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Ponti1
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 25, 2008 - 05:59 pm: | 
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I can perhaps see the evolution into an 1125ST, but am not sure about the "X"...
How would the Ulysses "X" platform work in the "adventure" aspects with the 1125 engine/transmission?
I haven't ridden a CR with the lower gearing, but based on the characteristics of the engine with the R gearing I would be concerned about the 1125 ability to lug around on non-paved roads. It's more of a rev-happy friend of the pavement. |
Chadhargis
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 25, 2008 - 06:00 pm: |
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quote:I think that is Chad's point. Drop the Helicon into the Uly so it can be in the same ballpark as the FJR and Concours.
DING! DING! DING!
We have a winner!!
Not only would the Helicon powered Ulysses be on par with a Connie or an FJR, it would be considerably lighter, more nimble, and presumably cheaper.
Having owned an FJR, I can tell you that the engine is wonderful, but the bike (at 625lbs wet) is about 120lbs heavier than the Ulysses, and it lacks the ground clearance of the Ulysses.
I sold it when I started levering the rear tire off the pavement from dragging the mufflers on the ground. Eeeeek! |
Jaimec
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 25, 2008 - 06:04 pm: |
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Again... even if you put a Helicon engine into a Uly type bike, it STILL wouldn't be in the same class as the Concours or the FJR1300. It's not the engine... it's the LOW seat height, and full fairing protection compared to the skyscraper-high suspension and little bitty windscreen of the Uly. Not in the same class of motorcycle!
To make a bike in the same class as the FJR or Concours you'd start with the 1125R, give it higher bars and a taller fairing along with detachable lockable luggage and a decent pillion. THEN you'd have a Sport Tourer.
The seating position on the 1125R is not that different from the VFR800 Interceptor and that bike has available locking luggage. I can't see why the 1125R can't have that as an available option too.
The Uly is NOT a sport tourer in that sense. If it were, Buell would CALL it a sport tourer, NOT an "Adventure Sport" or "Adventure Tourer." |
Teach
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 25, 2008 - 06:13 pm: |
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Jaimec
We are doing what you have suggested on the 1125R. |
Adoogie3
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 25, 2008 - 06:31 pm: |
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fresnobuell
show me a link for the newer version of the helicon. thanks andy |
Fresnobuell
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 25, 2008 - 07:44 pm: |
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Prelude to my next link (when I find it):
Press release from the last race of the year in the Canadian Superbike series where the 1125r is the lone twin up against what would be comparable to the Superstock liter bikes in the AMA. Side note: The Buell finished a remarkable third in the first race of the year, which was when it was nearly stock and down the 50-60 HP.
Shannonville, Ontario (August 31, 2008) – Shannonville Motorsport Park
Superbike:
The Ruthless Racing Inc./Deeley Harley-Davidson® Canada crew worked feverishly during Saturday’s qualifying sessions and was rewarded with a Pirelli Superpole top ten qualifying run. With six-time Canadian Superbike champion Steve Crevier aboard the Buell® 1125R motorcycle, the team kept chipping away at lap times until they were within 0.853 of a second of eventual pole-sitter Brett McCormick, placing the Buell bike into sixth place and a second row start for Sunday’s Buell-sponsored Parts Canada Superbike final.
On Sunday, Steve Crevier used his great qualifying performance to his advantage, getting a good start and rounding off the first lap in fourth position in the Parts Canada Superbike 20-lap final race. By mid-point of the race, Crevier had lost a couple of positions but kept his head down, sometimes sliding the rear wheel into the Shannonville high high-speed front straight, and managing to claw his way back up to a respectable fifth place finish at race end. Crevier commented on the remarkable progress the Ruthless Racing Inc./Deeley Harley-Davidson® Canada team has made over the season, saying, “At the beginning of the year we were down 50 to 60 horsepower and riding stock bikes. My crew has done so much magic, listening to all my needs and working on the relationship between me, the bike, the tires. We are now getting competitive with this Buell motorcycle." |
Fresnobuell
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 25, 2008 - 07:59 pm: |
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Bam. Found it.
http://www.cdnsuperbike.com/index.php?option=com_c ontent&task=view&id=1170&Itemid=219
And the thread that discussed it. Bigger number are definitely possible with the Helicon engine, esp if you increase the displacement to 1200cc.
http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/290 431/390802.html |
Ezblast
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 26, 2008 - 01:00 am: |
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You could sell thousands of these puppies - if Buell had a street version - it has a real eagle eye look to it.
