| Author | Message | ||
     Ridrx |
If you look at the front view on the mini-site that shows the rider tucked...he is completely behind the fairing/ scoops. I don't see the need for a full fairing other than looks, which leads down a different road than I'd like to see Buell take. The more I see it, the more I like it. I think people had their hopes up for a "looker". I can't say I'm disappointed, I dig the form follows function "randomness" of the styling. Kind of organic in a way. Only time will tell if the Helicon can back it up. | ||
| Macbuell |
I'm sick and tired of hearing this wind tunnell, function over form, stuff. Motorcycling and motorcycle buying is a visceral experience and if you think the buyers attachment to the bike from a pure aesthetic point of view isn't important, you're kidding yourself. Buell's goal should be form and function. To ignore one over the other is a mistake. Sure, from a racing standpoint, function should definitely outway form but how many bike buyers are going to actually race the thing. The pure fact is that most of us care about what the bike looks like. The first thing that attracted me to the Buell XB line was that I thought the bikes looked mean and sexy as all hell. Then the fact that it had a innovative frame, swing-arm, and braking system and a cool sounding, torqee v-twin made the decision to purchase the bike easy. I will tell you this though, if I thought the bike was ugly I would not have bought it. Call me whatever you want, but that is the truth. I do not know many people that are going to drop $12K on a luxury item (let's be honest, that's what these bikes are for most of us) if they do not have a very passionate connection with that bike. (Message edited by macbuell on July 11, 2007) | ||
| Buellshyter |
Sales will tell the tale | ||
| Rick_a |
Look at the Hayabusa...an ugly aerodynamic design that sells like crazy. Buell has never been a company that has built bikes for universal appeal, anyway. I don't think they ever will. | ||
| Ducxl |
Here's a styling tip: Anyone who doesn't like it can keep their UGLY ARSE off of it! I WISH i could dump my 996 for one.TRULY | ||
| Xbrad9r |
i love my firebolt, my only complaints are the lack of top end and the skin searing heat that my right thigh endures...this bike should easily stiffle my complaints and i get an updated front end look to go with it...i for one would love to ride up to my local hangout on one of these bikes and watch the reaction and feedback from all the "jap-bike poser" crowd. i can't afford to get one today, but email me in a couple of years and ask me what i am riding...my answer will be either "nothing" or "Buell 1125r", because i intend on selling my bolt and saving to the point of purchase. anyone interested pm me, 2005 black/amber xb12r $6400. | ||
| Bueaddicted |
Xbrad9R: Damn, I'll sell my '07 12R for $7K to buy this bike - any takers?  | ||
| Cgocifer |
I just sold my 12S, but unfortunately not to buy the 1125R. It is ugly. I agree with many of the posters who don't like the looks. Agreed, Buell already has a sport bike for the street in the XBR. If I wanted an all out comfortable ride, I'd get a sport tourer. This is supposed to be an arse kicken superbike; therefore, it should look like one. I'll say this and I hope Buell is listening. If that bike looked anything like the this photochop, I'd go down tomorrow and pay whatever they asked for one!!!! This is what a superbike should look like! With this look, motor, performance, chassis, and price, it would dominate sales!! Hire this artist, and let him design the plastics!  | ||
| M1combat |
The fairing can't be that low though... The bars would bash into it. | ||
| Vanvideo |
I posted a link to the 1125R's website in my local sportbike forum. I wanted to see what the non-Bueller public thought of it. All except one person hated the styling, and wouldn't buy it because of that. The one lone holdout is a local HD sales manager. He was at the unveiling and said it's his next bike. He currently owns an R1. Some did recognize the 1125R's high tech wizardry, but the styling was a deal killer for them. Of course the bike's styling was compared to Aprilias and MV Agustas. Oh well, we'll have to wait and see when the bike is released and the reviews come in. I'm betting the reviews will be very positive. | ||
| Metalstorm |
A full fairing would a cool accessory option for those who like that sorta thing. I on the other hand would hate to cover up such a pretty engine. I'm thankful that the 1125R is naked with her naughty bits exposed for all the world to see. | ||
| Brad1445 |
But she is not naked, she has a huge old Sears Branded HD, padded Bra Covering up two large round portions of her top (Message edited by brad1445 on July 11, 2007) | ||
| Macbuell |
You could take that fairing in that picture and cut out a big portion over the engine itself and it would be perfect. You would still be able to see the engine but cover up the ugly radiator cowls and the muffler. I would also add that the undertrey would only need to go about half way back allowing you to see the back end of the muffler but not the front part which is the ugly part in my eyes. | ||
