| Author | Message | ||
     Thunderbox |
If I look back on the posts I think this started by me talking to Court about his spelling. As I also remember at the end of the post I wrote "LMAO". Yes read it I was only poking fun at Court not chastising him. Now the name calling has started. I salute the adult manner in which you chose to handle this. Nice touch but it's a good job not all are alike. I am sorry if somehow I touched tender spot somewhere but life goes on. Have a great one all. | ||
| Ara |
Good. But what about the XB's with more fuel capacity? | ||
| Thunderbox |
Touring XB. MMMMMM Well it would have to be a little bit better riding position also. The xb may just be a little too small for touring. I have to admit though, I have not been in the saddle of an XB for any length of time. | ||
| Henrik |
Thunder: you're correct. The name calling was inappropriate - and I apologize for that. I do stand by the sentiment of my post however. Only I should have done what I usually do - let it go. Ara; from what I've heard, the sport touring market is tough and not very profitable. Buell might have a hard time competing with bikes like the FJR1300 and the VFR. A fully loaded FJR1300 costs about the same as I paid for my S3T and has gotten rave reviews. Tough act to follow. Henrik | ||
| Court |
Thunderbox: Turn knoob to left two notches. There is a time and a place for spellcheck and editing. When I am sitting here at work, with someone else paying me and owning the computer, is not one of them. My purpose was to communicate. If I can find the "it takes more than fond memories to revitalize...." contribution, I'll try to share it. By the way....I type like I talk, fast and furious with a hint of logorrhea. I'm not nearly as smart as many of the folks I write for and collaborate with. In addition, I've always had two "style and usage" geniuses who consider it their mission in life to taunt me about how screwed up my work is, from a technical sense. If I wrote well, they'd be hurt and dissappointed. But, given the choice, I'd prefer to have crative and insightful thoughts as opposed to espousing technincally correct lunacny. Folks with the mind and the technical proficiency (Steve Anderson leaps to mind) are rare. In addition, as I enter my declingin years and the sun slowly sets on my life, I am afflicted with what Henrik himownfoolself, has called "Courtsheimers". I am, at this time, writing 3 peices that include art, a speech to present a 22B project to potential bond underwriters and govt officals on 10-15 and an article for a Republican magazine. The talk I penned last night will be delivered near City Hall at 7:30pm this evening. My life is complicated by the reality of building a 500MW powerplant and two sons who graduate from KU this semester. See why I am screwed up? Court P.S. - Rex...you are smarter than the average duck. You nailed it. | ||
| Court |
A show of emotion from Henrik?....what's next, a big ol' bear hug from Aaron? Look dudes....here are the "normal" people that Henrik and I take turns pushing out of the way....  | ||
| Thunderbox |
FJR is a great machine but do you really think it has the character of the Buell. I think not. What it does do is give Yamaha what Buell lacks, a sport tourer. I toured on the M2 this summer to the tune of 4000kms. I thoroughly enjoyed it but the others I rode with slowed me down too much. Should have went with the people who have the FJRs lol. | ||
| Fly |
Phillyblast, Go here to research that little Yamaha. http://www.yamaha-motor.com/products/mcy/epic/epic_home.html http://www.yamaha-motor.com/products/mcy/epic/epic_home.html | ||
| Court |
There have been some Yamahas that had LOTS of character. The world, sad to say, never knew it though. So close...so VERY close..... Henrik...call me on the cell, on the way to City Hall. Court | ||
| Firemanjim |
I remember having a conversation with Erik last year at the awards gig we went to after oct meet.I was trying to find out where my Buell fell in the hierarchy of top speed for a Buell.At that ime it was the Team Elves RR bike(208),Erik on the RW-750(170 something??),Buell Bros S-2(166+),and then mine(165+ at the time).So with my new top speed of 177.719,have I surpassed Erik and am now chasing Aaron??Second fastest Buell in the world??? Erik,a little insight to jog my poor memory???  | ||
| Henrik |
...do you really think it has the character of the Buell. Ahh, the illusive "character"  Maybe, maybe not. But for folks doing lots of high-mile days, there is something to be said for good wind protection, comfortable seating (for two?), adjustable wind shield, heated grips, solid waterproof luggage etc. etc. When all that comes with some 120 HP at the rear wheel in a chassis that's more sport than tourer, then maybe that is the kind of character potential buyers are after. Henrik | ||
