so i took a cruise with my friend today and we hit up the harley dealer which also sells the buell motorcycles .
well ive been watching them and reading up on them for the past couple of months and saw them on the history channel one day. well i finally got to sit on them in person :) .
the firebolt and lightning are amazing! the lightning sits alot more like the GS but a wider body. the firebolt is just amazing.
so this summer I must save up and heck i might even sell a couple of my cars and turbo parts to help with a down payment of one.
and if anyone hasnt seen the videos on the buell site, definitely check them out, they get me psyched to own one. www.buell.com
Tell me about it...and you can also hit 'em up on Demo Day and try 'em all out to see what ya think! Dealers were dealing last year on the Buell bikes and the local dealer had an XB12 Firebolt for 8400 OTD! Would love to have one, but I'd just like to get a new Sporty like Ed In Az just did (envy envy). Love the GS and this forum.
C.......
wish i was rich i would have brought one home today :( im gonna go cry now :(
why do you want a harley cernunos :o
i thought you loved reliability of the little gs and this forum.
:roll:
if the buell had any motor but the hardley driveableson, it would be my next bike.
Oh, don't get me wrong, I love the White Owl. But I do miss my Harley bikes. They're just great scooters. I sold my last one about ten years ago and when I decided to get back into biking the little GS just pouted and I had to have it. Actually, the little GS was cheap so Bebe got it for me. I miss my old shovel :( . But I still love the Baby G and this forum.
C.......
I think the Buell's look like "urban anarchy". I defiinately dig the trick look of them and think they definately fill a very specific and needed niche.
Some of them seem kind of pricey performance-wise. Most 600's will kill them in everything from the track to the drag strip with twisties in between. Did I say they look trick?
well they look different than all the faired bikes out there and most of the naked ones. I think the fuel in the rail and the exhaust on the bottom is genius!!
I want a new sometime and i dont want a faired fat boy bike ive sat on all the bigger "race" bikes and they just seem so blah.
i dont know there is just something about these bikes that screems bad ass. not to mention the sound of a big ass V-twin , one of the reasons I love my GS is the vance and hines exhaust and the Twin motor sound.
sure alot of 4 cyls could take it in a straight away but off the line and down a really twisty road this bike has some bad ass torque. plus it will be alot more fun to ride in the city. I have a frustrating enough time downtown as it is on the GS. and since i live basically downtown i need something with more torque.
but ill never get rid of my GS and its getting a facelift this spring as well :)
I'd get a Speed Triple over any Buell but that's just me.
I have heard REALLY horrible things about buell reliability...
Quote from: se7enty7I have heard REALLY horrible things about buell reliability...
That is because they use hardley motors.... Erik Buell...tsk tsk....... :nono:
Like what for example?? Anybody interested in the Buell bikes should check out Badweatherbikers.com. Lotsa good people, lotsa good info on making Buell bikes faster, and yes, even some good info on making some things a little more reliable just like ANY bike. I haven't seen any thing as far as Buell being unreliable, more like, nit-picky things that people would do different. On the street (which is where most people ride anyway) they are hard to out-run unless you can find a long straight where you can top over 120 or so. To me it's kinda funny...I like bikes period. I love HD, but I like anything on two wheels. I've never rode a bike that didn't bring a grin to my face, but HD's have always had a special place in my heart. Oh, almost forgot...I love that little jewel of a twin and this forum has a special place in my heart. :kiss:
C.......Oh yeh, Buell does NOT use HD motors. Odd? True.
I'm waiting for the MT01
it's an "easy Fix with Light damage" I would hate to see bad damage in thier opinion !?!
http://www.portsideent.com/
:icon_confused:
Ed, I'm waitin' on more pics. Figger you been out feelin' the torque rush (envy envy)...don't blame ya, I would too. It seems like the only thing Ed and I agree on is Harley D and guns&ammo :lol: . Love the small and meek vertical 500 and this lovin' forum.
C.......
Those Buells are pretty cool looking I think, but I still like the newer SVS better.
