Five Buell XB models. Oct 06
For 2007, Buell XB motorcycles are offered in three distinct model families: three Buell Lightning models offer naked, Streetfighter attitude and un-bridled, cut and thrust performance. Two Buell Firebolt models occupy the Sportfighter niche, a track proven design propelled by American V-Twin torque. The Buell XB12X Ulysses is an Adventure Sport motorcycle with long-travel suspension designed to carry its rider over any road surface.
"Last year Buell charted some new territory with the exciting introduction of the Ulysses and the Lightning Long, and for 2007 we plan to keep moving forward by enhancing the entire line of Buell motor-cycles," said Erik Buell, chairman and chief technical officer at Buell Motorcycle Company.
New on Buell XB Models for 2007
Pirelli Tyres: All 2007 Buell XB models will roll on high-performance Pirelli tyres. The XB12X Ulysses and Lightning CityX XB9SX are equipped with aggressive Pirelli Scorpion Sync tyres, while all other XB models are on the Pirelli Diablo T tyres.
New Colours: A new colour, Cherry Bomb Translucid Red, will be offered for the Lightning XB12S models. An exclusive feature to Buell, the Translucid airbox cover and flyscreen are made of a translucent plastic that gives the bike colour but also allows some mechanical elements to be visible through thematerial. The Firebolt XB12R will be offered in Midnight Black with new Translucent Cherry Bomb Red wheels and windscreen, and for the first time in Sunfire Yellow with Designer Black wheels.
New Seat Design: To ensure a superior fit for more riders, the Buell Ulysses comes with a revised seat design that is both narrower at the front and lower overall. Seams have also been eliminated and seat texture improved.
New Fork Springs and Airbox Cover: The Buell Ulysses again enjoys more attention, this time to improve handling with revised front fork springs and a revised airbox cover that improves and optimises air flow potential. The Buell Firebolt models (XB9R and XB12R) also benefit from revisions to their airbox cover, increasing 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 much time on the race track, we don't design our street motorcycles for the race track," said Buell. "Rather, we design a motorcycle to satisfy the performance needs of demanding street riders. They might be strafing apexes on Sunday morning, or simply commuting to work, but we'll give them the ability to extract the most fun from every ride."
Every Buell motorcycle is engineered within 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 frame) are each designed to contribute to unparalleled chassis 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 sportbikes. 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 rotor near the wheel rim, gripped by a six-piston caliper. The large diameter rotor provides exceptional stopping power without the weight of dual rotors and calipers. Because braking forces are transmitted directly from the rim to the rotor, 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.
Buell's Immediate 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 weighs just 1.06 pounds (0.7kg), compared to drive chains that weigh four to five pounds (1.8kg - 2.3kg). 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 street-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.