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Dynarider
| | Posted on Friday, March 29, 2002 - 02:53 pm: | 
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I too feel that the Buells are easier to work on. Have done quite a bit of work on my FXDWG & have replaced a few parts on the X1. Both were infinately easier to work on than my 88 Yamaha Virago. Pulling the carbs on that thing is a bitch, oil changes suck, they use those little paper cartridge deals, very messy.
On a Buell or a harley if you end up needing any tranny work its a piece of cake, try that on a yamaha or whatever. You gotta pull everything & split the damn case to work on it. |
Rick_A
| | Posted on Friday, March 29, 2002 - 11:48 pm: |
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I think people need to face the facts. The Buell company has never made any substancial changes to please possible consumers. They've basically created their own niche. It as if Eric has been putting his own ideal streetbike(s) to market and seeing how things go. It just so happens that those ideals are mine too. Buell will always have a small but loyal following. I don't think they need to change a thing...I seriously doubt they will...and when they do it'll likely be in the same direction they've been headed.
I dig the utter simplicity. Once the nuiances are fixed they're pretty trustworthy steeds. They are a true joy to work on as well, for some reason. Perhaps it's giving your baby the needed attention it desires... |
Blake
| | Posted on Saturday, March 30, 2002 - 02:25 am: |
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Rick:
Quote:The Buell company has never made any substantial changes to please possible consumers.
I have to point out the following...
1. Wider seats
2. Bigger fuel tanks
3. Less leg cooking exhaust
4. Stainless Steel rotors
5. XB9R: A new V-Twin that revs
6. XB9R: A new racier bike that sheds 50 lbs compared to previous V-Twin Buells
7. XB9R: Improved transmission
8. XB9R: Goiterous airbox gone
9. XB9R: Sealed bearings for swingarm and steering head
10. XB9R: World class handling
11. Isolators... beefed up/fixed
12. 2nd gear ratio improved
13. Much improved integration of wiring/tubing
14. Cylinder sleeves improved
15. Consistent and significant power enhancement, from ~65BHP to 101 BHP
16. Tach for M2.
17. Dash mounted ignition switch
18. Beefier front brake carrier/rotor assy.
19. XB9R: Stock rear wheel takes 180 series tire.
20. XB9R: Oil cooler
21. XB9R: Forced air cooling.
22. XB9R: Elimination of the scourge of the "too tight belt" syndrome.
23. New rockerbox gasket!!!
24. XB9R: New breather system!!!
25. Improved muffler mounting.
26. Electronic speedo
.
.
.
The list goes on. My point is that all the above were items raised at one time or another in this discussion forum. Buell listens and Buell responds!
It's a real shame that Buell had to suffer a scourge of reliability gremlins, becase now the new bikes coming of the line are rock solid reliable.
The bugs have ALL been fixed. MANY enhancements have been implemented.
Just have a little patience; don't you know that there is surely more to come?  |
Dynarider
| | Posted on Saturday, March 30, 2002 - 06:23 am: |
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In my opinion numbers 1 & 3 were the best things they did, was enough to make me purchase mine. Had test ridden them for years but couldnt stand the exhaust heat or the seat, once they changed them tho it was an entirely new bike. |
Rocketman
| | Posted on Saturday, March 30, 2002 - 06:34 am: |
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Blake :
I think most of the points you mention are relative to a new model anyway or at least a continuation of development for an existing model, so it's unfair to challenge what Rick, in my opinion , was trying to say.
If you take that list of yours and break it down, to me it says that when Buell do 'listen' to its customers (whingers) they don't necessarily get it right. Wider seats and dash mounted ignitions are the two most obvious wrongs, in my opinion.
Rocket in England |
Rocketman
| | Posted on Saturday, March 30, 2002 - 06:38 am: |
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So Greg, it's your fault we got form over function, so I blame YOU for the demise of the S1's 
Rocket in England |
Dynarider
| | Posted on Saturday, March 30, 2002 - 06:41 am: |
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I'd be willing to take the blame for them deciding to get rid of the medievel torture rack of a seat they had before. And what is so wrong with dash mounted ignitions? |
Rick_A
| | Posted on Saturday, March 30, 2002 - 07:04 am: |
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Well Blake...like Rocket's sayin', I mean more significant things like full fairings and that liquid cooling that so many seem to want. The XB9R rocks, that's for sure. I think it'll have the same kinda significance of that bad ass S1 that started that line. I also think Buell listened to the whiny moto press more than anyone else.
