| Author | Message | ||
     Peter |
BTW, happy f'n new year to you all. Maybe we'll get it right for you one of these days, but some days I doubt it. It's always the squeaky wheel that gets the oil. I still enjoy my Buell very much, so happy f'n new year to you all there too!  | ||
| Smoke |
anonymous put that watercooled v-4 in an s1 and s3t frame style, paint them gloss black and stay away from the doors! i'll put one of them next to the 97 s1! That's what i'm waiting for. Most wanted right now----Ducati st3. 3 years from now. tim | ||
| Crusty |
Not only that, It's one of the most beautiful motorcycles ever built. I'm going to own another one someday. Until then, I'll just have to force myself to enjoy my Cyclone.  I hope you all have a Happy New Year, and that 2004 brings all an incredible amount of success, joy and just plain happiness.(and not that bad of a hangover) | ||
| Bykergeek |
8300 miles, I can perform 95% of my own maintenance in my garage. My XB9r rocks! Thanks Erik and Co. | ||
| Budo |
Well it sounds odd but I had a emotional investment in the Buell that I have never had in a motorcycle. Erik is a living legend, his name is on the bike. I liked the sound, the way the bike looked, the torque. Assembled in America in a small factory. All of that. So when the bubble burst I was a very unhappy Buell owner. By burst I mean the bike failed often and seriously. So the factory ignored me the dealership did worse so I sold the bike. The new bikes may be great, maybe. But having ridden both a XB9 and 12, I am not impressed. The bikes feel odd, quirky. I felt the 12 was underpowered compared to my old 1998 S1W. The XB12 has dynoed in the high 80's hp wise, factory claims aside. Now there are more players in the naked bike group. A Suzuki SV1000 sells for $6,795 here. More than $4k less than a XB12. Honda is about to come out with a naked v-twin based on the rc51/Superhawk motor. KTM has a very interesting naked v-twin, tho it will cost as much or more than a XB12. But back to Buell, why would I buy a Buell now? What incentive has the company given me to do so? Why would I do business with the local dealer when they treated me soooo badly for all the years I owned a Buell? | ||
| Bykergeek |
Dealers are definitely an issue. Most seem to have very little invested in their Buell business and seem to treat Buell customers as an interuption to their more lucrative H-D business. My only experience with the factory has been the 2 goodwill upgrades (bearings and kick stand) on my XB9r. On the other hand, it routinely took 3-6 weeks to get common parts on my 2000 Triumph and that was a major consideration in dumping my Speed Triple for the new Firebolt. Thanks to Dave and Bubba, i am confident the 'bolt will be racking up the miles for the next few yrs. | ||
| Ferris |
...BTW, happy f'n new year to you all. Maybe we'll get it right for you one of these days, but some days I doubt it. --Anonymous Anon, i would say that you've already gotten it right for most of us. in my garage sits three motorcycles. one is a '98 Honda VFR Interceptor, polished to the max, and at 55,000 miles still tight, quick, fast, smooth, composed, and competent. the VFR is, by any measure, one of the greatest motorcycles ever made, and i'll consider myself lucky if, in 10 or 20 years, i still get to ride it. i know if i do it'll still be one of the sweetest machines on the road. right next to it sits the Thong, my '98 S1W White Lightning, a little bundle of Molten Orange attitude with a wicked sense of humor and a hair-trigger. earlier this year i was looking for another Buell, as i missed the whole "thing" that riding a Buell brings to the party, and stumbled across what was being advertised as simply a low-mile S1. turns out it was a White Lightning, the owner didn't know it, i didn't tell him, and 30 minutes after i first saw it i owned my second Buell. it's a brick compared to the VFR, in pretty much every measurable way, rough, raw, trash-talkin', pretty much indifferent to you, the rider, unless you adopt and adapt to it, and not the other way around. yet why does the Thong make me giggle every time i even THINK about lighting it off (which i will be doing later today, in spite of the snow in the forecast). and brick or not, in two BattleTrax’s this year it kicked enough “better-built” imported moto-ass to park two more BX trophies up against the “I love me” wall in the garage. and... ...and on the workbench in the garage (on several benches, actually) resides my first Buell, the one responsible for much/most/all of who and what i am today, a stunningly gorgeous '96 Ice White Pearl S2 Thunderbolt, affectionately known as the BLURR. after a lifetime of owning bikes, and coming off of four back-to-back Harley-Davidsons, the