| Author | Message | ||
     Andy_Taylor |
Like this? Sorry about that soapbox, wasn't deliberate, just thought my fishin' worms were under there. Goober's callin', gotta go. "Hold up Goob, be rite wit ya." | ||
| Mikej |
So, it's getting closer to the new model year releases. Any speculation on what will be new for the M2 for 2002 in August? 2001 brought us the new shifter arm, and the Low version option. Or do you think the M2 may go the way of the S2 and be replaced by an M3 version/evolution????? Since the M2 is obviously the best already, it should only get better, right?  | ||
| Dynodave |
My opinion is that you SHOULD be comparing the M2 to its most DIRECT competition from Japan...so similar that it uses the SAME FRONT FORKS, has a 1200cc air/oil cooled motor on a Naked frame...the Suzuki Bandit. The Bandit has a similar MSRP, the ergos are about the same, and it uses a GSXR-derived motor so there are PLENTY of hop-up parts. IMHO, the Bandit loses on the styling, the simplicity (4 carbs but they ARE Mikunis), and the handling. However it has significantly more HP and it has a modern geared transmission linkage, plus the motor is in general about 30 years ahead of the old XL lump. Therefore the Bandit is likely more reliable. | ||
| Peter_T |
Dynodave, Exactly right. Forget claiming to be a sports bike. Buell should be competing where it shines. It's a naked bike and it should stand or fall in that categoury. The Bandit is what Buell should be aiming to be. Well almost the bandit. Have you seen the most recent Kawasaki Eddie Lawson replica, even if in name only. That kawa 1200 is a sweet bike. I remember when the 80's Eddie Lawson replica came out from kawasaki. Damn, I wanted one of them, but way out of my price range at the time. Pete (Forget E.L, I'm the last of the Randy Mamola Fans. Now there was a bikers racer.) | ||
| Rocketman |
Sweet bikes they might well be. Only today I drove by the Yamaha dealer and in his window sat a shiny new XJR1300 with black and yellow paint done in the classic "block" style, revised for the 21st century retro look, and combined with those piggy-backed shocks, the damn brute looks dandy, but then it pretty much stops unless you're in to Japanese bikes. Buell build anything that resembles a Bandit in any way, shape or form and mines on eBay ! Fooking Bandit. Whaddafookdeygotindawaterdownthere?????? Rocket in England | ||
| S2no1 |
Peter, What happened to Mamola? I remember him from my previous motorcycle incarnation but college, work, etc got in the way. Thanks Arvel | ||
| Chuck |
I think that Randy works for King Kenny Roberts as a test "pilot" and rider coach. | ||
| Peter_T |
Your right Chuck, Randy M is still around. He's the pilot of the 2 seater GP bike that a lucky few get to pillion on. I found a great quote that aptly described him. "The clown prince of Grand Prix Road racing was Randy Mamola. He always gave the public what they wanted - entertainment. probably the best rider ever, not to win a World title, four times runner up in the 500cc class." One of the last of them that not only seemed to be there to win but also because he enjoyed it. Valentino Rossi is the closest we have now. Many years ago I saw a photo of him hard into a corner, with smoke coming off both tyres. Good enough for me and also the only person I have heard of who flipped his bike on the warm up lap because he was pulling monster wheelies for the crowd. Rocketman, A clarification. When I said the Bandit was what Buell should be aiming to be I didn't mean they should build a Bandit clone. I simply meant that the bandit is probably the best naked bike at the moment (though I like the Kawa) and Buell should be aimimng to remove it from that position. Making Blasts for the U.S only market and changing colour schemes wont do it. I know most people here are only concerned with the U.S market but for Buell to move on they are going to have to compete in the rest of the world. At the moment they don't seem to be doing that. I'm into Bikes Rocketman, not bikes depending on where they are made. To put a bike down simply because of where it is made is silly. Good is good, no matter where it comes from. Sorry for so many posts recently. I'm working long night shifts and prowling the web keeps me awake. Down side of long night shifts is (and Blake will be pleased to know he was right) I aint getting any Now I'm really cranky. Pete ( who still thinks the 99 X1 is the best bike ever made even if I can't prove it ) | ||
| Peter_T |
Damn I almost forgot, Hey Artful, Don't look at an R1 on the web. Go ride one. Soul-less? All bikes are only metal and plastic. Soul is just the mythology you bring along for the ride. I've owned japanese, Italian and American bikes. They all had a soul and a chartacter of their own. I'm tired of the Japanese bike bashing on here. Like I said to Rocketman, I'm into bikes. I don't have to know where it was made to decide if I like it or not. I feel sorry for you guys that do because you are closing yourselves off from some great bikes You said, "The usual rider wears sandals, shorts, tank top and sunglasses." It must be an American thing. Sports bikes out sell everything else down here and I seldom see a sports bike rider in less than full leathers. Don't blame the stupidity of your fellow countrymen on the bike. Pete | ||
| Hans |
Pete: All right you may win: Randy Mamola was the best racer (however unproven but accepted by me) and the best bike does not exist. The Buell M2 is only the runner up. No need to bash any bike, why should we? And don`t forget Mother`s day. Hans. | ||
| Rocketman |
Randy Mamola is currently commentating on Eurosport for the GP 500's. He's the roaming reporter that accompanies Toby Moody's and Julian Rider's commentary. Yes , they make a great commentary team ! ......... I aint knocking Jap bikes at all. I've had my fill of 'em like most others have. One thing that I can't agree on though, regarding Japanese bikes, when have the Japanese ever given the world a naked bike ? As for the Bandit, there's just as much s h i t on it as any other Jap bike. Naked ??? Eh ??? You're kidding right Pete ? Rocket in England | ||
| Blake |
The new Yammy FZ1 Fazer is WAY better than that old hag the Bandit. If only Soozhooky would follwo suit with a naked/real world version of the GSXR1000. But, since I hate 4-cyl vibs and their noise, I'll stay with my Buells. | ||
| Rocketman |
R1 Fazer : Fairing to far forward and to low. Clocks should be mounted on the top yoke\bars, like on a Buell. Seat is to long...........yada yada yada..... Rocket in England | ||
| Jim_M |
Dynodave, Peter_T, Rocket... Here's a Bandit I would look into getting, opinions?  | ||
| Peter |
Very cool....... PPiA NEXT PAGE of topic |
