| Author | Message | ||
     Imonabuss |
The very clear message at the show was "around $10,000". I've heard that from a bunch of people who were there. Anyone claiming they heard between $7K and $8K was not there, in one way or another, anyhow.... The other term used was "premium middleweight", which applies I would think to the unique features available nowhere else, and to the price. If you are shopping "$ per horsepower" look elsewhere... If you are shopping for fun/exoticness per dollar, it's the only choice. My deposit is in, and at $10K, I'll be happy guy! | ||
| Lsr_Bbs |
Just cause I'm a sucker... "premium middleweight" - ok, sure. I'll wait to see one in person though, but I don't see any fancy c/f, ohlins suspension, etc... For my $, I'd pay a tad bit more and buy a 748S...more hp, LOTS of trick bits, ohlins suspension, blah, blah, blah. Just cause I can't resist...exactly what unique features justify a $2,000 premium over other middleweights (Ducati excepted - they have brand cache and racing prowess to justify the price)? Buell's quickest way to marketing sucess w/ the firebolt: Get AMA to let 'em race it and race to WIN. Sell it for $7-8,000 (even if your taking a loss - H-D corporate can afford it in the short-term) to get it in the marketplace, in the press, etc... If it wins and if it's reliable, they've fixed all the bad press/imagery that's been created the past few years. Remember, E. Buell doesn't want to be a exotic, niche manufacturer...he wants to rival the big four! Neil Garretson X0.5 | ||
| Blake |
Sparky: Note that the XB9R's brake disk attaches to the rim adjacent to where the spokes meet the rim. Trust me on this, if you hit something hard enough to buckle the spokes, you will not be on the bike long enough to worry about a locked up front brake. Jim was awful lucky to stay on during his encounter of the heavy lumber kind. All: Having been off the board for a while, I just want to say that I am very grateful for all the great posts. Y'all have dug up some GREAT information! I'm more enthused than ever about the XB9R. | ||
| Blake |
Yep, I agree. If $10K is too much for the XB9R, then the Duc 748, Duc Monster S4, BMW 1100, Duc ST2, and others are also WAY overpriced. I hope and pray that a Buell, a rolling work of art, an exibition of less is more, proof that simpler is better, an American Motorcycle, never falls to the glutonous mass production and low worth of the Jap 600 supersport machines. A good used M2 still sells for more than a new Jap supersport machine. | ||
| Buelliedan |
Blake, Have you received my e-mail?? Dan | ||
| Lsr_Bbs |
Yes, Ducati's are overpriced (by MSRP) but deals can be had w/ careful shopping. BMW's are just plain overpriced in my book...but they don't apeal to me. Not much of a comparison between current 600cc and a buell...in either price, depreciation, etc... The only reason that sportbikes don't hold their value as much is the continual evolution of the product and the *percieved* obsolescence of a model a couple years old. Too many stupid squids rely too much on the crack-pot moto-journalists. Gee, w/ the maximum gixxer came out they were all saying the 1 year old R1 was a boat anchor...please. But the bottom line is always...something is only worth what someone else is willing to pay for it. I'm really interested to hear what BMC has to do to let AMA allow the firebolt to compete in supersport. Roadracing world had a flattering write-up about the firebolt and some good technical details. Neil Garretson X0.5 | ||
| Mikej |
With the reduced weight of the XB, has anybody calculated how big the rear tire contact patch will be at the recommended tire inflation pressure with a 200Lb rider on a 70°F day with 60% humidity? MikeJ(Oh man am I gonna get into trouble for asking that.) | ||
| Jim_Witt |
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| Hoser |
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| Crush63 |
Lsr_Bbs The Firebolt should be legal for 750 supersport. Back in 95 Tilley ran a heavily modified S2 against the 750 fours. I can't remember who the rider was, I think it was Scott Zampeck. The bike blew up a lot but I think it did get a top 10 finish at one of the shorter tracks. I don't know if the AMA has changed the rules or not but back then you could run a heavily modified 1200+cc pushrod twin against the near stock 750s. 600 supersport is out of the question since the AMA only allows 600cc fours in that class unlike WSB where the 750 dohc Desmos can run in the 600 class. Seems to me that a big bore firebolt could be competitive at shorter tracks like PPIR and Louden. The only snag in running supersport is that the Buell would have to run stock bodywork instead of the slippery pro thunder style bodywork. Speed on the straits could be a problem. | ||
