| Author | Message | ||
     Liquorwhere |
Nice Jon...nice! I like it. | ||
| Barker |
I dont believe the article. I think they are full of crap. I think this journalist was just reading between lines and filling in with what would make sense as far as chassis and power-plants. IMHO For their "dirt bike", Buell will go with a larger displacement maybe air cooled or maybe Rotax, but not like they think. (Message edited by barker on February 11, 2007) | ||
| Buellshyter |
I don't mind wheels made in China and frames made in Italy but I like my "American Motorcycles" engines designed and made in the U.S., at least for the street bikes. | ||
| Rainman |
Hey E-Z, a liquid cooled, Rotax-powered, XB-framed Blast? | ||
| José_quiñones |
FWIW I'm in San Diego California today and tomorrow at the public launch of the new Can-Am Spyder "roadster". As many know, Can Am is owned by Bombadier, which also owns Rotax. The Spyder uses a detuned version of the Rotax V990 that Aprilia uses on their Mille models. Bottom line, I asked the Rotax engineer here if they were working on something for Buell and he said no. We'll find out soon enough. BTW the Spyder was a lot of fun to ride, it makes a great commuter. Pictures/ride impressions to follow when I get back home to DC. | ||
| Ezblast |
Sorry - it wouldn't be a Blast - I wonder how maintenance free it would be? Total weight would have to be around 250lbs or less to be competitive and a 450cc would have to pull 50 hp as well - perhaps a lightweight 3 gal XB style frame with protectors built in - could be done - if you skip the street stuff and use ultra light racing parts - it could be done - maybe - well see - eh? GT - JBOTDS! EZ  | ||
| Rocketsprink |
I'll believe it when I see it. | ||
| Teddagreek |
I just hope the mothership doesn't muck up the design... | ||
| Jon |
Well Blake posted the link and Anony has not corrected the information. Harley already uses Rotax in their military bike. The relationship is already there. 1...2...3... | ||
| Blake |
Consolidation completed. Any other requests while my mouse finger is still itchy?  | ||
| Blake |
I can imagine that the "Rotax" part may have been gleaned from a comment made at the meeting that may have gone something more like "the engine will be a lot like a Rotax" or "the engine will be a big surprise for the people so enthused about Rotax" or some such comment. You know how the rumor deal works. Start with a story and by the time it is retold a few times, it is entirely different. | ||
| Jon |
Well I am confident that you would not have posted the story without confirmation, Blake. Plus, Anony (who swim these waters) has said nothing. | ||
| Court |
>>>>>I'll believe it when I see it. | ||
| Tenracing |
Since when is a "competitive off road motorcycle" air cooled? and how many motocross classes are there that use over a 450? I have confirmation from a factory rep that ROTAX is building the motor. not sure on the chassis yet. but at the show and I posted this before, Buell executives said "we are bringing a complete line of competitive off road motorcycles to market". so that eliminates air cooled. THANK GOD! | ||
| Tenracing |
some fricken moron dealer actually told that writer that it would have erik written all over it like the fuel in the frame, of which NO ONE at the dealer show told us anything of the sort. And I'm sorry to say that there is NO way to build a frame light enough that would hold enough fuel and be lighter than PLASTIC. Erik is an off road rider and knows better, I hope... Please Erik don't do it. JUST SAY NO! don't get me wrong i like innovation, but not just for the sake of doing it, it needs to be lighter, faster, or stronger as to enhance the performance of any part of the motorcycle. besides the fact that enduro/hare scrambles will need even bigger fuel and if it is a plastic tank then larger ones can be made and purchased, from IMS or Clarke... | ||
| Choptop |
Hey this is pretty funny... those of us that have been wishing for years that Buell/HD diversify their product lines ("The Cruiser Craze Will Crest" - TM Choptop) have been told that we arent true fans, that we are naysayers, that Buell has a niche and thats just fine... now that word is leaking that Buell is doing just that the same people that told us we are wrong are now jumping up and down because is a bold new direction for Buell... blah blah blah... Amazing. anyway, thats sour grapes and slack jawed amazement. The upside is that this will draw a younger crowd into HD dealerships. The downside is it will put dirtbikes in HD dealerships. Buells are the redheaded stepkids on dealership floors, how do you think dirbikes will be treated? Alot of HD dealers suck monkey butt. They are used to a product that sells itself and an adoring customer base that will buy ANYTHING with the bar and shield on it. They have little to no skills SELLING things, currently they make things availible for sale, and the items sell themselves. This will be a challenge for the dealer base. They can make or break the new bike. | ||
| Slaughter |
Buell and HD need an amicable separation. I got the Buells because they were "American" - but didn't really want to even go into a "Harley" shop. I know MANY sportbike riders who won't go anywhere near a Buell shop because they have to wade through the Harleys to get there. I think Buell bikes could do really well in a separate location. I just don't see them appealing to the same crowd. The sportbike or dirt rider is NEVER going to "step up" to a bike requiring chrome, leather tassels and buttless chaps. | ||
