Buell Tours

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Buell Tours
Buell

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Buell Tours

Buell Tours
Man thing

Buell’s advertising text is clear: “The difference between primitive mechanics and soulless functionality cannot be described 150; it has to be experienced. ”That is why Buell offers trips. Annette Johann has embarked on a tour whose target group has one thing in common: She is masculine to the core.

Annette Johann

05/15/2003

When I arrive they are changing the final translation on a Buell. A wild, black streetfighter conversion of an X1 Lightning. You couldn’t get out of the corners with the original pinion for ten pfennigs, they explain to Axel, the owner. You – the five participants and three supervisors of the Buell-Alpentour – have already been stuck for 24 hours in the continuous rain, which is sinking Austria into a flood of the century. The Inn and Ache are evidently washing the last Eastern Alpine crust down to the valley, while here in the Inn Valley the expensive sports Americans are relentlessly given the final preparation. The racing module on the Lightning with the powerful open air filter is already connected, the Firebolds still get the last landing gear clicks. Tomorrow will be driving, of course. With three days there is nothing to give away.

A kind of indoor warm-up on the go-kart track in Imst was already bridged today. “Dynamic driving pleasure is in the foreground at Buell-Tours,” explains the travel description, “Speed ​​and safety – that’s what it’s all about. The order is arbitrary. «The machines have meanwhile been prepared, Axel’s final translation is fully passable. Because driving behind must not happen, not Axel, who already shakes his head when his wife gets scared in the passenger seat of his BMW over 280 things. Like this! And even declared the motorcycle a reason for divorce, this crisp streetfighter with a high rear. And? It’s still there. Deep sip from the wheat beer glass. A man in the second half of his life needs something crazy and unusual. Something that not everyone has and where you look. Seldom do such confessions come so easily from the lips – at Buell you are allowed to do that. “Don’t be surprised if you suddenly find yourself in the center of interest …” the prospectus warns. Tomorrow’s going to the mountain, definitely.

Timmelsjoch, Jaufen Penser Joch and then over to the Dolomites. A dream when it rains. Michael from Munich and I try to look relaxed. We’re the Buell newbies in the group. At least he had a good time in the kart. While the others have brought their own Cyclones and Lightnings with them, we take advantage of the “slightly different test drive” that Buell, like some European manufacturers (see box), aims to do with these short trips, among other things: to get interested parties in contact with the brand. “When it comes to driving, a Buell is seldom love at first sight,” says Jorg Zwilling from the German importer of the young Harley offshoot, “and it hardly becomes apparent on a short test lap around the block. A Buell takes time. «To this end, they offer four tours in southern Europe and the Alps – either for like-minded people with their own Buell or on rental machines. 125 euros daily rent plus the travel price (from 450 euros) are not exactly cheap – but they are significantly cheaper than starting with the full purchase price. Michael drives a Honda Hornet and an old Guzzi at home – a Buell also attracts him.

The new Firebolt XB9R appeals to me, that little certain something of a motorcycle that this mighty Harley-V2 hardly seems to grasp. I might like it. Three days in the Alps – and the most important questions would be answered. After dinner there is still theory. Chief instructor Rolf wants to spruce up the driving technique a little. Cornering techniques, braking in an inclined position and the difference between 22, 35 and 45 degree angles, for example. »A psychological inhibition threshold sets in at 22 degrees, but 45 is feasible. We’re aiming for 35, then we still have ten percent reserve. «Speed ​​and security, I remember. He shows the line on sketches: »We never cross the center line, but use our half of the road. So – high cornering speed, but without cutting. You’ll be quick if you get back on the gas as early as possible. ”Aha. »And don’t be afraid of braking in an inclined position. Train it, practice it, get to know your front tire and its moment of deployment. It helps you when things get tight. “And he goes on:” Also keep an eye on departure. If an impact can no longer be prevented, stand on the pegs to get away from the machine. ”Phew. Buell-Tours will not have a coffee trip. And with all that – stay relaxed!

