Buell motorcycles..

[Hohn]

What's the scoop on Buells? They are certainly impressive on paper to me. Do they deliver? Anyone own one? Anyone ridden one?





I'm under the impression that Buell is majority owned by Harley, but I think I could overlook that



Are they using Harley engines, or are they their own design?





I like the performance of a typical crotch-rocket, but they are uncomfortable to me-- most are made for guys 5'7" or so and I'm over 6 feet.



Justin

 

[d906670]

They are solely owned by Harley now. The engines are sportsters that have been bombed by the factory.

 

[RonA]

They are a light handling pleasure to drive on crooked roads. A friend of mine has had one for quite a while and has been riding for 35 years. If you'd like some first hand info from an outstanding rider, pm me and I'll get contact info for you to reach him.

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

Well, you definately won't get crotch rocket performance out of one. Have you checked out the Kawasaki ZRX? Crotch rocket performance in a standard style streetbike. Very comfortable. I used to roadrace but had a bad crash in 1989 that broke my back and did a bunch of other damage (along with other wrecks on the track leading up to that). Since that time I haven't been able to deal with the riding position on a sport bike. The ZRX gives me the best of both worlds. I just finished a 3,200 mile ride in 8 days last month including several 700+ mile days. I put a wheelie bar on and drag race it and lots of guys do track days with them (I haven't done that yet because I'm afraid my competitive nature will come out and I'll wick it up). You can pick up pristine low mile bikes for as little as $3,500 and there's a great owners association with a forum much like this one for support - the best one I've ever seen for a bike. Check it out at http://www.zrxoa.org .

 

[Diesel Freak]

Buell?



Great chassis, with a so so engine.



Personally I would get the 'zuk SV1000.



I really feel sorry for the Harley Riders of old now that riding a Harley is basicly part of Yuppy Pop Culture.

 

[Diesel Freak]

Hohn, if you are really looking for some crazy performance, get a KTM 525 SMR and get it licenced for the street. A little high maintenance, but it will run and hide from just about any sport bike in the twisties... unless the rider of the other bike races too.



http://www.ktm.com/EN/models_7367.asp?id_seiten=7367



or if you want better highway manners,



the new KTM 990 SM



http://www.ktm.com/EN/models_8569.asp?id_seiten=8569

 

[RonA]

Couldn't agree more about the chassis and engine. I grew up in an area where paved snake paths were the norm. Nothing handles them like a v-twin sport bike. The lighter the better. When you make the transition from a 4 cyl the first think you say is "where did the power go?" Go on a few rides on the right roads and you'll wonder how you lived without one. Too bad about the Hardly Dangerous motor. Anything made by them is garbage. don't like the bikes and after many unpleasant run ins with the type that rode them during the 70's, I avoid the riders and their hang outs. But I don't mind the Buells.