Kinda hate to bring this up but reading this thread reminded me of a web site I found when I was researching a Buell Blast - it really dumps on Buell and somewhat on Harley. I don't know the legitimacy of the site - I just stumbled across it so don't hate me. www.mybuell.com
This is also reminding me of a story I was told by my MSF instructor. They used to have a Blast for people to ride at the school after they passed their practical exam. They had to stop that after a student 'blasted' through a chainlink fence! :o No Joke - the bent fence pole was still there and the Blast was sitting on the lot. The incident seems to go along with some of the comments on that website - too torquey in 1st.
Anyway, just thought I would pass this along.
On the flip side - I do like the look of the CityX - nasty! 8)
Ride Safe.
Dandy
I'm going to buy a Firebolt XB12R in Black when I pay off my GS.
Umm yeah they do use hardley motors. The xb12 for example.. the "new" sportster motor. I wont get started on them.. go here.
www.goingfaster.com
:icon_rolleyes:
Quote from: Dandy D
This is also reminding me of a story I was told by my MSF instructor. They used to have a Blast for people to ride at the school after they passed their practical exam. They had to stop that after a student 'blasted' through a chainlink fence! :o No Joke - the bent fence pole was still there and the Blast was sitting on the lot. The incident seems to go along with some of the comments on that website - too torquey in 1st.
I dont think it matters how much tq a machine has , some dumb ass is going to run into somthing. lol
its all about control and some people were never ment to ride.
well despite that website and what other have to say negative about it im still going to buy a firebolt soon. maybe I can share my first hand experience on the forum when i get one.
but everyone is intitled to there opinion so only good vibes here on the forum.
LOL.. i guess i didnt link far enough. GO there and click on american angst. Its actually a state policeman's website. Hes a good creative writer and he created a section devoted to harley davidson's flag slathered, lemming market.
I wont go any further for risk of being called a shark by someone who will spend three times as much for three times as old technology, and then say that was a good investment.
:cookoo:
Ok,
First of all, i have nothing against cruisers. And if i wanted one, Hardley would be the last place id look. You have to be a moron to want one after comparing them to the competition. Honda, Yamaha etc they all make excellent bikes that run way longer than hardleys. And yes, hes very negative and personal about harleys, but if you look under the surface he gives a lot of facts. I dont read all he writes and take it as fact, but it does open your eyes a bit to how stupid 80% of the world can be.
If you dont realize that harley sells t-shirts and harley barbies first...and bikes second... do some more research. This isnt a Flame against harley, but i knew a DIE HARD hardley fan would pop up after i made a harmless comment about how i wouldnt buy their motor in a buell.
Do you realize how well suzuki's are built? How hard is it for an american company to do the same? cmon! Its a shame that we have the best of everything, yet the Japs continue to kill us on the one thing that matters the most to us on here.. MOTORCYCLES. That is what depresses me.
With any other bike, you would sit and compare specs.. do you see people going hmm... the harley cruisers make this much hp and tq, compared to the honda cruiser...
NO! People buy into the whole "lifestyle" campaign and just accept the bike. Imagine if people did that with everything. "Ehh its just 50 hp shy of the competition..but WHO CARES! its a PINTO! YEAH BABY im cool NOW!"
Companies like Victory (polaris) and Britton Give me hope....
Oh and i love how they are using Japanese Brakes on the new powercruiser...and covering the logos... Good job harley... Makes me proud to be american... only motor they ever built right was designed in Germany... Good job again.. Oh wait, thats logic and that plays no part in Harley Talk.
:cookoo:
This forum used to be a great place to hang out. And yes, fogie, i ride. And i will ride after your buried. It has nothing to do with them not making a bike i like. It has everything to do with a company who thrives on t shirts and makes bikes for fun. I know my history. HARLEY used to be a very reputable company. But they focused lately on merchandise and their bikes are still the same old tired technology. Perhaps i came off a bit pissed, but that is because i work with two iddiot redneck morons who think that because they spent a fortune on their bikes (and it doesnt matter what they are, but they happen to be harleys), that they are somehow better than any "Crotchrocket."
THESE MORONS COULDNT CHANGE THEIR UNDERWEAR LET ALONE A SPARK PLUG.