BLURR was the machine that spoke to my innermost soul, and showed me how much a big-inch American v-twin stuffed into a nasty little sportbike chassis could shred one's envelope. i have, from the day i first rode my brother's tote-goat (we're talking something like 40 years ago), been passionate about riding. make that PASSIONATE about riding. i’ve owned some pretty nice hardware along the way, but NOTHING, including the sublime VFR, has ever made unrelenting love to my senses like the BLURR did during its first life, on the order of 70,000+ miles, and two trips to Sturgis, and three (four?) Blue Grooves, and riding in the Sierras (and Santa Cruz, and Mount St. Helens, and Taos, New Mexico) with Erik Buell himself, and countless BRAG Adventure Rides, and BattleTrax’s, and SPLASH, and the Border Raid, and on and on and on, hopefully right up to the day i can't pull its trigger any longer. These days the BLURR sits, dormant, patient, waiting, victim of a leaky intake seal and a high-speed summertime blast across the Mojave Desert. i finally got home that day (the next day, actually) at 2:30 in the morning, with the BLURR strapped in the back of a buddy's pickup, the rear cylinder and bottom end a fragmented mess. the intake seal was MY bad, not Erik’s. i got lazy on the maintenance, and paid the price. yet despite the fact that the BLURR has not uttered a sound in over four years, IT is the bike that i dream about. make no mistake, my VFR has been a joy, the first machine to let me discover what 150 m.p.h. feels like, the machine that delivered me 3,700 trouble-free miles during Laguna Seca, Four-Play, and SPLASH this summer, the machine that STILL uses not even a single drop of oil between changes despite two laps of this planet. and yet... and yet, it is a Buell that whispers to me my every waking moment. it is a Buell that has taken me places i never knew existed. it is a Buell that brought to my tiny little world a universe of fellow Hooligans, equally as passionate as i am when it comes to The Ride. it is a Buell that prompts me, sometimes against better judgment, to sit at the computer for an hour (or three) and put emotions into thoughts into words, sometimes with eyes misted with passion and enthusiasm and appreciation. such a time as now. there are faster motorcycles out there. and quicker ones. and more sophisticated ones (arguable, perhaps, when speaking of the new XB's). let's face it, this is an unprecedented time to be in love with motorcycles. you name it and it does it. they're all good. they're ALL good. yep, even Buells. yep, even the old ones. and especially the new ones. it's human nature, i suppose, to criticize. it's the easiest thing in the world to hammer someone when they're up against the ropes, bleeding, dazed. hit him again, sucker, sit down at your almighty keyboard and wail away, who's gonna stop you and your bad self, who's gonna have the balls to tell YOU, self-proclaimed GOD of all things motorcycle, that you're wrong. well, me. Erik has done, and continues to do, something that no one else has done, sometimes against longggg odds, and has done it well. there are plenty of folks out there who've lost the vision, and that's ok. it seems readily apparent that a Buell wouldn't/shouldn’t be for everybody, and i'm not dismissing the problems that some have had. but the bigger reality is that there are many MORE people who have hung on to Erik’s vision than who have come and gone. sometimes, however, those who HAVE said good-bye speak with louder keyboards. i digress. -------------------------------------------------- so to Anonymous above, thank you for your wonderful post, and know that we are still here. we still believe. we still admire. we still appreciate. and we still ride. a Buell. Happy New Year to all. the weather outside is settling in. i can't see the tops of the mountains beyond my office window anymore for it (good thing, as it blocks the view of the snow that fell last night). it's c-c-cold (yes, even here in SoCal), and not exactly what you'd call ideal riding weather. however, there's a certain White Lightning downstairs that's itching for a fight, and after breakfast and a shower i think we're gonna go looking for some trouble. Erik, please keep showing us the way. Ferris Bueller Lake Isabella, California, USA 01/01/2004 | ||
| Newfie_buell |
Happy New Year to all, Ferris I always enjoy your posts and hats off to the Anon Why Buells??? Just Because | ||
| Wyckedflesh |
Man Ferris, are you handing out tissues with that post  | ||
| Henrik |
BTW, happy f'n new year to you all. And the same to you and all everyone else in East Troy Maybe we'll get it right for you one of these days, but some days I doubt it. Nahh, don't fret. You've gotten it spot on several times. My Parkway Blue S2 is a fantastic and stunningly beautiful motorcycle. And one day I'd love to own an S1WL as well. Can't please them all all the time. Thanks Erik Henrik | ||
