| Author | Message | ||
     Aldaytona |
I believe people don't buy Buells for the same reason most people buy Harley cruisers, to be the same. I buy Buells because of the Harley Davidson engines, not in spite of them. I don't want a new bike with a Kotax engine, Buell, BMW, or any other. If I wanted a bike faster than a XB12R, I would go right to the source of fast, Suzuki, home of real horsepower. At least by having lower horsepower in the 1125, it gives the cry babies another reason to rationalize that the Buell is faster in corners and the countless other excuses you need when you buy a motorcycle that's not a detuned race replica. Did I mention that if I wanted to go even faster yet, I wouldn't buy their 600, I would get their 1000. | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
I love my Buell as much as the next fellow, and perhaps a bit more, judging from the time and money I have invested in her. But let's just take a quick reality check, OK, my brothers? If one compares a Buell XB12R with a Honda CBR 600RR, what do we find? -The Honda weighs about 50 lb.s less -Has about 25 more horsepower. -Is about a second faster in the quarter. -Has a well deserved reputation for bullet proof reliability. -Is easy to ride fast on road or track. -Has an electronic steering damper. -Cost about $400 less. -Can be purchased anywhere without the dealer trying to sell you something that is more expensive and that you don't have any interest in. Bottom Line: Faster, cheaper, great handling. These bikes sell in great numbers, because they are wonderful bikes. If you doubt me, try following a well ridden on the next time you do a track day. Perhaps a more relevant question might be: "Why does anyone buy a Buell?"........ Of course I have my answers, and I am sure you have yours, but let's not forget that there are some other very nice motor bicycles out there besides our favorite, and that the people that ride them are not all idiots. | ||
| Djkaplan |
"Why does anyone buy a Buell?" Based on what I've seen from meeting other Buell owners... I'll be damned if I know. We seem to be a pretty diverse bunch it seems, with many different reasons for wanting to be involved with Buells. I know why I get along with groups of Buell riders... they're like a can of nuts: a can of mixed nuts is always better than a can of just the same nuts. Unless, of course, we're talking about pistachios... those are my favorite nuts. I'm sorry... what were we talking about? | ||
| Glitch |
Until the sales people get more incentive to sell a Buell, they will more than likely keep pointing people in the H-D direction. I seriously doubt that Buell will get more than a corner in the store either, with t-shirts in the $30 range they're not going to sell a lot of apparel, so H-D shops aren't going to sell a lot, therefore more space won't be alloted to Buell. See where I'm going? | ||
| Bearly |
Well two of my three friends bought a Buell when I did. One just went out and bought one with even riding it since I like my first test ride (life long friend). He couldn't be happier. The other rode my Uly and was hooked and bought one. The other didn't want to go to the land of chrome, and tassels. He makes fun of me to this day and says that he would never replace his ZZR with a Buell, although always surprised to see me next to his rear tire after a corner or to follow me through one. Now he says that if were both to have 1125R's it would look gay or squidish. I think most are just afraid to leave the heard and think for themselves. Course I'm a buy American Nazi as well. Not everyone thinks that is important. PS.. Ft_bstrd I hope we become a gigantic goiter/boil that causes HD to walk funny, not be able to sit right, and be dehydrated from all the pus. I've said it before, you just not right! I fell off my chair and pissed down my leg. Hey Pal, did you order a 1125r? | ||
| Birdy |
I want a motorcycle not Hype on two wheels. Been to the rocket racer club not for me and as far as being "The Last American Hero" on a H-D there are only about a couple 1,000,000 of them...sheep. I'd rather live MY life my way than be part of the in crowd. Sure my buds think I'm a nut case but that's fine with me! After all I'm grinin' like a fool riding down the road not hanging in a bar! There's something about the bike that seems to take me back to a simpler time. It's just fun and doesn't ask to much of me to go as fast as I want...maybe faster that I should. That it feels solid, comforting and comfortable? I cant put my finger on it, it just seems right. | ||
| Rocketsprink |
