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Finedaddy1
| | Posted on Friday, September 19, 2014 - 09:51 am: | 
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When I seen the 1125CR for the first time I knew I just had to have that bike, it just hit all the right chords w/ me.
It's one of those bikes that I just love to sit back and admire but when I first rode it wow!! It was like the heavens rolled back, I didn't know what riding was all about until I bought this bike.
Entusiasm..I love my Buell it's been one hell of a ride and has given me some great memories to ponder on when I'm ready for the rocking chair and can no longer ride. Purchasing this bike changed my life and opened up my eyes to what riding was all about. Looking back, I wasted sooooo many years on that damn sportster.
Al-- Two thumbs up to ya. (and a big "amen" on the belt drive) |
Jaimec
| | Posted on Friday, September 19, 2014 - 10:18 am: |
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Technology doesn't bother me if it leads to lower maintenance. I just don't need all that power. I don't race, and I don't live anywhere where I could use a 180hp motorcycle anywhere NEAR its potential.
I'd also like to see EBR return to a belt drive, but I'm especially interested in seeing any SMALL sportbikes they may cook up with HERO's collaboration. Some of the concept art looks mighty interesting!
My two-wheelers are my primary means of transportation when the weather permits. I don't NEED a two-ton four-wheeler just to transport myself and my briefcase to and from work. The car spends MOST of the warmer months parked in front of the house (the bikes get the garage). I lean much more towards "practical" than most of you here, I think.
If the 2000 M2 Cyclone I owned were even CLOSE to being reliable, I'd probably still have it. It was (ergonomically) the most comfortable, all-around motorcycle I EVER owned (tied with my 1985 K100). It was only a set of hard, lockable luggage away from being perfect. However, it spent way more time in the shop than ANY other motorcycle I ever owned. I just couldn't deal with that.
The XB12Ss was way more reliable, and ALMOST there... but my legs were too "kinked" in the normal riding position and the "frank" didn't hold enough fuel to give it the range I wanted.
There was no logical reason I traded the XB12Ss for the 1125R, other than I like the fact there was almost NO "Harley DNA" in that model. I SHOULD have gone for the 1125CR "Rock Lobster" but I liked the idea of the full fairing over the 1125R's little wind deflector. It was a fun bike, but when the local Harley dealership dropped the Buell line ONE WEEK before Harley dropped Buell altogether, I had to travel too far to get it serviced so that ended that.
Still keeping my eye on EBR though, in hopes that "SOME DAY" will come. At least their destiny is no longer controlled by a bunch of old farts whose vision is stuck in the 1940s. |
Gaesati
| | Posted on Friday, September 19, 2014 - 10:25 am: |
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I am reminded of a comment made by Kurt Tank(chief designer for Focke-wulf ) about the relative merits of the Fw190 and the Me 109. To paraphrase: the Messerschmitt with its water cooled engine and focus is a thoroughbred, I designed the fW190 to be simple and rugged; it's a workhorse.
For a while, I owned a Firebolt and a rather expensive Ducati. the Ducati was a real thoroughbred and outshone the Buell in a few ways . The funny thing was that when I walked out the back door to go for a ride I usually found myself wheeling out the Buell. |
Sifo
| | Posted on Friday, September 19, 2014 - 11:25 am: |
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Tom- I remember when you, me and your better half were taking a break in NC, next to another few riders, one on the new Yammie triple FZ09- I spent a few moments appreciating that machine, and then my attention was drawn back to my new green Triumph love, and its need (!!!) to chase down Charlie, Tim, Glitch and the other peeps-
glad to have survived to write this...
I remember that stop. If Yammie were to do what Triumph does with some of it's line up and produce the FZ-09 in an "R" version with better suspension and some other upgrades, I think it would be right where I would want it for a starting point. It's priced where it could easily be bumped up by $1500 for some performance upgrades and still be a great deal. Too bad it's a Yammie. 
I'm not sure how HERO is going to work out in the US market. To paraphrase an EBR dealer I was talking to... This country doesn't associated the word hero with something made in India. It also looks like their current line is as far from what I would want as the EBR models are. Perhaps further. Waiting for future bikes is OK, but when the reality of needing a replacement hits, you have to look at what the marketplace is offering. After market options can make a difference too. I hope EBR isn't left out by many manufacturers. |
Al_lighton
| | Posted on Friday, September 19, 2014 - 11:47 am: |
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Lest anyone misconstrue my comment "I have a feeling what we're going to see is more like an 1195 KTM Adventure", I have ZERO inside information that would make me write that. It's merely an extrapolation from what KTM has (1190 superbike, 1190 adventure bike based on the same engine), and a guess that resource limitations will prevent Erik from releasing a brand new engine for the AX. So no one should have any hopes dashed based on anything that I write, I'm just a mushroom like the rest of you.
