| Author |
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Court
| | Posted on Monday, October 15, 2007 - 08:47 pm: | 
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>>>>So we have confirmation the Job One has been pushed out.
You do not have confirmation, you have my opinion.
Look I know Erik Buell and don't forget for one moment where he came from, he was a Tests and Analysis guy.
If he gets "actionable" data that there are things that can (as in a reasonable time period) be tweaked (adjusted, changed slight . . not requiring months of redesign) and be changed within a reasonable amount of time no one is going to coerce him into a "hey, we said the 15th, we have to get it out".
My suspicion, and it's no more than speculation, is that Erik will not allow himself or the team to be distracted by things like color choice, that's cosmetics. Mike will look at that later. Right now it's focus on meat and potatoes.
Just my guess. . . |
Xb9
| | Posted on Monday, October 15, 2007 - 08:51 pm: |
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+1 what Court said.
Buell does it right!!
And it was sooo much fun being a test rider. Want to hire me full time? |
Fresnobuell
| | Posted on Monday, October 15, 2007 - 10:09 pm: |
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I have a STRONG feeling that Erik and Co. want this to be a perfect bike going into production ( I know not possible, but you know what I mean). Pre-production reviews were VERY encouraging and this has probably got the whole team focused and re-energized. All of the hard work has been done over the past few years, now they have to bring it across the finish line. Buell rocks! |
Rd3501
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 - 10:38 am: |
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Anyone who bought a 2003 XB9R will tell you that they wished Buell would have waited and fix a few things instead of rushing it to the public, which they shouldnt have...so if they have to wait a year to get this bike out trust me..its well worth it coming from someone who still thinks they got the shaft going back to 2003 (along with just about everyone else who bought one).... |
Court
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 - 10:54 am: |
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>>>>>along with just about everyone else who bought one
Interesting how few of those 9,000 folks reported being "shafted". Henrik bought one and pretty well liked it and it's been one of Buells best selling models. . . you should have gotten the word out sooner!
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Rasta_dog
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 - 10:58 am: |
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Personally, I would prefer it if Buell took a "devil is in the detail approach" and work out as much as they can. Many in the public may not be as enthusiastic about the 1125R release as the rest of us, and you only have ONE chance to debut this project, so take an extra twelve months if it's needed. |
Court
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 - 11:00 am: |
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By the way . . . Jim Lynne, who worked at Cushman in Omaha for 30 years, said the same thing about my 1952 Cushman 711 Highlander with it's fire breathing 4.5 motor. He said they learned some things during the 1953 model year which they wished they had done on the 1952. My 1952 is still sitting here in the office, starts and runs fine but I'm sure there are still a bunch of irate owners who wish they'd held off.
Ditto my 2006 F-150 and the 2006 Mercedes . . . . both got some stuff for 2007 that I wish they'd had in 2006.
Cognitive dissonance sucks. |
Rasta_dog
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 - 11:13 am: |
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There are no owners yet, only potential owners, and your post seems insulting. |
Zac4mac
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 - 11:36 am: |
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The ONLY reason I got rid of my 03 Firebolt (9R) was because I couldn't see keeping it AND the new 1125. It ran like a bat outta hell and the only expense was tires. Color me happy.
Z |
Davegess
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 - 01:07 pm: |
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Anyone who bought a 2003 XB9R will tell you that they wished Buell would have waited
I would be one of those "anyones", mine is number 1400 something and it has been perfect in every way. No issues at all. |
Midknyte
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 - 02:54 pm: |
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Anyone who bought a 2003 XB9R will tell you that they wished Buell would have waited and fix a few things instead of rushing it to the public
There were only two items amis with the '03
Mirror stalks too short - fixed in '04 and easily swapped out.
Front oil lines rub and will leak if not addressed - separater clamp added (what year?).
Well, three if you count the Dunlops - but I have no issue with them...
That said, I have no regrets and continue to be thoroughly satisfied with my '03. |
Midknyte
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 - 02:57 pm: |
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...2003 XB9R... and it's been one of Buells best selling models. . .
If that "is" the case Court, then why do we have 3 dozen Lightning variants and we're down to just the one Firebolt (12R)? |
Hughlysses
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 - 05:46 pm: |
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There were only two items amis with the '03
Mirror stalks too short - fixed in '04 and easily swapped out.
Front oil lines rub and will leak if not addressed - separater clamp added (what year?).
Well, three if you count the Dunlops - but I have no issue with them...
Don't forget the wheel bearings that had to be changed out, and I believe there was a problem with the kickstands or kickstand bolts on some of the very early bikes. None of these were anything like a major problem, but these are just the kinds of things that the pre-production bike tests will avoid with the 1125R. |
Towjam
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 - 05:51 pm: |
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...but these are just the kinds of things that the pre-production bike tests will avoid with the 1125R.
Has Buell ever done a pre-production program like the 1125 with any previous models?
(Not trolling, just curious.) |
Court
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 - 07:32 pm: |
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>>>>Has Buell ever done a pre-production program like the 1125 with any previous models?
Actually yes. I've not got the time nor heart to defend it now, but it's a pretty neat program that is pretty comprehensive.
But, and no one at Buell (they are all avid riders) is foolish enough to think otherwise there are somethings you test, test, retest and test again and simply can't get to fail . . .put the bike on the street and kapow.
I learned this test riding early S-3's and finding things like isolators, side stand switches and so forth that would never show a problem until they come face to face with "the real world".
