At the Buell Motorcycle Company, our objective
is to create motorcycles for enthusiasts who
believe the fun of the actual riding experience
is every bit as important as the destination
itself. Every Buell motorcycle is designed,
engineered and manufactured with this in mind.
While a great many generic sports bikes use
complex technology for the sole objective of
license-eating top speed, our mission is to
develop and employ innovative technology that
enhances the enjoyment of the ride and does
not lead to an irrelevant product which is too
intimidating, sanitised or uninvolving to be
fun to ride on the road. This is not to say
that our motorcycles are lacking in exuberant,
grin factor performance when the mood takes
you - it's just that you don't have to be doubling
the speed limit before you feel you're making
good use of a Buell Motorcycle's considerable
performance.
Consistent with the above philosophy, Buell
builds uniquely styled and engineered sport
performance motorcycles for the street - with
the sole purpose of offering riders an alternative
riding experience that is involving, exhilirating
and fun. Every Buell motorcycle excels and rewards
its rider under real road riding conditions,
allowing both bike and rider to fulfil their
potential - this is where Buell differs from
many other manufacturers whose unquestionably
great products have a potential that can only
be realised on a race track or unlimited Autobahn.
Every Buell motorcycle has a combination of
astonishing, torquey performance right from
low down in the rev range. This performance
is harnessed and controlled due to a number
of unique technical features which yield real
benefits during everyday riding. On top of this,
Buell motorcycles have outstanding, controversial
looks and the feel and attitude of a real, raw
motorcycle. Every Buell chassis is graced with
compact wheelbase and steep steering head angle
in conjunction with a light but rigid frame
design that keeps everything in shape during
hard cornering. The Buell chassis also has a
patented Uniplanar engine isolation mounting
system which smooths out the beating 45 degree
V-Twin's vibes progressively as the revs rise
from the lumpy tickover. And Buell's styling
is unmatched - a study in simplicity with moulded
parts that are dramatically sculptural in their
design, beauty and finish combined with functional
engineering features that look right because
they were designed to do a job rather than please
a styling committee. Distinctive form follows
innovative function.
All Buell American Motorcycles feature company
founder Erik Buell's Trilogy of Tech fundamental
design concepts. Those concepts are:
Product Features
The Buell Firebolt XB9R and XB12R and Lightning
XB9S and XB12S models house the fuel in the
frame and the airbox above the engine, where
you normally find the fuel tank. This allows
the intake system to feature a zero resistance
very high volume airbox with a high flow filter,
whilst enabling a slimmer profile.
Sinuous, big-bore stainless steel header
pipes flow into a tuned large volume muffler.
This enables exhaust gases to flow freely
but the muffler internals are scientifically
tuned to cancel problem noise frequencies
whilst generating back pressure to enhance
performance.
To keep the torque band even fatter, the
new XB1200 engine is equipped with Buell InterActive
Exhaust. An electronic actuator activates
a butterfly valve housed in the muffler to
adjust back-pressure by alternating between
two gas flow paths. The engine ECM monitors
engine speed and throttle position while activating
the valve to optimize torque and horsepower
for the riding condition.
Both the 984cc and new 1203cc engines fitted
to the 2003/2004MY Buell Firebolt and Lightning
models are fuelled by Buell's unique Dynamic
Digital Fuel Injection (DDFI) system. Its
closed loop design monitors conditions inside
and outside the engine, constantly checking
fuel:air mixture, ambient air temperature
and humidity, engine temperature, barometric
pressure and exhaust output to ensure optimum
performance.
The deep-section cast aluminium swingarm
looks outstanding but was designed first and
foremost with functional performance in mind,
with increased torsional stiffness to minimise
flex, it goes even further as it is also the
oil reservoir.
All Buell XB models feature a Kevlar belt
drive with an additional pulley that ensures
a constant path length of the belt. With this
pulley, the tension is always constant, meaning
that no adjustment is required. It also results
in an even more direct response from the throttle
to the rear wheel. Its lightness also helps
to minimise unsprung weight. The typical service
life of the belt is 30,000 Km and the cost
is no more than a good quality O-ring chain.
The patented Uniplanar engine vibration isolation
system uses rubber mounts to isolate vibration
from the engine, to which the swingarm assembly
is bolted. Rose-jointed tie-rods restrict
the movement allowed by the rubber mounts
to a vertical plane to ensure constant wheel
alignment.
All Buell suspension is supplied by Showa,
a renowned suspension specialist with immense
expertise, technical resources and GP racing
experience.
The Buell XB models feature an incredible
375mm ZTL inside-out front disc brake with
a six piston caliper to ensure the optimum
braking power and feel which helps reduce
the unsprung weight and therefore improve
the agility, handling and roadholding of the
bike.
A Whole New Development Process
In 2000, Buell Motorcycle Company introduced
a brand new development process. Designed
to ensure the best quality products, it comprises
4 different phases:
Concept
The marketing, engineering, styling and service
departments meet to discuss the first concepts.
At this stage, a first experimental motorcycle
is built.
Proof of Concept
The main goals are defined and approved.
Several R&D motorcycles are built. This
is a very detailed testing phase. High mileage,
high speed, traffic jams, high and low temperatures,…
The bikes are tested in all conditions, including
a specific European duty cycle. A council
made of Buell and Harley-Davidson engineers
decides if the project moves to the next phase.
Concept durability
The bikes are still tested. The production
line is set up and tested. The reliability
of the bike but also of the assembly line
is tested. Again, the council signs before
the project moves to the final stage.
Validation
The final test. All parts are thoroughly
inspected, all the tests reports are checked
and signed off. All the departments sign off
the final agreement.