Well, my Brother-in-law has ridden Japanese bikes his whole life. He's done a few Inside Pass track days on his GSXR-600. At the last one at R.A where he should have dusted me on my lowly 9R race bike, and didn't, he said he would buy a Buell for a track/race bike. His 600 is a track bike, so it wasn't like I was out there on a race prep'd bike and he wasn't. He purchased his from a guy that ran in WERA so his bike was built. Only thing on my bike that isn't stock is tires and the race kit. It was fun actually passing up the hill on the straight. He loved the 1125. I think a lot of people just have an opinion formed by friends and the crap they read. If ya try it and you don't like it...fine. But if ya haven't, you have no base for an opinion. | ||
| Xb984r |
Gentleman_jon hit the nail on the head.I have a Buell,but I also like many of the other manufacturers offerings,does that make me a sheep also.When buying a sportbike,spec sheets do matter,after all,you are buying a performance bike.When performance is close,most people go for looks,and most younger people go for full faired bikes.So now you have two things in younger sportbike riders eyes that may make them not want a Buell,performance and looks.To suggest that people who don't like Buells don't know about bikes may want to rethink that.People that put down people who don't like Buells are just as bad as people who put down you for liking Buells. | ||
| Swampy |
I don't know, I was riding home from a doctors appointment on the Little Kids Blast, running 75-85mph, making a fool out of myself darting in and out of 55 mph traffic, running up behind cars, seriously considering lane splitting, thinking to myself "I wonder what the cop who pulls me over is going to think when he finds its a man of my age riding the thing?" I know why, I don't care. | ||
| Teeps |
Why do people not buy buells? Because theys igorant... | ||
| Beachbuell |
Swampy, thats great dude. I used to think/do the same thing when I had mine. I miss that lil bike! I think most Buell riders have been around the block more than once and have ridden or owned a lot of different bikes and i think they crave something a little outside the box. I for one love my XBR and would not trade it for a me too, I4, race replica. You can keep your cookie cutter, everyone and their sister has one, 180mph hyper bike. I like me some soul, spirit and real word torque and smiles! | ||
| Bake |
Most people seeking a sport bike don't look in the HD dealerships, others need enough speed to make your ears bleed. I think it's mainly the crowd that has some experience that finds the Buells attractive. | ||
| Glitch |
I wanted one. I wasn't worried about spec sheets, as I enjoy being a licensed rider. Now that I've owned one, I can tell you why I'll buy another, it's not something someone that doesn't/hasn't can know. The Buell community is outstanding. I can't say enough about all the people I've met/became friends with. I used to be non-social, not anti-social, just didn't have a lot of friends. I'm a bit shy. Since my Buell ownership, I'm been the cause of, helped out with, many get togethers, events, you name it. I have so many friends, I'm embarrassed when I can't remember a name. Things I've made happen, or have had a hand in... 3%ers March Badness Buelltoberfest Urban Assault Rural Assault T.W.O. opening their season earlier. Suches area cabins starting their Spring season earlier. To name a few... Buellers may be an eclectic bunch, but we all have something in common besides a name brand motorbike. Comradery and the like of a good time. Buellers just be good people. Hell, I'm friends with Yankees for Pete's sake!  | ||
| M2nc |
Reason #1 - Most dealers have no interest in selling them. If they sell one and the bike has a problem, they do not have the trained service staff to fix it which gives the brand a bad name. Reason #2 - Insurance. Japanese dealers side step the insurance issue (right or not). So if a young rider wants a sport bike they will be pushed away from the Buell by the insurance rates and into the hands of Japanese motorcycle dealerships. Reason #3 - Buells are not a Me Too bike. A lot of people jumping into the motorcycle arena have a vision of how they need to look. In this country most want to wear skull caps and ride Customs Cruisers followed by the race replica leather matching sport bike rider. Buell is in the market for motorcyclist. There are very few of those and many good bikes that are being ignored by the me-too crowd to choose from. (Message edited by m2nc on October 29, 2007) | ||
| Tx05xb12s |
I noticed when I ride with the rice crowd there's always a battle over who gets to lead the pack. When I ride with a friend of mine that also has a Buell, we fight over who gets to ride in the back so we can watch a Buell going down the road in front. A little different perspective, you think? | ||
| Molly_hatchet |
