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Court
| | Posted on Sunday, September 28, 2014 - 09:47 pm: | 
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You let out . . "and made twice the power" |
Kev_m
| | Posted on Sunday, September 28, 2014 - 10:15 pm: |
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Because that would be inaccurate, more certainly (and by purposeful design, see my reply to why Harleys are so slow), but a stock rubbermount XL 1200 makes a good 60-something at the rear wheel, 70-80 with a simple Stage I. |
Court
| | Posted on Monday, September 29, 2014 - 06:06 am: |
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Why do you think Harley-Davidson discontinued the XR1200X after such a short production run? |
Kev_m
| | Posted on Monday, September 29, 2014 - 08:01 am: |
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The same reason they discontinued Buell, the Moco's "faithful*" aren't interested in it.
High stance, excellent brakes, decent suspension, and higher hp bikes just aren't the priority to most of their dealers and customers.
It's about what sells plain and simple. And simple facts are that in the 650cc+ market Harley has had 50%+ of the US market for decades now.
Sportbikes are popular enough for a mere segment of the market, but we know for starters that's less than the majority and it's share of the pie is cut deeply by other segments like adventure touring.
Not to mention Sportbikes probably offer the slimmest margins when considering the higher R&D costs, constant redevelopment, and large number of other players with product better suited to the segment.
Harley is what Harley is, they do NOT make sportbikes (as sad as I find that because I always held Buell out as the great hope for Harley diversification).
And as much as I'd like to see Victory/Indian branch out, I'm not holding my breath either.
But the plain simple matter is people who complain about the "performance" of Harleys are missing the picture as much as someone who complains that GMC doesn't make a sports car.
*NOTE - I do not use the term "faithful" in a derogative manner as many HD Haters do. I'm simply using it as an easy way to delineate their strong customer base.
(Message edited by kev m on September 29, 2014) |
Johnod
| | Posted on Thursday, November 20, 2014 - 11:47 pm: |
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I have one.
97 Ultra Classic.
Just got it this spring in non running condition, traded even for a 84 Virago.
Wasn't looking for one , but couldn't pass up that deal.
Never thought I'd ever own one, big slow, etc. you know...
But I honestly find myself enjoying the hell out of it.
No one is more surprised than me. |
Ceejay
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 14, 2015 - 12:15 am: |
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I don't have a Buell any more, well sorta - I have an X1 frame, wheels, forks, etc. and nice italian motor to go into it but no time currently. I've had an S1, an M2, and an XB9. I've ridden an 1125, CBR's and a bunch of harleys, but my ownership experience has always been more sport than cruiser.
About four years ago my old man was going through some rough times, and decided that he just needed to get the bugs out - he grew up, as did I, on Harleys. So he went out and bought another one. rode it around for a little over two years, parked it, and then passed away. I hope he's smiling, remembering(or enjoying as the case may be) some long rides with the stars twinkling and the wind on his face.
I bring this up as I now have his old(er) bike, an 01 RK. It's big. It's heavy. It's loud. My dad liked his toys loud. 68 'stang with a 351 windsor, 9:1 comp, with an offenhauser dual plane, and a Holley (sorry can't remember the number) sitting on top. C6 trans with a B&M shift kit, 411 posi, on some Keystone classics. Hooker headers, glass packs. Cool car, I helped him build it, drove it to prom - I remember shining the green and gold beauty up all day and picking up a very well put together lady named Niki. Getting to drive around thinking how cool I was, how cool he was for letting me open the door for a gorgeous girl in a black dress, watching her beautiful legs uncross and taking my hand as I helped her out. Dancing. Cruising the back country roads, with the old style trim wrapped windows down, listening to the motor and metallica and looking at those legs.
Niki moved on, married a good friend actually, the car got sold because I didn't have the coin to buy it, and I'm 41 now. I've got a beautiful woman whose given me 3 wonderful kids. I drive a 4dr. sedan, to work - daily. I pick up the bike in two weeks, and I keep thinking that I should quiet the bike down. It's loud, it's shiny. Not very fast, but it'll get there in a hurry. Thinking about it now, what I actually should do is keep it loud, keep it shiny, buy my wife a nice dress, and take her out dancing. Have a beer or two, smile, enjoy the fact that I still can ride motorbikes, and that I get to ride one of his old bikes. Quit racing around at 100mph, and check out the world, lean into it, see what pushes back, and enjoy life a little differently than my usual which has been run it down, run it over, if it doesn't fall, hit it again.