| Jim_sb |
Hi Henrik, You should know that the FJR1300 has a serious flaw. Heat. A friend of mine bought a brand new one. He loved the bike's handling, comfort and power but could not stand riding it in the summer. He literally roasted when on the bike from heat emanating from the engine. This is well documented on the Yamaha boards. Yamaha's official response is "The bike is fine". He just traded it for a new BMW which he loves. Even in the summer time. I really enjoy using my S2 as a sport tourer. While I can see the benefits of heated grips and an adjustable windshield, here in sunny SoCal I can't imagine having a bike that roasts me in warm weather. I wouldn't trade my S2 for a new FJR even up.  | ||
| Jim_m |
"There have been some Yamahas that had LOTS of character. " I've always loved their XS series (750 and 850)...air cooled triple, and they had a glorious sound through those old megaphone pipes...(ocurse mine ended up upside down, but that's a whole 'nother story ;^D | ||
| Jeffb |
Jim, I am pretty sure Don McCaw's 1350 MPS records were set on a Buell even though they are listed as HD. 172 and 190 MPH.  | ||
| Dynarider |
Money alone doesn't do it. If you don't beleive me, ask the Hanlons. The Hanlons were crooks. Instead of using the captiol they raised to build a better bike, they built a fancy building complete with a museum stocked with rare bikes. They lavished expensive toys on themselves while their employees literally had to wait weeks & weeks to get paid. They almost completely went under at 1 point but were saved by a new group of investors & of course all of the old stock holders were now left holding worthless stocks. But it was too little too late. They should be serving time in federal prison for the amount of money they robbed people of. And now 1 of them, I believe its Dave actually wrote a book on how to start a business. You have to be kidding me, who the hell would listen to this shyster on any business matters? Court...145 wpm??? HOLY CRAP!! Im lucky to get 40. Course I only use 2 fingers at a time. Hope my spelling is good, wouldnt want to upset thunderdude  | ||
| Dynarider |
Ahh, the illusive "character" Maybe, maybe not. But for folks doing lots of high-mile days, there is something to be said for good wind protection, comfortable seating (for two?), adjustable wind shield, heated grips, solid waterproof luggage etc. etc. When all that comes with some 120 HP at the rear wheel in a chassis that's more sport than tourer, then maybe that is the kind of character potential buyers are after I think Henrik nailed it. The whole "character" deal with bikes is way over rated. I want a bike that looks & works great. What good is character if the bike is either broken or is incapable of performing the goals I need it to perform. | ||
| Josh_ |
I want a bike with character. I also want a bike I can depend on. If I need 2, so be it. (hmmm FJR and RS?) Jim, re: heat what other bikes have those guys been on? Hotter (in the summer) than a 98S1 when you have jeans on? I'm really looking at a FJR to replace the S3, but if it's a hotter ride than I've got... | ||
| Ara |
Character is nice. Reliability is good. Heat is not so good. 3.7 gallons of fuel just ain't enough. So, nobody has heard any rumors AT ALL about a future XB with maybe 5 gallons of fuel capacity? Nothing? Nada? Not a peep? | ||
| Mikej |
Nothing but rumors and speculation and observation and interpretation of past and current trends. If there is something running around it will probably look very much like the current models for the most part and therefore very easy to blend a test mule into a pack of showroom ponies. I'm somehow thinking that next year's models are already being ridden, but I'm also thinking that next year's models may just be paint and prep variations, or not. As with computers, wait until you can't wait no more then buy what you want or need that's immediately available and never look back. For me personally I think I'm lost with the XB's for a variety of reasons. But mostly just subjective ones at that. | ||
| Dynarider |
3.7 gallons of fuel just ain't enough. I think Buell answered that with the new 12, supposedly its getting close to 65 mpg. Reg rode one cross country & confirmed those numbers. Thats 200 miles on a tank. I am usually wanting to take a little break after 150 or so anyways. How big is the tank on a goldwing? 5-6 gallons? And those pigs only get 35-38 mpg at best. | ||
| Josh_ |
