| Author | Message | ||
     Mother_Big |
that's my birthday, you see. so i expect to win a contest or something. get one for free... | ||
| Jim_M |
There's the "Slay the Dragon" contest happening on 4/27 at your local HD/Buell shop. I know I'll be there. | ||
| Greasebag |
Today I my dealer told me the last he heard was "early March". Personally, I'd rather go with the 4/27 date and be pleastly surprised if it's any earlier. | ||
| Mikej |
Local news is not always the fastest source of info, in today's Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel: Buell Motorcycle Debuts New Bike. --- begin quote --- Associated Press Last Updated: Feb. 21, 2002 at 3:39:32 a.m. MILWAUKEE - Buell Motorcycle Co. is introducing a new sport bike with a frame that doubles as a fuel tank, an innovative design the company believes will let riders take fast curves easier. Buell has shown the Firebolt XB9R at trade shows in recent months but will give the general public its first glimpse at Bike Week in Daytona Beach, Fla. The event, which starts March 1, is the nation's largest annual gathering of bikers. ``I've always had a lot of pent-up dreams and desires that I wanted to execute in the next design, and this was the chance to do it,'' said Erik Buell, the company's chairman and chief technical officer. --- end quote --- I'll let you read the rest. I'm not too sure about independent motorcycle analyst's Don Brown's judgements though: "Harley appeals to baby boomers who want a traditional cruiser, while Buell attracts the boomers' kids who want a sport bike, said Don Brown, an independent motorcycle analyst from Irvine, Calif." Oh well, don't matter, I ride what I like regardless of my age or demographic profile. bye. | ||
| Pilot |
I think most people are missing the point with the front wheel braking system and thinking that it will brake harder etc and completly missing the gains achieved with a lighter wheel hence less unsprung weight, better handling etc.Just my observation. | ||
| Blake |
Yep. | ||
| Dave |
Back from the IMS ... The Firebolt is awesome! Firebolt X - XL line B - Buell 9 - 900 cc R - Road -- -- -- Is "D" for Dual Purpose next?  DAve | ||
| Kevyn |
Well, the 'Bolt was indeed nice...but the Duc' S4T was a bit larger and more ergonimically friendly for my frame size and has enough ponies for a serious march should the opportunity present itself...not that I have the dough for the Duc, I'm just stallin' to see what comes next from our beloved marquee...just can't imagine being dressed out and taking any prolonged excursions with no place to move to like the rear pegs on the tubers... | ||
| Ocbueller |
I too have been eyeballing the ST4 particularly the ST4S. But I will probably chill for awhile and see what Buell has up its sleeve. With the cost of the Ducati I would probably wait for a low mileage used one. SteveH. | ||
| José_Quiñones |
In my opinion, any bike that needs valve attention every 6000 miles should not be considered a serious Sport Tourer! Now that Aprilia Futura, on the other hand, is close to perfect. I think the valves don't need attention until 12,000 miles and they are simpler shim under bucket arrangement. Imagine something like a Futura, same size, with a belt drive, made in the USA, with a Revolution engine in it.....  | ||
| Ocbueller |
Well Jose, You've got a good point there. But with multiple bikes in the garage it would take me two years to put 6000mi. on a bike. I've tried to like the Futura, but the looks just a little too stealth fighter for me. I may just wait for you to buy one so's I can try it on for size. SteveH | ||
| José_Quiñones |
Well yes, if that is the case the Ducati's valve adjustments don't become a big issue. Don't get me wrong I love Ducatis, but I could never own one if it was the ONLY bike I could have. I put 35k on my Sporty since 98 and 23k on my Buell since 99 so I couldn't afford all those valve adjustments. BTW, the valve adjustment for the Futura is 9400 miles, not 12,000 miles like I mentioned earlier. The Revolution's valve adjustment interval is 10,000 miles, I think. I'm waiting on what HD/Buell come up with in the next year or two, If they don't come up with what I like, the Aprilia Futura is the one! An interesting thing that Motorcycle Consumer News found about the Futura is that it was nearly invisible to Police Radar! Stealth indeed! | ||
| Thunder |
Steve , consider the Falco then same engine as the Futura but more naked. I am looking forward to see what buell will announce next, but hope to test a ride either the Falco or Futura before then. | ||
| Moderator |
topic.. ahem.. topic.. glurgglefart  | ||
| Thunder |
OK back to the topic XB9R.... Great looking bike. The IMS @ St Louis last weekend, Buell had a nice booth. The bike feels great while posing for camera shots. Can't wait to test ride one, but unforunately can't make it to Daytona next week. Definately looking forward to Buells next product launch. | ||
| Peter |
A Dutch dealer has put the prices for the Firebolt here on their website. €13,550 + €290 setup = $11,747.85 + $251.43 setup, at todays cross rates. PPiA | ||
| Stevep |
A price list in Belgium has the Firebolt at €11950. Delivery in March. SteveP | ||
| Jim_Witt |
