| Author | Message | ||
     Scitz |
I was surfing around today and found a link to this article about an American sport bike by Fischer. Has anyone else seen this bike? http://www.onewheeldrive.net/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=181 | ||
| Olinxb12r |
That is pretty cool looking. I wonder what the specs will be when it goes in to production. I would really love to see some very refined American bikes that like on the road. | ||
| M1combat |
I've seen it... Not too impressed. Looking at the geometry tells me it won't handle like an XB and it doesn't seem to have any other advantage that really stands out and makes me say ooh or ahh... There was speculation that they may create a boosted version... That could be interesting, but as I recall they were talking about using a turbo, and I'm not a big fan of the power delivery characteristics of a turbo. Especially on a motorcycle. | ||
| M1combat |
Oh, and the engine is a Korean import... Maybe that matters... Maybe it doesn't. | ||
| Midknyte |
Ya know, it's rather odd that on the other side of the pond, the major mfr's have both auto and bike divisions [plus others] (i.e. Honda, Suzuki, etc.) but we do not. Then again, I can't think which Ford, Chevy, Buick branded bike I'd want or trust to ride the least!  | ||
| Cruisin |
I've actually been keeping an eye on his site for quite some time - gone through many changes, and he has some neat ideas. Home page for him: http://www.fischer1.com/ | ||
| Ted |
Chrysler has been the most innovative lately, moving concept cars to production. Wether you like them (pt cruser, prowler, viper etc) or not. Of the big3 i think they'd be the most likely to give motorcycles a shot. | ||
| Cataract2 |
Is Buell the only one who likes to make his design not look like every other cookie cutter out there? (Message edited by cataract2 on March 18, 2005) | ||
| Xring |
Well, there is always Confederate (Wraith and Hellcat). They REALLY don't look like other bikes. The Motorcyclist article (about the Wraith) was a little off-base...what do they have against Buells, anyway. Bill | ||
| Scitz |
Don't forget the Chrysler Tomahawk motorcycle that has the Viper V-10 engine in it. | ||
| Thepup |
I believe Polaris is owned by Chrysler. | ||
| Kaese |
On their website they mentioned the SV650, omitted the Buell though. I'm waiting to see the damage when the chain flops off and trashes the swing arm. | ||
| Ted |
It looks odd at the seat, where it seems to just hang out there.  It looks like some fat guy could break it. Or if a pylon seat were added, a fat chick... | ||
| Daves |
The Tomahawk is NOT a MOTORCYCLE! It has four wheels! | ||
| P0p0k0pf |
Page 3 of that article shows a very familiar frame... | ||
| M1combat |
GP inspired suspension geometry? Uhh... No. WAY too much rake. Not a steep enough angle on the swingarm. It'll handle just like all the other repli-racers... The wheel base will change much more than an XB over bumps. This equals less stability on the street. This guy talks up the handling every time I've read an interview of any sort, but it'll only handle better than other repli-racers because it has better stock suspension. The geometry is pretty mild from the looks of it (and it's pretty hard to hide anything wrt that). Seems to me it'll handle about like an SV650 w/ suspension upgrades. The choice of a V-Twin will IMO make it a decent bit more capable than most of the 600's on the street as well. Has anyone heard what it should weigh in production trim? The guy seems to try to stay away from mentioning Buell. I think he doesn't want to let any more people know about Buell than he absolutely has to. I think that's a good thing  . | ||
| Kowpow225 |
The more I look at that bike the less balance it seems to have....it just looks front heavy to me. It needs a meatier rear end to make it look more balanced. On the other hand, I like those rims. | ||
| Lpowel02 |
It'll handle just like all the other repli-racers... uuhh...some of those repli-racers handle pretty good... | ||
| M1combat |
I'm not saying they don't. But it's a proven fact that the Buell handles better. Ergo... Mediocrity. Nothing that's going to push the envelope that I can see. I think it certainly looks nice though, and I'm sure it's a "good" bike... Just not special, stellar, legendary or revolutionary. In case you're wondering... Yes, that IS what it generally takes to get me to part with my money. Oh, and it has to look cool . On the subject of being front heavy... I think that's a good thing in the handling department if the weight balance is actually front heavy as opposed to just looking front heavy... although I'm not sure. Wouldn't that allow more throttle exiting corners? | ||
| Outrider |
I think the ironic thing is that once Fischer decided to outsource the Korean motor, that very Korean Manufacturer has announced plans to introduce a line of bikes, one that is similar to the Fischer, in the US Market. Gotta love the Back Stabbers. The Korean's did it to me in a venture I was involved in and it cost 10 of us our homes that were leveraged into the business. So much for international patents and confidentiality agreements. LMAO | ||
| Charlieboy6649 |
Fischer = too angular. Doesn't flow. Just another cookie cutter... Buell = flawlessness by difference "go your own way" Different is good. | ||
| Lastcyclone |
Mr. Fischer had originally planned for a Rotax 1L engine, don't know what changed, but that would have made a big difference. When he switched to the Asian Huysong 650 he may have lost the "BUY AMERICAN" shoppers. He is still looking for investors to get things going. A little more competition is sometimes a good thing. | ||
| Lastcyclone |
"Gotta love the Back Stabbers." Can you believe they have no patent laws there! China either. Any person or company can rip off anyone else's design or ideas with no penalty. Shameful. | ||
| Court |
>>>>A little more competition is sometimes a good thing. With is Fischer competing with? | ||
| Mr_cuell |