Maybe there's something to be said for those HD's after-all. |
Reepicheep
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 14, 2015 - 06:59 am: |
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Well said CeeJay! A road king is a great street bike, and any bike with a good story beats any bike without one. |
Hybridmomentspass
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 14, 2015 - 04:52 pm: |
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Love the post CeeJay!
Many who bash HDs havent spent any/much time on one.
Are they sport bikes? Nah.
And thats totally ok. They do what they are meant to do really well. When you talk about RK and EGs they just eat up the road so well and will be just fine on super twisty roads too. Will you be going Larry Pegram pace on them? No, but it'll be just fine (have done Tail of the Dragon on my dads Electra Glide while still going at least the posted speeds, if not 10+ over through most curves)
Reliable? Oh yeah, the newer ones are great. Get away from the old iron head stuff and the evos are wonderful
Love the stories CeeJay, hope others add to it! |
Ceejay
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 28, 2015 - 10:35 pm: |
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Thanks guys!
I finally got the bike home this past weekend. needs a few things(tires, brakes, etc.) and I couldn't drain the gas out of the thing - jiffy tite type fittings from the gas tank to the FI! (I found the leveling hose between the two sides of the tank after the fact). As such, I just threw a new battery in, and even with gas that was at least a year and a half old, the big pig fired right up. Awesome! rode it around my hood annoying my neighbors for about 20 mins. Rediculous grunt from about 1500 revs up to 5500, according to my ears and the FI controller it's running lean, which I imagine has as much to do with the age of the gas than anything. It was fun throwing a 800 lb bike around - more so since I haven't ridden any bike other than a bicycle for over 5 yrs. Despite it being my old man's I will still probably put it on a diet, but it sure is fun to stomp on. |
Panshovevo
| | Posted on Sunday, May 31, 2015 - 07:45 am: |
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I've been riding Harley's since January of '80. It has only been within the last 7 years or so that I realized how much I enjoyed riding the twisties, and having more power than I needed.
(Having to give up flying my modified Pitts S1-S for medical reasons probably influenced the change)
I first encountered an 1125 near Helen, GA a few years ago, while scraping the pegs on my modified 96" Evo powered Dyna Wide Glide, but I didn't get serious about buying one until I tried riding the Dragon recently on my '76 Shovelhead (which handles better than either the Wide Glide did or the '07 Dyna Super Glide that replaced it when it was stolen)( and also has a modified engine making more than stock power, coupled to an aftermarket 6 speed tranny).
I still have 4 Harley's, two running and two projects, including a '50 panhead, and an '83 shovel powered FXR-T, with plans to modify another FXR (another product of Eric Buell) with an S&S 145 CI Evo style motor).
Got a strong suspicion there will be more Buells added to the garage in the future, but don't see myself getting rid of any of the older Harley's. They all have their place and their purpose.
The '07 is most likely going down the road though.
I have to say that riding the 1125CR makes me miss flying more though, because of the limitations of riding on the road.
In the air, outside of controlled airspace and away from populated areas, there are very few restrictions on what you can do, as long as you stay at least 500 ft above the ground, and keep an eye out for other traffic.
I'm finding it's hard to resist the temptation to open the throttle well beyond the legal speed limits, and there just aren't many twisty roads in my area. Those that do have 25 mph speed limits and too much traffic.
BTW, I took the wife for her first ride on the back of the CR last night. Didn't take long at all for her to realize why I had to have one once I rode it.
And I was very conservative with the throttle... |
Panshovevo
| | Posted on Sunday, May 31, 2015 - 07:54 am: |
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Ceejay, run some fresh high octane gas and some Seafoam through that bike as soon as you can.
The Evo engine I built for the stolen Wide Glide made 107/112 on a conservative dyno with no real tuning other than switching main jets in the S&S Super E carb. It was a bit more interesting to ride than a stock motor, which probably put around 50-55 hp to the rear wheel.
It had the potential to make probably 10% more power with ignition and exhaust tweaks, and more than that by going back inside the engine for head work and more compression.
