| Author | Message | ||
     Sweatmark |
Hmm... Court's take on this New Age of Buell is interesting. Regarding the BMW blitzkrieg: *I've got 3 Beemers in the garage and 1 Buell; *The two brands (well, my specific bikes) share a similar long list of strengths (many) and a few model-specific problems; *At 42, I'm 10+ years younger than the median age for Beemer owners, as reported by BMWMOA, and probably a few years older that the average BadWeB rider; *I've "gotten over" a long crotch rocket habit and doubt I'll buy another pure sports bike in my lifetime; *My experience with BMWs has been OK: the bikes have performed very well, with very few problems, and the dealer network has been pretty good; *Buells intrigued me since the XB rollout, with interesting, alternative engineering, plus that visceral American V-twin experience... the "alternative" spin is similar to BMW's use of Telelever, shaft drive + Boxer twin layout, early adoption of fuel injection & ABS (with associated glitches), etc.; *My Buell has been fun to ride, but for short hops only... longer trips are better suited for the Beemer, its hard cases, its Big Watts alternator, and more generous ergonomics; *The Beemer generally gets ignored when I'm riding, except for foreign folks who better recognize the bike for its international heritage; *BMW Corporate just plain sucks at the Customer Loyalty game... and that's true for both the bikes and the cars; *The newest Beemer bikes are solid overall performers... mostly sports touring with a twist or two; *My (limited) Buell dealer experience has been abysmal, and dealer network problems will hamper Buell's growth; *The Buell made me famous just yesterday, when the sales force from my local YamaHondaSaki dealer trooped outside to oogle the tiny XB9Something... all waiting in line to try the bike on for size; *Very good & active online groups for both BMW and Buell exist, and I check both regularly for good ownership info; *My loyalty is split between the two marques, and will likely stay that way... and I doubt any/many of my Beemer friends would move towards a Buell anytime soon. | ||
| Dale |
Oh I don't know? The K1200R looks pretty cool to me and it has ABS. | ||
| Blake |
"Who's left?" Kawasaki?  Geez, you sure are hard on KTM and Ducati. The Multistrada won Motorcycle of the year for sport touring category no? And give KTM credit, after what, five years now, they finally deliver the new hyper-anticipated beat-all-comers 990 Super Duke!  Well, except not to America.  And it ain't beating anything in its designated Superbike class with its disappointing 118-BHP (88-KW) at the crank and 406-LB dry weight. So much for the tiny amazingly high tech world-beater LC88 engine. So, what about Kwasaki? They are showing a new bike with an under-the-engine muffler. Might be hope for them after all. | ||
| Whosyodaddy |
They are showing a new bike with an under-the-engine muffler. Might be hope for them after all That would be the ER-6n. Good starter bike but certainly not in the same league with the KTM, Strada, Ulysses, etc. - and apparently, not available in the US - at least for '06. http://www.motorcycledaily.com/15july05_2006kawasaki_er6n.htm | ||
| Two_buells |
Hey is this the first Buell with a non weather/fighter plane name? I still want one..... | ||
| Metalstorm |
I think there was a WWII bomber named the Ulysses. Not exactly sure. It's a bummer about the name not being bad weather related though. But what's in a name? The XBX Ulysses by any other name, would be just as sweet. | ||
| Blake |
Dave S., "Blake, you want me to put you on the list for a black one?" Ten percent BadWeB discount? | ||
| Blake |
And I'll be wanting the kick ash airbox cover too please. | ||
| Oldroadtoad |
Blake my friend, your enthusiasm is catching. I see that Mr. Anderson from Cycle World magazine posts here, but I do not ever recall seeing him at on the Cycle World forums. I have seen your posts at AdvRider, and I hope that I am not over stepping any boundaries when I ask if you would care to spread your enthusiasm at my main forum home. www.cycleworld.com If this is in violation of the rules of BadWeb, please excuse my ignorance, and feel free to remove this particular post. Again, thanks for the enthusiasm Blake. I even tried to find out from my local dealer (today) when they were expecting the Ulysses. I sat on hold for about ten minutes before I hung up to answer another call. I will call them again.  This is not to say a Ulysses (or as my good friend Hacksaw at CW calls them, "Uglysses", LOL!) will be certain to make it to the garage of the Casa de Toad, but the zeal for the marque is more than evident here and there must be a reason. I like "ugly" bikes. The Ulysses, the Tiger, the R-GSs and the KTM 640/950 Adventures. "Uglysses" sounds nice. A good one too. Thanks! The Toad | ||
