Ride_Slow2004
Northwest
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Joined: 02/02/2005
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10ecjazzman wrote:Right on Alex. That aftermarket RoadRod shows that people would probably buy a water-cooled Harley tourer..no problem. I know I would! As far as the styling goes I think that Buell has managed to carve out their own identity. Nobody would ever mistake one for any Japanese sportbike. Sporting motorcycles have always been styled with aggressive lines. I am considering a Buell Ulysses for my second bike. As far as Harley goes, they can never advance to the future with one foot planted firmly in the past...on purpose! I'm glad they made the XR-1200...Now a sportster can be sporty! If Buell ever makes a sport-tourer that would fit me, (the current bikes are tiny), I might park it right beside the old E-Glide in the garage!
The Ulysses really got my attention, until I sat on one, too dad gummed small, but what a great idea for an all around bike. Buell attracts a unique rider, according to the sport bike forums I visit, it doesn't measure up to the gixxers and such. Until you actually spend some time riding one, the awareness of torque and power without the high rpm, doesn't compute in the transverse 4 mindset.
The Dyna based Fat Bob, with the mid set controls, would be my choice for the next all around bike. Just have to figure out a way to get some lean angle on that thing.
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"If people concentrated on the really important things in life, there'd be a shortage of fishing poles."
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Alex the Dog
Buena Vista, CO
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Joined: 10/31/2007
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I did the same- sat on it (Buell Ulysses) and didn't like the way it felt, so didn't ride it. After looking at V-Rods for a long time, I decided to go test ride one. I loved the power, handling, styling, but I didn't like the way I sat on it. I bought the Street Glide instead. If I were 20 years younger, well, that motor would have cinched the deal regardless how I sat on it. I won't buy another new bike until there is a V-Rod Tour (VRST or RSTUV?).
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10ecjazzman
Nashville, Tennessee
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Joined: 01/24/2007
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That Vrod seat is awful. Like a 2X4 across your butt holding you forward on the seat. That Street Rod (2005?) actually made sense. It had the center mounted foot controls and more ground clearance for agressive riding. With your feet out front its hard to transfer weight on the pegs when cornering.
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Alex the Dog
Buena Vista, CO
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Well I missed that one somehow. I rode the one with forward controls and thought "how stupid". For a bike like this with such sporty intentions, forward controls sound as dumb as footboards on an XR1200.
I have a picture in my mind of a bigger displacement (1500?) V-Rod with a smaller exhaust system that will accomodate decent saddlebags, an upright sitting position, fairing with all the gauges and a radio (but don't cover that beautiful motor), and a real front fender. The metric boys have been doing this with great success for years, so why can't H-D see this?
They could continue to build the FLH's for those who want them, but I'll bet a V-Rod Tour would eventually close the books on the Big Twin. I can dream, can't I?
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10ecjazzman
Nashville, Tennessee
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Not trying to hijack the Buell thread...This is the Vrod I was tallking about. Its a 2007. Check out the ground clearance. If I ever do buy one of these, I will be ordering a new headlight right away.
* This post was
edited 05/09/09 09:41am by 10ecjazzman *
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10ecjazzman
Nashville, Tennessee
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This Buell XB12XT has a 54 inch wheelbase. That is about 2 inches longer than most of the other Buells. The XB12Ss is even described as a 'Buell Long' at 54 inches. The police model is similar. By comparison, the 2007 Vrod Street Rod I posted has a 67 inch wheelbase. It looks like the Buell will need a growth spurt to accommodate guys like me at 6'1" and 255. Or maybe they could throw in a lifetime supply of SlimFast with the bike!
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kpapa
Johnsburg N.Y.
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Joined: 04/21/2008
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That Buell XB12XT and Vrod look to fast. An old man like me would get into trouble with something like that. That's why I stay away from them and young women. It is BAD for your health just like going to the beach. Have Fun and RIDE SAFE
kpapa
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THEBurninator
Washburn, MO
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Joined: 08/11/2003
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Buell's are known for quick handling. A big part of that comes from the short wheelbase.
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10ecjazzman
Nashville, Tennessee
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I would like to ride one but I don't think Buells are included in HD demo days. I've never seen them in the demo line up.
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Alex the Dog
Buena Vista, CO
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The last State HOG rally I went to had Buells for demos. Some H-D dealers sell Buells too, and if you want to ride one, no problem. At least that's what I saw at Pikes Peak H-D. They'll take a bike off the floor for you to ride. Not like the days when you had to put a deposit on one and wait 6 months before you could even test ride it.
But the Buell's geometry is all wrong for my likes now. I do like the laid-back dimensions of the V-Rod, but the picture of the bike above has rear-set controls. Mid would be just right, and that is not available for '09. It does look like it has a lot of ground clearance, almost like a dual-purpose bike.
One thing you've got to give H-D a lot of credit for, is that they have all the parts to make the bike fit you no matter what your size.
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