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Benm2
Posted on Sunday, February 09, 2003 - 06:35 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Has anyone read the recent column in Motorcyclist where they lament that (a) no one uses steel tube truss frames as well as ducati and (b) no one makes daring design motorcycles like the Honda NASB concept, with its radical rim-mounted brakes an'all? Might want to read it for a laugh...
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Imonabuss
Posted on Sunday, February 09, 2003 - 07:56 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Motorcyclist bites the big one. The same twits who put in a huge sidebar from Computrack saying that the XB chassis geometry can never work, and had a test rider who went to the XB9S launch and didn't have the balls to ride against his peers in Battletrax. No credibility at all with folks in the know, but I'm sure they sell a lot to the baseball hat on backwards ZXR boyz....
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Spiderman
Posted on Sunday, February 09, 2003 - 10:39 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Crap Honda is the only one with Rim mounted brakes? Geeez I hope someone put that on a production bike soon.
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Rick_A
Posted on Monday, February 10, 2003 - 12:17 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Doesn't sound worth reading
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Crosmyn
Posted on Monday, February 10, 2003 - 12:40 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I sent an email to the writer comparing the concept NASB to my production 'bolt last week. I suspect it lasted only a few seconds before hitting his recycle bin :)
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Kevyn
Posted on Monday, February 10, 2003 - 01:47 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Whoa, I read the article and the gist of it was simply that steel frames work just fine with proper design geometry, save $$ over aluminum castings, look fine with attention to welding and are easily repaired...I guess I'll reread it to see what all the hoopla's about.

Fortunately, I presently own a 96S2T and feel confident in saying that some of you Buell drivin' fellers are a tad sensitive. No where in the article did it specifically mention or even offer a criticism of the XB series.

And if I recall, the magazine has a fairly detailed technical breakdown of a new bike--which is using a one piece aluminum spar frame? Replacing a multi-piece frame? One frame piece surrounding the engine plus the swingarm assembly...weight savings, production simplicity, economy, performance enhancement.
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Bomber
Posted on Monday, February 10, 2003 - 01:56 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I recently deep-sixed my sub to Motorcyclist for reasons similar to this, and because of Boehm's thrid-rate political commentary . .. . sad to see a once proud publication turn into what is, arguably, something of an embarressment
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Imonabuss
Posted on Monday, February 10, 2003 - 07:42 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Yeah, I ditched my subscription too. I'll stick with Cycle World, Roadracing World and the odd Euro magazine from Barnes and Nobles now and then.

Yeah, chrome-moly tube frames are real easy to weld back together when they break...then you can paint over it and sell it to some dummy before it breaks again, especially since you probably welded it with the wrong material amnd certainly didn't heat treat it...
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Blake
Posted on Tuesday, February 11, 2003 - 12:50 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

The nail in the coffin for Motorcyclist was the departure of John Burns. They have no clue. I actually sent an email to them concerning their review of the XB9S.. gotta copy, wanna see it, here it is...


Quote:

Dear Motorcyclist,

Thanks for the review of the Buell XB9S. But, how is it fittingly described as

"...reasonably though not overwhelmingly torquey, with some power everywhere on
the dial but not a lot of power anywhere",

(an obvious negative spin) where the SV650, a bike with significantly less
power and torque, is described as

"...the just-shy-of-70-horsepower has always seemed powerful enough",

an obvious positive spin. And stating that the SV is "just shy of 70 hp" when
your hard numbers show it with 65.8 rwhp isn't just spin; it's deception.

Your journalism smacks of bias. Such bias is a disservice to your readers and
a blight on your integrity. Stick to the facts and leave the spin to the
politicians.

Blake
Kilgore, TX 75662
Blake@BadWeatherBikers.com


The asanine response...

Quote:

> Blake:
>
> How do we make that comparison? How about: the Buell is a 984 while the
> Suzuki is a 645? How about the Buell costs $9500 and the Suzuki $5800?
>
> It's all in the expectation, isn't it? The Buell is in the price and
> displacement category where more performance is expected. Anything else in
> that class makes 100-plus horsepower, revs faster, has better manners and
> doesn't sound like a tractor.
>
> As for the Suzuki, most SVs we come across make 67 or 68 horsepower; the
> SV650S we tested (whose numbers you quote) was, if I recally correctly, both
> a CA bike and pretty new. BTW, I think we've also described the XB9R as
> being just shy of 80 hp, which is cutting it the same kind of slack.
>
> It's not bias, or even an anti-Buell stance. We expect bikes of a certain
> displacement and price to land in a certain performance category. Simply
> put, the Buell falls short.
>
> --Marc


I rebutted...

