| Author | Message | ||
     X1glider |
I've also seen an illustration of a revolution powered Harley touring bike. Looked really good too. I'm more inclined to believe I'll see one of those than a revolution powered Buell. Who wants a 600 lb dry sport bike? You can't flick it. Besides, I see reason to believe it will go into a touring bike. The frame it currently sits in is platform oriented. All they have to do is relocate the peg mounts and change the rake. This is what they do across all their current platforms anyway. There must be 3-4 different rakes in the dyna and softtail platform. I think it'll be a while too. The TC88 is only 3 years old and they need to get their money's worth out of the engineering they put into it. | ||
| Cro13 |
When we were waiting for the first round of XB's to get to the dealerships some of the people who post here had some accurate information. Would any of you like to venture a guess as to when the next round of bolts will be hitting the dealership? According to my dealer, who has one now, they will be getting three more than none till 2003. I should be in line to get one of the "next three" so I'm wondering when they are going to be there. Does anyone have a guess? | ||
| Budo |
The bike I wanted. What I wanted from Buell was a Ducati S4 type machine. Something along the lines of the v-rod streetfighter. The problem with the v-rod is the price. At 14999 msrp I think it is overpriced. The street fighter would not be less expensive and my local dealer is charging 22500 for his v-rod, out the door. I know, I know. If they did not build the bike I want, go else where. Well they didn't and I will. Of course the other issue is dealer support. My dealer simply does not care. Does not have too. I am not going to bore everyone here retelling my story, but my dealer is worthless. That alone would prevent me from buying a Firebolt. | ||
| Davegess |
What I have been hearing from dealers is that they expect to get a second bike before April 27th None are making any promises however. I would not be at all surprised to see each dealer get two bikes between now and the end of May, maybe even 3. I know of at least one of those second round bikes that is availble in the milwaukee area. Remember, I do not know a thing about this form any Buell sources, I am not asking, don't want to put any friends on the spot. Hoping to have mine the first week of May, If the dealer gets it before than he is keeping it for hte open house. Dave | ||
| Ramon |
Has anyone on this board taken devlivery on their XBs yet? -ramon | ||
| Badger278 |
Yep, I have. | ||
| Ramon |
Badger, What do you like the most/least about it? What do you think you would upgrade first? And finally, how loud is it/what does it sound like? -ramon | ||
| Zray |
I am new to this board, but guess what I have.... I picked up my new Firebolt last Thursday. Just turned 300 miles tonight. I will try to post a few pics now. Bear with me if I mess it up as this is my first post to the board.  Let the enthusiastic questioning begin. | ||
| Zray |
Ok round 2. Here we go.   | ||
| Zray |
Picked the Firebolt up in Cheyenne,Wyoming and trailered it back to Aurora, Colorado. I believe I am the only one in Colorado who is actually riding theirs yet. The dealers here are hanging on to them until after the 27th. This Bike absolutley ROCKS!!  I hope to have some more pictures soon. For now, here are a couple more from the "Journey".    | ||
| Racerboy |
Ray, thanks for posting the pics...You must feel like a proud papa...Please fill us in on your past rides and how the 'Bolt compares as soon as you feel like you've got a handle and are ready to do a comparo...You're definitely sitting on the edge of primo 'Bolt test area...I take it, since you said you're new to this board, that this is your first Buell...Welcome to the "few" but proud...We (and the guys and gals up in East Troy) all hope the 'Bolt will make us the "many"...I ride with another group here in St Louis, the Honda Sport Touring Association, and when I first joined my S3T did not get much respect but I've really noticed an interest in the 'Bolt from guys who ride suzi's, kwak's, and red...This is going to be really interesting...Have fun and keep us informed... See Ya! Bob | ||
| Badger278 |