And regardless of what EBR comes up with, I'll still be a fan. Whether that translates to me writing a check depends on what it is, but I'm still in awe of everything that Erik and his team have accomplished. There is NO lack of enthusiasm from me on that.
I just finished re-watching Danny doing battle with Blake Young to take 2nd place on the RS in Homestead 2012....gave me goose bumps even now. That Erik could get to that point that fast after what HD did is truly amazing.
And if he could do that, maybe he does have my dream engine and bike up his sleeve...  |
Slaughter
| | Posted on Friday, September 19, 2014 - 12:21 pm: |
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Bought an 01 S3 new. The years haven't changed the machine, still just as much fun today as the first day I finished the break-in.
Been racing the XB for 11 years. It's like an old, familiar friend. We know and trust each other and always seem to play well together.
I'd consider an EBR (any version) if were built for street reliability. I don't (can't) use the power.
My fantasy projects are XBlast and an SV650 motor in XB rolling chassis. Probably have to roll my own. |
Teeps
| | Posted on Friday, September 19, 2014 - 12:39 pm: |
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+1 for what Al said on the first page, with regard to Buell vs EBR motos.
Buell XB series bikes are the "butch: hair cut of bikes.
Far as OP's question: Where Did The Enthusiasm Go?
It died, in me, when H/D pulled the plug on Buell.
EBR, at this time does not build a bike that fits my needs.
And, how long will it be before Hero yanks the rug out from under Erik like H/D? |
Slowride
| | Posted on Friday, September 19, 2014 - 04:24 pm: |
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I just got back from spending 3 weeks in India. I visited Dheli, Hyderabad and Bangalore. While on the ground, I was amazed at the mass of motorcycles on the streets. There was no shortage of Hero's. The majorities of the bikes were Hero/Honda's and badged as such. I had read an article in a local mag (Bike), that stated Hero made 2.1M bikes a year for that market. They had just been a release a year or two ago between Hero and Honda on their contracts. It went on to talk about the Hero and Buell agreement.
One day, I made an effort to hit the different dealers in the vicinity of my hotel. I wore my Buell polo shirt that day as I started out on my dealer crawl. I hit the Royal Enfield, Harley, KTM, Honda, Hero and Kymco dealers. As I landed in each dealer I made a point to talk shop and sit on the bikes. I had a good sales person in every shop. All except one shop asked me about my Buell shirt. Things like... do I have a Buell, do I like Buells, have I seen the new Hero bikes with the EBR add ons. Overall, the brand awareness of Buell to EBR was significant.
Oh yeah, the one shop that didn't ask about my shirt was also the shop that didn't have a sales person approach me and it was the same shop that had every bike on their floor labeled with a sold sticker. You guessed it, the HD shop in Hyderabad. They had 8 of the new small cruisers in all black on the floor. Notably, they were absolutely dwarfed by the only two other bikes on the floor. Those other two bikes were an 883 custom and a 48. They did let me sit on the small cruiser, I can't remember if it was a 500 or 750. I do remember its fit and finish were way better than the Yamaha bolt I had sat on prior to leaving for India.
I guess the point to my ramblings…. Hero has huge market share in India, not to mention other parts of the world. The people on the ground, selling the brands I mentioned previously, knew of EBR. They had the history on Buell and they were excited to see the new things coming from the EBR/Hero relationship. That market is ripe for larger displacement bikes, not to mention they have a exponentially growing middle class that is starting to look at motorcycles as more than point to point transportation. New clubs and riders groups are springing up all over India that represents markets from cruisers to adventure touring. There is a great enthusiasm for all things motorcycle in India and I believe EBR is squarely in their sites.