I think Erik made it in the industry because he had something different to offer. I can't see a from-the -ground-up new manufacturer being able to compete with the factories that have been making a bike like his for 20 years. Nobody was making bikes like Buell's so he filled a niche. Fischer's niche has long since been filled in my opinion. As far as Buell handling, I still have stock tires and it doesn't feel like it is better than the "repli-racers" to me. Hopefully new tires will let me see the light. | ||
| Outrider |
Fischer is competing with himself now. The original concept was fine, sort of an American Assembled Ducati or Aprillia which is a niche that Stock Buell's have yet to enter. Once Fischer changed the original plan, I believe a good portion of the market lost interest as the 650 will most likely represent Too Little (Bike) for Too Much (Money). Interesting how Court's insight into American Start ups is pretty much 20/20. | ||
| Court |
>>>>Interesting how Court's insight into American Start ups is pretty much 20/20. Mostly common sense and a couple "borrowed" (some of you have doubtless grown weary of me repeating the Steve Jobs quote) thoughts from folks who have traveled the road. I provided background for a Forbes’s magazine piece several years ago on the rebirth of some "old" motorcycle companies. The crux of my logic was that emotion and warm sentiment add nothing, nada, zero, zip to the equation absent the basis of a viable business model and a "starter" who can play shortstop, all 3 bases and the outfield at the same time. I myself have grown weary responding to the "Why can't Buell build a 200 RWHP, water-cooled (this seems of religious import to many of the loudest)Zipmesiter 2000R, that does 214 MPH on a straight city block and comes with an optional muppet-puke look-alike 7 color paint scheme. Here me, oh Buell-faithful,....Erik Buell has done for heathens like you and I the best thing we could ask for. We have a FUN, fascinating motorcycle that allows us to thumb, thanks to second to none technical innovation, our collective noses at those folks stuck in the land of straight line myopia and the Buell sells for a reasonable price (ask me again about $10K and what it means in the world of motorcycles) and, <<<drum roll please>>> has, at long last, PROVEN IT CAN BE DONE AT A PROFIT. Nothing, say it again, NOTHING in business matters if you can't eventually produce a return. Investors, forget Cessna leasebacks of the 70's, are not looking for a "tax write off". If, long-term, you can't put a dollar in and get $1.01 back, no amount of art, love, passion, hype, Madison Ave glitz or sleight of motor, even water cooled, will pull you through. Does Buell want to go racing? Does Buell want to build some commemorative, high-buck "specials"? You best your ••• they do. But, taking a deep breath, even 6" below the surface of the water is fatal. Buell wants nothing more, at the instant moment, than to make a profit. May I tell you a story? Those bored are excused. You deserve to know where Erik Buell has been (you'll be hearing more of that from me) and what it takes to ignore what MOST people may be begging for and concentrate on what REALLY sells, thus insuring your long-term health.
Erik Buell has cried nights wishing he could race at Daytona, suffered being lectured about what he COULD build and all the time never lost focus that the first and foremost point of focus MUST be to build Buell into a company that designs, builds and supports motorcycles that are priced and designed in a manner to support a profitable business. Breathing, at this point in the life of Buell, anything else is "water". The Hanlons, Fischer, Cyzs and others have served as the fools "why can't you be like them" bait dangled before Erik Buell, he's never taken the bait. If I sound a bit passionate, I am. I stood there, in Daytona 1997, when one of the Hanlon's said something, as the Playboy Bunnies clad in EH leather danced in the background, just downright mean to Erik. I consider some folks sub-par business folks, the Hanlons, to me, were unkind and I confess I celebrated the exposure of their fraud. There may be other successful American motorcycle start-ups. Look no further than Polaris if you want to see one of America's best-run companies. But, I submit, failure to respect the simplest rules of business will doom most. Sorry you asked? Court | ||
| Aesquire |
I've been hearing about the Indian staff, looking for new jobs, were almost all "director of" wheels, or handlebars etc. Useless as workers. Useless egotistical stuff waste money & kills a company. If you DON'T start in a garage until you can EARN enough money for a newer larger facility, you have to ( if you follow Indian etc. ) CON people into giving you money for ego reasons. I was never VP of shipping or Show Marketing, or IT at a company a while back, But I did the work. We didn't care about a pinball game in the breakroom, we cared about making the customer happy, so he would tell others & we could sell more. The owner paid himself less than me. I took pay cuts to keep working. We got out of the garage & made money. That company is still around, ( though I'm not there anymore ) and still has an eye on the ball. Buell's got a clue, I don't think that this guy does, but hey, good luck butting heads with Suzuki in the asian built bike market. | ||
| Charlieboy6649 |
Court, Thank you. Needed to be said. I don't remember who, but someone recently said here that they didn't understand all these new motor threads. Well, I don't either. I'm still amazed every time I look over my bike at the quality build and fit that is my Buell. Apparently by the looks I get, so is the general public... Fisher or any other company X could offer me a powerclad cookie cutter tomorrow and I just don't think I could part with my Buell. I wish the best for any dreamer trying to make it, but, like you said, I think Erik has got it right. I'm still enthralled. | ||
| Outrider |
1970's Leasebacks....Oh does that bring back some fond memories of some really wild times in Newport Beach. Too bad the IRS got wise to it!  |
