| Author | Message | ||
     Buellman |
Mitch: I had plenty of room left for my knees, which has been a problem for me in the past on 'other' sportbikes. I saw one guys who was 6'4" get on an XB with no problem. Mikej: The fuel tank on the VRod is under the seat and goes all the way down to the ground, and yes, it has a skidplate. As for the XB, you have to remember that the XB frame was designed to be a great frame, not to be a large fuel tank, so 3.7 gallons it is. FYI.... around the shop we are calling the VRod engine the Sprinkler Head... Blake: Your right on, 8-8200rpm is what this thing can turn in 'race' trim for the street, and live... so I am told. I was told that a Race Kit might be ready by January. I should have my hands on an XB by mid October and will promptly take it to D&D for an exhaust system, not sure yet what we will do about an ECM (different from the X1), PowerCommander needs to get on that one..... I will make that call next week to see if they have any insight. Brad Sport Twin | ||
| Anonymous |
So, any speculation on when the next iteration will be released? And what will it be. It hurts to bite my tongue. | ||
| Fontx1rs |
Let's put it this way, it better have 100+RWHP or I will not buy it. I like the firebolt, but don't think it's enough of an improvement over my X1 to justify taking a bath on selling it to buy the Firebolt. I'd love to see the V-Rod engine in a Firebolt-type package. That is a bike I would lay out some serious sheets for. Funny thing is, I've been seriously considering replacing my X1 because of the potential reliability issues. I haven't had too many problems yet (rockerboxes, trans puking, broken voltage regulator bracket) but I'm dreading the bigger ones (Exhaust failures, oiling the rear tire, engine failures etc). I spent enough money on this bike not to have to worry about spending a lot more as the bike approaches 10-20K miles. Definately won't buy a Firebolt. New Buell with over 100+RWHP and all the great Buell handling and styling? Hell yes. If that bike doesn't materialize? Superhawk, TL1000S, Aprilla RSV Mille, etc. (In case you haven't noticed, I'm sticking with the twins) Oh, and by the way, Buell should seriously consider, scratch that, BUELL SHOULD give some sort of rebate/special consideration to all of us who bought a 99 X1. That bike has taught to me to NEVER buy a first year new model from Buell. I'll wait at least a model year if not two before making a new purchase from Buell, unless they start to prove otherwise. Sorry, long rant, but the 99 X1 thing reall has me a bit upset. JoeBuell 99 RaceStripe | ||
| Mikej |
Blake, How about a sub-section under here for XB first sightings? Rules would be you have to physically see it in person in real life at some public location. No second hand reports, you either have to see it ride past or parked or on display where you can maybe touch it, sit on it, or hopefully ride it. Might be fun to see when it starts seeing the public light of day (or night). I'm thinking maybe it will make an appearance at Sturgis next week. | ||
| Buellish |
I bet "first sighting postings" will crop up about,lets see.....August 29,30,31,September 1st and 2nd? What I really want to know,is will we get to ride it? Mike | ||
| Blake |
"I've been seriously considering replacing my X1 because of the potential reliability issues." Isn't that just like a liberal?  heheheh, just kidding ya Joe (I just finished reading the ENTIRE politics discussion). Seriously though, you now have a good bike. Worrying is for old women with nothing better to do. Ride, smile, commune with asphalt, breath the fresh air, feel the big twin rumble, and relish the genrous low end torque. Mike: Can't we just post sightings here? Blake | ||
| Davet |
I feel the same way as Joe Buell sometimes. I love my X1 but so did everyone else before they had problems. Basically if something big fails, I can't afford to fix it. So I figure if I get rid of it now while it's still fine, I won't have to deal with that. We'll have to see, it's not worth much on resale, so I'll likely have to take my chances and have fun hoping for the best. | ||
| Mikej |
"Mike: Can't we just post sightings here? " That's fine by me. In fact I think I saw my first "official" V-Rod today going in the opposite direction up near one of the motor plants on a side road. I was on the Honda and didn't feel like trying to turn around and chase it down to verify it. | ||
| Tripper |
Motorcyclist on Speedvision: CATCH IT. They focus on the Firebolt and VRod. ATC's old friend John Burns likes what he sees so far. | ||
| Anonymous |
You may be able to see an XB9R at Homecoming, but from what I understand, you won't be able to ride one. They are still undergoing Product Validation Testing, and for safety reasons, you can't ride these models unless your name is Shawn Higbee. Don't look for production models to ride and to buy until January or later. Dealers will be able to ride them and compare them with other brands at Texas Motor Speedway, later this year. | ||
| Court |
I stand by my March 2002. And, I say BRAVO and that we get behind Mr. Buell to not be rushed. Twas, I remind you, right here that we pleaded "even if it's not ready, let us see it and froth for a while" during the "Launch When Ready" thread. I have a feeling that this is going to be a new high point for Buell. Talking to test riders and frame designers, I'll share one quote with you "looks like this is going to be the first Buell I've ever HAD to spend my own money on. It's a MUST HAVE". Court | ||
| Reepicheep |
Court... I read an interview with Erik that talked about a special track they set up to pound the snot out of blasts, and make sure they break later then the competitive bikes in their class. During the firebolt speculation, you mentioned a person you knew at Buell had been very hard to reach for some time, and you were happy to hear that because you "know what he tests for". So... does it sound like there will be some pretty serious reliability testing going on here before this thing ships? I am hearing pretty good things about the blast reliability, so thats encouraging. Bill | ||
| Court |
Bill: You got it. I'm not privy to, nor have I pried for, the details but I have some very good friends who have been intimately involved in the development of the XB from the frame to the marketing program and accessories. If there is a buzzword I'd ascribe, based on bits of info, to this bike it's DETAILS. The "bump track" at Talledega is where lots of rough road testing takes place. In addition, Buell now has access to other venues. The addition of the Ford Super Proving Grounds in Arizona played a key role in revealing the shock problem that prompted the recall. It would have never been found anywhere else and likely not on the roads you ride either. Buell was really looking out for it's owners. With the BLAST development there was a new program that I was lucky enough to be part of where the bikes were ridden daily by a pair of factory riders. Miles were accumulated, data gathered and opinions logged. The XB9R brings lots of new technology to the market and I, based simply on knowledge about how meticulous some of the players are in their work, have no "first year" concerns about the first year owners being Guinea Pigs. Trust me, Buell has some of the best human labratory rats there are and this bike represents a new pinnacle in Buell testing and development. As painful as some of the experiences have been over the past couple years with a host of recalls, my money is bet on the fact that we, as Buell owners, will benefit tremendously. I'd like to do my old trick of taking one of the very first XB9R's and running the thing from New York to LA for a shakedown cruise. Could happen. The BLAST, I'd wager to say, served as a model for the testing that went into the XB9R. I am very proud of the job the folks at Buell have done. I hope, with regards to the ultimate release date, that "it's not soup, till Erik Buell says it's soup". He's passionate about this bike being right. Court | ||
| José_Quiñones |
Amen, Court. At least on paper, the XB9R is probably the lowest maintenance cost motorcycle in production, other than maybe the Blast! No valves to adjust, no belt or primary chain to adjust. Just change the oil & spark plugs every once in a while, put gas in it and fire it up! Like I said, on "paper" We'll see if the testing proves this right. Hopefully the mass production parts are just as good as the parts that they are testing right now. | ||
| Two_Buells |
Jose' you forgot tires and dental floss. tires for the many miles and floss to get the bugs outa' your teeth from the sh**t eating grin you'll have all day. I'm not changing my name to "threeBuells" |