In the evening, the cramp distinguishes the beginner from the crack. Then we talk about the next day, which is going to be difficult. It will be wet, if not raining at all. In order to increase grip, Rolf advises lowering the tire pressure to below two bar. Irritated looks, the manual says 2.5 – Rolf waves it away, you have to deviate from it under slippery conditions. Okay, will be swallowed. The tires in general – a large area of ​​interest. Whether the new XYZ gripper brings something, why the fear strip does not go away – physically impossible with your rim – Rolf leads from the mental to the technical preparation, how tires, brakes, bearings are stressed on a tour. The gentlemen are now in full swing, photos of conversions appear and one of them even has “his” performance diagram with him – whaaas !? 133 Nm … at the speed! The wheelies get higher, the lean angles more brutal, Buelling at it’s best. With the third beer we are at 90 degrees.

The next morning it is still raining. Now even the street fighters are silent. When it comes to grouping, nobody says “fast” anymore, cough, cough, not at all good in the rain … I hold back, which is the wisest thing for women from experience. Reluctantly, but as instructed, I lower the air pressure at the gas station. And curse the brand new rear tire again, which slips like a three-tier birthday cake just looking at it. It should get dry behind the Timmelsjoch. Alright Jacket collar up and into the dollhouse little XB9R. Quite a crouched sitting position for such nasty conditions – but it doesn’t matter, otherwise it fits pretty well. “You decided in favor of Buell Tours and thus against sensible and rational locomotion. Congratulations, (…) this shows the art of living. Buelling – find out the difference. ”At the top of the tender. We roll along a piece of the Inn valley until Rolf branches off to the Timmelsjoch shortly before Imst. After the first few turns, I’m no longer sure whether I want to find out more about the difference. The cart drives terribly! I don’t have the 22-degree incline escapement, but you. Definitive. It’s hard to believe that such a petite motorcycle can be so stubborn. Like an ox cart, it can be leaned into the curves, gauzes and slides frighteningly. Bravo! That’s exactly how I imagined a nice weekend in the Alps!

During the coffee break, we go back to the chassis tuning. Likewise the thing with the air – 2.5 in, and suddenly the little Fireboltin is like a changed one, swings lightly in every incline, the difference is incredible. The drain tip must be reconsidered for them. In fact, the first rays of sunshine emerge behind the pass, the route becomes dry and the pace of the group is more jagged, Jauffenpass, Penser Joch, the rain suits have long been in their backpacks and the colleagues are highly motivated again. At lunchtime you can already get to the retrofit strut, the injection systems and the disappointing racing module that is over-greased up here – it’s really stupid that you can’t do some quick research on the internet here – a Buell is not a perfect motorcycle, it is a matter close to the heart. Christian from Berlin speaks for everyone: “We know about the mistakes – and we fix them.” Peng – it’s that simple. Even if you are in a league of perfect high-tech super athletes with a new price of around 11,500 euros. Klaus Jurgen leans back in his Stars and Stripes station wagon, “the main thing is American”. He had even considered converting a Harley Sportster into a sporty street fighter himself, but getting a Buell afloat was a lot less time consuming.

Tips can be found in the Buell Owners Forum, where around 3,000 machines approved throughout Germany provide enough material. The drivers seem to have a lot in common. “… The difference between unemotional movement and an attitude towards life …” (travel advertisement). You first have to explain to everyone else for an hour what a Buell actually is – the old self-confidence seems to be in balance again, and you are gradually aiming for the way back, the sun is already just above the Dolomite peaks in the west. Once again the Timmelsjoch, now it is finally dry and they plow up there with a thunderous thunder – side of the road, center line – no matter what, full jug, what the new belt sprocket has to offer. Michael and I cruise leisurely behind – but the Firebolt has already won. I think this will be something.

Test drives and training

Do you feel like trying something new? A motorcycle that you dreamed of but never dared to buy? Perhaps out of fear of not liking it after the first alpine tour? Then it is worth asking the manufacturers, importers and local dealers. There is almost always an opportunity to do more than the obligatory trial lap with the motorcycle of your choice. The demonstration models can often be rented over the weekend or for short vacations (from around 70 euros per day). In addition to Buell and Harley, BMW, KTM and Suzuki (V-Strom model) are all involved in test trips. (Clearly more brands organize trips for customers who have already been won. Inquire with dealers!) The program also includes training courses of various levels of difficulty. While the tunnel faction mostly practices off-road, Buell has come up with “stunt training”. In addition to normal safety training components, wheelies and stoppies are also taught? but only with your own machine … Since the rent is added to the tour price, the idea is nowhere cheap, but there is a complete vacation and test drive program. More about Buell at www.buell-tours.de/at/ch and the info hotline 0041/56631/2307.

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