| Author | Message | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
     Kahuna |
Cheers Danny! | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Benm2 |
Dave: How about the cannondale single in a 1-2 year old TZ250 chassis? Not exactly big torque (sorry) but could be fun to go "giant hunting" on. Or, old KZ1000J engine out to 1300cc's. THAT would have some big torque. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Court |
>>>>but if it were not just a concept bike Precisely. The difference between simply swinging the club through the grass and hitting the tee shot. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Court |
P.S. - by the way, if someone feels the need to play "my concept bike can beat your concept bike" I'd enjoy seeing Erik Buell get to play. Don't get me wrong. It's not a who's on top contest. Honda has some of the best in the world as do other large manufacturers. But to dismiss the "American Dreamer" would be short sighted. Court | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Court |
See if this helps set the "tables" straight...
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| S2pengy |
Court How about doing the rest of the serial numbers for models/years from S2 up????? Is the info available???? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joplin |
I S2'nd that request!!! That'd be cuell,,,,,JM | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Choptop |
Its time for the American Dreamer to dream up something that is more than a niche bike. The Firebolt is great, its way out there in motorcycling world, but its a niche bike, pure and simple. A cool, yet quirky engine. Agressive chasis and geometry. Handling thats touchy to set-up. The list goes on and on... All points that dont make the Firebolt a bad bike, but they dont make it a GREAT bike in the general market. ITs hits a home run for "niche" though, there's nothing else even remotely like it. Cool, but not setting the motorcycling world on fire. Which Buell/HD could do if they chose to. The quesion is, why dont they? An American Superbike would sell huge. Instant hit. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Glitch |
Went for a little ride... Man this bike handles, there were some people that were surprised at the little bike (they were used to seeing me on the Bandit before always lagging behind)... Some one said Mike and I are a Buell commercial (Mike has an XB9R)... What a fun day! Goin' back home (near Fletcher/Mountain Home NC) in June to see the folks, I can't wait! Here's one of the paths we took...  | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rocketman |
As prototypes go I consider the NAS Honda a bit of a techno masterpiece. Not going into detail but it shows some cool design principles but yes it's only a concept bike. Buell on the other hand likes to build what I'd consider 'simple' bikes. The cool thing about Buells simplicity is they too utilise cool design principles within the bounds of simple. This strategy perhaps fits well with the S1's of old and even the current Firebolt range but in an ever changing world surely it's time for Mr Buell to bring something to market that would confirm his status as the motorcycle design genius you tell us he is Court. After all, as good as the S1's were it's for the most only those of us that have owned one that know this but the product was not perfect in the demanding motorcycling world was it. The Firebolt also does not project Buells stature as a designer of most excellence either to 'ordinary' motorcycling folk. The Firebolt just isn't fast enough in the market place so mostly only old farts will buy one. So why doesn't Mr Buell, if he's that good, bring to market one of his simple and quirky little designs with a killer motor? And sorry I don't buy that nostalgia trip bull shit any more either. Buells brought us pushrod V twins for long enough now to satisfy the die hards. Looks like Ducati are bringing their V4 idea to market too. If it's good enough for them............ Seems to me Buell only preaches to the preached. How American. Rocket  (Message edited by rocketman on May 26, 2003, %time) (Message edited by rocketman on May 26, 2003, %time) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Glitch |
The Firebolt also does not project Buells stature as a designer of most excellence either to 'ordinary' motorcycling folk. Maybe you should check this outSimple Buell Design Every class I've taken that involves some sort of design starts with the same line...K.I.S.S. How American You say that as if that would be something to be ashamed of...how British...  | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Court |
Buell has, for years, received recognition based on DESIGN. In fact, some of the proposed awards/recognition have NOT been received because they would have been so politically charged and appeared as "favoritism". Many of Erik Buells greatest fans have only passing interest in motorcycling. Buell has proven his ability to optimize simple design in a variety of objects. The motorcycle is the most visible, the bicycle is publicly known, other will, with the passage of time, emerge. Many premier firms from around the world have and continued to knock on Buell's door. Buell was first recognized as "Art" at the American Institute of Design whoop it up pictured on the basement wall here. For a good read (and Buell is not listed therein, but you can learn a lot about pure design) check out "SPOON". Court | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rocketman |