Thats a hot looking Buell - no doubt about it.
EZ |
Redscuell
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 26, 2008 - 01:18 am: |
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Sorry, IMHO the cdn pic is of just one more Jap superbike (yes, I see it is marked Buell). I give BMC credit for making the 1125 stand out, with meaningful benefits for the pronounced side pods: efficient feeding of the radiators, ram air at track speeds, and effective protection in a drop. Not to mention the whale-mouth upper fairing, which I'm counting on to make my freeway trips more liveable. Kitting one out to look like a CBR seems pointless; and in a drop those side fairings are going to be buggered, just like on a Duc. Nothing like the minimal, repairable damage that I've seen in the pics posted on BWB. |
Buellborn
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 26, 2008 - 01:44 am: |
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S E X Y!!!
Why - O - Why was a design like this not chosen from the very start or at least available as an option? |
Chadhargis
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 26, 2008 - 09:56 am: |
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quote:The Uly is NOT a sport tourer in that sense. If it were, Buell would CALL it a sport tourer, NOT an "Adventure Sport" or "Adventure Tourer."
To each his own. In my opinion, a fairing doesn't make a sport tourer. Tall bars don't make a sport tourer. Low seat height has NOTHING to do with being a sport tourer (a cruiser, maybe, but not an ST bike).
To me, a sport tourer is a bike that you can ride fast and far, in comfort.
Pinning the ST label on bikes like the ST1300 or BMW 1200RT is silly. Those are light touring bikes. The FJR comes very close to this as well. They can call them what they want, but if it weights more than 600lbs, well, it's very hard to call it "sport" ANYTHING. "Sport" indicates it's nimble, agile, and light.
Sport touring, to me, is a comfortable riding position (meaning relaxed ergos), a comfortable supportive seat, removable luggage (off for sport, on for touring), relative light weight (for the size of the bike), and plenty of power for high speed riding, two up riding, or if you so choose, track days.
A true ST is at home in almost any situation. A true "swiss army bike".
Putting high bars on a sport bike does not make a sport tourer. Putting bags on a sport bike, does not make it a sport tourer. Both of the modifications do nothing for your legs, which will still be folded up underneath you.
I've ridden an 1125R, and for a sport bike, it's pretty dang comfortable. Could I see doing a 500 mile day on it? Not even close. My poor busted up, athletically destroyed knees holding my 36" inseam together would never make it.
The Ulysses is THE MOST comfortable bike I've ever ridden, including a Goldwing and BMW LT. I've owned a GS, and the Ulysses is far and away lighter and more comfortable than the GS. The only bike that I have personal experience with that even comes close is the Ducati Multistrada, and the seat on that bike should be used as a medieval torture device.
I also have a GSX-R600, and I've ridden it and the Uly back to back. On the street, I'll take the Uly anyday. It handles just as well at street speeds, but is vastly more comfortable. Even on the track, the Uly isn't bad, it's just a bit heavy and SORELY needs an engine. Did I mention it's a wee bit underpowered and lacks ANY overrev range.
It's a damn shame that Buell has a bike as good as the Ulysses, and hasn't put their best engine in it. It's an injustice I tell you. A real travesty. Erik and the boys will come though, I just know it. : |
Zac4mac
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 26, 2008 - 10:09 am: |
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Put a Helicon in a Uly.
Drop the gearing so top-end is around 135-140.
Once broken in, you should be able to run the bike in first - walking alongside.
A true adventure tourer.
Z |
Ezblast
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 26, 2008 - 10:39 am: |
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That bike is sooo not Japanese - a fairing does not translate Japanese - lol - It does translate racer and that bike totally rocks in style. And I'm a naked bike fan saying that.
EZ |
Fresnobuell
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 26, 2008 - 01:21 pm: |
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That bike is sooo not Japanese - a fairing does not translate Japanese - lol - It does translate racer and that bike totally rocks in style. And I'm a naked bike fan saying that.
