The chariot of choice for the uphill gardening set. Harleys .... sorry, Hoggs... always make me think of a world where ZZ Top teamed up with The Village People.
I'm sorry to see Buell cancelled. The original company created some innovative motorcycle designs, particularly in frames.
It probably wasn't the best fit with Harley. It was never more than a boutique brand, best suited to edgy, first adapters, rather than Harley traditionalists.
Under the right circumstances, Buell might have become the American Ducati. But times are tough, and to keep truckin' you have to pay your freight.
On July 11, 2008, Harley-Davidson announced they had signed a definitive agreement to acquire the MV Agusta Group for US$109 million (€70M). The purchase has sparked much interest and hope for a new direction for the company. The acquisition was completed on August 8, 2008. On October 15, 2009, Harley-Davidson announced that it would divest its interest in MV Agusta.
only good for posers and those that " bat for the other side ".
Having built several Harley chops I've never felt like a poser, I leave that to the androids in purple/pink/yellow leathers on their Yamakuzis. With their sense of colour co-ordination I reckon most of them are also shirt lifters, There've been quite a few ladies over the years who would be happy to swear that I don't bat for the other side either.
I'm in awe of riders who know their bikes so well as in the video you posted. It has been all I can do over 35 years of riding just to have never gone down or dumped the bike, (well, except for one time when I was on loose gravel and had to jump off because I had just removed the cast from my previously broken leg and it was my first ride and I couldn't put my foot down hard).
To all of us bikers - it doesn't make any difference what brand of bike you choose. We are blessed by great bikes produced by many excellent manufacturers for multiple riding purposes. The joy is in the ride, and we all get to different levels of good. The bottom line is that to ride on a clear day, in a beautiful setting, unhurried, and taking in all that freedom - is about as good as life gets.
To all of us bikers - it doesn't make any difference what brand of bike you choose. We are blessed by great bikes produced by many excellent manufacturers for multiple riding purposes. The joy is in the ride, and we all get to different levels of good. The bottom line is that to ride on a clear day, in a beautiful setting, unhurried, and taking in all that freedom - is about as good as life gets.
Well said, BenT. As I pax, I never cared what I was sitting on. So much scenery, so little time.
I have a Triumph myself, and the wife has two Ducatis, but Buells have always intrigued me. Using the frame to store fuel, and the swingarm to store oil - with the "tank" in front of the rider holding the airbox. That large radial brake disk on the front. You could get Buells with translucent perspex "tanks" hinting at the engineering beneath. I certainly wouldn't be ashamed to own one, just for the interesting engineering solutions.
That pic posted above is probably one of the biggest nails in Buells coffin, what an ugly, out of proportion heap, that and the fact that at a press launch 2 yesrs ago it was clear that the bikes were not finished and should never have left production.
A real shame as Buell is an excellent visionary engineer.
Harley had better not ruin MV Augusta, I'd rather see Harley go under than MV. Any company that brings out the Brutale and the F4 deserves to go on forever.
And the only vibrators you need a license for in order to operate them.
(A Buell is still a Harley - albeit much better IMHO than some of the marques more pompous offerings, but a Harley nonetheless.)
Disclaimer: Don't tell this to a Harleyist unless you have the ability do duck very quickly indeed, you might risk serious injury or death. These folks tend to have very short fuses in this matter. Especially stateside, the very least you may expect is a stream of invective and being reported to Homeland Security for being "unpatriotic"...
What a shame.......not a big Buell lover myself but my Beloved raced one for a season (he still has it in the garage). Terrible racebike but the fans were amazing - best parties in the paddock!
The 1125s are different and possibly better. I rode both styles last month at a Buell-organised trackday. Not my cup of tea but easy to ride, handled well and the brakes didn't seem any different to the standard disc type.
Met Erik in Florida last year and felt quite sorry for him; Harley were working him into the ground doing stuff he didn't really want to do. He just wants to tinker with bikes and race.....
This month's American Motorcyclist shows a picture of a symbolically crushed Buell Blast signalling the end of that model but there was no suggestion in the text that the whole line was to be dropped.
There is something wrong with capitalism when that wunch of bankers at JP Morgan Chase gets bailouts and bonuses and Erik Buell goes out of business.
After an excellent landing you can use the airplane again!
As I pax, I never cared what I was sitting on. So much scenery, so little time.
