| Author | Message | ||
     Swampy |
So in attempt to make amends for the silly post above, I would like to make a public suggestion. After viewing the Suzuki, BK, and seeing that hidious thing sticking out the back, I was wondering about noise canceling electronics technology being installed on motorcycles? Instead of heavy mufflers, there would just be the generating box and the sender. | ||
| Court |
Rob: You do realize that Buell pioneered active noise canceling on motorcycles with the acoustic research done on the H.P.V.S. right? It wasn't an electronic system and it sure resulted in an ugly airbox, but it was a gifted piece of engineering. Take a look at the holes in the above tube. . . a lot of thought went into that and it worked elegantly.  | ||
| Swampy |
Well, Well... I'll have to look at that later today, thanks! | ||
| Mainstreamer |
Court: H.P.V.S.? Thanks.. Please tell us more about this. | ||
| Court |
I did a quick Goggle search and got this from some Buell tuning site. Helmholz Volume Power System (HVPS) Helmholz was a scientist who developed theories on air and sound motions. The Buell air box uses Helmholz principles combining his theories with the tuning of the intake duct and also effectively controlling the acoustics inside the air box. The Helmholz Volume Power System allows a small chamber volume to simulate a large area in terms of air movement, enhancing the engine performance, while reducing unwanted frequencies. And from Ducati's Research site . . . But there's also a performance benefit because the airbox is a Helmholtz resonator. That is, a resonance effect occurs when you connect an enclosed volume of a suitable size and shape to an engine's intake stacks causing the air inside to resonate at a frequency that results in pressure peaks coincident with the cylinders' intake stroke frequency (at a particular RPM.) This can theoretically increase power by 10-15% within a particular RPM range by boosting airflow into the engine. Air boxes need to be well sealed and stiff in construction to maintain these resonance characteristics. A simple way to illustrate this is to blow across the mouth of an empty bottle. The sound you hear is the natural frequency of a Helmholtz resonator. Look around and you will find some very interesting stuff. There are current advancements to use the technology in the cabin walls of aircraft. By the way . . . next time you see me ask me about the attractive blonde acoustic engineer who pioneered this work and is now a Veteranarian. . . . you knew that, right?  | ||
| Babired |
Hello, I am trying to find out the history of the racing stripes on the Buells. Anyone? Kathy | ||
| Court |
If you are talking about this stripe . . .  You may thank this . .  Questions? | ||
| Babired |
yes I do have more, What about the 1999 X1 stripe white and blue? forgive me, I don't know anything about this car, how would it be linked to the X1's stripes? Thank you for responding to my post. Kathy | ||
| Court |
The X-1 stripes were inspired by those of the Ford Cobra (and perhaps others depending on how Mike was feeling that day) and other famed cars with "signature" striping. . . the GT-40 comes to mind. I have a set of files on the 1999 X-1 and some of the various iterations. I'll try to dig it out some time and see if I have any fun pictures. Hope that helps, Court | ||
| Babired |
thank you Court So there is no racing history related to the stripes on the Buells just the design. If you do come across your files about the 1999 X1 please share. And if you have any neat or unusual Buell history please share. I would love more knowledge and fun facts about them to share with my classes. Thanks, Kathy | ||
| Court |
>>>>And if you have any neat or unusual Buell history please share. There are some dandies. . . . | ||
| Road_thing |
...tell us sometime, willya? rt | ||
| Babired |
please? | ||
| Babired |
Hey Court, I'll tell you a good one I always wanted to let Eric Buell know that I had the Millenium X1 it was number 289 my first Buell, I was riding home from work one day and I had a drunk driver hit me. He was driving a 2001 F250 PU and drinking beer in the cab while driving. I was sitting at a red light with another car in front of me. When he hit me it felt like a horse bucking me up and forward, the guy didn't even hit his brakes just plowed right into me. It broke the bike in 2 the rear tail section of the X1 kept the truck from going any further. I know the Buell kept me from any further harm. I cried when I lost that bike. 30 days after I bought the Red racing stripe number 274 and I have parts from the old Buell on it. I've got over 25,000 miles on it and just bought a XB9SX and I love them both. Trade stories now? | ||
| Buell2001b |
Erick and company, thank you for the 1125R. I will buy it. great job | ||
| Joedjin |
I just have one Question! Why not pick... Metric or American Standard? This multi system setup is driving me nuts!!! | ||
| Tootal |
