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Outrider
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 07, 2005 - 10:14 am: | 
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JProvo...You going to ride that thing to Homecoming like you did your Blast to the 20th? You could take part of the Pony Express Trail, eh?  |
Anonymous
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 07, 2005 - 12:21 pm: |
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45 days, and you'll know for sure. Don't believe everything you read on the internet. |
CJXB
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 07, 2005 - 12:25 pm: |
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not that anybody cares about my insight
I disagree with your post, however, I care, I really do care about your insight and thoughts !! 
By the way that would be meeting a couple of “great” new people !!
I enjoyed riding and chatting with all the new folks I met and like Pale said seeing all of the fun friends and riding buddies I already know !!  |
Whistle
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 07, 2005 - 12:53 pm: |
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What a crock article. Why even waste the ink? Rick Barrett a PR guy for Honda or something? My Maruchan Instant Lunch cup of noodles deal has more real ingedients than that second article. Thanks for the laugh Koz & Ez!
later,
Nick |
Whistle
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 07, 2005 - 01:02 pm: |
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And another thing! I really see the importance of hooking younger riders with their first bike into the HD/Buell brand. My best friend although once a loyal Harley fan went with a used Honda Shadow ACE for $4100 for his first bike. He's so happy with it & Honda that he doesn't care for Harley's anymore...sees them as a waste of money. He says this despite being an American engineer. (We're both mech. engr's) I for one simply can't support the foreign bike/car/truck manufacturers because I'm handing over my job and my countries wealth to some other country...not cool. But this doesn't phase my friend so much anymore.
Now he's thinking he wants to get a sportbike in the next year or so. Despite all my encouragement and urging to go Buell he's hung up on the R1 and all it's power. Honda's reeling in another one...if only Harley had a decent sized cruiser he could have bought second hand for $4100, he'd now be a loyal HD/Buell guy.......
ya win some ya loose some right?!
later,
Nick |
Rick_a
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 07, 2005 - 01:30 pm: |
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I like naked sportbikes. I like aircooled pushrod V-twin motors. That only leaves a few choices.
I also like airooled singles...especially Supermoto's. Unfortunately, there isn't one out there with a pushrod motor yet  . |
Impulse_101
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 07, 2005 - 01:55 pm: |
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Anny,
I don't see that this thread is about new models. In fact it's more about the business model and the fact that the weak links are the dealers.
In a typical example, the quote from the co-owner of West Bend HD really shows his ignorance. According to him Buell has no performance selling points at all, it's a bike for loyalists. I know he's dead wrong. The XB has a lot of interesting and unique features that make it a great bike for someone who wants great handling, innovation, low end grunt and one of the most usable powerbands of any sportbike. It’s not going to win any top speed competitions but it’s not supposed to. (I bet a sixth gear would get you a lot closer)
Obviously the model lineup is a little limited right now. A dual (duel) sport or a dedicated dirt bike might not be a bad idea for attracting younger riders, but that dividend would take a while to materialize once a model was introduced and I don’t know if the execs at HD would be willing to suffer what might be a loss leader, at least at first.
I’m not a marketing guy, I’m just a rider but even I can see that unless the frontline sales agents begin showing an interest and even enthusiasm for the motorcycles (not products) that Buell produces very few will ever get sold.
JT |
Dsergison
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 07, 2005 - 02:15 pm: |
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a blast based dualsport would be a pig. it would compete with what? a klr 650? not exciting to me.
I'd much rather have something to replace my xr400. |
Court
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 07, 2005 - 02:38 pm: |
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>>>my encouragement and urging to go Buell he's hung up on the R1 and all it's power.
Has he bought the R1 yet? If not, please ask him to e-mail me.
I think I can help him lead a better life.
Court |
Whodom
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 07, 2005 - 03:05 pm: |
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Whistle, sorry to hear you've been unable to persuade your M.E. buddy to become one of us. I'm an M.E. too, and I always thought that the whole Buell concept was a really cool idea (even when I wasn't into motorcycling). Maybe I'm just an odd M.E., but I always liked designs that don't take the "obvious" route to solving a problem. I guess that's why I like advanced design steam locomotives, Hudson Hornet 308 cubic inch flathead sixes (with twin one-barrel carbs) and Buells.
