| Author | Message | ||
     Crusty |
They understand a little something about function above form over there. I hope so; 'cause when it comes to styling, all their taste is in their mouths. | ||
| Brad1445 |
There is a thread here somewhere for slogan ideas for the new bike, I think we have a winner here. "It looks better than a box of used razor blades" | ||
| Xbolt12 |
heh!heh! now that's funny! Maybe a large portion of people who already own Buell's like the styling or the bike regardless of styling, but it will not sell as well as it could if it is perceived as ugly by the majority of people purchasing new bikes. As for Ducati, maybe Buell should have contacted/contracted someone. I sure hope they change the molds before production because it could make all the difference in the world. | ||
| Anonymous |
Xbolt, we are not as stupid or unskilled as you would have folks believe. Chat pages abound and opinions as well. Some people think the ridiculous KTM looks good. However, the majority of sportbike riders who actually have seen the 1125R during development stages and since launch love it. Of course, I guarantee the import employees will be circulating bad opinions as fast as they can. It won't matter what they try to say, because the bike is coming out and it looks really freakin' cool. When they start circulating the streets, seeing those gaping intake nacelles closing in the rear view mirror of an import bike will be a chill of fear!!! Kinda like the F-18 nacelles. | ||
| Spatten1 |
Of course, I guarantee the import employees will be circulating bad opinions as fast as they can. Nah. I've been an import dealership and factory employee. People pretty much just like good performing and good looking bikes. People beat up on Harley and air cooled Buells for performance, reliability, and technology reasons. And they are not stupid or unskilled either, they have a different and perfectly valid perspective. I think there will be some very excited import riders and employees when the 1125 comes out. Buell will have to be a little patient while the bike earns it's stripes. A reputation of mechanical issues and relatively low powered machines will not immediatley vaporize. However, if the 1125 is reliable and works as well as promised, I think it will be well respected by a wide audience. Should be the best thing that ever happened to Harley/Buell. | ||
| Trojan |
Some people think the ridiculous KTM looks good. Anony, That remark smacks of arrogance that beggars belief! You may not personally like the KTM, but it has been voted machine of the year in countless countries and publications, is sold out in most countries and is universally raved about in just about every road test ever done on it. I know lots of ex-Buell owners who have jumped ship and bought the KTM and are extremely happy to have done so. Take a look at some of the comments motorcyclenews.com and other websites for peoples reaction to the 1125R and you'll see that it is not universally liked as you suggest, and that a lot of people will take a lot of convincing before they consider buying one. Personally I love it, but I would not demean another bike because of it. I wouyld not buy a KTM SD either, but I admire them for producing one of the most stunning V-Twin sports motorcycles et available at their first attempt. I also think that when the RC8 is released it will kick pretty much every other V-Twin sportsbikes backside, and that may include the 1125R. When the 1125R outsells the KTM and receives the adulation that it has got then you may have a reason to crow, but until then I don't think you do. | ||
| Brad1445 |
Interesting story. I'm the national marketing manager for a parent company of 14 smaller companies. We personality test all employees, I tested a 9 out of ten in shapes and one of my graphic artist tested a 10 out of ten. Freaky high. He knew I had anxiously awaited the arrival of the new Buell. When I seen the new pictures I did not say anything to him as I wanted a unbiased honest opinion purely of style. This \guy know nothing about Motorcycles but is an incredible artist on a computer and canvas. He said the front did not match the back and drew a imaginary line right behind the Pods with his fingers. He said the front looked like one bike looked like a large bike with a tech kind of look and the back was much smaller and organic in design. This popped in my mind when parallels to the KTM came up here as I would say the KTM if you like it or not is clearly designed as a whole with a specific look in mind. It is consistent in its design from top to bottom. By no means can you say that about the Buell as the the smallish firebolt tail is not the same angels as the newer parts as evident in the photoshop drawings you see going around here where many have attempted to make a more consistent look. I have not heard one single person I showed the photos two that did not say something about the pods. From those look out of place to what the heck are those. It is not bashing Buell to discuss this. It is a TRUE friend that tells you you have a burger hanging from your nose. Stop the butt kissing we all make mistakes, tell your friend to to wipe his nose, he will appreciate it. | ||
| Elvis |
