| Author |
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Rocketman
| | Posted on Friday, April 28, 2006 - 08:26 pm: | 
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Buell have this ridiculous habit of keeping their bikes secret until the day of launch.
Whilst other manufacturers like KTM and MV, or even Ducati, are somewhat ridiculed by some here for not bringing their prototypes to market for several years, Buell go out of their way to keep their own new models secret.
Denied already? Could be a smoke screen going by Buells usual secretive past performances.
Rocket |
Hoax
| | Posted on Friday, April 28, 2006 - 09:25 pm: |
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I seriously doubt any super secret liquid cooled uber sportbike is coming from Buell with all the development time having been spent on the XBRR. What Buell NEEDS at this point is a Sport Tourer and an updated Blast. Thats more than enough work to keep their R&D team busy for now. |
Rocketman
| | Posted on Friday, April 28, 2006 - 10:30 pm: |
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Hoax? So what's in a name? Another smoke screen perhaps LOL?
Rocket |
Blake
| | Posted on Saturday, April 29, 2006 - 09:57 pm: |
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Sean,
I guess you've forgotten about the pre-release exposure given the XB9R and how that played out? Buell ain't stupid. Virtually all sporting vehicle manufacturers wait for very near official production/showroom date to unveil new models. Buell is no different in that. |
Rocketman
| | Posted on Saturday, April 29, 2006 - 10:29 pm: |
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Does you mean that unfortunate affair with MCN UK? That was only a week before official release?
The Brutale was first shown in 1999. First production 2004.
Ducati 999 replacement already shown in MCN UK.
KTM RC8 not yet completed production but already shown.
Yamaha MT shown before production.
Ducati, all three retro models shown before production. Hypermoto going into production through customer demand.
The industry is littered with examples from many many manufacturers from all countries. I've never seen Buell show a bike before production, but worse (yes worse because I think it a bad attitude from a manufacturer), they are very protective over their new model(s) to the point that no clues or hints are offered either. Why that is I find really strange, like they were building a military weapon or similar.
Rocket |
Skypephillis
| | Posted on Saturday, April 29, 2006 - 10:38 pm: |
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>>>>There are some neat things happening at Buell....none are described here.
So that could be said about any business that wants to continue to function at its best..
As for buell, they will have no choice but to deliver a new engine within the next 1 or 2 years. You can only repackage the same motor so many times before it becomes dull and boring to the consumer. Im sure everyone would agree that the motor is the worst part of the total buell package, well that and the dealers. |
Buellshyter
| | Posted on Saturday, April 29, 2006 - 10:40 pm: |
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They are hard at work tooling James Bond's new bike |
Indy_bueller
| | Posted on Saturday, April 29, 2006 - 10:50 pm: |
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I'm kinda stunned that you guys keep talking about wanting a sport tourer. There is one. Its called the Ulysses. I might be off base, but thats just the way I see it. If you want a modified Firebolt I suggest getting an XB12R, then put the aftermarket seat, saddlebags, tailbag, tankbag, and Lightning footpegs on it.
I'm personally hoping the Firebolt gets some attention this year, and that the attention is aimed at making it an even better performer. Enough of the touring stuff. I want a street legal XBRR! |
Diablobrian
| | Posted on Saturday, April 29, 2006 - 10:58 pm: |
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Wasn't there a teaser out 1-2 weeks before the Uly release?
It was cryptic, but it was a hint if memory serves. |
Skypephillis
| | Posted on Saturday, April 29, 2006 - 11:17 pm: |
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>>>Wasn't there a teaser out 1-2 weeks before the Uly release?
yep the own all the roads campaign |
Rarebird
| | Posted on Saturday, April 29, 2006 - 11:38 pm: |
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Let's get this straight: The Uly IS NOT, nor will it ever be a Sport Tourer! Hence, the title "Adventure Tourer", just like BMW's GS series (not to be confused with the BMW Sport Tourers)...
This has been addressed several times in the past... |
Steve_mackay
| | Posted on Sunday, April 30, 2006 - 12:33 am: |
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I agree with Rarebird. The ULY is *NOT* a sport touring bike. It is also not a replacement for the S3T IMHO.
The Uly is a very nice bike. And baring any '07 sport touring machine from Buell, I will be purchasing one in January. But I will most likely never sell the S3T I have. |
Indy_bueller
| | Posted on Sunday, April 30, 2006 - 01:54 am: |
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With all due respect guys, I disagree. You say potato......
Aside from the better offroad ability, I see very little difference between the Uly and the S3T. It may not be exactly the same, but it is very close. This is Buells touring bike. Why on earth would they build ANOTHER touring bike? |
Crusty
| | Posted on Sunday, April 30, 2006 - 06:44 am: |
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Indy, I've owned both an S3-T and a Ulysses. The Ulysses is a neat bike, and I really like mine, but it's a two wheeled SUV, not a Sport Tourer. Erik may think it's the successor to the S3-T (according to Cycle World), but I know otherwise. I put a lot of miles on my T-bolt, and if it was as trouble free as my Uly, I'd still be riding it.
