| Author | Message | ||
     Anonymous |
afternoon everyone. was wondering if anybody knows anything about the rumors that buell is designing a new motor for the firebolt, that is supposed to be more competative with the other bike companies.i heard this at one of the shops and was told that they want to get this new bike on the track with the big boys very soon. ...asked SandmanX1.. | ||
| Spiderman |
Just talk to the guys at ASB I heard they threw a X1 flywheel in a XB motor and got some awesome numbers. P.S. Why would you post thant anonymous ???? The use of the Anony function has gotten out of controle. | ||
| Elvis |
Anon, I think you're the only person who has suggested a new engine as an actual rumor. I would say nearly everyone on this board would like to see a new engine, but I haven't heard any solid info. The engine is so obviously the weakest part of the bike, that it is almost inevitable we will see one sometime, but I'm not overly optimistic for the short term. If anyone else has heard any whispers, I'd love to hear them. | ||
| Bykergeek |
I'd guess that the VRSC motor will be available to Erik sometime in the next 10 yrs  | ||
| Jssport |
When they first brought out the VRSC motor (well... before that really, when there were just some german spy photos), it was reported there were two different motors, 100HP and 135HP... We are still waiting on that 2nd one..... the question is,... Buell or HD model ??? | ||
| Joebuell |
Will that motor even fit in the XB chassis? | ||
| Anonymous |
ERIK don't want the stinkin' VROD motor. Said Dave | ||
| Bykergeek |
>>ERIK don't want the stinkin' VROD motor.<< Well there's always the Rotax/Aprilia V-Twin but I'd doubt the parent company would go for that... | ||
| Jim_M |
the engine that would fit the XB9 the best looks like the KTM twin...(hell, I'd like to see an X1 with one bolted up into it) But where to fit the radiator and airbox? | ||
| Rick_A |
I don't see Buells engine as a weak point at all. That's the main reason I own one. For a street based machine I think the Sportster based mills are ideal. | ||
| José_Quiñones |
...the Firebolt would be the first of a new range based on the new chassis, and the assurance that water-cooled engines had no place in existing development plans on the basis they were too expensive to produce, too heavy and there was no space to stick the extra bits like radiators and water pumps. | ||
| José_Quiñones |
I have visions of a Buell Firebolt stuffed with this motor, although if this is in the master plan, they're taking their sweet time implementing it. At the very least, that would give Buell a toehold on the sportbike market, setting up a move for the hammerlock. If you ride it you will want it..... | ||
| Imonabuss |
Bottom line, the V-Rod motor will not fit in the XB chassis. Much too big for such a small motorcycle. Interesting that Aprilia says on the non-launch of the Blue Marlin that you can't make a small motorcycle because there's no room for airbox and fuel tank. Hmmm, gosh it sounds so unsolveable... Don't bet on a new motor for the Firebolt; it has one in it. Virtually no parts are shared with the Sportster. | ||
| Pilot |
"Don't bet on a new motor for the Firebolt; it has one in it. Virtually no parts are shared with the Sportster. " Yet!.I think that we are the beta testers for this motor ,before H.D. let it loose in the sportster,they would like to know of any faults.I can almost here them say,if the Buell guys can not kill it, then it will last in the sportster,give to them for a year or two.Face it Guys we are a small market,meaning if something was to go wrong,then less out there to fix and also H.D. has spent a lot of money on this motor and needs to recoup their investment,so I can see it being used in sportsters also.Just my observation and opinion. | ||
| José_Quiñones |
Erik tried to make the same point at the BRAG rally in Pocono this year. Everybody snickered and laughed when he said it was a "new" engine. YOUR EXISTING CUSTOMERS DON'T BUY THAT STORY. The XB engine is built with the same tooling as a SPORTSTER, it LOOKS like a SPORTSTER, it SOUNDS like a SPORTSTER and it SHAKES like a Sportster. IT'S A SPORTSTER ENGINE! as long as these things are true, Buells will not get much attention from the "import crowd" which is very engine focused. You have read the magazine reviews, here's the latest one from Motorcycle Daily
PS the reason Aprilia did not want to produce the Marlin was because the engine was so choked by the size of the airbox that it only made 80 HP and they did not feel that they could sell it that way. That didn't stop Buell did it? | ||
| Spiderman |
>>>>>>Bottom line, the V-Rod motor will not fit in the XB chassis Really? Did you measure it up at all? It looks like a posibility. A little heavier and Bulkier but may work. All I have to say to every one who things the Buell's are slow and over priced, that I tell every one in my shop that bitches about it. "If you want balls out speed Go to the Jap shop and buy a Hyabusa, If you want a bike that is fast and fun without being intimidating Buy a Buell." | ||
| Budo |
