what's the story with Buells

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CNF2002 · #51 Unread post by **CNF2002** » Sat Oct 29, 2005 12:06 pm

I second the behavior of the harley dealers. When I took my MSF class I just loved the blast. When at the dealer I asked about the blast/buell line and they just kind of laughed and told me they didn't sell Buell anymore...what they had on the floor they were selling out to another dealer and they didn't even have information/brochures on the bikes. It took asking 3 different people just to find out what the 06 blast MSRP was!

I did find a good HD dealer that didn't sell many buells but was happy to sell any bike I wanted (they also had a good deal of used bikes...more than they had new harleys).

I don't get the Harley dealers...but I won't be shopping around for one when I eventually move up to a bigger bike. Honda or Suzuki looks like a good company, and the Honda dealer I was at was happy with just about any bike you had (I bought my helmet from them).

As for reliability I've only put 1K miles on my bike but haven't had any complaints (knock on wood). Of course thats having owned it for only 2 months!

bikeguy joe · Sat Oct 29, 2005 1:40 pm

The reliability issues are a thing of the past. Most delt with the frame and the whole way Buell does frames has been changed.

badfish89 · Sun Nov 27, 2005 3:56 pm

yeah.. the new line of Buell's are so much better than recent years. And beleive it or not the clutch is really light. Im seriously contemplating buying the lightning XB12Ss! Finally a bigger wheel base made by Buell.

LennyB · #54 Unread post by **LennyB** » Sun Nov 27, 2005 4:18 pm

I half-heartedly considered buying a Buell. There are a lot of things about them that are quite unique and innovative -- fuel-in-frame, swingarm sump, frame geometry, low CG, etc. I really respect their ability to think laterally and push motorcycle design in new directions.

But when it came down to it, two things got in the way.

1: The Buell/Harley dealership. But that topic has been well-covered here.

2: I couldn't get past the cheap-a.ss aesthetics of the Buells. I'm sorry -- but they look like a cross between a Transformer toy and something you'd get free with a Happy Meal. And what's with the translucent plastic? Someone should tell them that that went out of fashion with the Clinton administration. Neat back in the 90s when Apple was selling "fruit-flavoured" iMacs to teenage schoolgirls; not quite so hip on a "streetfighter".

So when it came down to it, there was only one choice in my eyes: I ordered a Ducati Monster S2R Dark. Matte black, trellis frame, single-sided trellis swingarm, gorgeous torquey 800cc L-twin desmo engine, wet slipper clutch, Brembo brakes, great handling at the limit (unlike the slightly fidgety Buells) and oodles of that timeless Monster style -- which pretty much invented the "streetfighter" category in the first place.

And all this you get for the same price as any given generic Kawahonsuzumaha 600cc I4 crotch rocket, with a coolness factor they'll never match and a two-year unlimited-mileage warranty thrown in for good measure.

Of course, I'm still waiting for the damned thing to ship over from Italy...

If you need more grunt, there's also the Monster S2R 1000 (with the great dual-spark engine), and the Monster S4R Testastretta (with the engine from the 999S Superbike). Lots of choice there: no need for Buells, see?

High_Side · Mon Nov 28, 2005 2:04 am

LennyB wrote:2: I couldn't get past the cheap-a.ss aesthetics of the Buells. I'm sorry -- but they look like a cross between a Transformer toy and something you'd get free with a Happy Meal. And what's with the translucent plastic? Someone should tell them that that went out of fashion with the Clinton administration. Neat back in the 90s when Apple was selling "fruit-flavoured" iMacs to teenage schoolgirls; not quite so hip on a "streetfighter".

So when it came down to it, there was only one choice in my eyes: I ordered a Ducati Monster S2R Dark. Matte black, trellis frame, single-sided trellis swingarm, gorgeous torquey 800cc L-twin desmo engine, wet slipper clutch, Brembo brakes, great handling at the limit (unlike the slightly fidgety Buells) and oodles of that timeless Monster style -- which pretty much invented the "streetfighter" category in the first place.

And all this you get for the same price as any given generic Kawahonsuzumaha 600cc I4 crotch rocket, with a coolness factor they'll never match and a two-year unlimited-mileage warranty thrown in for good measure.

Of course, I'm still waiting for the damned thing to ship over from Italy...

I waited 5 months for the one we ordered for my wife last year. Great bike by the way. It's funny though, we gave the Buells a look (and I gave a Firebolt a try) and I really like the look that they have going (but not the translucent plastic ones). In the end though the seat was way too high for her and the duck is far more appealing anyway. You made the right choice...

Aggroton · #56 Unread post by **Aggroton** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 6:12 am

as far as buell/harley dealerships go...noone will have to worry about them soon...buell is trying to get away from harley...smartest move they've made yet...its a cultrure clash at this point...

on a side note...its funny ever motorcycle stunt video i see has at least one buell in it...damn hooligans.

jmillheiser · Wed Dec 21, 2005 2:49 pm

Buells are popular with stunters because of the short wheelbase, torquey engine, and rash resistant bodywork. The engine/wheelbase combo makes it really easy to wheelie it, and they dont rash up as bad as a typical sportbike when dropped.

CentralOzzy · Tue Jan 03, 2006 7:49 pm

Aggroton wrote:on a side note...its funny ever motorcycle stunt video i see has at least one buell in it...damn hooligans.

I believe the term is "BUELL-IGANS"

jmillheiser · Wed Jan 04, 2006 2:59 pm

If Eric is able to sever ties with HD hes going to have to find a new source for engines. Or design his own.

And build a new manfacturing plant. and likely redesign every model of bike as HD has a stranglehold on all the patents and trademarks for the buell bikes.

Sad part is he may not be able to put his own name on the bike if he breaks ties with HD. HD is notoriously zelous in enforcing and holding on to its trademarks.

Easiest part may be building up the dealer network as a lot of existing dealers might try to pick up the line, especially if prices drop.

Sad thing is most HD dealers dont want to sell you a buell. The local HD shop has 2 year old lightings selling for what the '06 MSRPS for. They have no '06s or even any '05s. They are selling '01 and '02 blasts for '06 MSRP.

This same HD shop also carries honda and is selling '04 and '05 leftovers for '06 MSRP. Rumor has it this shop is getting ready to dump their honda line and go 100% HD

buellbabe · Tue May 02, 2006 12:41 pm

Bulligan... I agree with you... yep some of the earlier models had teething problems but ya get that with ANY brand. I own a 99 X1 Lightning. I have done 85,00km on it, troublefree... it is a fabulous bike. As far as I am concerned it is sex on wheels. I have never experienced ANY of the problems 'HUH' mentioned earlier... I don't have to thrash my baby and I ride with GSXs, Fireblades etc... only last weekend I was giving a brand new Yammy R1 a run for its money. In fact the rider was quite miffed at NOT being able to shake me! In NZ we have LOTS of twisty roads... anyone can go fast in straight line... its what ya can do with it in the corners that separates the "talkalot from the ridealot".