I have absolutely no artistic credentials. I have, however, been riding, looking at and reading about motorcycles for the past 30 years. In my opinion (and when it comes to design, opinion is all we have), the KTM is UGLY and the Buell is beautiful. With that said, I would have seriously considered the KTM as my next bike if Buell hadn't come out with this bike. Looks are, at most, 10% of what makes a bike a bike. . . . but it's nice to now have an option of a new, world-class V-Twin that (in my opinion) looks much better than the KTM. (Message edited by elvis on August 05, 2007) | ||
| M1combat |
I'm not a huge fan of the KTM looks either. That said... I'm not a huge fan of the way the 1125R looks in pictures. I've walked around the KTM and I still didn't like it. I hope that's not the case with the 1125. I think Buell should put one of those 3D rotating pics on the web like they had with the XBs in '05 or '06. That would be excellent. I think maybe having a second set of scoops just behind the riders knee would make the rad scoops look better. Built into the tail section where the hole is now. Just bring the rear plane of the hole out and forward so that from a front 3/4 view they have the same shape but smaller. I'd imagine they would do very little when the bike is moving but would make the front scoops look much less out of place when the bike is sitting by itself. I do hope they look better in person. Pretty much all accounts say they do so that's good, but I think a lot of people look at bikes on the web and disqualify a chunk of their list based on looks. I think the 1125 may get removed from a lot of lists because of that. | ||
| M1combat |
Oh and about "the ridiculous KTM"... I kind of agree with Anonny. He thinks it's ridiculous looking so he has every right to say so. It's a subjective subject. He didn't say it was a pile of crap or anything... just stated his opinion of it's looks. | ||
| Chadhargis |
I like bikes that are rare/unique. That being said, I'm not big into looks in the first place. A beautiful bike, in my eyes, is one that does what I want it to. Scoops, fairings, fenders, etc....I just don't care. I think the 1125R looks good because it looks different. It has something that sets it apart from all the other "cookie cutter" bikes out there. Works for me. | ||
| Blake |
"Oh and about "the ridiculous KTM"... I kind of agree with Anony. He thinks it's ridiculous looking, so he has every right to say so. It's a subjective subject. He didn't say it was a pile of crap or anything... just stated his opinion of it's looks." Word! And I concur. | ||
| Trojan |
Anonymous did not say the KTM was ridiculous looking, he said it was ridiculous. That is two very different statements and mean very different things indeed. The KTM styling may not be to everyones taste, and we all know that styling is very subjective. My point on the KTM was that if you haven't ridden one then you really are missing the point of it. From a performance point of view it has set the standard for V-Twin sports bikes at KTM's very first attempt. If the 1125R receives as much critical acclaim as the Superduke then it will be doing very well. | ||
| Coal400 |
I think KTM is going for the modern "Stealth/low radar footprint" look. I personally don't have any issues with KTM, although I've never owned one. I really don't care too much about the Duker right now, as I'm anticipating the arrival of my 1125R. I'm tired of being bound to the pc. I need to be in the garage or on the saddle.  | ||
| Macbuell |
I'll say the same thing I have said before, if Buell thinks that the looks and the immediate visceral reaction of the buyer to the bike is not important, they are fooling themselves. For every buyer they get because the Buell 1125R is a great bike, they will get an additional percentage because the Buell 1125R is a great bike that looks amazing. In short, present the same performance and the same package with better looks and Buell will sell more of them. Maybe M1 is right and the bike looks better in person. | ||
| Davegess |
I'll say the same thing I have said before, if Buell thinks that the looks and the immediate visceral reaction of the buyer to the bike is not important, they are fooling themselves. Why do you think they would think otherwise? The bike looks cool. It does not look like a Ducati or Honda. It is likely that some people will not like the look. So be it. You can't please everyone and you can't make a GREAT design by pleasing everyone. Look at it before you judge it. | ||
| Brad1445 |
see most are afraid to say wipe your nose on this site but the truth is always the best except when your wife says does my ass look big in these pants | ||
| Metalstorm |
Maybe M1 is right and the bike looks better in person. He's right. It is better in person. My advice to all those who havn't yet seen it in person: Wait until you see it. If after seeing it in the flesh you still don't like it then at least your opinion will have merit and will be respected. Until then, you're just writing a report on a half read book.  | ||
| 86129squids |
