Is Buell FINALLY Getting A Clue??

[Stoneman]

Take a look. Whaddya think?

http://www.buell.com/products/xb9rmain.asp

Hmmmm.....interesting.....

[cRa1g]

These guys are so far behind, that it may be a LONG time before they produce a sport bike that will really be sought after.

Good to see them focusing on this segment though - it could mean good things longer term.

[Stoneman]

I haven't been a Buell fan since Harley started backin' him. I've tried a coupla models and was seriously disappointed. But this is a HUGE step in the right direction for him, and it's definitely lookin' like he's got some good ideas with this one...

[cRa1g]

Coincidentally, I saw a Buell this AM out on RT 6 - between the Sagamore / Bourne bridges down here at the Cape.

Anyway, for those of you who know that road, it's about 6 miles of up / down, slightly curving sweepers. Fun to ride, but you have to always be careful - it's watched closely.

Anyway, the bike sounded cool, and the low end response is awesome, but handling wise (even in sweepers), they require a serious amount of "input". Of course this is just my impression from riding behind the guy for a few miles. Once I passed him the road got fun.

I do believe that with the right focus on the SPORT segment they could do a few things, but with the ongoing development from all of the other mfg's it's going to be tough!

The sound and torque on these bikes are cool though...

[Stoneman]

cRa1g, by now you know how I feel about those things. But don't get me wrong: I thought he (Eric Buell) had some great ideas in the early '80's. And if you do some research, you'll find summa his 'radical' ideas being used as common place on a lot of 'modern' sportbikes these days....

His big down-fall was selling out to Harley. Ever since they took the reigns ('backing him', as they put it), his PRODUCTION machines have faultered in a big way. When he was only pumpin' out a coupla hundred of those things a year, they were a much more solid bike. Holmie saw stars when Harley offered to buy 51 shares. What he didn't realize was the constraints in which he'd now hafta work.....

It's nice to see that 'they' are letting him loose with something like this. I hope that his ability to now produce in large numbers doesn't hamper the quality of such a radically profound sportbike (yeah, I said it!). This is a huge step forward. I mean 'perimeter' brakes as standard equipment?? (Shame they're only fitting 'em with single-pistons...)

None the less, there is no modern Buell that can cut it like the high-revving, razor-handling, horsepower-thumping Asian/European twin sportbikes out there. And as you know cRa1g, I'll JUMP all over the chance to devour one on the street ANYDAY!!(I think this is what I meant to say all along, but I hit the sauce tonight. So who the fuck knows??)

[cRa1g]

Stoneman,

This brings back a BIG laugh from that time on one of your favorite RT's - that you will remember...

[ssg]

old.

[PinHead]

Here are some specs on the new Firebolt XB9R
45 degree Forced cooled V-twin
984 cc
10:1 Compresson ratio
twin OHV
45mm downdraft DDFI Fuel Injection
92 hp @ 7200 rpm
68 ft-lb @5500 rpm
5 speed trany
Front brake ZTL type,375mm stainless floating rotor,6 piston caliper
Rear brake Single piston caliper,230mm stainless rotor
Front tire D207 FY 120/70 ZR17
Rear tire D207 Y180/55 ZR17
Dry Weight 385 lbs.

These specs don't look too shabby man! Looks like Willy G. is setting him free a bit.:eek