| Author | Message | ||
     Bluey |
My wife just ordered me headlight grills for my XB12S. We noticed a crack in the lo-beam headlight(Ordered a new one) Do you think the grill will limit cracks and scratches to the lights?? | ||
| Bubabuell |
If you're talking about the ones off the new City XB then no, not really. They look more for show IMO. There is a lexan cover that someone makes that would offer more protection against scratches than the Buell guards. | ||
| Court |
Perplexed over the "what the heck do you need a headlight grill for?" question, I decided to spend 60 seconds at the corner of 50th and 2nd Avenue in Midtown. CHALLENGE: Would anyone in an "Urban Enviroment" (as opposed to a person on Safari in Africa) ever have either any need of desire for a grill guard or were the Buell engineers completely zoned out when they tossed their design dart at the target market? RESULTS OF 60 SECOND OBSERVATION:                CONCLUSION: You tell me. I say Buell is ON THE MARK. I'd love to pose this bike next to a shopping cart under the Brooklyn Bridge at midnight. PREDICTION: Market Home Run! | ||
| Gonen60 |
Autos use the grill guards for a reason. protection from other cars, and running into objects, such as the car in front, a wall or something hitting the front of their vehicle. SUVs use them for the same reason, plus the 4x4 off road short cuts. The crash bars and grill and headlight covers on cars and trucks work and serve a purpose. when the CityX is sitting at a red light, and the car in front of them decides to back up, the little wire guard will serve no purpose. | ||
| Boulderbiker |
Gonen60, I think you missed Courts point. Marketing. Do you really think the guards on most modern cars are capable of protecting you from much of anything...seriously? It looks cool, it looks kinda rough and tough, and yeah it may actually protect from a stray branch or something like that, but mostly marketing. Now those NY taxi cabs on the other hand.... | ||
| Outrider |
Check American Sport Bike's website for the headlamp covers. I saw them the other day for my X1 and assume Al either has or can get them for your XBS. | ||
| Gonen60 |
Gonen60, I think you missed Courts point. Marketing Erik buell has always preached about form and function. Marketing useless bits and pieces go against the grain of the Buell XB line, at least they do in My world. Motorcross hand shields and a wire grating for the headlights, baffle Me. Funny, Buell says in a mocking voice, if you want to be a Boy racer, buy a japanese sportbike, and pretend you are racing down the speed limited posted highway. Well, I will ride and take my cues and style from sportbike racing anyday over "CityCross" and motorcross wannabees. I think the XB/R mimics a sportbike 100 times more than a XB/X chases the "MotoX" shadow. KTM and others offer awesome motoX type street bikes. I feel Buell motorcycle company should be building off it's AMA success so far in FormulaXtreme Racing. Hopefully the race bikes R&D will start trickling down to the street bikes. | ||
| Outrider |
Hopefully the race bikes R&D will start trickling down to the street bikes. How? Only the basic platform is made by Buell. All the steroids are provided by the race teams and their "non-factory sponsored" performance shops. Not to mention, you couldn't get any of those race bikes through EPA, much less the Euro version of it. If you don't like the government messing with your toys or when and where you can play, you may want to reconsider who you vote for in November. The handguards have some function. Don't know how much in reference to either weather or impact protection as I have yet to see them. Concerning the headlamp wire, I would merely dismiss that as cosmetic enhancement to carry out the theme. You know, Buell's version of Bling Bling. LOL (Message edited by Outrider on August 06, 2004) | ||
| Boulderbiker |