So, i deal with this mentality everyday, of people who know nothing about bikes, but think they know everything. And they ride harley. So i get on that site one day, and everything he says, THEY DO. That is why i hate harley riders. That and they never wave back.
I never used to be biased.. i loved all things two wheeled... But for some reason i never got the harley "bug" and i just dont understand why someone would think their duck grew five inches because they bought a peice of metal. Its pathetic. I could buy my coworkers sportster tomorrow... its like ten grand brand new. I just dont see any FACT that makes it better. That is all im saying. Its almost like pricing a GS500E far above all other more advanced, faster sportbikes and saying..well its higher because its a GS....
HMMMM..maybe suzuki should try that one...
Dont take offense (even though you have no reason to, unless you work for HD)...
Quote from: chueyI'd get a Speed Triple over any Buell but that's just me.
I have to agree. Especailly the new model.
Hey, what love is floatin' around here? Oh, and no, the XB12 is not a dual cylinder Blast (although the Blast motor is very durable from what I hear). The only thing the XB and the Blast share is the bore and stroke...not even the same cases and not even the same tranny, cams, heads, etc. And the XB is not a sportster engine although you can swap most parts between the two. Rash, why is it that people who don't ride an HD or Buell usually have to have something bad to say about them, but if you talk to most HD owners (not posers) they admire other types of bikes. Sounds like you really got an issue with yer friends and shouldn't take it out on the bike. And for what it's worth, I don't think I ever owned a stitch of clothing, boots or whatever that had the HD logo on it. Old technology? The wheel itself is really old, but it's like I learned as an automotive engineer; you really shouldn't try to re-invent the wheel. Just because something has it's roots in the past doesn't make it old...just look at the AK-47. It is an old design, but you probably can't find a more reliable auto-loading rifle. Hey, man, I'm not flamin' ya, I'm just sayin'...own one an' if you find out it doesn't hold up, then call it a POS. But no matter, I'll allus luv my Baby GS and this forum and you too. :kiss:
C.......
:dunno_white:
I saw Easy Rider once.
Those guys were Liberals, pretty sure. Probably should have carried an AK, but hindsight being what it is. The times? They are 'a changin'! GOP and HD for me! Great bike for the Capital Hill types. :lol:
But I love the Buell City X, my GS, and the forum. . .
Ok im just having a really bad day, so for what its worth, you make some good points about thinking im superior etc. I apologize for bashing HD.
I still dont agree that they make bikes, but i guess i couldve been a little bit nicer about it. I just hate those bast-..... nevermind. :dunno:
I hope your evening goes better, Rashad. :cheers:
Harley's are made for fat guys. Nothing looks as funny as a fat pilot on a rocket.
Sorry, this thread was starting to get lame and I thought I would add some spice.
:nana:
Buells are cool :thumb:
Quote from: JohNLAHarley's are made for fat guys. Nothing looks as funny as a fat pilot on a rocket.
Sorry, this thread was starting to get lame and I thought I would add some spice.
:nana:
Buells are cool :thumb:
LMAO.. i missed you john :mrgreen:
Speed Triple 117HP lotsa torque good looks and all for about 3 grand!!!!
The reason Old technology is still around and still runs is the simple fact that its still around and still runs!!.
thats wonderfull that someone wants to buy a new plastic piece of junk like a new Dodge, (sorry dodge owners but my parents have a 92 grand voyager, been through 3 trannies and the doors fell off litterally and my dad keeps his cars in tip top shape) anyways its the new more crap is better mentality, new sport bikes have enough fairings to give a guy a headache just for changing the air filter or some other part. Im still a young guy and yet i love cars and bikes that were manufactured years before i was even a thought. thats why I own old volvos and thats why my roomates own cars like 73 chevelle SS and 82 firebird.
its fun to be on a sport bike but there is somthing about HD's that no other bike can top and that is RESPECT the company only dropped off a few years in reliabilty and then swept back up with new leadership. I watched the history channel special on it :) . and so what if they sale T-shirts , its not the HD factory making those T-shirts they sell there name to other companies to do it for them.
and if we want to talk about new technology look at the buell, fuel in the frame and exhuast on the bottom and look at the sweet braking system.
with HD and buell you are comparing them to japanies sport or cruiser bikes. but thats like comparing a 69 SS Camero to a 3000GT Turbo
they are both fast but hands down the 69 ROCKS the 3000GT Respect and the sound of that motor, plus the looks.
