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Blake
| | Posted on Friday, December 03, 2004 - 10:01 pm: | 
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Congratulations, you will enjoy that bike. Suggest you ring up Al at American Sport Bike for a Ventura Bike Pack System. Be sure to also get the grab handle for when you don't need the pack. |
Ethanr
| | Posted on Saturday, December 04, 2004 - 03:28 am: |
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Yep, good choice! My Valkyrie is infinitely more comfortable, but my XB12S gets 80+% of my miles, including commuting 32 miles each way to work.
No one's said it yet, so...welcome to the sickness! |
Barkandbite
| | Posted on Saturday, December 04, 2004 - 04:43 am: |
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Be sure to also get the grab handle for when you don't need the pack.
Ain't that the truth! I can't tell ya how many times I overhear people talking about the "sissy bar" I have on my bike when the bag's not on it 
<sigh>
Chris |
Court
| | Posted on Saturday, December 04, 2004 - 07:42 am: |
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>>>Thanks for the input Court!
that was very well put, and might have just put over the edge
ben
Ben: First, congratulations! Second, you have done yourself, albeit perhaps unknowingly, a favor. I have been known to, when folks don't surrender to the light, gracefully as you did, to leap aboard a Buell, seek them out, force them to ride the Buell, come to the light and enter Buelldom. You will learn well, young Jedi.
Your case is special too, cause San Antonio is one of my favorite places. It's also the place that Erik Buell and I once did one of the dumbest things we have ever done (but that's a different story) and it was the setting for a story I did in 1995 entitled "Bridges to Nowhere" about the lost art of thought.
You're gonna love this motorcycle....be sure to send me a mailing address and I'll make sure you start your collection of Buell goodies off right!
>>>>snapping pics so they don't have to pull over.
That comment brought a large smile to my face for several reasons. The first was a fond memory of my wonderful friend Fran Crane, arguably one of the most famous BMW Distance Riders of all time, when someone mentioned a crayfish lunch in Louisiana. Within 10 minutes, she was leaving the San Fran area and rode non-stop to LA....had lunch and rode home. Most of you, who recall Fran's epic world records on motorcycles, will know for her that was just a "chip shot".
It also stirred memories from this trip....
which resulted when I got into what I call a "Buellument" with some high falootin' celebrity types. My premise, having ridden the only motorcycle (1997 Buell M-2 Cyclone) to appear that snowy night at a black tie event, in Manhattan, was simple......
BUELLS ARE MADE TO BE RIDDEN AND ENJOYED
As my friend discussed how to make certain one of his two Britten's was properly shipped to arrive safely, he asked who would be shipping the pristine 1990 Red Buell RS-1200. "Shipping?"...I replied. It's a motorcycle.
At this point, adult beverages had entered the equation and the big-boys/big mouths curve was peaking.....
It was a spectacular ride/event with the possible exception of the little Al Sharpton (do not hold the line up while I am waiting for an air conditioned room, having just spent the day riding in 100+ weather in a black Aerostich) confrontation.
Here's a little motorcycle secret, that most hear have heard before but is nonetheless germane to your choice..."THERE ARE NO BAD MOTORCYCLES". I've long maintained, having heard this from John Wyckof, that since Sears quit building the Allstate there are no "bad" motorcycles, each has their role. (at this point, I usually point out that the sole role of the Ural w/Sidecar is as a photo platform for Cheryl Beres (another gift to the world of Buell) and her dog.) If I, for instance, have something to haul, my butt is aboard the F650 and trust me when I say no one here can, with a straight face, deny fantasizing about dropping the $17K for a R1150GS you'll note that, at your local BMW dealer, it is the ONLY model without huge year end "Burn Out" sales incentives...it is THE BMW.
Bottom line is that you have choosen wisely and are in for a dickens of a fine time. You'll see our best and our worst and each new acquaintance will take your life somewhere you may not otherwise have gone...such is the world of Buell.
Welcome Jedi.
 |
Tucsonxb9s
| | Posted on Saturday, December 04, 2004 - 08:56 am: |
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Court, when are you gonna write a book? You have too many "That's a different story, remind me to tell ya later" stories!!
Go luck Safd, and as Obi Court states, welcome young Jedi! You're gonna have a tough time wiping that smile off your face!  |
Safd
| | Posted on Saturday, December 04, 2004 - 09:17 am: |
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thanks again for all the kind words.
I'm going out to pick it up in about an hour, and will report in when I get back |
Brucelee
| | Posted on Saturday, December 04, 2004 - 09:20 am: |
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For a 70 miles commute, I would get a Suzuki Bandit with half fairing. Cheap cheap cheap and very comfy. Lots of power, gas mileage OK on highway.
Very Reliable. Get extended warranty and deal hard.
Nice bike for that type of usage.
