| Author | Message | ||
     Buelliedan |
V-rod engine in a Firebolt chassis!! That will be the next new bike I would buy!!! Otherwise I'm only going to be looking to the past(RS, S1 or S2) for my next Buell. Dan | ||
| Davegess |
Buelliedan, if you can get a vrod motor into a Firebolt chassis you can get 10 mpounds of shi* into a one pound pail. I'm betting that it can't be done and even if it could the weight of the thing would ruin the bike. Repear after me; the Vrod is a great CRUISER motor. Dave | ||
| Buelliedan |
Dave, I'm sorry, I was raised on Tim the Toolman Taylors way of thinking. MORE POWER!!! Argh, Argh, Argh!!!!! Dan | ||
| crush63 |
Dave, Sorry to break this to you but the V-ROD motor is not just a cruiser motor. It is a bored and stroked VR-1000 superbike motor that Harley was just crazy enough to put in a cruiser chassis. The engine is actually lighter and way shorter then a 1200 sportster engine. The only thing that would be difficult is finding a place for a radiator. The exterior size and weight of the V-rod motor is similar to the engine that powers the Aprilla and more compact then the engine in the RC-51. | ||
| Davegess |
crush66, sorry but s much as HD would like for you to think the motor is a VR based device it is not. Almost nothing in common except the angle of the v. The official HD press release says it is "inspired by the VR". As far as it demensions I have not seen any. HD did not release them in the press literature so I wait along with the rest of the world for a magazine to measure one. Where did you see the dimensions? It sure looks big in the pictures. It is packed in that frame and that bike is big. Dave I don't believe the package including coolant is much lighter than a sporty, may even be a bit more. Of course the sporty is heavy. | ||
| Eeeeek |
Hehehe...I was waiting to see how long before you replied, Dave. Vik | ||
| crush63 |
Dave Yes there are many internal deferences between the V-ROD and VR motors but if you study photos of both and read the latest info you will see that the engines are very similar and do share many common design features . I had a chance to closely examine the vr-1000 motor out of the bike a few years ago and let me tell you I was suprised how small it was. | ||
| Jima4media |
Tonight was American SportBike Night at the Firehouse Grille in Dublin, California. Reg Kittrelle gave a good overview talk and slide show of the Firebolt XB9R A lot of interesting facts came out. The Blast is derived from the Firebolt motor and not the other way around. The lightweight wheels were designed by Erik himself. They are not interchangeable with any other model. The barrels are unique to the Firebolt, and won't fit the Blast. Two different people have already built Blasts with 740cc motors, so this motor is going to grow in size as time goes on as well. The oil in the swingarm in mostly right at the pivot point in front, and has negligible unsprung weight effect, but does lower the weight of the oil significantly. The oil fills at the top of the swingarm and drains at the bottom where the stainless steel hoses go in. The cast magnesium dashboard and fairing bracket is really light and well designed. The Firebolt is going to be built in Kansas City, like the the V-Rod, and not in East Troy, Wisconsin. Sounds like this is the start of the new Buell. The Firebolt handles really well in this configuration. It falls into a corner like an X-1, but tracks better because of the lighter weight and lower center of gravity. Reg was able to compare the ride with a Aprilia Falco, Honda RC-51, Suzuki TL-1000S and Kawasaki ZX7 and ZX9. It was the best handling of all of them. According to Reg, this is the best Buell ever made. Jim X-2.5 | ||
| Court |
Almost nothing in common except the angle of the v Dave: Seldom I catch you in error. I corrected this for you. Court | ||
| Turnagain |
Canadian Rider's Industry Report on the Firebolt. & a second one. | ||
| Jima4media |
I forgot to mention one other thing that Reg said about the Firebolt. The only parts it shares with other Buells are the hand controls on the bars. Thanks for reminding me Dave and Court. Jim | ||
| Court |
Well.....the secret of the Firebolt is now public: Through intense integration with Harley-Davidson quality initiatives, the Firebolt was put through a rigorous new testing regimen. The testing proved that the performance, durability and reliability expectations of the original design concept were met. Expect the Firebolt to be, as a result of the culmination of some process integration, to be the first Buell to fully benefit from "Big Brother's $$$$". To the pundits, yet another chance to cry "watered down". To the fanatic, a gift of Erik's "selling out". We are poised to witness what happens when talented individuals like Erik Buell and the late John Britten finally realize the dream of being connected to the financial and distribution resources necessary to make dreams come true. I'm excited and I need no one's permission to be. Court | ||
| Davegess |
Court you said" Almost nothing in common except the angle of the v Dave: Seldom I catch you in error. I corrected this for you. " Now Court you are forgetting some very important items; the initials are the same. It has two pistons, it is a four stroke... I could go on and on. Dave | ||
| Davegess |
crush66 Hope you don't feel picked on ;) just a little friendly teasing Dave | ||
| Court |
Dave: Please...I beg of you.....go see Victoria and tell her Court said to give you the meds. Court |
