Posted on Wednesday, February 12, 2014 - 10:46 pm:
You may want to go back and look at the quality of Buell bikes before the XB series.
I've owned mine new since 1998 and know it inside out, literally. I've never had an issue with its build quality. In fact despite its failings (which all bikes have to some degree as nothing will ever be perfect) it's a very high quality motorcycle. Yes the XB platform even more so. It's called development.
Erik would be smart not to have the EBR name on an Indian made bike, at least I hope he wouldn't
Erik is smart enough not to be so bigoted. $25 million smarter than you it appears. Of which he is taking EBR to greater success.
please don't spoil it with bikes made in the third world
Your ignorance isn't limited to motorcycles then.
India third world?
A nuclear nation with a several decades space program. Oh, ok right you are
I might not have heard of Hero as soon if not for the EBR relationship, but I guarentee you that if I saw the Hastur or the little diesel hybrid concept, I absolutely would have been interested.
I work every day with Indians both onshore and offshore. There are some cultural quirks I have to adapt too (just like I have some cultural quirks they have to adapt too). I count many Indians as friends, and admire their capabilities and work ethic.
I guess I just don't see what I'm supposed to be offended by.
"I count many Indians as friends, and admire their capabilities and work ethic."
+1
+ another one. I've worked with many of them who came (legally BTW) here seeking opportunity that was lacking in their home country. They applied themselves and worked hard, and have made it pay off very well for themselves. All of this, while having the same obvious factor "blocking" them as certain others claim as their reason for generations of failure to advance themselves.
To think that they can't build great stuff in India is foolish thinking. I don't know what the build quality of Hero bikes will be when we see them, but I wouldn't be so foolish to assume the worst. I was under the impression that they were considered to be a quality manufacturer in India.
Not a fan of the Transformer looks, but there isn't a vehicle I have ever owned that I have not customized to meet my own ideas of style and function. I see nothing different here. A great platform, with some enticing specs - and a willing dirt-bug with the right knobbies
and I will dirty road beta test it at a moments notice if the factory were to call (hint)
"Was that the first confirmation that the heads were CSI like the RX?"
I don't think so. Pretty sure it has come up before. At least, it came as no surprise to me. Pretty sure I read it here, or an article linked from here.
As for parallel twins, my money would sooner be spent on one of these:
There is a lot of ways to go with an ER6N but they all cost money.
Even the pic you posted shows Brembo front calipers and what looks like a Brembo remote reservoir for same. Won't be much change out of $1000. The Arrow exhaust system, must be another $1000. Then there's the rear shock which I should imagine would be several hundred dollars. And you've still got tele forks.
The ER6N is a great starting point, but it requires money if you want to make it into something a bit special.
The same could be said for almost every motorcycle. Or car. Or truck.
Didn't think this topic was about personal choice. Thought it was about the Hastur concept. Thus are we not talking about how the Hastur might be perceived as it appears to be without the need to alter or modify it. It also looks to be a much more exotic type bike than a Kawasaki ER6-N so doesn't appear to offer a comparison other than a parallel twin engine.
If we are to try compare the ER6-N we should also consider Kawasaki intended their bike to be a middleweight capture all, and somewhat affordable bike, which could be tailored to suit style, purpose, intended use, etc. As such the aftermarket world is massive for the ER6-N, where it can be customised into just about anything from pannier and top box commuter to full on professional race bike. Which was the point I was trying to make was all