| Blake |
Old Road Master, I'm an avid subscriber to CW and have checked in to the forums there on occasion. Been a while for sure. Any particular topic there that you recommend? Old toads are okay; it's those venomous reptiles I try to avoid. The AdvRiders forum rocks! I'll never ever forget reading about the guy who took his big R1150GS on an enduro race. Epic! Thanks for the kind words and for your interest. Your a positive contributor here for sure. Thanks for that. | ||
| Court |
>>>>*My loyalty is split between the two marques, and will likely stay that way... and I doubt any/many of my Beemer friends would move towards a Buell anytime soon. You are caught in the East Troy Tractor Beam! | ||
| Rocketman |
I'm no fan of BMW just like I'm not a fan of any of the Japanese brands for example but that doesn't mean any of them don't make a bike or three I don't like. BMW are pushing their two wheeled development hard and I fail to see how this can be interpreted by some as them failing or struggling in some way. Likewise KTM come in for a lot of stick here on the BadWeB yet KTM are pushing the envelope when it comes to two wheels. Perhaps this isn't the place to say it but KTM are doing more than revising an oil pump gear for a model that's been around in one form or another for 10 years or so. This gets to me especially after just rebuilding a S1W engine that I had no idea I've just put at risk after seeing Dyna's posted pic. Consider I read here always and I've evidently missed that major in the past 7 years or so. Do I need to upgrade my oil pump drive gear? Is this the news Buell are telling me as from this past weekend reading between the lines? If so isn't it something they should have addressed years ago rather than turn it into a publicity stunt to coincide with the launching of new Buell models and make out they're doing previous model Buell owners a huge favour? Incidentally the LC4 that my friend owns and raves about (and he has the GSXR1000K5 at the moment too) does like 117 mph flat out. Stand up wheelies like a circus performer and the handling is simply amazing. I know, I've chased him through the twisties just recently on my S1W and he's got the edge. Last year I chased him on my 916 and that KTM is not to be frowned upon. Then consider that the LC8 is two LC4's bolted together in a V. No way is that gonna be a let down for KTM. I think it's more likely going to be KTM's superbike and their oppositions superbike killer because it's one bike that will grab the motorcycling worlds attention. What's the point you may ask? Well as cool as the new Buells may well be I see a platform in the XB that highlights Erik Buell's talents and as the platform diversifies for socio / economic reasons however I still don't see a new Buell as such. As far as I'm concerned Buell has two bikes in the line up past and present. One had tube frames the others a spar frame. When Buell brings a whole new bike to market is when I might get excited. Do I have a compromise? Yes a whole new modern sophisticated engine that delivers superbike performance and projectiles Buell into a whole new performance world would suffice - at least for now. Rocket | ||
| Peter |
I dunno. I've on my 4th BMW GS now. There's a KTM 660R joining it in the shed. My old Buell is still in there too waiting for it's new owner to arrange their garage. Easily the hardest one for me to part with when I look at all three, is the Buell. After the Dakar, I'll definitely be taking a good hard look at the Ulysses to replace all three. Wish it had another name though. There's a club in Australia with that name. 40 years old gets you junior membership. 50 and you can be the real thing. I'm going to be reminded of my age every time I look at one...  | ||
| Reepicheep |
