| Author | Message | ||
     Bigdaddy |
I just want to express my gratitude for your machines. I've been a traveling trouble shooter for more years than I like to think about and my time at home is a very precious commodity. This time home we picked up a Blast for my son -- he has just received his North Carolina learners permit. My son was the first Buell fan in the house and he's been most adamant about having his own Buell at the earliest opportunity, well, he's got a black Blast and he's walking on air. We've put in 1000 miles in a just a few days and he woke me up this morning wanting to go ride prior to going to school -- he's got it bad! Everyone knows that crazy grin thing that hits you while your riding a Buell and mine is now doubled to be riding through the mountains of North Carolina with my son. It's just awesome. Thank you Mr. Buell. Greg | ||
| Buckinfubba |
cool beans.... sounds like he's lovin it | ||
| Bigj |
Yes, but can you pay for the insurance?  | ||
| Bigdaddy |
Insurance sucks. You must factor in the grin factor and ROI. It's worth it. Greg | ||
| Fly |
Sam, How did Speedy do over the weekend? | ||
| Fly |
Oooppps......wrong thread. Goodbye. | ||
| Cj_xb |
 | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
Thank you Mr. Buell. what Greg said. FB | ||
| Elvis |
Erik Buell is, quite simply, one of the greatest minds of our time. Look at Indian and Aprilia: Two campanies that started with much more cash and name recognition than Erik Buell, and look where the are today. Now think about how many car or motorcycle manufacturers, in the last 50 years, started in their garages and reached this level. Many of us had resigned ourselves to believing the motorcycle industry had matured to the point we would never again see anything truly exciting or revolutionary, but Erik Buell proved us wrong. Yes! Thank you Erik Buell! Not only for making great motorcycles but showing us that the ideals we've always believed made The United States of America the greatest country in the world really do still exist. | ||
| Dyna |
All the L.L.L's thank you too. | ||
| Rex |
Thanks Erik...I love my Buells.....The S-2, the M-2, and the RSS 1200....The best motorcycle that I have ever owned. REX CHANEY What will my next Buell be? S-5 sport tourer? | ||
| Court |
Count me in. 17 years of Buellin' and counting. I remain amazed and intend to remain amazed. Erik has a great mind, is a genuine person and, this ones the best, has the ability to surround himself with some of the most talent minds in the design/engineering world. The dream that keeps on giving. Thank you. Court | ||
| Kaudette |
Not to rain on the parade here but, as an acolyte to the motor industry, the critical issues / costs are 1. drivetrain design, 2. Distribution & Service 3. Branding. Buell may be a success story however without the HD backing on the 3 above, they don't go mainstream. Erik may be a great person & mind, but the level of innovation - at reasonable costs - is nowhere near the competition. Sure the XB has a unique chassis and design however the engine is still of archaic design (it works, that's not the issue - it is just an old design and less efficient than a more modern design), the tranny is nothing to write home about, and the components are OK (fork, shock, rear brake, controls). All this for more $$$ than a brand new RC51 or Tuono. If the Buell was sold at a discount to those models, fine, however the lack of Buell driven innovation in the drivetrain, coupled with HD margin requirements, is a major impedement to a truly innovative & cost competitive bike. I've owned bikes since the late 80's and currently own an XB12 so I'm not looking for trouble, just stating my view on things. Ride safe. | ||
| Koz5150 |
I gotta agree. I just got done reading two separate liter bike shootouts and for what you get for $10,900 from any of those bikes is incredible. I mean the fact that my bike is a Buell (2002 M2) probably saves me money on insurance since the performance just isn't there. I also believe in the theory of ride what you like since I know very few people who are going to take any bike to it's limits. You should buy on personal taste, image you want to present, and cost (which doesn't really affect everyone). As far as being one of the greatest minds... It's a motorcycle. Cure cancer or alzhiemers, then we can talk. I kinda think about comparing an XB12 to a R1 is like comparing NASCAR to Grand Prix racing. Personally, I would rather watch NASCAR, it's just more cool. Just like I think the XB12 is way more cool then an R1. Say and think what you want, but most people who ride are never going to drag a footpeg, muchless a knee unless they are lowsiding their ride. | ||
| Trenchtractor |
Yeah, most people... Since this is an open letter to the man himself, perhaps he can drop me a line at my home address... Or better yet Mr Buell, contact my dealer, ORM Snell, in Townsville, Australia... Ask for Pete, he's my mechanic... He has some data on my bike he'd like the factory engineers to look at... I'd just like to know why my bike seems to be a Friday afternoon special... Don't get me wrong, I love the XB12, it is exactly the bike I want. I just wish it was working properly... See, I've only owned it a couple of months and it's already spent more time in the shop than it has under my bum. Not ideal customer satisfaction. And I can back that up, too. Plus all my mates keep taking the piss outa me for buying a lemon... Brad | ||
| Reepicheep |
Dear Erik. Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!! Most Sincerely, Bill | ||
| Daves |
Hey Erik,  Ride to the edge! Dave daves@h-dappleton.com | ||
| Honu |
