| Author | Message | ||
     Uly_man |
This is a suggestion/offer to EBR/Erik Buell and done in good faith to support past, present and future Buell owners. This will be along the lines of finance, personal owner support and service as yet unknown in the bike world today. Please pass this post on to EBR if you can as they may not read this site. | ||
| Cyclonedon |
support past Buell owners??? I think it's time to get over that idea since he has already started a new motorcycle company which has nothing to do with the old Buell Motorcycle Company as we know it! time to support EBR and leave Buell Motorcycle Company out of it! | ||
| Ratbuell |
Erik has about as much access to "helpful" sources for parts and labor as I do. Or you. Or the guy who lives across the street from you. "Buell" (Buell American Motorcycles; Buell Motorcycle Company) basically used to work for Harley Davidson. Now...they don't. If you want help...go to Harley. But unfortunately Erik is out of the loop. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Erik (and many other dedicated Buell employees) were doing great work to support the brand, right up until Harley shut down the company and took over all technical resources and materials, patents, supplier contracts, and legal rights. We bought bikes from Harley Davidson. It's their problem. Its not the problem for anyone Harley forced out of a job. One solution is to just ride the heck out of your current Buell so you break parts while they are still available.  I've sourced parts for lots of old mutts of bikes. If you look superficially, there are lots of things missing. But when you *really* need something, there always seems to be some way to get it, or get buy without it, if you spend a bit of time hunting. Years ago, I would have said "hard to find parts are easy to get, they are just expensive". But now all OEM parts have such a stupid high markeup, that even easy to find parts seem expensive. The parts of our bikes most likely to fail are motor, and a lot of the motor parts are shared with the Sporty (or Sporty aftermarket). I'm not loosing any sleep over it. If my Uly motor goes (and I have a 2007, so it might), I'm going to look very hard at a full XB9 motor / wiring harness / ecm replacement. I like the grunt of the 12 off idle, but the 9 was geared more flexibly, and that motor seems bulletproof. | ||
| Thumper1203 |
"This is a suggestion/offer to EBR/Erik Buell and done in good faith to support past, present and future Buell owners".. with parts and accessories, (I would like to add). "I" would like to see EBR pick up as much of the XB vendor base as possible when HD bails.. I think it would be quite a "low overhead", viable source of extra income w/limited production runs, etc... | ||
| Reepicheep |
Personally, I think it makes more sense for Al at American Sportbike to do it. Or Dennis Kirk. Or some other established parts vendor. EBR is building motorcycles, and they better get their ass in gear, before I do something stupid and buy the Brammo Engage when it turns from vaporware into an actual product I can test ride. | ||
| Los5445 |
I agree with Reepicheep, I hope EBR produces a consumer bike soon. As much as I love my 07 Uly and my wife loooves her XB12SS, they wont last forever. I would love to buy an american adventure bike but without one on the market I think the MG Stelvio will be my next ride. My wife already has been eyeballing BMW 650GS. Maybe someone will build an independent ADV bike? (I wish). | ||
| Reepicheep |
That previous post came across wrong... I meant to put a smiley at the end of it. EBR has, likely, been working more in a month than most people work in a year. I'm not complaining because I think they are behind, I'm saying that I'd rather buy an EBR than a Brammo, but the Brammo is looking pretty good right now! (Truth be told, I probably won't buy it either. $10k for a commuter bike is not the best math... even if it is an innovative ebike. I'd be better off getting a Uly with a blown motor, and dropping a blast engine into it. That would make a really nice high MPG commuter bike.) (But more truth be told, I don't have the emotional connection with Brammo to drop $10k on a $5k bike... though maybe I should. But I *do* have the emotional connection with EBR to drop $10k on a $5k bike, all the easier because if I know EBR knows how to push all my buttons...) (Message edited by reepicheep on May 01, 2012) | ||
| Uly_dude |