| Court |
Ya know....the timing for this is particularly wonderful. I am going to get to spend a good part of tomorrow in the company of lots of motorcycles fanatics and with a little luck Kristeen Britten may show. Wanna bet what the first thing she'll ask is? I'd bet on "how's Erik Buell doin'?". Ferris, if I were there (giving you a riding lesson), I'd give you a big ol' "boy hug". Fact is, those who DESERVE to get it, do. It's easy. I take none of the nay-sayers to task, I simply choose to enjoy the company of those I need not spend timing explaining a dream to. I sit here, surrounded by 20 years of Buell memorabilia, posters, bicycles, a motorcycle next to my desk and a wall adorned with good ideas that never saw the light of day. As I look at each one, I see not the brake rotor that never made it on the S-1, I see the faces and hear the laughter of the people who were there. Tha's the way Buell is. Buells speak to me. The song is as clear coming over Outlook Mountain at 2:30AM (07.24.95) as it was in a crowd at Blue Groove. I like people who hear what I hear. Ever noticed that the Buell affianados seem to work their way TOWARD the S-2? What other brand captures a victim in it's clutches, takes them in, talks to them and motivates them to buy an OLDER. ostensibly "less sophisticated" model. Why does someone like Aaron Wilson, with a raft of Buells, ride the S-2? Faster?...goodness no. More techy?...nope. Because of the way it speaks. Ferris hit it on the head. You may keep your techy bike as I do this gorgeous F650 beside me. But, the one bike I'd never give up is the Buell. Bet yer ass, I'll be invited to explain this tomorrow to my pals from Torrence in the Honda R&D group (who by the way love to troll for Erik's current state of mind), the Ducatisi of whatever they call themselves and a group of select journalists. I can't wait. Happy New Year from New York City. Court | ||
| Pdxs3t |
Back in 1996 I was at the AHDR in Woodburn, Oregon watching a buddy of mine drag race his 1996 sportster. This is where I ran into this guy that was doing some freelance photo/writing work for Thunder Press and had started to zero in on my buddy for a possible story because he was kickin some serious ass. Come to find out this freelance photographer/writer, rode a 1995 pearl white S2. This was one of only two Buell's at the track that day (the other was a 1995 yellow S2). Since I was in the market for a new street bike (my buddy desperately trying to get me to buy a sportster), I began to drool all over this pearl white S2. So I struck up some conversation with the owner, man did this guy talk Buell. It was almost a religious experience. I had never seen such enthusiasm from one individual about a motorcycle before in my life. After many hours of discussion, this guy had sold me on a Buell. I left the track that day totally pumped and excited about what I had heard and learned. Within a month, I was a proud owner of a 1996 black S1. When I purchased my bike, I was given a phone number of a guy by the sales person. Apparently this guy had just started a Buell Owners group here in the NW and was a fanatic about Buell motorcycles. Well, I gave this guy a call, introduced myself and asked if I could join his group because I was a proud owner of a new 1996 S1. He took all of my information, name, phone, address and then we began some very lengthy conversation about Buell's (the salesmen was right, this guy was a fanatic). During the conversation I had told him how I came about buying my Buell. Well as fate would have it, this person I was speaking with on the phone, was the same person that I had met a month prior at the drags. From that point forward my life would be forever changed. Buell motorcycles are wonderful machines but as with any machine, there will be problems. Buells require attention and if neglected will let you know about it. I own a Buell because I enjoy the smile it brings to my face each and every time I get on it! Thanks Erik for making me smile and thanks to Ferris who talked me into my first Buell back in 1996. Jim | ||
| Baybueller |
I have noticed many comments on treatment of buells/owners at Harley shops. I have owned H.D.s for 30 years and found MOST dealers treat their customers with indifference at best. My experience has been that many employees have an air of arrogance and superiority. Bottom line is its not just Buells. | ||
| Rippin |
