| Author | Message | ||
     Spiderman |
I allready said that you can get the Pan from Henry SHEESH. No respect.  | ||
| Chainsaw |
Mikep: More mileage info. At a steady pace of 110 mph, my 'bolt gets 39 mpg. Mine was likely the first, if not the only Firebolt in Sturgis. Pictues in a couple of days (old fashioned film camera you understand) | ||
| José_Quiñones |
Blake, Spiderman That's my point, that you have to be racing before you can get either one of those things, they are not available to the general public, ie, it's not in the Buell part & accesory catalog, that you can go to your local Buell dealer, give him the part number and get it. Other than the race kit, Firebolt owners only get only get the chrome heel guards and crap like that...... I'll let them explain why they chose the path that they chose. They did receive a "Buell Race Support" package from Deeley Imports at the beginning of the season, I'm not minimizing that. Any support that Buell or the dealers give to the race teams is GREAT, what I'm getting at is when one team gets "unobtanium" parts that others are not getting. As long as everybody can get the same parts everything is fine. The only reason I brought up the fact that they got the bike one week before the first race is that might explain why they were not able to dyno the bike or do other things that they wanted to do to the bike before racing it. I think they did pretty good considering they were the only Privateer team racing a Firebolt right when it came out, not like the FACTORY BACKED HAL/TILLEY Pro Thunder teams. | ||
| Spiderman |
Last time i talked to henry i asked if they had a larger race pipe for the XB he said no that it was all customized per dealer. He asked me if we (our dealer) were planing on racing one i said no it was for a friend who was just looking for an upgrade. He said cool. Then he proceeded to tell me about the Front faring with no light holes he had for sale and the belly pan. Henry is an awsome guy you do not need to race to get the parts. He was in a Battle2Win article not too long ago, the article stated if you were intrested in getting a Buell pan call Henry at BMC. Nuthing about being for sale as a race team only product. Plus would you want a dealer's parts dept. ordering something like that for you? | ||
| Anonymous |
José, it would be nice if you turned down the animousity a bit. Someone might think you have an axe to grind. I like your timely contributions but take issue with your ever increasing slams. | ||
| Superbad |
How do you get ahold of the "Henry" person. I am seriously considering racing my firebolt. The only things holding me back are(besides time) are a belly pan, and a way of fitting chain and sprockets. I would get MURDERED @ Daytona with the stock gearing. Bobby | ||
| Blake |
JQ, "Other than the race kit, Firebolt owners only get only get the chrome heel guards and crap like that" The XB9R has only been out for a little over three months now; the factory has released race kits, and will soon be offering a package that will allow racers to dial in their own custom EFI mapping. But to you it's all bad?... cause you can't buy prototype Pro Thunder racing parts from your local dealer?  Maybe you should try giving Hal's and/or Tilley's a call. I bet they'd be super glad to set you up with a Pro Thunder engine fairing and other goodies as long as you are willing to pay for it. Look at it this way... Do Chevy, Pontiac, Ford, or Dodge sell Nascar Winston Cup engine/car parts to the public? Besides, why would anyone want a racing belly pan for a street bike??? It is a total hassle! They accumlate dirt and road debris and will fill with water when it rains or when you wash the bike. Anyone putting one on a street-only bike is going for image even more than the customer who buys the chrome heel guards. You KEEP bringing up the Pro Thunder bikes, again, and again, incessantly. You should accept the fact that Hal's and Tilley's are racing wild hopped up stuff. It will NEVER be for sale to the general public. It sure as heck is NOTHING you would want on a street bike. That would be like driving a NASCAR Winston Cup car to the grocery store. Crazy huh?  Costa had plenty of time a dyno run before modifying the engine. He simply shouldn't have modified it before baselining the performance, period. He left it 100% stock for the first race. And good grief, that Canadian Thunder series rivals a small regional club racing series. They had a whopping 7 or 8 entrants at one race. You are putting lot of emphasis on a small and fairly insignificant (yet way cool) series using it as a basis to criticize Buell. And ferkrisakes, you don't even own a Firebolt! Why do you get so spun up about the issue? Geesh. Do you even WANT a belly pan?  Let's ride!  | ||
| Two_Buells |
I would just like to have a package, from the dealer that will allow owners to dial in their own custom EFI mapping. it would have made my life with my S3 soooo much nicer. Now so far, for me, the Firebolt mapping has been spot on. | ||
| Spiderman |
Superbad , Call Henry Duga at 262-642-2020 he'll be abel to help you with the chain issue also. | ||
| Blake |
And why not sell racing fairings to the general public? Perhaps, when sitting stopped in traffic during the heat of summer, having a fully enclosed engine might not be the most prudent thing for the late model Buells? | ||
