| Author | Message | ||
     Gomo |
With the new model release to be in Milwaukee this August (only 4 more months), are there any guesses as to what Buell may have to offer for the year of 2004? | ||
| Glitch |
A Buell dealer told me to look out for a 1200. But he wasn't sure (or wasn't saying) if it was going to be a kit to change your engine, or if it was going to be an XB12S/R. I think it would please alot of people if Buell came out with a Sport/Tourer. So my guess would be a XB12ST, a sport touring XB. | ||
| Crusty |
Last year at Daytona, Erik said that while the press loved Sport-Tourers, they didn't sell. So I wouldn't count on seeing one (Even though I really want one). I do think we'll see more horsepower, though. Lack of power is the most heard complaint about the XB9's. I've heard the rumors about the XB12 since the introduction of the Thunderfart, so it's probably what we'll see. One thing that keeps jumping around in my mind,though, is the fact that Erik has been seen on a turbo equipped bike at several events over the past few years. Sometimes I wonder... | ||
| Dynarider |
The 1200 is a guarantee, ask Blake he knows now  I can taste that steak already. A rumor floating around here is an increase in wheelbase to 55". Supposedly there are a couple bikes with larger frames around, but nothing positive on that. | ||
| Dynarider |
Oh yea about Eriks bike, he has had a turbo charged X1 for a few years now. | ||
| Daves |
I guess that I will know for sure in July! Ride to the edge Dave HD/Buell CC Waterloo Ia dave@iowaharley.com | ||
| Reepicheep |
I forget where I read it, but I recall Erik talking about that turbo X1... he said it is an absolute hoot to ride, but an hard to keep running, and that a bike like that will never see production. I think they could do a lot better with a carefully tweaked XB12, something like Aaron and the Nallins are designing. It would add very little cost at the manufacturing level, they just change parts. If I were them, I would nail the reliability thing out of the box with an XB9, let the press go nuts saying "this would be the perfect bike with more power", and then 3 or 4 years later replace all the XB9's with XB12's and give more power. The XB9 also gives them the chance to from day one be allowed to race in classes they would otherwise be shut out of. | ||
| Mikej |
I think any guessing will have to be focused on next year, not any unveiling this late summer. There are (and were) times and places (sometimes by invite-only) where this summer's releases can be somewhat seen. Unfortunately I won't be at one such time/place in the next few weeks. Side-note: sometimes the best rides happen after sunset, and occaisionally before dawn. The good stuff is usually on the way home or heading elsewhere before many folks even arrive. | ||
| Blake |
Dyna, Sorry bud, there are no guarantees. I don't know anything definite about an XB12 and remain as skeptical as ever. As to my challenge to you... DUDE! Don't make me dredge up the archives. You refused to take it while it was still on the table. I think I asked two or three times if you would accept the challenge. You never did. You was too skeered.  A steak eh? How do you like it? | ||
| Reepicheep |
Blake.... Take him to that steak house by 6 flags there near the baseball park outside Dallas. Dyna... It's a nice place, make sure you wear a tie!  Bill | ||
| Dynarider |
Blake, you wanted me to commit that Buell would introduce it as a 2004 model but I said that knowing Buell it might come out as 2004 1/2 or a 2005. I am positibe about the motor this year, just not positive on what year they will call the bike | ||
| Ar15ls1 |
I heard that the new sportsters are going to be a lot different. I heard that they are going to be using the xb engines. One of them will be a 1200 version. Does anyone else have any info to back this up? | ||
| Court |
>>>Oh yea about Eriks bike, he has had a turbo charged X1 for a few years now. Since the day he and I performed the first Buell marriage on the steps of 3700 Juneau. The turbo bike is Gary's plaything. | ||
| 1313 |
The new Sportster will NOT use an XB based engine. The motor looks externally very much like the current Spotster engine, but with some very important differences. At the time I rode one (July 2001) it was supposed to be a 2003 model year bike, but obviously we know that never happened. That is all I will say on this topic, at least until I am home for the 100th and can say to everyone "I coulda told ya that". | ||
| Anonymous |
Ah, 2004 Sportsters. Don't believe everything you read, particularly here. | ||
| Misato |
I'd be kinda pissed that I bought a 9s if a 12s comes out a year later.. but who needs more hp and tq anyway | ||
| Mikej |
I'm just waiting for the LSR version to come out. | ||
| Noface |
I'm with ya Misato on the 9r/s vs 12r/s We'd kinda be like how the 883's are to the 1200 Sportsters. Not that making model improvements is a bad thing, but something so radical a year after kinda leaves you with the feeling that you REALLY should have waited. Jody S. <--neverwantedan883 | ||
| Glitch |
I wonder if they do come out with a 1200r/s... Would they come out with some sort of 1200 kit that wouldn't void the warranty? Also, if they had come out with a 1200 when I was looking, the cost difference probably would have led me to the 9 anyway...well maybe not... Either way I'll not regret buying the 9S. | ||