I guess im a Young man In an old school mind set.
I dont what it is about all these new sport bikes but seems like they sure have all the young people brain washed. my friend cant get over the fact about wanting a ninja ..... personaly id rather buy somthing everyone doesnt have.
Well, its not about plastic.
Its about moving forward YEAR AFTER YEAR. If you look at the history of sportbikes, and how far they have come...
There was a time when 1000 cc bikes made less hp and tq than the 600cc bikes of today!!!! THAT IS HUGE!
A big factor for me:
WHEN FUNCTION DETERMINES FORM.... ON SOMETHING I AM RIDING AT 80MPH... LIFE IS GOOD. DONT FORGET THAT.
Oh and for the record, i sell about every popular make of car.
Dodge is probably the most likely to break in my experience.. new or old. I am starting to think the viper is the most reliable car they ever built. They are hardly a good example of good technology.
Now, its funny you mention Volvo because we used to sell them new. They have excellent technology, and are pretty much up to par with BMW in fit and finish.
That is apples to tomatoes, but the point isnt about plastic or new age mentality... its advancement.
Follow the history of sportbikes all the way from the first air-cooled singles... on up. Its amazing. That is progress..and without that kind of ingenuity in place in everyday life, we would still be telegraphing, NOT POSTING on a nice computer screen.
I never said it was a bad thing to advance even though somtimes it can be when cars only go 100k-200k when they should be going about 400k atleast , I mean i can buy old volvo's for 200$ all day and they run and nothing is really wrong with them and they will keep running for 400+k
I wish the industry would push the bar up for standards, I mean its awesome that can make a GPS DVD COMPUTER system in the dash but can they make the car last?
all im trying to get at is you cant get irritated at a company that is sticking with old but good technology, we still use the same math that was deveoped many many years ago, and basic princepals we base new technology off of. some people might jsut buy them for the hype but some people actually do like what they have to offer.
the sport bike industry shows alot of trends that i dont want to be a part of. there not bad bikes , i just like the bikes that people turn away from.
I like a loud choppy sound not a hi-pitch yang. I dont like fiarings, and I do like reliability and somthing that stands out and thats what i found in HD's and Buell bikes. now that is a personal opinion that i know a few others share.
its just the guys across the river thats all we are. Different side of it that is.
and on another note im glad that most bike manufacturs are still seperate unlike most car manufacturs, atleast to my knowledge they still are, correct me if im wrong.
thats one of the reasons i wont buy a new car. volvo is owned by ford now , such a disapointment :( .
so Im just gonna take old cars and restor them to new :) .
building your own cars somtimes is the only way to assure its going to be reliable.
much love to all bikes, except scooters (sick of the damn scooters around my city i want to run them over ;) . )
Ok, much understood.
With all due respect however, I was a GM guy 100% when i started selling Fords...
Now, 7 months into it.. i am completely sold on FORD TRUCKS. I dont like the cars...they are bland and boring.. but man, they make the best trucks out there.. and i can compare 04 chevy's and dodges to them all day long at work. FORD makes amazing products... But yes, they do steal technology.... the new 500 and Freestyle for instance, basically all VOLVO right there. They are excellent vehicles, but blatantly VOLVO.
I will say that FORD buying VOLVO was a good thing. VOLVO still does their thing 100%, unchanged, but now FORD implements their stuff into the new FORDS.
Either way, i can respect a guy who rides a harley because he likes the bike, not because he wants leather chaps and tassles with a bar and shield tattooed on his wang.
Since you ride a GS, you must be good guys anyways.. so what was i thinking? :cheers:
I would like a firebolt, looks awesome
One thing I dont really get about harleys, why so expensive?
