| Author | Message | ||
     Smokescreen |
Speed Triples for $9000....  enough to make me happy! 130hp streetfighter? Hell yeah! It isn't a V-twin, but hell a triple has the best of both worlds in case you haven't been on one lately. Smokescreen | ||
| Sshbsn |
You know, there's a TON of great motorcycles that ceased production simply for change's sake. I ride one of them right now. I hope, no matter what Buell brings out in the near future, that the Firebolt will remain with us for many years to come. At least until I can afford a new one again!! | ||
| Doerman |
Court says: In addition, Buell simply, given the large number of current projects, doesn’t have a crocus of "spare" engineers to dabble in the world of "what if". A "Crocus engineer", is that the the first up in the spring engineer?  (sorry, could not help myself) | ||
| Rocketman |
For anyone interested, Ducati first quarter 07 figures are here I can neither agree or disagree with Court's comments about Ducati's finances, though Ducati are claiming gains for this past quarter over the same period last year. Whether or not Ducati are turning over a profit yet still in debt elsewhere I couldn't say. I just wish they would conclude these financial statements by saying they made £6.3 mil profit last quarter but they owe £150 mil to the loan shark down the road. At least this way I could better understand where Court is coming from. Rocket | ||
| Dutchboy |
Here's a thought and a theory: I'm a fan of the Street Rod in particular, and production on that model stopped in April 2007 I liked it too. The local HD stealer has had some '06 models on the floor a looong time. I gave some serious thought to buying one (at a ridiculous discount) and outfitting it as a semi sport-tourer. Ultimately, I decided the (non-adjustable) brake pedal was in a bad position, and that I wasn't willing to depend on on H-D service technicians for valve adjustments. Still, in the right platform, I think the Rod's engine might work very nicely for a sport touring mount. Now, I figure Buell's got something in play for: 1. Beginners - Blast 2. Hooligans - XB12s, ss, scg 3. City moto - XB9SX 4. Adventure moto - XB12TT 5. Adventure tourer - XB12X 6. Sportbike - Firebolt, XBRR bits available 7. Dirtbikes - promised What's left? Water-cooled sport bikes and sport tourers. I know there are people who miss Buell selling a sport-touring mount. If they release a water-cooled sport-tourer they fill that hole, plus give themselves a development mule for a full-on water-cooled sport bike down the line. Also, the outright performance expectations for a sport-tourer are not as high as a sport bike, saving Buell the challenge of having a brand-new bike architecture (for them) having to compete with the refined liter bikes (e.g. GSXR) that control that section of the market right out of the gate. Just a theory, but figured I'd chime in with it. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
The street rod is such a nice tight ride, I would hate to see it come back with bags and small bikini fairing. Granted it is 600lbs and not as flickable as the Buell, but it was still great to push around the track and the back canyon roads | ||
| 46champ |
I have a question about demographics. Are the people who would buy a Street Rod the same riders who would buy a Buell. I know I'm one of those who would consider a street rod but the decision would be between it and a buell and I would most likely be the buell. | ||
| 2kx1 |
I have looked at a street rod and yes I would consider it but I have been waiting for the next step in Buelliganing. While the street rod is a very nice ride, I don't think I would choose it over a Buell as it is about 100 lbs. overweight. | ||
| Firebolt020283 |
i like the street rod and would not mind owning one but not because of the same reasons as a buell. I like it because it is the only vrod with a normal riding positon instead of that retarded forward riding positon witch to me is uncomfortable not Physical but riding a bike with forward controls i feel un easy and dont feel as in control. Other than that i just think it is a really nice looking bike. The only other bike that H-D is making right now that i think is sweet looking is that new sportser nightster and i would LOVE the xr1200 if the would sell it But i as i say i like those 3 bike for a completly different reason than i like Buells those are cool looking moderatly sporty H-Ds The buell is a pure athletic peice of michenery. | ||
| Chainsaw |
I see the Street Rod as good handling touring bike with a range of 200+ miles and a comfortable riding position. It would not be replacing my Buell.  | ||
| Spatten1 |
I would definitely buy a Japanese bike before any V-Rod bike. I'd rather have something that actually makes power if it is going to be long and heavy. | ||
| Sshbsn |
The V-Rod engine does make power. Enough so that there has been frequent whining in here about Buell not using it. | ||
| 07xb12scg |
