| Author | Message | ||
     Johnc |
Hi guys, anyone hear this ugly rumor yet? I copied it off the e-sportbike web site. Harley Announces Model Changes Ken Freund Rider Report Tuesday January 29, 2002 Harley-Davidson has announced some of its plans for future models early. Following is the text of a press release: "First, to help us meet anticipated demand for Harley-Davidson 100th Anniversary Models, we will extend the 2003 Harley-Davidson motorcycle production model year by two months (to 14 months total). The two months will be added to the end of the 2003 model year, which will have the effect of shortening the 2004 model year by two months. The Harley-Davidson 100th Anniversary Models will feature three new anniversary colors (one two-tone and two solid colors) and trim appropriate for the occasion. While all 2003 Harley-Davidson motorcycles will be 100th Anniversary Models, none will be numbered as limited edition models. Second, when we begin full production of 2003 Buell Firebolt XB9Rs this spring, it will mark the end of production of all tube-frame twin-cylinder models (Cyclone M2, Lightning X1 and Thunderbolt S3T). 2002 tube-frame models will be in showrooms this summer, but when they’re gone…they’re gone. We are not prepared to provide any further details about next season’s Harley-Davidson or Buell motorcycles at this time." | ||
| José_Quiñones |
Like a RACE KIT? Let's see, 4" big bore pistons (4 x 3.125 = 1290cc approximately), race header/muffler and ECM, the full fairing kit, a second front brake and a chain conversion. How much would that cost? At least $2,500! That would be cool, but I'd rather have the factory build it that way to begin with! Maybe they could do it like HD with the 1550 hop up kit for the twin cams, if the dealer does it, you keep your warranty. | ||
| jj |
Any news on the Xb12r | ||
| DaBuellman |
That's what my Buell friends told me, like a $3000 kit or something, but they we're very vague | ||
| Anonymous |
What's the deal with Buell. No tube frames, is this a step ahead, or are they slowly dying off | ||
| José_Quiñones |
Not ugly, not a rumour, just the facts! The big bore Firebolt is a done deal. Ok, Now that the Firebolt and the Blast are the two "platforms" left, what's next? There is a gaping hole in Buell's product line between the Blast and the Firebolt. Something in the $5000-6000 range to compete with the SV650 (an Excellent bike, Linda has one and I ride it while she's sleeping Saturday mornings! I hate messing with the chain, though) If I was Buell, I'd do a Hopped Up Blast, using old M2 parts, and style it to look something like the Dirt Track Bikes  Imagine a 4 x 3.125 thumper (almost 650 cc) using the firebolt head/valvetrain that can rev to 7500-8000 rpm in a reinforced Blast Chassis, using "classic" M2 parts like the forks, wheels and brakes, tachometer, handlebars. Keep the seat height between 27-29 inches, because like I told Erik at Deals Gap "Short People like to go Fast too!" There is a picture of something very close to what I describe in Battle2win Volume 4 Issue 1, on page 34. They call it the "Projex Blast" and it was photographed at the Donner event two years ago. | ||
| Anonymous |
Is the Big Bolt just for Pro Thunder, or will I actually be able to purchase one. And, JOSE.... You seem like your very Buell educated. What do you see in BUELL's future. They gonna be alright. Or are they gonna be gone in a few years. Erik Buell is a genius, but it seems like Harley is really screwing him. | ||
| José_Quiñones |
Well, I wrote what I thought would happen back in March of last year. I turned out to be pretty accurate on some of it. Read what I wrote back then here Some of it has not happened YET...... The Pro Thunder thing, The fact that they race is great, I have a lot of respect for Don Tilley's and Hal's teams, they have done amazing things with a small budget and an aircooled engined STREET bikes up against watercooled RACE BIKES. I cheer for them when I go to the track. What I hate is that they don't sell what they race with, and the AMA has bent the rules so far in their favor that it does not help their image, especially when they still blow them up.  Buell needs a "Superbike". If Buell went Superbike racing, it would do wonders for their name recognition, especially in Europe. If they actually win races, look out! And they would have to sell a street version, which would make quite a few of the people here extremely happy. I wouldn't buy one, I'm not into that. A Revo powered S4T GIGABOLT, however, would have me putting down a deposit without even looking at it! I have to stop watching C-Span, I was about to blame Buell's troubles on the Carlyle Group and the Council on Foreign Relations..... | ||
| José_Quiñones |
Unless they went GP racing, then they wouldn't need a street version. Fugetabaoutit! | ||
| José_Quiñones |
Why wait for KTM, Aprilia might have what you want | ||
| José_Quiñones |
If the bike I described does not come out before my S3T blows up or I crash it, I'll get an Aprilia Futura. Had the Futura been available in 99, I'd be annoying everybody at Apriliausa.com instead! Before somebody asks, I can't afford to switch now. | ||
| Henrik |
Jose: you're right - the Sportrider story was sorta "damming the Firebolt with faint praise". However, the idea of an S1 frame with a souped up motor (88", 4-valve heads, dual carbs, balanced/blue-printed, smooth shifting 6-speed gearbox w. good gear spacing for the power on tap) and all the bells and whistles sounds great. Top notch shock (w/ exposed spring of course), Ohlin forks, adjustable triple trees, super light wheels, dual monoblock front brakes w/ radial mount. Dreams are cheap Henrik | ||
| Aaron |
Damn, Henrik. Careful what you write. Some of us are excitable. I could give a rat's ass about a Superbike myself. I want that S1 Henrik just described! (don't forget to put just a little bit bigger seat on it, okay? Not X1 size, just a tad bigger than the S1 seat) | ||
| S32002 |
Aaron, Europe was a lot of fun but Uncle Sam demanded a lot of my time too. Although he did send me on a lot of "free trips" all over southern Germany. There is some realy amazing history off the beaten path. I came upon a overgrown grave yard one time, on a mountainside, in the middle of nowhere. All the markers were cast iron some of them dated in the 1400s. One regret was that I couldn't legaly cross into the Iron Curtain countries due to my security clearances. As far a the French go I'm sure I could deal with them, just didn't seem worth the effort at the time. I guess the Iron Curtain comment kinda dates me. Oh well, some people complain about birthdays but it beats the hell out of the alternative. Greg | ||
| José_Quiñones |
This is from a Motorcycle Online interview way back back back back in 1985:
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