Topic: thinkin about buying a brand new bike... hd or buell?

[bucky katt]

the sportster engine is the best one harley ever designed and built (i am partial to the v-rod motor but thats porsche designed i think) the 4 cam design allows for nearly straight up and down pushrods rather than the severe angles that the ones in the big twins. some hotter than stock cams and a little headwork and youre talking a good bit of power.

[vanillagorilla]

Get the Buell!  But I wouldn't buy it new, find a perfect year old model and save $2K!!

As far as I know they are still offering dealer incentives on the Buells. Brand new XBs for $6K and the new 1125r for $8k roughly out the door. He could save MORE than 2K @ the dealer! Wish I had better credit and the ability to pay a bike note!

[traveler]

The Sporty is a nice bike.  Looks great, nice powerband for the street.  Also has Fuel injection, breakerless ignition and rubebr mounted motor.  too easy.

I have a twin cam Superglide.  Very nice bike, but not as agile as a Sporty.

Buells are just UGLY.

~Joe

[birdy]

Had an evo sportster then spent loads of cash on brakes and suspension to make it ride half decent. Then thought I should have just bought a Buell in the first place!

[dave500]

why do you want to look like a knob riding a bike?havent you got any more choices of bikes?

[bikerbart]

sorry,but my 37 yr old cb750 will still kick a sportsters a$$.

[MickeyX]

Look up 2010 Honda Shadow Phantom. Trust me.

[greasy j]

sorry,but my 37 yr old cb750 will still kick a sportsters a$$.

why do you want to look like a knob riding a bike?havent you got any more choices of bikes?

I want somthin new, already have a 40 yr old 750 and I have kicked all kinds of ass w/ it.

never had a new bike...

those are the 2 I like. also the duc sport classic is coo and the guzzi retro v7, both of those are nice... kawasaki has one that looks good, but kinda wimpy, er6n I think.

the Buell is more and more what I want, after reading the specs on it, everything is cutting edge on that bike, dual discs are no longer the best, 2 heavy says Buell. single sided radial mounted means less unsprung weight, 7 lbs less than average! and the spokes don't take the force, but the wheel does. so lighter wheels, slimmer spokes are possible... gas in frame, oil in swingarm. belt drive that never needs any maintenance. air cooled, but with a fan and oil cooling system that allows you to hang out in traffic w/out overheating and w/out an ugly radiator. like I would ever hang out in traffic... upright riding posture and great handling. exhausts are big and heavy says buell, so why put them up under your ass, at the bottom is best for lo center of grav... and on and on.

the engineering is really winning me over, this is a one of a kind bike, way ahead of it's time. just like my trusty CB750. and I don't think it's ugly at all, but that's me.

[greasy j]

Look up 2010 Honda Shadow Phantom. Trust me.

I kinda hate cruisers, the hd 48 is the only factory cruiser that I have ever liked. and air cooled is best...

[MickeyX]

then you have to answer... what about cruisers don't you like? and what about the 48 makes that so much different?

[greasy j]

the 48's more like a standard looking bike that I would build and less like a sculpted cadillacy kind of thing. I just prefer 'tough' over 'sexy' or 'sleek' but it's (the 48) 10k for not a lot of bike.

and I hate the big radiator in front on any bike w/out a a fairing

that bike does look very cool, though. for someone else. kinda long, too.

too mature, I guess(the honda, not me). not hooligany enough

[coldright]

Mickey, I prefer the 48 over the Shadow too.  I think it's the curve in the seat... it's too swoopy.  There is something in that line that I don't like... maybe it reminds me of the bikes of the 80's too much (my dad's Shadow).  The straight line of the 48 is more in keeping with our CB's and bobbers in general.  I think I like that look most when it's custom.  Harley is trying to manufacture a look that is at it's best as a custom build.  

As for the Buell, I like it.  I was never a fan of modern bikes til I rode on a Kawi Ninja ZX turbo with 240 brake power.  Then it was all over.  They are like naked ladies to me now, I can't help but stare.

[HavocTurbo]

As for the Buell, I like it.  I was never a fan of modern bikes til I rode on a Kawi Ninja ZX turbo with 240 brake power.  Then it was all over.  They are like naked ladies to me now, I can't help but stare.

*falls over* ...... My turboed ZX got killed by a drunk. 

But they are fun to look at aren't they?



I'll also add that I was a CB and a rocket kind of guy until I got my Sportster. Never been on a "cruiser" that handled as well as they do. I was shocked.

[MickeyX]

I just see it as a 1200 Iron color scheme sporty with fatter tires on the front and rear, bob the rear fender a bit and a mustang seat to replicate the sprung saddle style back in the day. Am I missing something? Guys have been doing that to them for more years than I've been on this earth. The name 48 just comes from the fact that the 1st "peanut tank" used on an HD was in 1948. It wasn't even on a sporty because they weren't even around until '57.

I do like the look but it's nothing new, it is just coming packaged that way from factory now so you spend all your $$ with them and not the aftermarket places. It's just another 1200 sporty. I guess I don't get it. 