Ferris, Send a tissue this way too!! Been hooked on Buell since '95 when I read in Cycle World? about the Bad Ass Lightning. Been ridin Buells since 98. Yes I've had my share of grief but when it all comes down to it They have been the most fun and enjoyable bikes I've ever owned! Period. I'm on my second Cyclone and now looking to include the original Bad Ass in the family with the M2. Happy New Year. Ryan | ||
| Loki |
Ferris, You words are, to say the least, stirring. Court, I can't say who speaks more with less, you or Ferris. I, for one, am better off each time I get to ponder both of your(both of you) thoughts. I still remember the first write up on a BUELL I read. It was for the RSS, from that point on I tried to find out more and more. My life took a serious downturn and was stuck with my '82 GPZ750. I shouldn't say stuck, I still love that bike. It will be resurrected someday. So the idea of owning a Buell was beyond my means. Fast forward to summer of '98, I stopped by St. Paul HD and was awestruck with the BUELLs on the floor. So a salesman walks up and asks me if I would like to take a test ride. Twenty minutes later out comes a 98 S1W. Pointing out the finer attributes and turning the key. The bike lights off with a growl, it sits there shaking like a paint shaker. A couple minutes later he eased off the choke and blips the throttle. The shaking lessens and actually looks smooth. While I am standing there, it starts walking across the lot. Is this mechanical beast alive? Or is the road actually calling for it. I come back from the ride totally impressed and yearning. Yet I still can't have one. Fast forward to late 2000, now waiting to pick up my M2, now I own one. Well me and the bank do..... Finally my journey had come to fruition. Sometime later, in Detroit the M2 became a MIA. Life interrupted and a big bummer. Meanwhile a friend speaks of a S1 for sale in the area. Soon the S1 comes home to roost with me. The journey has begun again and still continues. I am the owner of a 97 S1. The M2 spoke to my senses, the S1 yells. I suppose the S1W screamed at me back in the beginning. Yet, I find myself looking for the one that whispers. A S2 is still in the deck of 51. Now I find myself drawn to the 12R. So with a sheet eating grin plastered to my face. I tip my helmet to the man with the dream. His dream sparked a dream in me. So thank you sir. btw: the other day as I was warming up the lady. A friend stopped and asked me why I kept my foot between the tire and side stand. My reply, "If I don't it will walk away." Sure enough when I moved my foot it started walking towards the street. I swear it is alive. | ||
| Court |
Loki: Well, you make an interesting point...Ferris was one of the folks I helped drag into the sunshine of the world of Buell. Not unlike Luke Skywalker and Obe Jaun, young Ferris has mastered the art I helped teach him and, in terms of sheer eloquenacity, speaks Buell with the masters. In addtion, I've given him some riding lessons as well. Unfortunately, during the last one, he pushed me off my Buell M-2 Cyclone (one of the best sliding bikes in the world and I can prove it!) and our drill was cut short to allow him to photograph me in my, albeit momentary, state of speechlessness. It would be good for you, since you are going to be around this Buell thing for a while, to arrange to attend an event where Mr. Buell and I shall be be present. This will serve dual purposes... First, you can be trained in the ways of Buell. Second, and this is quite rare, it may, just may, provide you with a rare chance to witness one of the physical wonders of the galaxy, wherein Young Ferris and I demonstate what Dr. Amar Bose eventually learned about 180o out of phase wave forms. Ferris and I stand, facing each other, as a knoweldable confederate asked a random Buell question that requires the ultimate in enthusiasm to answer. On command, Ferris and I commence "Buell Speil" at the same time. For a moment, just a nanosecond, in time, we both talk with such speed, volume, conviction and enthusiasm that the waves cancel each other and a silence falls over the area. Silence, in the presence of Ferris or I, is quite rare and thus the entire event becomes quite memorable. We top the show off with a bike ol guy hug and a knowing wink.... Motorcycles dear Loki are a wonderful by-product of the gift Mr. Buell has given us and a few thousand very close friends around the world. If I were you....I'd say "Thank You Erik" right here...if you do it with conviction, I'm betting he'll hear. Court Hehehehe...Ferris and I in the same place...to the NEW among Buell, that's interesting. To the old-timers, who know us, it's damn near a threat on the level of putting FMJH and JB2 in a bar together with $$. | ||
| Rocketman |
I'd say Court and Ferris could talk Buell a glass eye to sleep - and I can prove it  Rocket  | ||
| Ezblast |
