New Buell dirt bikes and supermotos...

[Rincewind]

Buell made a big announcement at a dealer meeting this week - within the next two years, Buell will have a full-line of supermotos, enduros, and motorcross bikes.

Badweather link on the announcement.  

I'm guessing these bikes would not be based on the XB platform, right?  If so, that kind of leaves the new XBSTT out on a limb.  Why come out with a quasi-supermoto when you are about to break into that market more seriously?  Or maybe the XBSTT is indicating that the new line-up will actually be XB based, and that we'll see a XB9STT and a XB9X or something like that.  

[CBRXXBLACKBIRD]

That is going to be interesting.

[1KPerDay]

They're going to be liquid-cooled, overhead cam 4-stroke singles. And they're going to sell as well as Cannondales, IMO.

[DogBoy]

The TT is just a big standard with SuperMoto pretentions like the Ducati and the KTM (though the KTM has more cred). I really like the TT, but its a totally different bike than a genuine dirt bike-based SuperMoto. And if you think about it, Buell doesn't have that much invested in the TT.

[Snowbird]

But opening Buell up to dirtbikes and supermotos puts them into a marketing category which is separate from the cruiser vs. sportbike mentality.

And it'll bring younger riders to the brands.

[lurker1]

Think Rotax

[2DFlyer]

Think Rotax

Why not.  Everybody else seems to be.

[FullMonte]

This is good news and I hope Buell is successful in this endeavor.  However, in order for these bikes to sell in significant (profitable) numbers, they should to be sold in stand alone (non HD) dealerships.  Buells, and by extension their owners, are treated like red headed stepchildren at The Motor Company boutiques.  IMHO, they could increase their market share if they were sold along side Aprilia, Triumph, Ducati, etc.  Sure, there are some good ones out there who cater to Buell enthusiasts.  But the majority could care less about the bikes or the customers.  

[Kootenanny]

Buells, and by extension their owners, are treated like red headed stepchildren at The Motor Company boutiques.  IMHO, they could increase their market share if they were sold along side Aprilia, Triumph, Ducati, etc.  

Yup.  In Europe AFAIK, Buells are sold in non-HD dealerships, right alongside Aprilias, Triumphs, Ducatis, etc.--and surprise, surprise, they sell better there than here.  Hmmm...

[naustin]

There was recent confirmation that the engines will be rotax.

[roadrailer]

Source?

[lurker1]

Think Rotax
Think Liquid
2008/2009

[naustin]

source: http://www.speedtv.com/articles/moto/motoindustry/35268/

http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/253912/257106.html?1171476252

[mr moto]

this looks like the first picture, obviously a competition only model .

[naustin]

Was the the picture shown at the dealer meeting, or just somebody's guess?  

[naustin]

Looks almost exactly like a CRF450.  Like they just drew the frame a little thicker, and changed the shape of the plastics a little.

I am pretty certain the above image did not com from Buell.    Look at the rear brake lever and the heat sheild? on the header - Identical.

[hig4s]

The TT is just a big standard with SuperMoto pretentions like the Ducati and the KTM (though the KTM has more cred). I really like the TT, but its a totally different bike than a genuine dirt bike-based SuperMoto. And if you think about it, Buell doesn't have that much invested in the TT.

I assume you are talking about the KTM 950SM,, as all other KTM SMs are actual single cyclinder dirtbased SM racing machine, some of which are not even street legal.

[tankhead]

Think Rotax

hey Lurker is a 52 year old male from wi.  I wonder who that could be?  

[eurofan]

You're going hate me for saying this but in cars and motorcycles America can sell image, Japan can sell engineering and Europe can sell a mix of both.

Customs are all about image and HD is strong

Sportsbikes have to perform well but also have to be good looking and have character. Ducati, MV, Aprilia, Triumph etc excels

I don't think that people care about the looks and image of a dirt bike. People want preformance and I don't think America can provide a motorcycle capable of beating Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki or the europeans in this field.

Hope I'm wrong.

But HD was never capable of building a competitive road racing motorcycle.