The Chicago Athenaeum is an International Museum of Architecture and Design, appropriately based in the world's first city of modern architecture and design - Chicago quoteThe Firebolt also does not project Buells stature as a designer of most excellence either to 'ordinary' motorcycling folk. That'd be the The Chicago Athenaeum International Museum of Architecture and Design then? I mean obviously these museum guys are out buying and riding Bolts all the time then. Preach to the preached. Nothing to be ashamed of, just big headed, like you're president! Big mouthed, how British  Rocket | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rocketman |
So Court you knowing how capable EB is, will he ever bring us a mouth watering dohc liquid cooled V four motor, or something similar? Given that Ducati, even with liquid cooling, surely face the same fate with their V twin as Buell will, both will find it tough to beat the new legislations for noise due in 2006. Now must surely be the right time for Buell to build a truly powerful performance bike, hopefully in the hooligan mode that Buell is notorious for. Rocket | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Glitch |
<rant>Ain't nuthin' wrong with my president. You can't get me going by callin' names and such. Why don't you quit livin' in the past and bashin' Buell 'cause you keep breakin' yers. If Buell is so bad and you dislike them enough to bash them here like you do, why don't you buy one of those wonderful LimeyBikes?</rant> Sorry out that old fellow, but one must take up for one's self, country, and bike musn't one...  | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Timbo |
Rocket, Simple but effective is much more difficult to make than it appears. After all, once you've seen it you can say 'oh, yeah, ok, I see how it's done'. But to envision it before anyone else, design it and build it...then put it in the hands of the hamfisted public and say 'here, wail on it'. That's quite a bit more than just 'cool'. Now, when that design is more than effective, even revolutionary while maintaining it's simplicity...that's taking it to a much higher level still. If I sound biased it's only because I am. Not because I'm a United States citizen, but because I just spent twelve of the last twenty four hours literally scorcing the roads of the Southern California mountians and canyons with twenty other Buellers on various tube and fuel framers. Having the time of our lives, being joined by riders of other brands as well. An exotic Ducati included (which did not stay close to the front BTW), and everyone agrees, the new XB's are awesome machines, perfectly suited to this environment and use. The enjoyment level is hard to measure let alone describe other than to say I still have a big'ol'grin! Get on an XB Rocket, go find yourself some nice twisty roads, and hammer the holy be-geebers out of it. I'm confident you'll be wearing the same grin. Timbo | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Court |
Of interest to me (and you decide what trips your own trigger) is that Buell, and Buell alone, has shared floor space with the likes of the Herrman Miller Aeron Chair and the Apple iPod. No one asked "how fast is it?', "Has it beat a Ducati?" all the design people said was "WOW". For the bonus round, what famous institute of design proposed to give Buell and entire gallery until word of such blasphemy reached one of the major manufacturers who suddenly had an epiphany and decided to underwrite same contingent on plans begin shuttled? Erik (and he didn't get wind of this) would have been asked to "think" not just about motorcycles but "the future" in general. Thinking out of the box is an art, not a science. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Glitch |
No one asked "how fast is it?', "Has it beat a Ducati?" all the design people said was "WOW". I love not having a "Race Replica" ... no pressure to be a "Racer" ... I like having a Street Bike or Street Fighter. While riding in North Georgia yesterday I got a lot of "Wows" and a lot of people riding what ever kind of bike said that this was the first one they had seen in person, and liked it. I never once got "How fast is it" (if you've been up in the mountain twisties you'd know how irrelevant that is), I did get a lot of "Is that as quick as it looks and sounds...I could only smile and nod...  | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Snowdave |
Don't misunderstand why I began this topic, I fully recognize Erik as a great innovator and designer. I do however, yearn for MUCH more horsepower than is available in a relatively stock Buell. That being said, which engine would you start with? KTM, RC51, H-D V-Rod, V-max, TL, Desmocedici, etc. Although everytime Aaron posts his Dyno results, I start wondering if a modified Buell engine might work. However, I am not naive to realize that this is power on the edge. Sure it might be streetable, but that is not the same thing as consistent and reliable! To keep my Buell in peak operating condition requires constant TLC. I don't get that impression from many of the modern water cooled V engines. Dave | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rocketman |
