| Author | Message | ||
     Rogue_biker |
China is China...it's all about business. If you've ever dealt with Chinese business people, you will understand how shrewd they are when it comes to money. But at the very least the Chinese don't go outside their borders to blow people up. And they certainly are NOT anti-American. Hell! They don't even train terrorists. So you gotta give them that! Plus, if you go to China and meet their people, you would be surprised how Pro-American they are. You have to remember that most Chinese still remember the atrocities given to them by the Japanese in WW2--it makes the Japanese atrocities against American POW's pale in comparison. So when the US liberated China, it was with open arms that they accepted us. That goodwill has continued among the people of China. Notice their affinity for Buicks, Chevrolets, and Cadillacs--these are the cars they remember with fond memories (liberators from the horrible Japanese occupation). They all want to live like we do (can you blame them) without actually taking that admiration and twisting it into anger and hatred like the Middle East and Latin America. Instead, they work their asses off to better themselves. I used to not like China and I still don't like their biased trade policies. But we owe it upon ourselves to give them the benefit of the doubt (which we have) and keep trading with that country on friendly terms. In addition, we should cultivate all that goodwill we have with their people because in the future, it will be the Chinese buying our stuff. | ||
| Buellshyter |
All I can say is, back when the cold war was in full swing, no one would have dreamed of buying something from the Soviet Union but in 2007 the West can't get enough of things made in communist slave labor China. | ||
| Blaster2 |
New Buell (killer) bike ?  Hypermotard, price is even less than a XB12 (-1000€) | ||
| Blaster2 |
New Buell (killer) bike ?  Hypermotard, price is even less than a XB12 (-1000€) | ||
| Reepicheep |
I think that picture is the concept bike, not the production bike. Whenever I try and look at the production bike pictures, I keep struggling to find the right angle to make it look as good as the concept bike did. I never quite succeed. And last I checked, the production bike was heavier then an XB12, makes less power at the wheel, and cost more. Thats a sweet bike though, don't get me wrong. I'd love to have one. If I were shopping again today though, it would come in third behind a TT and an XB9SX. It'd be a very close third though, the overall cost of ownership (including very spotty dealer availability) would have more to do it then just the bike. I'd buy it before I would buy one of the repli-racers though, that's for sure. | ||
| Spatten1 |
This may actually give Buell an opportunity for a good two-bike shootout in some of the publications. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Obviously Spatten1 was just checking to see if you were awake Fatty. You know me. Tick, tick, tick = BOING!!!!! | ||
| Spatten1 |
FT: I just PM's you a question about a vintage Seamaster, you advice would be appreciated. SP | ||
| Blaster2 |
Well Reepicheep, this in the real stuff from ducati  | ||
| Blaster2 |
and you can ride it almost like a Buell  | ||
| Blaster2 |
and it ways less (2kg ore 4 pounds)  | ||
| Blaster2 |
But I still love my Buell   | ||
| 07xb12scg |
Well Reepicheep, this in the real stuff from ducati It looks so bad ass in that photo. The only thing I don't like about that bike is the Spy vs Spy looking front fender/headlight shroud piece.} | ||
| Thepup |
"And last I checked, the production bike was heavier then an XB12, makes less power at the wheel, and cost more. " According to the Ducati and the Buell website they both weigh 395lbs dry,has anyone seen a dyno on the Supermotard yet,a little early to say the XB has more power at the wheel yet. | ||
| Huskysm450r |
I've got a deposit down on a Hypermotard S, but I'm keeping my XB9SX for longer rides. | ||
| Rocketman |
The production version looks better than the pre production. Cleaner around the rear cylinder head. Better footrest mount etc. Look Here Ducati say they have orders for 6000 units thus far worldwide and they are delighted. Rocket | ||
| Rhun |
Rogue_biker If we have everything (i.e. all of our manufacturing as it is quickly becoming) made in China because they are great and cheap, what stuff of ours are they suppose to buy?? I have several Chinese friends and we discuss the wisdom of only being allowed one child and most everyone opting for males. Next generation China will be basically male. lonely, horny males. Oh... I see what we have that they want!!  | ||
| Jackelfox |
Rogue_biker, i dont disagree with your summations about china and the chinese, but your wwII history is a bit shabby in the china department, they were in the middle of several simultanious civil wars at the time, and we werent on the side of the one that ended up winning. So while there conclusion might well be the same about american involvement (namely appreciation), we never played the role of liberators. Which brings us to the United States main sticking point with them even now, Taiwan. | ||
| Jackelfox |
Rhun, what they should be wanting to buy from the US isnt goods. It would be services, technical know-how and patents. Thats why the big hubub about intellectual property rights | ||