Hopefully Court's powers of persuasion will help him see the light... |
Buells Rule!
(Dyna in disguise)
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 07, 2005 - 03:11 pm: |
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Whistle..tell him to get the R1....its a great bike. |
Ceejay
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 07, 2005 - 03:34 pm: |
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Impulse-I agree that the dealers are a weak link in the pushing of buells, every time I walk into the place the salesman ask if I am looking to upgrade-to what? A slower speedwise, handlingwise, and technically advancedwise(is this a word) But I can understand they want to make money, because H-D wants to make money. So does Buell and I think that the dirtbike/fourwheeler avenue is a great idea. Right now all Buell has is word of mouth-and it is not coming from the H-D guys selling or riding. Mostly from people like Court-"send him my way and I will slap some sense into him" which is usually the best but takes a long time, the dirt thing may take a while too but damn that would be cool. He-- everyone has thumpers out there now why can't an american company make one. Get someone good to race them, kids start to take notice wear thier jerseys, get thier parents to buy them a bike and if it works good they may be able to buy one of thier own someday, maybe even move to the street. Great marketing in my mind but that maybe why I ain't in sales |
Court
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 07, 2005 - 04:52 pm: |
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>>>Mostly from people like Court-"send him my way and I will slap some sense into him"
I have NO INTENTION of slapping anything into anybody. I will simply sate and share scientific and empirical data.
He'll decide based on what's important to him.
simple.
Have him call or e-mail me.
Court |
Whistle
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 07, 2005 - 05:01 pm: |
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Dyna- HA! Nevarrrrrrrrr!!!!!! LOL
Court-I'll point him your way! Do yer darndest!
Whodom-First time I heard about all the cool innovations crammed into this little bike my jaw about hit the floor! How cool are these things!?!?!? I think we especially as engineers realy get a kick outta them, although it wows most everyone that there is gas in the frame! "Durn, ain't that cool! You say the gas-O-leeen is in the FRAME???! HOTTTTTdog!" Then I explain WHY that was done and people get even more excited....
I just tend to appreciate things built from a fresh point of view. Like my MESA/Boogie guitar amp. Those amps are just special, hand made in the USA still with lots of cool thinking behind them that gives them their own unique sound and character.
Sure, yeah the R1 is pretty, sure yeah it's gosh darn fast as heck, but screw all that. I could build a really really sickly insanely fast bike in my garage and do some fancy pants fiberglass for it, but it wouldn't handle worth a darn.
Creativity+Imagination+Usable power+Flickability+Smashing good looks+Handmade in USA=BUELL.
Nobody else can complete that equation. |
Socalbueller
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 07, 2005 - 05:22 pm: |
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Does anybody remember Cannondale making dirt bikes? I could be wrong but the story I got they were ok the first couple years but they got their act together in the end and ran out of money. When Cannondale's dirt bike division folded I thought it would kick ••• if Harley bought the operation and continue making an American made dirt bike. They had the R/D done, a plant turning out bikes, all they had to do is come up with another logo. |
Charlieboy6649
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 07, 2005 - 05:32 pm: |
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= One Heck Of A Fun Ride! |
Impulse_101
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 07, 2005 - 06:17 pm: |
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I just got done testing an XB9R. That bike is plenty fun (if a bit cramped for my frame)
Whistle,
I've been playing Mesa for 15 years. (I still have a Recto from the second month of production!) Although I now play a Guytron and a Suhr Guitar most of the time, they all fit the bill. American made, by hand and designed by absolute geniuses!
JT |
Whodom
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 07, 2005 - 08:56 pm: |
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Whistle & Impulse, I think y'all have just hit on the best ever "layman's explanation" for the difference in Buells and rice rockets. Comparing Buells and Japanese multi's is like comparing tube amps and solid state amps. Sure, the solid state amp produces WAY more wattage and costs much less, but who wants to play through one?
For that matter, the sound of a Buell versus a multi is like tubes versus transistors too. |
Eor
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 08, 2005 - 12:17 am: |
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ATK bought Cannondale's parts inventory, I believe. ATK may be the only "American" manufacturer of dirt bikes. |
Court
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 08, 2005 - 04:24 am: |
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JT:
I totally dug the tale of the Guytron being built BY Guytron!
