10/4/13 Video edit: Jardine Exhaust talking and Acceleration

[Fizzinatorr]

The majority of Buells store the gas in the frame which helps center the bike's weight and shift the center of gravity and people either love or hate it. The 1125 looks badass and reviews when it came out were strong but not enough sales to compete with Japan's top 3. Test ride it and either way just in parts as long as that engine's good you can get your $$$ back.

[yamaha_george]

Are you starting a collection of bikes, Chris? I thought you just picked up an R1 not too long ago...

I just know that Buell's have some funky stuff to them - oil in the frame or something like that to keep the center of gravity lower. YG is a big fan of Eric's though I don't know that YG has ever ridden one of his bikes.

darrin

Darrin,
you are quite right I am a big fan of Erik's I have known him for 30+ years from when he bought the stock of Barton square 4 (Silver Dream Racer ) engines from the welsh factory. He applied his skill to re-making the parts in the "proper" materials and tried to sell the whole idea to HD 's race team who were getting their Butts kicked badly at the time. At the demo one engine nipped up and he was told go sort it and come back.
HD reneged I understand and he went back to HD (where he had worked before ) eventually they gave in and let him have some say in the making of a modern motor-bike not some ancient agricultural copy of along dead design.

I have ridden bikes that he told me how to modify and I have ridden a HD sportster (my kid brothers I might add) and about 5 different model Buells those with HD engines were disappointing because of the engine the handling to me was very sharp & had a better "balance" compared to the HD.
The Rotax engines are darn near bullet proof yes they "thump" but not as badly as HD or dare I say a Triumph twin.

Would I buy one if I still rodeand gave up on my FZR , yeh probably just as a memento of my friendship with Erik

[kilika2]

I think I have decided my favorite part is that it sounds like a vtwin but looks like a sport bike. So at a stoplight when I blip the throttle people are looking around for a harley and there is little ol me. At least twice when I was riding next to someone with their window down I lip read them say what the heck is that. Haha the guy that inspected it said he had never heard of Buell.

Chris.

[yamaha_george]

I think I have decided my favorite part is that it sounds like a vtwin but looks like a sport bike. So at a stoplight when I blip the throttle people are looking around for a harley and there is little ol me. At least twice when I was riding next to someone with their window down I lip read them say what the heck is that. Haha the guy that inspected it said he had never heard of Buell.

Chris.

Chris,
I am glad you like it, I am pleased for you & Erik

[kilika2]

Thank you. I'm waiting for him to call me and thank me. I'll tell him you said hello.

Chris.

[yamaha_george]

Thank you. I'm waiting for him to call me and thank me. I'll tell him you said hello.

Chris.

Chris,
I think that is one of those "do not call us we will call you" situations.

The reason I am pleased for Erik is that he has been much maligned as a "stylist" which he will quickly agree he is not "I am simply a man trying to cram new tech into an old space which is why the "Plumbing " at times was "creative"".

It is heartning that a "newbie" (to Buell ) likes the bike rather than a "fan" likes a bike because well I know the designer.

I hope it brings a smile to your face every time you throw a leg over it & turn it into the speed breeze :-}

[kilika2]

Well as promised here is a quick vid. I'm in the process of adding a ride video. The sound isn't the greatest just because I used the closed back on the go pro. But oh well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAggHYF0Fnk

And here is a quick ride.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2cc91qBJL0

Chris.

[yamaha_george]

Chris,
that is one nice find. Blue & white paint jobs always look "clean". You are lucky to have that rode to ride outside the house. If I ride that kind of distance i would be on Traffic camera's the whole way. The nearest country road like that is probably 60 miles away in Norfolk (not virginia either) with long staright stretches with the odd curve OR very sharp corner in our flattest county.

Lucky man enjoy a "real" ride as you put it.

[JasonRDfan]

She's looking good! I want to take one for a ride now and see how she feels. I wish I knew someone who had one

[Nik]

Chris,
lucky blighter, that is one neat looking bike Y-G always on about Eriks work but never seen alive one here, only magazine ictures and journo sweetheart reviews.
Have fun as some one said ride it like you stole it :-}

[kilika2]

A while back someone asked me to post a video so they could hear the gurgling vtwin back fire from the Buell. I finally got around to it. So here are two just fun ones I made. They look a lot better in 720 if you can.

This is how she sounds in town before I pull the slipper clutch in. I don't think the video really captures is because we are talking about the GoPro here not some awesome mic. It does sound a little rough because literally the go pro is right in front of the "peanut" cover and the valves.


While I was at it I pulled over to the side of the road and gave her about half throttle. Kept it conservative.


Chris.

[ragedigital]

Let me first say "Congrats on having paved roads down there!" ha!

Really nice sound. That is such a sweet bike.

Darrin

[kilika2]

Can't let all you northies have all the road tax.

Chris.