Josh Brookes to Caracchi NCR

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (richo @ Jan 19 2006, 08:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>It's not a complete write off as an engineering failure
80 years ago maybe!

The problem is that HD feels that there is more money for them to develop drag bikes and dirt trackers. They tried their hand at a SBK and it went nowhere. I would assume they have A LOT to learn about chassis and suspension and things of that nature. Another thing they have going for them in dirt track and drag is reliability isn't a huge issue when you have tried and true V twins that have been used for decades. They don't have the technology to develop a true race machine for road corses. That is why the VR 1000 was a failure and it's why Buell gets twice the displacement in FX and still get destroyed by privateers riding the Japanese machines and Ducatis.

HD will never change. They suck and they make money selling bikes to idiots who want "Freedom" and all that crap. I dont call a 40hp 1200cc motor wrapped in a chassis that makes the Z1R look good dunked in a chrome tank freedom. That's a waste of money. My point was the HD motor, when tinkered with by engineers who actually know what a piston does (Eg. Eric Buell) It's not too bad. And I know you're all gonna say "But buells are underpowered and they never win races" That's true, but that's not what Eric had in mind when he built them. He's specifically said he did'nt want a big horsepower bike. The main purpose of a Buell is fun. Not speed or titles or a leather encased dork's idea of freedom. It's supposed to be a hoot to ride. And it is, ask anyone who's ever ridden one.

As far as production bikes I'll 100% agree with you as far as Buells go. They have a reputation of being an absolute blast, no pun intended. I was looking hard into a Buell when I bought my bike this summer but along with the reputation of being fun they also have the HD record of being unreliable. So Japanese I went.

Theyre the sort of bike you'd buy if you could have one for every day of the week. What did you buy, Ooost?

Does Buell use the ...... HD engines or the new Porsche (HD rebadged) engine that the VRSCA HD uses?

Because there's no hope with the old, heavy, air cooled, OHV, carburator HD engine, but the Porsche one is good.

To my knowledge they are still using the old HD motors but I could be wrong.

As far as what bike I ended up with, check the gallery.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (richo @ Jan 20 2006, 12:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>It's supposed to be a hoot to ride. And it is, ask anyone who's ever ridden one.
i've ridden 1. i was not that impressed. ok but nothin 2 crow about.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (teomolca @ Jan 21 2006, 03:58 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Does Buell use the ...... HD engines or the new Porsche (HD rebadged) engine that the VRSCA HD uses?

Because there's no hope with the old, heavy, air cooled, OHV, carburator HD engine, but the Porsche one is good.

They use the XL883 and 1200 motors from harley sportsters. Which are, I think, slightly different from the other HD lumps. There's a difference in the valvetrain I think. But I think they're injected and get this, because its air cooled and a sportsbike, Buell fitted a fan to the side of it for better cooling. He also puts the fuel in the frame, oil in the swingarm and exhaust under the motor. Pretty innovative for somthing related to a Harley. Maybe Buell should have used another engine as a base, but using an air cooled two valve harley motor to make a sportsbike and not coming out with somthing that was completly St is pretty impressive in my opinion. That V Rod engine is good, but its phisically a big mother. Don't think you could fit it in a proper sportsbike frame.
I think theyre good bikes. Also Being harley motors, if theres not enough grunt to get you going, they'd be dead easy to hot up. Get a good 150hp Buell, because they are fun, but theyd be better with more power. IMO Power=Fun, but Eric Buell dosen't think so, therefore his bikes are docile sportsbikes, not loud fire breathing monsters like they should be. But that would be like Ducati making a Crusier, it would ruin the image.