Hey folks- allow me to add 2 cents. The radiators are fine on the eyes. They remind me of giant bat wings- this could be the new Gotham Avenger's bike easily. One word on this bike as far as looks overall: SEXY. I was fortunate enough to get to go to Nashvegas for the dealer show, taking in all of the '08 H-D and Buell changes- spent a lot of time in the Buell booths and seminars checking out the machines, talking with the designers and the head cheese himself about this new bike. Overall this discussion about the looks of the bike with its rad pods seems like niggling over where the beauty mark should be on Gisele Bundschen. We have yet to hear her speak or watch her walk. I have no doubt that this bike will rewrite the rules, on "Trilogy of Tech" terms. Let's watch, pass the popcorn! | ||
| Metalstorm |
That just made me realize something. The scoops are like super models in that the camera adds 10 pounds. In person they're actually a lot thinner than they appear in the pics. Scary for the models, good for the scoops Gisele Bundschen can wear her beauty mark anywhere she likes! | ||
| Reepicheep |
Every KTM superduke magazine I have seen does in fact rave about the bikes performance... right after they issue their disclaimer about the looks. And the disclaimer always seems to read like "nobody here likes it, but I suppose somebody somewhere does". I'm not a racer, I'm not even a bench racer, I don't really care about top end... I struggle to make good use of the 78 HP my 9sx currently makes... But if I look at the bikes on paper, the 1125r and the SuperDuke look perfectly poised to do some serious toe to toe, and its not at all clear to me where objectively the superduke is better. No explain to me why my "boat anchor heavy" 9sx feels lighter to ride then my neighbors Honda XR-650... and apply that "Buell X-Factor" to the 1125r specs. The 1125r is not the bike for me, but I am impressed. (now all you Buell employees... stop reading badweb and get back to work making the naked aircooled XB10X version of that bike and motor... I'm not getting any younger ya know...) (Message edited by reepicheep on August 06, 2007) | ||
| Elvis |
see most are afraid to say wipe your nose on this site but the truth is always the best except when your wife says does my ass look big in these pants So if we don't agree with you, it's because we're lying and afraid to say what we really think? That's crazy. I like it. I think it's one of the best looking bikes I've ever seen. I'm going to buy one. Is that so hard to believe? | ||
| 86129squids |
Bottom line is that they not only look fine in person, but they have a very specific design objective in how they facilitate airflow through the cooling system- then contribute to the <internal> airflow designs. I've never seen a more thoroughly well thought out design for a new bike. Based on the performance of my own XB, seems like this new 1125R will be a home-run any way you slice it. I've always said that the Buells are kinda like an American version of Bimota. (Latter analyses of Buell engineering may outgrow that analogy altogether.) | ||
| Brad1445 |
Elvis, I believe you. I guess I mean I think people that sound critical are called crazy ones. Yes none including myself are judging only from pictures but that's all we have to go one for now. And I doubt the photos I take will make it look any better. I REALLY want to love this bike, it it my dream bike in so many ways. I just think its odd the high number I show it too say eww on the styling and hope everyone is being honest here so if there is an issue it is correct as soon as possible. we all want it succeed and many here patronize so much it laughable. They say problems other describe do not exist and yet six months later a recall or building process change takes place assuring all of us we are humans and make mistake. Keep in mind we can only fix the mistakes we are aware of. | ||
| Davegess |
I don't think the bike is gorgeous from every angle. There are views that I don't like but over all it looks good, much better in person than in pictures. However the view from straight on in the front...absolutely freaking fantastic!! It looks like it is going to devour what ever is in it's path! One of the neatest looks on a bike I have ever seen. | ||
| M1combat |
Well Matt ... I think the context of the discussion has been the looks so I guess I just assumed that Anonny was talking about the looks. Silly me eh? | ||
| Brad1445 |
Davegess I 100% agree on head-on front shot! Love it! | ||
| Molly_hatchet |
i think it is safe to say the look of the new bike is interesting...if thats what buell wanted then have at it...the superduke is interesting too..neither one is to my taste...but im just one guy....i personaly think the new ktm rc8 looks like a mean mother....if it had been out when i went lookin i would of bought one....for me the older tubers didnt do anything for me...til now...now i want one..tastes change...bikes change the world goes round...we will all be oky weather the new buell is cool or not....i cant wait to see what kind of aftermarket stuff comes out for the 1125....it needs a lot of it in my opinion...but then who rides a stock bike... . | ||
| Mcgiver |
So some people think the 1125 is ugly. Buells have always been different. One of my Tshirts says "Buell were loud, were ugly, and were not going away". I like ugly and different!  Brian | ||
| Unibear12r |
The bike looks great from the front and back but looking down on the scoops while sitting on the seat is awesome. The side view grows on you, I've gotten so I really like it. |