'cause you keep breakin' yers. Ah um actually mate, I'VE NEVER BROKE IT. The design broke the motor a couple of times and the third time, some fuckhead who represents the company as a technician managed to break it. If Buell is so bad and you dislike them enough to bash them here like you do, when did I do that? why don't you buy one of those wonderful LimeyBikes? Wonderful? Anyway I don't buy bikes on the strength of a flag! Now, when that design is more than effective, even revolutionary while maintaining it's simplicity...that's taking it to a much higher level still. I could agree with that in a lot of things including the XB's but the motor, as brilliant and yet simple as it may be, is not gonna set my hair on fire. Sure it might well be a hoot to ride no doubt. Still it's time to move on and in a technologically challenged world IMHO I think nostalgic pushrod V twins have had their high performance day. Anyway if it gets you 'hard' then that's ok by me but it's like floggin' a dead horse (the bike not your cock) don't ya fink? I mean let's face it, how much can one milk out of the old dog V twin Sportster lump, especially when smaller than Buell companies are bringing to market more technically advanced engines on smaller budgets? Move on I say, and I've said it for long enough. Rocket | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jim_witt |
I’m not knocking EB or his designs but if horsepower isn't important to the “majority” of <font size="+1"><font size="+1">Buell</font></font> owners and stock is sufficient, then why are there so many aftermarket companies selling horsepower modifications. Someone must be purchasing these go faster parts otherwise they wouldn’t be in business. I’ve been on this BBS since its’ conception and we’ve always talked about getting more bang for your bucks out of your <font size="+1"><font size="+1">Buell</font></font>. There are butt-loads of folks that have spent 2 to 6 thousand greenbacks (or more) to get a few more ponies and those ponies are not for the dragstrip. If we were all loyal to the horsepower isn’t important bullshit analogy, then we all should cross over to the dark side and ride a freaking Blast. Humm, dunno, maybe HD is thinking that their aging rider ship will hop on thier sportbike model and see what they’ve been missing in horsepower and handling department. Who knows, since "this group" would never rider metric, they'd never know what HP or performance really was in the first place. -JW:>  ); PS: Wonder why everything gets screwed up after you edit a message? Look at Buell above and my -JW:> signature above (after editing). (Message edited by jim_witt on May 26, 2003, %time) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Court |
I'm asking. Is one of the firms that produce hyper-powered Buells legal? How would Aaron act if he were subject to a $100,000 Per Unit penalty for a non-compliant bike? There is, I suggest, a place for each player in this game. Just asking... | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jim_witt |
Don't think Aaron would give a hoot (I know I wouldn't) but on the other hand, High Country Buell might. -JW:> | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ezblast |
Jim let me know when you buy that Blast!  - it was always the obvious choice! - - for you! - got Thump?! Just Blasting on the Dark side! EZ  | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jim_witt |
...... let me know when you buy that Blast! - it was always the obvious choice ...... for you!  -JW:> | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ezblast |
Proof Positive! Go get that thumper and live! Got thump?! Just Blasting on the Dark side (just like ol Jim here - lol)!EZ  | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| S320002 |
Pick your top three answers by selecting the correct letters. Maybe the factory will listen. I need a Buell with 120+ RWHP for the following three reasons. A) I need more top speed. B) I need more straight line acceleration. C) I need to spin the tire at higher speeds. D) I need it for fourth and fifth gear wheelies. E) I need it for more corner speed. F) I need to spin the tire in the corners more. G) I need to wheelie out of corners more. H) I'm already riding at 10/10ths so I need it to go faster on the track. J) It's the only way I'll be able to keep up with the guys I ride with on the street. K) Other bikes have it so it must be a good thing. L) I can't properly scare the crap out of myself unless I have it. M) I feel sexually inadequate without it. N) I'm not sure. O) Other (please explain briefly) P) I don't need it.  | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jim_witt |
Just my opinion of course but to me your list makes about as much sense as being capable of owning one of these pups and then order it with a Briggs & Stratton engine for the same selling price.  Maybe you should add item; R) Reduce price approximately $1,500 and Raise the warranty to 2 years. -JW:> | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bartimus |
I choose: L) I can't properly scare the crap out of myself unless I have it. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Snowdave |
More HP has nothing to do with NEED. It has everything to do with WANT! No one needs to justify the desire for more horsepower, they speak with their pocketbooks every day as GSX-R's outsell Buells by about 1,000,000:1. I agree with Erik that there is little need for more power for near everyone, but frankly that just doesn't matter. Companies rarely create a market, the buyers do. So if buyers want more HP, whether they need it or not, give it to them! |
