| Author | Message | ||
     Phillyblast |
Bomber, Agreed. It's not a product, it's a friggin' motorcycle. The thing that always strikes me about EB is he makes really cool motorcycles, because he likes(loves) really cool motorcycles. Making good money doing it, well, probably. And good on him. At 8600 bucks and change, the new "city bike" is just cool enough, with enough squiddly "bling" and an attractive price point that I might take a look over the winter. I've been thinking "hmmm, S1" for a bit now, but for a commuter bike I like the new Lightning a lot. Tank bag, tail bag, and if reaallly needed my Timbuktu messenger bag, hi-ho hi-ho off to work I go. On a see thru bike. Cool. | ||
| R1DynaSquid |
Misato, I mentioned the squid part because a lot of them are into the neon & translucent covers, etc etc. The new look of the 05's lends itself very much towards that spectrum & less towards the hardcore bike rider that the S1 was aimed at. Squids are more into looking the part then actually living it. | ||
| Misato |
I know. I had too much coffee today | ||
| Misato |
I still remember the first time I saw an S1 (that was the first buell I'd ever seen) outside the HD shop.. I think it was about 4yrs ago but I can see it like is was yesterday. "f@%k me, what the hell is that?" damn it looked good. | ||
| R1DynaSquid |
Still does. The new XB whatever city bike thing looks like a kids toy compared to an S1. | ||
| Misato |
yeah but I kinda like it too, in a different way. | ||
| Bomber |
I gotta admit the S1 grabbed me by the short hairs as well . . . . . I wonder if it would be worthwhile to keep making a few every year, just to draw traffic (kinda like Chevy does with teh Corvette?) | ||
| Kaudette |
The 2005 lineup New colors - OK - but why not the racing Orange instead of all these "loud colors" - plus it would pre-empt KTM and stake the claim to Orange New bikes - uhhh, nothing new there. 2 year old models for a reduced price. That's fine as they need 3 1/2 to 5 years to recoup investment XB9 clear-coat boy toy bike - what the hell is that thing!?!! Mud gards, translucent plastic and dual purpose tires.... Can anyone say plummeting residuals on XB's because of that "thing". Parts - still no bags worth a damn, accessories still nothing to shake a stick at, and no real perf mods beyond pipes & an ECM. Overall I'm dismayed at the new 9S monstrosity. That is tacky at its finest and really does not fit either the image nor the "spirit" of the brand in my opinion (and yes I realize I am one of many so don't intend to suggest it is the only valid one out there). I really thought they could have left the bike fundamentally alone, but work on another 2-3 color schemes and provide some mechanical options for the bike - higher or lower ration primary & / or secondary, maybe swept rear-sets, better hand controls, upgraded rubber stock, black primary covers as an option on the 12's, big bore / top end kits, 6 speed, etc, etc... I realise a lot of that exists with 3rd party suppliers but Buell needs to improve on this regardless. Overall a B- with bigger expectations for next year when the Duke, new Monster, Speed3 are launched.. | ||
| Bykergeek |
I still love my 2 yr old 10K mile 9r Firebolt but have seen no convincing reason to trade up yet. Much sadness and disappointment  | ||
| Spike |
Man, what a bunch of whiners. We got a new engine last year. We got a completely new bike the year before that. Do you honestly expect a new engine and new model every year? Some of you will complain about anything.  | ||
| Impulse_101 |
I'm sorry but the "new" lineup is very disapointing. Same bikes with slightly different dress. It would be one thing if there was more than three bikes and two different engine sizes as the entire Buell product line. I know that Buell is small beans to HD, but they need to grow the line out to new market segments or it's just going continue to get smaller. JT | ||
| R1DynaSquid |
Buell is simply doing the same thing as HD. They make platform bikes. 1 basic frame & motor style per family & simply dress up the different models with variations of lights, bars, chrome doo dads, etc. Its cheap & ez manufacturing. Same frame for Buell is utilized throughout the lineup. Just slap on some different bars & a headlight brush guard..wtf is that about anyways..& call it a day. | ||
| M2me |
You can buy the headlight brush guard as an accessory! It's $24.95 and fits all XB9S and XB12S models. Sadly, I can't find what they call "handlebar deflectors" as an accessory. I'm sure most current Lightning owners will be very disapointed. Seriously, the only possible cool thing about the "new" XB9S model is the see thru bodywork. I say possible because I haven't seen it in person yet. The other gizmo stuff they could have left off. It is nice that it's listed at $8695 though. | ||
| M1combat |
You guys suck... I like the new bike. Have none of you actually used you minds to come up with good ideas about how you could benefit from see through body work? You could at the least see if a wire was rubbing something w/o taking it apart. Quate frankly I think they'll look cool with lights behind them... I like the lens covers myself. I've come around corners on back roads and bashed both my fairing AND my face shield with branches at 70... Good idea Buell, and it looks cool. I'll bet those tires would help on a dirt road. Anyone ever live in Alaska? That bike would be great up there. As far as perormance upgrades... Did none of you notice the newer springs? Open your frickin eyes. Why would Erik want to sell YOU another bike? You already have one and there's no reason to trade it in. Give them a year or two and they'll give you a reason. For now, they made pretty close to the perfect moves. I would have liked to see a six speed or a kick start though. That's it. All the other additions are a good thing. Quit yer Bitchin' ya frickin nay sayers. Why in the HECK would Erik want to use a different frame? There are NONE better Dyna. Also, why should Buell make a touring bike? That's what Harley is for. If they don't step up to the plate so what. Buy a Beamer or something. The new 9 is probably more aimed at the European market as a street fighter. Have any of you ever racked your hands on a car mirror? Ouch. I'll bet that bike would be a fun dual purpose bike. | ||
