it can't be licensed for the street".
This is a serious problem, I'd even classify it as an epidemic for Buell. HD is indeed the noose around the success of Buell as Court indicated above.
It's time for the child to leave the nest!
Syar |
Rocketsprink
| | Posted on Sunday, February 04, 2007 - 08:28 am: |
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I don't think we'll ever see the day Buell will be a stand alone dealership. Would be nice, but it won't happen.
H-D will continue to shove a great product down the throats of dealers that are more interested in selling Tee-Shirts than bikes.
I'm still under the belief that H-D is shoving all these ideas down Buell throat as well. Erik is a Racer at heart. It has to drive him NUTS not seeing a Buell race in the AMA but for a few privateers at a handful of races. |
Cochise
| | Posted on Sunday, February 04, 2007 - 08:52 am: |
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As posted by somebody on ATC.....
"HD is Buell's AMF." |
Mattwhite
| | Posted on Sunday, February 04, 2007 - 01:07 pm: |
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This isn't too much of a surprise. HD and Buell did a survey a year or two ago about dirt bikes.
Many of the questions were aimed at badging the new product line as Buell or HD, so I'm sure Buell doesn't have to fund all the new development from their own sales.
I think it's a win-win. Give the dealer a full model line-up while each brand maintains it's character.
HD keeps making the cruisers and big touring bikes.
Buell runs the sporty side - add in dirt bikes, maybe a dual-sport.
It brings more attention to Buell, probably more floor-space.
All they'll need for a full product line between the two brands is a GT/sport-tourer. |
Blake
| | Posted on Sunday, February 04, 2007 - 06:37 pm: |
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"That bike was suppose to go head to head with AMA FX privateer racing."
Now it is correct. |
Bads1
| | Posted on Sunday, February 04, 2007 - 11:13 pm: |
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Blake,
Still didn't answer the question. I know Privateer. They made a race bike that a privateer could buy and race all season without rebuild that was the original deal. Now they also built 50 bike's that they had to build to campaign in AMA FX racing and contested rather hard to get it. Then the AMA basically crumble's to what we knew it was. It then came back with all new board of director's with Erik as one of them at the helm...... why because he had a bike that deserves to be there and the company fought the likes of Honda and the bunch to be there. Why bother being on the board if the bike is no longer present?? |
Iamike
| | Posted on Sunday, February 04, 2007 - 11:28 pm: |
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If we couldn't get most HD shops to support Buell, how will they ever support dirt bikes?
I really hate to be negative but I'm fed up with the HD crowd. |
Buellshyter
| | Posted on Monday, February 05, 2007 - 10:27 am: |
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Why bother being on the board if the bike is no longer present??
If I understand it correctly, Buell didn't sponsor an FX team directly. Therefore, nothing really has changed in that regard. If Warr's chooses not to field a bike then that would be their call. We don't know what's in the pipeline. Perhaps, a new bike capable of competing more effectively is in the works. Time will tell. |
Blake
| | Posted on Monday, February 05, 2007 - 01:52 pm: |
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Why accept a position on the AMA racing advisory board? The future for Buell and Buell Racing is bright. Look to the future. Meaning that some astute types may take a longer term view of Buell Racing and their future than some others. Ya think? 
No rules were changed for the 2006 season from the 2005 rules as relates to the Buell XBRR. The XBRR would have been as legal in 2005 as it was in 2006. I don't know where you get the idea that Buell "had to build 50 bikes" or that Buell had to "contest rather hard" for the XBRR to be legal in AMA FX. I think you are terribly misunderstanding the whole issue.
(Message edited by blake on February 05, 2007) |
Brineusaf
| | Posted on Monday, February 05, 2007 - 01:57 pm: |
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I thought they had to build 50, because they had to be a "production bike" in order for them to race - don't get all hot headed at me... I don't know... I am asking. |
Bads1
| | Posted on Monday, February 05, 2007 - 02:50 pm: |
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Blake they did have to build 50 to "production bikes". That is rules like the VR1000 also.
Buellshyter,
As far as Buell not sponsoring the bike. Yes you are right to some extent. But it takes money to field the bikes bring a man from over sea's to race it have Terry and crew help from Hal's crew for them. Do you really think Kirk the owner of Hal's or Warr's paid for this to happen?? I think not,it was help and funding from Buell/HD that made it happen. Now the money isn't in the Budget,we have Erik on the board of Director's in the AMA,and no buells really contesting a season of FX racing.
(Message edited by bads1 on February 05, 2007) |
Blake
| | Posted on Monday, February 05, 2007 - 03:12 pm: |
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Dana, you are mistaken. The XBRR is eligible for competition in AMA RX as a highly modified XB12R
according to the AMA's FX tech rules, the same exact rules that have been in place since 1350cc air-cooled engines with unlimted modifications were first permitted in AMA FX.