Just a beginner here - still learning - having a hell of a fun time though - heck I got a second just in case I blow the first one up! - lol - they are both great bikes! I'm having a hell of a time putting around a 100 to 300 miles a week in - in-between puttering with them - forgive the sin but its soo much fun! In Cali I'm blessed with great riding very close by and this has turned riding into my favorite (ok second - lol - ain't dead yet) expression of passion in living! - lol - colorfull words for such fun but thats what it is! Riding has colored my life life though and I've no regrets - I got two so I could always be tinkering on one! Still I try to spend as much time as the wife will allow riding and getting her to ride as well! An uphill battle - another tale though - lol - My Blasts have been nothing but a blast and if I can get my knee to drag enough I'll probably start looking hard at an XB as well! Buell's are great bikes and I've enjoyed the hell out of mine! If ever there is a reason to thank Erik Buell - that is it! Just my small opinion among the giants - lol GT - JBOTDS! EZ  | ||
| Ferris |
Court, a recent feature on the History Channel called "Boys Toys: Motorcycles" closed with segments on Erik Buell and John Britten. i'm sure you're familiar with the episode, and if so you know why the piece resonated so for me. if you're lucky enough to visit with Kristeen tomorrow, please tell her hello from all of us. PDX Jim, great writing, my friend. YOU are one of the reasons why i still do this. the last several years have been a struggle at times, for both of us, yet you have always been there for me. i appreciate it, and i appreciate you taking the time to let your heart sing. Rippin, thank you, but no tissues. if you need to dry your eyes, take a ride with your faceshield up. the other day as I was warming up the lady. A friend stopped and asked me why I kept my foot between the tire and side stand. My reply, "If I don't it will walk away." Sure enough when I moved my foot it started walking towards the street. I swear it is alive. Loki, your post made me laugh out loud several times, even as i swallowed back some deep emotions. brilliant writing. thank you so much for your words. Rocket, Happy New Year. i hope you get your Buell back on the road sometime soon and party with us again. peace. Silence, in the presence of Ferris or I, is quite rare and thus the entire event becomes quite memorable. Court (again), you're the catalyst for all of this nonsense, you know. i'm aware you've been busy of late, and it's great to see your name show up on various BADWEB threads again the past several days. i'm looking forward to my next riding lesson. so. i DID take a ride this afternoon, up Mountain 99 past Kernville, along the Wild and Scenic Kern River. considering the weather this went hard against my better judgment (yeah, like i HAVE any), and i wound up first in the rain, followed by some heavy rain, followed by some incessant rain, followed shortly thereafter by considerable snow (sound familiar, Jim???), up near Johnsondale, at around the 6,000 foot mark. the signs said that chains may be necessary at any time (and also said the road is not plowed at night), and i was beginning to think they could be serious. it was quiet, and peaceful, and beautiful. and m-m-m-mighty cold. i shot a roll of film (film? how quaint), with delicate snowflakes highlighting the Buell logo on the tank, and the world turning Ice White Pearl before my eyes. i was soaked when i got home, but for the last 20 miles or so the road was fairly dry, the traffic was somewhere else, and the Thong sang it's song off the steep canyon walls for all the world to hear. or maybe just for me. even now, a hot shower and several glasses of Emmets later, i can still hear it. and feel it. can you? sleep. out. | ||
| Ferris |
...eloquenacity... brilliant | ||
| Loki |
Court, I don't know that a simple "Thank You, Erik" would suffice. It will probably be the best I could ever muster though. So to you Erik, I say thank you. I have been given a gift. First in having ridden some of your creations. Second in having met a person such as you. A down to earth people understanding, motorcycle talking soul. Every time I throw a leg over my S1 something wonderful happens. Third goes to all the wonderful(sometimes very opinionated) people I have met. Yet there are others just waiting to be greeted. A simple "Thank you, Erik" I give to this world. I know the gleam I have seen in his eyes. I see it every time I look in the mirrors on my beast. I was talking to a new aquaintance (sp?) the other week. We were talking bikes and other assorted topics. He asked what a BUELL was. When I was done all he could say was "passion, pure passion". I know not all things BUELL. I must undertake more time as an apprentice in the world of BUELL. I feel the stirring again, must take a long ride in the morrow. Bryan | ||
