Buell closing up shop.

[Noble]

Originally Posted by RichS

....a good deal for the CR, but it looks like I should be trying for $5500 out the door, right?

The dealership around the corner has one. I'm going to go look at it during lunch.

The XB12's up here have been in the mid $6ks, The CR's are $4999.
So yeah, I'd plan on $5k plus tax etc...

Noble

[Viggen]

just threw a deposit on a 1125cr $6038 out the door after taxes & paperwork fees. Yesterday they had 3 red 1125's & a black one left. I stopped by at 10:15AM & the black one sold 20min before I was there & 2 of the red ones also sold withing a hr of me being there. After we did the paperwork there were a few other people who walked in the door wanting one. They have other buell's just no 1125's

I asked the sales guy about their cost/markeup & he said at $5400 it's a few thousand less then what the dealer paid but he doesn't know the exact numbers.

The XB's were also $5400 I beleive.......

[Noble]

Quite a long shot:
Buell will be back? County officials throwing axed HD brand a life line — Autoblog

Some interesting comments below the article

Noble

[RichS]

The dealer in the North of Austin has 3 or 4 black CRs and about 7 red ones.

Unfortunately they want $9900 right now although 'Harley is having a meeting later today to decide what is going to happen and we'll decided what we are going to do then'.

If they can do somewhere between $6000 and $6500 out the door for a black one I'll pick one up.

[RichS]

Report: Buell Motorcycles May Get Second Chance | NextAutos.com and Winding Road

Last week, it was announced that Harley-Davidson would axe the Buell motorcycle brand in an effort to focus more resources on the Harley-Davidson brand.

Today, Top Speed reports that Buell may get a second chance, as a group of officials put together by the Walworth County Economic Development Alliance may meet with founder Erik Buell to discuss the future of the brand.

According to the report, they would continue building Buell motorcycles at the East Troy, Wisconsin plant.

See Buell's 2010 lineup in the gallery above, or follow the link to the source article below.

+ Top Speed: Chances To Save Buell Motorcycles Emerge

Chances to save Buell Motorcycles emerge - Top Speed

After reporting on Harley-Davidson’s decision to suddenly kill Buell Motorcycles, we’re happy to hear that the American brand may have a chance after all as a group of officials from the Village of East Troy, Walworth County Board and East Troy Chamber of Commerce, formed by the Walworth County Economic Development Alliance, plan on taking over the Buell name and continue producing motorcycles at the East Troy, Wisconsin plant, where more than 180 people currently work.

According to reports, the group of American businessmen will meet with company founder Erik Buell to discuss about the possibilities to revive what until last week was the wholly-owned subsidiary of HD. We hope for the best.

[JWA]

Originally Posted by RichS

If they can do somewhere between $6000 and $6500 out the door for a black one I'll pick one up.

Plenty of dealers are advertising them for around that on their websites, so it shouldn't be hard to establish that that really is what they're going for.

[evomind]

place by my house wants 5999 for 1125r, 1125cr, and same price for the xb9.
5999.

visually i like the xb12scg, but they dont have that one.

what kind of prices are you guys seeing on the xb12scg??

[Yamanator]

Originally Posted by RichS

What did you pay (if you don't mind me asking)?

I read the thread quickly and I was thinking that $6500 out the door would be a good deal for the CR, but it looks like I should be trying for $5500 out the door, right?

The dealership around the corner has one. I'm going to go look at it during lunch.

Don't mind at all. I'm getting mine for $6500. However I'm getting a Jardine pipe and a few other small cosmetic things with it (like tank bra). So really under 6 I'm paying for it. But it was the last one at my dealership!!! The way they are going I'd jump on one if you can get it around the 6k range. The pipe really sounds sweet.

The xb12scg felt very cramped to me. Though I really like the looks and sit of it. However I am pushing 6'2" so it may be just perfect for others. It's definately got a sick style to it.

[RichS]

So I went back to the shop and had a conversation with the sales manager.

"We are deciding if we are going to return our bikes or if we are going to sell them. The best I can do right now is $5K off (that's 7K, plus delivery, TTL, etc.)