Eight months ago on August 11th 2001 I put a $500 deposit on a Buell Firebolt. I had only seen some spy photos at the time, and was following all the speculation on Sacborg and the other Buell Sites. I really liked the idea of an American sport bike, and was excited to take part. At the end of august I sold my 2000 Ducati Supersport in preparation for the new bike. September 11th, was a blow…and I live in NYC and saw it all happen. The months that followed my resolve to support American manufacturing had only grown. December 2001, Firebolt at the NYC Motorcycle show. It was beautiful, and drawing much attention…No option for black didn’t seem to hurt much. Fast Forward to April 17th 2002. My gleaming Firebolt is sitting in the parking lot at Danbury Buell. It looks awesome and my excitement grows. After completing the necessary paperwork I was ready to take her on the 100 mile trip home (well, Danbury is only about 65 miles on the super slab…but we don’t take the super slab do we?) I start the bike and hear the audible mechanical tick-over, definitely not the purr that my Ducati made. I was a little nervous about getting it on the road. How would it handle? Can it make a u-turn (my Duck couldn’t) What about engine braking? … I would know the answers soon enough. The first thing I noticed is that the position on the bike is very far forward. You sit against the tank like on an MX bike. The reach is not excessive for my 5’8” frame, and the handlebar height allows for a nice heads-up position. However because my head is over the windscreen, it does little good, and the gauges are slightly more difficult to read. I would think that a set of real clip-on bars would move me back a bit and correct both problems. Handling is total neutral and forgiving. Where my Duck had to be forced in to corners, the Buell begs for counter steer, and can handle all you throw at it. I was turning s curves at speed, lower then ever before, in total control. An this was after only about 20 minutes on the bike. Brakes work well, but do not provide as much feedback as Brembo’s. Suspension is slightly soft out of the box, dampening is right-on front and rear. My duck would try to buck me over expansion joints, but the Buell just sucked them up. Power was very linear. The engine is super smooth and pulls from 2000 rpms on up to 4000 (didn’t go higher due to the brake-in period) My Duck seemed torquier, but only because it had a peakier torque curve. Engine braking is mild and useable. No slipper clutch needed. Shifting is flawless, smooth and quick, clutch is slightly heavy in traffic, but useable. The only quirk is that 1st is geared too low, and if you try to shift into it at speeds over 15 mph the gearbox doesn’t like it (this is important when stopping at a light and clicking down) Mirrors are worthless. Be prepared to but on some of those little stick on bubble mirrors, otherwise you will only be looking back at your arms. The sound…This bike is in DIRE need of an aftermarket pipe. I couldn’t even hear the motor run while at speed! Very (please excuse me) Japanese like. I much prefer that “Ducati like” rumble and roar. Fit and finish is good. All the parts are well finished and aligned. Overall, I think this is one of the best bikes I have ever ridden. Handles and rides great, looks good, comfortable, quick, and fun to ride. Riding it makes my ol’ Duck seem un-tamed. Needless to say…I slept soundly last night, and have high expectations for the future of the Buell Motor Company, and there newest Jewel. About Badger278 31 y/o 160 lbs 5’8” 15 years riding experience. Some of the bikes I have owned include 1966 Norton Atlas, 1995 RS 125 Honda (race bike), 1973 Yamaha RD350, 1986 Honda Interceptor, 1956 BSA Road Rocket, 2000 Ducati SS 750, 1986 Yamaha RZ 350, 2003 Buell XB9R (plus multiple off road bikes) ------------------------------------------------------------------------  | ||
| Cro13 |
Dave, Thank you for your insight. I actually wanted to ask you specifically since you had the correct information in the first round of speculation. Thanks again, Carter 97 S3 03 XB(so soon it hurts) | ||
| Davegess |
Cro13, no inside info, just educated guessing. Lets see how close I am. dave | ||
| Peyote |
thanks badger & zray, I'm planning on getting one, but the pessimism of dealership support wears on. I keep hoping these HD dealerships will wake up and sometimes when I talk to some, it appears that they start to "get it." You know, the bigger picture of gaining more market share in other areas (which is good for any dealership). Well, I just got off the phone from a HD dealership to find out if they were going to have a buell demo days sign-up sheet and they didn't even know about it (or at least didn't know it was this weekend). How is that that any dealership that sells any bike would not know about a demo days function is beyond me. This is one of the biggest things for sales and they don't even know about it. Which obviously tells me they didn't care about promoting it. And if this is happening here, it's probably happening at a lot of other places. Anyway, I'm waiting for a call back. But, if this doesn't turn around, i'll guarantee they'll try to price me well over MSRP. Which reminds me, badger & zray, did you guys get gouged on the price or did the reps try to keep it close to MSRP? Just curious. | ||