If anything, that side fairing reminds me of a 1098 with a larger cutout. But I have to agree that I hope BMC keeps the product unique looking.} |
Wpadave
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 26, 2008 - 04:37 pm: |
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Does anyone else remember a recorded interview with Erik Buell where the subject of Sport Touring motorcycles was discussed?
The bottom line was everyone asks for a ST bike but they usually do not sell in large quantity. I think it has something to do with the fact that many people do not purchase the bike they need, they purchase the bike they are passionate about.
The Uly seems to evoke positive comments because it's the bike most people need. The people riding Ulys have ridden many other bikes and appreciate the versatility.
The Helicon in the Uly with some gearing and re-tuning may be just the ticket. |
Thruster
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 26, 2008 - 04:56 pm: |
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The '08 Uly I got a year ago is my first bike, and I still think it was the best choice I could have made. I spend lots of time on the interstates during my 50 mi/day commuting. I, too, am waiting for a more powerful Uly, since I "really need" a backup bike. The biggest problem I see with the current 1125 engine for the Uly is heat management. I believe that a true adventure/sport/tourer must be more robust under a wide range of environmental conditions than what the current 1125R engine was designed for. For instance, riding "parade duty" on NJ highways in the Summer heat is an all-too-common unavoidable occurrence, one which even the current Uly does not like. To really make a proper Rotax Uly would require some significant design changes to both engine and bike. Given how well-received the Uly has been, I am very hopeful that BMC is working on this, but it will take time. |
Rt_rick
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 26, 2008 - 06:28 pm: |
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They do not say American Sport-bike on the gas tanks anymore. Engine, suspension Brakes etc all out sourced. engine is the biggest cost of a bike.
lol, who doesn't outsource? Did you know, one of the biggest US exports is non-ferrous metals like aluminum? Japan is one of our biggest buyers of that material. They're outsourcing the mining and production of aluminum to the US. So chances are, they're using American aluminum to build components for their bikes. |
Rt_rick
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 26, 2008 - 06:43 pm: |
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None the less, I would love to an "1125RR". I don't care if they have to take two Helicons and strap them together side-by-side on a common crank with the V-Rod's Revolution motor inline on the primary drive for good measure to make a 3500RRR.  I just would like to see a serious world fighter (which includes the big boys from Japan) come from Buell (America). |
Fresnobuell
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 26, 2008 - 07:36 pm: |
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They do not say American Sport-bike on the gas tanks anymore.
That change wasn't because BMC thought that it wasn't an AMERICAN sportbike anymore, it was because BMC was/is trying to get out of the "niche" category and into the mainstream. Having "American Sportbike" emblazoned on the airbox was counter-productive to doing this in Buell's eyes. Plain and simple. |
Buellborn
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 26, 2008 - 08:44 pm: |
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That change wasn't because BMC thought that it wasn't an AMERICAN sportbike anymore, it was because BMC was/is trying to get out of the "niche" category and into the mainstream. Having "American Sportbike" emblazoned on the airbox was counter-productive to doing this in Buell's eyes. Plain and simple.
If that is so why not a more contemporary or pleasing design? I know many people that love the concept of Buell's "American Bike, with Rotax engine but not the R's high up fairing and oddly sized/shapes scoops. If it was not budget constraints then why not design a highly popular design as you suggest was intended? |
Bdutro
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 26, 2008 - 09:53 pm: |
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You're confusing conformity with contemporary. There's a reason for the design of the 1125R and it's not focus groups, committees or big vinyl dragon stickers. |
Fresnobuell
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 26, 2008 - 10:22 pm: |
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+1 Bdutro.
I know many people that love the concept of Buell's "American Bike, with Rotax engine but not the R's high up fairing and oddly sized/shapes scoops.
I have ever ridden the bike you would appreciate the front fairing both on the freeway and track. You would also appreciate the pods if/when you dropped the bike or when the ram air kicks in at speed.
As far as the looks, well that is opinion and we all have 'em. You would be shocked at how many people (motorcyclists and general public both) give UNSOLICITED compliments regarding the 1125r. Really you would be. |
Lecanadysbcglobalnet
| | Posted on Thursday, November 27, 2008 - 12:52 am: |
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At a light or just riden this thing causes trafic problems when I bring it out.
People love it! It draws a crowd at the gas station. In a town full of imports it a breath of fresh air.
Les |
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