Rocket, you just missed it because you were ignoring my posts  Others have speculated (and I am inclined to agree) that it is a tolerance stackup issue. Not all bikes do it. If yours did not do it before, you are probably fine. You can trivially inspect it as well, just drop the oil pump and look up in the cam chest with a small torch. A dental mirror or Nikon CoolPix 950 will help keep oil off your hair, but are not necessary. They wear assymetrically, so blip the starter a few times and re-check. Even the old gears last OK, you should be good for 10k miles anyway. | ||
| Peter |
Definitely check it though. As Bill said, I checked my old M2 a couple of months ago. It looked perfect from the oil pump hole. I had a spare so thought "what the heck" and replaced it. The side I didn't see had edges like a razor. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Oh, and just for the record, the "small torch" was a tip of the hat to our English friend Rocket. Those of us on this side of the Atlantic should just use a flashlight | ||
| Vr1203 |
Ulysses seems OK, But no antilocks? I have gotten used to the brakes and telelever forks on my 1150GS. In town ,with dirt and oil on the road at intersections and such, I can be real aggressive and have no worries. Please let Buell know that in order to get BMW owners off their bikes Buell will need antilocks. (Not the electric EVO brakes though) | ||
| M1combat |
Anti-locks? What if I want them to lock? Isn't that like an automatic transmission in a Shelby Cobra? "I can be real aggressive and have no worries. " Me too... I just let up on the brakes a little. Anti-locks cost braking performance for a gain in ease of use. Brakes are already easy to use... Maybe I just don't understand. Admittedly, I have never ridden a bike with anti-lock brakes but I can't imagine I'd like it at all... | ||
| Blake |
I have mixed feelings about the anti-lock brakes on a motorcycle. From what I understand even many GS riders are not all to pleased with them. They definitely work and can save you from a spill on treacherous ground. If Buell were to enter the heavy sport-touring market, I agree that anti-lock braking would be a valuable option. Not sure it brings as much to the light adventure bike venue, though undoubtedly it would bring something. Is the big Beemer the only adventure bike currently offering anti-lock braking? I really dig the big GS. That bike just reeled me in the first time I saw one all decked out in wire spoked wheels, telelever, and SSSarm. I was camping atop Mt. Mitchel in NC just off the Blue Ridge Parkway. I befriended the owner and we enjoyed a nice dinner up at the lodge there. Me on my Cyclone packed to the gills for a two week solo riding/camping adventure, him up for a couple days of recreation from nearby Asheville, NC, we laughed at the irony of that. (Message edited by blake on July 26, 2005) | ||
| M1combat |
I suppose I could see them on a touring bike (and maybe on a few of the sport touring models that lean more towards the touring side) but anything that's really any kind of sporting shouldn't have them (says me with an automatic trans in his '72 Mach...). Someone mentioned the new Beemer sport bike a ways up... From what I hear the telelever absolutely murders any sort of feedback that any "sportbike" rider will feel is essential. They say it feels "numb" and that it's very difficult to find the limit of the front tire. Let alone ride on it... They say it does handle decently, but that you end up with no confidence what so ever in the grip up front. "No thanks" says me . I hear the engine is good though... | ||
| Xb12rene |
I think that ABS on bikes is a good idea. For sure I know that my mom is only alive, because the BMW she was riding on had ABS. Imagine going 120 mph on the German Autobahn and suddenly 200m in front of you a 18 wheeler pulls out going only 60. To avoid rearending the truck they went with the brakes applied onto the gravel side of the road first and then onto the grass median. The driver, who is driving motorcycles for over 30 years, said without ABS they wouldn't make it. I only had a short ride with the BMW, and yes the telelever feels different(no brake diving=something is missing). But I believe it is just a matter of getting used to the different system to come into a comfort level. They race BMW's with the telelever in Germany and the drivers seem to have no problems with finding the limits of their frontend. Due to most bikes have forks, people know how a bike should feels and drives. With a different set-up this feelings change but without getting used to it over time you don't know if it is better or worst. Remember this one  I think it was Alan Cathart who wrote that the hardest for him riding the Tesi was getting used to braking all the way to the apex of corners, because his feelings said it is not possible. Rene (Message edited by xb12rene on July 26, 2005) | ||