"If you ride it you will want it" Well I did ride a XB9S. My dealer has a demo which had six miles on it. He begged me not to trash his bike, which I did not. So what did I think? Well it handled odd for me. Heavy stearing, fell in to turns. Might have not been setup for me. I weigh 210 nakked. The brakes were just ok. I did a roll on just to see what power might be there. I was unimpressed. The bike did start right up and idle ok. Which was good. It did shake at idle. I have a 1998 S1W with 31k miles on it so I am no stranger to Buell. So what do I think? Well for me this bike is under powered and way too small and way to o expensive. Also reliability is yet to be proven. But really the thing is the entire pkg. For 10k you can get some serious machinery. For 8k the Suxuki SV1000 looks pretty good. That will be my next bike if I can get ride of my S1. Even if the bike is a stellar handler in the twisties it is going to loose when you get a bit of straight road. They guys I ride with, when they whack the throttle open they want exciting things to happen and the Buell does not deliver. Also these younger guys, being last is something they will not tolerate. I have seen that, everyone has their helmet off, standing around yakking. Then the last guy rolls up. This guy, the last guy, feels like the lowest thing on the face of the planet at that moment. These guys will not tolerate that. Simply not being able to keep up. Alot of this is the age range. But buell supposedly is targeting this group. I suppose Buell does not intend or expect to sell alot of bikes and that is a good thing because I doubt they could. As always, YMMV. Almost forgot, my dealer blows. No suprise there? | ||
| Reepicheep |
Then they will be dead or out of the sport within a couple of years. Its a fickle market that worries more about specs then how a bike actually rides, and the people in it completely turn over about every two years. I lurk in a couple of sport bike forums, and I am stunned at how little most of the sportbike crowd seems to actually understand about motorcycles. Simple stuff like countersteering, the relationship of torque to horsepower, trail braking, the effect of the torque curve on the character of the ride, defensive driving... basic stuff. Think about it. How many bikes were sold in the US last year? How many of them were *CRUISERS*, which any Buell (including the blast) could run rings around in just about every measurable regard. How many of those cruiser guys would actually be happier on a sport capable standard (like the XB's, or even my Cyclone)? There is a HUGE potential market there... the return of rationality and the return of the sporting standard. I think Buell would be foolish to focus on where the market already is. They are (wisely) looking at where the market is going. Buell hooked me solid about 30 seconds after I dropped my Cyclone gear on the first test ride. I was coming from a 600cc inline four. They now have a lifetime customer... I expect to be riding for the next 3 decades at least, and my business is Buell's to loose. The track they are on now (XB9S) has me hook, line, and sinker. I am at their mercy. I wonder how much of the pure sportbike crowd actually end up being return customers (aside from the squids driving up our insurance rates by looping their GSX-R's and FZ1's)... | ||
| Chainsaw |
I could personally give a rats-ass for what the sport bike crowd wants. These are the same guys that bought lime green bikes with hot pink accents 10 years ago. Let them buy friggin Hondas and Suzukis or whatever. I never see any of these crotch rockets more than 50 miles outside of the city limits on their "dependable" bikes. Real friggin dependable collecting dust in your garage. Fuck 'em. If you don't respect what I ride, you can kiss my American ass. It will be a cold day in hell before I ever buy a Japanese made bike. JQ: I own a Sporty and an XB right now. They are very different bikes, regardless of what you think. If you think they shake too much, buy all means, keep your ass parked in a rocking chair. I have never though either of these bikes were vibrating pieces of shit. Why do you keep pissing in my Cheerios? I love my bikes. If you don't, fine! Your opinion is well known. Why keep beating a dead horse brother? Bitching about motorcycles is amusing for all of about 10 minutes. Think I'll go take my undependable, paint shaking antique Firebolt for a ride. | ||
| Ar15ls1 |
Well said Chainsaw!!! I am with you a 100 percent. I love my firebolt. With the exception of being slightly underpowered I would not change a thing about it. Dont knock these bikes until you have ridden one. A lot of my Yamazuki buddies talked bad about my Buell until they got on one and actually rode it. They were a lot more impressed than they thought they would be. | ||
| Daves |
Budo, I ride with bikes of all makes. You need to find different people to ride with. Making the guy(or gal) that comes to the stop last feel like the lowest thing on the face of the planet? So you encourage riders to ride over their abilities just to "fit in". In any group of riders you will have faster and slower riders. You will also have riders that "could" ride lots faster but aren't SQUIDS on public roads. Some riders prefer to keep the really fast riding for the track days. The group you ride with sounds like a disaster waiting to happen if it hasn't already. Do them a favor and set up a track day for them, there they will be able to ride in different skill level groups and ride to their limits in the right place. Ride to the edge! Dave HD/Buell Cycle Center 4022 Sergeant Rd Waterloo Ia 50701 1-800-342-7539 ext 14 | ||
