| Author | Message | ||
     Bykergeek |
It's been about 1 yr since the first run of XB9r models started rolling into the dealers. Any word or confirmed rumors of what is to come in terms of 2004 models? Any replacement for the S3t ? | ||
| Koz5150 |
I know it is a long way off, but the Harley 100th info says that the celebration will include the "frist look at 2004 models by Harley and Buell". Hopefully we won't have to wait that long. | ||
| Psychobueller |
Any guesses? As for H-D I can envision a new Sportster with the XB engine, and 1 or 2 new VRSC models. Buell-wise, my guess is a fuel injected Blast that has been hinted at. I hope it's more than that. | ||
| Mikej |
First public looks at the 2004 will most likely be very close to the chest this year, more so than in past years, simply due to the rampup of the 100th Ann. models and their desire to not dilute interest nor defuse emotional buys. Word mentioned here in the last few months was maybe an expanded V-Rod offering and maybe some Sportster stuff. Can't say on the Buell front, but reading into what's been posted around about comments of the 100th vs a Buell Homecoming, probably nothing public until then either. | ||
| Elvis |
Are we going to have to wait until August 31st?! Is there going to be a dealer show in July this year? | ||
| Bomber |
My completely uninformed guess would be a no on the S3T replacement . . . .sales for thoses bike were so low for so long, I can't imagine it being a fiscally responsible move for Buell to make a replacement | ||
| Mikej |
Funny, in a wierd sort of way, isn't it, that Bagger Harleys, and bagger Beemers, and bagger Hondas, and bagger other-brands do well, but a bagger-Buell didn't. Even as a sportbagger. I still wish they'd have put the sidedoor in the tranny access for the XB's as a standard/non-race consideration. I know they don't need to be pulled all that often, but it's still nice to know you could if you only could. Oh well. What will be will be. | ||
| Sarodude |
My guess is that we'll see a Sport Touring model once the XB platform has proven itself in the real world. A touring guy REALLY doesn't want a breakdown 1200 miles from home - but a guy wanting a super cool 9R or 9S might be willing to chance some potential 'character flaws'. Another thing - it would be really nice if they offered more than one Low model. I don't know how much time was spent refining the XB9S Low, but it would seem like even the Sport Touring market might benefit from a short friendly machine. Whatever we see - it better be cool! -Saro | ||
| Davegess |
Saro, I am betting it is cool but the HD offerings will be far cooler than the Buell ones. My thinking is that HD needs something hot to keep sales moving after the 100 year rush. | ||
| Henrik |
Saro, I hope you're right, that there will be a sport touring bike, but I doubt it. It really is a very small segment of the market, the competition is hard and the buyers picky (I know  ). Not sure Buell would want to venture into that segment again real soon. Henrik | ||
| Grndskpr |
My guess, way out there, but i agree with the XB engine sportster, and a blast motor in cruiser frame to replace the 883, that way harley has a starter of there own and a bagger vrod bike, guessing is always fun ROger | ||
| Socal |
For the life of me . . I can't figure out why the motorcycle shown below isn't sitting on my local dealer's showroom floor, for sale, and why I'm not sitting at the HD financing desk figuring how I'm going to pay for it!  Um. I'm pretty sure it would sell. I'm pretty sure we wouldn't mind a Buell that looks like that and puts down, oh - I dunno - maybe 100+hp at the rear wheel. But what do I know! | ||
| Sportsman |
I'm sure Hal's would build you 1. For somewhere between 20 and 30K. But if you had it, what would you dream about? | ||
| Ray_Maines |
I'm just not seeing a 500cc, single cyclinder Sportster. Maybe a Super Motard styled Buell Blast though. Or maybe:  | ||
| Koz5150 |
My 2 cents... I am not sure why you would want more low models? As it is the current Buell line does not offer a comfortable bike for people over 6 feet tall. The reason I bought my tuber last year was because I didn't fit on a firebolt, and after riding on the back seat of the blast while taking the MSF course that just wasn't an option. If anything they should look into offering a bike for taller people. As far as the touring thing, I am not sure that is really their market. When I think of guys who buy touring bikes they want something that has been around for awhile. Also the current wheelbase is just too small to make it comfortable for two people. | ||
| Rex |