| Loki |
Ferris, a tip of my helmet to you, sir Where there is passion the words will follow. Bryan | ||
| Ferris |
oops, ps to Newfie and Wycked: thank you, too | ||
| Rocketman |
Ferris there have been some hard issues recently on the BadWeB not least from my own doing - giving no reason other than bad taste and a certain phonyness so it has not been possible under (seemingly on my part) extenuating circumstance to wish those festive greetings publicly from myself to all on BadWeB. Given such circumstance as is now - yes I'm aware of alienating myself from certain good and bad folks here - what kind of world be it if both breeds didn't exist side by side - suffice to say your sentimental rantings are noted peaceful one and I do wish you and all others on BadWeB well on a permanent fixing and not just at Jesus time or fresh year events whatever you all think of me. Be good because I can't Well it is difficult once one's out of the fold you understand. Sincerely......... Rocket | ||
| Americanrice |
It was the summer of 2002 and I was looking to buy a bike. I had always wanted a Suzuki TL1000R and was pretty sure that is what I was going to be riding. My best friend (who is the Buell tech at our local dealership) was always talking about Buell this and Buell that but I never really payed much attention. He gave me this address to check out and I started lurking around here and reading. I was growing more and more interested in these machines. Just about then my buddy bought a brand new, just been released XB9R. He called me and begged me to come over and ride it before I went out and bought the TL1000R, so I did. It was amazing, like no other bike that I had ever ridden. The XB just felt perfect to me, like an extension of my own body. I went and test rode the Tiller just to be sure but it was too late, I was hooked on Buell. I went out that very week and bought my white and blue XB9R. I wouldn't trade it for any other bike in the world. I sure am glad that I didn't end up with the Tiller. This board has been just another great part of the Buell experience. I have never talked to any other group of riders more passionate about their bikes than the Buell crowd. I feel lucky to be a part of such a unique group. Thanks to Erik and to you all! | ||
| Court |
>>>Court, a recent feature on the History Channel called "Boys Toys: Motorcycles" closed with segments on Erik Buell and John Britten. i'm sure you're familiar with the episode, and if so you know why the piece resonated so for me. Ferris: Quite well aware of it. In fact guess who I am going with? Yep, do a Google search on my riding buddy Ultan and see what you get. We'll be having the Guggenheim Riding Club here for dinner later....serach that one too. Gonna be interesting to see what Ducati thinks is important enough to invite all of us to lunch for....hmm...well, ask me after 11:00AM.  >>>I don't know that a simple "Thank You, Erik" would suffice. Oh yes it would. The two most forgotten words in the language. Well said, Loki. See you dudes and dudeettes tomorrow... Court | ||
| Rocketman |
Gonna be interesting to see what Ducati thinks is important enough to invite all of us to lunch for....hmm...well, ask me after 11:00AM. Court maybe they're gonna announce their intention to make a V4 road bike based on their Moto GP racer. Seems anything less would be old hat from Ducati that is unless the Italian government are finally sponsoring them for a Mars shot - I heard such rumours from a Russian mafia buddy closely associated to Don Treblanche. Yeah I'm connected (with Karoo). On another note please thank Mr Buell - he's certainly made my life interesting these past few years. I mean there have been days I could have shot him - and others when I could have kissed him. Needn't worry though my therapy is working now - or so I'm told. All the best to you and Erik - drink plenty of water - it works for me. Rocket | ||
| Blake |
