| Author | Message | ||
     Etennuly |
Oh shit.............................................. .............................I thought we had a steam engine............................................ .............I've been puttin wood and coal dust in the burner and setting fire to it................................................ .................................................. .no wonder that hole is so small. That is a gas engine with that much torque and stroke?? | ||
| Tunes |
What does the extra hp gain you? Bragging rights? You get to the next corner or stop sign .5 seconds faster? Are you really in THAT big a hurry? I'd rather ENJOY the riding experience.... and sometimes that requires that you slow down and actually notice what's going by. Buells are about FUN!! Next subject. We've beaten this one to death.  | ||
| Ducxl |
I have not one but,two Buells' that i love very much.A tuber and an XB.For my needs for excess capacity i have the 996 Ducati. I'll never sell either of the Buells',they run great and deliver as expected.BUT,Buell can't keep generating the same bike forever.Well,they haven't created the XBTT-LTD,or the XBTT-SE,or the XBTT-ST........yet,so i guess a few more model years may be in order.Did 'ya see Erik's autograph i got last friday? I've ridden now for over 25 years,a sickly overpowered superbike is still something i want to experience. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
The XB series is 5 years old. I don't know what Erik and gang have planned, but I bet they aren't sitting around thumb inserted. If in 10 years, the XB is still the same. None of us will know about it because BadWeb will be no more and we will have moved on to the latest canola powered Korean superbike with 219hp. Sickly overpowered superbikes are worthless on Devil's Elbow or Deals Gap. You'd be just as likely to see a repli-racer get it's clock cleaned by a KLR or DRZ. | ||
| Drfudd |
It is interesting that the most popular threads on this site are the ones that makes cracks at Buells performance numbers. I have a Buell because if I was to engineer a bike (and I am a Mechanical Engineer) I would engineer a Buell, perfect for the street and completely different than everything else. Lets all just agree that our bikes are different and thats the way we like it. Lets stop trying to defend it and go ride the streets that are calling us. | ||
| Teeps |
If I didn't want the bike I have (Ulysses), I would have bought something else... | ||
| Imonabuss |
So here are some questions. If Buell did come out with a bike with an engine more suited to the mass market of sportbikes, would it sell? Or would it still be denigrated because it's from some wierd American company and therefore it's not as good as a MotoYamazuk? I wonder if that is what goes through the heads of upper management? And if Buell came out with a bike like this, would the XB's no longer sell because the faithful were "betrayed"? (Ever read the negativism towards H-D on the Hog rider forums because of the V-Rods?) I'd think it was cool if Buell had both, but I would still have an XB (and maybe one of the new ones). But I wonder how H-D leadership struggles over questions like this. | ||
| Rocketman |
To use the phrase 'mass market of sportsbikes' immediately misses the point. More importantly, it strays away from Buells uniqueness. Buell need to make a shorter stroke V twin f.i cross flow overhead twin cam 4 valve. Throttle bodies on one side, headers on the other, ala XR1000 style, and put it in a tube frame and make it look like an S1W. Give it 165mph capability with slipper clutch and the world will bow down at Buells feet in awe. Make ten or a hundred, or even a thousand. No one could hold it against Buell. On the contrary. It would raise Buells profile from quirky HD powered bikes to 'Buell builds a streetfighter - and with their own engine - and a very powerful one'. Such antics would shift more goofy Blasts, never mind XB's. My advice to Erik Buell would be quit worrying and get on with it. The world loves a tryer. Rocket | ||
| Tbowdre |
okay fine, nobody on this forum wants to buy or ride a superbike. period. BUT wouldnt it be cool if buell built one. An awesome one with crazy HP and revs and light weight and the updated the hell out of it every year. We'd be sooo proud. Buell could totally do it, harley could fund it. the masses would buy it. yes buell would still be unique | ||
| Buelltroll |
I wouldn't buy it if it looked like a tuber.  | ||
| Ezblast |
It would sell, as the V-Rod is selling, well, right by its air cooled brothers - diversity guarantees sales - people get over stuff pretty quick in general - that is conservative thinking - I don't disagree with what is behind it, however, for business to keep prosperous in hard times - along with a conservative stance change must still occur, and it is in the welcoming of diversity that allows for new venues of profit. It is easy to say they know what they are doing, however, this same company has also been on the outs - a little gentle guidance/urging couldn't hurt;0) and a bit of diversity allows for easier marketing strategies under one umbrella. GT - JBOTDS! EZ  | ||