I would definitely buy a Japanese bike before any V-Rod bike. I'd rather have something that actually makes power if it is going to be long and heavy. I can't believe you said that. Let's compare the stats of an XB9 and a V-Rod according to Motorcyclist magazine. Now their stats my not be correct, but they're from the same source so it is accurate to compare them. V-Rod: ('02) 109.3HP @ 8250 74.3FT-LBS @ 7000 11.31 @ 115.0 1/4 Mile XB9SX CityX ('05) 73.90HP @ 7250 56.7FT-LBS @ 6000 12.57 @ 105.1 1/4 Mile XB12S Lightning ('03) 92.2HP @ 6750 71.9FT-LBS @ 5750 11.38 @ 117.6 1/4 Mile Which bike doesn't make power again? Note that the 02 V-Rod beats an 05 XB9 in the 1/4 mile by over a second. | ||
| Ridrx |
How many of them little cc things are in one of them Vrods? With a 17.1hp/2.4ftlb advantage it's only 7/100ths quicker than the 12, and the 12 had it by 2.6 mph. | ||
| Samiam |
What source was that? I only ask because there was no XB12 in '03. Sam | ||
| 07xb12scg |
How many of them little cc things are in one of them Vrods? With a 17.1hp/2.4ftlb advantage it's only 7/100ths quicker than the 12, and the 12 had it by 2.6 mph. You have to remember the V-rod is a tank in comparison to the XBs. 637.0lbs for the V-Rod vs 395.0 for the XB12S. That's a difference of 242lbs! What source was that? I only ask because there was no XB12 in '03. As I stated in my post it was from Motorcyclist magazine. You can find the stats online. It's probably just a simple typo. I checked out your website. I like the URL. I often call people "pitas" and they are confused. How did you wreck? (Message edited by 07XB12Scg on June 10, 2007) | ||
| Steve_mackay |
Just call up Hals Speed shop, and you too could have a very streetable, and reliable 140 to 160HP(at the wheel) street rod. But you may want to bring your check book. | ||
| Samiam |
Timothy, Here's the writeup on how I wrecked. Yeah I kinda adopted the MajorPITA name mostly for online gaming back in the late 90s. Just pretty much stuck. Sam | ||
| Jiffy |
Ducati may not have the money or the great profits of HD but the Ducati name sells bikes. Ducati bikes are good at what they do and they usually look fantastic...most of the time. The 1098 and hypermotard are selling like hot cakes. I hope Buell has some type of new sport bike/hooligan bike. It is just time for something new from Buell. | ||
| Court |
Where did you get your sales figures for the Hypermotard? How many have they sold to date? The 1098's seem to be going well here as well. The young kids who works from me just got one of the tri-color models and it's nifty looking. I didn't realize the Hypermotrards were for sale yet. Eager to hear the sales numbers. | ||
| Steve_mackay |
The Hypermotard, while that is one sexy looking bike, I don't see the advantage of it over the Super TT, besides the looks department. One guy from trackdaymag.com rode a Super TT all day during last Thursday's "inside pass" track day. He was just giggling after getting off the bike. He was about to go buy a brand new GSXR750. But, and I quote... "If they'd let me, that bike would be going home with me today". Then he saw my bike, with the firebolt fairing, and no number plates and went ga-ga over it. "A sport bike for us BIG guys!". And he was a big guy. About 260LBS at least. He'll have a write-up on the Super TT later this month, along with the pictures of my bike Just think if he rode the bike on a shorter track than Road America. And had set up the suspension to his weight. | ||
| Rocketman |
Hypermotard's are on sale in the UK. I'm hoping to demo one, and / or a 910 Brutale, this week. Rocket | ||
| Court |
Steve: Agreed. I think they are both darned appealing bikes. I just was not aware that the Hypermotard was on sale in the United States with the big unveiling Ducati NA is doing next week. I'm eager to see the sales figures and see how many they sold.
Court (Message edited by court on June 11, 2007) | ||
| Sshbsn |
Court--the young kid that works for you just bought a 1098?? Yowza, hire me too!  | ||
| Spike |
I can't speak for Scott, but I think what he means is that if he were willing to buy something that large he'd like more than ~110hp at the wheel. The Street Rod weighs in at 618lbs dry, has a 30 degree rake, and a wheelbase of nearly 67 inches. An FJR1300 is shorter, weighs 36lbs, makes ~20hp more and already includes hard bags and an adjustable windshield. | ||
| Spatten1 |
Spike, you are correct. I'd go for the FJ, Bandit, FZ1, etc. The Buell is light and sporty enough to have a lower power package and still be fun. The V-Rod is a really heavy and long bike. | ||
| Blake |
Come on Scott. The VRod is not in the same market as any of those bikes. It makes little sense to compare them, and especially to deride one in favor of the others. If you want a power cruiser, get one; if you want a naked sporting motorcycle get one of those; but please realize that the two categories are not competing in the same market demographic. | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
My next ride is a VR, no doubt. | ||
| Dutchboy |
Lots of talk about the V-Rod, but no one has anything to say about the idea of Buell doing a water-cooled Sport-tourer? Buell has (heavily) modified the Sportster 'lump' to power the XB series. The XB weighs in at over 100 lbs less than the Sportster, handles great and gets more power out of the lump. Under-performing lump + Buell engineering = fantastic XB series. Could Buell do something similar with the V-Rod's liquid heart? | ||
| Ridrx |
I think glycol filling is best left in japanese pastry. I would like to see a sport/tourer from buell again though. |