(Message edited by Panshovevo on May 31, 2015) |
S1owner
| | Posted on Sunday, June 21, 2015 - 09:59 pm: |
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I also own an HD and a Buell.
2005 softail deluxe and my buell build that started as an S1. Love both bikes but the HD is a nice relaxed ride and its timecwell spent with my awesome wife who is actually the one who found it and bought it for me to drive her around on! |
Bobbuell1961
| | Posted on Monday, August 03, 2015 - 04:53 pm: |
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I picked up a 06 FLHTC over the winter, it's been hotrodded and I know some history of the bike and the price was right.
My Uly was off the road at the time and the Lightning without bags doesn't meet my day to day needs.
The Harley is a boat, I heve a set of Ohlines beeing rebuilt and revalved. Hopefully it will make it better but will never replace the Uly, she's got 67K+ and running like a top again.
I noticed Saturday as I pulled the Lightning out that the Harley still had the battery tender I had put on it the week before.
Uly still gets most of the miles, still my favorite bike I have ever owned. |
Ceejay
| | Posted on Thursday, August 06, 2015 - 11:22 pm: |
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Well I've put about 300 miles on the thing. took me a while to get new tires, exhaust, redo the front end, change all the fluids, go through the wiring, etc.
The bike had a one off thunderheader on it - very loud. I swapped it out for a full stock exhaust off of a RK custom that I got from a friend. Much nicer on my ears, and my wife, kids, neighbors are happy as I'm riding it to work daily. after about 3 tanks of gas and some sea foam (thanks for the suggestion BTW) it's running pretty smooth. the bike has a hiccup in second when I stomp on it, and it starts a little rough so I need to get the right map for it - problem is, I don't know what cams are there. My old man said it had been worked over a bit, and with the way the thing sings at 6 grand I'd agree, but since I don't know what lift, duration, and overlap the valves are operating under, I'm somewhat at a loss. Anyone know a way to tell without pulling the cam chest? Can I figure out what map is on the PC III by plugging it in? Right now all I know is that the timing seems advanced (hard start) and the fueling is off at full throttle/high load. The plugs look decent but I don't really have a good "drag strip" to run it on and then pull the plugs, so thus far all I have is my rides to and from work.
I will state that an RK is a hoot to ride, and while I do need to raise the rear a bit as I'm dragging frame rails, it's growing on me. I have a rather large 1000 mile ride planned to meet up with my brother which should be fun as I'll be going over/through a mountain range with some nice sweepers on the way. While I'm still thinking, similar to others, that a Uly might be the bike for me an RK has proven to be a fun summer fling and we'll see what happens in the future. |
Reepicheep
| | Posted on Friday, August 07, 2015 - 08:14 am: |
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Excellent! Enjoy your ride to see your brother. |
Ernest
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 02, 2015 - 11:33 pm: |
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Never going to happen. Polaris owns Victory. Polarises can survive 150* ambient temperatures in a war zone. I was there, I witnessed the abuse they were put through, I am a Polaris faithful for life. As such, any cruiser accompaniment will bear a Victory badge.
My HD sportser based X1 however, managed to walk the 5th gear main bearing, almost stranded me when the clutch ramp bearing fell apart while not under load at hwy speed, (ohh it was a crash course in rev-match down shifting, and creative traffic stop techniques) toasted the original primary side crank seal, (so nice of the factory to make sure the trans vent sprays oil on the rear tire) leaking fwd rocker box, seeping rear jug, 5th gear mainshaft seal fell out, (good thing too, my rear tire was getting rusty) and shorted the $65.00 speed sensor, ruining the speedo.
Granted it managed 20Kish miles with the previous owner before he sold it to me with those problems or new occurrences the same month of, the streets of the US are not 150* off-road war-zones.
With that said, I love my buell. This is the bike I saw when I was 17. This is the bike I dreamed about since I was 15 and discovered a USA sport bike existed. I enjoy working on it. Everything is simple, parts are cheap. The only thing I have left to fix is the speedo, rocker box covers, and the seeping rear jug is so slow, it will live until the first overhaul. Being so akin to the sportster engine, its the closest thing to owning a harley and buell I will ever approach. |
Panshovevo
| | Posted on Friday, September 18, 2015 - 02:01 pm: |
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Ceejay, if you haven't got that RK sorted out yet, it's not hard to pull the cam cover and see what cams are in it. Not like the single cam motors where you needed to loosen or remove the pushrods to take the spring pressure off the cam before pulling the cover.