I don't think it IS built to imitate motocrossers any more than the firebolt is trying to imitate race replicas. These are as all before them were "street bikes" Its called the City Cross. Its built to be an urban assault vehicle, and if you ask Court who would be a good example, it has hit that mark. Its built to be a killer street bike with awesome function and some fun form to give it the BADA55 urban attack feel. Erik has said it many times, that he would derive no greater pleasure than to show the world just how much fun riding a motorcycle is. He's got the bikes the catch the attention of those who love the twisty back roads, so why not use some smart marketing and start pulling in those city dwellers who might just be interested in something small fun, attention getting and economical, like the american form of the scooter (ever been to Europe?). Well, I wasn't sure what to think about the XB9SX at first, but now that I've had some time to think about it and the man behind the company I can definitely see the point and I think it just might achieve the goal of hitting a broader market than the current sport bike market is playing into. Seriously, why go after the same crowd that the major sport bike manufacturers are going after when there are yet untapped markets to pull into the world of motorcycling. I have a feeling that with the XB9SX, we're going to see some different marketing and new placement of ads than we've seen before. Time will tell, but I think Court may be more right than he thought with that comment about the ad of it parked under a bridge by a shopping cart. (Message edited by BoulderBiker on August 06, 2004) | ||
| Ted |
The only thing I like about the 9SX is the seat. The grill and bar covers & box cover dont do a thing for me. | ||
| Bluey |
Should I tell my wife to cancel the grill then?? Probably'll be the last time she ever orders anything for me!! (just found out she also ordered a tail bag too!) After all...DON'T WANNA LOOK TOO COOL!  | ||
| Gonen60 |
If you don't like the government messing with your toys or when and where you can play, you may want to reconsider who you vote for in November. My motorcycles or car epa standards don't play into who I vote for. I vote for The Man that is willing to lay it on the line to keep our country as safe as possible from homeland attacks, And will use the military to put the hammer down on other countries and leaders who threaten our way of life. You can bet your last dollar UBL and other terror networks are praying to allah kerry slides into the whitehouse. | ||
| Bubabuell |
Sheesh. Nothing worse than a Bush lover. How pathetic. | ||
| Bluey |
What on Gods green earth does that have to do with my f%$#$ grill??? Talk about Straying from the subject! Holy Sheepdip C. Simmons!! Chill the F*%( out!!! | ||
| Odie |
I saw and sat on a City today. I really like the blue see-thru covers (blues' my favorite color). It sat higher and the instruments seemed further away and it looked as if the front end didn't even exist. Yuppies have been buying grill guards for years and haven't even been down a dirt road. I build Jeep bumpers on the side and brush guards will help keep branches off of your vehicle for sure. Not totally but somewhat. I think pure physics will prove that the handguards will keep the cold air off of your hands tremendously during the winter months. I would love to see the racing efforts trickle down to us lowly minions and I think that Buell should tout off about their racing efforts alot more than they do. Just like back in the 60's and 70's- first place finishes on the weekend meant buyers on monday........ | ||
| Phillyblast |
Bluey, The light guard and tank bag combo is TOO COOL  And besides, if it deflects even one stray tree branch or rock, it's paid for itself. 'Course, I drove an F-250 with a push bumper and a gun rack to work every day for a while - in N. Philly. Late nights, I put the pit bull in the passenger seat, just for extra security  | ||
| Court |
>>>Time will tell, but I think Court may be more right than he thought with that comment about the ad of it parked under a bridge by a shopping cart. First, grill guards, let's maintain some sense of sense, serve absolutely no purpose. Most, say the ML series M-B, are mounting to nothing more substantial than Court's curt belly. End that argument or soon we'll be debating the faster color on a Hayabusa. Marketing folks. Say it again . . MARKETING. Erik would would bitch slap me if he had a chance. There were times in day's gone by he and I would sequester ourselves in the corner booth at Giles. He'd share how the world COULD be, I'd impart how I APPEARED to be in my travels. We are right brain, left brain friends. Erik is a smart guy. If he "always" had things his way the grill guard would be a Ti alloy or Chris Haynes would be buying 25 of them. Erik is a smart guy. To get what he wants, Buell must possess a viable "business case". Say (I'll entertain you here) you want (Choose one of the following)
