Why Don't Buells Sell Better Buell Motorcycle Discuss Why Don't Buells Sell Better in the Harley Sportster & Buell forums; I've enjoyed each of the Buells I've ridden over the years and have to wonder why they aren't more popular in general. They are fun, fast and handle great. So ...

[admin]

I've enjoyed each of the Buells I've ridden over the years and have to wonder why they aren't more popular in general. They are fun, fast and handle great. So why don't they get much respect?

Posted by: dual carb on Oct 25, 05 7:15:13 pm

[admin]

Buells are great sport bikes. They are all about performance and I think this, ironically, is part of the problem. When you look at the Yamahas, Hondas, and Suzukis out there, there is a considerale amount of plastic on them. On some you can't even see the motor. I'm sure Buell does not do this as it adds weight and thus adversely effect the performance. Also from the riders I have talked to they seem quite loyal to one manufacturer. I guess getting them to try a Buell would be like trying to get me to give up my Harley and try a metric...ain't going to happen.

Posted by: tom93001 on Oct 26, 05 11:32:37 am

[admin]

I think it's because of how fast a Buell revs in comparison to a jap bike.
Yeah, the Buells have a butt load of torque and handle like a demon, but they just do not have the top end of the rice burners.

My absolute favorite thing about the Buells is the American Motorcycles on the tank under the word Buell.

If you were to ride even a 600 jap bike (like a GSXR 600) you would see what I mean
I do believe however that the Buells more than hold their own in the handling dept. in most cases outperforming all comers

I believe they are on par with Ducati in that respect

Posted by: chris114 on Oct 27, 05 5:56:55 am

[admin]

I always thought the Buell concept was great. A light, stiff, modern frame with big brakes and modern suspension. Can't go wrong, right. The problem is they look kinda odd. They're short and extremely tall looking. You get the impression looking at them that if you really slammed on the front brake you'd go right over the handlebars. Maybe you wouldn't but the look is freaky none the less. They just aren't sexy while the rice burners and Duc's are quite sexy. They may handle great but they look geeky.

Now if Buell sold a pumped up stroker that could do something really exceptional they might get noticed.

Posted by: milindh on Oct 31, 05 12:00:25 am

[admin]

IMSHO with buell, HD managed to capture every simgle thing i dont like about sport bikes and wrap it up in a made in Amerinca package:

miserable seating position - i've ridden threee different buells and they are all miserable....really who likes that position?

twitchy handling - the steering head angle is so damn steep i feel like i am riding a razor blade that is demanding attention to the nth degree - i may be lazy - but i think they are too much work to ride

engine management - buells seems to have an on off switch, acceleration is rarely linear an smooth making it exciting to ride in an urban setting

brakes - the brakes rock on all of the buells I've ridden...super good setup

looks - who cares? a buells look is of no interest to me, i like traditional HD design....

but of course YMMV and that is what makes a horse race!

steveb

Posted by: steveb on Oct 31, 05 11:59:11 pm

[admin]

We didn't get much response to the article we did on hopping up a Buell Blast in the recent issue of American Iron Magazine. Do you that was beacuse it was a Buell or because it was a Blast?

Posted by: Buzz Kanter on Mar 29, 06 7:39:38 pm

[admin]

Both the fact it was a Buell and a Blast. If I was going to buy a sport bike, Buell would be the last bike I would look at. The Blast is a entry level bike that doesn't appeal to your readers. Buell isn't competitive in the market.

Posted by: FatDave on Apr 1, 06 9:54:46 pm

[admin]

The Buell Blast hop up was very much of interest to my wife and me. She's wanting a Blast for something to tool around on but wanted to know she wasn't going to get left in the dust by other bikes when we ride, or run over because it can't get out of the way when she needs it to.
The Blast is an odd little bike, but it's a lot of fun. Ok, it's more fun if you're under 5' 10". When I've been on one I feel like I'm on something by PowerWheels. But the wife loves them, so if she's happy I'm happy.

Posted by: Majicbringer on Apr 5, 06 9:56:54 pm