| Author | Message | ||
     Buellinachinashop |
While I agree 100% that this bike is going to kick ass all over the place. I do not agree that its marketed as American when the heart and soul of it is not made here. Let's hear it for Heinrick, Klause and their buddies eatting Austrian Pretzels who build the heart of your American Buell!! Yeah!!! meh. | ||
| Davegess |
china at least Buell had the sense to find SOMEONE capable of building and designing a hi-performance sport bike engine. Too bad no one in the USA seems up to the task. Besides it heart and soul is AMerican. It's heart and soul are the Americans, some born in India, some in Mexico, some in Vietnam, who have given blood sweat and tears to BUILD this motorcycle. Please stop insulting them by saying this is not an American motorcycle. Americans have worked 80 hour weeks to MAKE this bike. Americans have sacrificed family time to MAKE this bike. In my opinion this bike is the single most American bike on the market. It does what Americans have done very well for 200 plus years, taken the ideas and energies of people from around the world and made a new and better world with them. America is an idea. An idea that welcomes the world. An idea that embraces change and forward movement. A motorcycle like a Harley is all about looking backward and is more of a tradition bound European idea than a cutting edge American idea. So quit whining about one of my relatives assembing the powerplant for this great AMERICAN bike and rejoyce that American are going to, once again, take something from the old world, adapt it to the new and then kick everyones butt with it! | ||
| G234146 |
A round of applause for Buell:  And of these here grafx too:  | ||
| Ratbuell |
I'm sorry, since when was an engine and transmission considered the "heart and soul" of a bike? Look at a CVO Ultra - 110 cubic inches, doesn't handle for s**t compared to a Buell, doesn't stop worth a s**t compared to a Buell (even with ABS and Brembos), has a bunch of electronic toys onboard but who really needs power locks on a tour pak and saddlebags? Granted a very nice bike...but it's just not for me. In my humble, simple opinion, the heart and soul of a bike is what it does for you as a rider, not the nuts and bolts of an engine. I've ridden a ton of bikes that "should" be "better" given the simple sum of their parts...but they have sucked for one reason or another. Crappy brakes. Vague handling. Bone-crushing ride. Tail-numbing seat. For a lot of folks, the CVO Ultra, with all it's toys and gadgets and status, has all the heart and soul a person could ever need. Does it correlate directly to the pieces used to build it? No. My Buells excel for me, despite (or perhaps in spite of) the sum of their parts. Chromoly frames that flex in turns and tell you when to say when. Tanks that leach fuel vapors and bubble paint. Cast iron rotors that turn the right side of your white front (Italian!) wheel mud brown when you ride in the rain. Great handling. Adjustable fit-any-situation suspensions. 55+ mpg riding hard in a commuter cycle. Comfortable ergos. And a name on the bubbling tank that I can be proud of, because the guy behind it (and his crew) are a bunch of probably certifiable fanatics who believe in one thing - a better bike, convention be damned. The heart and soul of an 1125r, from what I can see (and hope to prove in about 4 weeks when I get to ride one), comes not from the assembly of bolts, gaskets, and moving parts, but from the folks who dreamed up the concept, marketed that concept starting in 2003, upped the ante and did a ton of real-world testing on the RR chassis, and now have this potential gem for all of us to enjoy. This company has endured years (25, actually) of "why", "what the hell is that", "are you crazy", and "what's the point". They're a small group of folks who *care*, not only about their bikes, but about the people who own them. *THAT* is the heart and soul of this bike. ...and last time I checked, the vast majority of folks living in these 50 states came from somewhere else, too. Are we (including myself, German/Irish...and yes, north Florida native American) less "American" because of that? If that's the case, then grab yourself a pretzel, Mr. Heibler, and enjoy the fruits of a company brave enough to find an engine builder who best fit the goals of the project and would bring us, the riders and owners, the best bike possible. | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
"I'm sorry, since when was an engine and transmission considered the "heart and soul" of a bike?" Uhm, when it was called.. a MOTORcycle maybe? PS..you don't have to call me Mr., we're all friends here, you can call me John or China or Heibs or a-hole..its up to you. (Message edited by Buellinachinashop on August 24, 2007) | ||
| Metalstorm |
The heart & soul is in East Troy | ||
| P_squared |
Here's the deal: Some folks like it, some folks hate it. We have the VERY same thing here on this board, aka "Old school vs. New school" aka Tubers vs. the XB world. I'm not tellin anyone to "like it." (And before you "flame" me, I have an M2L, X1 & XB9SX in the garage, so I "see" it all) It's their choice. I would ask that all BUELL enthusiasts think of where this 25 yr winding road has gotten all of us 2. We have a new bike that KICKS @$$ from everything we've been able to get our hands on, and in IMHO that ROCKS! The arguments about "American vs. Foreign" are dimwitted and meaningless. Erik had a " dream" that took 25 yrs. Give the MAN and his elves some "kudos" for making it happen! And if you wanna pick a fight 'bout it, I'll be at Cresson on 10/23. Look for the bald white guy w/ a goatee and 3 Buells on the trailer (X1, M2,XB9SX). P.S. I'm a "retired" Recon Marine, so pick yer battles wisely. :-D | ||
