| Author | Message | ||
     Spatten1 |
Blake: Would the V-Rod buyer be compared the Rocket III, or the Valkyrie demographic? What other bikes would be in that category? | ||
| Cochise |
People have always mentioned water cooling and was mentioned, "Where would they put the radiator?" Anybody ever seen a Bennelli(sp)? | ||
| Spatten1 |
Saw a Bennelli at Ferrachi's. One of the best looking bikes I've ever seen. It even looked good next to the MVs. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
According to the Back to the Track ride comparison the Vrod is running up against the big VTX, Midnight Warrior, errand VMaxs, and surprisingly the Fat Boy. Its the big cruiser power couch, it is not a sport touring bike. The Street Rod could be made to do it, throw some bags and a small bikini fairing on it, I just would hate to see it done, it is such a nice bike for nailing the corners. Go Demo one! I could have two bikes or one Vrod, I choose two bikes (XB9SX & XL883R) | ||
| Jaimec |
The Street Rod may be good for long sweepers, but you'll quickly exhaust yourself pushing that thing through REAL twisties. Blame the HEAVY 19" front wheel for that. I rode one and was surprised at how much force it took to snap that thing from one side to the other. | ||
| Spatten1 |
I think it is odd to compare the V-Rod to the giant air cooled engines. V-Max does come to mind first, or Rocket III. The V-Max came out 20 years ago making as much power as the V-Rod. I guess I'm just disappointed that the V-Rod was a clean sheet opportunity for HD to really make an impact, and it came up 10 years behind in power and weight. Maybe it is a cruiser thing and I just don't understand. I am probably too focused on performance, weight, etc. The whole Harley thing confuses me anyway, I just don't get it. I've heard the V-Rod is huge in Europe. The XBs are the first bikes that really got me excited with HD componentry. Probably because they are light and small. Opposite the cruiser design, which still confounds me. | ||
| Court |
>>>>The 1098 and hypermotard are selling like hot cakes. Ducati NA sure gets tight lipped when you ask them about that. They keep telling me . . . "these are really hot, would you like to place a deposit"? I politely told them I was following up on reports that they were "selling like hotcakes", yet had not yet been introduced and was trying to reconcile the "sold like hotcakes" with the zero available for sale. How many have been sold in the US? Apparently the correct answer is ZERO. Don't get me wrong . . . I love the looks of the thing, can't wait for Reg's ride report and am confident they will sell like hotcakes. I thought Buell was perhaps the only company to get accused of "hyping" their new products . . .turns out they're not alone. | ||
| Bmonty72 |
Would the STT platform be a good base for a sport tourer? It's got more suspension travel than the other lightnings, not as tall as the Uly...Replace those number plates with removable hard bags. Then you could add a slightly larger wind screen, or even a small fairing on it. Is that all there is to a sport tourer, or am I missing something??? | ||
| Reepicheep |
That hypermotard concept bike looked drop dead gorgeous. The actual production bike still looks pretty neat, but now somehow feels more like "another monster" more then some sort of groundbreaking new effort. Not that there is anything wrong with that... the monster is a great little bike... but it now seems to lack the "edge" that the concept bike had. Then I start seeing prices thrown around of like $13k or $15k for purchase. And start seeing *real* weights for the bike, and real horsepower. So look back at a TT and start to think "why again, exactly is that Ducatti $3k to $5k better"? $3k could buy me a good XR-650 to park next to a TT. Then I start to look at total cost of ownership, and see another $3k to $5k over the next 3 to 5 years for the pretty little Italian. And I think about parts and service... I have 3 Buell dealers within 50 miles, one great, two of them that have decent stock, all three with at least generally good intentions. I have one Ducati dealer that close, and it looks like I am lucky at that (entire states lack a single dealer). All in all, as a potential consumer, I am starting to get a serious case of "the doubts"... The same thing seemed to happen with the 1098... when it started getting press, I was seeing a $10k Italian twin R1 killer. Now that we are close to being able to buy one, I am suddenly seeing a $15k CBR-600RR, but prettier  | ||