| José_Quiñones |
I'm not slamming Buell at all, I'm sorry if it sounds that way. I just find it funny that they don't want HAL's and Tilley's Pro Thunder teams to be called "Factory" teams when they CLEARLY are by any reasonable definition. So I like to point it out when I can, sorry if it's repetitive. It's all moot now as Pro Thunder was dropped by the AMA series next year. The Canadian Thunder series is what the Pro Thunder Series should have been, only allowing "street bikes" instead of "race reps" like the 748 Ducatis. Any support that they give the racers is great, like I said before. However, to me, the backroads of Milwaukee or the test track at Talladega are the proper places to test out prototype stuff. Once it shows up on the track, however, they have to sell it to the rest of us at some point, especially if the rules say so. That's the reason Buell does not race in AMA 600 Supersport because the rules don't allow "wild hopped up" stuff, the modifications allowed are very restricted. Pro Thunder, with its wide open rules, lets them use parts that they don't have to sell to anybody. They are currently allowed to race in 750 Superstock, but using Pro Thunder rules. I met Henry (Mid Ohio 2000, Summit Point, WV the last two years) and asked him for a belly pan for my S3 (mainly to hide the muffler and shock, plus it looks cool), and was told I needed to be racing to get it. So if that has changed, then I'm wrong about it now, but at the time I asked the answer was no. Been riding, every day to work! | ||
| José_Quiñones |
Ducati's 900SS and Suzuki's Katana 600 and 750 seem to get along fine with air cooled engines wrapped up in fairings. | ||
| X1glider |
JQ, you are right about the pan. I had to fax a copy of my provisional license to get it. Obviously, you won't be allowed on the track without it, so the provisional license was ok to get you started. It shows intent to race. (I can't help but think that the DOT would love to see belly pans under our XL engines to keep the road clean. So why make it so difficult to get?) Same goes for the other stuff he has such as dual discs and chain conversion. I believe they are still working the chain conversion for the XB to sell to the outside even though Buell might be racing with it. It might be a liability to sell something that isn't proven yet. And you know how the mother company or the collective is when it comes to legal issues. Sheesh, HOG and BRAG rules state that guests must sign waivers to tag along on chapter sposered events! Something I learned of in Primary Officer Training. If my vision serves me right, does the XB not have a way to move the rear wheel back and forth? Hence the use of the roller belt tensioner? Converting to chain would require modifying that as well. Especially if you like to change ratios for different tracks. And that's the only reason I see for needing a chain. The narrow belt seems to handle oodles of torque and HP, so that's not an issue. And back to the pan: 1. It's transparent, so you would want to paint it to hide the ugly muffler. But not for racing. The tech inspector needs to see that the tranny drain plug is safety wired. Unless you feel like removing it at every race for him. 2. All the mounting bracketry is pretty ugly. Also requires using a longer front shock bolt for mounting. (more work!) 3. It is designed to fit with the Buell Pro Race header and muffler. The race header tucks in more and the can is narrower and shorter. The stock exhaust parts will not fit inside it. I was forced to go with the Buell parts for that reason. I really wanted the D&D full exhaust but the can was 22" long to the Buell race's 16". | ||
| X1glider |
Oh, and as far as Hal's and Tilley's are concerned, don't bother asking them for anything. I tried that before I got Henry Duga's number. They've got their own agenda and are reluctant to help us weekend warriors with getting parts or even advice. Just can't be bothered. | ||
| Court |
>>>So why make it so difficult to get?) A: Those things take time and resources to make. Both are precious at Buell now. >>>It might be a liability to sell something that isn't proven yet. A: "Proven" is not problem, "tested and certified for human consumption" is in our litiguous society. Ergo, the race license provision. I'm involved in an odd way with some litigation support for a little "ooopsy" involving the sole survivor of an Aerospatiale helicopter. I assure you Buell doing what they can to keep someone from marching off with, literally, tens of millions of dollars. >>>>so that's not an issue. A: Accurate statement >>>All the mounting bracketry is pretty ugly. A: Repeat after me... "Atlantic City = Beauty - Laguna Seca = Speed" | ||
| X1glider |
Not sure what you are babbling about, but I'm rather partial to Wildwood! Mmmmm...birch beer, Mack's pizza and Douglass salt water taffy! | ||
| Court |
Here.....be an academic and let me send you off to ponder and pontificate on this one..... IF....beauty means so much at Bonneville....why would otherwise sane folks ante up funds to BRING ROCKET there? Frankly, answering that question is akin to understanding Joshua's logig in Wargames. If you need to be committed while figuring it out, I am not liable. Court | ||