One last thing… I picked up the magazine Bike, which is produced out of India. I believe it retails for 100rp with no tax. Btw, that is like $1.60 for a very well marketed, well written and enjoyable read. Anyway, they have an online version if you’re interested. In the most recent edition, they cover the current bikes available to India. I scanned in one little page out of the 20 or so in the mag. You will see in the scan that there is a dirt bike that Hero makes. This caught my attention as I thought back on the Buell DB experiment. I just thought I would throw this page out there to the wolves. On a related note. The head light on the 1190sx was on every Hero bike I could see over there. I kept thinking I was seeing an EBR coming my way until I saw the 5 people stacked up on it.
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Two_seasons
| | Posted on Friday, September 19, 2014 - 05:40 pm: |
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I've been riding mini bikes since I was about 13 years old.
My enthusiasm became real for Buell creations when I went to Jaime's Customs May 2010 and bought my 1125r. I was ready to be a biker again after a 28 year hiatus.
What I discovered on my ride home was mind blowing. I could not believe the power/braking/handling that some guy named Erik Buell and his Elves had made for the masses.
Within six months I owned three Buell's! Thirteen months later I bought my fourth Buell, an S2T.
I like the 1190SX myself 
(Message edited by two_seasons on September 20, 2014) |
Bigblock
| | Posted on Friday, September 19, 2014 - 06:29 pm: |
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Torque, I indeed am looking into Brammo as well, and may well take a test ride if possible. It has a transmission! |
Reindog
| | Posted on Friday, September 19, 2014 - 06:47 pm: |
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I absolutely love my XB12XP (yeah P!) and I bought it that horrible day when Harley-Davison decided to go forward into the past. I have previously owned #77 Uly off the original production line in 2005 and before that, an S3T. The Uly is the best bike I have every ridden and like everyone else, wondering what I am going to do when the day comes to retire the Uly.
I have tons of enthusiasm for the present. |
Gian4
| | Posted on Friday, September 19, 2014 - 08:07 pm: |
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Still have my 1997 M2. Love it!!! It has 58,000 mile and has been very reliable. All recalls done long ago. As Court has said in the past "the M2 is the best all arounder ever made". I agree and wish Court would elaborate on this statement. Before I bought that bike 17 years ago Court called me up (long distance on his nickel") to discuss with me personally some concerns I had about this new "upstart" motorcycle. I was considering A Ducati Monster also at the time. No phone calls from Italy so M2 it was and is. I will always remember that call and visiting with Erik and the factory Elves at the Harley 100th. Anyway I'm rooting for team EBR and if he makes a sport touring bike or standard I'm there. But the M2 is the best all arounder out there.
Gian4 |
Kenm123t
| | Posted on Friday, September 19, 2014 - 08:48 pm: |
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Not to bust your Bubble The M123t has 109480 on it as of last week! trying to get to 125k before its Off To Pammy at Cyclerama for overhaul and upgrades |
Sparky
| | Posted on Saturday, September 20, 2014 - 02:53 am: |
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Be assured. The enthusiasm hasn't waned in the least in SoCal with me whether I'm on my 96S1 or personalized 09 1125R.
For example, yesterday when I was leaving the local NAPA parts store on the S1, 2 guys walking down the alley gave me the thumbs up saying "Cool bike, man". That instance renewed, once again, the enthusiasm that this rider has always felt for Erik's raw creations! |
Pwnzor
| | Posted on Saturday, September 20, 2014 - 07:49 am: |
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When I was bike shopping back in 2002-2003, I had my short list of candidates from Aprilia to MV Augusta.
I ended up buying a 2003 Ducati 749S. Then about three weeks later I saw the Buell website change, and it showed the XB12R.
I took the day off work and started calling every dealership in the Southwest. Weeks passed with no luck, until finally I found out that Laidlaw's HD had one. In red.
I went to look at it with 10k cash in my pocket, but the dealer wasn't dealing.
I let it sit there for two weeks more, and went back with 12.5k cash. I rode it away that day.
I didn't realize until much later that I had number Three off the production line.
54k miles later I sold it because I grew weary of repairing it constantly. I remember it fondly, but I don't miss it.
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Elvis
| | Posted on Saturday, September 20, 2014 - 08:42 am: |
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I'm very enthusiastic about the brand. I love the fact that, for the first time in my life, a world-class superbike is being made in America. I can't wait to see where it goes and I hope to see EBR's becoming more of a factor in racing and sales.
. . . but I'm getting old and I believe that is true of a large chunk of people on this forum. There's probably something of a generational disconnect between this forum and the people who are or will be buying EBRs.
