Look for Yamaha to be your savior.

[Jeff]

No, it's not a US bike - overseas only.

They're in Canada too, I believe. I especially like the MT03.

[Bueller]

I heard VW was the contender

[scramblerracer123]

Maybe we can all pitch in and send harley some money and STN can own buell then.  

[Lon]

Yeah, these MT bikes look like they'd do alright in the US, but I guess Yamaha thinks differently.

I think the MT-01 is great, but I don't think they'd do well at all here.

For example, I am not sure the MT-01 was competitive with the Buell XB12S (or even the BMW R1200R, for that matter).  It's a lot heavier than the Buell and with all that extra torque from the huge engine, the MT-01 only manages to match the Buell's torque-to-weight ratio.  It also has less top end, a longer wheelbase, and the joy of chain drive.  If I was performance-minded and prices were equal, I'd buy the Buell.

Prices are and were not equal, though.  I think pricing on the Yamaha would make it a very tough sell - it's like GBP10,000 - about $16,000.

The MT-01 makes the Buell XB12R and BMW R1200R look like absolute steals.  Heck, it's even expensive compared to the Ducati Streetfighter.

Now that Buell's gone, the MT-01 @ $12000~$13000 MT-01 would probably work.  

[Flightar]

I don't think Yamaha will actually buy Buell but I'd like to see it if they did. With Yamaha Erik could choose any of their current engines to power his bikes and would have access to technology and manufacturing he could only dream of with HD. He'd be able to build a range of bikes in multiple displacements and would, if Yamaha chose to allow it, be able to stay an American maunfacturer under their umbrella...something Yamaha could never do on their own. It would also allow Buell to have a proprietery power plant in a much shorter period of time...and maybe even keep the current Rotax mill. Yamaha could whip up a frame for him (to his specs) in short order and a healthy dose of parts bin engineering would keep initial costs down.

If done correctly it would be a win, win, for everyone.

[Brad1445]

Yamaha has a good reputation and a product a diverse list of product offerings for its large customer base and dealer network.



So why would they want Buell at a time the name is tarnished and product offerings are dated?

Serious, if they could have the brand for free, why would they want it?

After leaving HD with a 25 million dollar loss before closing cost,  Buell would have to pay someone to take them.

[Bueller]

Why did you buy Buells Brad?

Did the bottom line have anything to do with your decision?

[ninegear]

shit just when i thought he was gone

[Brad1445]

Why did you buy Buells Brad?

Did the bottom line have anything to do with your decision?

1. I really wanted an American sport bike.
2. I liked the styling.
3. I loves the belt drive and short wheelbase handling

The first two of those three reasons don't exist anymore.

[Squidbuzz]

the ignore button works real well

[Brad1445]

They do say ignorance is Bliss.

But why does Glen Beck cry all the time then?



But Palin always seems happy.

[falconati]

Nice lookin bike!  

[Kootenanny]

it looks nice. aside from the exhaust. dose it also do fuel in the frame.

I have ridden an MT-01, and I have seen a couple on the road (they are very rare, though).

The MT-01 is NOT a Buell.  It does not have fuel-in-frame, nor any of the other "trilogy of tech" tricks used by Buell (underslung muffler, ZYL brake, etc.)  The engine is a 1700cc mill lifted directly from their Star cruiser line--it makes the Thunderstorm look like an I4 by comparison, by both size and weight; it is also a longer stroke, slower revving engine.  It is a large, heavy bike; the engine has incredible torque, but otherwise the bike does not inspire me the way my Buell does.

Took  this pic at the Vancouver motorcycle show a couple of years ago: