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Buell: For The Real World



Seven Buell XB Models Are Refined for 2007

Milwaukee, Wis. -- (Friday, July 14, 2006) Buell Motorcycle Company continues to challenge the sport-motorcycle status quo in 2007. Seven Buell XB motorcycles, innovative in design and bold in character, offer an uncommon 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. 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 motorcycles," said Erik Buell, chairman and chief technical officer at Buell Motorcycle Company.

New on Buell XB Models for 2007

Pirelli Tires: All 2007 Buell XB models will roll on high-performance Pirelli tires. The Buell XB12X Ulysses and Lightning CityX XB9SX are equipped with aggressive Pirelli Scorpion Sync tires, while all other XB models are on the Pirelli Diablo T tires. Specific information on Pirelli tires can be found at www.pirellidiablo.com.

New Colors: A new color, Cherry Bomb Translucid Red, will be offered for the Lightning XB12S and Lightning XB12Scg models. An exclusive feature to Buell, the Translucid airbox cover and flyscreen are made of a translucent plastic that gives the bike color but also allows some mechanical elements to be visible through the material. 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.

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 aluminum 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 Centralization: The motorcycle's center of mass is located as low as possible and centralized 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 aluminum 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: Minimizing the weight of every component not supported by the motorcycle's suspension helps the tires 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, compared to drive chains that weigh four to five pounds. This makes another significant contribution to minimizing 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 centralization. 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 Blast
The lightweight, single-cylinder Buell Blast features new Arctic White bodywork for 2007. Easy to own and maintain "and easy on fuel at 69 miles per gallon "the Buell Blast is a fun and economical way to get around town or down the highway. The Blast is powered by a reliable, 492cc air-cooled engine that makes 34 horsepower and offers a broad powerband for easy starts and brisk acceleration, and ample power for highway riding.

Buell XBRR Racing Motorcycle
Introduced in January 2006 as a 2007 model, 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 fiber fairing.