I'm doing the lessons and playing some more, but really envy you guys. My son is one of those folks who seemed like a natural (although I note most the "naturally talented" practice (as does he) about 4 hours a day.
I'm still holding out for a Buells & Blues Festival.
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Impulse_101
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 08, 2005 - 08:34 am: |
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Court,
Guy is an american original. Just like Erik he decided that no one was doing what he thought needed to be done and he put his money and butt where his heart was. He feeds his family making those amps so he's got a lot on the line, but through hard work and what can only be described as genius he came up with what is the only truely original amplifier design of the last ten years. Other circuits are based on Fender, Vox or Marshall. Guy totally rewrote the book!
Does that sound like someone you know???
(For the Record Dr. Z is doing some pretty cool stuff as well. Erik has my favorite Dr. Z amp, the Maz 18Jr. Reverb combo. But he really needs to try my Guytron!)
Whodom...
That's the perfect analogy! I will be using it to explain Buells to all of my musician friends from now on. John Suhr is a Harley guy and he's around 6'3. Maybe we can convert him when the new larger models come out!
JT
(Message edited by Impulse_101 on June 08, 2005) |
Court
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 08, 2005 - 10:42 am: |
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John:
E-mail me your contact info.
Court |
Rick_a
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 08, 2005 - 12:25 pm: |
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A Blast! powered dirtbike a pig? They seem to do quite well as flat trackers. |
Whistle
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 08, 2005 - 12:56 pm: |
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Rick_a- hog=pig therefore an HD dirtbike would be...wait for it...a Dirty little pig! OK that was funnier in my head.
Whodom-I'm with Impulse-great analogy. Tubes & Buells all the way baby! I play a Series II Solo 50 Rectoverb single rectifier head through a 4x12 Recto cab. Just got it a little over a month ago. I'm with Court though-lessons are the way to go for me. It's a good thing I didn't play guitar in H.S. cause I doubt my grades would have been as good...but then again I might be a famous rock star now!  ha!
uhh right...back to topic at hand! (Just like talking with my face to face friends...no matter WHAT we START talking about we ALWAYS end up talking about bikes, cars, trucks or guitars!) |
Blake
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 08, 2005 - 05:58 pm: |
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EZ,
To the hall of shame with you!  That Buell "insider" post is ridiculous. You should know better.
Would anyone who knows anything about Buells or even motorcycles in general ever refer to the engine cases as an "ENGINE BLOCK"?
I would never ever expose a true insider who shared information here.
The truth of the matter and what the fool should have said was...
quote: I WANTED TO POST THIS ON THE BADWEB, BUT THEY WOULD HAVE FOUND OUT WHO I WAS, AND I WOULD HAVE BEEN EXPOSED FOR THE FRAUD THAT I AM.
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Ezblast
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 08, 2005 - 07:10 pm: |
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LOL |
New12r
| | Posted on Thursday, June 09, 2005 - 06:51 pm: |
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I dont play on tubes but I listen to them in my home stereo!! VTL!!
I have thought of this many nights, a 9 engine in my Suzuki LTZ-400, Killer Quad!!!! |
Citycrosser
| | Posted on Thursday, June 09, 2005 - 07:13 pm: |
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I interned for a company that did the body work design on the Cannondale dirt bike and their quad. I go to ride their FX400 dirt bike, it just seemed a little down on power compared to the rest of the japanese competition. Most of the magazines (if I remember right) thought the handling was great but they did not have the power to compete. I also thought that more than one magazine mentioned it would make a great trail bike. As an intern, I was working on bodywork for a trail bike with a larger tank and headlights, however I do not think it ever went to market.
I too thought they had some great engineering and wish they had stayed in business. |
Xlcr
| | Posted on Friday, June 10, 2005 - 11:52 pm: |
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I still say playing one of my old American Telecasters through my pre-CBS blackface Super Reverb is heaven on earth. |
Jon
| | Posted on Saturday, June 11, 2005 - 02:28 am: |
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I do care in one sense about the new models, but I personally am not looking for a "better" Buell. I happen to be satisfied with my X1. However, I am excited for Buell at the prospect of seeing them produce another stellar edition to the line up. To that end, I say bring on the sport tourer...or whatever you want.
As far as "insiders" go. I have more interest in a crossword puzzle than what somebody heard from an insider. We'll all be insiders in July. |
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