[naustin]

I would only respond that capable and willing are two different things.  If Buell and HD are willing to make the investment, I have no doubt that they have the capability.

Sorta like how Ford built the GT40 in the 60s, dominated Le Mans for a few years, and then they took their big bat and went back home.  Its not that they couldn't have continued to be competitive, they just made their point, and were no longer willing to spend the money there.  

[Flat-Out]

The TT is just a big standard with SuperMoto pretentions like the Ducati and the KTM (though the KTM has more cred). I really like the TT, but its a totally different bike than a genuine dirt bike-based SuperMoto. And if you think about it, Buell doesn't have that much invested in the TT.

I agree I like it as well but it's much more mad max than real SuperMoto

[DogBoy]

You're going hate me for saying this but in cars and motorcycles America can sell image, Japan can sell engineering and Europe can sell a mix of both.

Customs are all about image and HD is strong

Sportsbikes have to perform well but also have to be good looking and have character. Ducati, MV, Aprilia, Triumph etc excels

I don't think that people care about the looks and image of a dirt bike. People want preformance and I don't think America can provide a motorcycle capable of beating Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki or the europeans in this field.

Hope I'm wrong.

But HD was never capable of building a competitive road racing motorcycle.

HD won the Daytona 200 in '68 and '60 against Japanese and Euro brands. Sure it was a long time ago, but now their market doesn't care. HD won't sell anymore bikes, or make any more money based on roadracing victories.

[lurker1]

Street bike.
Think Aprilia V twin
Stay tuned!!!

[AV8OR]

Im game if its anything like an Aprilia....Rotax is a damn fine motor!!!

[FZ1 Matt]

Street bike.
Think Aprilia V twin
Stay tuned!!!

  I wish pictures and stats would be released so I know if I should start saving!  

I'll just keep riding around East Troy every night to see if I see anything. I saw what turned out to be the Ulysses riding around a couple years ago before anyone said anything about it so who knows.

Maybe lurker1 is Erik? He might have fudged the age to throw us all off ?

[Red01]

HD won the Daytona 200 in '68 and '60 against Japanese and Euro brands. Sure it was a long time ago, but now their market doesn't care. HD won't sell anymore bikes, or make any more money based on roadracing victories.

If all they want to sell to is the market they currently sell to, then you're right. I think they WOULD sell more bikes and make more money based on road racing victories - as long as they're willing to sell bikes based on those racers. OTOH, they still haven't sold a street replica of their one bike that still wins races consistantly.

[lurker1]

new buell announcement 7/8/2007

look for 130 rwhp

[stromgal]

new buell announcement 7/8/2007
look for 130 rwhp

You're such a tease..... go back to lurking!  

[FZ1 Matt]

It's really cool looking. You should see the radiator on that thing. Oh and It's not a dirt bike or a supermoto so maybe there should be a new thread?

[stromgal]

I know he gave you the disk. He's hoping you'll be the first buyer.  

Yes, should be a new thread. Would the Lurker actually start a thread, other than to sell a bike?

[FZ1 Matt]

I know he gave you the disk. He's hoping you'll be the first buyer.  

Yes, should be a new thread. Would the Lurker actually start a thread, other than to sell a bike?

  What disk? I don't know what you are talking about?  

There will be pictures soon enough. They'll be showing it off at the Buell homecoming in the next couple days. Now that they changed the motor I wonder what all the 'haters' will say? Sounds like it will be the perfect bike for many people now.

I'll wait for the sport-touring version!

If the Lurker actually starts a thread I think the world will be turned upside down. Day would become night, night would become day, you'll have to pull up on the toilet handle to get it to flush, etc, etc.  

[Rincewind]

What are you guys talking about here?  Couple more hints please!  New Rotax-powered Buell sportbike??  

[mxvet57]

OMG  the lurker posted and STN didn't crash.

[CBRXXBLACKBIRD]

OMG  the lurker posted and STN didn't crash.

Yes Ed he has posted, So now can he be called the Lurker anymore??