Would you have bought a Buell if?

[racepro716]

Ok, I know this is gonna piss some( sorry, ALL ) of you off but... Did you buy your Buell strictly because it's "American made" ? There's so much **** on here saying if it's not made in the states it's not a real Buell. ********.. you bought your bike for the same reason as I did, It's cool, it's reasonably rare, it handles like crazy. Anybody can own a Japanese sport bike and be part of the crowd, but we're different, NOT because it's AMERICAN, but because of what the bike is and what it does. I for one don't care where it's made, I just hope Buell comes back, somewhere. I do however strongly agree, Eric has to be the head of such a venture. Wayne

 

[ramjr55]

Yeah its real great to support American but all my electronics in my house are Sony. I just love the unique factor and sound of the bike no one has it really in the MD DC Northen VA area so I'm in rare air which is what you want on a bike any way.

 

[afinley]

I could care less about where my bike was made. I doubt many people here do, as you don't here alot of people talking about getting a Harley as their next bike. And, since there arent any other american companies I can think of, it must not be that important.

 

[nilla]

it was a plus, but no. i liked the ugly look, and the sound (allready had D&D)

 

[konarider94]

I was attracted to buell because its American made and has a harley engine. I like harleys and think its amazing to have the harley engine in a great handling bike. If it had a jap engine it wouldnt be a buell.

 

[rndrkeagle]

I like the style and handling of my bike...

Uniqueness is one of those weird enigmas.. because having a unique bike is exactly the opposite from what Buell as a company NEEDS to succeed. They have to grow their sales to meet certain production capabilities to be a profitable company. I like that my bike is unique.. but I would rather have Buell back in business than have a one of a kind.

Personally, I think if Eric can get Harley to release his patents to him, he could take the 1125's, convert to using Metric fasteners and sell them through the dealerships that already sell the Japanese bikes. Or Maybe work some sort of agreement with Duc dealers... (either way they'd have to be Metric because the dealerships won't sell what they can't service and they all have Metric tools).

He would have to come up with some way of taking the 1125 engine and making a bike that still looks more like the 'Bolt though.... cause the fairings on the 1125R are just huge!

If I could get a metric fastened bike that looked like my 'Bolt, and had the Rotax engine... it'd be perfect. I like my Harley engine... but I do live in Hot as Hell, Texas.

As for where it's made... I am not militant about it.. but I would like to see at least some part of the final assembly still happen Stateside.

 

[driftingswiftly]

I agree mostly. I don't even consider the fact that its american made to be a plus one... I don't disapprove of the fact that its an american bike, but to be honest, i could to without the "USA" and other american pride comments at stoplights. Why should I care where its made relative to the country i happened to be living in at the moment. I love the bike bc its the best thing i have ever been on. That's it.

 

[bardo688]

i did buy for other reasons mainly the name XB9S is more appealing than 900CBR-R lol $1800 a yr vs less than 600 a yr. I really love the harley engine and sound and am proud that its made in the USA i would rather buy european than jap though

 

[Macbuell]

I went for different, but it was a HUGE plus that Buell is american made. I try to buy american as much as possible, but sometimes it does not make sense. Quick, name a TV manufacturer that is american owned/made... I can not think of one.

 

[LeFox]

i bought the bike, not the country

saw it, sat on it, rode it, loved it, bought it...no rocket sience

 

[nativeXb12Rbuell]

each to there own opinion, I think there is no true one reason we love buells , but combo of many diferent reasons , different to everyone. and as I have said before , there are many reasons I love my BUELL and why I bought it (my first bike), always loved them since the first day i saw and HEARD them the first buell i seen was a tuber thunderbolt and cyclone . so different, so unquie, such a work of art, and innovation, and the sounds was better than any harley or any other bike i have ever heard ( still trying to get my XB to that sound). I knew then i wanted one over any bike . it was the combo of all it had( air cooled VTwin(harley), clean sleek, yet crazy looking, naked so you can see engine and all and more)somewhat rare, and ESPECIALLY what it did not have ,(like no liquid cooled or 4cyl, no fairing,etc. or fake racing number on the side)
i also have to say that it being American made , (meaning to me is being american workers built , and american owned company(at least it was before harley took control.when eric owned the largest majority of company).we all know parts come from all over for any & all vehicle manufacture.)being american is probably what sealed the deal ,an american sportbike , i always loved bikes and sportbikes but never seen any imports that I wanted because of the looks & sound & I'd rather help employ a fellow american than some other country... I do have to say now there is maybe a few inovative import (european)sportbikes i think i would buy if i had money to burn ,but would rather have more BUELLS, X1,Uly,XB12Scg, 1125R,or build custom old chopper or bobber. but those imports look very unique, and maybe have drawn there Inspiration from such unique inovative bikes like BUELL. but I really dought i would like how they would sound or handle.or at least would take some getting use to. Buell bikes gave me that awe struck to my first seeing a buell and I love having people being awe struck at my Buell & there jaw drops even further when I say "It's AMERICAN MADE",(everyone LOVES that) and a harley engine in it. like konarider said it would not be a BUELL with japanese( or any import sounding like 4cyl high pitch exhaust noise)engine in it. Also I think its Buells' innovations that make a Buell a BUELL, and I would of loved to see the end product or concept of Buells' dirtbike, that would of set the dirtbikes world all upside down ..maybe it could of helped HD shareholders profits.

