| Author |
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Blake
| | Posted on Thursday, March 28, 2002 - 11:36 pm: | 
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Discussions from GDB and elswhere consolidated here.
Next question... if they can actually build it, what will they call it? |
Tricklidz
| | Posted on Thursday, March 28, 2002 - 09:31 pm: |
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The oil cooler's down behind the front pipe.(dumb place for it BTW) |
José_Quiñones
| | Posted on Thursday, March 28, 2002 - 09:39 pm: |
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You're right Tricklidz, I had not noticed it there.
Xgecko |
José_Quiñones
| | Posted on Thursday, March 28, 2002 - 09:44 pm: |
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Dave and everyone else that thinks that a VROD engine is LARGER than an XL engine,
Go to your local dealer find a Vrod and measure the distance between the front engine mount and the rear swingarm mount.
Then go do the same with a Blast engine.
You'll be surprised by what you find...... |
Blake
| | Posted on Thursday, March 28, 2002 - 10:07 pm: |
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I gotta question the prediction of the almighty Buellstradamus.  I just don't see any room for fuel in the pseudo tank; it would need a mongo humpy looking tank like the prilla. And with the radiator moved up and aft and the rake decreased by 10o I don't see room for a battery either. Still, I hesitate to debate the future offerings of HD/Buell with the likes of Buellstradamus.
Blake (heretic)  |
Raymaines
| | Posted on Thursday, March 28, 2002 - 10:15 pm: |
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Actually, guys, I'm a little disappointed here.
The bike (or drawing of a bike anyway) is pretty cool and may or may not be semi functional yada yada yada…
But the big question is: Why is it a Harley and not a Buell?
What does something like this mean for the future our favorite brand of sportbike? Is the Buell brand a failed experiment? Or maybe it’s just so much early spring time magazine filler. Your thoughts? |
Rocketman
| | Posted on Thursday, March 28, 2002 - 10:31 pm: |
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I mentioned that on the other topic Ray, and I wonder too what it says about the Buell \ HD relationship. Having said that, the V-Rod motor is a Harley motor at the end of the day, so I'm satisfied that the two brands should seemingly go in different directions. Anyway, the V-Rod motor is crap.
Rocket in England |
Davegess
| | Posted on Thursday, March 28, 2002 - 10:51 pm: |
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The reason it's a Harley and not a Buell
Same reason a fake Honda got more ink than a real Buell.
Cycle World can sell more magazines that way.
Dave |
Raymaines
| | Posted on Thursday, March 28, 2002 - 11:21 pm: |
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Rocket: At the end of the day, the Buell 1203 EVO motor is a Harley motor too. The two brands probably should go different directions. The V-Rod motor is NOT crap. I can't imagine what, besides personal preference, would lead you to say that.
Before I reread what I wrote, I was going to say:
“My feelings are a little hurt that HD is getting all the good stuff when the bike in the illustration is clearly a sport bike and should be badged BUELL.”
Rethinking, I’ll admit that Dave is right and the XB9 aluminum frame and swing arm is “good stuff,” so are the brakes and the ultra light weight. I just wish the darn thing had 30 more HP. Horsepower really is a substitute for skill and I’m short on skill but I and can finance horsepower. I’ve never met a freeway on-ramp I didn’t like. I can’t pick a good line through a corner or break effectively but I’m the king of corner exits.
The other (non) bike that catches my eye is the Suzuki B-King but, other things being equal, I’d rather ride a Harley Davidson. Very similar overall. |
S320002
| | Posted on Friday, March 29, 2002 - 02:00 am: |
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Ray,
The Buell engine is an HD engine a lot like Hollywood movies that are "based on a true story".
Wasn't the VRod engine designed by Porche???
And for those who keep insisting that Buell should try to stuff a VRod engine in one of their bikes I'll say it again...Why in HELL would Buell use an engine that is based on a Superbike engine that failed miserably for so many years???
C'mon guys, think about it, if you really want a Buell Superbike you don't want that engine.
Greg |
Vr1203
| | Posted on Friday, March 29, 2002 - 02:25 am: |
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"I gotta question the prediction of the almighty Buellstradamus. I just don't see any room for fuel in the pseudo tank; it would need a mongo humpy looking tank like the prilla. And with the radiator moved up and aft and the rake decreased by 10o I don't see room for a battery either. Still, I hesitate to debate the future offerings of HD/Buell with the likes of Buellstradamus"
Here's a sketch everyone can scrutinize  |
José_Quiñones
| | Posted on Friday, March 29, 2002 - 07:07 am: |
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Thats the image a Buell rider sees when a VROD blows by them on the interstate!
Here's a clearer one to play with:
 |
José_Quiñones
| | Posted on Friday, March 29, 2002 - 07:09 am: |
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Blake,
There is still space for a battery behind the steering head.
Also notice how the engine is "rotated" forward compared to how it's mounted on the regular VROD.
I guess we'll have to wait till the Dealer meeting to find out.
And like I posted earlier, they will call it the VRSF. |
José_Quiñones
| | Posted on Friday, March 29, 2002 - 07:12 am: |
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Quote:Why in HELL would Buell use an engine that is based on a Superbike engine that failed miserably for so many years???
That fact doesn't seem to be hurting VROD sales, eh? |
Jim_M
| | Posted on Friday, March 29, 2002 - 08:36 am: |
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I don' think that this would be badged as a Buell...I doubt it has even garnered serious consideration. Erik Buell seems to me to be someone who knows exactly what he wants, and doesn't want.