I sure would like to have a V-Rod motor in a sports touring frame like the Honda St1300 and the Yamaha 1300 bikes....I think it would look good, handle good and run good. The above V-rod drawing would probably bring back a lot of Buell Riders that have left and bought other bikes, and the current Buell Riders would probably want one too. REX | ||
| Grndskpr |
Not to sound to stupid, but Ray if Harley built that bike, what would be the point of Buell, now if harlet built that bike with the Buell name maybe, but i think it would be so expensive it would hurt sales in the long run, but again we are just guessing and having a little fun As far as the Blast sportster, it kinda makes sence, harley has no intro bike, nothing for the smaller person, so why not give it a shoot, it would be kinda cheap, have the harley name, and make an easy transition to say a sportster 1200, or other bike, just a guess, but kinda makes some sence Roger | ||
| Elvis |
While Buell riders see something like that as the obvious, best use of V-Rod engine, I don't know if Harley will ever see it that way. Anyone who has seen the documentary about the making of the V-Rod saw how Willie firmly demanded that it be a "Harley". As nice as that sketch is, it's not even close to a "Harley". | ||
| Benm2 |
How bout some more off-beat thinking from Buell? What about an XB7R? Shorten the stroke up a little more, put the Millenium cylinders on the production machine, lose a few more pounds. | ||
| Grim_euphoria |
Xb9 chassis + a hopped up and turbocharged V-rod motor. Mount the intercooler next to the exhaust under the bike. Plumb the frame to accept fuel in both sides of the frame & add a second perimeter disk to the front rim. Polish and or chrome everything and you'll have a bike that will leave the Jap bikes in the dust and look good while waiting for them to catch up.  | ||
| Grim_euphoria |
Of course if the radiator was down there, the intercooler could be larger and in front of the engine where the airflow is better.  | ||
| Fasteddieb |
I had my Firebolt in for the wheel bearing recall at Earl Small's in Marietta, GA. They were nice enough to fit me in, in spite of a full schedule due to the Cherokee rally that weekend. They have a fantastic deal - if you have your bike in for service, you can rent any bike in their rental fleet for $35 (instead of $125) for the day. I took the V-Rod for a 4 or 5 hour ride in the twisties.  Impressions: 1) What a motor!!! Smooth, powerful, torquey. It BEGS to be used in more varied platforms. Transmission and brakes are also first-rate. 2) Riding position (a) - with your feet that far forward, the first thing to touch the ground in the twisties is your HEELS! Weird. 3) Riding position (b) - I normally HATE the foot-forward position - it's all wrong for my back. On this bike they had installed a custom seat which had enough support that I never really got to squirming in the time I was on it. I would still prefer the pegs right under me, though. 4) Riding position (c) - The bars were entire wrong. I can ride any one of my bikes for 12 or 13 hours if required (including my Firebolt). On the V-Rod my hands were getting numb within just a few minutes. I'm pretty sure it's the elbow angle - I had to periodically straighten my arms to get the feeling back. I would have to install drag bars on a V-Rod to make it usable. Unnamed sources at the dealer strongly hinted that the V-Rod motor was going to be seen in new incarnations in the near future - I hope so! (Message edited by fasteddieb on May 04, 2003) | ||
| Fasteddieb |
let me try that again:  | ||
| Grim_euphoria |
If they put a properly hopped up v-rod engine in an XB chassis, Buell sales would sky rocket. I'd have one in my drive way before the ink was dry on the approval for the add campaigne. | ||
| Davegess |
Grim it won't fit. Besides the XB doesn't need more power it needs less weight. Take 100 pounds out of the motor and nothing wioll touch it. | ||
| Jim_m |
From what I've seen so far, the KTM 950 twin should be small enough....where to fit the radiator is another issue, but imagine the potential combo of the 950 + XB rolling chasiss...just a thought that will never happen, but what if?  | ||
| Rd350 |
I have been hearing rumors of a supercharged XB in the works that has full fairings. I think that we will see a new Blast with fuel injection. | ||
| Benm2 |
"take 100lb out of the motor and nothing will touch it" Yes, but it would require you to pedal like hell. | ||
| Aesquire |
Anyone for turbo-compounding? Hook the output shaft of a turbine (w/no compressor) geared to the crank. This system was used on late WWII aircraft engines. | ||
| Blake |
You mean a blower? |