| Bads1 |
I wonder how many dealers stop carrying the brand?? I mean there is still alot of dealers that are still struggling to sell what they have.... now dirt bikes?? And on another note some dealers may be forced to drop them on the account the building there in isn't large enough. Yes there is many that didn't build a HD Super Store. There for don't have the floor space for a\new line of dirt bikes. Does that mean if some dealers do not want the new line of dirt bikes loses the Buell brand on the account??? | ||
| Court |
Think | ||
| Ocbueller |
Showing my age, but I remember the days when we would have to wait for a product to actually hit the showroom, before we could criticize it. I anticipate with great interest whatever Buell cooks up. SteveH | ||
| Jon |
I agree with CHop's post. I have been wondering how they will market the new bike. One way is to let me market it as the owner of a new dealer in Castro Valley. Since Dron vomited out Buell, we need an East Bay presence. Tell me I don't need 4 million. | ||
| Court |
>>>>but I remember the days when we would have to wait for a product to actually hit the showroom, before we could criticize it. And for the last 7 years the masses have been screamin' . . "they could at least drop us a few advance hints". Now, hints dropped, folks, absent ANY. . make that ANY information have pretty well loaded for bear. Let me suggest you "think" a bit . . . er, FURTHER outside the box. If you need to, go so far as to ask yourself. . . would a reasonably smart group of folks at Buell, knowing full well the weakest link in the Buell chain was the Buell dealer network, stake their future and fortunes and a brand new product, in a brand new market and put themselves at the mercy of the HD dealer network. Start there and discuss it. . . I'll be back next week. | ||
| Jon |
Nobody is loaded for bear. Rabbit, maybe. Well obviously you cannot market the new Buell in an HD doughnut shop. That is obvious. Hence the loaded bear. What they will do is of course a topic for lively bear loading discussion...or load bearing discussions. Or loaded questions. Obviously. Oh, the near suspense!! | ||
| Bads1 |
Court, I know a dealer that is half the size of lets say Uke's or Hal's. They like the Buells but at the same time have 3 or 4 2004 Buell's sitting on the floor. Now this dealer has limited floor space for more Buell's and I know that they won't take a Fat Boy,a Dyna,and a Heritage off the floor to show dirt bikes. So what happens then??? Sell a 20g bike,some chrome and leather or a Dirt bike thats 6g and no apparel because one you may need to wait a month for it from who ever or buy some FOX,AXO,or take your pick off the internet that will be much cheaper. Sorry but if its my bread water I'll pick selling the chrome and leather. Don't mean to pick here but its not a easy market to break into. ATK=small nitch.....Cannondale=small nitch=failed,KTM just in the last few years made promise but the list goe's on. | ||
| Dave |
I think the limiting factor of a stand alone Buell dealership is the limited number of Buell models. Add in a new line of dirt bikes in addition to the existing Buell models and I'm thinking ... ... Welcome to a stand alone Buell franchise. Heck ... toss in four wheelers and watercraft and you have a dealership that will have enough models to make it profitable to step away from the Harley boutique. DAve | ||
| Hughlysses |
Well, Court's been telling us for months that big things are coming at Buell. Man, things just keep getting better and better. | ||
| Blake |
Chop, I cannot for the life of me recall anyone thoughtfully suggesting that Buell expand their line and then being met in return with ridicule. Anyone know how long from when they first hit the dirt running it has taken KTM to get up to speed in AMA 450 MX or SX? | ||
| Bads1 |
In all honesty Blake,KTM is and was just dirt bike company that had plenty of good days in the 70's. They are also a company that has alway's had its concentration on the dirt til just the last few years. | ||
| Teddagreek |
The megaharley is the way of the future... Making the dealership a destination is a great Idea. MAKES $EN$E.. Many are going this route.. Dealer ships are going big... Putting in restaurants, places for events,God know what's next maybe a starbucks | ||
| Odinbueller |
This is great, much like the unveiling of the XBRR! I did not get the impression that Buell was going to source out the engine for this project to Rotax. Nothing against them, but from what I heard, it sounds like a new powerplant built in-house at East Troy. Not like the XB motors built at the Capitol Drive plant for all H-D powertrains. Also keeping in mind that the MT500 only used a Rotax engine is because Harley did not originally build those bikes. They were made by a group named Armstrong in the UK, and H-D purchased them in an attempt to break into new markets. I fully believe that Erik & Steve are working on a nifty little 450cc liquid cooled powerplant that will make America proud. Keeping in mind that we were given the slightest of hints at this meeting. But what I could glean from what was given; GREAT things are on the way. It has been assured for some time, now there's proof. |