But, badging it as an HD will canabalize sales from Buell. A relatively modern engine (ie, liquid cooled, 4 valve, conterbalanced) in a decent chassis (though we will need to see actual specs if it is to be built) with over 100 hp at the rear wheel will attract many, many more buyers than have been Buell's bread and butter the past 8 years.
Would I buy one, if I had the money (and I'm sure this thing would cost an arm and a leg)? Sure, but the S2 would come first (I already have a 100+ rhp bike, with 80 + ft/lbs sitting in my garage, so I don't have an overall need for such a beast  ) then maybe an XB.
My goal is now to become a better rider, and I would think that the XB series (in whatever iterations it may take) would be the best bike to encourage and rewrd technique. The S2 would be there for everything else. A VRSF would be the eye candy in the garage.
That said, it would still be an awesome bike |
Raymaines
| | Posted on Friday, March 29, 2002 - 08:45 am: |
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I love this time of the year. We can get all fired up about magazine drawings and have a great time deciding what BMC has to do to keep us happy. Kind of like the MLB Hot Stove League.
I rejoice that this is the second spring that I've been able to chat with friends I haven't met and then go out to the garage and fire up, and then ride an actual, real live, in the flesh (so to speak), sweet running, hot rod Buell to work. Dreams are good. Real life is too.
My earlier post about BMC introducing a Firebolt derivative to replace the X1 at the July dealer show wasn't a joke or day dream though. |
Jim_M
| | Posted on Friday, March 29, 2002 - 09:07 am: |
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<<<My earlier post about BMC introducing a Firebolt derivative to replace the X1 at the July dealer show wasn't a joke or day dream though. >>>
Which is, in and of itself exciting news...
Of course HD building a non cruiser bike is up there too
This looks like it'll be a good July for fans of American made (well, for the most part) motorcycles, eh? |
Brianh
| | Posted on Friday, March 29, 2002 - 11:26 am: |
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"Why in HELL would Buell use an engine that is based on a Superbike engine that failed miserably for so many years???"
Please explain to me what parts are interchangeable between the V-Rod and VR1000 motor. Get your facts straight before you try to bust my stones.
BTW, the answer is NONE! |
S320002
| | Posted on Friday, March 29, 2002 - 11:34 am: |
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JQ,
"That fact doesn't seem to be hurting VROD sales, eh?"
What VROD sales? The only VROds I have seen here in Arizona are in the showrooms and customer comments have been less than kind. Buddy you gotta wake up, most Harley guys are "chrome-o-sexuals" who are more into style than performance.
Greg |
Buellzebub
| | Posted on Friday, March 29, 2002 - 11:46 am: |
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i'm thinking that the cycle world april fools joke is getting a lot of folks wound up... could be wrong, have to wait and see. |
S320002
| | Posted on Friday, March 29, 2002 - 11:47 am: |
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Brianh,
Harley claims the VROD engine is based on the VR1000 design. Just the facts son. Do you have a parts manual for a VR1000???
Greg |
Jim_M
| | Posted on Friday, March 29, 2002 - 11:50 am: |
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Based on, but not share parts with it. Unless the MO. Co. have a deal with all of the moto journalists (i'll admit, it's possible  ), this is how it's been reported. No shared parts, just shared features. |
Eeeeek
| | Posted on Friday, March 29, 2002 - 11:59 am: |
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brian is right. About the only thing the VROD motor shares with the VR1000 motor is the angle of the V.
Vik |
Jim_M
| | Posted on Friday, March 29, 2002 - 12:10 pm: |
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Buellebub,
Thought crossed my mind as well. but, with the general reaction this bike has received (from what I've read so far), HD would be fools not to capitalize on this idea...apparently there's a whole world of rice riders that would plunk down cash for this bike...
I guess we'll see in July, HD is supposed to be announcing other models based upon the VROD platform...and there's the X1 replacement as well |
S320002
| | Posted on Friday, March 29, 2002 - 12:15 pm: |
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Jim,
No argument here. My original post said nothing about shared parts only the basis of the design. I think Brian's stones were already busted, he just needs someone to blame.
Greg |
Jim_M
| | Posted on Friday, March 29, 2002 - 12:29 pm: |
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Buelliedan
| | Posted on Friday, March 29, 2002 - 12:50 pm: |
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I don't think Cecil's(BrianH) stones were already busted, just shaved!!! |
Rocketman
| | Posted on Friday, March 29, 2002 - 01:42 pm: |
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I didn't think Cecil had any stones at all and that's why he shaves, so it looks like a pussy
As for the V-Rod motor which is very possibly a great motor...........
I viewed a cutaway of it and I thought the whole thing looked like it had been groomed for cost effective production. The deisgn didn't impress me at all. Infact, it all looked a little over complicated for its own good. Damn thing looked like it belongs in a Zanussi not a Harley.
Rocket in England |
Jim_M
| | Posted on Friday, March 29, 2002 - 01:46 pm: |
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Does anyone have the VROD motor's weight? |
Ralph
| | Posted on Friday, March 29, 2002 - 01:56 pm: |
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To me the drawing is obviously an artists conception. But, isn't that how things get started? Particularly in a company like Harley. What ever, looks good to me. Blake, there are obviously some things misplaced or just out and out missing. I guess that's why artists shouldn't design bikes. At Harley, they do. It's up to the engineers to make the artist ideas work. I think for a very long time people said there was no way to use a Harley motor in a short wheel base sport bike. Look'it what happend there! Oh yeah, who cares what they name it, I think it's a goer. The Vrod motor looks to be fine piece for motivating a two wheel vehicle. I doubt Harley is only going to use it in one bike.
Greg, at my favorite dealer (in tiny 'lil Columbus, Nebraska) they've sold all their VRODs. Haven't heard anything bad from anybody.
bighairyralph |
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