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Strato9r
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 28, 2009 - 11:58 pm: | 
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I've heard "restructure" being mentioned by a couple of candid guys at the dealership, but they've been quick to point out that there has been some pretty vague rumors going on at any number of levels. One of them has Harley-Davidson becoming a full range manufacturer, with sport machines on the floor along with cruisers, just like everyone else. Apparently, the exposure, (in spite of controversy) in AMA racing the 1125 received did not go unnoticed by the H-D brass. That's a reasonable assumption; people will buy what appears on the podium. If there really was some awesome machine ready to debut by Buell, and if that machine could actually deliver the goods and compete in WSB successfully, then what would make more sense from a brand recognition standpoint? Everyone who is into motorcycles knows the name Buell. EVERYONE knows the name Harley-Davidson. No explanation of lineage required, probably have a t-shirt already and all you have to do once you get to the track is root for the bike that matches your tattoo; that's brand culture, not just brand loyalty.
Or, it's just a load of hoooey.
Funny thing is, a few weeks ago I was sitting in front of the computer screen with a kind of stunned feeling as I stared at that lonely blue cube sitting on the salt. I mean, I got it; the Blast was done, but there was something that just..........didn't figure. Mrs. Strato asked me what was on my mind, so I called her over and showed her the ad. She looked at it and said that she would't be surprised that Harley-Davidson was ready to take over......... |
Steve_mackay
| | Posted on Thursday, October 29, 2009 - 12:08 am: |
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I'm still absolutely flabbergasted that they talked about these things.
I've been working on parts for the 'new' 1125R for the past 6-8 months. Some pretty cool stuff. Heat management was a HUGE priority.
It was fun talking with the Buell engineers after the Thunderbolt concert on Saturday Night. I even got a "GOOD JOB!" on one of my parts. It was an UGLY, UGLY mold to build, lost of compound angles, so lots of slides and lifters to help pull these little round tabs out. And we only had about 4-5 weeks to build this tool.
I wonder how much parts from an unreleased Buell will be worth?  |
4cammer
| | Posted on Thursday, October 29, 2009 - 01:13 am: |
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Madduck, you lost me at "prepped for Fed review to qualify for aid"...
No thanks. |
Indy_bueller
| | Posted on Thursday, October 29, 2009 - 06:35 am: |
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They have said that they are not going to re-badge Buell products. HD takes so long to develop a new machine that it would be four to five years before they could come up with something on their own. So if they do come out with a new sportbike in less time than that, it would doubtless be an unreleased Buell that they had reworked. So who would buy it, since they have now alienated all the people that were willing to buy sportbikes at a HD dealer to begin with? Not me. |
Xl1200r
| | Posted on Thursday, October 29, 2009 - 08:59 am: |
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Blake - even at 335lbs, it's sounds a bit lofty.
The stock muffler is 20 lbs, so I have a hard time seeing saving 20lbs on the whole system as the pipes can't weight much.
I'd also be surprised if the body work weighed in stock at the 10lbs you think they can save.
Remember that an 1125 already weighs 15 lbs less an average liter bike (though I don't know how relavant that really is). The point is it's a pretty damned light bike to begin with.
But who knows - they're surprised before. |
Xl1200r
| | Posted on Thursday, October 29, 2009 - 09:04 am: |
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I don't think we should expect rebadged Buells, either. If that was the case, the announcement would have been much different, and all the Buell employees and their facility would not have been shut down.
HD becoming a "full-line" manufcturer has merits, but again, why close up a division that already builds something you'd want to build? And even if they start building their own sportbikes (and others? Dirt?), it still flies in the face of HDs "going forward" business model.
It's going to be an interesting few years to say the least to see how this all unfolds, and so few of us have any real answers.
Steve - I don't expect you to answer, but I saw drawings for an underseat (sort of) radiator for a podless 1125R - you wouldn't have happened to be building the duct work that pulled the air up from the bottom of the bike, would you?
Neat idea, but I think there would be a whole new appreciation for the pods if a totally podless 1125 were to come out, lol. |
Boltrider
| | Posted on Thursday, October 29, 2009 - 05:11 pm: |
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Xl - Eslick's bike weighed in at 397 lbs earlier this year. Granted that was full race prep, but that's what, 60lbs lighter than the stock bike? Not a stretch at all to think a full-factory effort could do that.
The 397 that I saw was early in the season, before the weight penalty was added.
(Message edited by boltrider on October 29, 2009) |
Gentleman_jon
| | Posted on Thursday, October 29, 2009 - 07:30 pm: |
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Finally got the straight story on the mysterious front brake that everyone is lusting after.
The brake was made by the Motorcycle group of HB Performance Systems Inc., the people who make those stupid looking Harley brakes.
They claim that they have only made that one prototype, and have no plans to make any more.
Damn Shame.
Collateral damage of the late unpleasantness. |
Teddagreek
| | Posted on Thursday, October 29, 2009 - 08:08 pm: |
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Makes sense...
Moving the pods would narrow the profile reduce drag and potentially reduce heat into frame..
I kinda remember a mention while watching the motoczysz documentary..
A under-seat radiator would reduce drag some how reduce how much a trailing bike could draft..
They ended up with a front Rad on the C1 towards in the end though..
benelli tornado 1130
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Teddagreek
| | Posted on Thursday, October 29, 2009 - 08:13 pm: |
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I'm sure if they had a big order they would make it.... maybe |
Froggy
| | Posted on Friday, October 30, 2009 - 04:51 pm: |
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I'd be in for one, in blue with silver piston things. |
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