[Kframe]

Look at the new Triumph Bonneville.
They're now EFI, air cooled (well, also has a small oil cooler), can get cast wheels or spokes depending on the model you want, mid controls, standard bars.
Stock, they'll school an 883 Sporty, and with under $1000 in mods they'll leave a 1200 in the dust. 
Much more agile in the twisties than any H-D, much better looking than the H-D or Buell (to me). 
If you want a factory cafe racer Bonneville, there is the Thruxton.

New, the Bonnie's are about $8500 (MSRP) right now, and if you look for a few years old you can easily find them in the $5-6 range with under 5000 miles.  The 2001 to 2008 were carbureted, and the 09's and newer are EFI.  I've got an '07 T100 and it's perfect for me.  Great for cruising the town on Sunday afternoons, great for carving the river valley roads everyday, I've toured thousands of miles in a week on it in comfort, it has no problem going 115+, and it looks classic.  I've never second guessed my choice, it's a great bike!  Oh, I'm 6'1" and about 200# wearing ATGATT.

This is the Bonneville Black, one of many variants/trim lines:


This is mine:


At least go take a test ride before you settle for a Sportster.
-K

[MickeyX]

I don't like the radiators either on a bike. I prefer an air cooled bike too. Just trying to give you some options.

[Gonzowerke]

You do know Buell went out of Business, right?
http://www.superstreetbike.com/scenes/0910_sbkp_buell_company_closes_its_doors/index.html

On the plus side, you may get a deal on one now.

[greasy j]

yeah, I know that. that makes it even better. like if you bought a triumph from the old factory the last year before they were crushed by Honda.

hopefully Buell makes a comeback w/out being tied down by Harley

I just see it as a 1200 Iron color scheme sporty with fatter tires on the front and rear, bob the rear fender a bit and a mustang seat to replicate the sprung saddle style back in the day. Am I missing something? Guys have been doing that to them for more years than I've been on this earth. The name 48 just comes from the fact that the 1st "peanut tank" used on an HD was in 1948. It wasn't even on a sporty because they weren't even around until '57.

I do like the look but it's nothing new, it is just coming packaged that way from factory now so you spend all your $$ with them and not the aftermarket places. It's just another 1200 sporty. I guess I don't get it. 

and the 48 isn't supposed to be anything special, your right it's just a sportster 1200. but it looks a lot better. I could buy a regular sportster for less, then pay a butt-ton for after market stuff to make it look right, but I would end up spending a lot more.

and I wanna finance somethin, not have another project. I don't wanna waste time tinkerin on a new bike, just ride it.

Look at the new Triumph Bonneville.
They're now EFI, air cooled (well, also has a small oil cooler), can get cast wheels or spokes depending on the model you want, mid controls, standard bars.
Stock, they'll school an 883 Sporty, and with under $1000 in mods they'll leave a 1200 in the dust. 
Much more agile in the twisties than any H-D, much better looking than the H-D or Buell (to me). 
If you want a factory cafe racer Bonneville, there is the Thruxton.

New, the Bonnie's are about $8500 (MSRP) right now, and if you look for a few years old you can easily find them in the $5-6 range with under 5000 miles.  The 2001 to 2008 were carbureted, and the 09's and newer are EFI.  I've got an '07 T100 and it's perfect for me.  Great for cruising the town on Sunday afternoons, great for carving the river valley roads everyday, I've toured thousands of miles in a week on it in comfort, it has no problem going 115+, and it looks classic.  I've never second guessed my choice, it's a great bike!  Oh, I'm 6'1" and about 200# wearing ATGATT.

This is the Bonneville Black, one of many variants/trim lines:


This is mine:


At least go take a test ride before you settle for a Sportster.
-K

and the bonny is great, but I know about 8 guys who have them. from Triumph I actually like the street triple r. I dig the motoguzzi v7 classic and the duc sport classic, too. just not as much. and the whole retro thing... I already have an old bike.

I like ducati monsters a lot, too, but everyone has one in SF. like every other bike almost.

the new cbr1000 is gorgeous. I love the way it looks, all sleek and slender. but it's just way too pretty to be in my garage. I need to ride something you could see mad max riding.

I think the Buell best fits me and would be a good compliment to my cb750. and there is so much to it. the engineering is amazing. also has tons of torque, just like the sporty.

[vanillagorilla]

Soooo, when we going to see some pics of the new Buell in the garage??   

[greasy j]

#$%*, I wish. prolly 6 more mos. before I am ready. wanted to pay off my cred cards 1st, which they almost are. and need to paint the CBR and sell it for a down payment.

but if I find a good deal...

[vanillagorilla]

It'd be worth getting in touch with a Buell dealer. If they are still offering the dealer incentives, then you should be able to get out the door for around(or under) 6k... Ya never know....

[greasy j]

I don't like the radiators either on a bike. I prefer an air cooled bike too. Just trying to give you some options.

and thanks I appreciate that.

and kframe, your bike is beautiful!

vanilla gorilla, I will def check into the dealer incentive thing.