| Thespive |
I wouldn't want a new bike that looks like a tuber. Sorry tuber guys! --Sean | ||
| Rocketman |
I wouldn't buy it if it looked like a tuber. and I wouldn't want a new bike that looks like a tuber. Sorry tuber guys! That's why ten or a hundred or a thousand will suffice. The best of both worlds. Might I point out there are several, maybe hundreds or more here, that like me bought a tuber ans still have it, and await the day Buell build another bike just as good but better to please their long time fans. Rocket | ||
| Riclyd |
The Buell have to us something the other brands don't have, personality. And the very heart of our bike is the engine, not actually top of the line but its the heart of our bike. And that combined with Erik's inventions and designs gives us something that is not like all the other bikes on the street. The engine is old technology, but it works and it is easy to maintain by ourself compared to the new DOHC engines, if it be an I4 or a V-twinn. Thats why I sold my R1 and bought a Buell instead. If I whould have a more modern engine but a bike very simmilar to my Buell, I whould go for KTM super duke. (Message edited by riclyd on January 27, 2007) | ||
| Thespive |
Rocket, might I point out that there are several, maybe hundreds of times you bitch and moan to the rest of us about everything you don't like about Buell? And Buell has built a bike just as good or better, it is called the XB, and have you noticed how many "long time" fans have upgraded to one of those, or keep both a tuber and an XB in the garage? If the tuber was superior, it would still be made, but it isn't. The tuber is a good bike, but its reputation (and perception) for quality did much to undermine the Buell brand, while XB has proven to be a reliable machine and has either kept people in the brand or brought new, non-"longtime" fans in, hence sustaining and improving reputation and acceptance the brand. You like your tuber (Hey, I'd love an S1W), but I'd choose an XB over a tuber any day of the week (and I did). --Sean | ||
| Ducxl |
As said earlier i've both the X1+XB.But there are some here definitely stuck in a rut.Progress/technology moves forward.Lee Iacocca said it well,"Lead,follow,or get out of the way". And why is "Superbike" ALWAYS equated to Asians? Economics? It's the Italians who manufacture the most sought after Superbikes on the planet.They're just too expensive for most.Which is where they get their "Soul". | ||
| Skully |
"The engine is old technology..." May I ask why you say that? | ||
| Xl1200r |
Fun??? What?? You spend $10500 for a buell making 103hp bone stock.Then you spend another $5000. to make(hopefully) 125hp. If you need $5000 to make another 20hp, you've got problems. Give me $5k and an XB12 and I'll give you a 140+hp engine. And why is "Superbike" ALWAYS equated to Asians? Economics? It's the Italians who manufacture the most sought after Superbikes on the planet.They're just too expensive for most.Which is where they get their "Soul". If the Italians make the most sought after superbikes, then horsepower must have nothing to do with the equation, seeing as how they're a good 20hp behind the competition, unless you count an MV Agusta which painfully overpriced. May I also add that the MV hasn't changed a whole lot (at least in appearance) in over 5 years?} | ||
| Rocketman |
Spiv dude, you can point that out and you are right. Everything in your post rings true, but just to be clear, I don't ever criticise the XB as a motorcycle. I do however criticise it as being Buells staple diet. Rehashing it into a plastic sided mix and match of Lightning and Ulysses does nothing for me when Buell should be putting another bike alongside it to sell. That bike should be what I described above. If my desires are too much for you to comprehend without you taking me to task over them, perhaps you should try looking at things from someone else's perspective rather than your static XB world. There just happens to be many on this board who are fanatical about Buell, but not the XB. Rocket | ||
| Thespive |
I don't disagree that there is room in Buell's lineup for another bike. I think the Blast should be redesigned and there absolutely could be a bike above the XB, I never said anything to the contrary. I just don't necessarily agree with your direction. You can insult me all you want, but nothing I said to you was personal, maybe about your views, but certainly not personal. --Sean | ||
| Ducxl |
If you need $5000 to make another 20hp, you've got problems. Give me $5k and an XB12 and I'll give you a 140+hp engine. Grenade motor,doomed to failure.Unless of course you can back that up with FACTS&FIGURES.I machined/assembled an 89" XL (I'm a CNC machinist)/w Branch heads,Amtec roller rockers,blaah ,blah, and it was always breaking something.Either shorting stators,or shearing the splines off the rear drive sprocket.The simple FACT is,these engines aren't ENGINEERED for anything more than 120HP.Then reliability becomes a major problem.That's why some of us want an engine that's ENGINEERED for over 120hp. | ||