| Davegess |
Peyote I have found that around here, milwaukee, WI, that the good Buell dealers have plans for the open house day. The mediocre to bad guys don't have plans. A couple are scrambling 'cause they delivered the first on to a customer and the second one is not in yet. My advice, First find a dealer who is doing the open house and has a bike for at least display even if it means a pretty good hike. You will be very happy with a good dealer and mostly unhappy with a bad dealer. Second, do not pay over MSRP. In fact you probably can get one for MSRP with little freight and no dealer setup fees if you fight a bit. I don't know about other areas but at this moment in Milwaukee very few of the second phase of bikes are spoken for. This may change if the new issue of Cycle World (which should be out any day) has a raving review of the bike. I don't even know if their test of the XB is planned for this next issue or not but a big write up there could change the whole demand picture in a hurry. Dave | ||
| Two_Buells |
My dealer got their first XB last week. They are keeping the first one for demos. They told me my XB will be the next one to come it and it should be any day now....... | ||
| Henrik |
Mike: then you'll have to change your screen name  Henrik (question for you in the exhaust section) | ||
| Ramon |
Anyone seen this picture yet? Misc. Racing Buell FireBolt - Firebolt at Daytona. Notice the swingarm ends from an X-1 welded on to support the chain drive. Marchisini wheels. Dual Nissin 6-pot calipers, Full fairing, tank sliders to keep the tank looking nice, 130+RWHP. -ramon | ||
| Court |
Mike: I'll be eager to get your intial and follow-up impressions. You've logged enough yardage on a Buell to have a feel for what a Buell SHOULD feel like! Hurry up, swat that baby on the butt and get it breathin' and broken in.....we're waiting! Court | ||
| Ramon |
Sorry, here's the pic  | ||
| Eeeeek |
Ramon, That's the end of the 2001 season. The bike looked much better at Daytona. Vik | ||
| Ramon |
I saw those daytona pics, sorry, didnt realize it was the same bike. -ramon | ||
| Eeeeek |
Here's the refined version:  They ran it in matte black in one race at the end of last season. I beleive it only went a few laps before they pulled it back into the pits. Vik | ||
| Elvis |
I'm sure someone here will have an answer to the following question: Is there any advantage to the large, bulging gas tank shaped air box? I would prefer a flatter, lower, less bulging air box if it would not hurt the performance. It would give the bike a much more unique look and set it apart from more traditional bikes. Is there any possibility anyone will offer this as an aftermarket modification? Any input will be appreciated. | ||
| Superbad |
I see 2 things on the racer I would like to add for my own Safety/convenience. 1 Swingarm Stand spools and 2 Frame sliders. I would imagine the frame sliders would be especially important as the frame is full of gasoline. maybe Buell or someone else will sell a kit to easily mount these on. Bobby | ||
| X1glider |
Frame sliders might catastrophically localize the damage by applying too much pressure at one point upon impact. But I'm not exactly sure where the fuel is stored, above the kinks in the frame, below, or right smack in the middle. I wonder if the design team even considered the frame slider issue. Curious as well Superbad. | ||
| José_Quiñones |
Elvis, Well, they need that bulge because the airbox has to be 11 liters in size to properly feed the engine with "zero loss" as they say in the brochure. You could reduce the airbox size but you would be hurting performance for the sake of looks, leave that to HD. Superbad, The built in frame slider mounts would be nice, but I think that would give the impression that it NEEDS them to be safe. | ||
| José_Quiñones |
Well the race bikes have them, so the SQUIDS among us will want them on the street bikes too!  | ||
| Jima4media |
Grinding down the frame sliders makes more sense than grinding down the aluminum frame, which is how much money? And what is the part number? And how long will a replacement take to get from Verlicchi in Italy? Jim X-2.5 |
