| Author | Message | ||
     Bikejunky |
I like the looks of my 25R but it seems like many people would like to seek some sort of change. I would like to poll people here to see what kind of changes they would make to align it's looks to match it's personality. Anyone Game? | ||
| Doughnut |
I like being the ugly one. Buell is the "ugly", "geeky" girl every guy wishes they had had. (Message edited by doughnut on May 10, 2009) | ||
| Brapbrapbrap |
Start Over. Make it look uniquely American in a good way. Keep it with a Buell feeling but start from scratch designing one comprehensive design top to bottom front to back no carry over parts so all the pieces tie in together. If you want a huge fairing than match other pieces to it in scale and proportion. I like Naked Bikes best so if thats the desired look the pods don't play well into a street fighter naked look so move the pods or clean it up by using a full fairing that looks agressive and American. Hold a contest for art students give the winner a free bike. We have the power, we have the handling, lets make it a home run with state of the art looks there will be nothing left for the critics to say. | ||
| Ridenusa4l |
I LOVE my 1125 and the ONLY thing i would change is how the exhaust exits, i would perfer it off the side, instead of on the rear brake and wheel.. Jake | ||
| Bikejunky |
Brap, Are you thinking that you like the smooth lines of the Buell body work but in a more proportioned front fairing to tail section style or are you looking for a bike with a more angular aggressive look? or do you have some other type of look in mind? | ||
| Bikejunky |
Ridenusa41, Downward facing like the xbs? Moto GP style? Any ideas? | ||
| Brapbrapbrap |
Bikejunky , I would vote for either or. If the tail must remain than pull the front dimensions into a similar scale. If you were to start from scratch I would pick an American Icon and convert that into a bike so it feels American. Recent examples would be the 2010 Mustang, The new Cuda or Camaro. They look american. | ||
| Doughnut |
What sport-bike would you call American-looking? | ||
| Ridenusa4l |
Bikejunky, I would perfer it to be like the drummers exit.. Jake and its sound and performance too lol!!! | ||
| Doughnut |
I hear all sorts of compliants about the 1125s looks. SHOW me what you would do. I may not like the way something looks,and I may say so, but too many people are now just bitching about this. You got better AND able to keep the advances and tech. in it? Lets see it. | ||
| Brapbrapbrap |
None really have been built yet. Thr 1125 is the closest we have come to that market segment but used many naked design queues from the previous 'naked' bikes. I think the XB bikes achieved a tough looking "American" uniqness with a cohesive design. Maybe an example is a RC8 with a tougher than Asian look? It conveys a strongly unique design while remaining consistent in message. | ||
| Doughnut |
I have the fear that people are wanting a Honda with Buell badging. (Message edited by doughnut on May 10, 2009) | ||
| Brapbrapbrap |
 | ||
| Doughnut |
That does not look "American" to me. | ||
| Brapbrapbrap |
But, It demonstrates that designing a from the ground up sport bike can be done while looking unique from the existing entries and being consistent in design from tip to tip. Lets say the most important design of the current 1125 that must be kept is the Pods, then the rest of the bikes should match that bulk heft size and shape. Match it up. | ||
| Bott |
that tail looks disproportionate to me  | ||
| Bikejunky |
Brap, Am I correct is saying that you are looking for more consistency in the lines of the bike. Eg. the consistancy of the gsxr 1300r. Although I don't particularly like the look myself, it maintains the large radius curves from front to back. or like the RC8 with its very sharp lines and angles even continued to the tail section profile? | ||
| Madav8tr |
"But, It demonstrates that designing a from the ground up sport bike can be done while looking unique from the existing entries and being consistent in design from tip to tip. " The 1125R does just that and it is constantly criticized for it. So, the bulbous upper fairing is larger than the tail. It was designed to work 1st and simply adding size to the rear of the 1125R will do nothing more than add weight. Same goes for the pods. They were designed to function well 1st. Changing dimensions to satisfy a particular style won't work and the bike still be a Buell. The RC8 is a good design if you really like angular lines but in person it doesn't flow for me. The tail section on it is way more narrow than the rest of the bike(similar to a late model CBR1000RR). Also the fairing, while pretty, doesn't offer the same protection the 1125R does. The seat also isn't as comfortable. Motorcycles by nature are compromises. Buell simply compromises on the side of the rider by producing a machine that works as he intends it to work and to also work well for the rider. Changing that up so magazine testers can say how pretty it is doesn't really strike me a Buell-like. | ||
| Bikejunky |
Madav8tr, I am hoping to see what kind of changes would be welcomed by the buell riders. (mainly out of curiosity) Imagine that you had the capability to innovate as buell does and incorporate that with the a style you couldn't tear your eyes away from! Any changes you would make? | ||
| Madav8tr |
"Any changes you would make?" There are always going to be compromises when it comes to style and functionality. Again, bikes like the 1125R are designed with the rider in mind before aesthetics. The RC8 is a great example. It's got a distinct and cool look. The price for that distinct and cool look come at the expense of rider comfort. Buell has managed to build a sportbike that is both capable AND comfortable. The looks are subjective of course but I don't know that it can be built "prettier" and still be as functional. Do away with the pods and cooling capacity will be affected not to mention their secondary purpose to help protect the frame in case of a spill. Make the upper fairing smaller and the rider will be subjected to more of the outside envrionment. Someone may be able to design it better than Erik Buell but it isn't me that's for sure  | ||
| Doughnut |
Don't get me wrong, I kinda like the 1125, but that is not to say I am adicted to it. I guess it could be "prettier", but really,I kinda like to ride the different looking girl. | ||
| Bikejunky |
Agreed. but in a perfect world...  | ||
| Bikejunky |
Doughnut, I also feel that way. I thought it would be nice to have a "california girl" or "american woman" vs. an "italian bird" | ||
| Xl1200r |
I saw the Buell carbon fiber race fairing installed on an 1125R at the NYC International motorcycle Show. The countours of the fairing and pods were the same as factory, just in one peice, and included a lower fairing as well. I thought it looked GREAT. | ||
| Kttemplar |
here is an american motorcycle (confederate B120 wraith) designed from the ground up. Only set you back about $55,000 or so.  I think I will settle for the 1125R that I have, which started out as a prototype/concept and retailed, when I bought it, at $11,999. Mike (Message edited by kttemplar on May 10, 2009) | ||
| Doughnut |
What I would like to see is someone here with puter skills give an image of a "American" motorcycle. (I really like asian women, so I guess I'm out  ). What would make the 1125 look "better"? | ||
| Doughnut |
The Wraith is art, give me a bike that is meant to be and will be riden. | ||
| Marcodesade |
OMG. You mean I coulda bought a KTM, or a ricebowl, or a $55K steampunk-mobile instead of the bike I actually test-rode, researched, and love?!?!?!? Why didn't someone tell me before I bought it? Oh, that's right, I knew. So what's your excuse? | ||
| Bikejunky |
Badwebbers: What I was trying to get at with this thread is that we all have ideas about what is sexy as far as motorcycles are concerned. I was hoping to hear what others thought was sexy also. I didn't want to see this get all heated as it's a thread about opinion not fact. | ||
| Badlionsfan |
I like the way the 1125r looks. Only thing I'd do if I were Buell is offer a lower fairing option and angle the exhaust outlets away from the back wheel. |