| Misato |
yeah, I love it.. | ||
| Blake |
If you want a 12, send your 9 to the shop for an upgrade. I'm sure Cycle Rama or Nallin Racing would be glad to do the work for you. Or, simply have them work it up to a 95 RWHP beast of an XB9. That will probably beat any stock form of a 12 that might come from the factory. Buy any computers lately? Sport bikes are not much different concerning their ever-evolving path of improvement. | ||
| Glitch |
"Buy any computers lately?" Funny you should ask...I just bought 207 desktops and 86 laptops... 95 RWHP beast of an XB9. That's what I'm talkin' about, and Nallin and CycleRama are why there will be no regrets. | ||
| Grim_euphoria |
If anybody decides being seen on a XB9S is beneath them when the XB12S comes out, let me know I may be able to take it off your hands if the price is right. (low funds not lack of respect)  | ||
| Prof_stack |
How anyone could regret buying an XB9S is beyond me. So what if Buell intro's an '04 12S (which I doubt)? How much power do you need? (I hear a chorus: MORE! )  | ||
| Firemanjim |
Well,prof,I think horsepower is kinda like sex and money.I suppose you could have too much,but I am certainly will to accept the challenge. | ||
| Piggos |
OK, '04 Sportster speculation... How about fuel injection and a counter balancer in the existing oil filter location, and a vertical XB style filter on a revised cam cover. Anonymous? | ||
| Crusty |
Naw, next year Harley's going to take the Sportster back to its roots. I saw a prototype at the big Swap Meet in Keene, NH.It's going to have cast iron cylinders and a flat head. It'll displace 45 cubic inches and use a tomato can for a carburetor. I'm not sure if it will be in a swingarm frame or if the frame will be a rigid, though. I saw both versions. | ||
| Noface |
Hey, I hope everyone's not taking my above comments as knocking Buells. I love my bike. I ride the hell out of it, and it continues to put big, wide, shit eatin grins on my face. I understand and encourage the factory to continually make them better, faster, etc. But such a drastic change after one model year I think might alienate a lot of folks. How are they going to move a 9r/s when right next to it, for another grand more, have a 1200 that will likely blow it away? I know which one I'd buy  Besides, I already read enough comment's about 'lil Bolt and 'lil Lightnings. I bought a girls bike once  (wish I still had it, but couldn't afford both). When I bought the 9R, I never envisioned I might have been doing the same thing. All this sounds like I might have some kind of complex, dick envy, whatever. I don't. I can ride my 9R with anyone I've run across thus far. You won't find any chicken strips on my tires  But if they do indeed come out with a 74ci bike, I'll still wish I would have waited. FWIW, I do intend to send some business Nallin's way this next winter. I think a 1050 kit with stageII heads and a NHRS pipe might be the ticket.  Jody S. | ||
| Reepicheep |
It always seemed to me the smart sportster money was spent buying an '883, then finding somebody like Aaron or Pammy to 'finish the job'. I suspect for about the same amount of cash you would have spent on the 1200, you end up with a LOT more bike. The XB9's would be the same when the XB12's come out. The price (hopefully) will be about the same, but you will have had at least a year and maybe two *ACTUALLY RIDING AN XB*. And the XB12 that our local guru's will put together will likely totally humiliate whatever the factory can get past the EPA. I am one of many people (I suspect) camping out waiting for used XB9s's to hit that $6k price point. Your used XB's will have depreciated maybe %20 to %35 in a couple years, which looks bad until you compare the depreciation of other sportbikes in that same period (%50 to %75). I would pay $100 per month to have use of an XB9s in a heartbeat, which is around where your depreciation will likely land you. Bill | ||
| Jim_witt |
Jody wrote: ll this sounds like I might have some kind of complex, dick envy, whatever.  -JW:> | ||
| Prof_stack |
So, how much is invested by Harley in the XB motor? How about the V-Rod motor? I reckon the XB motor was much less cost. But imagine the V-Rod motor in a Buell. Hey, that's cute how Buell automatically formats!  I test-rode this bad boy today for 20 miles, quiet roads and Interstate. Great motor, so-so handling, noisy bits here and there (wouldn't be a Harley otherwise, I guess), and blitzkrieg acceleration in top gear from 60 mph. So, any guesses if Buell will ever use this or a similar motor? | ||
| Davegess |
Prof, NOT. Too big Too heavy. The XB is the platform for the near future. | ||
| Prof_stack |
Davegess, I agree. Plus, for my riding the XB motor is very quick. I'm more interested in acceleration up to around 80 max. 90 in a pinch. Don't need to go any faster:  So, what do I do with the knee pucks? The salesguy gave them to me after I rode the v-rod.  | ||
| Grim_euphoria |
For the V-rod? put the pucks on your heels. | ||
| Noface |
JW, That's cool!  Must be an old plate though. TN plates are white. Have been since I've lived here anyway. Only on the internet... Regards, Jody S. |
