I've only bought Buells because of the anachronistic pushrod air cooled lump in them, ie an M2, 2 x XB12 and an S1W. I've never felt the urge to get one of those new fangled water cooled jobbies that look like every other modern sports bike on the market, so I wouldn't be tempted even if they had a decent dealer backup.

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Wear the fox hat

Not a scientific sample here, but I'm no clearer who the target market is and who is going to buy the new bikes. Anyone any ideas?

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Try doing this to yer fueller...........

I'm not sure about the target audience either - we bought one because we liked the way it looked, rode and the quirkiness of the build and looks.

It supposedly has 185bhp but can still be ridden slowly and gently with no issues, or you can rag the arse off it They're great bikes and have moved with the times, which isn't everyone's cup of tea of course.

Riding the X1 and the SX back to back is great fun, you get to see and feel the best bits of both. Both great bikes, just different from each other. Which one is best? Great question, and for me, too difficult to call...

I do think there is far too much decent metal out there from established manufacturers in direct competition. It's an uphill battle and in my heart of hearts I don't think the marque is up to it, it's lost a lot of credibility. These days people are more canny with their money.


Just my thoughts - for what they're worth.

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Better to Burn Out Than Fade Away

In the garage -

2001 X1
KTM390 Duke
Ducati 950 Monster +
CCM Spitfire Scrambler

For sure, you're in an almost unique position to judge! What are the closest competitor machines in the market?

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Try doing this to yer fueller...........

The ones that leap right out are Ducati, MV and KTM. The new MV's are stunning to look at - I don't want to ride one in case I really really really NEED one

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Better to Burn Out Than Fade Away

In the garage -

2001 X1
KTM390 Duke
Ducati 950 Monster +
CCM Spitfire Scrambler

Tough competition. I guess Triumph too and the way prices of those seem to be going up, I suppose the new Norton could be a contender as well.

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Try doing this to yer fueller...........

Some great thoughtful comments above, i also rekon building race bikes is going no where.. The jap dinosaurs will always win in that playground..Ducati ?. In the uk , badge and character can win..Older bikers, shit roads and too many cars making top speed unimportant...Its only my opinion but, adventure/supermoto/flatraker styles have more appeal to many than modern sports bikes..I love watching the racing but i dont want there bikes.
When we,re at a bike event we walk straight passed those blue and white suzukis because they have no character, reliable, fast, but no charactor...Buell, Norton, Triumph, adventure / supermoto/ flatrakers oh yes, yes, yes...

Yep, not many want a sports bike for the road. That's why we've got the SX - basically a sports bike with no skirt and high bars. But it works. We did the Bol Dor trip on it and it was all day comfy - luggage was ok once we sussed the technique

At the end of the day the SX is just a naked bike, a modern version of the X1. The SX is a great and hopefully we'll be able to keep it going for years And so far it's been more reliable than the X1

_________________
Better to Burn Out Than Fade Away

In the garage -

2001 X1
KTM390 Duke
Ducati 950 Monster +
CCM Spitfire Scrambler

At least spares are going to be available for those that own them in the case of a low speed spill or just a fall off the stand. That should be a relief for owners

Ah, so you heard then Sending off tomorrow to get new plastics. Luckily Blackrag fixed the peg - now the brushed aluminium plate at £300 will be a different challenge

Dropping it wasn't my proudest moment

_________________
Better to Burn Out Than Fade Away

In the garage -

2001 X1
KTM390 Duke
Ducati 950 Monster +
CCM Spitfire Scrambler

hows mags she talking to you yet

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Buell Ulysses XB12X 06/08

Magz was really good and only ripped it out of me for about six weeks

It was a classic misjudgement of the road camber - in France I think. Went to a local Yamaha dealer and one of the mechanics took a peg off of his bike as they had nothing to fit. Diamond geezer It really saved the day, not a perfect fit or match but good enough to get us home.

Fortunately the damage was just cosmetic, and to my pride Hoping to get the plastics from the liquidation sale.

There's some marks on the engine casing and some other bits but nothing too drastic. A lucky escape.

Other than that wee incident it never missed a beat on the whole trip. A hoofin bike.

_________________
Better to Burn Out Than Fade Away

In the garage -

2001 X1
KTM390 Duke
Ducati 950 Monster +
CCM Spitfire Scrambler

Better stick to the ducs Clive. Leave the bigger more powerful bikes to the gaffer

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IF IT BLEEDS WE CAN KILL IT ,THIS STUFF WILL MAKE YOU A GODDAM SEXUAL TYRANASURUS ,YOUVE BEEN PUSHING TOO MANY PENCILS DILLON .GET TO THE CHOPPER

Well said Jill

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If your dreams don't scare you, they are not big enough.