BUELL DELIVERS EXCITING PERFORMANCE FOR THE REAL WORLD
Six Buell XB Models Are Refined for 2007
Buell Motorcycle Company continues to challenge the sport-motorcycle
status quo in 2007. Six Buell XB motorcycles, innovative in design and
bold in character, offer a riding experience for uncompromising riders.
Each is engineered with passion, ingenuity and one goal in mind: to
wring the last ounce of fun from every mile of road.
For 2007,
Buell XB motorcycles are offered in three distinct model families. Four
Buell Lightning* models offer naked, Streetfighter attitude and
unbridled, cut-and-thrust performance.
The Buell Firebolt XB12R
defines the Sportfighter niche with a razor sharp track-proven chassis
design propelled by huge American V-Twin torque.
The Firebolt
features intuitive sporting ergonomics with low bars and high footrests
for almost limitless cornering clearance. This motorcycle features an
ultra short 1320mm wheelbase – the same as a typical 250 GP bike – and
a steep 21 degree steering head angle. The result is an agile yet
stable package that is immensely rewarding to ride.
The Buell
Ulysses XB12X* is an Adventure Sport motorcycle with Buell’s trademark
sport chassis married to long-travel suspension designed to offer
control and precision on any road surface.
''Last year Buell
charted new territory with the introduction of the Ulysses XB12X and
the Lightning Long XB12Ss, and for 2007 we plan to keep moving forward
by further enhancing the entire line of Buell motorcycles,'' said Erik
Buell, chairman and chief technical officer at Buell Motorcycle Company.
* Please refer to separate press releases for additional detail.
New on Buell XB Models for 2007
Pirelli
tyres: All 2007 Buell XB models will roll on high-performance Pirelli
tyres. The Buell Ulysses XB12X and Lightning CityX XB9SX are fitted
with Pirelli Scorpion Sync tyres which combine high performance with an
aggressive look, while all other XB models are on Pirelli Diablo T
tyres which offer supersport performance for the road. Specific
information on Pirelli tyres can be found at www.pirelli.com.
New
colours: A new colour, Cherry Bomb Translucent Red, will be offered for
the Lightning XB12S and Lightning XB12Scg models. An exclusive feature
to Buell, the translucent airbox cover and flyscreen are made of a
special see-through plastic that gives the bike unique colour but also
allows some mechanical elements to be seen through the material. Also
new for the Lightning models is the combination of Midnight Black with
black wheels.
The Firebolt XB12R, Buell’s premium sportfighter
motorcycle, powered by the 1203cc Thunderstorm V-Twin engine that revs
to 6,800 rpm, will be offered in two new colour combinations: Midnight
Black with new Cherry Bomb Red wheels and windscreen, and for the first
time in dazzling Sunfire Yellow with black wheels. In 2007 the revised
design of the inner airbox cover increases airflow potential to the
engine without adversely affecting intake noise levels.
The Buell Philosophy
While
intended to meet a specific performance challenge, each Buell model is
shaped by a single, guiding philosophy: To deliver superior performance
for real riders on real roads, with a premium placed on responsive
power delivery and precise handling.
''Because most riders don’t
spend all of their riding time on the race track, we don’t design our
road motorcycles exclusively for the track,'' said Buell. ''Rather, we
design our motorcycles to satisfy the performance needs of demanding
road riders. Some might be on the circuits at the weekends or on track
days but others will just be riding for fun on public roads or might
simply be commuting to work. Either way, we give them the ability to
extract the most fun from every ride.''
Every Buell motorcycle is engineered with the three principles of the Buell ''Trilogy of Technology'':
Chassis
Rigidity: Buell’s aluminium Intuitive Response Chassis (IRC), the front
fork, rear swing arm and even the engine (as a stressed member of the
chassis) are designed to contribute to unparalleled motorcycle
stiffness. Limiting flex throughout the chassis results in an
outstanding steering precision and enhances confidence and control for
the rider.
Mass Centralisation: The motorcycle’s centre of mass
is located as low as possible and centralised within the chassis. For
example, the muffler is located below the engine and between the
wheels, rather than the high-and-aft position typical of most sports
bikes. Fuel is carried within the hollow spars of the aluminium frame,
rather than high on the motorcycle in a traditional fuel tank. For the
same reason, the swingarm doubles as the engine oil reservoir. The
result is a motorcycle that feels almost intuitively responsive to
rider input.
Low Unsprung Weight: Minimising the weight of every
component not supported by the motorcycle’s suspension helps the tyres
stay in contact over changing road surfaces and reduces the rotational
inertia of the wheels, cutting the gyroscopic effect and contributing
to handling response.
A key design element is the Buell Zero
Torsional Load (ZTL) front braking system, which mounts a single 375mm
disc near the wheel rim, gripped by a six-piston caliper. The
large-diameter disc provides exceptional stopping power without the
weight of dual discs and calipers. Because braking forces are
transmitted directly from the rim to the disc, torsional load acting on
the rest of the wheel is virtually eliminated. This permits the use of
a very lightweight front wheel that also helps reduce steering inertia.
Belt Final Drive: Buell’s Instant Throttle Response system
features an idler pulley that keeps the final drive belt tension
constant, providing a direct connection between the throttle and the
rear wheel. A Goodyear Hibrex final drive belt with Flexten Plus
technology provides that strong link and is much lighter than a
standard drive chain system. This makes another significant
contribution to minimising unsprung weight. The drive belt also
requires no scheduled service or replacement.
Power You Can Use
Buell
Thunderstorm V-Twin Powertrain: Buell understands that in most
road-riding situations, abundant torque and a wide powerband are more
functional than peak horsepower. With that idea in mind, Buell
Thunderstorm V-Twin engines are designed to deliver loads of on-demand
torque. Power – for darting through traffic or accelerating away from a
corner – is always on tap. This 45 degree, air/oil/fan-cooled
powertrain is also compact and narrow in profile, another contributor
to mass centralisation. Buell DDFI II fuel injection delivers crisp
throttle response in any riding situation. The Buell Uniplanar engine
mounting system reduces vibration to the rider and enhances rigidity by
incorporating the engine as a stressed member of the chassis.
Other 2007 Buell Motorcycles
Buell XBRR Racing Motorcycle
Introduced
in January 2006, the Buell XBRR is a limited-edition production racing
motorcycle designed exclusively for closed-course competition. It
offers private racers a professional-level, race-ready,
production-based platform. The XBRR features a modified XB12R
Thunderstorm powertrain with a boost in displacement to 1339cc (103.6mm
bore x 79.4mm stroke). The air/oil-cooled V-Twin motor is rated at 150
horsepower (measured at the crankshaft) and is fed by a dual-downdraft
62mm throttle-body electronic fuel injection system. A new ram-air
intake system is integrated with a new wind tunnel-developed carbon
fibre fairing.
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