I was told there are no 1125crs up in Dallas or down in Houston. I called one place in Dallas, but haven't called down to Houston yet.

[Shorty111R]

Originally Posted by SweetDaddyD

Let's face it, just being on 2 wheels is fun. My buddy has a ninja 650 inline twin "starter bike" which isn't fast at all by bike standards, but is nimble and fun to ride. My opinion is that even a slow bike is more fun than a fast car, but thats just me.

My first bike was a Ninja 650. GREAT bike. My buddy has a Yamaha FZ6R, which is very much like the Ninja. Not a ton of power, but quick. 78 horsepower out of a little detuned 600cc engine. I'll say though, it's a LOT more fun than my 156hp Kawasaki around town. Riding the Kawasaki I'm always waiting for a long, clear stretch of road to open up on. On the FZ, I've got a grin plastered ear to ear. That bike is just so damn FUN!

I'm a believer of the notion that it's more fun to ride a small bike fast than a big bike slow.

Originally Posted by RichS

Well I went to the Harley dealership. If they can find me a new 1125CR in black for $6500, I'll get it. They were sold out as was the dealership down in San Antonio. I've yet to check in Houston, but I'll be down there this weekend.

I don't know where you are in relation to Shreveport, Louisiana, but our dealership has a black CR that I doubt anyone will buy for a while. We live in a smallish town, and I've seen ONE Buell here in the last 3 years, so I doubt there are a lot of fans out there.

Come on over to Shreveport HD. If you get that CR though, please let me know. For a couple reasons. 1) I'd like to meet another Buell/Lotus fan. 2) I REALLY want that bike despite the fact I've just bought a Buell, and I'd like to know it's going to a good home.

[RichS]

Shorty,

Want to ask them if they would sell the CR for "just threw a deposit on a 1125cr $6038 out the door after taxes & paperwork fees"?

If so I'll make a trip up there and pick it up... Can you fly into Shreveport?

[Shorty111R]

Originally Posted by RichS

Shorty,

Want to ask them if they would sell the CR for "just threw a deposit on a 1125cr $6038 out the door after taxes & paperwork fees"?

If so I'll make a trip up there and pick it up... Can you fly into Shreveport?

Rich, I'm not affiliated with Buell or Harley, and I'm not sure what you're asking.

I'm 30 minutes North of Shreveport, but I'm there just about every day of the week. If you want to call them and negotiate a price, PM me, as I have some important information about who to talk to.

Also, if you're planning on driving that GORGEOUS Graphite Grey Exige (that what it looks like from your avatar) There's a nice little highway that connects Shreveport and Austin rather neatly, and chops about an hour off going along the interstate. Plus, I'd just LOVE (LOVE) to get to see a graphite Lotus in my area I aspire to own a GG Elise one day. I had been saving for one, but this Buell was just too good to pass up.

Back on topic - if you decide you want to buy the CR, PM me, and I'll tell you who to get in touch with for the best price. I've got a sales guy that I do business with, and I refer all my sales to him in exchange for great service and killer prices.

Do note, though, that if you don't get the black CR, I'm going to try everything in my power to pick it up in January, if it's still around. That bike is just TOO badass to not own!

[RichS]

Send me a PM with the info and I'll call the guy.

My Exige is Phantom Black (see sig)... and in the shop.

[evomind]

i test drove the 1125r last night....they had a rental. it had abt 10k miles on it.

some impressions FWIW.
fit and finish...
left something to be desired. the plastic trim around the 2 big side vents dont align together as well as a couple of other places i think the fit was a little lacking.
the paint wasnt bad i guess.
visually those 2 huge side scoops made the front end look and feel huge.

sound....
the bike is very quiet in stock form, even when u romp on it. i dont like noisy, but this was TOO quiet. not a biggie. my car makes up for it.

driving...
rather peppy engine. i would call it quick. i didnt have enough room to rev it much past 8k in second gear, but it was still pulling pretty good. torque curve felt fairly flat. makes good power with some revs. would have liked to take it to redline, but conditions didnt allow. pleasant surprise as i was expecting it to be a dog. its not. its quick, but not "holy cripes!" fast.

