Made in U.S.A. ?

[1001yos]

What percentage of the Buell is made in the USA, or north america? I herd somewhere on this forum somewhere, that the frame is, but what else?

 

[GatorBuell]

The frame is made in Italy, the wheels in China by Enkei, suspension is from Japan, tires are form Spain the eletronics are from Taiwan, I believe the plastics are made in Canada, Motor is from Harley. The only thing that is American is the motor and the company that builds it. The 1125's motor is made in Europe, I believe Austria so thats even less made in U.S. But don't be upset its not a cost thing its just those company's that build the parts for the bikes are the best in the industry. If those parts could be built with the same performance and quality in the U.S. than they would use those parts instead.

 

[wokor2wheel]

If I'm right the XB frame is Italian and the 1125R frame is USA.

 

[09XB12Ss]

I'll take the Buell philosophy. Grab the best of what's already out there, and make a great bike with a great concept. Best of both worlds. The only thing that doesn't make any sense is the Rotax deal. They don't have the world's best reliability record. They should have reworked the V-rod engine. That engine original came from Harley's Superbike project. It has so much potential. Especially considering that Porsche had their hand in the mix.

I didn't know Pirelli made tires in Spain [confused] Aren't they Italian. They have some manufacturing in the US and the UK. If they do have anything in Spain, I'm changing right away. Spain's got the worst manufacturing in the World. Anything they touch, turns to crap.

 

[GatorBuell]

Just my opinion but I think they went with Rotax because of the relationship with Bombardier who parents Rotax and with Aprillia dropping Rotax for a in house motor production. This gave Buell access to years of R&D with out the work or money spent.

I didn't know Pirelli made tires in Spain Aren't they Italian. They have some manufacturing in the US and the UK. If they do have anything in Spain, I'm changing right away. Spain's got the worst manufacturing in the World. Anything they touch, turns to crap.

Im sorry, im not sure about the Pirelli I was thinking of my Michelin's, It says right on the tire, made in Spain.

 

[Roccodart440]

How much does the Vrod engine weigh compared to the rotax? and would it fit in the 1125 frame?

 

[ROJO]

I agree with 09xb12Ss about using the V-rod motor. I'm sure right out of the box there are weight issues. But, there is a called Roehr Motorcycles out of Illinois that is using the motor in a superbike called the Roehr 1250sc. They strapped a little supercharger in it to get 168hp and 100lb of torque. Check out the Jan.09 issue of Cycle World. Seems to me it would be better if they would have stuck to the Harley motor.

 

[wokor2wheel]

I like the 1125R motor set up but I would realy like the V-Rod motor in the XB frame.

 

[teh Nub]

I agree with 09xb12Ss about using the V-rod motor. I'm sure right out of the box there are weight issues. But, there is a called Roehr Motorcycles out of Illinois that is using the motor in a superbike called the Roehr 1250sc. They strapped a little supercharger in it to get 168hp and 100lb of torque. Check out the Jan.09 issue of Cycle World. Seems to me it would be better if they would have stuck to the Harley motor.

The Roehr is $50k...
How many people would buy a Buell that cost close to $20k because Harley wouldn't allow there to be a "cheap V-rod" cutting away at their profit margin. Harley Davidson has it's own characteristics that Buell broke away from in the very beginning to achieve something different.

 

[ROJO]

How many people would buy a Buell that cost close to $20k

I think there would be a market for a 15-20K Buell. My whole reason for getting a Buell was because I wanted a Harley motor on a bike that wasn't a Harley. I'm just not ready for the "cruising the back roads" experience yet. That being said, I would probably pay for a 18K lightning with the V-rod motor over the 1125cr with the Rotax motor.

 

[RegulatorMIA]

i wouldn't... the deciding factor for me on getting a buell is the price. there are so many unique and innovative features on buells that normally you would only find on a 15-20k+ bike but for half or even 1/3rd the price of that (if you buy used like i'm going to lol). buells are the perfect way to have a unique, innovative, fun and attractive motorcycle that the everyday working person can afford. to suddenly make their flagship bike jump into the 20k range would have been suicide