| M1combat |
I say cut that fairing off just under the frame slider. Don't cover the exhaust. | ||
| Rick_a |
I think the whole package overall was very well integrated. One of the biggest complaints riders of Honda models with side mounted radiators have is the radiant heat on the legs. Buell has thoughtfully taken care of that. With a tidier undertray, a more compact muffler, and a belly pan I think it'd look perfect. (Message edited by Rick_a on July 12, 2007) | ||
| Mikej |
Snagged this from SacBORG where someone had snagged it from somewhere else, you just knew something like this would be coming:  Regardless of opinions on how it looks, this is what my M2 has been feeling like lately:  (this seemed like a better place to cross-post this) | ||
| Kuuud |
Save the full fairings for the squids or for actual racing. Why would I (or anybody) want extraneous parts that cover up the engine and likely result in higher repair costs and insurance premiums. Buy a UJM!!! Isn't it all about light weight? Even on my HD's I always replaced items when I upgraded. Extra covers or other similar items never work. | ||
| Diablobrian |
hey now, I don't consider myself a squid (it'd be hard to find a way to stick that particular label on me ;) ) and I have full fairings on my firebolt! (and no, it has never over-heated on me) Hal's built my bike to show off what they could do, and grab a little attention along the way. It works quite well on both counts. Repairing fiberglass fairings is quite cheap and easy. The full fairings are not that much heavier than the stock (much thicker and denser plastic) front and chin fairings. In fact I'd bet that my bike is lighter than stock as it sits. My bike is as unique as I am. I would not want to own a motorcycle that was just like any- one else's! Erik looked my bike over quite closely at homecoming and if he approves of my (and Hal's) mods then I don't think there is much that could convince me that I'm doing it "wrong". I LOVE my Buell. It is my favorite bike I have ever owned, and it has SOUL. (And I love the double takes from the H-D hard-liners that hear me coming and then do a double or triple take because my bike is SO different from what they expect to see ;) | ||
| Gschuette |
Sure Buells have always looked different but they still looked damn good. Compare the new bike to the red XB9R with black wheels and tell me which one looks better. Buell can keep it different and still look nice. Buell set the bar really high with the aesthetics of the Firebolt. I also wonder how valid these wind tunnel arguments are when the bike isn't fully faired. Maybe I am dumb but I think a bike with a full fairing would slip through the air a little better. | ||
| Spatten1 |
Apparently some of you have no idea how easy it is to wash a full faired bike. | ||
| Diablobrian |
shhhh Spatten! | ||
| Tx05xb12s |
It could at least use a chin spoiler to cover up the front of the muffler. Looks like there's something missing down there. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
Who is washing their bikes ? I just run it through the puddles ;) Waiting to see if an 1125 X adventure model makes it | ||
| Luxor |
Diablobrian wrote: "And I love the double takes from the H-D hard-liners that hear me coming and then do a double or triple take because my bike is SO different from what they expect to see ;)" AMEN Brother. I LOVE the "LOOK" they give, a bit of shock with deer in the headlights. Classic Buell owner stuff. As I've said before, here in fact, that the 1125R is pure "Form Follows Function". To me that is sexy as hell and Buell should leave it alone. Heck It looks like a Buell, It's built like a Buell, because it IS a Buell. | ||
| Luxor |
Maybe not a styling Q; UMM I see Metzler tires, I like the Elephant. Is Buell Considering Metzler??? Again, not a Styling question, sorry. | ||
| Xl1200r |
I also wonder how valid these wind tunnel arguments are when the bike isn't fully faired. Maybe I am dumb but I think a bike with a full fairing would slip through the air a little better. The windtunnel stuff was more to make the fairing quiet and effecient and to direct the air where it needs to go for the pressurized airbox and the radiators. It doesn't have to be "aerodynamic" in order to be aerodynamically designed. | ||
| Xl1200r |
(And I love the double takes from the H-D hard-liners that hear me coming and then do a double or triple take because my bike is SO different from what they expect to see ;) It's even better to get it from the sport bike riders. I stopped into a bike gathering the other night, and after I parked a kid came walking up and said "What is that thing? It looks like a sport bike, but it sure doesn't sound like one!" That exhaust gets 'em everytime. | ||
| Gschuette |
Hey XL thanks for the clarification. I thought people were talking about drag coeffiecients only. I didn't really even think about the rider area. I feel dumb! | ||
| Cgocifer |
My girlfriend thinks that a sportbike must sound like an in line 4. She asked if the new Buell will sound like a sport bike. I said "Yes, it will sound like a V-twin sport bike." She said "Huh?" lol | ||
| Thespive |
Time for a new girlfriend?  --Sean |
