| Author | Message | ||
     Blake |
Court: You disagreed with a question? Anyway, I'm with you.  | ||
| Blake |
FB: Anon option is still enabled. Just check the "Post as Anonymous" box before posting. We asked previously for anon posters to at least sign some form of unique identifier so that the rest of the board could tell one anony from the other anonies. Otherwise the whole serialized hyperenthusiastically multi-threaded conferencial symposium confusedly self-contorts convolutionistacally oversaturating with anticoncisitudes.  | ||
| Blacksix |
Conjecture and Conversation are different. I'll leave it at that. Back to my semi-pro career of Lurking Badweb. | ||
| S2no1 |
What he said? Anyone know a good Buell Dealer in Oklahoma, or should I just plan on driving to SportTwin in Dallas. Local dealer says they have one Firebolt on the way in and its sold. So no demos. Damn clothing store, coffee in the cafe upstairs isn't that good either. Arvel  | ||
| Raymaines |
Ferris says he can take "a little bit of crap now and then from the nameless/faceless weenies." Well gee whiz, isn't that what we all do on this board about 93.5% of the time anyhow? I mean, who the heck is this Raymaines dope anyway? There are only about a dozen people in my little corner of the world that know who or what I am and I'm basicly Anonymous to all the rest of you. For all any of you know I might have 5 or 6 different screen names and sometimes have whole conversations all by myself, in fact I'm pretty sure you and I are the only two people on this whole BBS. I say, get rid of the Anonymous feature and let "R" get a different screen name. | ||
| José_Quiñones |
All I care about is that when do I pick up the Firebolt I'll WIN on the 27th, and will Firebolts be at Myrtle Beach and here in the DC area June 1-2????? The demo route here in Laurel, MD is close to being finished...... | ||
| Rd350 |
Looks like everybody needs to take some lessons on anger control.. I do a lot of traveling for my job. When I was in these areas I asked the dealers in Utah and Idaho and Montana.. They told me that they are not taking on any more Buells this year. And yes, Buell asked them to take 25 Firebolts and 25 Blasts. They said that they are not happy with Buell forcing so many bikes on them. They are already having trouble selling all the blast and 2002 M-2 and S-3T.(I talked to the owners the saleman) All I have done from day one is tell everyone about what is going on with Buell. I am telling you what I have been told. Yes, there is a problem with the belts. The new pully is putting to much of a bend in the belt with the new pitch it is wearing out the belts to fast. Remember the old buells do not have the pully. Has Buell made any money in the past three years. I am going to say no way. They had to take out a cash reserve fund to pay for the recalls. This came from H-D.The company only makes around 1.5 million a year. I might be wrong on this but did they not borrow 4.5 million for the recalls. As for this year they told all the dealers to sale all the 2002 at cost. To clear them out. So did they make any money on the bikes in 2002 NO.. And if anyone has checked all the parts for Buell bikes they took a hugh jump in pricing. They are trying to get some money coming in by doing this.. I am a new guy and want a Firebolt on April 27. I have the money. I wnat the bike. Can I get it? NO, why not? It seems that Buell just doesn't wnat to sell you a bike at peak buying season. Ok thats fine. When is it coming out? Uhh not sure check back in a couple of months maybe then.. Is Buell having problems. Yes they are..Why? They are the only company in history in anything to have a recall on every single bike they have ever made. Has this hurt Buell. Hell ya.. If everyone would step out of the H-D ring for a second and ask anyone on a different brand would they buy a Buell. 99% of them will say no way. To many problems. Not reliable. And every magazines say that Buells have to many problems and not reliable. Motorcyclist, CycleWorld, Bike(Europe mag.) etc... And if you have owned a BUell and nothing and I mean nothing has gone wrong on it consider yourself the luckest person in the world. Last time I checked if you spend around $10,000.00 on something you should be able to injoy riding it not looking at it or telling your buddies that it is in the shop being fixed. (unless you are a die hard H-D guy) So were does that leave Buell for selling bikes? Old H-D guys..maybe but everyone who wanted a Buell has pretty much bought one by now.. Ducati guys and Italian guys nad Triumph..no way they are loyal to the day they die. And if you have ever own one or put your Buell next to one you will notice that they kill Buell in the fit and finish and quality department. Which leaves us to the Big 4. Nope they don't want one. They can buy a faster, better handling, better finish and cheaper bike that makes more power and doesn't need another $2000 to $5000 in preformance upgrades.. Who is left to buy Buell? The market is getting pretty small now.. Is Buell hurting? Last time I check if a company is not making money why are they in business for the love of it.. THat went out the window with H-D buying the company. H-D is only interested in making money in a new market since they got the crusier market..Bill Gates to death. If H-D was smart they would and will give up on Buell if things don't change. Remember they have the V-Rod engine and can make a kick ass Ducati Monster clone anytime. And yes they are working on it as we speak.. Court, Blake, anyone, if I am wrong please tell me. It sounds like you guys are down at the bar with Buell drinking all the time. | ||
