| Author | Message | ||
     Buellkowski |
THE PLEDGE: I pledge allegiance to the brand of the Buell Motorcycle Company of America, and to the riding public for which it stands, one motivation, over all, indefatigable, with joviality and twisties for all.  | ||
| Blublak |
I'll take that pledge... As for the rest of it? Well, yes, I'd like a little more power stock, and I think a revamp of the tranny would be nice.. But for the most part, I've had NO problems to speak of with my XB9R. As a matter of fact, I have nothing but positive thoughts about the ride. I love the handling, the torque, the crisp brakes, I even think the tires are good, the look and the looks it gets (I'm nothing to write home about, so at least, while I'm out there, something is getting looks).. I don't know about the older Buells, since I've never owned one, but I do know this, Eriks' re-design of the engine and some other parts works for me. Would I like a few more 'hi-tech' goodies? Sure, who doesn't? I mean, come on we're all in the 'Ohhh.. check out the pretty blinky flashy lights man' it's human nature, right? But in the end, it's not all the bells and whistles, it's the basic idea of what the machine is. And that basic idea is a real world, fully involved, corner eating beast that can give you grinitous faster than anything I've ever ridden. Besides, who cares (realistically) if you have a 200MPH torpedo between your legs(with apologies to Team Elves)? When and how often in the 'real world' do you use it? My Buell (even with my fat butt on it) is more than quick enough to get away from a stray cage or three.. and I simply love the way it handles and stops and goes (ok, so the front wheel sometimes gets a little light.. part of the charm right?).. Is there room for better?.. Yes, I think there's room for better. But please don't try and tell me that every Japanese bike you've ever seen is superior.. their not. Nor is the Buell the be all, end all.. But for me, it's enough of a compromise between the two extremes. Thank you Mr. Buell... Please continue to improve and grow the beast.. after all, someday, I'll talk the wife into letting me have another.. and I'll need you to be ready to supply it. Later, | ||
| Jon |
As near as I can tell, this threads is an open letter of thanks to Erik Buell. If you don't happen to agree with that sentiment, don't post. It's for the thankful to express thanks, nothing else. I suggest the naysayers be given another thread entitled, "No Thanks". | ||
| Spiderman |
OK Prior meet ya at my house at 9  | ||
| Kaudette |
OK Jon Thanks Erik now how about some decent rubber! | ||
| Davegess |
Kaudette, my understanding is that the XB meets the toughest emissions standards out there now and for the next few years WITHOUT a catalyst. Plus gets over 50 mpg sounds pretty eficient to me. I agree the tranny needs work, I would not be surprised to learn that that work is taking place. | ||
| Josh_ |
>WITHOUT a catalyst or air injection. While other highly trumpted bikes need *both* to meet the future standards. see Erik, I wasn't sleeping through the seminar | ||
| Bomber |
last time I had an opportunity to say anything to the man (during hte 20th last summer), I thanked him for my M2 . . .. . he said, "thanks for enjoying it." classy answer, I thought | ||
| Daves |
Couple more weeks and you can thank him in person again. Dave | ||
| Bomber |
hell, he's tired of seein me . . .. . . I'll let someone else bug the poor soul | ||
| Littlebuggles |
Yup, thanks here too. I like the individuality, there aren't any bikes like them, and you know you've got a friend when you see another Buell on the road. -Mike Bugby | ||
| Misato |
when is he comming to seattle???? | ||
| Misato |
oh and my 9s rocks  | ||
| Court |
>>>Kaudette, my understanding is that the XB meets the toughest emissions standards out there now and for the next few years WITHOUT a catalyst. Plus gets over 50 mpg sounds pretty eficient to me. That is an accurate statement. Including the tough Euro standards. | ||
| Crusty |
I have a Pegasus tattoo on my arm. No other motorcycle has moved me that much. Thanks. | ||
| Spiderman |
Tattoo WTF.. um.. wait.. Oh yeah I gots one too. | ||
| Ezblast |
Thanks Erik - I love my Blasts! - most unique single out there! Of course if you come out with the XB550R or S I'll be upset! - but I'd get over it as soon as I bought one! Got Thump?! Just Blasting on the Dark side! EZ  | ||
| Charlieboy6649 |
Buell Fan, 16 years. Buell owner, 2 years. Oh the agony of this life! Thank you so much. WELL, worth the wait!  | ||
| Buellgator |
Buell fan since I saw one at 12 years old. Bigger Buell fan when I got one at 18. These are the coolest bikes on the road. Thank you for these wonderful machines. | ||
| Davegess |
<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. > Kaudette posted the following much earlier in this thread and I was so busy I did not have time to reply but here goes Kaudette you have, rather by accident I think, hit the nail on the head. Starting back in 1983 when Erik began this adventure he has made a concious effort to stay involved with HD. When his first effort went bust his second efort focused even more on HD. One of the things he saw was that in order to sell bikes you needed dealers, service and parts distribution. He also realised how tough those things were so he hitched a rice on HD. When HD stepped in to actually buy a part of the company it was not becaseu the folks at HD woke up one day with a woody for a sport bike, no it was becasue Erik, using every means at his disposal talked them into it. It cost him a lot believe me but he got them on board. Thie solidified number 2 and got number 3 rolling. Than he set to work on number 1. There are many reason why the stock sportster engine made sense in 1987, EPA rules being a part, but Erik needed an a new engine. Getting to the XB mill required los of work on Erik's part and not work in the dyno room but in the board room. He managed to get HD