| Jackelfox |
... oh and buicks | ||
| Rogue_biker |
Well, the Chinese are buying up our cars! Okay, so many of them are made in China. But not all. Also, you would be surprised at how many US Corporations are already doing business there, employing Americans AND Chinese. Our economy has been in transition for a while now--transition over to more automation, less skilled labor. The "skilled laborers" that America has are shifting over to more technical jobs. This isn't just happening in America, it is happening in Japan & Western Europe. Basically, labor intensive jobs go to the cheapest laborer. Right now, that's China. It used to be Japan but no anymore. Nations who don't make the transition get left behind. I'm glad to say we as a nation are doing very well. It hasn't been easy or painless, but we are at the forefront. It's just free market economies at work. You can't blame a single country nor the executives of a company. In a free market economy like our is, the money goes to the most efficient, least cost, manufacturer. Okay. Nuff economics lessons. Sorry for being preachy. I'm not defending the negative things that have happened to our manufacturing sector. But tell me something--would you buy your Buell if it cost you $15k? Probably many of us won't. But we would at $10k. Well, Buell did it's best to price their bikes at or near $10k and to do that, they had to source some parts out to suppliers around the world because they could do it better for less. It's easy enough to say, you won't support Chinese made stuff to protect American jobs, but what do people really do when thousands of their hard earned cash is on the line? They will usually go to the less expensive things. Regarding the more Chinese men than women. That's already happening there. I think there are 3 males for every 1 female. That's their problem and not ours. They sure as well are NOT coming over here in droves to take our women. But the Mexicans are! Haha! Not that Amercians are not lapping up Mexican women anyways! I see lots of white male/Mexican female married couples around here that's for sure. I also see lots and lots of white male/Asian female couples as well. So it goes that way more often that white/American female to foreign males. Any way you look at it, our lifestyles are still way superior to the average Chinese. All those people do is work. And like I said, I would rather give China some of my money, than the America-hating countries of the world. And Buell still makes most parts of its bike in America. And for me, that's what's important. Sorry for the long rant.  | ||
| Nicozzzz |
AND SO --..... 2008 MODELS? | ||
| Cityxslicker |
Somebody give me something to look forward to, My CityX has been in the shop for 21 days! Snapping in ECMs like LEGO bricks (flarg!) | ||
| Trojan |
This may actually give Buell an opportunity for a good two-bike shootout in some of the publications. Already done in the Motorcycle News. 3 bike shootout between the Hypermotard, KTM 950 Supermoto and Buell XB12TT. The Hypermotard came first with the KTM a close second. The Buell scored badly on the engine, quality of finish and lower spec components compared to the others. Buell desperately need a product update. | ||
| Firebolt020283 |
well im not sure what is made in china and not but i do know this. I hate the fact that alot of customer service centers (phone) for many companys are in india. What is the point of having a customer service over the phone if you cant understand the reps? I know that was off topic but it kinda has the same effect to me if i dont like the product or service that comes with the product i am not going to buy it so you would think that companys would: A) not make there products in china to have bad quality and B) not have indan people talk on the phone cuz you cant understand them. But I guess those companys dont care about keeping customers. | ||
| Spatten1 |
Matt, is it possible for you to scan it and post it? I'm curious why they like the Ducati air cooled engine more than the Buell. I'm also curious why they picked the air cooled Duc over the liquid cooled KTM. | ||
| Trojan |
Unfortunately I no longer have the article as it was published a couple of weeks ago and I don't keep the papers. From what I remember they loved the handling of the XB but thought it lacked top end speed and was 'agricultural' compared to the Ducati motor. The KTM got top marks for engine performance but lost out in some other areas. Of course the test was just the opinion of 3 riders and not a scientific comparison, so personal preference counts for a lot. The XB did look very dated and heavy though when pictured alongside the Duc and the KTM. | ||
| Jackelfox |
call me shallow but i couldnt give the KTM at top spot due to aesthetics alone. | ||
| Glitch |
Buell desperately need a product update. Agreed. I really hope some of the things being passed around are at least half true. Then again, I've also heard of the addition on new colors. I've got my fingers crossed, but not holding my breath. May just have to wait for the dirtbike, and transform it into a SuperMoto. | ||
| Lake_bueller |
I wouldn't expect to see the dirt bike until at least September but most likely next spring/summer (just a guess). As for 2008...think a big wet V-twin with good HP and torque. Only a motor option in the XB chassis (just another guess ) |