The requirement for AMA homologation is not now 50 bikes like it was back in the day of the VR1000. The requirement specifies more like 250 or 500 I believe, and those bikes must be street legal and available for public use on public roads. The XB12R meets those requirements. The XBRR does not. The XBRR is a factory prepared (according to AMA FX Rules) XB12R racing machine.
(Message edited by blake on February 05, 2007) |
Bison
| | Posted on Monday, February 05, 2007 - 03:28 pm: |
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Bads1
I guess I have to differ with you on "no buells really contesting a season of FX racing". Bison Racing and Walt Sipp will be contesting every FX race that Walt can get the time off work for. I hope this will be the majority of races.
regards ref |
Bads1
| | Posted on Monday, February 05, 2007 - 03:29 pm: |
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Then why did they build the amount and place the orders for the amount and sell the amount?? And on top of it 20% are on tracks being used. My dealer own's one and I'm still unsure of its future and it was one of 6 left of the build to my understanding. |
Bads1
| | Posted on Monday, February 05, 2007 - 03:35 pm: |
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Key word's there....every race that Walt can get off for. I remember Walt talking of the situation. |
Blake
| | Posted on Monday, February 05, 2007 - 08:41 pm: |
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Why did they build 56 XBRRs? You'd have to ask the folks at Buell to be certain. I don't know for sure, but it's likely that 56 is the number they must have figured would be optimum for the likely consumer demand and for their own testing/development purposes. Zat make sense? |
Bads1
| | Posted on Monday, February 05, 2007 - 08:53 pm: |
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Ok Blake You know it all. You should start your own section on the Badweb like a dear Abby but Dear Blake. |
Bads1
| | Posted on Monday, February 05, 2007 - 08:59 pm: |
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BTW
Maybe I did ask. Second I remember being told when my dealer got a fax just like everyone else saying they had 6 left of the build. Which that fax went to all dealers to my understanding. My dealer not also along time family friend. That bike is sitting under a sheet and it awaits a rider. But that hasn't happened yet sadly. |
Ezblast
| | Posted on Monday, February 05, 2007 - 09:04 pm: |
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back to topic - what does Buell plan to do to fill the void created by the eventual deleting of the XB9's and the Blast - only a small percentage will look at a dualsport seriously because of height issues, and the the XB12 insurance is now 1200cc superbike status - as high tier as it gets - making it unaffordable or at least not palatable for someone who wants a daily rider - I see a large market base wiped out and no replacements in sight - that isn't a loss of focus? - I dunno, sounds like it to me. Convince me otherwise - please.
GT - JBOTDS! EZ |
Bads1
| | Posted on Monday, February 05, 2007 - 09:17 pm: |
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Thanks Ed,
I don't know if they have lost focus. But they have seemed to open a whole new chapter in there industry. Maybe they do have something instore but then again does not appear to be so. As of right now I have owned my 12 longer then any bike I have ever owned. Just me.... 3 years I want something new. My bike I'll keep just because of what it is and what I have done to it. But it sure feel's like I'm going to go to another brand to find what I'm looking for. The KTM Super Duke is really bad A$$. |
Lost_in_ohio
| | Posted on Monday, February 05, 2007 - 09:19 pm: |
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Did I mention I would really love a Buell 50cc for my son instead of a honda |
Danny_h__jesternut
| | Posted on Monday, February 05, 2007 - 09:33 pm: |
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Yes, I too am in need of a new pit bike 50cc or 80cc? Would it be wrong to purchase and use an 97M2 or a 98S1 as a pit bike?
0r maby I should get a forign import for the track and use the X1 for a pit bike?
I've lost focus. |
Midknyte
| | Posted on Monday, February 05, 2007 - 11:57 pm: |
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what does Buell plan to do to fill the void created by the eventual deleting of the XB9's
XB9RS?
Gotta have dreams... |
Blake
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 06, 2007 - 12:21 am: |
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"Maybe they do have something in store, but then again does not appear to be so."
The dirt bike announcement notwithstanding, surely we are not expecting advance notice, are we?
So we each of us will do as we always do and hope that some of our moto yearnings concerning Buell motorcycles will be well answered in just a little over five months.
