The New Buell - - - Weren't You All Looking for More on this?

[Rogue]

I saw one at the california harley demo day this weekend.  feels more comfortable then the firebolt but still ugly.  I'd like to see a naked/lighting version.

This bike reminds me of the M16.  

The M16 was never designed to win beauty contest.  But it was designed to be one kick-ass rifle for our troops.  It is lightweight, accurate, ergonomically functional, and can be configured to do a lot of things.  Assault rifle, sniper rifle, Carbine, Target Rifle, hunting rifle, or just a tool to be ogled at and desired.

The 1125R is no different.  Although it has some features meant to look good, most of its shapes and features are designed for a function.  People complain of the scoops.  It's there for a reason.  Others complain of the height of the front cowl.  It's high and wide to give maximum wind protection.  Then there's the perceived "gimmicky" underslung exhaust and perimeter brakes.  They're all there for good reasons.  It seems many complaints of the bike stem from looks.  Well, let me say that the Hayabusa has never won any beauty contests either and is consered by many as ugly.  Yet it has outsold every bike in its class as well as outside its market since '99.  So it appears that function and performance is more important to people than looks.  I would have to agree.    

[st ryder]

So it appears that function and performance is more important to people than looks.  I would have to agree.    

Yes, well next time there is an international traveling exhibition at some of the finest museums in the world chronicled in an expensive hard cover, full-colour glossy paged book called "The Function of the Motorcycle" let me know.   Maybe you should go and bolster the spirits of BMW r1200rs owners, or tell 999 owners that the run away sales success of the 1098 is not a sign that their bikes that lingered in showrooms for years weren't thought of as beautiful.

Please, get real, there is probably just as much time and money spent on motorcycle aesthetics as any other aspect. I mean even adventure bike riders want a certain "look" that speaks to them. Certainly you have seen the V-max designs that Yamaha wants feed back on. Certainly you await new bike annoucements in the off season to see what they "look like." Sure, at some point looks alone won't cut it, but a bike that looks like crap and perfoms well, won't cut it either.

I understand there is a gaggle of riders who like to think that owning bikes with a function over form styling, separtates them from less informed riders, and to this attitude I say "bull-crap." Owning an ugly bike doesn't mean you're smart.   I mean even Eric Buel in the Kneeslider interview plays into that "snoby" mind set, saying his bike is for people who want to go fast, not feel like they're going fast. Yes, well, there are a lot of bikes out there that go really fast and look damn good doing it.  

All that being said, I have to admit the above pic of the 1125 is growing on me.  Maybe I'm a smarter guy than I think.
 

[1KPerDay]

Maybe I'm a smarter guy than I think.
 

Is that possible?

[JamesG]

Really should have just wrapped it in a nice clean fairing.  Ya' know, like a Ducati.  Hell just swiping the XBR's race fairing would have been preferable.

I'm sure we all would have forgiven Erik , except for those wierdos who got off by collecting all these odd ball Buells...

[pearsonm]

Has anyone heard if there's going to be a smaller 1125, as the XB9 was to the XB12 (and as an 848 may soon be to the 1098)?

[Hickey]

I haven't heard a thing like that.  It would be interesting though.

Buell came out with the smaller engined Firebolt first, though.  And the Lightning came along later too.  Based on that, if I had to guess, I'd say there will be no smaller engined version.  But we can expect a naked version in a year or two.

What I'd like to see is a Sport Touring version.  With a stronger subframe for luggage that has nicely integrated luggage racks.  More upright, more wind protection, lower pegs, and a more comfy seat.  One can hope.

[naustin]

I understand there is a gaggle of riders who like to think that owning bikes with a function over form styling, separtates them from less informed riders, and to this attitude I say "bull-crap."

I hold that Buell favors Function over Form, but that doesn't mean Form is out the window.  It just comes 2nd.  It is important that a bike looks good.  The thing is, while it may strike you as odd looking at first, Buell's styling tends to grow on you.  

All that being said, I have to admit the above pic of the 1125 is growing on me.

See?

What I'd like to see is a Sport Touring version.  With a stronger subframe for luggage that has nicely integrated luggage racks.  More upright, more wind protection, lower pegs, and a more comfy seat.  One can hope.