| Josh |
What? Huh? Oh, sorry wrong Joshua. WarGames was my bible while I was a computer consultant: Hack into super secret Defense conputer using 300baud (acoustic coupling no less!) modem. Initiate WWIII while trying to play games. Get the Defense Departments panties in a twist. Fix it all with an on-site visit. | ||
| Blake |
"Once it shows up on the track, however, they have to sell it to the rest of us at some point," JQ, I knew it. You wanted a belly pan and couldn't get one. The impetus behind your indignation is personal. Let it go. Trust me, you don't want a bellypan on your S3. It would be a royal PITA and you'd need to remount your race header and muffler for it to fit. "Ducati's 900SS and Suzuki's Katana 600 and 750 seem to get along fine with air cooled engines wrapped up in fairings." Are they fully enclosed racing fairings? I don't think so. And still, that is of no consequnce. The late model higher powered Buells were not designed to live in an enclosure. They already suffer from heat related symptoms, you want to exacerbate that? "The Canadian Thunder series is what the Pro Thunder Series should have been, only allowing "street bikes" instead of "race reps" like the 748 Ducatis." Yeah, well I'd like NASCAR to return to racing actual "stock" cars too. Ain't gonna happen. I thoroughly enjoyed the Pro Thunder series. So what if Buell didn't win a championship. They won plenty of races and finished very respectably against Ducati, who one might argue is the premier motorcycle road racing entity in the world today. Finishing 2nd to Duc is no disgrace. I suppose if Buell had won a championship all we would hear is how the series was rigged by the sponsoring manufacturer. Kudos to Buell for running with the series as long as they did. The FUSA/CCS rules for Middleweight Super Sport... MIDDLEWEIGHT SUPERSPORT (Amateur & Expert Divisions) Single cylinder, Unlimited displacement Two stroke, liquid cooled, up to 515cc Two stroke, air cooled, Unlimited displacement Twin cylinder, liquid cooled, up to 800ccഊ Twin cylinder, air cooled, Unlimited displacement Three cylinder, up to 980cc Four cylinder, liquid cooled, up to 640cc Four cylinder, air cooled, 2 valve, up to 775ccallow for unlimited displacement 6.1.2 All motorcycles must meet the following requirements in addition to the applicable requirements in Section 5. A. Original equipment wheels, brake calipers, forks, frame, engine, fuel induction system, and swing arm must be used. (1) 18” wheels may be replaced with 17” wheels of the same width. (2) 16” wheels may be replaced with 17” wheels of the same width. B. Aftermarket brake rotors may be used but must be the same dimensions as the originals and must be made of a ferrous material. Non-current motorcycles may use brake rotors up to the same size as those that come as original equipment on the current model machine. C. Any fairing may be used provided it is made of plastic, fiberglass or carbon fiber. D. Original equipment air box must remain as produced. Air filters must be used but may be Aftermarket units. Aftermarket air filters are restricted to units available via normal commercial channels and designed for that specific model machine. Aftermarket air filter units that replace part of the O.E.M. airbox are required to maintain the original size and number of air inlet openings as the stock unit. E. Engine modifications include the following: (1.) Pistons which are no larger than 1mm over stock size may be used but must be same compression ratio as the OEM pistons. (2.) Original equipment cylinders must be used. (3.) Original equipment head, valves, and cams must remain as produced, with the exception of machining the gasket surface of the cylinder head. (4.) Original equipment cases, crankshaft, and connecting rods must remain as produced. (5.) Original equipment transmission gears must be used. (6.) Carburetor bodies and/or throttle bodies may not be modified, bored, or polished. F. Internal engine modifications on all single cylinder machines, 4-stroke twin cylinder machines with less than 4 valves per cylinder, and all twin cylinder machines produced prior to the 1994 model year are unlimited, provided class displacement limits are not exceeded. Aftermarket carburetors may be used on single cylinder machines, all 4-stroke twin cylinder machines with less than 4 valves per cylinder, and all twin cylinder 4-stroke machines produced prior to the 1994 model year. 6.2.2. D. is waived for single cylinder and all twin cylinder 4-stroke machines produced prior to the 1999 model year. G. Tires must be DOT approved. H. Rain Tires may only be used when the Race Director declares the event “Wet”. Why can't the AMA accept these rules so that we can see more than one (well now two since they will now finally allow the Duc 748) type of bike enter the race. Why not let the Buells in? What are they afraid of? Seems to me the FUSA/CCS rules were made for a race version of an XB12R to dominate the class. If only we had one. Stay tuned, I think that the Buell engineering team remains gainfully employed. | ||
| Blake |
Blake the big mouthed arsehole must pull foot out of mouth... again.  Costa Mouzouris (Canadian Thunder XB9R Roadracer) sets the record straight. Thanks Costa. I really am routing for you!