You must first have the numbers over which to amortize tooling, support programs, etc. Buell is first and foremost a MOTORCYCLE COMPANY. Erik's dream guides it. But, the dream does not have the final word. It is the "North Star", not the destination. Need an example? Anyone here recall the "Gala Grand Opening of the Ducati Times Square Flagship Company Store"?" I see you do, put your hands down now. That is the whoopdedoo I rode the M-2 in the Tux in the snow to park in front of the searchlights and assembled media. Ducati was King of Kings and I was answering "why can't Erik see the light?" e-mails. Here is a picture of Ducati's pride and joy, taken at 1:37PM this afternoon.  It's not enough to GO to the party, you have to stay. Acute listeners will, by now, be drawing the obvious associations to the Fisher and KTM Super V-Twin Stratospheric Blaster. The Cx (I am officially changing the designation and will likely nor forgive the Buell folks for many moons for failing to consult me and get it right to begin with.  ) is an inspired and gifted piece of work. Shall I go on? I shall. Buell, in one of manufacturing history's balliest moments, dumped the entire tube frame line and brought us a clean slate. Hogwash cried the pundits. Now they stand not only silent, but in awe. The XB, in use, is proving B-U-L-L-E-T-P-R-O-O-F, rocketing toward....(go to the phone and bring the pad of paper back, you need to write this down) Underline RELIABLE and EVER before you go back and check the 2000 Buell web chats. Next step, "pack'em in". Buell has to get more folks to the party. This MUST precede the next move (and that move is a matter of documented plan, not chance). The Cx does EXACTLY that. Like the S1WL Buell tampered with nothing except a few inexpensive cosmetic bits and very basic mechanical bits. It's accurate to employ "if it ain't broke...logic. What they did was take a great birthday gift and toss it in Christmas wrapping. The Cx is KILLER! It MAKES ME WANT TO BUY (note the marketing implications) It makes me FEEL A NEED. Nothing that goes 184.7 MPH has ever done that. I can SEE the Cx under the Brooklyn Bridge at Midnight, sitting before a Grafitti strewn wall in the South Bronx, on the steps of Trump World Center, or the ice rink at Rock Center. In the world Henrik and I dwell in, this bike has what it takes and the headlight grill "talks" to people a block away. Buell could have slapped a sticker on that said something like "bikes in the hood" but it would be invisible. I'd like to put one of these Cx's on the streets of Gotham and just watch the looks it gets. By the way, some may wonder "why is marketing such a big deal?" New York announced this morning the number of tourists who landed at our airports and visited our fair city last year....write this on that piece of paper. Shut up and pass me the grill.   Court | ||
| Bubabuell |
Well said Court. Shame, however, that the price isn't $750 to a $1000 cheaper. Not that it's a bad deal at it's current price mind you. As marketing goes it'd be better to loose a few hundred on the profit of each one to expand the market IMO. If that's their interest of course. | ||
| Prof_stack |
Wow! The master has spoken... When can I get handguards? | ||
| Gonen60 |
I can SEE the Cx under the Brooklyn Bridge at Midnight, sitting before a Grafitti strewn wall in the South Bronx, on the steps of Trump World Center, or the ice rink at Rock Center. In the world Henrik and I dwell in, this bike has what it takes and the headlight grill "talks" to people a block away I don't need Brian DePalma Vision or look through a lens fantasizing about what My motorcycle looks like, or how it looks to Joe Blow a block away. My motorcycle needs not to be stimulating enough on looks alone to be in a Time Square Calvin Klein billboard. I also do not need false promises from un-protective hand guards or useless headlight grills. Oh yea, I need not, nor does anyone else, need to see the insides of my airbox through violet blue eyes. Don't dress Up the motorcycles for urban assaulting or late night stop light show and tells. Strip it down, build it for speed. MARKET THIS !!!, Bump the Horse Power, Kick out more torque... (Message edited by gonen60 on August 06, 2004) (Message edited by gonen60 on August 06, 2004) | ||
| Odie |
Gonen60, I'm with you about the added performance; if things didn't make my wide-glide go faster or stop faster I chunked it. I am slowly working my way into performance mods for my 12S but......if it can look even better than it already does while going even faster and performing even better then great!! I like the blue see-thru junk. Do I need it? NOOOOOOOO. But it looks cool none the less. | ||
| Elvis |