There are a LOT of Buell owners hoping for the same thing.  The question gets asked every time Erik Buell takes questions from Buell owners anywhere.  Personally, I think that Buell feels the Uly is their current Sport Touring bike, and it actually does a heck of a job, if you can get your leg over it.  If they built a Uly with a fairing on it, I'd be happy.  Of course, now that the 1125 is out, I'd rather the ST bike was based on that...  

As much attention as was paid to rider comfort, "quiet Zone" aerodynamics, and relaxed seat to peg distance, I'd say the 1125 will make a great Sport-Tourer; not to mention that the new frame holds 5.6 gallons of fuell.  

There's a guy (Steve MacKay, I think...) who bolted a uly tail section with the full set of factory Hepco bags on a Buell TT  (since the frame was the same, it fit perfectly.)  He then added a firebolt fairing and had one hellova a cool ST bike.  It was at Homecoming, and all the factory employees were staring at it.  Even Erik spent at least 20 minutes talking to the owner and looking it all over...  

[Oilhed]

There's a guy (Steve MacKay, I think...) who bolted a uly tail section with the full set of factory Hepco bags on a Buell TT  (since the frame was the same, it fit perfectly.)  He then added a firebolt fairing and had one hellova a cool ST bike.  It was at Homecoming, and all the factory employees were staring at it.  Even Erik spent at least 20 minutes talking to the owner and looking it all over...  

That sounds very cool.  Got any pics?!!!  I'm glad it was noticed.  That switch and swap concept is how HD and BMW did it for years.

[DogBoy]

That sounds very cool.  Got any pics?!!!  I'm glad it was noticed.  That switch and swap concept is how HD and BMW did it for years.

Here's his gallery:  clicky

Some pics of the finished bike and others of the work he did to get there. Really nice work.  

[Rogue]

I understand there is a gaggle of riders who like to think that owning bikes with a function over form styling, separtates them from less informed riders, and to this attitude I say "bull-crap." Owning an ugly bike doesn't mean you're smart.   I mean even Eric Buel in the Kneeslider interview plays into that "snoby" mind set, saying his bike is for people who want to go fast, not feel like they're going fast. Yes, well, there are a lot of bikes out there that go really fast and look damn good doing it.  

Well there are bikes out there that go REAL fast and many think they're ugly.

You gave the example of the 1098 having "runaway sales" vs the older one because it looks better.  Well, I mentioned earlier about the Hayabusa's runaway sales that has been running away since 1999 and shows no signs of slowing.  Many consider the Hayabusa ugly.  How about BMW's R1200GS sales that consistently tops BMW sales?  Not exactly a beautiful beast, but it is filled with pure function.  There's also Buell's best seller, the Ullyses, which is not exactly beautiful either yet it is a sales hit because it does many things very well and this agrees with many owners.

In any case, I never said riders who put aesthetics ahead of function are "less informed".  YOU came up with that notion.  If aesthetics were THAT important then why are we NOT riding chromed up cruisers or blinged out drag bikes?  The answer is because looks is NOT as important as performance & function.  For most people, performance & function is first, then looks.  And if a motorcycle has BOTH in equal doses, then great!  It's a win-win.  

[Hickey]

I know Buell thinks they already have a Sport Touring bike in the Ulyssess, but I can't ride that thing.  It is just too tall for me and I want a full fairing or at least some fairing to divert the wind.  I have great hopes for an 1125R based sport touring bike from Buell.

That said, I'm very happy with my current ride, so if it takes Buell a couple of years to get around to making the bike I want, that is fine.  I won't be looking to trade bikes until around 2010 anyway.  But as I have been doing for years, I'll keep an eye on Buell and keep on hoping for the bike I want from them.  It seems like they get closer every year.  

[Prubert]

That sounds very cool.  Got any pics?!!!  I'm glad it was noticed.  That switch and swap concept is how HD and BMW did it for years.

FZ1 Matt took some pics of it at TWT in MKE.  Matt, you still go the pics of the Ulybolt?

It reminded me of a FZ1....