It would help to know if the ignition has been changed also. I'm not sure if the '01 FI bikes controlled the ignition with an ECM like the later ones, or had a separate stand-alone ignition like the carbed models.
Not hard to find out, just pull the "points" cover off, and see if there's a cam position sensor there, or an empty hole.
I have no experience with a PC III, but I think you can hook up to them with a computer (with the appropriate cable) same as the PC V.
The Power Commander web site has instruction sheets and maps available for download for all their models, as far as I know.
Here is a link to the PC III USB download page, assuming that's what you have. You might need to update the firmware.
http://www.powercommander.com/powercommander/Downl oads/powercommander_downloads.aspx?ProdType=PCIIIU SB
If you have any problems or questions, give Power Commander tech support a call. They are (in my experience) knowledgeable and willing to help.
I had a problem with the PC V w/Auto-tune installed on my '07. Called them, and a tech set up Remote Access through my laptop and spent quite a while past their closing time updating and tweaking my settings for me.
If you have a pre-USB model, the situation may be different, but I'm sure they will help as much as possible.
I would expect you need a fueling change with the exhaust change.
BTW, since my last post, another Buell, an '08 1125R, has joined the stable. It was originally intended to be a parts bike, but I'm rethinking that.
Haven't sold the Dyna yet.
(Message edited by Panshovevo on September 18, 2015) |
Ceejay
| | Posted on Thursday, September 24, 2015 - 10:08 pm: |
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Thanks for the info Pan - It has a CPS. cam tensioners look brand new but still haven't figured out what cam set is in there. It had adjustable pushrods which I don't think come stock and would make checking the cams easier. The PCIII is an r, so I do need to figure the cams out before I can get fueling right.
The bike runs great. Fueling might be a little off but nothing to get too worried about currently. Runs like scalded dog in the higher rpm's, spinning up the rear at 30 mph is silly fun. I rode it 1200 miles in 3 days, mostly interstate - coming to the conclusion that I need a fairing if I'm going on that type of haul again. Passing cars on the rated 55mph turns of the WV turnpike doing 80-85 was probably more fun than I should have been having. It's certainly not a sport bike so it's taking a bit getting used to, surprisingly I feel that the a bike this big still makes me feel cramped up a bit. Being taller does have it's drawbacks, so I'd have to get some higher bars and change the seat around a bit. I'd still would like to put it on a diet - no bags, cast wheels, and better suspension, but those aren't cheap endeavors so we'll see how it goes. |
Cyclone1
| | Posted on Sunday, May 08, 2016 - 09:41 pm: |
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Dealer Harley tech for about 10 years. Got the Tuber fever (that don't sound right.....) shortly before we got the buell line for a minute. Only 3-4 of us there understood what Buells were about at the time, the rest were stereotypical dealer personnel.
2000 FXDX 105,000 miles
2002 M2L 40,000 miles
(Both bought new)
1979 Suzuki GS425
2000 ST1100 just getting ready to get it road worthy again.
Once $ gets right again, there WILL be more Buells in the stable, probably tube frames, since they have the best character IMHO.
Frank |
Bumblebee
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 18, 2016 - 12:24 pm: |
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I have two Harleys and two Buells. One day I went down to my local HD dealer buy a battery for the XB9SX and came back with two batteries, one was installed in a new FLSTSB Crossbones. So be it, I was hooked. Both great motorcycles, but not even the same universe as far as motorcycles go. I really do enjoy both the Buell CityX and Crossbones, the AMF era Superglide, which I also enjoy, I have that for sentimental reasons, and the other Buell is a Blast, and that well, er. Yes.
So, I have both end enjoy all of them, but for different reasons. |
Figorvonbuellingham
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 18, 2016 - 11:02 pm: |
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I bought a softail Springer new in 93 and I wore down several set of pegs in the twisties. I wanted rear sets on that thing so bad I couldn't stand it. Getting an xb12s was a godsend! I still think it would be cool to put some rear sets, clipons and dual discs up front on a Springer and take her to track days. Those 3" slash cut shotguns would sound awesome down the straights. |
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