| Author | Message | ||
     Xb9er |
Never mind, I guess I should have seen the Rotax thread before posting. chris | ||
| Hughlysses |
Not to sound like weird, but what is a rotax motor? is that like a ducati motor? See here: http://www.rotax.com/en/Engine/2004/Motorcycle/ It's a water-cooled, 60 degree V-twin with balancing shafts, DOHC, 4 valves/cylinder, etc. Aprilia has used it in several of their bikes, but they're now beginning to develop their own engines, so perhaps Rotax is looking for another buyer? | ||
| Buellshyter |
When did HD manufacture a Rotax motor? I know HD has used Rotax to power their military off-road bikes, in the past, but I don't believe they manufactured the motor. | ||
| Barker |
http://www.rotax.com/ | ||
| Buellshyter |
Buell + Rotax Engine = big, big win and finally a Buell that will be the best sport bike in the world and certainly will sell alot more than 6,000 bikes in the USA. Great enthusiasm but let's wait and see before we judge it "the best in the world". There are a lot of unknowns, at this point, not the least of which is HD's ability to service the damn things. | ||
| Court |
Uhhh....the name is ERIK, not Eric. It erodes your credibility and we should try to get at least SOME part of this accurate.  | ||
| Barker |
"Another question - are HD dealers going to service Rotax motors?" IMHO most HD dealers cant work on buell engines. | ||
| Tommy_2stroke |
All this hot air about how great the XB would be if only it had a Rotax motor to power it... I would really like to see someone who advocates this idea step up to the plate. If this is such a great idea, why hasn't some enterprising bike-modder actually tried it? Surely it would not be so difficult a project... yes, there would be "fit" issues to be solved, but nothing insurmountable. Far more difficult mods have been made in the engine-swap department. Enough talk... let's see the results. This might be the "holy grail" of sportbikes... or perhaps not... until somebody actually tries it, we'll never know. But don't look at me; I'm one of those fossils who believes the old 45-deg. lump still has quite a bit of development life left in it. Hope I haven't stepped on any toes. I am often wrong. Often-Wrong Tom, they calls me... | ||
| Kuuud |
So OK, the XB9 (or 8 or 10) with a Rotax engine, and a significant infusion of RR upgrades introduced into a new, lower Uly and eventually to several other models. Result: 3 engines in 2 frames. Q.Will HD work on Rotax engines when they can't/won't work on Buells? A. ...WOO HOO ! stand alone Buell dealerships, FINALLY !!! | ||
| Kuuud |
Just in time for Honda to buy HD and sell off Buell to... Court and his hidden millions! OK 49% and Erik retains 51% | ||
| Dongalonga |
who actually needs hd to work on their buells now....pretty simple bikes to fix if you ask me. whenever i actually need a tire changed or something i dont have the tools for i bring it to a mom and pop shop anyways (better pricing and service). | ||
| Mndwgz |
Possibly some design features we'll see... from Fuell  | ||
| Strato9r |
I agree that there is still plenty of development potential for an air cooled engine, especially when taking in to account the entire package; the weight and space use of a liquid cooled powerplant vs. the compactness of an air cooled one still gives an edge to the liquid cooled motor in terms of power output. But, as Ducati has displayed so well on the Hypermotard and Sport Classics, an air cooled package can still deliver plenty of power, and look very good doing it. I wonder if (aloud) if the technology utilised in the new S+S 3-Cam engine is the most viable route for Buell to pursue if air cooled engines are to be continued as the basis for future machines. There are some impressive innovations worked into it's design, such as a lighter, stronger, forged steel crankshaft, and less massive automotive style con rods. This cuts down on rotational mass that eats up a big chunk of power simply spinning the traditional assembly at high RPM's. (not to mention the stresses imparted on those pieces; the crankpins and bearings on an XR750 are huge in comparison, simply to hold itself together at high RPM.) Another feature of the 3-Cam is the use of short, rigid and lightweight rocker arms, and a wedge style combustion chamber, allowing it to use modern, NASCAR style automotive cylinder head and airflow technology. As demonstrated in modern pushrod engines such as those found in the new Corvettes, pushrods still work very well. It could well be argued that any pursuit of that line of thinking would still not yield a world beating, mega monster of a machine, and it would be correct, in terms of pure numbers and bragging rights. But, a mechanically easy revving, say in the 8500 peak, engine could easily make 120 horsepower, and do it with a strong torque curve, and reliability. There are plenty of sponsors on this website doing it now, with traditional technology. But, it seems as if the acid test is always extreme end performance, and it will mean that ultimately Buell will have to be a dominating force in Moto GP or whatever before they are viewed as anything other than an interesting bike. That might be the better way of doing it anyway, as the full on race bikes currently built by Ducati or Yamaha are as much street bikes as anything you would see in a NASCAR race is a passenger vehicle. Either way, it will come down to whether or not BMC continues to be tied to existing H-D boundaries; to continue to refine an elegant design that can be traced, in it's most elemental layout of flywheels and four camshafts, to around 1930, (and the've done a hell of a job, so far) or at least be granted a clean slate for a new version of a traditional design that could lay the groundwork for future, clean running, powerful and efficient engines to be incorporated by H-D. (or, stuff a 190 HP V-5 into a 380 pound XB and end this once and for all..........) | ||
| Court |
>>>>be granted a clean slate How about a BLANK slate? | ||
| Dongalonga |
damn you court damn you to hell i have spent the last two days of my life on google and buell.com trying to figure this out. please send me a pm before i weep like a school girl who didnt get asked to the dance.  | ||