Think about it. It's been 5 years since Buell shut down and most owners bought prior to that.
The ideal rider for the new bikes is probably around 30 years old - young enough to still want to get out there and whoop it up, but old enough to have enough money to swing it. But someone who's 30 now was 25 when Buell shut down and probably not a member of this forum.
If I were 30, I might have one by now, but I'm not that impulsive anymore. I'm thinking about it, but not running out to get one just yet.
Additionally, the RX has only been available for 3/4 of a year and the SX has only been available for a month or so. How often do any of us buy new bikes? I'd guess most of us buy maybe every 7 years or so. Some of us bought different brands after the shut-down. Others aren't quite ready to buy anything yet. EBR hasn't had bikes available for a broad enough window yet for it to fall into most of our purchase ranges.
As time passes, more of us will pull the trigger and more riders of other brands will give EBR a serious look. As those bikes make their way to consumers, more people will see them - ridden by friends or parked at the local watering hole etc. - and consider buying one for themselves.
If EBR had started selling bikes the day Buell shut down, they likely would have picked up where Buell left off, but the lag means things are going to shake out and shift. It will be a while before the broad interest in and enthusiasm for EBR matches the broad interest in and enthusiasm for Buell at its height.
I think EBR offers a product that is more competitive when compared directly to other bikes than any Buells ever were, so once things do get going, I think we'll see EBR quickly surpass where Buell was at its Apex.
But 'quickly' is likely to take longer than the one summer that the RX's have been available and the one month the SX's have been available. |
Brumbear
| | Posted on Saturday, September 20, 2014 - 08:06 pm: |
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Well for me you all know I am riding with the little man more and more these days on the dirt. I will be back. I am still actually puttin off gettin rid of the CR but it is going. When I return to Buell it will be on an old XB cause I always loved the city X and thats what I will buy even if I have to rebuild it from the ground up. I remember having up to near 30 guys on Buells at a Catskill Ramble and a shyt load more than that when the HV guys did the early Headless Horsemans as well. I think the worm may have turned a little but not for me I'll always be Buell even if I bitch sometimes it's my nature I just hope the machines are a little more well like Al said... |
Court
| | Posted on Saturday, September 20, 2014 - 11:52 pm: |
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>>>>I think we'll see EBR quickly surpass where Buell was at its Apex.
I absolutely agree. I think some folks, as they see the EBR plan unfold, are going to be amazed. |
86129squids
| | Posted on Sunday, September 21, 2014 - 01:21 am: |
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Unibear12r
| | Posted on Sunday, September 21, 2014 - 06:38 am: |
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Just got back from a great day and a half run with the Uly. My Uly and 1125R both have worn out front tires now which is a bit of a bummer. On the good side I pick up my RX tomorrow. Lol I may be disconnected from reality (and my paycheck) but not this forum, Buell or EBR. I'm still pretty enthused about Buell/EBR and the new RX/SX really seem to stand above past models. Looking forward to a direct comparison of the two Rs and very curious as to EBR's future business plans/models. |
Fireboltwillie
| | Posted on Sunday, September 21, 2014 - 01:01 pm: |
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back in '06, I was looking to get back on a bike after years off. I wanted something different, u.s. built, but not a cruiser. a young coworker, who had a monster, suggested I look at Buell. after doing research, and seeing some around the Boulder/Denver area, I finally ponied up some money and found one on e-bay in a small town just east of St. Louis. I had purchased an '04 12R. the bike proved to be everything that I had wanted and more. Well, the meltdown of the economy a few years later saw me having to sell it, and for five years I pined for a return to the brand. I kept up on BadWeb, and lusted after all things Buell. I knew someday I would be back on two wheels. Well, last weekend I took possession of an '09 1125R, which I picked up in a small town east of St. Louis..... the next town south from my original purchase. glad to be in the fold, had my first long ride on it yesterday and will continue to be a fan until I can no longer ride.
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Fb1
| | Posted on Sunday, September 21, 2014 - 08:32 pm: |
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Unibear!!
Greetings from FB&D! Great to see your name pop up. Looking forward to the next time we all get some time in the wind together.
XXOO,
Ferris & Denise |
Unibear12r
| | Posted on Sunday, September 21, 2014 - 08:45 pm: |
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Hello Ferris and Denise!
Been way too long friends and a group in the wind has been on my mind. Way too lonely around here now days. |
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