I love Buells. I hope that Erik Buell does try running independently. Hes got to be one of the most passionate people in the motorcycle industry today.

Heres a video directly from Erik himself:

http://hellforleathermagazine.com/20...ll-sell-m.html

Its difficult to watch him in that video. At any moment he could start crying.

I may actually stop by a Buell dealer just to see what sort of deals they may have.

Imagine the uproar if they decided to can MV instead of selling them?

 

Lets all pool our money together and buy MV Agusta!!!!!!

 

Damm, those are nice bikes. If I could buy either one, I would. Very interesting design and execution. Very innovative tech behind those brands.

 

Im in

 

Sucks to see them go. As was mentioned, hopefully Erik will run it independently. I've been loving their new advertising as well as it appeared they were ready to turn over a new leaf for the brand. Oh well...

 

Why would I want that? I traded up from the 250 to a 1000cc Italian 6 months ago. https://acurazine.com/forums/car-talk-5/new-bike-just-got-delivered-722936/

Anyway, the 250 was perfect to learn on and has much better resale then the Ninja 500/650...

 

Yeah,
I really liked the Lightning models...i thought they looked pretty good. You just don't see them on the roads that often, so i never think about them....

 

Interesting:

Harley has no idea how much money they are saving by canning Buell:

http://hellforleathermagazine.com/20...e-savings.html

 

Wow. Im still a bit in shock. Someone I know just bought a brand new 1125CR (the naked, less ugly one). 146hp, 375lbs dry, liquid-cooled, mean looking.

$5,800 out the door. Its a $12k bike. The deal was so good he couldnt let it slip, he just signed the papers today. Its his second new bike in as many months He still hasnt told his wife yet

 

^ haha. Now you know why the deal was so good!

 

Erik Buell Racing is born

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/22/s...ing/#continued

 

Yup, saw that the other day.

P.M.S. is starting to kick in

 

Who's still riding? I'm envious. It's winter and rainy times up here in the PNW and while I wish I was out riding, the thought having to dodge some dumb fuck of a soccer mom with a 2 ton SUV talking on her cell phone while driving in wet and slick roads just doesn't appeal to me during this time of the year.

 

We ride year round in SoCal

 

Still rollin' in CenTex. Chilly in the morning, warm in the afternoon, cool in the evening. Great riding weather.

 

Weather has been surprisingly warm around DC, been able to ride these past couple of weeks.

Currently down in SC for Thanksgiving, lots of people riding, very jealous of those who are able to ride year round. Looks like SC doesn't have a helmet law... kinda scary

 

Its been pretty rainy here, and when it isnt raining Im working 12 hour days

I dont like riding at night on curvy pitch black roads when Im exhausted.

 

Was just in Austin and saw a lot of people out riding. I had wanted to organize a ride with some co-workers, but the timing from our conference did not permit it. Heard there are some great roads to ride out there.

 

That's too bad. You would have enjoyed it. There is some good riding here. And the cagers are considerate out in the twisties too. PM me the next time you're in town and you wanna ride.

 

Here too!

 

Its starting to warm up!!!!!

I finally pulled the Hawk out of the operating room (garage) to take some pics this afternoon. Ive been doing some work on it here and there, and its still got a ways to go before its ridable again.

















Done so far:
-Rear Hugger
-Fox Twin Clicker
-07 CBR600RR Front end w/ wave rotor and SS brake lines
-CF Front sprocket cover

Still to do:
-Chain and sprockets
-Cush rubbers
-Install new throttle and clutch cables
-Wire up new controls
-Install new choke cables
-Fit my headlight
-Install gauge
-Get new tires
-Install rear brake line
-Reinstall my bar end mirrors

Theres still quite a bit to do, and Im going to be working overtime on it over the next few weeks to get it ready for inspection and this season. Im trying to sell my Fox TC and pick up a Penske so I can raise the rear a bit. The Fox keeps it at a nearly stock height, and it doesnt work with the new front end. I was planning on getting the frame powdercoated this winter but I never got around to tearing it apart. That, along with a paint job, will wait until next winter.

 

i started up the bike today to let her run and get worm today in the garage. i was very tempted to go for a ride but still a lot of sand on the roads and it was getting late.

damn i have a bad itch to get out riding,

 

I am getting the itch, too. It was almost 50 today and there were tons of bikes out when I was running errands.

If my bike wasn't stored at my friends shop, I would've been riding. No garage FTL.

 

It was like 70 degrees today but I had so much to do around the house. I'll probably go for a little tire warmer tomorrow.

 

weather got to the 60s today, saw so many people out, wish I wasn't so busy, I would've taken my baby out

 

Put almost 100 miles on the bike this weekend alone. It was great to get out and ride without needing to feel like the Michelin man in all the cold weather gear.

 

Was in the upper 60's here and really wanted to ride. We were out of town this weekend, but to make matters worse driving back from Charleston to Charlotte we passed sooooo many bikes since they were all coming back from Bike Week in Daytona. Made it even worse seeing all these bikes on the interstate! Gonna be in the 60's all week though... so should be able to take it out one day this week!!

 

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

Whisker Tit Boys

 

Getting my baby ready for the riding season. Topped off the fluids, changed the oil, lubed the chain and give it a wash. Hopefully can take it out all weekend.