| Blake |
Neil: Me too! I'm skeptical that the XB9R will enter the AMA Supersport arena, but will be totally stoked if it actually does. MikeJ: Is that static or dynamic? In a corner or straight up?  Blake (not a surfer, yet)  | ||
| Josh |
The Firebolt seems like a cross between a S1 and an X1. Bigger than a (4gal tank) S1, smaller than a X1. Seemed strange to be on a skinny Buell without the airbox. The one they had on the floor was on a rear stand so you couldn't lift it or feel the weight. Fairing brace looked nice, graphics on the gauges looked cheesy. Have to get use to the 2 black boxes for the fuses and relays right there on the dash. White one had a shroud/fairing around the oil cooler. Never did find the fan they mentioned. Gas cap looked like it was stright off a Monster. No Buell logo and it requires a key to remove. Not like the one in the Enthusiast pics. The dipstick looks kind of funny on the swingarm ;) Spokes on the front rim look paper thin, rear brake didn't look nearly as drilled out as the press pics. Reflectors on the rear look real tacky, like someone realized at the last second they needed them for regulations and bent some sheet metal to fit. Header tubes looked skinny, I'm not sure if anyone has posted the size, certainly smaller than S3 header tubes. The Unijoints holding the engine to the frame are now non-adjustable cast pieces. Maybe they aligned it all correctly the first time? One red-headed Co. engineer thinks it's for cost reduction. Primary cover has the chain inspection plate that the Blast is missing. More square than the traditional Sporty round cover. The blue looked darker than in the pictures. Sitting on it reminded me of the small Japanese bikes with that triangle windshield. Adjustable brake is a nice feature, now how 'bout the clutch? Rider pegs had springs, don't think the pass. ones did. If they can make 'em with a lower seat height (27.5 hopefully) we'll trade Mariabelen's Blast in on one. Josh | ||
| Lsr_Bbs |
Well, 750cc supersport is about 90% dead in AMA, and most likely will not appear next year...nor would the XB be competative in 750SS (please, against GSXR-750's). It was clear from a Buell Co. quote that they are intending/attempting to race 600cc supersport. I'm sure they are petitioning AMA to expand 600cc supersport to include other engines...which one would assume it would be a safe bet that if AMA lets the XB race, 748 Ducatis will be added as well, ala WSB supersport. Actually, in AMA, the XB might fare ok. Most AMA tracks are 'slower' tracts where top speed is less of an issue so the lack of hp might not be as apparent. Course at daytona and the likes, its another story. I'd rather see the XB race in supersport and get it's ass handed to it than another pro-thunder thing...just something not right when you can't run competatively you go form your own class instead of becomming competative. Who wants to bet that H-D's VR program isn't racing next season? I've got $100 that they won't. Neil Garretson X0.5 | ||
| Crush63 |
Neil, You may very well be right about 750 supersport going away next year. There has been talk of Pro thunder going bye bye too to make room for more double superbike rounds. In a way it's too bad about 750 supersport since it's one of the few classes in the AMA that a non-factory team can be competitive in. 600 supersport has been ruled by the factory stars for as long as I can remember. In fact Duhamel, etc almost always qualify quicker then the 750s so running up front in a 600 race would be a tough going. I think opening up the 600 class to 750 twins and maybe other configurations in the US would result in massive protests from all the inline four teams. The 600 class is crucial for the japs since their 600 sport bikes are their bread and butter. It would be nice though to see Buell get the exposure that the 600 class can offer. Pro thunder is ok but for the most part it's a class that was invented so that Buell could be competitive somewhere in the AMA. | ||
| Zemen |
i know the ama is the most popular series in the us, but what about buell running the bike in the fim world supersport series. i'm watching the brands hatch race on speedvision right now and there are 748s running with zx6s, cbr6s, gsxr6s and yzf6s. it would be great world exposure. just a thought. zach s1w |