| P_squared |
DANG!!!! Didn't mean to shut down this thread. C'mon folks! We all have "thick skin" via the internet! LOL | ||
| P_squared |
Hey Ratbuell, those "folks" started dreamin & marketing before 2003, as evidenced by what's in my garage. :-D I'm just glad I can be a part of it as a "plank owner. " (my X1 was owned by the factory until I bought it this year). The M2 in my profile went up in flames a few years back (note to self: Update yer friggin profile). But it was the first of 4 Buells in my family. I have an M2L and X1, and my wife has an XB9SX. I've ridden them all, and all I can say is, "Go Eri, go!!!!!! | ||
| Reepicheep |
I bust my ass daily for a company that was acquired by a UK holding company. Are you saying I am not American? That my work is not American work? We do make them give us the 4th of july off... I always get a kick out of that.  | ||
| 2kx1 |
Surely no one thinks that it is easy to make a bike completely American, when the manufacture of parts is next to impossible in this country.Or when no company wants to make parts in this country. A lot of what goes into a bike can't or won't be made here. Besides, it's on the cover of CW. | ||
| Smoke |
see you at cresson phil. although opinions may vary, the 1125R is a Buell. every company that sells stock on the stock market has some foreign ownership. does that make it a foreign company? i'm just glad THEY PUT A MOTOR IN IT!!! waiting for mine. GREAT JOB BUELL!!! tim | ||
| Court |
Wouldn't it be cool it there was "more to the story" and it really iced the case that this was indeed the most American of motorcycles. I recall, in 1990, a guy in a Harley shop calling my Buell "Jap Crap" . . . when I reminded him that major components on his HD were imported from Japan and Germany he was aghast. It's really not even a point that merits discussion. The world, frankly, has changed and gotten much more homogenous in terms of geography. On Tuesday this week, through an odd series of events, I spoke to Buell owners in 6 countries and had the pleasure of having one of Buells top execs help me help an Italian, stranded in Barcelona, quickly deal with a problem. I mean how cool is it when a person in Italy, can contact a person in NYC who contacts a person in Milwaukee, who contacts the head of HD Europe, who contacts the local folks and delivers a solution in a fraction of the time any other company would spend . . . . Try playing that game with the rule "no long distance calls or e-mail" allowed. Tony's marching orders were . . . you have a clean sheet of paper, I'll get you the resources, build the best motorcycle you and your team can and do not compromise". To restrict that process to "American Made and Manufactured" parts only would have been the greatest of compromises. | ||
| Donutclub |
If it was all built in America, you wouldn't be able to afford it. IMHO, the Unions have destroyed American industry due to their greed. That's exactly why many industry jobs have been moving out of the country. It's going to be interesting to see how the big three automakers cope with the next 10-15 years. | ||
| Ratbuell |
>marketed that concept starting in 2003 >Hey Ratbuell, those "folks" started >dreamin & marketing before 2003, as >evidenced by what's in my garage. :-D Um, yeah. Same as the '95 and '98 in my garage. 2003 ('02, actually, as an '03 model that I rode with the engineers at the Daytona bike week demos) }was the debut of the XB frame design, the basic concept of which carries over into the 1125r. >This company has endured years (25, actually) Fully aware... | ||
| Spiderman |
This is the heart and soul right here...  (Message edited by spiderman on August 25, 2007) | ||
| Curtyd |
"I do not agree that its marketed as American when the heart and soul of it is not made here...Let's hear it for Heinrick, Klause and their buddies eatting Austrian Pretzels who build the heart of your American Buell!! Yeah!!!" Racist/ Nationalism in all it's "Jack-Booted", "Stars and Stripes", labor union glory, displayed at it's most vehement, infectious and insidious level. It's an international economy, it is THE reason why we are the shopping mall for not only us but for the world as well. Check the prices and the inflation in an african country with a non-existent transportation system and virtually no imported goods in volume. The average American could not afford to even live there. American-made?? That ship sailed about 30 years ago. | ||
| Ducxl |
Interestingly,my X1 has a badge on the timing cover that states clearly "Made in USA" but my XB does not. Was this change made to comply with theFederal Trade Commissions Definition of what Made in USA means? I'm with Heibs on this one. American-made?? That ship sailed about 30 years ago. And you're proud of the loss of American labor why? | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Must this "American Made" shite get rehashed every single day here? The lack of intellectual honesty here is incredible. Why no equivocation calling Ford, GM, or Chrysler "American Made" when they are constructed in Canada and Mexico? If in two years time, there is a Buell/HD plant building the engines here, will you guys shut up? American Labor comes in all shapes and sizes. I work my ass off. I don't bend wrenches for a living. Does that mean I'm not "labor"? Others here are tech nerds. I guess they aren't "labor" either? We have been moving away from an industrial based economy for decades. If that is your livelihood, better start looking to retool. It's no different than anyone else. I have to continually work to keep myself marketable. In fact, my job is to resurrect the careers of folks who have allowed their skill-set to age. WHY DO YOU, AS AN AMERICAN "LABORER" FEEL THAT YOU ARE ENTITLED TO ANYTHING OTHERWISE? Compete where you have a technical, operational or product advantage. Otherwise, your only competitive advantage is price. Then you can thank your local union for the loss of your job because they have removed most of any pricing advantage there was. Whining about lying in the bed you've made is just pissing up a rope. Oh, yeah. Go Erik and crew! This is the realization of a dream. I am envious! | ||