Everytime I talk to the Polaris/Victory guys(made in MN)they tell me they're very close to pulling the trigger on an adventure touring bike. Makes perfect sense, they already make bikes and all the off road stuff. I'm also betting they get it right this time; correct ergos, light weight, KISS, easy to work on. They have the brain power. But because this segment is basically a motorcycle that can do it all, I suppose you have to study it real closely. MY prediction is, we will not see much in the way of mainstream motorcycles from EBR, especially not ADV bikes. Not unless he gets into bed with another manufacturer that already has the dealerships and support infrastructure. EBR is basically a race shop that has to sell a certain amount of stockers to qualify for certain categories on the track(It's true, I have no idea what I'm talking about, but I read a fair amount of magazines). I just think EBR is too small to sell reasonably priced adventure bikes to the masses. I think we're only going to see expensive, exotic, race bikes for sale from them in the near future. Just my opinion. | ||
| Desert_bird |
(Recalling: http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/news/erik-buell-ra cing-partners-hero-motocorp/ and http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-04-10/news/31318924_1_ignitor-global-markets-pawan-munjal) Those seeking support for our American XB's and/or riding any of EBR's new models (including an alternative fuel model) and enjoying adequate parts availability, and support network . . . . best move to Mumbai, Colombia, or East Africa  http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/hero-to-push-2-wheeler-production-to-800hr/472033/ (Message edited by Desert_bird on May 01, 2012) | ||
| Uly_man |
I agree with you all. My thoughts were along another line though. I have no problem with keeping my Uly on the road for many a year to come. I am not, or never used to be, precious about any bike but the Uly is something else for me. The main reason is because of my height and my liking for a sports handling (not bothered with top end speed) bike. Its the reason I replaced the 06 bike with a 2010 one. Nothing else was big enough. | ||
| Buellerxt |
I agree with Uly_man here; "many a year to come"! Come on guys, these Uly's have a LOT of miles in them and they can be rebuilt for much less than a new bike. Parts will be available. There are a lot of cool bikes available out there, no doubt, and I support any of you taking the plunge, but these Uly's have YEARS of great life left for those who fall in love! How many of those 'other' bikes have BUELL on the tanks? Yeah, that's what I'm sayin'! | ||
| Beached |
It just so happens that Erik's choice of features and compromises for the same I would choose. The weight and wide powerband is perfect for the travelling I do loaded with camping gear. It has so far circumnavigated North America twice. Even if it cost me the same as a new bike to repair, I would do it. Nothing else comes close. Erik replaces Phillip Vincent as my most respected motorcycle engineer. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Bob, would you be willing to share your VIN and current mileage for our table tracking crank failures? A few 07's lost cranks at 20k or 30k miles. A few have gone 100k with no issues. Many are "in between and unknown". http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/142 838/648773.html | ||
| Uly_man |
"Erik replaces Phillip Vincent as my most respected motorcycle engineer." My first bike, but not a bike and 16 years old, was a Honda C50. One day it broke down. Well not broke down it just ran out of gas and while pushing it home a guy stopped to ask the problem. He drained a little gas from his tank and we ended up back at his place. He had a large garage full of old bikes which to me, in the 70s, looked like a pile of scrap metal. One took my eye though. This very sleek and shiny black thing. Seeing this he asked if I would like to try it. He showed me how to start it, how the controls worked and away I went. I only got as far as the next village about 5 miles away and came back because the thing scared the crap out of me. I thanked him and made my way home none the wiser. It was not until 20 years later did I understand that this guy had let me ride his Black Shadow? His "stable of bikes" was huge at least 50 odd. I am sure he had an Indian (I remember the head) and a Brough Superior because thats what he had been riding when I met him on the road. How I wish I could be there and do that again. (Message edited by uly_man on May 02, 2012) | ||
| Tootal |
Wow, a Black Shadow and a Brough Superior mention in the same paragraph! I think I've got WOOD! Awesome story! I will watch Lawrence of Arabia just to see the end when he's riding the Brough! Years ago I was hanging out at the local BMW dealer when they uncrated a Black Shadow. They told me a local customer had bought it for $25,000 dollars, and that's when our dollar was actually worth something!! |