Until then, it's fun to talk, but I wish someone would to a sketch or run some dyno simulations. ![: ]](http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/clipart/proud.gif) |
Glitch
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 06, 2007 - 09:30 am: |
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OK, Buell wasn't selling XB9Rs, so they quit offering them. Why does that mean that the City Cross is history. And, if racers that post on BadWeB are any indication, the 9 engine is the basic building block for a hot engine. Or am I missing something? The Blast has stopped production? |
Budc
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 06, 2007 - 01:03 pm: |
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 Ok folks, I've had it. I have sat back and watched this thread, and others like it, over the last week and I can't take it any more. I don't believe that anyone of us is truly qualified to second guess Eric's or BMC's directions or motives. All I can say is that Eric Buell is a World Class guy with a World Class product trying to compete on the World Stage. BMC, I'm sure, wants a larger share of the "Exotic" market and the only way to do that is to offer what the other players are offering. Lest we forget that some of H-D's International Markets out performed the Domestic Market last year by over 2-to-1. And don't forget that the Uly and the CityX are BMC's top selling models both domestically and abroad.
I agree with those of you who see this as an opportunity to develop brand loyalty early. Both of my kids started riding at 5 years old on a 1979 Honda ZR50, which I still own. That very same bike was also used to teach all of their cousins to ride. If you don't believe me, take a look at the picture on my profile-that's my son at seven in the background and me on my 1989 Yamaha XT600 Duosport. Just think where we'd be if that were a Buell instead! My son is now 12 1/2 years old and is big enough (5'7") to step onto his mom's '01 Blast, yikes.
As far as the XBRR and racing goes I am not qualified to speak to those issues but my owner, Kirk Topel is. I refer you all to my post from Dec. 6, 2006 for his insight http://www.badweatherbikers.com/cgibin/discus/show .cgi?tpc=17143&post=789931#POST789931.
On another note, it always saddens me to hear that some of you are still dealing with dealerships that haven't got a clue about Buell. I thought that the Dealer Reduction Program was to help that? Was I wrong? Anyway, as most of you know, Hal's H-D/Buell has stood behind BMC for a very long time. To prove it, we were just awarded our tenth, yeah that's right, tenth Buell Pegasus Award. Steve, were's the picture? Maybe I am naive but I know that there are other dealers who are as dedicated to Buell as we are and yes, DaveS is a classic example. However, if you can't get the help you need then let me know on our Sponsor Page and I'll do what I can.
On a final note, I must say that I think conversation, speculation and controversy can be good things, even healthy, if properly managed. "If it don't kill you it WILL make you stronger". However there does come a point when it goes too far. Just my 2 cents worth. Thanks for listening.
BudC |
Anonymous
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 06, 2007 - 01:14 pm: |
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Then why did they build the amount and place the orders for the amount and sell the amount?? And on top of it 20% are on tracks being used. My dealer own's one and I'm still unsure of its future and it was one of 6 left of the build to my understanding.
Not for homologation; Blake is right that the AMA considers the XBRR a modified XB12R. It's the XB12R that's homologated for racing. We built the bikes for customers to race, not for an in-house race team. |
Rick_a
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 06, 2007 - 02:05 pm: |
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There are a few reasons why I could use a Supermoto. One is that the S1 bottoms out hard when jumped. The bottom out bumpers burst so I no longer jump it (big).
I don't feel comfortable doing stoppies on the S1. I do them only with newer tires and in ideal conditions. Messing up would be very expensive. A more crashable motorcycle is always a plus, in my book.
It would be perfect for having a lot of fun at lower speeds on the short backroads I commute on daily.
Lastly, construction workers may not look so perturbed when I make my own detour on a more dirt worthy motorcycle.
I used to look at everything new from Buell with some skepticism and trepidation...I've learned to give 'em a chance. Nothing they've done has disappointed me yet.
(Message edited by Rick_a on February 06, 2007) |
Bads1
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 06, 2007 - 02:20 pm: |
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Hell I don't care if they make dirt bike,then ATV's,then Snowmobiles and Water craft. But when I'm ready to replace or buy new I'd like to see something new on the street side of thing's. If not its like car shopping if I can get what I'm looking for somewhere else thats what I gotta do. Next bike I buy I'd like to see still a street fighter but bigger HP and Torque number's and a Engine. Don't get me wrong I like what they have now I just ready for change if they don't change. |
Steve_mackay
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 06, 2007 - 02:46 pm: |
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Here's your picture Bud...
Something no Buell dealer in the world has. Besides Hals HD/Buell that is
10 Pegasus awards!
Well, only 9 are up there in this pic, but they do have 10 of 'em
Hals is certainly a dealer that 'gets it', and gets it right IMHO. |
Steve_mackay
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 06, 2007 - 04:00 pm: |
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As far as the XBRR and racing goes I am not qualified to speak to those issues but my owner, Kirk Topel is.
Umm Bud, I realize you work A LOT of hours, but DAMN! When did Hals resort to slavery? |
Daves
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 07, 2007 - 08:22 am: |
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and it's Erik,
not Eric
 |
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