| Court |
I think Buell has done a splendid job, climbed to the next rung. Gotta tell ya kids, I could have some fun in Gotham on that CX and at the $8500 entry fee, it's less than the BMW F650. I can always think of more things I'd dream of but this is cool. If they don't trip your trigger, heck go buy an R1....Dyna did. Court | ||
| Curtyd |
"why should Buell make a touring bike? That's what Harley is for..." Been there, done that, bought the t-shirt. I don't want any more 700lb tour bikes. I think every one of the sport tourers out now, FJ's, ST's, BMW's or evne the VFR are still too heavy. I'd rather put a duffle on my XB or even fix up my RD 400 and go out on that. I am waiting for a small, light touring setup. I know it can be done because I have done it, toured on ZX's, RZ's, RD's, M2's and XB. Why does everyone associate touring with big? I know I am a niche player, but heck Buell has already bet the farm on small, why not take it one step further? edited by CurtyD on July 15, 2004 | ||
| Buellerthanyou |
I like the see-thru bodywork idea. Very innovative (at least I never thought of it before). Paint the inside with silver paint and have a blue-mirrored bike! Also, my wife's hands will like the hand guards as they will help block the wind (she's cold-blooded!). This is more change to a model than most vehicle manufacturers make in a year, unless they're completely changing platforms. Qwityerbitchin' pussyboys!  HellBuelly J "A good stoppie vigorously executed right now... is far better than a perfect stoppie executed next week}." --General George S2 Patton | ||
| M2me |
Who was that guy at Bringing it Home who had fit hard luggage to an XB Lightning? He could probably make good money selling that setup on the aftermarket. It looked like he had more luggage space than a GoldWing. Even had highway pegs! | ||
| Easyflier |
Greg, I agree that the things that I would like to see didn't materialize but I have to remind myself that Buell is trying to capture some market share and these bikes seem on target to do that. I would have loved to see the XB14R come out this year capable of at least 7500 RPM with an ECM and fuel system to match it, equipped with Diablos and Hyperpro suspension at the minimum.  I understand your comments but I think Buell did OK with their model line up for 2005. | ||
| R1DynaSquid |
Not real sure about that see thru bodywork. You ever pull the plastic off a bike & see the amount of crap that accumulates on it. Bad enough when you have to waste time cleaning the outside, but now you have to pull it off & clean the inside too?  Think I will stick with the non see thru kind. | ||
| R1DynaSquid |
Gotta tell ya kids, I could have some fun in Gotham on that CX and at the $8500 entry fee, it's less than the BMW F650. So you buying one? I dont think you have spent anytime on an XB yet, come on out to Daves sportbike fest august 21st in Appleton. Fly in & then ride home. | ||
| M2me |
Here are a couple of pics of the bike I was talking about. Want a Buell touring model? Make your own! Photos courtesy of Jose.   | ||
| Turnagain |
>> Who was that guy at Bringing it Home who had fit hard luggage to an XB Lightning? Dale. Jumped in here(scroll up) and captured by José. Maybe BMC should contact him too. ¸.·´¯)- | ||
| Turnagain |
beat me! guess I shouldn't screw around w/ all the formatting.  | ||
| Curtyd |
I don't know, just back from the Buell Pics, the blue is starting to grow on me...now, zero down, zero on trade in, 72 months out,, instead of...what's that payment number? "Now honey, I can get a new 2 yr warranty.." "No, I can't tell whether I still get a cheese grater or not, it's not clear from the pics.I can pick up one of those at Target for 10 bucks, if we need another one that bad." | ||
| Mrh |
Who will be first to manufacture a clear airbox to complement the new blue cover of the XB9SX?! But seriously, I'm quite happy with the '05 Buells (though I think the Blast is due for a makeover) | ||
| Gomo |
Looks like both Buell and H-D took the easy way out this year. Just a couple of modifications and H-D brought back a Springer model (just dropped the Heritage part).........Boring. Not to worry though, I still have the bike that I love and fits my needs - my S3T. Maybe Buell and it's parent will realize how the SportTouring market is really taking off - hopefully not to late to get its share, leaving another reason for bad sales. Granted I do enjoy the XB's, but believe it or not; there are some of us that ride that are over 6ft tall. | ||
| Psychobueller |
What I am disappointed in is that H-D has no new VRSC model for 2005. How long will that engine go to waste in the V-Rod before they use it for something different? | ||
| Kcfirebolt |
Those hard bags are sweet. How'd he make those? | ||
| Boomerm2 |
Man, guys are whining a lot today. What did you expect an 1800cc twin turbo "Buell Master 5000" that spins to 15,000 rpm and puts out 200 rwhp with twin eight piston ZTL front brakes, pro-suspension set-up and running on race slicks(and still getting 50+ MPG). Nah, you still wouldn't be satisfied. They released an entirely new line two years ago and a new motor and upgrades last year. How many years did the M2, X1, and S3 go with minor changes in model line-up and engine modifications? I like the 2005 line-up. Sure, there weren't any big new changes, but I wasn't expecting to see any this year anyway. I was suprised to see the XB9SX. It fits the streetfighter image that Buell has been developing. I'm excited that they brought back a darker blue color for the 12's. Thank you Erik! Mike |
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