I have not ridden the variety of bikes that many of you have. I have ridden, at least a little, all the Buell models and the XR1200. Of all the bikes, the 1125CR was the most fun to me. I didn't buy one, however, because the XT fit my riding style better. For just plain fun, though, the CR was nice. I'd probably end up dead or without a license if I owned one.
The Speed Triple is a massive sales success. It wins all the UK journo shootouts, perhaps because just like a Buell is American, a Triumph is British. But the reality is here, UK bikers don't get themselves in a truss over such trivialities as patriotism toward a brand. The Speed Triple is a massive success because it delivers where it counts. To quote Ronseal, "it does exactly what it says on the tin". It is a much loved bike.
As for the Brutale, it depends which one. The little 750 is the most hooligan nutter ride you'll ever get. It screams and keeps on screaming, but is an acquired taste and perhaps not one suited to those seeking less adrenalin pumping fever. Therefore you'd go for a 910, which is somewhat refined but much faster. And of course there are Brutale 990R 1078RR and 1090RR and a host of special editions in between. And there is no way on this planet an 1125CR will KILL such Brutales.
But the way I see 1125CR v Super Duke is thus.
Not in looks it won't, and definitely not in sales either. I'd very much doubt the Buell would get near any KTM build quality either. But more important than all those, to quote a somewhat Buell adage, not in grin factor either. That's a fact.
By the bike list, I think the intent is classic, air-cooled. The others mentioned are great, but there is charm in simplicity.
I would really like an old CB550/750 cafe.
I really have no intrest at all in the Speed Triple, Street Triple, 1125CR, 1125R, Super Duke or the new Ducati Street Fighter. I don't intend on doing any racing, just cruising and commuting. I am looking for something that perfoms pretty good, has classic looks, easy to mantain and has a lot of aftermarket mods that can be done.
I know coming to a Buell site I am going to get plenty of suggestions to go for a buell but I am looking for riding impressions any of these bikes have made on you. I am leaning toward the Thruxton then the XR then the Ducati Sport Classic. The Sport Classic would be at the top if it weren't for the fuel tank issue that still hasn't been resolved by Ducati.
I would go with a old early '70s CB750 but I don't think it would be reliable enough.
Here is my old S1, I really liked this bike but this was my second S1 and I have been on an S1 for about 4 years. I like the classic look but want something else.
I think $5352 speaks volumes about build quality and performance for a bike wanting to compete in a rather exclusive category where manufacturers bring models to market that are not so much profit driven but there to entice sales of other less expensive models in their range which do bring the profits.
You'd never see a Super Duke, Ducati Streetfighter or Brutale in a fire sale. Maybe the whole company, but that goes for Buell too! In fact, Buell didn't even make the fire sale. Just the dealer blow outs.
Buy an xb: unlimited grin factor. Buell ownership is really subjective. I owned a ducati at the same time as I had the buell. On reflection the ducati did everything better. Except when I went out the door to go for a ride or a track day I found myself choosing to ride the xb in preference. It has a special character all its own.
Thats an awesome little machine I didn't know they were selling Nortons yet I got an email awhile back said they would keep me updated I probably didn't pay attention to it. I think though the conversion to US currency and the small numbers they would be sending to the US might make it way to pricey 13KPounds has gotta be 20K or more US. I know the Euro is at $1,50 right now so I an guesssing the pound is a bit better than that
The prices on the bike haver zero reflection on either the performance or the build quality of Buell.
They have EVERYTHING to do with the incentives provided by a company with deep pockets to dealers to move bikes quickly.
HD is taking a loss on every bike sold so that the dealers don't necessarily have to.
If KTM were purchased by a huge corporation with management intent on quickly deep sixing 100% off the company and liquidating all the stock withing 60 days, you can guarantee that all KTM motorcycles would be priced below levels that reflect performance or build quality.
Maybe off topic, but what's the real advantage of a drive shaft? Less chance of breakage, I guess, but at the expense of weight? And isn't the primary drive still chain?
As an extremely biased voice in this discussion, I would vote for the XR1200. The pooint of any motorcycle is the grin factor when riding it. The XR has no intrinsic weakpoints. It is faster than anyone need. Bumps in corners really don't faze it and its limits are so far beyond what one needs on the street, performance discussion is moot. Its largest advantage is that HD dealer network. Dealer every 40 miles even out west where the scenery lives.
When out west, riding a harley will get you a lot more help than riding any other brand of motorcycle. I was the only one that stopped to help a busted BMW rider, when the next passing pickup saw my Heritage Softtail he stopped. The BMW rider was pissed as the pickup hadn't stopped on his way by in the other direction. Harleys attract admiration from even the nonmotorcyclists. All you have to do is decide if you intend to ride the bike very far from home.
The CB500 above is classic Cafe'...lean and trim, set of smoothbores...not very fast, but sweet...the old SOHC CB's were very reliable with a twist. The oil leaks between the head and intermediate casting that were common were caused by poor seal technology...easily cured with modern sealants.
The only other "weak link" really was the drive chain...I changed maybe 20 set of cases due to broken drive chains.
The FIRST 4 cylinder bike engine I saw go over 100K miles without a rebuild was a CB750 mk1...it had regular maint and timing chain adjustments...a friend has one that he still rides on occasion that is an original unrestored rare '69 model with the sand cast cases.