I love my S but I would not buy it to commute everday. |
Daves
| | Posted on Saturday, December 04, 2004 - 09:26 am: |
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Dang and I was just going to invite Safd to Wisconsin!
Congrats on your new bike Safd, it is going to change you life!
Dave
Daves@h-dappleton.com |
Cataract2
| | Posted on Saturday, December 04, 2004 - 09:43 am: |
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Safd, another City X owner here and I have to tell you, I LOVE THAT BIKE!!! I have on it now 1768 miles and I picked it up on November 9th. Enjoy man. |
Court
| | Posted on Saturday, December 04, 2004 - 11:18 am: |
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>>>Court, when are you gonna write a book? You have too many "That's a different story, remind me to tell ya later" stories!!
Well, events of the last year have certainly made it more likely.
Bear in mind I have several strikes either for or against me, depending on your view. - I am old, so are my memories.
- Life fascinates me, I tend to embellish the tales
- People fascinate me, I tend to wax logorrheaic about them.
- I've yet to be manumitted from the day-to-day chores of lighting Gotham
- I struggle with big words
- I'm impatient with small minded people
Other than that, I am on a roll!~
Hey...while young Ben is off having his first Buellgasm, I'll tell ya what happened in San Antonio....deal?
I am at home doing the construction gig when I get a call from Rich Teerlink telling me "Why don't you try to be there at the dealer meeting in San Antonio?"
I'm confused sure...but, hey when the Chairman of the Board of HD invites you to sit in to listen and learn...my butt was on a plane.
San Antonio (we've several folks in the family who are all Trinity University grads) is one of the most wonderful cities in the USA. If you have never spent an evening on the River Walk, add it to your list.
Anyway...I arrive...run into Erik...visit a bit...attend some meetings...get more than my share of strange looks (note: HD as a corp is not keen on construction workers being at pre-intro dealer meetings - Teerlink recognized that Buell was actually DIFFERENT and was at the very least curious about product development and promotion that include enthusiast REAL owners - Teerlink (See "Well Made in America" was arguably the key ingredient in saving HD and making it what it is today. He's a HUGE Erik Buell fan. remind me to tell you more about him....that's a story in itself.
Anyway...where were we? Oh yeah...San Antonio, on the River Walk.
Yeah, well in those days the Buell fashions were done by a pretty cool group. I mean they were kicking out some truly awesome "enthusiast wear" and the new addition to the line was a very cool, long sleeve, logo on the mock turtle collar, with Buell on the chest, pullover...came in, you guessed it, BLACK.
Well, last year we'd been cool in our collared and pocketed Buell S-2 "Rider" shrits..in fact so cool they'd be introduced later as STAFF shirts and a special run (yes, I have a box stashed away) to commemorate the 1998 S-1 White Lightning.
But...in San Antonio, under what I recall was about 107oF heat, there was my main man Buell wearing a black, long sleeve, suitable for use in an igloo sweater.
As I tell it now, and read it, it doesn't seem so funny. At the time, having witnessed the Buell struggle to just stay afloat, for something approaching 10 years, I couldn't help but quietly say to myself...."We WILL do anything to succeed".
It's not the greatest sacrifice nor personal uncomfort that Erik Buell has suffered in pursuit of the dream, but it was keenly symbolic.
The man with a dream, devoutly driven my the vision and limited only by ethics, taking on the world with about $14 in his pocket.
Yeah...a book may not be a bad idea. My bet is you'll be wanting to hear the underwear story next?
Ride safe, lean much and smile more.....
Court
P.S. - Ben, don't think you can get away from me. You run West and you'll run smack dab into Ferris Bueller. Trust me, your new to Buell but you better learn to deal with me....he gets ahold of you, you'll be working about 2 days a month and riding all over the world. |
Thepup
| | Posted on Saturday, December 04, 2004 - 11:26 am: |
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I commute on my XB9s,unfortunately it is becoming a PITA,had to take it in this morning for a rattling sound in the primary,third time for this,last time it was the trans.Hopefully this won't be another drawn out repair.I know most ppl aren,t having alot of problems,but there are a few. |
Cataract2
| | Posted on Saturday, December 04, 2004 - 12:21 pm: |
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Thepup, every brand made today has some bikes that will have problems. Hope it gets fixed to. Where do you live? Some people on here might live in the same area and if this dealer isn't working out they could find another one. |
Firebolt020283
| | Posted on Saturday, December 04, 2004 - 12:34 pm: |
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"when someone mentioned a crayfish lunch in Louisiana."
being from louisiana i must point out that its not a crayfish its a crawfish.