After two weeks in Colorado running the twisties and the jeep trails I have some suggestions for the 2009 Ulysses. 1. Putting the same cams and gearing in a dual sport that you have in your sport bike might save you money but it doesn't work. The Uly would work so much better if the camshaft intakes would close a lot sooner, say 36 degrees. Over 10,000 feet the Uly is gutless below 3000 rpm and when you have gearing so high you can go 135 mph it doesn't help around a rocky, steep switchback in first gear. The Uly worked so well on these back roads until I had to slow down for other vehicles or sharp steep nasty climbs. Cams that give you a rush from 5000 to redline don't belong on a Uly! 2. I'm hoping on the 2008 you finally went to a close loop system on the FI. No open modes or learning modes, just closed, listen to the O2 sensors and make the appropriate changes!! 3. Get rid of the aluminum spacer between the wheel bearings and replace with stainless or titanium. Why risk failure especially on a dual sport. 4. Put a right side scoop on the thing. It will look better and keep that obnoxious fan from coming on. It's so embarrassing to pull up in front of a motel and shut your quiet engine off and then have that noisy thing come on. The people around you have to start yelling at each other to hear!! After that rant you probably think I hate this bike. I've owned many bikes over the years and none of them were perfect but yours is so close that with a few changes you could get it as close as you can be to perfection. I'm an old anal retentive maintenance machinist who's job is to fix, modify and improve. If I didn't have the golden handcuffs on where I currently work I would be knocking on your door wanting to help perfect a wonderful machine! Remember, the Uly is a different animal, it needs a different mindset when engineering. | ||
| Trackdad |
Mr. Buell, Thanks for the chance to ride the new 1125R at Road America on 10/9/07. It was a pure pleasure and honor to be one of the first! I hope in the future HDI/HOG will listen more attentively because of your ideas and persistance!! Will see you at 08' Homecoming! | ||
| S1wmike |
I have read in British magazine that the Firebolt will not be sold in europe for 2008, does this mean that 2008 is the last year for the Firebolt stateside Thanks Mike | ||
| Buellnick |
It's time... Buell is 25 years old... We need/want a definitive Buell history book...with interviews, pictures etc. Call it... Buell - American Motorcycles Call it whatever...just do it! Waiting patiently for "my" 1125R to arrive at the dealer... Give us (sell us) something to read with the new bike... | ||
| Mainstreamer |
Planning an extended vacation in Europe next year and will ship a bike from the USA to Europe. The question is: Will Buell Dealers in Europe honor the warranty of a USA bike??? I've asked this question to the folks at Buell Customer Service twice. The 1st person did not know the answer and I asked that she get back to me. That was 3 weeks ago, have not yet heard from her. A few days ago I called and spoke with a different customer rep. and got an answer that sounded like... "if you have a problem over there have them call us". I asked for an email to clarify the policy, and a name and number to which the call call could be made. I have not received an email. The answer to this question is a major factor in my next purchase decision. Regards ... Paul Maerz | ||
| Court |
A warranty is a written legal contract. Like all contracts its LEGAL enforceability is governed by what is says. The motorcycles that Buell ships to foreign countries is different and so are the associated warranties. Even . . . if someone said your USA warranty was good in Europe it, of course, would not be legally. Can't happen, it's illegal. The question you are asking, and the reason you'll not get an answer is . . . . "off the record. if I have a problem in Europe, will Buell stand behind the product". It's an interesting question and the odds are in your favor based just on experience. However the strict answer MUST be no. Your Buell will be technically "illegal" in Europe. I just went through the process of trying to help a Saab executive get a "certificate of compliance" so he could take his USA Buell to Sweden. It's cheaper to get there, buy a new Buell and enjoy it. As a person who spends a great deal of time working with and helping Buell riders in a number of European countries (I just can off my "busy season" . . the month of August where all the Buell riders are on holiday and the dealers are closed for the month . . .we had an excellent track record of helping this summer with help from a dealer in Barcelona, Spain) I can tell you your experience will likely be very good. If you are trying to get that in writing . . . well you'll likely have completed your trip and be home before you get anyone at HD/Buell to commit to being legally bound to a USA specific contract of warranty in a foreign county. If they DID say it, it would still be unenforceable. In short, the "official" answer will be "no". The "unofficial" answer will be "if you have a problem, have them call us and we'll evaluate our involvement based on facts and circumstances". Perhaps not exactly (although the news is good) what you wanted to hear but I'd stand by this answer. Court | ||
| Mainstreamer |
