Up In Smoke

[Bounce]

road up to Up In Smoke (377 in keller). was supposed to meet some folks that didn't make it. hung around a while and was asked to join in on the festivities.

there seems to be a HD event in dfw this week (at the gaylord). the place was packed with at least 2 area buell clubs and "event" attendees. eric buell and 5 or 6 other factory guys were there and chumming around with everyone.

spent a few minutes talking with eric buell (eb) and eventually he got around to asking me what i was riding.

eb: so what do you ride?

me: an fjr1300... you know... the buell basher.

eb: really? wanna try?

me: not on a track. how about from here to seattle and back?

eb: grinning and knowing we're both having fun

sitting at my table was a guy from the company that is now the us distributer of both first gear stuff and kbc helmets. i just happened to have my kili jacket and the kbc "army" helmet with me. <g> he asked me to go out and stand by the feejer so he could get a photo of me, the bike, the jacket and the helmet and asked if it was okay for him to use it (in their catalog? pr? internal pr stuff?).

where were you guys? talking **** to eric buell was a blast. the clubs picked up the tab!

 

[Shadowfax]

Erik Buell (with a "k")

Why is an FJR a Buell Basher?

 

[Bounce]

Erik Buell (with a "k")
Why is an FJR a Buell Basher?

why not? he got it. we both got a chuckle out of my shitting him.

 

[Powerman]

Several years ago my die-hard Harley buddy (now on a wing) and I were at the Harley bike demos at Daytona. He rode some dresser and I rode one of the first Buells. I came back and he asked what I thought about the Buell. Being the shy guy I am I started in, it needs a lot of work. The pegs were like a pencil with an inch of rubber and I couldn't feel them, the airbox looks like a breadbox and sticks out, it shakes so bad I would have to keep looking back for falling parts. But it handles pretty good. But where's the other 40 horsepower?

Well I didn't know that Erik Buell was standing behind me with a notepad busily writing. I think he was interested because I was the only one in full leathers and equipment. I was a little embarrassed, but it was the truth. He said it was cool, and he needed to hear what I had to say. Now if only my buddy would quit telling this story to everyone we've gone riding with in the past ten years. LOL

 

[MrVvrroomm]

  Well I didn't know that Erik Buell was standing behind me with a notepad busily writing.

My sincere thanks!

Below is a photo of me at a track day this past summer. I got rid of my '03 GSX-R750 and kept this.

And another shot of me on a rental Buell XB9SX down in Tucson last week.

 

[odot]

Holy moly, vrroooom.....are you seven foot tall? That buell looks like a kids toy with you sitting on it. :haha:

 

[MrVvrroomm]

Holy moly, vrroooom.....are you seven foot tall?  That buell looks like a kids toy with you sitting on it. :haha:

They are compact. There's a different tool for every task.

For the below pictured task, the XB is the correct tool.

 

[tripletango]

Hi Vrooomm (sp?), wanta run with me and my Speed Triple? I promise to wait for you every so often! Super pics and brilliant road. Good story about Erik, he really makes an effort and is a genuine great in motorcycle lore.

 

[MrVvrroomm]

Hi Vrooomm (sp?), wanta run with me on my Speed Triple?  I promise to wait for you every so often!

I'd prefer to ride MY bike. Is there a reason we both gotta be on your SPIII? :haha:

Seriously though, I met a couple of guys up on that mountain last week, they pretty much had the same attitude when then looked at the little Buell that could. One was on a TLR1000 and the other a late model R6. I had my helmet off and already lit up a smoke by the time they caught up at the top.

Is Triumph still in business? They've been a no-show at all the International Motorcycle Shows this year.

 

[tripletango]

Hi Vrooomm (sp?), wanta run with me on my Speed Triple?  I promise to wait for you every so often!

I'd prefer to ride MY bike. Is there a reason we both gotta be on your SPIII? :haha:

Seriously though, I met a couple of guys up on that mountain last week, they pretty much had the same attitude when then looked at the little Buell that could. One was on a TLR1000 and the other a late model R6. I had my helmet off and already lit up a smoke by the time they caught up at the top.

Is Triumph still in business? They've been a no-show at all the International Motorcycle Shows this year.

I can take the seat cover off and replace the passenger pegs. Thanks for understanding! Those big vtwins are real torque monsters when mounted in a lite bike like the Buell. I am sure they are fun in the twisties! Never run with one. Did ride one on a demo day last year sometime. Different but certainly acceptable.

 

[tripletango]

Is Triumph still in business?  They've been a no-show at all the International Motorcycle Shows this year.

Yes they are still around and doing very well. They are not spending money on shows here. However they are noticed by their absence. These shows are very expensive and whether or not this is wise way to advertise is questionable.

https://www.webbikeworld.com/Motorcycle-new...-sales-2005.htm

Check out the new 675. It is one sweet bike.

 

[MrVvrroomm]

Check out the new 675. It is one sweet bike.

Yeah, I was just pokin' ya. I know of them, have had some seat time on them, like them just fine.

I have been following the 675, gotta love it!

 

[Powerman]

I'm a rider that respects anyone who rides. My Harley buddy bought me a T-shirt that says "would you fly in an airplane if Harley built it?"

On a June vacation of 4200 miles to Americade, Laconia, and Nova Scotia I rode my ST1100 with a GL1800, a Road King, and an Aprilla Futura.

Back in the early Buell demo days at Daytona they had young dudes leading the groups. No wheelies, no shooting gravel, and if you get a ticket it's your fault. After going around the outside of the speedway at 85 mph and passing a parked cop, my buddie got pissed at me. Dude, you didn't tap your brake lights to warn me or anything. Man we were already doing 80 mph, I don't guess it mattered.

Now, I'm sad to say, they have gone politically correct.

The Victory guys filmed us for a dealer video. They said, "can you lean it way over and show us how it does?" Hee hee hee... LOL

 

[tripletango]

Check out the new 675.  It is one sweet bike.

Yeah, I was just pokin' ya. I know of them, have had some seat time on them, like them just fine.

I have been following the 675, gotta love it!

I checked out the 675 at 3 different dealers. It is a helluva bike and will entrench Triumph in the intermediate sport bike class. The bike will be delivered beginning this month.

The IMS shows cost a manufacturer $1,000,000 to attend all.

Like I say you are noticed by your absence. But it is great for the bottom line by missing them. Evidentially these shows are for us tire kickers. They do not seem to send people to the dealers the way magazineroad tests or demo ride offers do.