The 1125r now has TONS of miles on the pre-po in the hands of kooks like you and I and lots of data (you know the bikes were instrumented, right?) has been collected.
I'm funnin' ya about the bikes. |
Xb9ser
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 - 08:00 pm: |
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One more thing on 03s BELT. |
Midknyte
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 17, 2007 - 01:00 am: |
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fergot the kickstand and the wheel bearings.
those were taken care of on mine b4 purchase... |
Zac4mac
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 17, 2007 - 04:35 am: |
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Odd - every XB I've sat on had a loose feeling kickstand except the 03 9R I had. KS was rock solid. The switch died(wire broke) at around 10k tho so I jumped it with a piece of a Bud can I found on the road. Belts were troublesome but worked fine if treated like a carton of eggs. I broke two, one by side flex, changing a tire without removing the belt and one by bending too tight when I folded it into my shovelhead's saddlebags. Buell CS (Rob) comp'd me the third belt and it has been treated according to instructions and has over 20k miles now. YMMV
Z |
Nicozzzz
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 17, 2007 - 05:09 am: |
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this is a new style in making motorcycles , never happen before .
I believe that this incredible thinks can be only an advantage for the customer and for the company.
I'don't know but my question is if 100% of journalist fit on first position some missing in the bike looking style (also many customers ), buell have done all preproduction job of this for not hear them ?
what did you think about this?
(Message edited by nicozzzz on October 17, 2007) |
Lost_in_ohio
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 17, 2007 - 08:01 am: |
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geez guys. My ford explorer has had more recalls than my XB. How many tens of thousands have been made?
Relax nothing is perfect. The 03 was the first year and it had its issues. |
Court
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 17, 2007 - 09:04 am: |
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>>>this is a new style in making motorcycles , never happen before .
It is and it's kinda neat. Better beware Angelo, Erik has been riding around your neighborhood the last couple days. If you get stuffed in a corner by a bike with manufacturer plates you'll know who it was.
He left the country last night . . .you're safe.
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Nicozzzz
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 17, 2007 - 09:24 am: |
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that's cool , but which damage...
told me before and I cook a special plate of deer meet for him .. with a special tribu lunch ..
this was cool in Italy we produce many special parts for bikes ;)
(Message edited by nicozzzz on October 17, 2007) |
Court
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 17, 2007 - 10:52 am: |
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Careful. . . . I intend to come take you up on that . . . as you know my wife's family are all Italian (they moved here from Nocere Terranance) and they found my weakness for food !
Italy makes some GREAT motorcycle parts and, in fact, Italy and Japan are pretty well where you go to buy motorcycle parts.
Buell, until 1999, used C.E.V. controls from Italy, the same ones Ducati and a host of others use.
Americans, you will find, are real funny about where stuff comes from and there are very few American made motorcycle parts. . . so we build "American Made" motorcycles using some of the best parts from around the world.
Anyway . . . .you'll be glad to know the things I love most in my life (family) were mostly made in Italy.
I suspect you may see a lot of Buell people in Italy next year.
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Nicozzzz
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 17, 2007 - 10:59 am: |
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We like to much to see italian parts on Buell models , this help us to fell little more part of the bike too ..
of course we wait from them and we are very excited to show to you hour passions for bike country and of course wine and food ! |
Court
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 17, 2007 - 12:54 pm: |
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I love to see Italian things on Buells. . . .
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Nicozzzz
| | Posted on Thursday, October 18, 2007 - 09:19 am: |
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Laura....
I know very well this road , is my short track for sunday small trip .
1 hour 80 kms of corner in a wonderful country no to much police .
little bit fast for an xb but perfect for 1125R |
Rd3501
| | Posted on Saturday, October 20, 2007 - 12:33 pm: |
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Just a few problems with a 2003 model....
1. belts breaking (2004 changed)
2. 2 recalls/updates on sidestand (2003-2004)
3. bearings updated (2003)
4. lower faring melting on muffler
(muffler brackets fix in 2004)
5. 2003 $9999.00 one year warranty, 2004 $8799.00 2 year warranty
6. oil lines rubbing (bracket/brace added in 2004, oil lines change again in 2005)
7. speedo sensor dieing (2004 changed)
8. mirrors wrong size (2004 changed)
9. recall/update to the primary cover door (2003 plastic to aluminum)
10. seat molded wrong and rubbing on battery cables (2004 changed new designed seat)
11. fuel pump starving and dieing when low on gas (changed late 2004, 2005)
12. no clear coat on wheels and pitting. (2004 wheels get clear coating/power coating)
13. wrong color on the gauge display, cant see sometimes (changed 2004)
14. shifter was changed in 2004
15. wires ran wrong by triple clamps rubbing through (changed 2004)
16. Coating on the head lights..still no fix..
17. wrong torque spec on clutch/primary..customer has to fix.
Just a few things of the top of my head..
half of these could have been fix if Buell would have done more seat time on the bike instead of rushing it out the door.. |
Zac4mac
| | Posted on Saturday, October 20, 2007 - 02:40 pm: |
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I had no idea my '03 9R had so many problems.
#1 yes, but if you follow the instructions, they don't. They're just extremely fragile.
#5 I bought mine used... with 300 miles for $7500
#14 Had to replace my shift lever when I hit algae water going around a speed bump and fell over when the wheel washed, around 10mph. That's all that broke; that and my knee; chaps were under the tailbag, it was a hot day.
Guess I was real lucky, put 20k miles on it with none of the other problems. I preferred the shorter mirrors and kept them.
Z |
