1125r places 2nd in German endurance race

[atadaskew]

Just FYI, although the frame on my 03 Firebolt is Italian (as is the swingarm), I believe the frame for the 1125R is being built in the US.  Oh, and those Italian tires?--Pirelli owns Metzeler, and AFAIK all Pirelli motorcycle tires are made in the Metzeler facility (which I believe is in Germany...I don't think it's in Italy...)

And the belt drive is American, and the bikes were raced with the stock belt drive AFAIK, but pretty much any Buell racebike is gonna be modified for chain drive (for quick gearing changes).

I mentioned that the belt drive is made by Goodyear. As much as I tease, I really am curious as to where all the bits come from. I actually think it is really cool, is there any other bike that is as multi-national as the 1125r?
Any idea where the ZTL brakes and wheels are made?
How about the instrument cluster and ECU?
It would be ironic if the only thing American on that bike is the belt...

[naustin]

You must not have read my post.  The FRAME is MADE IN USA  

There is a thread on BWB that lists the origin of every part on the XB.  Not sure if it has been done on for the Eleven yet.

[Kootenanny]

I mentioned that the belt drive is made by Goodyear. As much as I tease, I really am curious as to where all the bits come from. I actually think it is really cool, is there any other bike that is as multi-national as the 1125r?
Any idea where the ZTL brakes and wheels are made?
How about the instrument cluster and ECU?
It would be ironic if the only thing American on that bike is the belt...

The original XBs used belts by Gates, they changed to Goodyear in 04.

The ZTL brakes are made by Nissin--apparently, the brake lever for my Firebolt is the same as on a GSX-R.

Wheels are made in China, I think.  Instrument cluster might be Italian--I know the lights are.  Dunno about the ECU.

Body panels are made in the States, from the same Dow plastic used for golf ball skins.

Basically, Buell had a set of specs, and went shopping for suppliers who could meet those specs.  As time goes by, new suppliers are brought on line, usually because they can offer lower production costs (for example, the swingarm on my bike was made by Brembo, in Italy; in 06 or so, though, Buell changed to an Asian supplier, at the same time the swingarm design was changed--from a one-piece casting to a two-piece welded unit; I assume a similar change is now occurring with frame production).

[naustin]

Erik Buell talks about 1125R and Race Results.  The bikes were 100% STOCK    They were geared wrong and running stock exhausts and still competed to 2nd and 5th agaist factory efforts in Germany!!!!  Wow.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhAFE8V0nK4&feature=related

[TheGoose]

Ok, so so far I've got an American success story that consists of a couple of German riders, an Austrian engine, Japanese suspension, an Italian frame, Italian tyres, Goodyear USA final belt drive...

Clearly a socialist, globalized, effort.

[1KPerDay]

*snarf*

[naustin]

man, what does it take to change the subject to BIKES on this forum...

[atadaskew]

man, what does it take to change the subject to BIKES on this forum...

I dunno, why don't you give it a shot?

[DogBoy]

This is what makes the Buell sub-forum the most fun. The haters, the true believers and everyone in between. Threads rarely stay on-topic. Oh, and the bikes are cool, too.  

[atadaskew]

Either way it's a flippin amazing result.  

[nanbil]

Either way it's a flippin amazing result.  

Ditto!