Quote:

Marc,

Thank you for the reply. I am very disappointed by your defensive and somewhat
Buell bashing response. I hope you can accept my criticism as genuine; many of
my friends agree with my view.

Your emphasis on displacement and price to explain your publication's bias in
describing the relative power of a motorcycle is unfortunate. How about
instead you rate bikes' relative performance on their number of cylinders and
valves, compression ratio, or their peak rpm? Either is just as valid a
comparison basis as displacement, which is just one of the major attributes of
an engine that governs its performance.

You say that "anything else in that class makes 100-plus horsepower...".
Really? I disagree. I guess you don't consider the Ducati M900 and Ducati 900
Supersport, the Moto Guzzi V11 Sport, the BMW R1100S, or the BMW R1150RS in the
Buell's class? They are ALL more expensive, and all are comparably powered and
heavier, some significantly heavier. The fact that your focus, governed by
peak hp, is so narrow really should give you pause and prod you into re-
evaluating your biased view towards two wheeled performance.

I don't know what you mean by "has better manners". Care to meet me on a
handling course, you on the liter street bike of your choice, me on an XB9S,
and see who goes better? You saw the results of the CW handling test that
Canet recently did right? The XB9R matched the best performer, the CBR600F4i,
among an impressive field. The XB9S is a street bike. Trail braking on the
street is only a good idea if you wish to sample response times of the local
care flight chopper. It is not a smart thing to do on public roads, in fact,
it is plain stupid. You want neutral steering under trail braking? Try
mounting a steering damper and raising the forks 5mm or so. But that is for
the track.

Personally, all else being equal, I'd rather have a simple big engine that
makes 50 mpg than a complex little engine that can't do better than 40 mpg and
has to rev to 12000 rpm to make peak power. Dare to be different. Quit buying
into the flawed conventional wisdom of the "displacement yardstick".
Automobile performance enthusiasts don't hold to that yardstick. Compare a
Viper or Corvette to a Porsche 911, or a Honda NSX, then poo-poo the American
muscle cars because they have bigger engines? I don't think so.

My expectations are shaped by the manufacturers' advertised performance
specifications and my knowledge of the engine architecture. Did you know that
the XB9R races head to head with SV650's in many CCS classes?

Comparing a long stroke, low revving, pushrod, air cooled, two valve/cyl V-Twin
engine to short stroke high revving, DOHC, liquid cooled, four valve/cyl
engines is ridiculous. I suggest you pick up a copy of the current Road Racing
World and Motorcycle Technology and read their reviews, or check out the review
by Motorcycle Online, by John Burns and associate.

Since when does price enter into riding impression??? That is disingenuous and
to be honest, a really lame explanation. Tell us what the prices are, but
please don't tell me price determines the adjectives used to convey riding
impressions. Rather, maybe you'd do well to understand what the higher price
of one bike gets you compared to another. Is the suspension higher quality, is
the bike more exclusive/exotic, does the bike offer low maintenance, how about
unique attributes not found on other bikes, cool new stuff...

You say the SV dynoed was a CA bike and fairly new. Was that not the case with
the XB9R you tested? Don't make me call CARB on you. ;)

If you truly "expect bikes of a certain displacement and price to land in a
certain performance category" then you have defined and admitted the basis of
your bias. But it is bias. Maybe you should take a look at the FUSA/CCS
rules. They have done a fair job of equitably defining displacement limits for
their racing classes. The XB9R would fit into LW SBK right along side the
SV650. Which bike in stock form in a head to head race do you think would
win? Answer... the XB9R would eat the SV for lunch. Absolutely no question.
Give the SV a few grand for suspension upgrades, the XB9R still pulls away.

Simply put, your publication reeks of bias. Using displacement as the primary
yardstick to compare performance is disingenuous and frankly ignorant. If
racing organizations see fit to consider other aspects of engine architecture
when establishing class limits, why can't you do the same when tempering your
riding impressions???