Latest mods since my last post:
-Zero Gravity Dark Double bubble
-Frame sliders and rear spools
-Tank pad
-Custom rear fender chop with led license plate lights/bolts

Also removed the lower fairings

 

Got my bike out of storage on Thursday. Got some riding in before the snow started.

 

I've been riding at least a couple of days each month up here in Toronto throughout winter.

 

Here's mine. Got it last year. My first bike. 250r.

 

It's been a while I've been saying I wanted to get a motorcycle license but never went through with it for a few reasons:

1-I have this thought in my head as morbid as it is that most people eventually lay their bikes down, even if they aren't at fault, most drivers are very unconsiderate of bicycle and motorcycles in general. I can't afford a fatal accident as I have young kids.

2-I've always felt like I was a car guy more than anything, bikes appealed to me in theory but was I ready in practice?

3- My brother-in-law died three years ago riding his Kawasaki and it was very hard on our families. My wife is still not fully recovered and told me she would put me to the curb if ever I was to get one.

So with this in mind, I ended up throwing that idea in the back of my mind until today when after several attempts by my friends, I gave in and climbed behind my friend on his GSXR750.

To summarize the experience in word would be mind-blowing. He claimed he never got near past 7k rpms but it felt like he was giving it all it had. The acceleration is simply mind-bending. I won't start about the adrenaline kick and shit-eating grin I would get out of the exhaust revs. We did a small wheelie at one point and it felt surreal.

Throw in the fact that you can get a good bike at a reasonable price and I started second-doubting myself on this topic. I don't need a 750cc like my friend's but I started fantasizing of what could be.

So for those who have been down this road, what to do? Am I being childish? I know I can convince her but it will take a long, long time. For those who ride, I definitely see why now.

 

IMO you should respect your wife's wishes.

 

Man, I feel sorry for you. I can tell that you're torn. I have a bike and a family too. I do think you should respect your wife's wishes but the other side of that coin is that when you get older you may feel like you missed out on something in life. Will you blame your wife for that? If not then I say don't get one. If so... I would "consider" getting one. I know how dangerous motorcycles are and I can't recommend to anyone to get one for sure because I would feel bad if something happened to them as a result of my recommendation. It is a tough decision. Good luck, however it goes.

 

Awesome!! And I'm glad to see you started the right way... on a 250! Did the same thing and I am very happy I went that route instead of starting bigger...



Tough call. I understand your wife's concerns... but if she knows someone who got injured or killed in a car accident, would she ban you from driving? Does she ban you from eating candy b/c she knows people with cavities and who have had root canals? Of course I'm being a bit facetious, but you see where I'm going.

My wife was dead set against motorcyles as well. I started working her over, then told her I would start on a small bike (Ninja 250r), take the MSF course, buy and always wear the appropriate gear, and so on. Eventually she gave in and I bought my 250r in Dec of 2007. I rode it for a little more then a year and last March upgraded to my Aprilia 1000. I love riding the bike and I am very careful on it. No stunting or weaving in and out of traffic, etc. I ride within my limits and learn more each time I am on it. For the first year I also avoided very heavily traveled roads and interstates until I was comfortable enough on the bike to ride and not have to think... just like I do in a car.

If it's something you really want, I'd say talk to your wife about it. If not, then don't even bother bringing it up b/c it will probably just create friction for no reason.

But there's nothing like riding the country backroads in spring. Whoever said "stop and smell the roses" was close. It's much better being on a motorcycle doing 40mph on a country backroad and catching a whiff of all of the flowers in spring. Once you do it once, you'll be hooked.

However, in the end you have to do what's best for you and your family... so good luck with your decision!

 

I was in a simliar position with my wife and mom prior to getting my license and a bike. For a whole year I talked to my wife about it and the end decision was me not getting a bike because it's too dangerous. I also thought the same thing as you... I'm more of a car guy... etc, but ultimately, it was me talking myself out of the decision.

Finally, I just told my wife that I didn't want to miss out on something like this in my life, knowing the dangers associated with it (like what Knight Rider mentioned). My wife agreed and let me take the course and buy a bike.

I waited until the first day of my course to tell my parents. I did so because I didn't want to give them the chance to force me out of the course.

It's definitely a touch decision and I know what you're going through. I definitely think you should respect the wishes of your wife, but maybe you can talk to her about your perspective and thoughts.

Good luck!

 

Id respect your wifes wishes. My mother was 100% against me buying a bike. But I was 19, living on my own, and saw one that I wanted. And #1 doesnt really sound morbid, there is a saying "Its not if you lay the bike down, its when".

 

It is a common saying, but also is not an absolute. I know plenty of people who have NEVER laid a bike down.

The key is to start small, receive the proper training, and be a prepared rider. Doing those things should get anyone on the right track.

I'll also add that others, like myself, started riding later in life. I didn't have a bike until my 31st birthday.. and as has been mentioned, I started on a Ninja 250. If I bought one when I was younger, I have no doubt that bad things could have happened. Getting one when slightly older made a HUGE difference for me. Completely different mindset. Of course I still enjoy the ride, but much more mature and logical now!

 

Thanks for the good advice guys! I will definitely respect her wishes but will also explain things from my perspective as well.