I think the FJR gets a hair under 200 to a tank. My S3 goes 220. | ||
| Dynarider |
Jim, re: heat what other bikes have those guys been on? Hotter (in the summer) than a 98S1 when you have jeans on? I'm really looking at a FJR to replace the S3, but if it's a hotter ride than I've got... Josh, I have read the same thing about the FJR & its heat output. The Honda ST1300 is a leg & crotch cooker as well. Honda was even giving heatshield type kneepads in a lame attempt to beat the heat. Most miserable bike I had as far as heat was my CBR600F2, in hot weather it would pour heat out of the fairing right onto my upper legs. It was a miserable bike. Great in the cold weather tho. | ||
| Dynarider |
My S3 goes 220. Damn! I was lucky to get 160-170 out of my X1. | ||
| Josh_ |
>Damn! I was lucky to get 160-170 out of my X1 A gallon less capacity. I need to plan ahead cause I'll be out of gas at 230, but yeah I fill up at 215-220 when I'm doing the commute thing. On trips I stick with 190 just in case. Anyone remember all the heat horror stories about the tubers? Guys getting "2nd degree burns" on their legs? My solution was HPC and a 'stitch. | ||
| Bomber |
never got burned by my tuber (with heat sheild removed and eary (97) bodywork . . . . . course, it DOES get a tad warm on the right thigh on 90 degree + days . . .. . so I installed a spurgin oil cooler on the left, just to balance the discomfort | ||
| Jb2 |
Henrik, you know which camp I stand in. Get the VFR... hands down the bike I prefer. It has that Honda reliability, plenty of character, goes about 200 miles before hitting reserve, higher resale than any Buell, reliability, reliability, plenty of aftermarket parts options, and of course that Honda reliability. You guys can throw all the better handling stuff out the window because from where I live to the mountains is no less than 400 miles. In my real world I spend a lot of time just getting to the good roads on flat roads. There's not too many advantages on a sport fighter in this real world. If I've rattled anyones' cage you might also know that I have over 100,000 documented miles on Buells. I tried to get the local guy to deal on the new XB12. He wouldn't budge off MSRP. I'd lose nearly $3500.00 the minute I titled it in my name. So no matter how bad the VFR wants something next to it in the garage I'll pass on the Buell and start looking at something else. Jim in SB, you hit the nail on the head about the S2. If Buell would build a bike of that calibre again I'd buy it. The S2 is getting hard to get "S2 specific" parts for and they changed all the part numbers. Some of the numbers crossover fine and then something so simple as a turn signal took a half a dozen tries to get it right, not to mention hassling with the HD dealer mentality about sport bikes. Ridin' Red(again), JB2 | ||
| Jim_sb |
Hi Josh, the friend I refer to is a bike nut back in Michigan who currently has a Sportster 1200 and the aforementioned new Beemer in the garage. He has owned and ridden countless bikes having been riding for more than 20 years, and he seems to swap bikes regularly. He was so pleased with the FJR1300 until summer. Then he soured rapidly. Yamaha's insistence that the bike was fine didn't appease him either. So now it's for sale at the Beemer dealership. To some unsuspecting soul. I noted recently that one magazine (can't remember which) noted that the FJR has a serious problem with heat that Yamaha "needs to address". No kidding. | ||
| Jim_sb |
Guys I regularly see 200 miles on a tank of gas with my S2. This gets me into the reserve and it takes about 4.4 gallons to fill it up at that point. During spirited back road riding. Not sure what it would do cruising at 65mph on the freeway as that's not my cup o' tea. I've put as much as 4.7 gallons in the tank (and still the bike hadn't run dry). It's supposed to hold 5 gallons, not sure it will, though. Of course this is all after Gordon Buhle and FiremanJim helped me get the stock Qwiksilver II carb all dialed in. Thanks again, gentlemen. The beer is on me should we ever meet.  | ||
| Usroute66 |
Replacement for the S2 or S3 series...no one has mentioned the Ducati Multistrada. Yes, the looks are a bit off, but it really is a close replacement if you want a bike with "character". It comes with two size hard bags, just like the S3T's. It is $11,500. I am very much considering this bike when the '05's hit the market. Scott '00 S3T, 24K miles, still a great bike. | ||
| Loki |
All this talk of miles per tank.....I am happy with the 50 per gal that my S1 still delivers. Thats wether I am horsing around or not. Go figure my M2 would litterally suck the tank dry at 190. |
