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BorgBiker · 01-26-2007, 03:55 AM

Yes, Harley does have the VRod motor. But I think I remember reading in interview with Mr. Buell where he talked about the issues of putting a VRod motor in a sportbike. Namely, it's long and heavy, and that would mean a Buell with a longer wheelbase and high dry weight, which is opposite if the way he's going with bike design.

BrowningBAR · 01-26-2007, 04:01 AM

Please tell me you're joking.

ymsamhi · 01-26-2007, 04:05 AM

Both the GPZ and Commando were top of the line sportbikes in their day. Dont think for a second that Kawasaki and Norton did not put the best technology available to them into their bikes. If they would have had the ability to make bikes even remotely comparable to the bikes of today they would have. ThatÂ’s the difference, other manufactures are striving to develop new engines with more performance where as Buell is forced to constrain development to suit an outdated power plant. Ducati, Triumph and BMW both cling fiercely to "historic" engine layouts yet still have managed to develop these power plants into modern sportbikes engines by using all the technology available to them. Eric Buell should have the same opportunity.

gbrummett · 01-26-2007, 04:37 AM

A six speed tranny would be nice along with that new engine

vermicious · 01-26-2007, 04:37 AM

Whether he is or he's not it makes a point

gbrummett · 01-26-2007, 04:38 AM

It's not just on the track where I notice problems. The same stick it in one gear and have a nice ride applies on a nice canyon ride.

BrowningBAR · 01-26-2007, 04:39 AM

Yes it does.

Sums him up nicely.

vermicious · 01-26-2007, 04:42 AM

I think the real question is "would a more modern engine benefit sales" and I just can't believe that anybody would say "no". And, incidentally, "sales are fine" is no kind of answer -- like it or not the chrome armchair market is growing old and will start to dwindle rapidly in the near future... Harley needs to be aggressive about having somewhere to go if they want to remain in the game.

vermicious · 01-26-2007, 04:43 AM

Well what I was getting at is ... how many modern Commandos do you see on the road

Vlad · 01-26-2007, 04:44 AM

Yes, I have a Buell. Yes, I love it. But there should be more engine choices. The bike has some great features, as jbourne has pointed out, and he is spot on in saying that they need a real engine option, say a 1000cc 90 degree vtwin. I almost bought an ST3 because it has a modern engine with seemingly limitless power. I bought the Buell, but the longer I have it the more I become annoyed by the engine's limitations. There is no technology challenge here, only a Harley arrogance challenge.

Please Harley. you have let Eric build a superb. modern sportbike. Let him have a better engine. If Suzuki can put a good engine in the SV1000, you can do it for Buell as well.

Francis

01-26-2007, 03:55 AM	#11
BorgBiker Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 54	Re: HOG: Please Fund Buell's New Engine Yes, Harley does have the VRod motor. But I think I remember reading in interview with Mr. Buell where he talked about the issues of putting a VRod motor in a sportbike. Namely, it's long and heavy, and that would mean a Buell with a longer wheelbase and high dry weight, which is opposite if the way he's going with bike design.

01-26-2007, 04:01 AM	#12
BrowningBAR Snuggles Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: In a really, really, really old farmhouse Posts: 4,364	Re: HOG: Please Fund Buell's New Engine Please tell me you're joking.

01-26-2007, 04:05 AM	#13
ymsamhi Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 53	Re: HOG: Please Fund Buell's New Engine Both the GPZ and Commando were top of the line sportbikes in their day. Dont think for a second that Kawasaki and Norton did not put the best technology available to them into their bikes. If they would have had the ability to make bikes even remotely comparable to the bikes of today they would have. ThatÂ’s the difference, other manufactures are striving to develop new engines with more performance where as Buell is forced to constrain development to suit an outdated power plant. Ducati, Triumph and BMW both cling fiercely to "historic" engine layouts yet still have managed to develop these power plants into modern sportbikes engines by using all the technology available to them. Eric Buell should have the same opportunity.

01-26-2007, 04:37 AM	#14
gbrummett Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 512	Re: HOG: Please Fund Buell's New Engine A six speed tranny would be nice along with that new engine

01-26-2007, 04:37 AM	#15
vermicious Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Mount Airy, MD Posts: 552	Re: HOG: Please Fund Buell's New Engine Whether he is or he's not it makes a point

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01-26-2007, 04:38 AM	#16
gbrummett Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 512	It's not just on the track... It's not just on the track where I notice problems. The same stick it in one gear and have a nice ride applies on a nice canyon ride.

01-26-2007, 04:39 AM	#17
BrowningBAR Snuggles Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: In a really, really, really old farmhouse Posts: 4,364	Re: HOG: Please Fund Buell's New Engine Yes it does. Sums him up nicely.

01-26-2007, 04:42 AM	#18
vermicious Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Mount Airy, MD Posts: 552	Re: The GMP is right again, GPTB says stay the course. I think the real question is "would a more modern engine benefit sales" and I just can't believe that anybody would say "no". And, incidentally, "sales are fine" is no kind of answer -- like it or not the chrome armchair market is growing old and will start to dwindle rapidly in the near future... Harley needs to be aggressive about having somewhere to go if they want to remain in the game.

01-26-2007, 04:43 AM	#19
vermicious Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Mount Airy, MD Posts: 552	Re: HOG: Please Fund Buell's New Engine Well what I was getting at is ... how many modern Commandos do you see on the road

01-26-2007, 04:44 AM	#20
Vlad Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 296	Re: HOG: Please Fund Buell's New Engine Yes, I have a Buell. Yes, I love it. But there should be more engine choices. The bike has some great features, as jbourne has pointed out, and he is spot on in saying that they need a real engine option, say a 1000cc 90 degree vtwin. I almost bought an ST3 because it has a modern engine with seemingly limitless power. I bought the Buell, but the longer I have it the more I become annoyed by the engine's limitations. There is no technology challenge here, only a Harley arrogance challenge. Please Harley. you have let Eric build a superb. modern sportbike. Let him have a better engine. If Suzuki can put a good engine in the SV1000, you can do it for Buell as well. Francis