| Budo |
Daves. You are correct about people riding over their heads. I did not mean to give the impression that pressure was put on anyone. What I see is testerohone (sp) posioning. Any eighteen year old can buy any bike they can buy. There are no restrictions. Everyone in the club will tell a new rider to ride their own ride. Make the turn etc. Turns out it can be hard to do. Very few riders are comfortable being last. I know older expereienced riders that get 'caught up' and ride over their heads. Very few people seem to be able to hustle a bike around a corner. But everyone can whack the throttle open in the straight and make up some time, close the gap. The XB9's are not able to do that. These guys fall further and further behind. After a few times they just don't come back. Might leave the sport all togather. But all of that is beside the point. It is your money, buy what you want. The reason we keep talking about it is that I or we want Buell to build a bike that is competative, in hadling, performance, and reliability. So far they have not done that. So, just how long should I wait? I have a 1998 S1W with 31k miles on it. I have enjoyed the bike, but it has left me stranded so many times I no longer have any confidence in it. My dealer still blows. | ||
| Budo |
About Jap products. I don't like the Japanese. But it seems to be hard to get away from Jap products. On my Buell, the brakes are Nissen, the shock showa, the carb Mikuni. I bought a clutch lever switch the other day. The pkg was stamped JAPAN. Supposedly HD's are worse. I suppose I could go back to riding a original Triumph. I had a 1978 Bonneville that only stranded me once. My 1998 S1W has gone tits up on me four times. One of those was a holed piston at 19,324 miles which Buell did not cover and my local dealer who I bought the bike from refused to rebuild. As in 'what do you expect us to do about it'? I bought a couple of genuine HD tie down straps from my dealer. These are the straps that come in on the new bikes and my dealer sells them. Not only is the strap stamped Harely Davidson, on the buckle it says Taiwan. That one gave me pause. You don't want to ride a Jap bike, good for you. It is your money, spend it how you want. | ||
| Jrh |
Hey,maybe the green and pink bike riders were just colorblind,then the pink would be a dirty white and the green a dirtier white.Those seats with fake zebra hair stuck on 'em though,they really piss me off more than anything i've ever had to deal with.Unless it was tiger hair i was seein,i guess it would be acceptable to me then. | ||
| Imonabuss |
No, Jose, Buell was able to take a tiny bike and put in a "Sportster" motor and still make 80HP. That's an accomplishment far beyond Aprilia's capabilities, because even though it isn't a Sportster motor, it is an air-cooled two-valve pushrod single intake motor. And for those who snickered at Erik in Pocono, well, that just shows how stupid they are, because the motor is new. Not an entirely new concept, but new parts. And, no the cylinders are not machined in Sportster tooling, because they have much bigger fins and wouldn't fit. And, no the cases aren't machined in Sportster tooling, because they are not the same shape. Let's start from the top: Rocker covers are different, valves are different, valve springs are different, valve guides different, Valve keepers different, heads different (fins, combustion chamber, ports, mount bosses, breather and oil passages), pistons different, pins different, rings different, rods different, crankshaft different, main bearings different, cams different, etc., etc., etc., literally nearly every part new except for transmission gears). And no, it doesn't shake like a Sportster, because it has a different balance factor, a 3.125 stroke instead of 3.812, and lighter piston and rod parts. And no it doesn't look like a Sportster...I'll bet Willie G. would testify to that. It is simply the finest air-cooled 1000cc pushrod engine ever made. Pure and simply, Jose, you may be able to cut and paste links, but you are ignorant of the facts. | ||
| Imonabuss |
Spiderman, Yes, I have seen the two engines and seen them measured. No way, Jose, as they say... | ||
| Retiredmxer |
I've never seen so much whining and then defending on a message board...it all boils down to your opinion of the bike you ride. Buy it or don't. | ||
| Budo |
Yeah, what he said. | ||
| Timbo |
After another great day of riding I can say with absolute certainty, I love this bike! Every bike could always use more ponies...so what. I tell ya what...wind this puppy up and walk it through the gears...you will be in triple digits very quickly. Handling is at fantasy level and it stops like "right now". My dream bike has been built and I own one! Anyone can piss on the cherrios if they want...hungry riders ride better  Timbo | ||
| Cyclone1 |
I'm with Timbo...stop yer damn bitching...ride what you wanna ride and go do it instead of wasting yer time on this board whining and complaining about everything that Buell "should-have" done...geeeeez...I thought the H-D crowd was bad..... Frank |