to step up and not only finance a new engine (and I say new deliberatly and truthfully) but let his team do the design and development work. The result is a brillant production engine. Why brillant? It is lighter and more powerful than its ancestor. It is much more efficent, gaining horsepower but burning cleaner. It certainly has the rev limits that overhead valves and pushrods impose but while I like high revving overhead cam engines I really don't think they are any better to ride than the XB engine just different. But that is not the briallant part. Any decent engine guy could design an engine that does those things. No the brillant part is that the engine is made using mostly the same tooling that the sporty uses and can be built interchangably on the sportster engine line. Without those two items the XB motor does not come to life and those two items make this a brillant design. Thanks Erik. Now about that tranny??? ( the tranny is the best HD tranny by far. It needs more work and I bet that more is in the works. ) | ||
| Court |
>>>Getting to the XB mill required los of work on Erik's part and not work in the dyno room but in the board room. When you go looking for Erik Buell's true genius, don't be distracted by the motorcycles or you'll miss it. I totally love, even after all these years, reading Gessisms. You should write a book! Court | ||
| Rex |
you guys should write a book...I just picked up the new book on britten.....the first couple of thousand pages get a little too much in early britten family history, but I cannot turn down the book now that they are in the desiging, racing, and barely meeting the deadline stages....There is even a page there about Erik or HD calling to talk with them. Apparently they missed each other.....rex | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
Erik, i had the good fortune to ride with good friends thru some of the tastiest twisties in the Southern Sierra yesterday, taking the "long" way from Lake Isabella to Yosemite. there were five of us, three were on Buells. all of the bikes handled the day with competence and vigor, but i can assure you that the Buells in attendance ('96 Thunderbolt, '98 White Lightning, '03 Firebolt) were the perfect weapons for our particular assault. at the Badger Store, after ripping Dry Creek Road a new one, i confessed to Timbo (on the XB) that for the last 15 or 20 miles of pure, unadulterated moto-bliss i had been mentally composing a "Thank You" letter to Erik Buell. he laughed, and replied, "How could a guy all the way back in Wisconsin design a motorcyle so perfect for these roads?!?" i'm not entirely sure how this can be, but i do know that i continue to be a fan of you and your machines. can't wait to see what you've got up your sleeve.  FB | ||
| Seeeu911 |
Hello Erik, I'm hoping you are well and happy. The reason for this note is tell you I am ready for a new bike. I still have my 98S1W, thank you again for the nice words the last time you saw it. I still have the signed fly screen even if its not on the bike any more. Is your next bike going to be something that a 6'1 225 lb speed lover will fit ? The next bike for me has to be able to ride 2, have stock 135 rwhp minimum and say Buell on the tank. Please let the answer be yes. Warmest Regards Donn Griffin | ||
| Jim_witt |
Erik, I had the good fortune in purchasing the low mileage special construction Danny Sullivan one of a kind pearl white 1989 RR1200 from Aaron Wilson a couple of years ago. I haven’t the foggiest if you have a Buell collection. If you do this puppy would fit perfectly in your stable with the rest of the lineup. If you don’t, it would be a great place to start. Cheers, -JW:> PS: Just in case …… if the wife is reading, this would be a great Birthday or Christmas present too! | ||
| Ocbueller |
Book? Dave, Court, Erik, Aaron? Plenty of material seems to be available. Any one individual or all as a collaboration would be just peachy thanks. Where do I send the deposit? SteveH | ||
| Rex |
you are right there...My deposit is ready to be mailed...I am surprised with the HD backing that a book has not been done on erik yet.....maybe it should be a teams elves effort, like the salt effort....what do you think? rex | ||
| Unibear12r |
In 30 years no motorcycle has inspired me like my XB has. I too eagerly await to see what's next. Thank You Erik. Yes a book on this would be a great read. | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
ps to Erik: i just escorted Art, aka Bart, aka Bartimus, aka Whoretimus, aka the Buell Ho, to Porterville and got him pointed toward the BRAG gig that's going on for the next three days up in the Wine Country in and around Vallejo. for me, it was a 125.4 mile round trip, out and back on the Bostrom Highway, Jacks Ranch, and Old Stage Rd., and it took exactly 130 minutes, including three short stops along the way and a 20-minute gas stop in Porterville. i know you've not ridden these roads, but think the goat trail above Santa Cruz that Reg took us on when you flew out for the inaugural Blue Groove in '96 and you'll get the basic picture. anyway, you do the math, and it should be apparent why i'm sitting here with a grin on my face and an S1W in the garage that's panting like a dog on a hot summer afternoon. pictured below is said weapon, the Thong, moments after we got back to the Dome, and it truly LIVES for what we just did. just wanted, yet again, to say thanks. FB  edited by jerry_haughton on May 03, 2004 | ||
| Timbo |
Hey Ferris and Dino, Thanks for the escort through Ferrisville! Wow what an incredible ride!!! We were then led by Dino up to Yosemite and had the ride of our lives. Great stuff! And Erik, I will let Ferris compose that letter, as he is far more articulate than I am, and would be far better at expressing the euphoria we bathed in while carving the curves on your creations. Note the goofy grins we couldn't get rid of...  L-R Timbo, KidCooCoo, SB Jim and Ferris Thank you, life is good. Timbo  |