Automobile manufactures in Europe (BMW, MB, Audi, Saab, Porsche) encourage "European Delivery" of their automobiles. Those are built to USA specifications. The manufactures clearly state and document support of warranty issues while the automobile is in use in Europe. Also, from what I've been told by BMW MC customer service they will support warranty issues in Europe of a USA spec bike for 2 years. BMW warranty in USA is 3 years, in Europe 2 years. This was confirmed this summer by a dealer in Munich. It sounds to me like Buell just hasn't put together the required legal and dealer support to make the same commitment as BMW. I understand it may not be worth the cost/effort. I would just like a clear explanation of the situation from BMC. AS for dealer closing in August... I know for a fact one of the BMW dealers in Munich does not close for the 'holiday'. Unless they opened when they heard I was in town... very unlikely!!  As for purchase of a Buell over their... I suspect the price would be more then a USA purchase. Exchange rate is the approx 1 : 1.47 and heading in the wrong direction. Can you shed some light pricing Court? Shipping to Europe is about $1K. Any price differential over that would be my loss. Then their is the issue of getting the bike back to the USA. Will there be an issue at customs? If not, I'd like to see that documented by Buell. Any additional light you can cast on this subject would be appreciated Court. Buell would be my ride of choice... but a goose would work also.... especially the new Stelvio. | ||
| Court |
You are correct that BMW and Mercedes-Benz do European delivery. I had the option for a Euro delivery on the last car I bought, it's just a check in a box. Saab also does some neat factory tour, pick up your car, tour and have it sent to the USA. They are all pricey. Laws vary and I'm sure you have noted that no American manufactuers offer "American Delivery". The closest would be checking the (way cool) factory delivery option on a Corvette. Some dealers in Europe don't close in August, many do. Depending on the length of time you'll be there, I'd invest the $3,000 ($1000 to - $1,000 from - $1,000 documentation, fees, legal) in a bike there. | ||
| Anonymous |
Don't worry, 2008 is not the last year for the Firebolt. The European distribution group just is goofy and decided it wouldn't sell when the 1125R came out. In actual fact the Firebolt sales are up since 1125R introduction. Different motorcycle for a different customer. | ||
| Ducxl |
Mr. Buell,let me be the first to notify you,please rectify the terrible condition our XBr headlights are in.Let me explain,you see,many of us are experiencing headlight reflectors that are burning up their coating and degrading the amount of light projected.I do not subscribe to aftermarket fixes,so will you PLEASE get on the stick and rectify our defective headlight products in XBr motorcycles you've been producing since 2003? | ||
| Buellnick |
I just saw that my local dealer (Thunderbird HD) received a Pegasus Award... Who knew this was one of your premier dealers in the country? I have no idea what kind of sales these guys do but I can tell you this dealer has few bikes on the floor, no clothing, no accessories, few parts, and absolutely no riding club/events for Buells. They are your typical HD dealer... There are NO visible reasons for this dealer being bestowed a Pegasus Award honor. I have many bad stories to tell about less than satisfactory salesmen, service, etc. I have made it a point to avoid this dealer and go to the next closest one (Santa Fe HD/Buell) for all my Buell needs. Santa Fe has the Zia Thunder club and sponsors the annual Taos Rally. The service department is hands down better for Buell owners... If volume sales is your biggest determinant for the Pegasus Award then I can see the Albuquerque dealer doing better because it is in a more populated area... I don't know what really goes in to winning a Pegasus Award... Please shed some light on this... | ||
| Doerman |
Dear Buell employees, I have owned 6 Buells in the past and on December 19th, I took delivery of my 7th, the 1125R. I believe these days are Buell’s finest hour. I am very pleased with your recent achievement as manifested in the 1125R. The excitement for this machine started immediately when the product was announced in July. It took me all of 2 days to decide to put a deposit down at the local dealer. I made the trip to Monterrey later that month to see one in person. The excitement grew even more. I was totally hooked after the Inside Pass event at Willow Springs in October. The excitement just continues to build now that I actually own the bike and ride it. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everybody involved at Buell to get this product to market and this obviously includes the fine folks at Rotax in Gunskirchen Austria. I wish everyone at Buell a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year Asbjorn Melo San Dimas, CA | ||
| Panhead_dan |
I have owned three new Buell XB,s. My current pride and joy is an '06 Ulysses and I have found it to be the perfect bike for me. I intent to keep it till it's worn down to a nub. My concern is for what to do then. Would the Buell Motor Company please entertain the idea of an engine exchange program similar to the current HD program? I'm more interested in buying a factory fresh (even factory rebuilt) engine rather than an overhaul out here in the world for reliability reasons. This may also help the resale value of used Buell's which is a concern of many new bike buyers, thus affecting new bike sales in a positive way. I'm sure that from a factory standpoint, you might think "we will build an attractive new model and don't need a reman program" but please understand that I can always add to my stable. | ||
| Trackdad |
Mr. Buell, I had the pleasure of attending the new HD Museum over Labor Day weekend and was amazed at a few drawings I saw called the XB6 and XB8. Nice ideas and direction. Now build the 1125R version...I need some critical design speed!! Greg |
