Buell XB12S Lightning wallpaper
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Buell XB12S Lightning picture
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Buell XB12S Lightning photo
Showing posts with label Buell. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Buell. Show all posts
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Monday, September 27, 2010
Buell Firebolt XB12R Bikes
Buell Firebolt XB12R front side view
Buell Firebolt XB12R side view
Buell Firebolt XB12R rear view
Friday, September 17, 2010
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Buell Firebolt XB12R Naked Bikes
Buell Firebolt XB12R wallpaper
Buell Firebolt XB12R picture
Buell Firebolt XB12R photo
Monday, August 9, 2010
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Friday, June 18, 2010
Monday, June 14, 2010
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Buell 1125CR Naked Bikes
Buell 1125CR front side view
Buell 1125CR side view
Buell 1125CR back view
Buell 1125CR black series
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Friday, April 9, 2010
What constitutes a flop?
I know I said wouldn't talk (much) more about Erik Buell and Buell Motorcycles, but there is some speculation going on that Buell Motorcycles failed because the 1125 series was a flop. While I'm not aware of the people saying things like that actually working for Harley-Davidson or Buell, the speculation game is fun and I'm sure lots of people have their own opinions on the matter. That's cool...
But it got me to thinking about what really constitutes a flop in the motorcycling market place.
Is a discontinued bike a flop?
Fair question. The entire industry and manufacturers on every continent and in every country where bikes are produced have a long... very, very long... list of motorcycles that are no longer manufactured or sold. The venerable, game-changing CB750 from Honda is a shining and prime example of this. To date one of the most recognized, most achieved, and most sought after bikes, the CB750(pick your suffix) is considered something of a landmark on the motorcycling landscape. The CB750 helped to usher in a new era of powerful, lightweight and technology laden machines available at real-world, working man's prices. Honda's modern CBR motorcycles, and nearly every other manufacturer's 4 cylinder sport and naked street bike owe more than a little nod to Honda and the CB bikes of the 70s.
There are still a large number of these bikes operating on the roads and they were sold in large numbers for a long time (speaking in relative terms, mind you). These bikes' descendants are found in every Japanese bike-based dealership and on race tracks around the world. Yet the CB of yesteryear is gone. Gone is the steel tube frame, the solid brake discs with single-pot calipers. Gone, or nearly gone are the air-cooled four cylinder engines with inspection caps in the heads and screw-type valve adjusters. Gone are the 4-rack of carburetors and the chain and sprockets made of what now seems like concrete wrapped in lead.
The CB we all grew up on and fell in love with, clearly, is gone and has been relegated to history; notable history, to be sure, yet history just the same. Clearly that bike was a flop, right?
Do poor sales numbers define a bike as a flop?
I think I can walk into about 6 dealerships that I'm familiar with and with reasonable effort, I can scare up a leftover 2006, 2007 or 2008 Honda VFR 800 Interceptor. These machines are surely among the most beloved and fiercely appreciated cult-favorite bikes of all time. They can still be found as brand new leftovers, with zero miles in show rooms. Sometimes they can be found still crated, not having seen daylight in years. The same holds true for Suzuki's SV and DL series bikes and their flagship line of street sport bikes, the GSXR; a modern offshoot of the GSX and GS models of years gone by.
Surely we can say the famed Gixxer and the beloved VFR are flops, right? Sales numbers prove this assertion.
Are technological "issues" in a model what define a flop?
When you twist the throttle on some new, cutting edge, modern fuel injected motorcycles, there's often an issue with off-idle abruptness, "twitchy" throttle response and a general feel of "on/off" throttle response. This can be annoying and it can be dangerous. Surely such a gross oversight in design, implementation and testing means these bikes are destined to be flops, right?
What about the Hondas with certain charging system issues, or perhaps the Moto Guzzis that have miscellaneous "electrical gremlins". Aprilia surely has a flop on its hands with the RSV4 and the engines that are blowing up, right?
Maybe there are no flops... just evolution.
So, no, I don't believe Harley canceled Buell because of sales flops. Nor do I believe that with products as diverse and passionately owned and crafted as motorcycles that the conventional idea of a 'flop' really applies. Indian motorcycles is delivering new Chief models, completely hand built and assembled from their North Carolina facility to the tune of 2 per day. At that volume, it's IMPOSSIBLE to have large sales numbers. Similarly, Norton is delivering new Commandos to buyers who have already provided deposits. They're producing at a low volume but they are in a position to - literally - sell every machine they make. If that's only a few hundred units compared to, say, Honda's or Harley's numbers, sure it's a small volume. But 100% sales rate... who else has that?
Maybe the notion of a flop is justification for attrition of design and demand, and the evolution of the industry. Maybe?
Comments?
But it got me to thinking about what really constitutes a flop in the motorcycling market place.
Is a discontinued bike a flop?
Fair question. The entire industry and manufacturers on every continent and in every country where bikes are produced have a long... very, very long... list of motorcycles that are no longer manufactured or sold. The venerable, game-changing CB750 from Honda is a shining and prime example of this. To date one of the most recognized, most achieved, and most sought after bikes, the CB750(pick your suffix) is considered something of a landmark on the motorcycling landscape. The CB750 helped to usher in a new era of powerful, lightweight and technology laden machines available at real-world, working man's prices. Honda's modern CBR motorcycles, and nearly every other manufacturer's 4 cylinder sport and naked street bike owe more than a little nod to Honda and the CB bikes of the 70s.