"I also do not need false promises from un-protective hand guards or useless headlight grills. Oh yea, I need not, nor does anyone else, need to see the insides of my airbox through violet blue eyes. Don't dress Up the motorcycles for urban assaulting or late night stop light show and tells. Strip it down, build it for speed. MARKET THIS !!!, Bump the Horse Power, Kick out more torque..." -No hand guards -No headlight grills -Stripped down -More horsepower -More torque  Done Isn't there room enough in the world for both? | ||
| Odie |
In my world there is! And I don't want the handguards for protection from anything except the cold air in the morning when I ride to work in the winter. I don't think they would protect you from anything bigger than a large junebug..........The more I think about it, the see-thru blue would look better with my ugly-*** gold-tooth colored wheels then the red does.......... | ||
| Alstroker |
Come on guys. These things are machines. Just get out and ride and quit complaining about something that you can choose to buy or not. | ||
| Phillyblast |
Gone, You're missing something here. We both already own a Buell. Like I said on another thread, a coworker is thinking about getting a bike, currently doesn't have one, but wants to commute to work, save money on gas, etc. Asked me for advice because I ride to work. He didn't see anything he really got excited about with all the HD cruisers and wannabes, or crotch rockets, out there. Showed him the Cx, he went nuts. Wants one. Bad. Hell, I want one bad. It's just window dressing, sure, but it's window dressing that underlines one of the strengths of the bike. When I saw an RR1200 years ago, I lusted after it. I wanted an S2 in the worst way, now I have one. I love the bike. But for pure hop-on-it-and-go-to-the-store, and look good doing it, the Cx really turns my crank. Pure styling exercise? Maybe. But if it gets more peeps in the door, buying Buells, that means more $$ to build the (Sport Tourer)(R1 killer) the current owners will be buying in 4 or 5 years when they're current bike is ready for trade. | ||
| Shawn_9r |
bluey... 1)take the grills 2)put them on 3)tell her how much you love them and how great they look... 4)than get her to buy you a "drummer". I am still working on that with MY wife. Bottom line at least SHE is buying you additional toys for your bike! | ||
| Torqer |
 It is a reflection of the original streetfighter... Mad max Biatch! I love it... Protection or no. To each his own and I have mine! | ||
| Bluey |
Maybe I'll take her out to White Castle and go all out!! | ||
| Court |
Bluey...make a night of it, come to the city, escape LI and show her the upscale dining of Jackson Hole Given the myoptic propensity of some of my aging pals, and in deference to the Cx (albeit improperly named by the folks at Buell) I am going to go on a strict diet of GRILLED food. In fact, I am tossing about doing a monthly column called "Grilled Delights" in which I, each month, venture out to an interesting GRILL aboard a Cx. You bring food into the mix and Bomber, Henrik, Ferris and even the most stalwart holdouts will quickly cave. Put me down in the "wild about the grill" column. Court | ||
| Jasonblue |
Most grill guards on vehicles serve no purpose except for actually driving around in heavey brush (hense the name brush guard). They are not for collision protection. A couple of years ago a friend of mine wanted to drive my 96 Discovery, so I let him. It was stop and go traffic and he wasn't paying attention and rear ended someone at a low speed. DOH! Any way I took it in to get it fixed and the shop owner said that because I had a brush guard on it, it did twice the damage if I hadn't of had one. This is basically in response to Gone60's earlier statement. 9 times outof 10 they are for looks and you better hope you don't hit anything if you do have one. Unless of course its one of those big beefed up ones you see down here in Texas. I happen to like the XB brush guards, mine should be here any day now. | ||
| Court |
>>> | ||
| Tkelly5 |
We are all forgetting the real purpose of these "brush guards" either on my Land rover or the Buell Cx... They have a unique dual purpose that is much more important than protecting a lightbulb... Zombies! That's right - anyone see the remake of Dawn of the Dead? Without Zombie Guards Ving Rhames and crew would have been Zombie toast! I am well prepared for the day when I have to make it out of San Francisco when the Dead walk again, and if I'm on my Buell, I want to have a well cleared path. Now if Erik could mount a detachable dual semi auto RPG on each fork, it would be a nice factory option - |