I have ridden quite a few of them out here, I gotta say thay are a nice bike, different than the GS but still fun. But for ten grand you get couple year old sportster. Or I can go drop that much on a metric cruiser get a simliar bike for a lot less money.
The Victory bikes are a perfect example, they are a lot cheaper, with many cool features like fuel injection, and "self" adjusting valves and they look sweeeet, and the price isn't bad.
But there is really nothing like the sound of 1100cc motor rumbling beneath you...
As far as cars go, I dont care how many old cars you have, carburetors suck....MPI (multi point fuel injection) is the sweetest thing to come to the industry since the wheel. I used to love carburetors, and thought every muscle car should never see fuel injection because it was so difficult to set up.
I built a 65' Shelby Cobra replica with my dad, we used the ACCEL standalone fuel management system for the 460 we put in there. Damn thing runs a million times better than it ever did with a holley avenger 750. Idles like a dream, part thorttle cruising couldn't be any better.
As far as Ford, I used to hate their cars, they seem so dated. Now, they in my opinion are surpassing GM. The new Mustang is damn sexy, and the modular 4.6L is rock solid. The only thing I don't like that they are doing is taming down their cars. Their concept cars are gorgeous but their production cars are as plain jane as they come. They are getting better though.
As far has HD and Buells, personally wouldn't buy one, I think the whole "American Chopper" movement is so superficial, but any true biker, whether a sport bike or cruiser, still rides on two wheels, and as long as they are cool with everyone else and give me a wave when I pass by then they are cool in my books.
I will say *uck you to all those a-hole fat bastards who are such badass they can't waive when you pass them cuz they only "nod" to other Harleys. Cuz next time I see one who laid down their bike I might be tempted not to stop.
Gotta show love to all the guys on two wheels (except scooter, I mean come on they don't count :))
Yeh, that whole "american chopper" movement an' choppers in general have been so superficial fer about 60 years... :roll:
C.......
when I mean "American Chopper" I meant the show, bunch of people out buying HD after watching the show and now think they are the All-American Badasses, if you know what I mean.
Like I said before, a true biker likes and repsects anything with two wheels and a motor.
Ohhh. I see, yeh it is ridiculous...kinda like all the cluck-heads who watch motogp and then go out and buy a sportbike and think they're Matt Mladin. :lol: . Love the Baby GS, HD, Buells, Ninjas, Katanas, Ducs, Trumpets et al...and of course this forum.
C.......
I just hate when i see ppl walking around weaing West coast choppers shirts, or OCC shirts. One time my buddy asked one of them (not me, i was the chicken shaZam!) if he owns a bike made from OCC. The guy turned red and said no, and that he never ridden a bike before. lol. that was funny. Posers. :nono:
Quote from: coll0412One thing I dont really get about harleys, why so expensive?
I have ridden quite a few of them out here, I gotta say thay are a nice bike, different than the GS but still fun. But for ten grand you get couple year old sportster. Or I can go drop that much on a metric cruiser get a simliar bike for a lot less money.
The Victory bikes are a perfect example, they are a lot cheaper, with many cool features like fuel injection, and "self" adjusting valves and they look sweeeet, and the price isn't bad.
But there is really nothing like the sound of 1100cc motor rumbling beneath you...
As far as cars go, I dont care how many old cars you have, carburetors suck....MPI (multi point fuel injection) is the sweetest thing to come to the industry since the wheel. I used to love carburetors, and thought every muscle car should never see fuel injection because it was so difficult to set up.
I built a 65' Shelby Cobra replica with my dad, we used the ACCEL standalone fuel management system for the 460 we put in there. Damn thing runs a million times better than it ever did with a holley avenger 750. Idles like a dream, part thorttle cruising couldn't be any better.
As far as Ford, I used to hate their cars, they seem so dated. Now, they in my opinion are surpassing GM. The new Mustang is damn sexy, and the modular 4.6L is rock solid. The only thing I don't like that they are doing is taming down their cars. Their concept cars are gorgeous but their production cars are as plain jane as they come. They are getting better though.