| Rocketsprink |
You have less than 2 weeks and you'll all know. | ||
| Mikej |
Maybe not "all", but probably enough. | ||
| Bigdaddy |
>>>>be granted a clean slate >>>>>How about a BLANK slate? I'm going with the BLANK stare! | ||
| Isham |
 139HP nice! 997.6 ccm | ||
| Team222 |
Court Says: Uhhh....the name is ERIK, not Eric. It erodes your credibility and we should try to get at least SOME part of this accurate. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> My Reply Uhhhhhhh....weee bit of news for you Court.......typing/spelling errors does not diminish anyones motorcycle credibility except as judged by people like you that are compelled to find issue with everything they do not originate as a means to reinforce their own self created "know it all" image on line My motorcycle credibility credentials start with 400,000+ miles on bikes in the last 40 years and I have owned 30 or so plus motorcycles during this time. I have personally met and spent time with most of the top USAs top road racers during this time including Eri(k) Buell. I know the president of Harley Davidson and have had meetings with him. I also design motorcycle apparel for major motorcycle garment manufacturers including Vanson which uses some of technical approaches I originated in the garments bought by Buell. I have patent for motorcycle apparel that changed motorcycle garment performance forever and has helped motorcycle riders all over the world. I am the Director of one of the largest vintage motorcycle clubs in the world and have passed plenty of Buells on rally sport rides in the WV twisties and at track days...not on my newer bikes ....buttttt on 30+ years old motorcycles I could go on and on here and bore eveyone even further by posting more of my motorcycle credibility credentials, but in the end, what are your motorcycle credibility credentials in comparison.... other than being a Buell owner and spending too much time on this forum? >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I posted the picture of that Buell as a matter of contributing and soliciting comment....not to receive feeble and glib rebuttals on spelling matters from you or anyone else. I don't know if the photo is true or not...stated that.....frankly don't care at this point, but I will say for those that do not know what an Aprilia is or the Rotax motors they use.....a 1200cc variant of these motors will transform ...Buell the company... and any Buell motorcycle. What I do care about is my expressing my admiration of Erik Buell and the sincere hope he will indeed get the motor needed to do the job and achieve his life long goal of building "the" sportbike vs "a" sportbike because from the very beginning and like many, I have known he was just a motor away from selling the best motorcycle of all times. Thanks for all the other comments from everyone Mike | ||
| Court |
WOW. . . ya sure got me there. Being a construction worker sucks. | ||
| Firemanjim |
Yup,except I was bored way before you stopped. Most folks I know of any repute don't feel the need to impress others with their list of accomplishments. And you have been on this board for how long and feel the need to chastise one of the charter members? (says you registered on 06-27-07--been around along time,huh?) Let's see if your predictions meet the test of time, and if you even bother to stay around here after all of that blather. Ownership of multiple motorcycles and all of those other qualifications you note gives you exactly zero credibility here.I have owned at least that many bikes--and nearly that many cars, but it certainly makes me no expert on any of them. And you certainly show your ignorance--at least on your Buell knowledge if you don't know Court and his contributions here. | ||
| Tm74 |
Q.Will HD work on Rotax engines when they can't/won't work on Buells? A. ...WOO HOO ! stand alone Buell dealerships, FINALLY !!!} LOL, that's what I was thinking. I started to rant about the dealer network but decided to remove it. It's been talked about over and over. There are no guarantees in life but I can virtually guarantee there won't be a Rotax engined Buell in my garage unless something is done about the dealer network. | ||
| Spatten1 |
Q.Will HD work on Rotax engines when they can't/won't work on Buells? I'm picturing that old bearded dude with the horrible BO in the HD service department just staring at a Rotax engine trying to figure out what to do first. | ||
| Team222 |
Court/Fireman/All 1. I apologize to the Court and forum for the tone of my reply. 2. I did not make any predictions about the 2008 Buells......infact ...I wish now I would have never posted the pix 3. Judgments based on facts are always better than decisions based on who is involved. The facts are clear...I posted a photo...and my credibility was attacked because of a spelling error. This can not be changed, yet again.... I am sorry for my part in this. I have learned from this, even at my old age......sooooo let's move on to bikes, having fun riding and being happy we can do this. Mike | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
If a Rotax motor is hanging under the 08 Firebolt I will be the first in line to trade in my 07 Bolt for it. From my VERY LIMITED track time..... I think a Buells handling plus some top end speed would spell DOOM for a lot of other bikes. Best cornering bike + MEGA FAST =  | ||
| Prof_stack |
I hope the announcement on 7/8/7 is as important to Buell's future as will be the actual roll-out of Boeing's Dreamliner on (you guessed it) 7/8/7. Which one will take off first?  | ||
| Captnemo |
222, Lets all shake and let it go. I love that photo that you posted, and if that bike with the Rotax is the next-gen powerplant is the real deal, then the XB and the Kawi are getting sold to fund the new bike. | ||
| Indy_bueller |
I personally hope that it is a unique design. Aprilla has been using the Rotax design, and thats good for them. I would like to see the Buell do something different. I guess we shall see. | ||
| Ridrx |
I'm hoping more Rotax inspired than designed. Perhaps Erik is working with Rotax on a new Buell specific 45 twin? |