I had a choice to buy any motorcycle I wanted, I chose a Buell. and I am very happy with that choice. Thank You Erik!  | ||
| Court |
>>>As far as being one of the greatest minds... It's a motorcycle. Cure cancer or alzhiemers, then we can talk. Not to go off on a tangent, but Motorcycles is only the most visible of the things Erik Buell has done. Take a look at his patents some day when you get time. Just an observation that when it comes to the Erikberg, often only the top 10% is visible. The bicycle has received attention, but is not alone in the interesting things done to stay afloat and get to where he is today. He is a very talented person. Court P.S. - by the way, with regard to your comment on Cancer and Alzheimers....watch for the name Buell. No discussion, just make a note and store it away somewhere and remember who told you.  | ||
| Fullpower |
Dear Erik, thank you for the very nice motorcycle. I always wanted one, now I have an XB12, and it is a lot of fun. I rode it to work today, and i am still smiling. Sorry about your accident, I hope you are healing up quickly. Keep up the great work, and take care. Best regards, DEan Ravin | ||
| Fullpower |
Erik built a bike With mass centralization That's the mans vision | ||
| Fullpower |
twelve hundred cc's make some nice power wheelies thanks mister Buell | ||
| Iamike |
Ken, Which efficiency are you talking about? HP/cc or MPG? Sure the Buell doesn't make scads of horsies but I do like the miles per gallon figure they put out. My S3 gets 53 and the XBx get 63 don't they? I also just rebuilt my S3 with limited tools and experience. I'd never attempt that with my CBR. | ||
| Darthane |
I'm just going to reiterate what I told him when I ran into him at the start of the NE Tour last year. Phenomenal machines. And miraculously, through terrible weather and repeated bug spray washings, the John Hancock on my helmet's still there. Thanks. | ||
| Kaudette |
Iamike - from a drivetrain perspective, there are a number of "inefficiencies". HP/cc is one, emissions is another, power loss thru the outdated transmission is another, poor shifting, that damn fan going off all the time, and a shorter lifespan before rebuild than most modern designs. This is an honest assessment as I have a 12S in my basement that I like quite a bit - I even like the motor, however that does not take away from it being an "antique" design. I like the bikes, I have no prob with Mr. Buell and think he has done a lot to make the XB's a unique ride - that being said, for the $$$ he is asking for, we should be entitled to a more modern design & components (start with a real upgrade to the tranny, then do better controls with adjustable levers for both brake & clutch, then look at better spec rear shock & forks, then move to radial brakes - maybe (ztl is nice but does not work as well as Brembo radials), then look at the motor. Oh, and get rid of those shit tires coming stock and put some real rubber on the bike. Not too much to ask for. ? Koz - I agree with you and that is why I bought the XB12S myself. I don't want an R1 (or I would have bought one) but that does not exempt Buell & HD from gouging their clients and lining their pockets while the competition provides a much better value:dollar ratio on their investments. I know Court is saying to himself that this is "brand equity", and he is right, but that goes quickly when you realize you're being taken to the woodshed on every occasion you touch the thing. And no, I don't want the V-Rod motor in the XB as it is but-ugly and way too heavy. | ||
| Newfie_buell |
You let John Hancock sign your Helmet???  Funny thing the same guy also signed my flyscreen!!! Thanks Erik | ||
| Brucelee |
Gotta say that I love my 9 and I can buy any bike on the planet. The efficiency talks is interesting. My bike gets 55 MPG mostly in town riding. That is pretty good I think. The no valve adj and no chain lube deal is great. The bike requires very little attention. It just runs! Also, it is my understanding that the engine runs very clean, emissions are NOT an issue. Re: the trans, mine shifts very very smoothly since going to Mobil 1 gear lube in trans. Would think HD could just fill it at the factory and get around this small issue. Tires are wonderful to ride, but could last longer. The bike is unique and the positive comments keep coming. I love the HD sound in the motor. Don't change that. Lastly, how about a VROD based sport tourer?? | ||
| M2cyclone00 |
Ken, what's "modern" about the design of any combustion engined motorcycle? Overhead cams have been around since when? Lots of bikes in museum's that have that modern design. As far as lifespan, how many R1's, RC51's, GSXR'S, have you seen get 120,000 miles out of their original clutch? I have seen that on a Sportster! That bike had 150, 000 miles on it & it had the original rings, valves, pistons, valve seats, etc. I know of more than one R1 that has lasted less than a year of good riding. I don't know the average lifespan of either, but I do know that Harley (our engines are built by Harley) makes engines that can last quite a while. I saw an Electra Glide at Tilley's with 184,000 miles. It was there for a routine service. The owner put over 400,000 on his previous Electra Glide. Some of you may have seen the story in the Enthusiast magazine. My M2 shifts fine. And, that transmission is quite tough. Erik, Thanks for the bike. It is quite a lot of fun & that is what motorcycles are all about. I've had my M2 for four years & it is still the most fun bike I've ever ridden. | ||
| Spiderman |
Only problem I have with BMC is... . . . . I don't work in the R&D dept  hint hint cough cough | ||
| Awprior |
Same here, cough cough. Let's move to East Troy, Spidey. |