The thin seats, bodywork, and tanks rocked! They shoulda left at least one model (X1) that way. |
Rocketman
| | Posted on Saturday, March 30, 2002 - 08:24 am: |
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There are some things that I like on a Buell that are transplanted from Harley, the motor been the most obvious, but I also thought the ignition key down the side was kinda cool and it left the dash real neat.
Think of it this way. I like clocks of any sort, be it speedo's , rev counters, watches or whatever so I think that stuffing the ignition keys with the clocks is messy. You don't see it in cars do you. Speaking of which, has anyone seen the clocks in those latest Lexus 200's ? Very smart.
Rocket in England |
Dynarider
| | Posted on Saturday, March 30, 2002 - 09:10 am: |
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You dont see the key near the "clocks" gauges as we call them because the manufacturers needed a way to lock the steering column. Also would be kind of a bitch to have to reach either around or thru the steering wheel..do you still call them tillers?
I like the key up where I can see it & its easy to access. Absolutely hate the location on some of the dyna models & on the V-rod. Whats with putting the key down there? |
Court
| | Posted on Saturday, March 30, 2002 - 09:39 am: |
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Rocket:
You, of all folks, should know about keys in the console 
Court |
Kevyn
| | Posted on Saturday, March 30, 2002 - 10:14 am: |
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Could be the organic ale, but I'm feelin' a little more dinosaurish than usual. I actually find the S1 seats a comfy platform to work from. The S2T was the first fairing bike in my garage; I'll accept change, but what Buell offered was what I wanted with the S1W and S2T and the M2. Ya, I got used to the stratolounger seat on the M2...but the S2 fits real well and it's not a pad for my **s that's important there.
I'm actually looking forward to test riding the 'bolt, the ergonomics were a tad tight, but for a spirited commute, it may be just the ticket! |
S320002
| | Posted on Saturday, March 30, 2002 - 10:30 am: |
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Rocket,
You must be talking to some other Greg. I'm one of the original believers in "Form follows fucntion".
Greg :-) |
Eeeeek
| | Posted on Saturday, March 30, 2002 - 12:07 pm: |
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I've got to agree with Blake. When Buell released the X1, they gave one to Cycle World and asked how they liked it. When Cycle World replied that they did, Buell replied something to the effect "You should, this is your bike. We fixed everything you bitched about."
The X1 represented substantial changes over the S1.
Vik |
Rocketman
| | Posted on Saturday, March 30, 2002 - 01:10 pm: |
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Court :
Yeah but I aren't as old as you
Anyway mate, my Ford Anglia days or over, and trust you of all folks to bring that up. I knew some wise ass would see through that one
Rocket in England |
Blake
| | Posted on Saturday, March 30, 2002 - 02:24 pm: |
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The fact that I sold my '00 M2 and kept the "'97 M2 - temporary purchase for NJ stint" says a lot about my personal preferences.
I never noticed a difference between the heat coming off the head pipes, and the older style look better integrated to me.
I didn't like the new plastic dash with relocated ignition switch. A slightly wider seat would have been fine; the mongo huge one that made it into production in '99 seems a huge over-reation. The REAL problem with the seat, the raised edges of the seat pan, was not fixed. The top of the seat pan must be fairly flat with NO protruding edges.
What really surprised and then disappointed me was the huge effect the larger tank had on the feel and character of the bike. Rocket, you ought to try fitting 4 gallon tank to your S1W; I'm pretty sure you would like it better than the stock 5 gallon manta version.
I really liked the iron disk, both the look and the performance.
I guess I am in the minority though.
Oh yeah, if they sold a kick start kit, I would be wanting one (along with some kind of ignition retardation control). |
Peter
| | Posted on Saturday, March 30, 2002 - 02:47 pm: |
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(along with some kind of ignition retardation control)
Ya big girl's blowse.....