| Ferris |
Rd, believe it or not i'm still hanging with you (and certainly not at all mad at you), as it's obvious you're making a wholehearted effort to express an honest opinion--i may not agree with everything you say (i don't), but i can easily read your passion. so--at least from me--thanks for taking another run at helping us to see where you're coming from. i don't think Buell is in the dire straights that you think they're in, but i agree that the company has struggled with some issues over the recent years that were (and in some cases, still are) serious. i've met Erik a zillion times, and ridden with him at least a dozen. if YOU, too, had met him (i can tell from your words you haven't), you, too, would know that everything is gonna be alright now then Blake...........am pretty sure we'd be breaking several laws, but would you PLEASE send me some of whatever it is your on? FedEx would be fine, i'll pay for the freight! oh, ps Blake: thanks for changing "Elves" to "Elvis" in my post above, but i spelled it "Elves" on purpose--um, doncha get it, mama baby? ride to lean, Ferris | ||
| José_Quiñones |
RD, You make some good points, and some of the dealers I have spoken with in the Mid Atlantic here have mentioned some of the same things you said. Buell's reliability and recall history have put them in a deep hole with the motorcycling press/public that they are still trying to climb out of. Buell's marketing has always been puzzling to me. Lately they have gotten better, by emphasizing the real world benefits to their design, and how they are not "race replicas" and that they are "For those who understand that it takes more than a right hand and a full tuck to get the most out of a ride" (pretty elitist, btw) But then they totally contradict themselves by preparing a racing Firebolt to race in a class specifically tailored to make it competitive, and using parts that they won't sell to the public..... Speaking of the Racing Firebolt, check this out from the latest Motorcycle Consumer News  | ||
| Peyote |
S2no1, (First of all this is my first post here. I'm putting together my old 74 sporty (bored1000cc) with softail conversion/starter kit back together so I can sell it to help with deposit or payments for my Firebolt....) I'm in okc & I called just about ever dealer & tulsa with the same reply you got. I then called places in dallas/Ft Worth and so on & the first two I called in Texas said that they (xb's) are in transit. They both said about 10 days or so. The second one also told me that he was notified by email just today. When I told him I was in Oklahoma, he said the first ones would be sold for texas residents only (unless I knew someone in Texas).....To sum it up I told him the hd/buell dealers in Oklahoma said probably june/july, he said, "Yea, that's what we were thinking until we got notified today." Then I said, "so you think the other hd/buell stores will get the firebolts around the same time or just the big markets? And he said he thought around the same time, figures they probably just haven't been notified or checked in yet or something......Anyway, long post but you get the gist of it. | ||
| Anon_R |
R has plenty of screen names.   | ||
| Henrik |
Just a note on the recall issue: Buell stepped up to the plate, took responsibility and got everything (mostly) taken care of. They all have issues: BMW can't make a fuel injection that doesn't hick-up at low speed. Hayabusa tail sections broke, and the drive chain would stretch (rapidly) and tear out the crank case. Triumph frames broke (they were recalled). Honda has cam chain tensioner issues etc. etc. etc. Most companies claim "No Problems" and then "goodwill" warranties "individual" issues on a case by case basis. Few have the "brass" to admit to issues and deal with them up front. Henrik - stepping off soapbox | ||
| Blake |