| Asym50 |
"This is the heart and soul right here... " Exactly; the 1125R was conceived in the minds and hearts of Americans. It took Erik Buell, an American, to bring it to the world. Good Job BMC! | ||
| Buellshyter |
IMHO, the Unions have destroyed American industry due to their greed Why must Union bashing be brought into every discussion? Mr. Buell, can we get this new bike into some pro level racing? Just when I got interested in FX and the XBRR you all disappeared. I'm getting older - not younger. Thanks  | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Why must Union bashing be brought into every discussion? The numbers are awful. GM's credit rating was lowered again by Standard & Poor's on October 10th. GM expects to spend over $5 billion this year on health care alone, up by $1 billion since last year. That adds up to about $1,500 for each car made by GM, or some 3% of the firm's revenues. Much of this money is for GM's former workers: it now provides health insurance to over 1m retired Americans. http://www.uwlax.edu/faculty/knowles/eco310/Corpor ate%20Americas%20legacy%20costs%20%20%20Now%20for% 20the%20reckoning.doc Why must union workers take such an obtuse intellectual position as to the impact of wages and benefits on their employers and their employer's ability to bring competitive products to the market place? | ||
| Buellshyter |
Why must union workers take such an obtuse intellectual position as to the impact of wages and benefits on their employers and their employer's ability to bring competitive products to the market place? Using your logic, I guess auto workers should have worked for free. Demanding health care - the nerve of them..let the government pay for it or die !! 8 hour workday? forget it...work till you drop. lunch break?...who needs to eat ! safety?...what's a little asbestos - don't worry about it vacation?....we'll get somebody else if you need time off | ||
| Concor |
Wow i guess because im in a union(construction) im lazy and dont earn my way. How dare people in a union demand competative wages and benefits. If it wasnt for my wages i would not have been able to buy my two Buells in the last three years and so therefore Buell would have had to close there doors | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
No. Read the article. The wages are not really the problem. It's the legacy costs. MOST companies do not provide their employees full blown POST RETIREMENT health care. MOST companies do not provide the level of pension programs provided under UAW negotiations. 8 hour work days are the norm in both union or non-union shops. Lunch break? Yeah non-union shops have them too. Safety? OSHA visits non-union shops as well. Vacations? My Nissan buddies get vacations too. I've seen pictures. You've provided exactly the intellectually dishonest position and argument held by many union members. I'm not picking on you personally, but I (and many others) get sick of hearing about how if it wasn't for the unions they would be working 12 hour days for $.15/hr 7 days a week in dim light with sharp objects and explosives. Were this the case, I bet that worker would get his happy a$$ to night school and get the hell out of there as soon as he could get another job. At the turn of the century, unions provided exactly what you describe. Now, unions serve mainly themselves. They've become leeches. The larger the leech and the longer it sucks sustenance from it's host the larger the leech becomes and the unhealthier the host becomes. Leave it attached long enough and the host dies. Without a host, the leech dies. GM, Ford, Chrysler are at the point where it's either the leech or the host. One has to die. I would like to buy US products with 3% more R&D/materials/technology/design built into the product | ||
| Snowscum |
CEO pay has done more damage than unions..... | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
CEO pay has done more damage than unions..... Really? CEO of GM earning $6.2 Billion? Legacy costs for GM are 3% of revenues. Revenues for 2006 were $207,349,000,000. http://finance.yahoo.com/q/is?s=GM&annual 3% of that number is $6,222,047,000. Conversely, the CEO of GM earns $8.5M. http://www.forbes.com/static/execpay2005/LIRSOX2.h tml?passListId=12&passYear=2005&passListType=Perso n&uniqueId=SOX2&datatype=Person That represents .0040994% of GM's revenue. | ||
| Snowscum |
7.5 m to much..... | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Says you. $8.5 million is what it took to attract him to GM. Turning a bolt on an assembly line shouldn't be worth more than $6/hour, right? I mean, c'mon. Righty tighty, lefty loosey. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Wow i guess because im in a union(construction) im lazy and dont earn my way. How dare people in a union demand competative wages and benefits. If it wasnt for my wages i would not have been able to buy my two Buells in the last three years and so therefore Buell would have had to close there doors No. You would negotiate your wages based upon the same methodology the rest of us use. Do you think the rest of us have someone who talks to the boss when we want a raise? |