If you look back a few posts, you'll see what I want in a Sport Tourer. Putting a Firebolt fairing on a Ulysses won't cut it.
Erik knows how to build what I want, he just doesn't believe he'll sell enough to make it worth the effort.
However, I refuse to give up hope. |
Rocketman
| | Posted on Sunday, April 30, 2006 - 06:51 am: |
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It would not be at all out of place for Buell to bring a liquid cooled engine to market, perhaps architecture based around the XBRR motor.
That said, if liquid cooling is where Buell are going, or have to go, a shorter stroke over head cam motor is surely the way forward now, unless Buell have no real desires to move away from the traditional HD V twin concept.
Rocket |
Seanp
| | Posted on Sunday, April 30, 2006 - 07:21 am: |
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Just so I can mark my calendar, when exactly in July will we know something? I'm going to be incommunicado for a little while at the beginning and end of July, and would like to know when I need to get to the internet to check this out...
I am buying a new Buell when I get home in August - I just want to know if it's going to be a Uly or something entirely different. (Though I'm about 90% sure it will be a Uly.) |
Court
| | Posted on Sunday, April 30, 2006 - 07:22 am: |
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>>>>they will have no choice but to deliver a new engine within the next 1 or 2 years.
Ahhh..the famous Larry Wallerstein quote from 1995. |
Rocketsprink
| | Posted on Sunday, April 30, 2006 - 07:25 am: |
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I'll ask a friend of mine that is an engineer at Buell. I'm sure he'll tell me everything, risking his Dream Job, and I'll post it here. Yeah right! He won't tell me squat,and I won't ask him. You're all like Kids around Christmas time! I enjoy the not knowing! Yes, I like to imagine what the future MIGHT bring. Water Cooled? Why not?! The V-Rod is, so Harley can't use the "we don't use water cooled motors" excuse. Probably a good ideas for Buell to develop one. I guess we'll all find out in a few months. Till then, I'll just keep building one in my mind. |
Skypephillis
| | Posted on Sunday, April 30, 2006 - 07:35 am: |
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they have repackaged the sportster motor so many times its not funny.
what i think they will do is redesign the firebolt and in true buell style they will design a new chassis package and bodywork all wrapped around a new fuel injected pan or shovel head. Maybe even go back to carby fed.
But it will have ohlins and the worlds best handling chassis  |
Stretchman
| | Posted on Sunday, April 30, 2006 - 10:05 am: |
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The reason that they use the venerable Sportster based powerplant is threefold.
It's reliable. To a point.It's simple. The parts are readily available to fix it and should be for years to come.
How can you improve on perfection? It's the perfect motor for the street. Power where it's needed, but not so much that our insurance rates go through the roof, and we start earning a rep for being one of those squid bikes that people keep reading about in the papers. It's a powerplant with a solid rep for being cool and righteous, without being square.
Sounds good with the right pipes, and chicks really get into them. They're way out groovy love machines man. I'm not sure if I could dig them the same in the new order scene. That other stuff is kind of a drag. I'm hip to the vibes; don't need the poser trip. We're gonna hang tough while the man sorts out his bag, you know? I mean, this is the real thing. That other stuff, is like, somewhere else, too far, to go the wrong way. I'm there for the long time.
SO peace out, bro.
Stretch |
Rocketman
| | Posted on Sunday, April 30, 2006 - 10:05 am: |
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Hey Rocketdude, your friends a party pooper 
Rocket |
Court
| | Posted on Sunday, April 30, 2006 - 10:11 am: |
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>>>The parts are readily available to fix it and should be for years to come.
Lots to be said for that. During XBRR testing ACCORDING TO RUMOR a part broke on the bike. Someone ran to a local HD shop and was back with a replacement pronto.
Much to be said for that. |
Buellshyter
| | Posted on Sunday, April 30, 2006 - 10:30 am: |
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I was asked about my XB twice at red lights yesterday. One guy said, "That's the fastest bike made, ain't it?" I chuckled and said, "Not quite" and he said, "Well, it sure looks fast". The second man was an older gentleman who wanted to know all about the motor, 5 or 6 speed transmission and top speed. My point, as it relates to this discussion, most people have never heard of let alone seen a Buell. Even friends I know that ride Jap bikes are basically unfamiliar with them. Buell can build a jet bike on two wheels but if it can't get exposure they aren't going to sell. I realize engineers design and build but maybe someone over at Buell should take a hard look at how their bikes are marketed. These are really neat bikes and deserve better treatment than they get from the HD locals. |
Davegess
| | Posted on Sunday, April 30, 2006 - 01:50 pm: |
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Rocket, as far as new model releases Buell does it the way Erik want it done, which he learned while working at HD. Hard to argue with the HD method as the last time a checked they remained the most profitable motorcycle company on the planet.