I definitely want honest opinions. I feel I am getting anti Buell and
overwhelmingly pro UJM bias.

See you out there,

Blake
Blake@BadWeatherBikers.com

PS: If my rant is a bit grumpy sounding it may be due to being rained out of a
long awaited track day at Oak Hill Raceway. Yes, I ride a Buell.


No further correspondence transpired. What a freaking squid. It's ALL about displacement.
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Blake
Posted on Tuesday, February 11, 2003 - 12:52 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I've never subscribed to Motorcyclist.
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Court
Posted on Tuesday, February 11, 2003 - 05:55 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

>>>I've never subscribed to Motorcyclist.

I did and it was neat when they featured one of my Buells once. BUT. . my primary affinity to the rag was their real world riding safety and skill tips and their annual safety issue.

Times have changed and talent, apparently, has flown. The guys are a joke and sacrifice credibility by imputing "spin" into everything from ad placement to the comment section of thier annual buyers guide.

Even trying to compensate for my personal Buell bias, I am amazed that more of the media has not been placed on it's ear by the introduction of the XB platform by Buell. Someone should be writing articles about the wizardry of incorporating cutting edge technology and design/manufacturing techniques into practical real world "buyable" motorcycles.

Not long after one of our own badwebbers sounded the "Buell has discontinued the Firebolt" woe is me plea, you and I stood shoulder to shoulder watching proud skilled craftspersons building XB as fast as they could.

Buell has turned a technical corner and making a motorcycle of incredible quality. Those who fail to see it are blind.

Franky, I want to hear more stories about V.I.N.C.E. and what Buell's doing differently NOT how well they are emulating the foreign makers.

Screw it . . I may write them myself. I've grown quite weary of the light-of-brain spouting Blast bashing articles.

Court
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Rick_A
Posted on Tuesday, February 11, 2003 - 02:36 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

What I find funny is that when the XB9R was first introduced to the media...it seemed like what was first written seemed to be cautious...like, "is it ok to say we really like it...??"

Then after one publication gave it rave reviews later most others seemed to followed suit.

They're not for everyone. Oh well.
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Court
Posted on Tuesday, February 11, 2003 - 04:06 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

>>>They're not for everyone.

Well put. Neither are redheads with huge boobs.
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Rick_A
Posted on Tuesday, February 11, 2003 - 05:46 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I personally don't discriminate by hair color or bust size...as long as both are real
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Ravnos
Posted on Tuesday, February 11, 2003 - 08:34 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I have to agree with Rick. Hair color and boob size shouldn't make a diffrence. As long as they're fun to ride. Just like motorcycles.
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Timbo
Posted on Tuesday, February 11, 2003 - 08:59 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Wow Blake!
Tear 'em up.
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Imonabuss
Posted on Tuesday, February 11, 2003 - 09:06 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Way to go, Blake!!! BTW, the Marc above is the wuss who wouldn't even ride the XB9S on Battletrax at its introduction, being afraid of being smoked by his peers. So, with a bit of luck, maybe some of the Southern California Buellers can find him out on the twisties and properly humiliate him!! Come to think of it, maybe it's been done already; that's why he has the attitude.
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Rick_A
Posted on Tuesday, February 11, 2003 - 11:24 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Well put Ravnos...and I got slapped silly by the GF for posting that

Blake, I think your letter is more fact then opinion, unlike Marc's tone.

We all have our values, I guess.
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Ravnos
Posted on Wednesday, February 12, 2003 - 12:07 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Sorry to hear about that Rick.

Blake your right on. I read a lot of motorcycle magazines every month to start to get an idea about a motorcycle then I go and test ride them (I know lots of people who work at dealers)and form my own opinion and see which magazine is blowing smoke, or being paid for their opinion.
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Smadd
Posted on Wednesday, February 12, 2003 - 07:17 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I gave up on Motorcyclist many years ago, before I ever rode an HD or Buell. So I'm not qualified to comment on the current magazine. Point is, I saw poor writing, and biased writing way back then. It wasn't worth the price of admission, and it didn't make sense to buy it for competition news.

Steve
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Court
Posted on Wednesday, February 12, 2003 - 10:28 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

>>> So I'm not qualified to comment on the current magazine

So you're a visionary...quit bragging :)
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