| Author |
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Zatco81
| | Posted on Friday, July 31, 2009 - 05:18 pm: | 
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I guess the Book of Buell was talking about me when it said not the two up type. I'd love to get my wife on a bike so we can ride together but based on the first time she tried to move my bike* I wouldn't feel comfortable putting her on a 9. Thats where the Blast comes in. I know first hand that there's a market for a smaller bike. I guess we'll go Ninja 250 shopping in the near future.
*she almost ran it through the front of our house. |
Fast1075
| | Posted on Friday, July 31, 2009 - 05:26 pm: |
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A "9" is not a "mongoose with a straight razor" |
Steelerbike
| | Posted on Friday, July 31, 2009 - 08:57 pm: |
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I would not consider the little 9 a beginner bike--Power wise, yes, inseam wise, no. It's much too tall. I bought the low seat and I'm still on the balls of my feet.
I've been riding more than 25 years and seat height has little affect on me now but it's not something I would have wanted to deal with as a noobie.
As for smashing that poor little blast, that was awful. I would never wish that fate upon any bike. |
Fast1075
| | Posted on Saturday, August 01, 2009 - 07:19 am: |
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"I know how to fix your shock"
Pray tell Court...I'm obviously clueless. |
K03sport
| | Posted on Saturday, August 01, 2009 - 10:39 am: |
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I too would be up for a bike slotted below the XB9 that would still carry the XB designator.
Buell says they want to make sport bikes. Well, sport bikes don't have to have huge engines or displacement. I believe a sport bike is a combination of handling and power, with more emphasis on the handling part. The reason I say this is because in other parts of the world, there are 125cc and 250cc sportbikes.
Personally, I would like to see an XB7. Throw in a 700-750cc twin, adjustable seat from 28-30" and adjustable foot controls with two to three positions for a truly customizable riding position. That would be revolutionary.
I too suffer from "short inseam itus" and anything over a 28" seat height is too high for my peace of mind. Someone said that when riding a bike, only 2% of the time is spent with the feet on the ground, however, that 2% (or whatever percentage) is very important. Last time I checked, the road surface at intersections is not glass smooth and one has to carefully choose where to put a foot down to avoid oil or a low spot. One foot down is fine, but I would like to increase my chances of staying upright while stopped by being able to have both feet down.
Buell can make a middle weight sport bike. They might have to change some of their thinking and take a bit of risk, but I believe it is possible. The Blast was a risk and it was in production for 8 years. |
Roysbuell
| | Posted on Saturday, August 01, 2009 - 11:03 am: |
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K03sport- I agree that having both feet on the ground increase your chances of staying upright while stopped. This is why I want an scg. But if Buell made an XBscg in a 9 or even a 7 I would buy that. |
Fahren
| | Posted on Saturday, August 01, 2009 - 11:23 am: |
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The Blast is still THE Rider's Edge bike for HD. They need a bike under 500cc for MSF reg's, and honestly, it's a great bike for the class. No need to design, pay for, re-tool for, etc. a new bike - the Blast just simply won't be a "Buell Blast" anymore. |
Roysbuell
| | Posted on Saturday, August 01, 2009 - 11:38 am: |
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Poor little Blasterd is disowned by its creator and used by the parent co. like a little slave child with no last name. Its such a shame. If it wasn't for RE and all of us where would Buell be today? |
K03sport
| | Posted on Saturday, August 01, 2009 - 01:00 pm: |
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Fahren...
Does Buell have to make a bike for the MSF course? I'm editing here because after reading your post again, it sounds like that HD/Buell will make the Blast strictly as an MSF bike, which doesn't sound profitable at all. I don't think HD would adopt it as a bike because it doesn't fit the HD image either.
Sure using a bike in the MSF class it is a great "advertising" tool, but why make a bike in limited quantity and not put your name on it?
I learned on a 125cc Suzuki single in the MSF course. I loved that bike (for the 2 days I rode it) and it would have made a great 1st bike...only problem was it wasn't available in any showroom (10 years ago).
Again, does Buell need an MSF bike? My answer is no.
Does Buell need a middle-weight bike? My answer is yes.
At 5'1", 140, 27" inseam, I don't have a lot of pull with bike manufacturers, but I'd like to think they are thinking of me as part of their customer base. I don't wear shoes two sizes too big, so why should I have to get a bike that way?