 

[taildraggin]

I like that it's American, but that isn't the reason I bought one. It was because a week on a borrowed 1125R impressed the heck out of me and general deduction.

BMW. At my age, I'm supposed to buy BMW, but nothing they do really gets me. The single 650 and 800 are light and decent handling, Ok power. But, it's all less than an XB9, at more cost. The HP2 is more like it, but basically has the same specs as a XB12, for 2X the cost. The R1200R is probably more what I'm looking for ($13k), but an XB can run rings around it, handling-wise.

Ducati. Great rigs, sexy, they set the standards, but I don't see them as daily bikes - more a weekend ride. Too much maintenance. Hydraulic valves and belt drive are a beautiful thing on a daily bike.

KTM. I think they were Buells biggest competitor, but they have similar issues as the Ducs. Nice bikes, though. Some sort of 990 would be my choice.

Jap bikes. I've liked some a lot over the years, but never loved one. It's the way they approach building things that I don't like. Bic lighter vs Zippo. Disposable.

So, I'm left with Buell. What else covers it?

 

[1stxb9r]

I purchased my buell for many different reasons as well, 1 it was DFI, 2 handling & engine, 3 price and 4 because it was american. I could have went out and bought a red CBR, a blue and white Gixxer, or a green Kawi, but why did i want to go to bike night and not be able to tell my bike apart for the other million jap bikes there. I wanted to have something that everyone else didn't have.

 

[kfxb12r]

I bought mine because the inovation behind it . Nothing else comes even close. Ive riden just about every thing.

 

[konarider94]

i would like the 1125 a lot more if it wasnt liquid cooled. I hate the look of a big radiator on the front of the bike. Stick with the 45 degree air cooled engine. Sounds awesome, looks clean, and makes plenty of torque, while staying lighter.

 

[aaronbuell]

I always liked sportbikes, but grew up with a father that loves harley's (the bikes not the factory)and small block Chevys. So I bought a bike that looked sporty (98 S3 Thunderbolt)and had that V8 stock car sound. BUELL

 

[treyflee]

I've been riding cruiser for many years and eventually ended up with a couple Harley's. Over time kept looking at the Buells in the dealerships and went for a few test rides. Really liked the bikes handling and torque. I like riding on long trips and could not see spending the money for a fifth bike just as a toy. A sport bike just isn't that great for 4700 miles over 11 days. But I kept looking for a used one that was a deal. When they dropped the prices recently, it simply became a matter of price and wife gave go ahead.

Another thing I find funny, most people here seem to hate Harley. Everyone I know with a Buell has it as a second (or third, etc.) bike to thier Harley. I guess just different circles of people.

 

[BRatigan]

I bought my Buell after two years of research and I finally realized that the main reason was that one lone American's dream was made a reality by his determination and hard work. He proved that the individual could make something so different and radical it shook the motorcycle world and at his peak he was able to win a championship against all comers. He beat all the rice and quiche that the other companies could muster. Buell is the epitome of the American because it dared to be bold and different. It takes courage and determination just as in the old days to win the day. Too bad HD doesn't share his view. Once I rode the dream it sealed in my mind that this bike will never leave my hands. There will only be one Buell era and you are living it today, don't forget that. This is Buell, this is legend , this is America. Think you can do better than give it a shot.

 

[maybebuell]

i bought my 919 because it reminded me of a buell and i didnt have the extra 4000

 

[Apexlocator]

After already having one of the best ever British bikes, 955i, in my garage and three awesome Ducati bikes, ST3, 999S and 748, I did NOT NEED this XB-12R, but always admired and respected it, after test riding the beast.

When the list price tag hit the *******, my WIFE told me to go out and grab one before its' too late.....I LOVE MY WIFE!!!!!! (and the Buell)

Oh, about the H-D image and American made crap? What I like best is the ability to laugh up my sleeve at the H-D crowd with my oddball curiosity racing bike that they have no idea is so much fun and rewarding to ride, let 'em stay on their tractorsleds.