(damn yanks got to screw our words up)
 |
Tripper
| | Posted on Saturday, December 04, 2004 - 12:55 pm: |
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Remind me to remind you to tell me the story someday...
 |
Reepicheep
| | Posted on Saturday, December 04, 2004 - 01:54 pm: |
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I have two of those black short turtlenecks... I love them. Cool looking, and good tech gear as well. |
Court
| | Posted on Saturday, December 04, 2004 - 03:02 pm: |
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>>>being from louisiana i must point out that its not a crayfish its a crawfish.
Yegads.....note to self - "if you are going to tick someone off, limit the subset of individuals to those who do NOT carry an automatic weapon to work and have ready access to artillary"
My apoligination!
Reepidad - one of the coolest shirts Buell ever made and the first one (we struggled for a bit) that did not have the "BUELL" begin tucked into your Levi's. Personally, I thought it was a ploy by HDI that the early, I mean waaaaaaaaay early long sleeve S2 shirts (they were 360o graphics} put the best, most powerful part in my pants.
Wait?...hold on?....okay....the graphics were over my rotund circumfrentia, the Buell was well below the belt line? Is that better? FMJH...help me out, I am sinkin' fast!
Court |
Court
| | Posted on Saturday, December 04, 2004 - 03:05 pm: |
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>>>>I commute on my XB9s,unfortunately it is becoming a PITA
Ohmygoash...I just read this. Let me get this straight...your motorcycle turned into a sandwich? This is a problem.....look the last thing Buell needs is bikes to be recalled for causing indigestion!
Seriously, sounds quite odd. Drop me a note, tell me where yer at and how to contact you and I'd be pleased to help you convert it back to a motorbike if I can help in any way.
Court |
Firebolt020283
| | Posted on Saturday, December 04, 2004 - 03:08 pm: |
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lol ha ha ha
court dont worry i couldnt shoot ya i enjoy ur stories to much.
 |
Thepup
| | Posted on Saturday, December 04, 2004 - 03:09 pm: |
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Court,supposedly it will be converted back to a motorbike by next Friday,I have doubts on this though.Court can you convert it into a SV650,jk.maybe. |
Court
| | Posted on Saturday, December 04, 2004 - 03:28 pm: |
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Pupette:
To quote Donald Sutherland "ya gots ta stop thinking those negative ways".
You have on your hands one of the most reliable and sorted out pieces of machinery currently attached to the orb by gravity.
Don't let an "it'll never work" Eyore attitude poison the chances of a successful fix. Look, we've all wrangled with less than stellar dealer experiences, but I am a student that you teach people, in the early stages of dealing with them, how to treat you.
If I were in customer service, allow me a moment of candor here, and got a call like that "can you turn it to an sv650?" (an excellent motorcycle by the way) I'd have zero motivation to help. In fact, those who know me might tell you I'd make life very difficult; I have a terribly eroded tolerance for negativity.
With the years has come a bit of skill in dealing with folks. I figure I'll have it about sorted out my last day here...breath deep, don't take this personally and ask yourself "if my life depended on the dealer solving this problem, how would I speak to them".
I'm hoping this works out well for you.
Court |
Thepup
| | Posted on Saturday, December 04, 2004 - 04:06 pm: |
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Court,the SV comment was a joke.Court i will contact Buell customer service when I get my bike back,I am in no way blaming Buell for this episode,i will leave it at that. |
Safd
| | Posted on Saturday, December 04, 2004 - 06:25 pm: |
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Hey guys, got home awhile ago and am all smiles. The break in period will be hard. I put 60 some miles on it, and am very pleased. I did not test ride any Buells before the purchase, so I just had mag reviews and diff. forums to glean info from.
I was expecting lots of vibration. There isnt much. My hands got a little numb but I think that is from riding in the low break in rpm's.
Super stable, very light, and easy handling.
Fuel injection is very smooth.
The mirrors are actually not bad, just a little blurry, but again I'm in break in rpm's.
Comfy seat, good 'in command' seating position.
From reviews I was expecting hard shifting, all I get is easy and smooth. Neutral is a little finicky.
I've got more to comment on but it's getting dark and I want to see how the headlights are!
ben
ps Court thanks for the call, you guys make this feel like an extended family.
ben |
Tucsonxb9s
| | Posted on Saturday, December 04, 2004 - 06:29 pm: |
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 Sniff...sniff. Another new happy family member! Congrats Ben! |
Svo1023
| | Posted on Saturday, December 04, 2004 - 07:06 pm: |
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ya gotta love it. you know he is on the same high we get everyday...cause it's more than just the ride |
Thepup
| | Posted on Sunday, December 05, 2004 - 07:42 pm: |
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You have mail Court |
Nedwreck
| | Posted on Friday, December 10, 2004 - 08:36 am: |
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For those of you interested, the two shirts on th right are still on the peg at the Harley shop in Jackson, MS.
He still has 3 of the varsity jackets with the S2 embroidery as well.
Bob |
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