RD: Still waiting for you to answer my question... How many dealers did you talk to? Is it surprising to hear of fat cat dealers complaining about having to actually market and "sell" their Buell motorcycles? Many have been spoiled by the outrageous demand for HD cruisers and simply don't feel like actually "selling" motorcycles like their competition does every day of the week. Rather they find lame excuses and negative criticisms to avoid doing their job or taking on challenging new responsibilities. FB: I kinda figured the witicism might have been intended, but if there's one thing that gets my goat it's improper verb tense. So either it's gotta be "Elvis has..." or "Elves have...". You gall durn Kaliforeignya hick!  As to what I'm on... my recliner at the moment. | ||
| Blake |
RD: How the meager stresses induced by the reverse bend over the idler pulley would be adversely affected by a different tooth pitch is totally beyond me. Still sounds like 100% complete bullshit to me. And like Henrik, I see the willingness to perform the recalls along with the vast number of good will upgrades as a very positive philosophy adopted by Buell. You seem like a gloom and doom kinda guy. I prefer a more positive outlook. At least until the FACTS point otherwise. | ||
| Blake |
 You can bet I'll be throwing my name into the hat for a new XB9R! | ||
| Blake |
Say you win... Will you be a bit intimidated riding Deal's Gap with the likes of Erik Buell and the Buell Pro Thunder Racers? I think, I'd have to at least let some air out of their tires and maybe loosen one plug wire. | ||
| Rd350 |
Blake please let me at least get out from under the bus before you run me over again.. Let me answer your questions one at a time. When I was still in college years back working for a company called Matco Inc. (they are a small airplane company that builds ultra lights.) We had to do some research on belts for ultra lights working with belts with tooth pitch and length for the engines gyros props.The belts are like the ones from Gates that Buell-H-D use. We found out that the life of a belt was severly reduced if the belt was bent backwards, like it is on the XB9R by the pully tensioner. Remember more moving parts on a belt the quicker it wears out. We had to change the design to shaft to make it work for our design for the ultra light. So when I heard about the problem I could understand totally about this issue. Has Buell fixed this design on the bike. I am sure they are going to get it fixed. All they have to do is change somethings around. Now about the dealers that I talked too.. Salt Lake H-D, South Salt Lake H-D, Big Sky, Montana H-D, Eagle Rock, Grand Teton... Everyone go ahead and through me under the bus again its not like I am the loyalist Buell owner out there..I still bought a bike after getting hosed by Buell and the dealer on my first bike. I am doing my part are you? Our are you just trashing on me because I have something to say.. E Tu Brute' E Tu... | ||
| Gravedigger |
hell ya your intimidated!!! lol But what better rode to break in or bust up a new bike on!!! lol I bet its the one time you don't have to wait for parts if you bust one up though!! | ||
| Gravedigger |
Did anyone read this part of the promo??? "We'll even close off the roads for you." Are they going to close off traffic on the Dragon??? How AWESOME would that be. No worries about cars coming over the centerline!! no worries about Hunting dogs running out on the road!!! It would be awesome if they would do this at the sametime that SLAB and DC brag have thier event at the dragon this year. Just trying to lighten up the discussion. The new bike looks and sounds great! I'll take one if they give it to me, but I am quite happy with the one I sit one everyday!! | ||
| Loki |
I got a rumor for you all. It looks like there may be a Loki sighting in the Philly area next month. Can I fit my toolbox and bike in the back of the dodge? | ||
| Blake |
RD: As to the effect of reverse bending on a drive belt: Go out and take a look at the serpentine belt on a Ford Exploder or most any other automobile drive belt. It endures a heinous reverse bend. While it is a grooved belt rather than a toothed belt, it is interesting to note that a grooved belt will suffer significantly more severe reverse bending stresses than a toothed belt with the same root thickness. I don't know the specific circumstances of the testing you mentioned so I cannot address it as evidence supporting your contention wrt Buell belts. But if I did, I'd bet there would be obvious differences. But back to the issue at hand... you started out by contending that a minor change in tooth pitch was the reason for a supposed rash of so called premature failures. Now you are contending the failures are due to the effects of reverse bending, a factor unrelated to minor changes in tooth pitch. That leaves me wondering. Why the change in your story? | ||
| Rd350 |