| ||
| Blake |
As for performance help, you might give Nallin Racing a call. Maybe they'd be willing to trade parts for sponsorship exposure? If his 1050 kit, headwork and other matching performance racing components are legal in the Canadian Thunder series, you would seem to be a shoe-in for the championship next year. I've been trying to convince my fellow CCS/CMRA club racers down here in Texas to take a serious look at the XB9R for next year. Haven't found any takers yet. For some it's the price, for others the stigma of poor reliability and disbelief that the XB9R is a capable club racebike. I've been aclimatizing myself to the local track on my '97 M2. Will hopefully be able to race next year. Unfortunately, there is no "Thunder Bike" class. My best bet will be in the LW Superbike, LW GP, HW Sportsman, GTL and such. | ||
| José_Quiñones |
Blake thanks for posting that.  | ||
| Jrh |
Just read the post of the Ohio dealer,selling XBs for $8995.I havent been there since the Slay The Dragon thing that they or none of the other 3 dealers near my area chose not to participate in,so i can't comment much on that price or why the markdown is there.Besides Buell+H-D they sell Yamaha,which to me may explain some of it.Another dealership i go to most often has had 2 XBs sitting on their floor for a very,very long time,(i assume i'm seeing the same 2 bikes each time but im not certain.)This dealer also sells H-D,Yam.,Kaw.,Honda.Towards the end of each summer they usually mark down a few bikes,here are some examples of deals today;2003 XB Buell full MSR of $9999,CBR954RR $8999,CBR600F4i $6999,Kaw ZRX1200 $6999,Ninja ZX6 $5999.All brand new 2002 models.If like previous years the Yams may soon be marked down too. My point is,i'm not sure a multi brand dealer is the best place to try to sell the current Buell offerings,we can argue the pros and cons of the XB engine forever,but if the imports can be had at prices like these,well you better really want a Buell badly. The 2 dealers i frequent that sell only H-D+Buell don,t have XBs on the floor,apparently they sold theirs long ago. | ||
| José_Quiñones |
The only reason I brought up the belly pan was because some people are complaining about the looks of the aftermarket mufflers currently available, and the belly pan would cover them up. Believe me, I wasn't upset about not being alble to get a belly pan, if they do come out with a street version for it, I will buy it. | ||
| Mikej |
Selling a $10,000 XB sitting next to a $17,000 Dynaglide is one thing, selling that same $10,000 XB sitting next to a $7,000 CBR that has a higher top speed is entirely different. Add to that the fact that most non-HD/Buell dealerships won't let you do a test ride and it gets downright impossible to sell the Buell. Just my observations. | ||
| Spiderman |
Jose Trojan Horse sells a street style belly pan a few mods and it will probally fit on the XB. | ||
| Sarodude |
A multibrand dealer that sells Japanese bikes is not the right place. Someone that sells British & Itallian might be better. To me, it seems buying Japanese is strictly a numbers ($, hp, etc) and loyalty game. Buying European often brings with it the search for coolness or character. I think one thing all Buells drip in gross excess is character. -Saro | ||
| Msetta |
Dealers will have a tough time selling Buell's if they don't allow test rides. That is the main reason i bought one, cause I got to test it, and couldn't forget about it, and had to ride it again, and had to have it.... Mike Setta | ||
| Blake |
Yaaawwwwnnnnn... JRH, Bringing up the price disparity issue... again? Frankly I'm sick to death of the second guessing and price point blathering and ridiculous exagerations. "Another dealership I go to most often has had 2 XBs sitting on their floor for a very,very long time" Would that "very, very long time" be more than 3-1/2 months?  So, what do you call the 2001 model UJM's that are still sitting on the floor for sale in my local HondaYamaSuki shop? They must be antiques eh? | ||
| Blake |
First you guys complain about Buells being sold by HD dealers who are insensitive and or borderline incompetent to handle the brand, now you gripe because Buells are being sold with UJM's. Are y'all listening to yourselves? Blake (grouchytodayforsomeunknownreason)  |
