| Author | Message | ||
     Court |
I am trying to recall the last time that Dave Gess was described as "exotic". I can tell you that it was in La Fuente the night before Road America....but, that's all I can say. Well, except that the skirt was too small for him.  Court (who admits to having been impersonating an astronaut, and Martin Brown a cosmonaut at the same moment. It was the fabled "wheelies for the homeless" night...ugly, even by the standards of that day and little wonder that less than 24 hours later both MB and I would be in the custody State Trooper McClellan) | ||
| Eeeeek |
Exotic like an exotic dancer, maybe. The bike looks hot and is a hell of a ride, but it does things to piss you off and only works when it feels like it. It sucks away money faster than you can make it and doesn't age well. " Of course it(the engine) has been massaged to the point that it actually puts out pretty good power and does the job." I'd argue that. Too many of these engines don't make it past the Cecil mark. ' Vik | ||
| Davegess |
Court, Mr. Brown, Mexican food and motorcycles; a very dangerous combination. Me... I am forced to admit to having no memory of that night but than I have no memories of many nights involving those two. I have been known to wear a skirt so I don't doubt the wise Mr. Canfield's recollection, it is a very foolish man who doubts ANYTHING one hears about or from the man. Perhaps there is some connection between all this and the fact that none of are employed by Buell motorcycles any more. | ||
| José_Quiñones |
Court, LOL  | ||
| José_Quiñones |
I guess production numbers would be a good indication of how "exotic" or "exclusive" a motorcycle would be. What would be the Production threshold between an "exotic" and "walk to any dealer and find one"? By this definition, the XB's production numbers this year (5 maybe 6 thousand bikes?) would not qualify it as an exotic. How about a bike which only 200 examples will be produced, and only 50 will be sold in the US? Is this an "exotic"? | ||
| Court |
Two things pain me...... 1) The truth of this......at least we join a GREAT fraternity ..
2) And not unrelated, is that a good deal of the foregoing post (I am pleased to confess that Dave Gess was absent that evening the first weekend of August 1995) but way too much of that story is true. It is unwise to make me stand in line in a restaurant.....particualarly wearing a blue Aerostich with an American flag embroidered thereon....."Excuse me Folks, I'm with the National Aeronautics and Space and Administration and my red-headed confederate is a visiting Cosmonaut. We're collecting funds to promote international harmony in space". It was ugly, when Martin led them in song. We were quickly seated. The "wheelie incident" was really not our fault and I confess to having seen it coming. It is NEVER wise, in the wee hours of the morning, to pull along side a fairly respected racer, Raucsh Racing Engineer, Professional Test Ride (ask Showa how good he is on a 24' landing) and rev the motor of a CBR600F1. The light turned green at the ramp to I-94 and the rest was pretty much over and done with pretty quickly. It was my lame ass, left to deal with his buddy on the XL1200 that got drug off to the back streets of downtown MKE for "wheelie lessons" as folks peered out from under carbboard boxes, two applauding. Getting uglier. The next day was gorgeous after spending the night at Marty's near Mitchell Field. We were way late and I was scheduled to do the parade lap at Road America. We're headed toward exit 36 (East Troy) as fast as we can, turn signals of the side-by-side S-2 clicking together into one another. I have a CB radio on the S-2 that begins to crackle...... "who's he after?"...came the scrathty transmission. "I think those two bikes"...was the reply as my eyes darted to the mirrors to see the hidden "lollipop lights" behind the grill of the Chevy. The "make a break" thought was dashed. We were but a mile from the plant and had just been had. "These a couple of those factory kamikazee units" McClellen snapped as he spied the "WI MFG" plate. I, with a Kansas BUELL tag, shot back "not this one Sir, I'm visiting and was just following this guy" McClellen knows his stuff. We were in the car for well over an hour getting lectured on the threshold of felon speeding and being urged not to let our DNA loose in Walworth County. I, being from out of state, took the expediant $333 on Mastercard option. Martin set a court date. A month later, I'm at the factory in a meeting. Marty lools at his watch saying "Egads, I have to run to my court date". It's less than an hour later he walks in grinning.....McClellen didn't show! Damnit....I'd given one away! This the only time any person connected with Buell has been busted on the adjacent four lane superslab....hehehehe....guess as best you can. HINT: My next one was on a prototype of what you'd soon know as the VTR Superhawk........ Funny frickin' life......in the words of Erik Buell....."just when you think Court's full of shit, it turns out to be true". The preceeding is not a confession and the statute of limitations has expired.....er, hasn't it? Dave...we still have that bail money behind the trailer? | ||
| Court |