brakes....
very good and responsive. maybe its best attribute.

handling...
couldnt really flog it in the turns....felt responsive but not twitchy. the steering felt a bit heavy, almost like most of the weight is over the front tire.
probably the rake angle gives it this feeling.

ergonomics....rode it for abt 20 mins...typical sportbike fare. nothing of note to complain abt. clutch throw was a bit long, but i didnt try to adjust the lever.

overall a cool bike.

edit.....oh yeah, one last thing...not sure if it was just this bike, or common to buell, once you get some speed going the mirrors shake and wobble making them almost useless.

questions.....
the 1125CR has a shorter gear ratio than the 1125R. is this something that can be changed on the R fairly easily, as this would appeal to me?

what if anything can you do with these bikes to increase power/tq, and what could you reasonably expect from said mods?

thanks!

[SweetDaddyD]

Originally Posted by evomind

edit.....oh yeah, one last thing...not sure if it was just this bike, or common to buell, once you get some speed going the mirrors shake and wobble making them almost useless.

My mirrors are nearly useless at Idle, and smooth out with RPM's. At idle my turn signals look like one of those fuzzy gators on the end of a wire at the fair, in the hands of a 6 year old that didn't take their ridelin.

[Viggen]

I looked at performance data on one of the bike mags, does a 10.5 1/4 mi at 134mph vs 9.8 for a hyabusa at 143ish. Acceleration from 60-80, 80-100+ was withing a few hundredths of a busa.

I have never owned a sportbike so compared to my 09 ultra classic, it's going to be a rocket! I do want a good exh note, any suggested performance mufflers for the 1125's?

[evomind]

Originally Posted by Viggen

I looked at performance data on one of the bike mags, does a 10.5 1/4 mi at 134mph vs 9.8 for a hyabusa at 143ish. Acceleration from 60-80, 80-100+ was withing a few hundredths of a busa.

I have never owned a sportbike so compared to my 09 ultra classic, it's going to be a rocket! I do want a good exh note, any suggested performance mufflers for the 1125's?

anyone can run a high 9 on a new busa. i have friends running low 9s on stockers. (as im sure some guy somewhere can outhustle the magazine guy for the buell.)
i dont pay much attention to top gear accel times. if youre looking to accel quickly, ur going to downshift.
the buell is a cool bike, i said that. but trust me....u hit 8k hard in second gear in a busa and you start seeing light bending effects.
comparing the buell to a busa is hard. theyre too different. different purpose bikes.

the buell is quick and i liked it. if i can save some money i might strike a deal.
i just commented that its not insanely fast.

[evomind]

Originally Posted by Viggen

I looked at performance data on one of the bike mags, does a 10.5 1/4 mi at 134mph vs 9.8 for a hyabusa at 143ish. Acceleration from 60-80, 80-100+ was withing a few hundredths of a busa.

I have never owned a sportbike so compared to my 09 ultra classic, it's going to be a rocket! I do want a good exh note, any suggested performance mufflers for the 1125's?

just what ive read abt....the usual.
micron, d and d, etc....i have no idea if these pipes actually make any power or not.
i hear the d and d is REALLY loud. i dont know.

[JWA]

Originally Posted by evomind

the 1125CR has a shorter gear ratio than the 1125R. is this something that can be changed on the R fairly easily, as this would appeal to me?

I assume they just went up a tooth or two on the rear sprocket or down one on the front. If that's the case, either one would be a very simple 15 min. job and should cost $25-$100 depending on which sprocket and what brand you go with.

[RichS]

Called Shorty's guy over in Shreveport. $6060 out the door. I'll talk to the guys over here in Austin during lunch and if they won't match it I'll be heading over to Shreveport next weekend. (Race this weekend.)

Hmmmm....

Amtrack is 42 dollars to get from Austin to Shreveport - 8 to 9 hours, last hour by bus. American Airlines is $360 and 6 hours (5.5 hours of flight and layover time) or 7.5 hours (Google time)/335 miles to take the 'direct route' by car.