(Message edited by K03sport on August 01, 2009) |
Zatco81
| | Posted on Saturday, August 01, 2009 - 01:10 pm: |
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Great points guys. I agree with the 700cc theories. I think it would sell and if it was engine changes only the frame and body work could stay the same so it seems startup costs could be kept to a minimum. |
Speedfreaks101
| | Posted on Saturday, August 01, 2009 - 01:49 pm: |
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Look at the cost that would have to go into a new bike, the market size and then look at the market competition. Lets say you have a Buell 650R to go up against the Gladius 6900.00, SV650SF 7500.00, ER6N 6400.00, Ninja 650R 6800.00 and what ever the comes to market between then and now. I do not think Buell wants to compromise in order to meet the price point to be competitive in that market. I mean what would have to be left off in order to make the profit margin and still be competitive? First thing I think if is fully adjustable suspension and I need that so I can "Own the Corners". IMO you have to justify the market and the XB9SX is a very good beginners bike. It has similar power to the SV650 , low maintenance, many accessories and a good aftermarket for more power. If you say that they need a smaller sportbike then ask yourself why they no longer make the XB9R? Think it is because they sold too many? |
Fast1075
| | Posted on Saturday, August 01, 2009 - 04:40 pm: |
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Good points Speedfreaks101...but to be a Buell, it would have to be a world beater..the bikes you mentioned are not...they are visually sporty and work well...but are watered down and softened up to make lower price points. The focus on those bikes is visual...they LOOK good but lack proper suspension, etc.
To qualify as a Buell (remember that today a Buell is all about performance) the "new" bike would have to be better than the real middle weight competition like the yamahonzuki 600 "RR"'s or the new Triumphs for example. I purposely left out the true exotics from this example...assuming that like myself, not everyone is willing to spend mega bucks for a toy in this economy.
Not that I plan on buying one at this time, but I made a suprising discovery...being on the short side myself, at 5"3" and 135 pounds..(near my old racing weight  ) I found a new 07 Honda 919 on the showroom floor at one dealership...and the seat height is fine. And it is a streetfighter or standard, or naked (choose one) style of bike. Certainly no world killer, but an option where there is a real void.
I made the obligatory trip to "my" Buell dealership...all that was on the floor was one new Uly, one used Uly (owner's bike) and a 1125cr...that was it...
As an aside, I was asked if I would like to lead the club ride tomorrow...I'm off to clean my Cube3 and freshen up my gear.
(Message edited by fast1075 on August 01, 2009) |
Slaughter
| | Posted on Saturday, August 01, 2009 - 05:05 pm: |
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My initial shock is gone too.
I replaced it with a Penske. Not that the Showa was a bad initial shock - an SV'er bought it so he could have a REAL shock - but the Penske is so much more versatile and usable/tunable. |
Fast1075
| | Posted on Saturday, August 01, 2009 - 05:23 pm: |
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Speedfreaks101
| | Posted on Saturday, August 01, 2009 - 05:33 pm: |
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Slaughter is the stock Showa the right length (ie no mods) for a SV? If so then I have a good reason to buy a Penske for me and install the Showa on my wife's SV. |
Pogue_mahone
| | Posted on Saturday, August 01, 2009 - 07:57 pm: |
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still a 500 to 750cc XB would be cool.surely rotax can make a watercooled one to fit?
like the ducati 848
or similar |
Slaughter
| | Posted on Sunday, August 02, 2009 - 01:17 am: |
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Yes - the stock XB shock IS a good length for using on the SV but you MIGHT have to get clearance by carving a little bit of the SV battery box out of the way. It's a popular option.
I went from the stocker (sucked) to a GSXR (not bad but damping wasn't really stable when heated) and then to a Penske (LOVED IT) on my SV
If I recall, it raises the rear about a half inch - which is NEEDED. It quickens the steering just slightly and the SV seems to like the rear being raised ever so slightly with throttle-on in the turns.
I'll see if I can find some links on using the XB Showa... but it is a popular add-on. You'll have to check spring rates because I think the SV actually uses a stiffer spring than the XB - I know in the case of GSXR you really DO need a stiffer spring in the SV. Don't know if the stock SV spring can interchange with the XB or if you're going to have to buy a proper spring... at least that's cheap (if you have to)
(Message edited by slaughter on August 02, 2009) |
Speedfreaks101
| | Posted on Sunday, August 02, 2009 - 02:32 am: |
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Thank you very much Steve. |
Gentleman_jon
| | Posted on Sunday, August 02, 2009 - 08:43 pm: |
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I got rid of the initial shock too.
Replaced it with an Ohlins.
While I was at it, I added an Ohlins front fork and Steering damper.
As brother Slaughter has often observed, nothing is more important on a bike that the suspenders. |
Fahren
| | Posted on Monday, August 03, 2009 - 02:29 pm: |
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What bike under 500 cc would you imaging Harley taking on board as their Rider's Edge bike?
I'd love to see more Buell models come out, a cool new Thumper, a Buell 750/whatever, a dirt bike, etc, etc... I just don't know enough about what they are looking at to guess what they are thinking of. I just can't see the Harley dudes at the Rider's Edge dealerships touring you through the chrome and skulls on the showroom floor, then taking you out to learn on a Honda Rebel or Ninja 250 or some other non-Harley brand. That's where I was coming from. |
Fast1075
| | Posted on Monday, August 03, 2009 - 07:09 pm: |
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They'll have the Harley Kaboom! |
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