Maybe so....the Hailwood MH900e breaks absolutely no new ground, is a pain in the ass to ride, but has been called "exotic" due only to it's "limited" production. The Limited Production thing can backfire . . . . . anyone recall the 900FE? The phrase "only 50 will be made" looses impact when only 12 are bought. Frankly, I kinda dug the Neiman-Marcus Matching "his and hers" Ducs. Court (By this definition....the proud owner of an EXOTIC....1 of the 9 Cushman 711 Highlanders produced in 1952 with DUAL barrel spring tractor seats.) | ||
| Raymaines |
I have trouble thinking of anything that I can afford as being exotic. Now (this is weird and you're free to disagree) I've been ruminating on this for a month or so and here's what I think: I think I'm having a hard time liking the Firebolt because it's so darn small! Real bikes weigh at least 450 lbs., usually more. I like 1200cc Suzuki Bandits and Kawasaki ZRX necked bikes. I like Harley's, Triumph's and pipe frame Buells and I really don't like anything that has a six in it's name. The Firebolt only has a 52 inch wheel base and that's just too darn small. It may or may not be exotic, it may or may not be fast. I don't care if the steering is heavy or light and the breaking doesn’t concern me, it's a 250 for crying out loud. RaY2K ain't riding no stinkin' 250! I have a hard time with the Triumph 955's because they’re cheating me out of 45cc's but at least it's a properly sized bike. The new Buell is a 250 with an overgrown motor. Sorry Dudes, I ain't going there. -- or words to that effect -- Is that weird or what? What thinkest thow? | ||
| Davegess |
Then there was that time a couple of the boys were "testing" out on I-43, checking just how accurate the speedos were at a buck 25. And who could get to the East Troy exit first. Well over the rise at hwy120 what should be in the median but a black and white takin' pictures. the leader grabbed a handful of brake and sat up. The drafter came by clipping tailights and elbows as he passed. The East Troy cop just smiled and waved. Of course that time the State trooper clock someone at 120 the fine was impresive. Didn't help that the bike had no muffler, plates, registration or VIN. Heck it didn't even have lights though the painted on ones looked real good from 20 feet away. He was not amused when the rider wouldn't turn the bike off. When told that if stopped it couldn'd be started with out a push he was told "turn it off, you're not riding that thing anywhere". | ||
| Aaron |
I have a funny feeling I know who that rider was  | ||
| Rick_A |
I like the 'bolt...a lot...but if Buell could've only packaged it on a beautiful geodesic steel frame. The Spondon frame kit can do it, damnit...though with a tube aluminum frame...with a rigidly mounted engine...but that's ok. It's close. | ||
| Darthane |
Rick, I did notice that there are frame sliders in the works for anyone timid about denting the frame on a dump. http://www.americansportbike.com/clickcartpro/cgi-bin/cp-app.cgi?usr=1053&pg=store&sub_pg=prod&ref=404 They also have a tinted windscreen for it that's about $125 cheaper than the black Buell one. I'm waiting on my race kit. ::twiddles thumbs:: Bryan | ||
| Daves |
Darthane, We've crashed our demo Firebolt twice now on the right side and haven't touched the frame yet. The black windscreen only retails for 124.95 so that other one must be free? I'll give you a 10% discount if you want the Buell one. Ride to the edge! Dave HD/Buell Cycle Center Waterloo Ia 1-800-342-7539 ext 14 | ||
| Sparky |
Interestingly enough, there is an oval shaped scoop in the dash that matches perfectly the ASB sticker!  Sparky 96S1, 98S3, 03XB | ||
| Darthane |
Dave, I'm actually glad to hear that about the frame. I've been lucky enough to avoid dumping mine so far, but obviously it's only a matter of time. ;-) I mentioned the frame sliders because someone had once voiced a concern over the fuel tank/frame on a dump. As to the Buell windscreen, no thanks (maybe if I ever get the whole damned thing painted black), and my bad on the price. I thought the Buell one was $200. ::shakes head:: Man, I love this bike, though. Hopefully my dealership will have the race kits in tomorrow or Saturday. If so I know what I'm doing this weekend. Bryan | ||
| Buellzebub |
sorry Blake, didn't mean to rile u up,[you wouldn't be an engineer by any chance?] and the comments were not all directed at your post. you're right about the repliracer comment. i bought my s1's for the same reasons you stated, and have absolutely no regrets. i am disappointed over the firebolt though. in the future i won't bash the unassailable logic on your site. [got my mba @ the same place as the enron dudes did... offshore u] i'm going for a ride, maybe you should too. [still can't find the racekit on the factory website, they have the axle covers though] RTFM [ride the fine motorcycle] | ||
| Blake |
Buellzebub, You've certainly heard the sayings... "If you can't take it, don't dish it out", or "If you can't stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen." Just defending my opinions is all. Don't take it personally. "Unassailable logic", I can only try. | ||
| Daves |