| Spatten1 |
There is nothing about the hyper motard that would have me leaving Buell. It is real purty though. The 1098 is in another league to me, something Buell cannot yet compete with. Maybe in July....If not, Buell still has its niche. | ||
| Steve_mackay |
Would the STT platform be a good base for a sport tourer? It's got more suspension travel than the other lightnings, not as tall as the Uly...Replace those number plates with removable hard bags. Then you could add a slightly larger wind screen, or even a small fairing on it. Is that all there is to a sport tourer, or am I missing something??? I'm way ahead of ya there Bought an STT in March, added the Firebolt fairing. Kept the STT taller bars. The ZG Sport touring screen helps with master cylinder clearance. Thursday starts stage II of the project. With the addition of the Ulysses tail section and hard bags. Here's some pics of my 'lil project during construction. http://picasaweb.google.com/mackay.steve/TTProject Continued http://picasaweb.google.com/mackay.steve/TTSheSRED http://picasaweb.google.com/mackay.steve/TTProject PartIII | ||
| Court |
Bill: I kind of with you. I have an ongoing case of Monster Lust. . . and I totally dug my cousins MH900e in a fashion similar to the way the Hypermotard hits me. There's a powerful lure for all of them that reminds me of a dog chasing a car . . once you get it. . . then what do you do with it? For me, here in New York City, I'd have to keep track of who was, assuming there is one at the moment, currently handling the Ducatis. They sell very well here but most are trailer delivered to houses in the Hamptons to folks thinking about riding a motorcycle. That last time I was at Ducati of Manhattan (before the Ducati USA "flagship store" became a Greek deli) there were two bikes sold to owners who didn't want, given their experience to ride them. Frankly, in some ways the Ducatis appeal to me more as art. They are incredibly good looking bikes and Ducati has a fascinating history . . . they've come along way since they started making capacitors and appliances. The Buell, if you've happen to have caught any of that fun ZTL thread, is pretty much a bike made to be ridden on real streets by real people. In one of the threads here . . someone is trying to pin down what a "repli-racer" really is or is not. I've never needed to know that much info and am darn sure that in my best days of riding anything that qualified would have exceeded my personal skills by light years. I am very eager to read Reg Kittrelle's report when he rides the Hypermotard at the intro. It's kind of a "Reg Styled" bike and I can't think of anyone better suited to put it through it's paces. Beyond that. . . . we'll see how many folks make the leap to ownership. One thing is for sure . . . there is a lot of cool stuff out there. Court | ||
| Mndwgz |
I just did a quick U.S. patent search and there isn't anything new that has come up since the frame pucks and fuel injection from July 7, 2004 ... hmmmm | ||
| Court |
You probably searched Buell. If you did, you'd be right. I tide glad bearings (it's a little cliche in the moto world) that there are a number of fart smellers in East Troy patenting things. You desire to ride will wane before the Elves supply on innovative idea. Check out the ones Erik files while in High School in Gibsonia. . . . | ||
| Court |
Steve: I think you are really on to something with your project. I can't wait to see it at Homecoming . . I hope you're taking lots of photos. Court | ||
| Dbird29 |
Steve, I wish I was close enough to help clean up that wiring harness! I know you are on a hard deadline and it is looking great! Bird | ||
| Cityxslicker |
Buell hypermoto? Dont we already have that ? Or is that just me running off road and dirty on my CityX ? | ||
| Cheesebeast |