Personally I like leaks, I used to argue with Erik about it in the bad old days. He always won. |
Rocketman
| | Posted on Sunday, April 30, 2006 - 03:01 pm: |
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Personally I like leaks, I used to argue with Erik about it in the bad old days. He always won.
Well, that's my point too Dave. As for Erik always winning, I suspect his way pisses a lot of Buell fans off.
Rocket |
Davegess
| | Posted on Sunday, April 30, 2006 - 03:16 pm: |
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He is the boss. |
Court
| | Posted on Sunday, April 30, 2006 - 04:12 pm: |
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>>>I suspect his way pisses a lot of Buell fans off.
For whatever consolation it may bring, his way has pissed plenty of us off at one time or another and I assure you that some (okay..MANY) of the thing I have done have pissed him off as well.
Easy to sum it up . . . in the words of a wise old man. .
quote:He is the boss
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Cochise
| | Posted on Sunday, April 30, 2006 - 04:47 pm: |
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FYI, folks, they didn't JUST come up with the idea for the XB12RR the week before Daytona, they have been working on this bike for years, they are just good at hiding. On the waiting until the last minute for the unveiling, I am sure Court, Crusty, and all the other Dynosaurs (  ) can reiterate in the older days they would have to sneak under the fence at their local car dealers to sneak a peek at the brand new Chevys and Fords, that weren't announced to the public. Let's say Erik DID make an inline four and he made it in a way that nobody has ever heard about and it leaked out the first day he tried it, how soon do you think it would be for somebody to steal his thunder and build their own? I wouldn't want anybody stealing MY idea. |
Diablobrian
| | Posted on Sunday, April 30, 2006 - 05:15 pm: |
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Also remember it's Erik's name, and his family's name on the tank of the bikes,
and the company. I'd be careful too. Remember Henry ford naming a new line of
cars after his son? Edsel came to mean lemon in common parlance. Not an exact
parallel, but you get what I mean. |
Rocketman
| | Posted on Sunday, April 30, 2006 - 05:15 pm: |
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Hold on. How many Bosses are there?
Last time I looked, Bruce was The Boss.
Best bootleg ever, Winterlands 1978. Don't tell me Erik was there
Rocket |
Court
| | Posted on Sunday, April 30, 2006 - 07:44 pm: |
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Good point Rocket.....that's 2 things you and I have agreed on this year......watch out!
Erik Buell is a fascinating guy. A true genius who always makes each and every member of a team feel like his equal.
Some folks are geniusi and the talent is akin to having 600HP and no transmission. If you can transmit, big watts is useless.
Erik's greatest gift is his ability to see the big picture, visualize a route to and end, find the talent (sometimes in the oddest of places), communicate what needs to be done and package the entire damn thing so it makes you WANT to work 7 days a week and spend 8 hours at the plant on Xmas day.
Many folks in the world of motorcycling know Erik for his riding skills (showing signs of erosion.... ) and his design talent, fewer know his as a leader.
If you ever get a hankering to know more about people like this pick up a copy of ORGANIZING GENIUS by Bennis for some keen insight into some of the world's most effective teams.
I can't end without pointing out that my doings' in New York City and some of my "peripheral" events put me in touch with lots of folks who operate in the intellectual K shell. The thing that always sets Erik Buell apart is that he is a sincere and genuine nice person. He is just as excited and warm as he appears when you meet him.
Yeah...I've pissed him off a time or two.
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Rocketman
| | Posted on Sunday, April 30, 2006 - 08:04 pm: |
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Well Court, I dare say I've pissed Erik off a time or two too, and I've never met him LOL
By the way, did you check out the trade publication I pointed you to? I'm 7896% certain it's right up your street. Maybe Erik's too.
Rocket |
Blake
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 03, 2006 - 03:54 pm: |
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"Does you mean that unfortunate affair with MCN UK? That was only a week before official release? "
No, I'm talking about Buell releasing photos of the bike in July 2001 and press demo rides right after but not delivering production models until April of 2002. Have you forgotten all the naysaying and ridicule Buell got over that? |
Rocketman
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 03, 2006 - 10:33 pm: |
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Yes but there's a difference between exposing a new model and making out your new model is production ready when it is not.
Buell had a lot at stake back then, so I'm sure their antics worked both ways. Some good. Some bad.
Rocket |
Blake
| | Posted on Thursday, May 04, 2006 - 03:16 pm: |
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That is a valid point.
I do like what Duc did with their recent supermoto looking beast. I will be very disappointed though if the real thing looks significantly different due to unrealistic artistic modeling of the prototype. |
Rocketman
| | Posted on Thursday, May 04, 2006 - 09:38 pm: |
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And Ducati's latest trick?
World first pic published in this weeks MCN UK, of what?
An 800cc Ducati Moto GP Racer. First time any manufacturer has shown a 800cc Moto GP bike.
Rocket |
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