| Odinbueller |
It is interesting to see this debated yet again, those that want more horsepower, those that want a different (i.e. water cooled) power plant. To answer the original question from the post on motorcycle.com, H-D DID "throw Erik a bone" in the engineering help that Buell received engineering the XBRR powerplant. It may not be liquid cooled, but it sure does make yer butt pucker at WFOT. And to be honest, compare the financial statements from H-D and compare them to, say, Suzuki. I've posted this before, stating that H-D is a relatively small company compared to the direct competition. Throwing money at a perceived problem will get you nowhere slow. H-D did Buell its biggest favor by appointing Jon Flickinger as CEO. He understands exactly what Buell needs and can angle that with H-D to achieve a means to a successful & lucrative end. Buell is going in the right direction, and tomorrow there may be new (and radically cool) things unveiled, we'll just have to wait and see. Sometimes brainpower is the answer, not horsepower. If you look at Buell as a company and its' growth, you'll see a line graph pointing up, with a few small drops (perhaps medium-sized ones too) along the way. I highly doubt they'll unveil the motorcycle equivalent of the Edsel, but something new may be on the way. It's just what Buell & H-D have been doing the past few years to keep up in a constantly changing market. (Message edited by odinbueller on January 27, 2007) | ||
| Spatten1 |
If you believe that HD/Buell engines are well designed, I suggest that you read the recent Cycle World article by Kevin Cameron about the new S&S engine. S&S is addressing the many weaknesses of the Harley engines. It is A VERY INFORMATIVE article. | ||
| Ustorque |
The buell has always been a unique machine from day one.from the tubers to the XB's.i was finally able to make my move to the buell and buy a CityX....and i wouldn't trade this thing for any other bike...in the end from the old to the new buell has never been a cookie cutter machine and it should stay that way! | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Can a Buell be a bike for the masses and still be a Buell? Would it be better to have a bike that someone buys, rides, and sells and then moves on to another "flavor" OR Create a bike that has a much narrower market niche and creates fans that buy model after model for years to come? If you take away the "lifestyle" apparel, would Harley folks still buy a Harley? Why is Moto Guzzi still in business? Why is Triumph still in business? Why is Buell still in business? Why people buy what they buy is so much more than stat sheets. Erik and Company will move forward but not at the cost of the Heritage of Buell. Whatever comes down the road, it will be unmistakably Buell. | ||
| Rocketman |
Whatever comes down the road, it will be unmistakably Buell. That could mean one of two things. They continue to build more XB type motorcycles, or they innovate once again and redefine what a Buell is. Hopefully if the latter, it will be more about what I like. Rocket | ||
| Teddagreek |
Why is Moto Guzzi still in business? Why is Triumph still in business? Why is Buell still in business? The Truth would really piss people off.. | ||
| Spatten1 |
"The engine is old technology..." "May I ask why you say that?" Uhhh, lets see. everyone but Briggs, Techumsa and Harley dropped roller crank bearings in the 1960s. Oh yeah, the pressed together crank. Oh yeah, a chain primary. Hmmm, there are also rocker arms that are larger than my hand. Oh, then there is the multi-piece rocker box and cover that just happened to leak on nearly every tuber. And wtf it the purpose of the drive gear other than seizing? Many extra pieces and parts the the industry moved beyond using, for good reasons, decades ago. If you like the engine, great, I do too. But it was passed by technlogically many, many years ago. | ||
| Aesquire |
If my Cyclone pulled with the same authority it does from 3000-5500, all the way to 9000, it would indeed be a mean, mean machine. To get that is very hard though, shorter stroke, lighter "unsprung weight" in the valve train, etc. I'm not sure with 1000-1300 cc's I can get the torque at 3k I like, AND spin with the flat torque curve all the way up. Any other machine with that kind of spread? Sean, how is the torque on the MV? I enjoyed my old GS1100E, but lean angles on those ancient machines have no comparison to your Duck, or our Buells. ( Tires are a planet better too! ) | ||
| Spatten1 |
Test ride any of the new 1000cc and larger in-line 4s. I think they all start producing good usable power by 4k. They are missing the soul of the twins, but they sure as Hell make plenty of torque. (Message edited by spatten1 on January 28, 2007) |