There are still a large number of these bikes operating on the roads and they were sold in large numbers for a long time (speaking in relative terms, mind you). These bikes' descendants are found in every Japanese bike-based dealership and on race tracks around the world. Yet the CB of yesteryear is gone. Gone is the steel tube frame, the solid brake discs with single-pot calipers. Gone, or nearly gone are the air-cooled four cylinder engines with inspection caps in the heads and screw-type valve adjusters. Gone are the 4-rack of carburetors and the chain and sprockets made of what now seems like concrete wrapped in lead.
The CB we all grew up on and fell in love with, clearly, is gone and has been relegated to history; notable history, to be sure, yet history just the same. Clearly that bike was a flop, right?
Do poor sales numbers define a bike as a flop?
I think I can walk into about 6 dealerships that I'm familiar with and with reasonable effort, I can scare up a leftover 2006, 2007 or 2008 Honda VFR 800 Interceptor. These machines are surely among the most beloved and fiercely appreciated cult-favorite bikes of all time. They can still be found as brand new leftovers, with zero miles in show rooms. Sometimes they can be found still crated, not having seen daylight in years. The same holds true for Suzuki's SV and DL series bikes and their flagship line of street sport bikes, the GSXR; a modern offshoot of the GSX and GS models of years gone by.
Surely we can say the famed Gixxer and the beloved VFR are flops, right? Sales numbers prove this assertion.
Are technological "issues" in a model what define a flop?
When you twist the throttle on some new, cutting edge, modern fuel injected motorcycles, there's often an issue with off-idle abruptness, "twitchy" throttle response and a general feel of "on/off" throttle response. This can be annoying and it can be dangerous. Surely such a gross oversight in design, implementation and testing means these bikes are destined to be flops, right?
What about the Hondas with certain charging system issues, or perhaps the Moto Guzzis that have miscellaneous "electrical gremlins". Aprilia surely has a flop on its hands with the RSV4 and the engines that are blowing up, right?
Maybe there are no flops... just evolution.
So, no, I don't believe Harley canceled Buell because of sales flops. Nor do I believe that with products as diverse and passionately owned and crafted as motorcycles that the conventional idea of a 'flop' really applies. Indian motorcycles is delivering new Chief models, completely hand built and assembled from their North Carolina facility to the tune of 2 per day. At that volume, it's IMPOSSIBLE to have large sales numbers. Similarly, Norton is delivering new Commandos to buyers who have already provided deposits. They're producing at a low volume but they are in a position to - literally - sell every machine they make. If that's only a few hundred units compared to, say, Honda's or Harley's numbers, sure it's a small volume. But 100% sales rate... who else has that?
Maybe the notion of a flop is justification for attrition of design and demand, and the evolution of the industry. Maybe?
Comments?
Sunday, December 6, 2009
2010 Buell Firebolt XB12R Gallery
2010 Buell Firebolt XB12R
2010 Buell Firebolt XB12R Side View
2010 Buell Firebolt XB12R Rear ViewSaturday, December 5, 2009
2009 Buell Firebolt XB12R Motorcycle
2009 Buell Firebolt XB12R Front Angle View
2009 Buell Firebolt XB12R Rear View
2009 Buell Firebolt XB12R Front View
2009 Buell Firebolt XB12R White EditionFriday, December 4, 2009
Buell Recalls 2010 XB12X and XB12XT Motorcycles for Footpeg Mount Defect
Buell is recalling certain model year 2010 XB12X and XB12XT motorcycles.
The right hand side footpeg mount may have been manufactured to incorrect specifications.
23 units are affected.
Check out my Motorcycle Recalls feature for more details.
The right hand side footpeg mount may have been manufactured to incorrect specifications.
23 units are affected.
Check out my Motorcycle Recalls feature for more details.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Erik Buell to Form Erik Buell Racing
The Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Company announced in a press release on November 20, 2009 that Erik Buell would be establishing a new company, Erik Buell Racing. Here's an excerpt from the press release:
For more information read the complete press release.
"Harley-Davidson, Inc. announced today that following the company’s recent decision to discontinue the Buell motorcycle product line, Erik Buell, Chairman and Chief Technical Officer of Buell Motorcycle Company, will leave the company to establish Erik Buell Racing, an independent motorcycle race shop."
For more information read the complete press release.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Motorcycle Pictures of the Week - Weatherman
Here are my Pictures of the Week as displayed on the Motorcycle Views Website. These are taken from the Moto Pic Gallery. See Weatherman with his 2009 Buell 1125 CR. There are no women winners this week. Get your picture in. For details, see Motorcycle Pictures of the Week.If you'd like to see your bike as Picture of the Week, submit a picture of you and your bike along with a description of the bike.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Buell XB12R Firebolt
Buell XB12R Firebolt
Buell XB12R Firebolt
Buell XB12R Firebolt
Buell XB12R Firebolt
Buell XB12R Firebolt
Buell XB12R FireboltThe synthesis of brute power and track-tuned agility, the Firebolt XB12R puts 103 horsepower and 84 f t. lbs. of torque in its rider's hand. The Buell InterActive Exhaust system utilizes a valve in the dual- chamber muf fler that is controlled by the ECM and adjusts exhaust flow according to riding conditions to smooth torque delivery and optimize engine power. via motorcyclespecs
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