I have sent an email to Buell Bitching about the fact that the new acc. for the Bolt aren't on the website yet. We'll see if it does any good. I hope to have them up on our website by today! Ride to the edge! Dave HD/Buell Cycle Center Waterloo Ia 1-800-342-7539 ext 14 | ||
| Mikep |
Visibility Tips for XB9R's - 1. The low-beam headlight is cut off so nicely, a European bulb, that drivers have a hard time seeing that the light is even on during daylight hours. Consider riding with your high-beam turned on during the day, for greater chance of being seen. 2. My tail light bulb burned out at 1047 miles. Check yours periodically. | ||
| Elvis |
Does anyone know how the frame sliders will attach? If the frame is drilled, will that create fuel-leak issues? | ||
| Sarodude |
Didn't someone mention a somewhat hidden little tab on the fram for the sliders? -Saro | ||
| Blake |
IN daylight, I ALWAYS ride with high beam on. | ||
| Lake_Bueller |
The tail light is a chronic Buell problem. I usually go through 2-3 a season on my S3T. Now I carry a spare in the front fairing bag. | ||
| Spiderman |
You have to weld the mount onto the frame then the slider screws into that mount. | ||
| Blake |
That's the first I've heard of a "chronic" tail light problem. I know I've never had to replace one through over 40K miles and four years of Buell ownership. | ||
| Andrew |
"I've never had to replace one through over 40K miles and four years of Buell ownership." Must be 'cause you keep your rpm's up!! | ||
| Raymaines |
Blake, Me too. High beams in the daytime, that is. Let the car in front of me be annoyed, see if I care. If he's really annoyed he'll move over and let me past. That solves two problems at once. A win/win situation, as it were. | ||
| Darthane |
All right, guys, First time ever on a drag strip for me. Took my XB9R out for a little fun with the rest of the Battle Twins BRAG Chapter (American H-D & Buell). We had a stock (I think he might have a K&N in it) S3T with all the fairings and bags removed, 2 M2's with all the bolt-on HP you can get, and a X1 with a slip-on, race ECM, and Forcewinder. My XB9R is still completely stock. __________________________________________________ Quote (from a different thread): 0-60mph + quartermile XB9R 3.6sec 12.21 @ 107.48mph __________________________________________________ I ran with a full tank of gas and about 145 pounds of man and equipment on the bike. Best time I pulled down was 12.775 and the top speed I hit at 1/4 was 108.49. Unfortunately only about 1/3 of my runs were timed, as the track had lost power earlier. I know I can pull a sub 12.5 out of this thing bone stock once I get a little more experience. Take-off's still a bit of a hang up for me (especially since I popped the front wheel off the ground so fast the first time I thought I was gonna go right over), so when I get that down I think I'll nail it. The fasted recorded time of our bunch was the X1, at about 12.44, I think. I only got to race him once, and it was my second run - he didn't beat me by much. My goal's to whup him next time we go out. Our BRAG group leader, Spiderman, says that the 'bolt sounds "$#@%ing awesome" ripping down the track. This is one AWESOME machine. There was a guy racing a tricked out drag S2 there that I ran against a pair of times. He beat me by about .690 and .364. The closer one I think I coulda had him, but dumb@$$ that I am I was watching him instead of my rev limiter. All things being equal I was very happy with myself and had a helluva lot of fun, and that's what counts. Course, next time I go out there I'll have the race kit installed...hehe... For anyone in the Southeast MI area, we went to Milan Dragway, which is a little way south of Ann Arbor. We'll probably make this a monthly excursion, so come on out and join us! Bryan | ||
| Xb9 |
Last Saturday I had mine at the all Harley drags at Quaker City in Salem, Ohio. My best was a 12.45 at 104.65 / 12.48 at 105.14 (box stock, 5K, Royal Purple Oil) My XB likes to look straight into the sky too when I unleash her raw nastyness at the strip. Stands up wicked fast, doesn't it? Really ROCKS when you slam second, doesn't it? That short wheelbase and dragstrip combination is a hairy mix! I had a 1/2 tank and 185 lbs(dry weight) of rider, never got it into 5th, just red lining in 4th through the traps. Wonder what she could do with a slick, wheely bars and gearing..... BTW, one thing no one has mentioned in comparing the 984 "bolt engine to the 1200 is how much quicker this thing revs with all the lighter internal parts. Compare the bore & stroke RATIO to the XR750 engine sometime....... interesting... | ||
| Darthane |
Yeah, there is no doubt in my mind. The XB is NOT an underpowered machine. A stock one can whip even bolt-on modified M2s and X1s without too much trouble. Slap a race kit on this thing and it will take a seriously tinkered-with tube framer to beat it. Pulling out of the gate everyone usually got away from me, but once I hit 3000+ rpms the little 'bolt catches up quick and goes right by. Slamming through the gears'll lift the wheel at every shift. I did make it to fifth gear before the 1/4 once, and when I crossed the line my speedo said 115, but it wasn't a timed run (the whole power outage thing) so I can't verify. Ahh, well, there's always next time. Bryan |