As far has HD and Buells, personally wouldn't buy one, I think the whole "American Chopper" movement is so superficial, but any true biker, whether a sport bike or cruiser, still rides on two wheels, and as long as they are cool with everyone else and give me a wave when I pass by then they are cool in my books.
I will say *uck you to all those a-hole fat bastards who are such badass they can't waive when you pass them cuz they only "nod" to other Harleys. Cuz next time I see one who laid down their bike I might be tempted not to stop.
Gotta show love to all the guys on two wheels (except scooter, I mean come on they don't count :))
WOW. You and me pretty much see eye to eye 100% on these issues. Of course, you are much more polite about it :oops: .
But yeah, CHOPPERS were originally stripped down bikes for speed. NOT fat chrome pits for slow-ness.. i agree with you :)
true true. your right I believe Ford does produce some really great trucks, my dad has a 88 ranger xlt that im driving while im restoreing one of m volvos, yea your right i know Ford bought out volvo for the financial aspect and now ford has to be one of the or if not the top contender in the battle for cars. I still love volvos but they all went to FWD which was very sad in my mind. :( driving FWD cars for years i just got tired of it.
much love to the bikes :) .
Umm..VOLVO absolutely still makes AWD cars...... a lot of them in fact.
i know they make AWD but I dont like the fact that some went to the FWD horizontal engine mess. I like RWD or AWD with an inline motor and tranny. I hate working on cars with sideways motors.
Getting back to the topic of this thread, I have to agree that the recent Buell's are very innovative. Think about it for a minute:
- Gas in the frame, surounding the air box.
- Oil in the swing arm.
- Muffler under the engine.
- One of the shortest wheelbases around.[/list:u]This does achieve the desired effect of a very nimble package.
Not sure if I'd buy one, but it is unique in the marketplace, and the one guy I spoke with who owned one said he really liked the gunfighter style and behavior. The only pain he expressed was the short tank range -- about 100 miles.
To each their own. Ride what you like. Just don't tell me I made a mistake -- let me decide that for myself... :)
i didnt think the gs exactly had a long life on the tank either. I always refill her around 130-150 I ran out of gas pushing it to 150 miles before. that shaZam! suxed! the bike might be small but its not light when you have to push it for 5 miles to the closest gas station coming off the freeway.
Two things:
1) If you like Buells, and live near Atlanta, GA, there's a demo ride next weekend, the 19th and 20th at Suches, north of ATL. Here's a website with info:
http://www.places2ride.com/calendar/event_detail.asp?ID=546
2) I get to about 190 or 200 miles on the odometer before I hit my reserve on my '04 GS500F. Do the new bikes have larger tanks or am I just lucky?
Thanks.
Sean
Quote from: ST500F2) I get to about 190 or 200 miles on the odometer before I hit my reserve on my '04 GS500F. Do the new bikes have larger tanks or am I just lucky?
The '01+ models DO have a larger tank - by about .8 gallons. (And
1.3 gallons more than older California models!)
But even if
Susuki_Jah has an older CA model, 150 miles is too few if the tank was
completely empty. At 4.0 gallons that would still come out to only 37.5 mpg.
Hmmmm. I wonder if the RES/PRI procedure was tried before pushing the bike 5 miles? :dunno:
Quote from: Susuki_Jahi didnt think the gs exactly had a long life on the tank either. I always refill her around 130-150 I ran out of gas pushing it to 150 miles before. ...
Kerry's right -- your bike is using too much fuel.
I've run 170 before needing to hit reserve in urban riding, and on sustained speed on the open road in the summer I should be able to go over 240 before the same event.
The worst mileage I get is around 46, early spring or late fall, due to letting it warm up for 5-8 minutes in the cold and running with the choke partially engaged to overcome hesitation 'til it hits operating temperature.
Any year GS500 should get 150 before reserve, not bone dry.
well ive hit 160 before and then i filled up it was getting close to empty. where is this so called reserve? i dont think it kicked in lol. the bike is jetted and has the V&H full exhuast. it has seemed to be getting better mielege in the colder weather but i havnt pushed it for fear of running out again. I think my bike runs a little on the rich side though. atleast it smelles like it , maybe I will hook it up to a wide band soon