Never changed the story about the pitch. That is what I was told. You just started to just through me under the bus and still are doing so. I can see that you are going to believe what you want no matter what anyone tells you.. That is fine you have that right, you run this website. But if you took the time to leave your desk and go down and take a look at the belt on the new firebolt is does have a roundness to it on the preproduction bikes and it is different then the ones on all Buel/H-D. And since you are down at the bar with your Buell buddies from the factory all the time why don't you just ask them what is the hold up on the bike? I still haven't asked you what prof do you have against my claims.. If I am wrong what is the problem? I want to hear your side... I am waiting??????? Ohhh, and thanks for letting me get up just enough so you can run me over again... And one last thing the belt on your ford is not the same as the belts on the Buells. It is fixed in one place and not moving up and down with 90 pds of torque on it. Totally different animal.. | ||
| Rd350 |
Blake I know this guy who teaches anger mangement classes. He is really good...lol Give it up Blake...We all want to know the truth about the x-files. Its out there.. What happend to Scullys Baby???? Just kidding. | ||
| Blake |
I ain't angry by any sense of the word. I just have a frank and direct way of communicating with the written word. You may be right. I don't know. Your posts just sound very much contrived to me. Plus, we have confirmation that the XB9R is shipping with deliveries slated within 10 days. That kinda blows the belt problem theory out the window doesn't it? Either that or Buell decided to ship a faulty product. From what I understand that isn't going to happen, and there is no way they redesigned and retrofitted an entire production run of XB9R's with a new pulley system this quickly. What do you think? Good enough proof for you? You don't seem to take debate of your posts very well. I don't get your repeated analogy to being run over by a bus. If you cannot defend your position any better than that it detracts from the credibility of your story. And yes sir, your story DID change. You started out claiming that the belts were failing due to a change in their tooth pitch. Now you claim they are failing due to reverse bending about the idler pulley, which BTW happens to be on the side of the belt that does not see any engine torque loading. And FYI... the drive sprocket sees a HELL of a lot more than 90 FT-LB of torque, try more like ~300 FT-LB (68FT-LB x 1.68 x 2.69 = 307 FT-LB). | ||
| Anonymous |
Hate to Anon this but I heard from a Buell dealership employee and hardcore enthusiast that there were some problems getting decent quantities of frames from the frame manufacturer. California may still have to wait a bit longer. Maybe an insider Anon can verify or discredit this. | ||
| Court |
That'd pretty much be a "no brainer". Getting wheels from Castalloy in Australia used to be a 12 week deal. I used to have a tough time explaining to folks why the "build" of their bike couldn't just be arbitrarily changed. Buell used to get C.E.V. contols from Italy (remember the change in 1998?, before that the Buell and 916 had identical controls except for the direction of the run/kill switch) prior to switching to a Japanese manufacturereand that also required a great deal of planning. Wanna a REALLY neat Buell story...lets talk Showa and service parts. . . . anyway... The good news is that Buell's purchasing has a very saavy dude at the helm who operates with MILITARY precision. If all they had was " a little " problem getting frames in sufficient quantity it's a GREAT sign that things are looking good going forward. CONGRATULATIONS to all the folks at Buell. Court | ||
| Davegess |
Trouble getting parts!!! court remembe the S1 headlight fire drill? The manufacturer told us they had a six week lead time. No one mentioned that the six weeks started not from the time the order was entered but from the once a year date that this item scheduled for production. In other words, get us an order prior to that date and in six weeks you will have headlights. Problem was I needed headlights in 6 weeks not 6 months. I ended up buying most of the spare Ducati Monster headlights in the country, hope none of you needed one back then, which got me about 3 weeks of production. Than I discovered that BMW North America had several hundred in stock as spares. Happy Days!!! I am not sure who was happier, me for saving my ass or them for unloading the 20 year supply of spare parts they were stuck with. So the point is???  If frames and belts are the only two serious problems Buell has encountered on the way to the XB launch than life in East Troy is good, the teams must be getting out early every day to go riding! NOT! Dave | ||
| Court |
Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.......Erik finds out some of the things we did we'll BOTH be fired. | ||
| Court |
Hey WAIT????....we were ALREADY fired! | ||
| Davegess |
Hey Court, I didn't get fired I quit (and reluctantly at that  ). You however are an entirely different story  . Of course you really didn't get fired you got promoted to unpaid world wide Buell ambassador, yeah that's it ! Dave |
