In looks like an updated 1190 rx with new paint and body work, granted having access to a possible parts source for my 1125 would be grand. I wish them luck, and I hope that they are not just building from reserves..
Yeah. What saddens me is the prospect of "Buell" becoming a boutique bike, kit or something, without soul. The little that I've seen from these new folks indicates that they're big on marketing found ideas, not much original, as it was with our guy Erik.
FWIW, my favorite Police album of all time is "Ghost In The Machine". Secret Journey is probably my fave song, but there are too many. J'ourais toujours faim de toi... I'll always be hungry for a true Buell.
OK then. All that said... someone a little ways back in time mentioned that this new outfit needed new sales peeps. Damn weird idea, but, if I had the blessings of E. Troy and an anonymous pegasus or two, maybe.
Erik Buell's designs, even since the FXR frames that the Hell's Angel's preferred, are timeless. The Hossack design front end has been co-opted by Honda and BMW. James Parker designed the front end of the Yamaha GTS1000, which I still want to this day. My first gas powered two wheeler was a Moto-Morini moped, with fuel in the frame, weirdly by the fates that was. Not to mention Britten. Oh and throw in a nice XN85 while you're at it, plhleeze. LUSTED after one at the Hermitage Suzuki dealer forever, until some proto-squid bought it and wadded it within a month. Grrr.
So we’re coming up on 4 years (July 2018) since announcing they were going to make these bike again. I see new slats, louvres, a paint job, rebadge, and a lot of hype about improvements that are either nonexistent or a well kept secret. Looks like old inventory and outdated tech that should be worth about $13-14K in today’s market. I don’t hear any bragging about all the orders they’ve received. Guessing it’s an embarrassingly low number.
What Oldog said. Whomever hermit-crabbed the revered Buell brand that WE know... it seems a good while ago that maybe Brankin or someone noticed that their "marketing" approach was completely un-Elvish. But hey, what do I know.
Another buddy just today sent me some fancy/weird custom iteration of an XB9S, all blacked out... it was an earlier generation like my 2005. Lots of people want to be cool... some or many never give props to the originator of said coolness.
The current iteration of bikes are the best a pawn broker can do with leftover pieces of 10 year old technology.
Ask and you shall receive, I was hoping for a source of parts when HD's supplies dried up.}
Thanks for your unfiltered reply, I have enjoyed my Buells, and by extension the ppl I have met here and elsewhere ..
oddly the new in development bikes look like 1190 engines and frames with different kit on them. I think that the 1190 engine as is, is not well suited for off road work, The alterations would be extensive..
Thanks for sayin', Court. One thing that galls me is appropriating the hard work, blood/sweat/tears of fine men and women as one's own. I had high hopes for some of the folks that truly wanted to carry the marque forward. Like the legendary Vincent Black Lightning, the machine MUST have soul.
My comments are not meant to be an insult or critical of Melvin… They have done what I would expect them to do.
The BUELL products… From the 1987 RS 1200 up through the final iterations of the EBR bikes were the product of amazing engineering and the work of dedicated employees… Elves… Dedicated to perfection. I can attest to the fact that every motorcycle that got passed Nate and Diaz on his way out of the factory… They, in their eyes and hearts, consider perfect… Erik Buell will have nothing short of that.
While it’s nice that the Melvin family is trying to keep the marque alive… The fact of the matter is nothing just “stays alive“ in the motorcycle industry. Had Eric and the elves remained in the business… We would’ve seen untold advancements at this point.
Hi would much prefer to purchase a 1998 Buell S1 lightning then I would any of the new products…
That’s just my opinion… I consider it less unvarnished opinion than I do a mere statement of fact.
Court what you expand on is kinda how I took your comment, Not really negative, just unknown.
I wish them well, as it might mean in time some of the parts of the 1125R (I have an 08) might be available, There still seems to be great interest in the XB platform and perhaps a viable parts business for them.
There were so many great folks that have been associated with the brand over the years. I just want to keep mine on the road.