| M1combat |
I understand... I hear the telelever removes that visceral feedback you get through the bars. I'm sure it works great for a dual sport/adventure/dirt bike where you won't have the sticky sport rubber that allows very high lean angles. I can feel the front start to wash out on my Buell before I get on the gas sometimes (when I don't get on the gas soon enough) and from what I hear, you don't get this with a tele lever and that CAN'T inspire confidence in the front end. It's like having a Ferrari with a "Fly by wire" steering system... NOT a Ferrari... | ||
| Vr1203 |
In the rain, ABS is the only way to go. If you do not have antilocks, you have no safety net. My 2001 GS has the second generation ABS . The first gen sucked, and the EVO electric /third gen is too touchy. ABS with the telelever antidive front end is a real good set up on the street. Now the rest of the bike is a big pig, but there is enough positive things about it ,that it would be hard to replace. | ||
| Vr1203 |
I have been riding the GS long enough, that can knock my feet off the pegs leaning it over. I have to remember to keep my feet tucked in tight. I have never felt the front end start to wash out, maybe I need go faster or lean more? Or is it lack of feedback, I don't know. | ||
| Xb12rene |
Sorry my post was posted before it was finished. What I mean, it is just a matter of getting used to things. I ride since my 14th birthday (dirt, enduro, street) bikes, all with forks, and I know what you mean with feeling the bike. But if I would only ride telelever bikes maybe I wouldn't know that you are talking about and most likely I wouldn't have a hard time riding a fork setup. I believe at the end it comes to personal preferences and to what you are used to. Rene | ||
| Blake |
M1, Like I tell those with preconceptions about the XB12X, might want to actually ride one before passing judgement. I think the telelever is cool. If you've ever hit a sharp bump under hard braking, you'll immediately see the one big advantage in them. | ||
| Cdallen |
I rode dirt-bikes all growing up but then nothing for some years. My first real street bike was the BMW... let me tell you after 5 years of that, the fork dive on the XB felt extreme and almost scary... but I am definitely looking forward to time spent getting used to it | ||
| Peter |
The beauty of the ABS on the GS is that it can be switched off. I'm on my 4th GS now and all have had ABS. Crashed my first one on the dirt after leaving it on when I left the tar. Came into a corner too hard and tried to set up a slide with the rear brake. Ended up on it's side in a ditch. However, it has saved my arse on a wet road when a spot between cars suddenly disappeared as I was accelerating. I like it, and would always choose it if it was an option.. | ||
| Blake |
How much stuff/mass does ABS add and where? | ||
| Rocketman |
No need for candle power guys. You forget my motor was in a zillion pieces not two months ago. I was careful not to leave any stone unturned and that drive gear got a lot of attention from my eye balls because the new crankcases come with a new oil pump. That said, I'm toying with the idea of finally cutting the cam cover down. I'm not fond of that mod because it leaves the ugly pulley exposed unless you use an alternative pulley cover or something. I've not found a cover I'm that taken by yet but since Blake commented my S1W would look better with the cam cover cut down the seed has certainly been growing. So I'm trying to get hold of another cam cover so I can cut it down and still have the choice. When I do I guess I'll look towards changing that oil pump drive gear too. Thanks for the heads up. This weeks MCN classified has a 900 mile 1993 Tesi for sale for a cool £10000. I'd have one and I'd relish a ride on one but I'm told they don't handle as good as everyone thinks. It was put to me like this. Ron Haslam couldn't make the ELF racer handle either. On the other hand the new BMW K1200R with its Telelever suspension is getting rave reviews from racers as well as journo's. Ugly as hell though! Rocket |