PPiA
PS. Are you going to Bonneville this year? |
Rick_A
| | Posted on Saturday, March 30, 2002 - 03:42 pm: |
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I think you'd need a compression release, too! |
Ara
| | Posted on Saturday, March 30, 2002 - 08:48 pm: |
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Maybe a bigger leg would help.
I sure do agree with you, Blake, on several points. I like the original iron rotor (still have mine) and the original pipes, too. I'm also sold on the original exposed-spring rear suspension. Mine continues to work well, and without a hint of a leak.
Russ |
Blake
| | Posted on Sunday, March 31, 2002 - 12:17 am: |
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Ara: Yeah baybee!! Bring back a factory exposed spring shock for $300 or less and I'm there! Oh yeah, one other thing... With rearsets and the new fat-ass seat/tail section, no way my size 12 feet fit on the pegs properly. The tail section skirt interferes with my heal such that I have to tilt my heal outboard and end up scrathing the poo out of the paint.
Peter: If I have to have my ashes shipped to the salt this year, I WILL be there! I have a strong feeling that it will be an event to remember.
Peter and Rocketman: If you can save a significant sum by flying into Dallas (DFW) you are welcome to ride with me. Aaron's place is a good 16 hours from Dallas. Haven't given too much thought about itinerary yet. Definitely would like to spend some time in Colorado though. I'm thinking at least a full week including travel time.
I'll be taking my new twin turbo Viper convertible, so whoever speaks up first... |
Blake
| | Posted on Sunday, March 31, 2002 - 12:21 am: |
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Gotcha!  (on the Viper thing, you are still welcome to a free ride from Dallas to Bonneville and back). |
Peter
| | Posted on Sunday, March 31, 2002 - 03:09 am: |
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Blake,
Thanks for the offer. If you really had a Viper, Rocket and I would might have arrived together, tied you up and put you in the boot  and then taken turns seeing if they're any faster than his TVR 
Seriously, if I can get there, it will probably be a bit like last year. Fly in a bit before the event and then leave again when it's over. It's right when we are preparing for a new season of performances here, so work won't want me gone any longer than I need to.
PPiA |
Rocketman
| | Posted on Sunday, March 31, 2002 - 10:28 am: |
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Do Vipers corner ?????
As for that small tank Blake, I've ridden with both types for long enough to know the difference. When you get on the manta-ray (after the small tank) you are overwhelmed by the big bike feel but it never makes a difference once moving. The big tank is MUCHO better and I can use my knees better to steer, but only when I'm sat facing forwards
Rocket in England |
Blake
| | Posted on Monday, April 01, 2002 - 05:43 pm: |
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Rocket/chubby tank: Methinks you have a case of tank envy. The thin tanks are simply way cooler looking, especially on an S1.  I can't believe someone with such well honed discerning tastes in naked bikes could make such a style blunder.  |
Dynarider
| | Posted on Monday, April 01, 2002 - 06:23 pm: |
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New Buell site |
Blake
| | Posted on Monday, April 01, 2002 - 07:13 pm: |
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 Dyna: ha ha "www.pornolize.com" The knowledge vault might be funnier. Or the about BadWeB text. I hope no puritans click on that link and then all flabbergasted and indignant call their attorney. |
Peter
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 02, 2002 - 03:35 am: |
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Dynarider,
That site's a dud.
I went to the pics pages and still only got motorcycles.......
PPiA |
Sandmanx1
| | Posted on Friday, April 05, 2002 - 02:12 pm: |
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Here,s a ? whats my 01 x1 gonna be worth after they quit making them? Resale sucks now i can,t even get a dealer to trade for any reasonable deal now. Even after a full race exhaust and ecm and race breather the best offer i got was $7,000 if i buy their bike at show room price. Kinda makes it hard to trade up when you still owe $8,000 on the original loan |
Blake
| | Posted on Saturday, April 06, 2002 - 01:06 am: |
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By next year, your X1 will be worth well over $10K. That is, as long as you stuff the seat with around $3000. Sorry SManX1, but your X1 is no different than most any other Non-HD motorcyle or even car for that matter. You lost 20% when you drove it off the lot. Sell the race kit on eBay for $700+ and you ought to still get around $7K for the stock X1. |
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