I want a Buell Excalibur. In our last episode Cheesebeast was beset by the enemies of the realm. With his options dwindling and his reserve of beef jerky and devil dogs almost exhausted, he turned to the only logical place he could; East Troy. There he was outfitted with a snappy bit of kit which he deemed to be Excalibur. Excalibur- the fabled sword of King Arthur of the Britons! Except it would be better- it would have wheels and turn signals! His requests for more information about the siring of Excalibur were thwarted by a rather cryptic Bard named Court. Court swore that Excalibur was delivered in a flash of moto-radiance directly from the depths of nearby Lake Beulah. Fishy, that one is. Excepting that Cheesebeast was neither royal nor wise, he at least had the tool to look the part. Excalibur strained at the reins- it demanded to slake its thirst on the salty flesh of other moto-creatures; Foul ninjas, Dukes of minor fiefdoms, and the false princes of Italy. This epic tale would take long to tell, in fact, it is still being made. Our hero would only stop his spree of endos and wheelies long enough to sire illegitimate spawn with random cocktail waitresses and to feed his steed. Excalibur would naturally be fed Premium and would be buffed to a sheen with a moist chamois. Anyone who would suggest less is a Knave. So when shall I have my Excalibur? | ||
| Jscott |
Here is an interesting rumor... http://www.ft.com/cms/s/209fe0b8-18a6-11dc-a961-00 0b5df10621.html Comments? | ||
| Court |
Funny. . . in the Buell context that you would use the term "Excalibur". | ||
| Spatten1 |
Good article Jscott. That demographics thing again. Them Harley guys is gettn' older every day. Baby boomers love to buy what was ultra-cool when they couldn't afford it in the old days. Restored muscle cars, $20k motorcycles, big second houses... | ||
| 07xb12scg |
Awesome article Jscott. Imagine a Buell with a 1098 engine... I can't imagine sticking any HD engine in a Ducati, though! | ||
| Mndwgz |
Desmo XB anyone?  | ||
| Buellshyter |
Apparently the correct answer is ZERO. Court, I was told by a fellow Buell'r and Ducati owner that our local Ducati dealer is sold out of their allotment of the 1098 | ||
| Rubberdown |
I was recently at a USDESMO track day at Carolina Motorsports Park and saw about 4 1098's being run that day. My local dealer has on on the floor today. | ||
| Xbolt12 |
Hey Court, Out here in San Diego, the number of 1098's on the road already is unbelievable. At Palomar two weeks ago there were three in the parking lot-one yellow and two red (one was a 1098s with Termignoni). I would definitely say Ducati hit a home run. For me though the Terblanche design has grown on me and the 1098 looks kind of dated. Funny how fashion moves on and we all become adjusted to new styles we didn't prefer at first. | ||
| Bmonty72 |
Hey Steve Mac....That looks awesome. I love everything you've done. I'm not a big fan of the firebolt fairing, but I like that you've kept it all Buell!!! I can't wait to see it with the Uly tail and bags on it. Keep up the good work!! | ||
| Bmonty72 |
Steve's project gave me an idea. Could Buell sell bikes in a manner similar to the Toyota Scion. You go to a dealer and pick a frame, suspension, body color, and "extras". Either assemble them at factory or at the dealership. 4-6 weeks later, you have YOUR new Buell, just the way you want it. | ||
| Cheesebeast |
OK, I am out on a limb here. Fortunately it is my native habitat. Buell started with two strokes and knows a lot about them. I have never walked away completely from anything I have learned, so I would be surprised if many of his dreams at night are not two stroke dreams. Wait, that sounded bad. Anyway, Erik Buell knows a bunch about two strokes so he would immediately see opportunity in a "clean" two stroke. How bout a Buell two stroke? A modern two stroke that is efficient, using Orbital's direct injection technology. Read about Orbital here: http://www.orbeng.com.au/orbital/directinjection/m otorcycle2s.htm Increased fuel economy, light weight, and gobs of power. Oh, and bunnies and butterflies like it too. | ||
| Cheesebeast |
OK, Excalibur it is. Put your tray tables up and cinch up your seat belts. There is a bumpy area of airflow ahead- a zone of Wild Ass Guessing. The myth of Excalibur has its roots in Welsh storytelling. The Welsh told of a mythic sword called Caledfwlch, which was bastardized into Caliburn, which was further altered into Excalibur. The place where all this wholesome lady-in-the-lake stuff occurred is in a part of Wales called Snowdonia. Stay with me here, I am making a point. The final resting place of Excalibur is a lake called Llyn Llydaw. Not far from this lake is a castle named Caernarfon. What Erik Buell and Caernarfon have in common is Buell's early involvement with a company called Barton. The full name of the company was Barton Motors (Caernarfon)Ltd. The Barton motor was a two stroke. Therefore the new motor will also be a two stroke. [insert sounds of crickets chirping] Or I could be completely off-base here. |
