| Author |
Message |
    
Trojan
| | Posted on Monday, July 17, 2006 - 09:45 am: | 
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When I mentioned H-D as a small company, it is small to say, Yamaha, Suzuki, Honda, companies like that.
Being small is not necessarily bad. Look at KTM for an example. They are certainly smaller than H-D (and probably smaller than Buell?) yet have produced what is widely regarded as the world's best Road V-Twin motorcycle at the first attempt with the 990 Superduke.
For those who want a bit more exclusivity how about this:
http://www.engmore.com/home.html |
Glitch
| | Posted on Monday, July 17, 2006 - 09:56 am: |
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For a second there I saw the name as Wankan!
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Court
| | Posted on Monday, July 17, 2006 - 10:07 am: |
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MOST of the information on this page should be viewed as internet entertainment.
Just my personal opinion. |
Bomber
| | Posted on Monday, July 17, 2006 - 11:28 am: |
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Rocket opined
"Bimota, Brutale, Ducati etc"
Yikes!
thruth is, Buell isn't making a bike that tempts to to either replace my much modded MaDuece, or to step up to new, right now --
this means absolutely nuthing expect they are focusing on markets that I'm not a part of at presnet
wishing that Buell would introduce a bike comparable to any of the scoots Rocket cites would be a mistake, I'm thinkin -- all represent financial loosers -- me, I'd like Buell around long enough to product the bike of my dreams, and they sure can't do it by coach-building limited runs of exoctic bikes you can get parts of (on this side of the big water, at any rate) |
Rocketman
| | Posted on Monday, July 17, 2006 - 02:13 pm: |
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but the Buell way is to make it affordable, unlike the $65,000.00 Desmosedici Ducati MotoGP replica that's coming out soon.
Why is it that exotic has to mean 65k Ducati's?
Ducati had to bring to market a road legal SPS version 916 to stay within WSB rules. They did this for several years. They still do it now with the 999R, which is a true 999cc homologation special, unlike the 999S, which is the standard bike at 998cc. These Ducati specials cost more than standard Ducati sports bikes models, and I've yet to see one for sale for more than £18,000
MV several years ago brought out a limit production tuned 750F4 featuring matt black carbon fiber bodywork. They brought the Senna models too. About £13,000 a piece give or take. MV made the ORO series 750F4 and Brutales, which cost a staggering £23,000. They also put into production more recently the 1000F4 Ago with the two stage injection and variable length throttle bodies, and that was a whopping £30,000.
More down to earth were Aprilia with their RSV Mille Factory R, featuring magnesium wheels and Ohlins suspension etc, all for under £10,000
There are more. Many more, limited production run specials by many different manufacturers. The pattern here is simply, every one of these bikes sells out.
Buell I'm sure could do much the same, if they ever wanted to. Money I'd wager is not the stumbling block. In fact, I'd go one better and say it doesn't suit Mr Buell's tastes to do so. I reckon he's still trying to out do the Honda C50 sales target of 20 zillion. That said, it might, I emphasise might, be interesting to see what Mr Buell scribbles whilst he's engaged in lengthy phone calls.
Rocket |
Frequency
| | Posted on Monday, July 17, 2006 - 02:22 pm: |
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Im not asking buell to change what makes a buell a buell.
I think they've done too much in the way of new bikes the past few years, what i would like to see is the current XBs go through refinement.
Some things i'd really like to see:
* Digital dash, im tired of needles and crap.
* Little more leg room: The bikes are small but high and leave little room for riders the long models are starting to address this issues.
* Surely we can find a way to squeeze a little more torque and hp out of the current motor.
* Some buell accessory kits, i'd really like to see a fender eliminator, integrated signals w/o having to attack my current fender with a dremel.
just my two cents |
Odinbueller
| | Posted on Monday, July 17, 2006 - 03:56 pm: |
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Hey Rocket,
I only cite the 65K Ducati as an extreme example of how these "special editions" could get out of control, that's all. I'm sure Buell can do the same thing you mention in your latest post, but I agree money may be the issue on that front. Only thing is, would the Buell equivalent sell out as well? I'd like to say that it would, as the millennium edition X1 appears to have done well.
I agree with Trojan too, that being small is not bad. For H-D & Buell, it's a blessing as you get to know motor company personnel pretty closely. It's a hindrance, going back to the original post, in terms of R&D or developing several lines at once. I think Buell will grow with the coming years, and they'll be able to do just that.
Ungh, it's too hot to debate this anymore. I got to get off break and change a rear tire anyway 
Chris |
Anonymous
| | Posted on Monday, July 17, 2006 - 04:14 pm: |
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KTM is huge compared to Buell, Mr. Trojan Horse. And compared to H-D? All of Buell, including the entire assembly line, the accountants, the computer guys, the material handlers, etc. is 180 people. There are about 900 people working in H-SD's new product engineering department alone, and about 40 people dedicated to Buell's new product development. And, no the entire 40 person staff was not working on the XBRR, more like an equivalent of 6 full time heads. |
Pushrodpete
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 18, 2006 - 12:33 am: |
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Thanks, Anony!
That answer earlier coulda saved a mess of bandwidth, mutant subtopics, and general whineyness... 
So what IS up for 2008?  |
Mattwhite
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 19, 2006 - 09:14 pm: |
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I hope they keep the needles. I like the analog speedo - I assume you weren't talking about the tach.
They could add to the digital display, put a couple of extras on there. |
Frequency
| | Posted on Thursday, July 20, 2006 - 01:04 am: |
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I hope they keep the needles. I like the analog speedo - I assume you weren't talking about the tach.
They could add to the digital display, put a couple of extras on there.
Keep the tach needle but lose the speedo, digital speed, gear indicator would be cool i really like the dash on the newer gsxrs |
Midknyte
| | Posted on Thursday, July 20, 2006 - 12:57 pm: |
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* Digital dash, im tired of needles and crap
one more vote on keeping the analog gauges. |
Court
| | Posted on Thursday, July 20, 2006 - 01:33 pm: |
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There will be no digital dashes.
Grumann aircraft and Chevrolet (1984 Corvette) both learned the same lesson.
Digital instruments have huge acquisition time. |
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