Peter wrote: A Dutch dealer has put the prices for the Firebolt here on their website. €13,550 + €290 setup = $11,747.85 + $251.43 setup, at todays cross rates. Hey Pete, So what "could" you get for $12,000 motorcycle wise over there. Just curious, -JW:>) | ||
| Peter |
Jim, The biggest opposition for me, would be the R1150GS. It comes in at less than $12,000 and would be my first choice instead of the Firebolt. PPiA | ||
| Blake |
Peter: ONLY $12,000! List price over here on a new '02 GS is $14,500. Maybe we can work a trade. I WILL own a GS someday. | ||
| Jima4media |
Higbee to Race New Buell XB Firebolt in AMA Pro Thunder Shawn Higbee has signed a one year deal to ride for Hal's Buell. Shawn will compete on the new Buell XB Firebolt in the 2002 AMA Pro Thunder Series. Higbee recently attended the Indianapolis Motorcycle Trade Show to sign autographs and renew his contract with long time personal sponsor Millenium Technologies. Prior to arriving in Daytona Beach, FL for the 2002 kickoff of the AMA Pro Thunder championship, Shawn spent a few days in Valencia, Spain on business. When asked about the up and coming 2002 season Higbee stated, "This season is going to be remarkable. In pre season testing, the new Buell XB Firebolt has shown awesome potential. The all-new Firebolt engine has fuel injection which delivers smooth and useable power, and the chassis has breakthrough geometry. I'm really looking forward to racing the Firebolt in Daytona." From Hal's Buell | ||
| Srl |
Just took a chilly ride on the Firebolt, VERY COOL BIKE. I was hooked before we ever made it out to the street. Just riding from the demo area to the exit gate was enough to know that it just felt right. Minor concern was exhaust blows right on your ankle when left foot is on the ground, which was nice today (48f) but would not be nice when it's 88f. Going back for more in the morning 8^] SRL | ||
| Oldman |
how were the lines for the test rides srl, wanna try and do that and battletrax the same day. | ||
| Blake |
MCN Rides the XB9R
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| Blake |
"... rim-mounted disks... "? Oops. Otherwise, I'm stoked. Sounds like Buell is dead on target with the XB9R. Imagine the reception an XB12R will get. Same weight, same handling, 20% more grunt! Some pics from MCN's ride at Valencia...   | ||
| Blake |
SRL: Friendly smartass suggestion... Try moving your left foot forward a few inches. | ||
| Mikej |
Found this on the Wausau Buell site (that I found via Bam's profile, just being nosey ) === begin quote === Life isn't a racetrack. Reality isn't a lap time. You don't push 160mph on the typical, late-night burrito run. Buell motor cycles are designed, engineered and manufactured for the real world. But reality doesn't have to be boring. Every Buell motorcycle bears the truths of streetfighting performance: raw, throaty power. Gobs of torque. Flickable handling. And exceptional control. === end quote === Seems to still fit. Works for me. ps, is the color on the S2 under their used section the "black saphire pearl" paint????? Uh, never mind, I'll go post this appropriately before the Admin throws an Armadillo at me.  | ||
| M2cyclone00 |
Hey Oldman, I rode the Firebolt yesterday. Lines weren't bad. I waited maybe 30 minutes. It was cold yesterday, so there will probably be more people in line late this week when weather's better. It's an awesome bike. Didn't get to approach it's limits by any means, the course doesn't have enough curves & of course speed limits get in the way. But I could tell that it is a remarkable bike. It would be the bike that I would buy if I did not already own my M2. I didn't go there thinking that, I was curious to see it in person & see how it feels. But it was such a fun ride that it sold itself on me. The front brake is incredible, I chattered the front tire at 60mph with just one finger. It has a fairly comfortable riding position, comfortable enough that I could ride all day. I didn't notice the exhaust on my leg at a standstill like other's have complained about. But, I've got a 36 inch inseam & my feet are well away from the bike at a stop. The engine feels very revy. They must have done an excellent job with the valve train. It feels faster than I would have thought given the amount of hp it should produce at the rear wheel. Everything seems much more finished than previous Buells & very durable. I was impressed with the exhaust mount system, it shouldn't give any problems. This is the first Buell that I would take stock & be happy not changing anything. Although, a Banke shifter & rerouting the breather hoses to a catch can could be good! | ||
| S320002 |
(iv) Even at serious lean angles, the Buell is so settled you actually start to wonder if you could get your elbow down as well as your knee. Imagine a 'Busa rider in the tight twisties. He leans it hard into a corner and there in his mirror are those wicked eyes. The left one is winking "I'm coming through!". Right about then Mr. 'Busa starts praying for a nice long staight stretch and thinking "I got all these extra ponies but what can I do?" Just a vision that came to mind. Greg ;-) | ||
| Oldman |
thanks for the insight m2,makes me want to take the rest of the week off just to go over and play on it everyday. not that i don't have fun on my m2. |