i havent met too many of these so called spec sheet racers...some people might want a bigger faster better bike...is that a crime....after riding my CBR i can tell u its a damn fine machine...just like mr. gentleman_jon said...."Of course I have my answers, and I am sure you have yours, but let's not forget that there are some other very nice motor bicycles out there besides our favorite, and that the people that ride them are not all idiots". most riders ive met are around my age and well versed about bikes....talk about the pot calling the kettle black...i thought it was about the ride..the big honda has tons of low end and handles like its part of the road...ride what u want but im not a spec sheet boy racer squid so give it a rest. (Message edited by molly_hatchet on October 30, 2007) | ||
| Glitch |
Who called you a squid? | ||
| Ducxl |
Whoa...that was a heck of a post Glitch (a few up)..Incredible camaraderie,the kind of which i've only seen at Harley events.Humbling,brings me out of my shell | ||
| Glitch |
Camaraderie...so that's how it's spelled :-) It's also got me outta mine too. I never cared for people much, until now. I look forward to meeting new friends now, whereas before, I couldn't have cared less. | ||
| Mikej |
Please explain this one to me. Pretty sure insurance on a 2007 Suzuki GSXR 600 is higher than on a 2007 Buell XB9R. I could be wrong though, but don't see how a dealer of Japanese bikes can "side step" the insurance issue. If a bike is financed then insurance will be mandatory for full coverage, if the bike isn't financed then the brand doesn't matter if the buyer doesn't want insurance (State laws not withstanding). Besides, I thought the Buell company worked with the insurance industry to ensure lower rates for Buells, at least to some extent. Oh well, time to go mix up a cup of Camaraderie, that's a tea or coffee, right? | ||
| Rasmonis |
To be honest, you guys/gals are the only friends I have. No one else gets me. Buells are just fun, and I like to have fun, it fits me. It's that simple for this Badwebber. Why not buy? I think we all know the answer to that one...Association with HD, and service nightmare stories. The other reason I've heard is they are fugly. To each his own I say. Most of the Buell brand bashers I've spoken to have never ridden one, and when I bring that point up in the conversation, it usually ends there. They sure do like staring at my bike though... | ||
| Rainman |
Glitch: Friends with Yankees? Say it ain't so! My association with BadWeb has made all the difference in my Buell experience, taking a fun little bike that always wants to go a little faster around the corners and hooking me up with a bunch of folks who like to ride as much as I do. It's also nice to have factory folks responding. I've had touring bikes and H-Ds and ridden just about everything but the Blast and the XB9R and XB12S I've ridden are the most FUN. Although the Super Duke and KTM Adventure 950 are up there. | ||
| Daves |
Mikej One way they "side step" the insurance is the Honda card. All the metric brands have one. The loan is actually a credit card, owner has the title to the bike. No required full coverage insurance like on a regular loan. | ||
| Djkaplan |
"No one else gets me." I have separate 'friends' and 'motorcycle friends'. They don't get each other. When one of my 'friends' starts talking about maybe getting a motorcycle, I always recommend a mutual fund instead. When one of my 'motorcycle friends' starts talking about meeting in the middle of nowhere for a few days, with no plan, no agenda and for no special reason... I am so there. | ||
| Barker |
I noticed when I ride with the rice crowd there's always a battle over who gets to lead the pack. When I ride with a friend of mine that also has a Buell, we fight over who gets to ride in the back so we can watch a Buell going down the road in front. LOL, never realized it b4, but sooo tru. Amen | ||
| Mikej |
Ah, so kind of like the Harley card, they just finance it as a personal unsecured loan and the buyer gets a lien-free title to the bike. Interesting. | ||
| Sath |
I just love the sound. Don't get that from a rice burner. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
LOL, never realized it b4, but sooo tru. Amen It's just because your "toyt, yesh, yesh, toyt loyk a toyga. I can see through yor toyt pantsh."  | ||
| Qii |
i'm so glad i asked the question of this thread. you guys are great, really. i miss my buell and you guys talked me into getting a new one. i just have to find a way to sell the super glide. recently i stared in the hd window at the latest iterations of buells and i thought to myself these bikes are the coolest bikes out there. they remind me of the 60s muscle cars. it is also quite obvious just how different and friendly buell owners are. maybe i'll have to wait for spring to sell. | ||
| Ironken |
M2NC said:Buell is in the market for motorcyclist. Motorcyclist, now that's a novel term....I'm not a biker, racer (not anymore), I'm a motorcyclist! A motorcyclist isn't a, "ride to live," guy and all of that crap. To me when you are a motorcyclist, riding is just a normal part of life kinda like breathing. It's not forced, it just is a given. O.K. rant over....Kenny |