Budo, If I were you, I most likely wouldn't be looking for another Buell either. I might have noticed the intake leak and taken preventative action before it resulted in catastrophe, but maybe not if I had a loud aftermarket exhaust system. The same thing happens to other brands of motorcycles; I've seen it more than once at the track. On a Honda even. Bad luck. All the guys who have experienced intake leak induced piston meltdown have in hindsight told me that they should have prevented it, that they had noticed that their machine's performance was not up to par. They ignored the symptom, they suffered the consequences. My '00 M2 suffered an intake seal leak; with the stock exhaust the resulting pinging was clearly evident. I had learned not to ignore that and how to diagnose it for certain. One strategically placed shot of WD40 with the engine at a fast idle confirmed my suspicions. My dealer fixed the faulty seal free of charge with a new improved seal that had just been released by the factory. I cannot comment on your dealer situation other than to suggest you talk to the owner him/herself and/or another dealer, but as to your question, "What incentive has the company given me to (buy a Buell)?... All of the following problematic areas of concern have seen resolution in subsequent model years/models... Rear Shock Problems... fixed, some via upgrade to fully adjustable rear shock (Cyclone) Muffler Bracketry... fixed Intake Manifold seal... fixed Rocker Box Gaskets... fixed Breather System... fixed Speedo Sensor... fixed Cylinder Head Overtemp... fixed (sensor and ICM/ECM logic added that stops catastrophic overheating like you experienced) Kick Stand Safety Switch... fixed Warranty... Doubled to two years unlimited mileage. Performance... The XB12 outperforms the S1W in all categories except possibly for the peak speed which is gear ratio limited in top gear. Are not those compelling reasons? You say "the XB12 has dynoed in the high 80's hp wise." I've seen too many dynos that show the XB12 pulling low to mid 90's to accept that as a typical characterization of the XB12. The majority of dyno runs I've seen are low to mid 90's. Of those that I've seen in the high 80's, none have been lower than 89 rwhp and/or stopped well short of engaging the rev limit, which is where the peak HP performance is achieved. So given that fairly objective analysis, to say that the XB12 pulls in the "high 80's" is misleading. Even so, that is significantly better than what a stock Thunderstorm engined tube framer would typically do. In addition the XB12 is a good 30 lbs lighter than any tube framer, and has a much more prodigious powerband/torque curve. The shed weight is worth another 4 rwhp or so at the drag strip. The XB's certainly outperform the tube framers in handling. Where they may lack in some eyes, is in design appeal. I like my '97 Cyclone. I dig the new black XB12R. After 60K miles on Buells, I have nothing but great things to say. Your experience is different. It is far from the norm, and THAT is where we differ. You and moreso others seem to be on an ideological life-afirming crusade to denigrate and deride Buell. The credibility of such a person who feels compelled to opine on things Buell is virtually nill. It's a situation akin to expecting a staunch and outspoken member of a major political party to provide objective and thoughtful commentary on the performance of the competing political party. It doesn't happen. Brucelee, Deriding Sacborg here puts you and BadWeB in extremely poor company. Please refrain from that. I have some good friends that participate there. Some of the other participants there may detract from that forum's appeal as a Buell enthusiast's forum. Judge not the site nor its progenitors on the unfortunate bile saturated negativism of a vocal minority; If some feel inclined to show themselves as Buell hating ideologues on a public forum, that reflects on those individuals, not the entire board. For good or bad, Vik and Chop have chosen to allow contributions of all nature (Buell hating, vulgar, or otherwise) to have equal voice on Sacborg. Thus, some vocal Buell haters have found a comfortable home among like-minded bretheren. Doesn't mean they run the place or even represent a majority of its participants. No more so than Budo represents you or me. It's a great new year already. As for Buell, if the trend of enhanced quality, improved performance, and unique innovation at Buell continues, the future for Buell looks no less than stellar. | ||
| Blake |
Had this page loaded from yesterday afternoon. If I had read the posts by Ferris, Court, Loki, and EZ, I might not have felt compelled to rebut with my much less interesting regurgitation of wholly uncreative writing. Thanks guys. Ferris, you'll soon have mail. | ||
| Buckinfubba |
hey Erik Thank you for the bikes.....ya bastard!!! they effected me and spoketo me so much that I make half the money I used to. I am still in the process of learning how to speak and live in the south. I worked so much on selling and building the buell brand down here that my girlfriend left me and I almost didn't notice. I work 20 more hours a week than I used to when I made twice the money. and I sometimes feel I have no life. thanks again. Not that I'd change any of it. I am still smiling.  I for one appreciate it!!! ps That southern living thing has put me in the best roads to ride in the continetal usa so I won't cry that loud about it. |
