| Author | Message | ||
     Ralph |
Blake I have Crossroads style bars on both my S1 and S3 that I made myself. I'm working on rear sets for the S3. I find that set up to be much more comfortable, same as you. I was just answering a statement made by Chuck. Looks to me like the 'bolt will be more comfortable in that regard. We can just as easily compare the price of the bike (which we don't know) to other bikes of the same ilk, as we can compare its performance (or who will eat who for lunch). All speculation. I'll sit down and make up a list of shortcomings inherent in the 45 degree V twin for you. Jose, I said many months ago that if the new motor was a repackaged Sporty it'd make me ill. 'Scuse me, I gotta go.... | ||
| Stoner |
I think the Firebolt looks awesome! It's got some great new innovations; fuel in the frame, oil in the swingarm, super short wheelbase and rake, and very lightweight. I am underwhelmed by the engine, but I'm sure there will be plenty of aftermarket stuff to remedy that. I'm also skeptical about such a short wheelbase and rake, although the handling must be incredible, it's gotta be a tank slapper. I can't wait to take one out for a demo ride, man the blue one sure looks sweet... | ||
| Kevyn |
J, Ya, me too! XB9R will be a fine tool to work with! From all appearances, I'm sure that it will work quite well and deliver all the grins we enjoy so much. Without a significant investment in professional training, my riding skills will not exceed either my S1-2T. 'Smokin rice' aint my game- Missouri twisties, urban trans and pleasure rides are. IF I HAD THE CASH NOW I'd be waiting for delivery. For the sake of all those who desire a more powerful, internationally competitive platform without the 'rehashed tractor motors' I'll say a prayer and stand beside you watching the horizon. In the mean time, I'm gettin' the S1W out and going for a ride to reaccquaint my self with joy and sensory excitements! And wonder how the XB9R will feel... Kevyn S12T | ||
| Rocketman |
Brad Twin: That's how impressed I am, I can't even remember its name  Thanks for the pics though. Ralph the Unshaven : What you said..... On the SV650, it's a girls bike, period ! On price, Ducati's 748/916/996 models have all had high end price tags yet they sell 'em all. Race wins and art gallery styling I'm sure are the two most important reasons for the sales success of these models. Where the FireBOLT is concerned, it has neither ! And yes, Ducati's sales success has lead to the prices coming down but it's still a lower production volume bike than most others, yet it proves to be profitable to bring to market whilst still remaining exotic. I fear the Firebolt will not achieve this kind of success, which is not what Buell want perhaps, but I do. I've always regarded Buell as an exotic bike builder and I've never subscribed to that Honda 50 idea of EB's. After all, where does it say motorcycles are for everyone, or should I say the same motorcycle is for everyone ? I don't want one of them, I want one that no one else has got, at least not around here (my home town). As for that Honda 50 dream of EB's, he should have built the Italjet Dragster range of scooters because when I look at one of them I see a Buell in design and a Honda 50 in principal. Am I good or what Rocket in England | ||
| Drandall |
Buells up to '01 are the Ducatis of the '70s; fun, unique, and with a -- justified -- reputation for unreliability. But, the 70s Ducatis are classics now (with a reputation for unreliability). Will '80s and 90s Buells become classics in twenty to thirty years? I believe they will. I think the Buells of this decade will follow the pattern of the Ducatis of the 90s; more modern, more reliable, but still unique. The XB9R is the start of this. My '91 900ss was compared to the Jap 600s of their day, as the XB9R will compete with the 600s of today, but be more expenseive, and much more limited production. I'm happy with this, as I've owned more than a few modern UJMs, and the only one I could stomach riding again was my '90 VFR. Now, Buell, make a sport-touring version of the XB9R, lower the seat-height to twenty-eight inches, and have it hold at least 5.5 galons of fuel (or natural gas if you're worried about tighter emissions). Dave '00 X1-RS | ||
| Drandall |
Rocketman, The SV650 a girls' bike? Remember, a man with a small penis needs a big vehicle to make-up for it... Like the RD350, the SV is all the sportbike anyone could want for the street, unless his Ego takes hold. Dave | ||
| Davet |
You're right there Dave. We did the Duffy Lake Rd a couple of months ago, my X1, a buddy's 929 and an SV650. The SV led the way, and we were cooking! They are a quick and light bike | ||
| Rocketman |
Daveball : Small penis or NOT, the SV 650 is an ugly mother of a Ja...............for sure, a chicks bike Rocket in England | ||
| Dave |
I think the FireBolt looks great and I welcome it to the Buell line up. Lot's of ingenuity there. I think ya should get a deposit down on one Kevyn! DAve ridin' a girls' HD today - XR1000 Sportster | ||
| Blake |
Rocket: You'll be glad to hear that, after having a few days to ponder the Firebolt, and having digested the pictures, I must say that I also am none to fond of the now hidden engine look. I hope Buell can find a way reinstitute the steel tube trusswork frame. I'm sure the engineers tried to keep the truss frame, but with needing to put the fuel in the frame to get a good downdraft setup, I can see why function over form won out. I'd still love to have one! As soon as they come in Black. | ||
| Drandall |
Rocket, I didn't say the SV isn't ugly Now, I am firmly convinced that white Volkswagen Cabrios and white Suzuki/Chevy/Geo two-door Sidekicks ARE girls' cars! I absolutely am not secure enough to drive either on of those. Well, if I dropped a supercharger, Quaiffe diff, and 225 width tires on the VW, I could probably do it... Dave | ||
| Cyclonerider |
Umm, OK,I lost my internet connection at work and haven't had time to surf at home. What is the expected price on the Firebolt? Steve | ||
| Drandall |
Cyclonerider, I read $9,500US somewhere; did anyone else read this? Dave | ||
| Cyclonerider |
hmmm, 9,500, lets see, sell the M2, and the Mustang, and the wife, keep the dog.......I can swing that. Steve | ||
| Adam Hetrick |
Can anyone give me an estimated top speed of the firebolt? It revs higher so in theory it could be higher if the gearing is the same right? |
