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Buell XB12X Ulysses

Interview with Erik Buell

With the Ulysses (see also page 30), Buell is venturing into a new segment. Company founder Erik Buell, 55, explains why.

So far the name was there B.uell for puristic sports machines. You have always attached great importance to this.
Why is there a kind of travel enduro in the program for the first time with the Ulysses?
The market for travel machines is very large. In addition, the Ulysses is in a sense a puristic tourer, less overloaded than the competition. Also, further away than with the Ulysses, Buell won’t stray from the sportbike segment.
Speaking of sports bikes, why isn’t Buell racing? That would suit you as an ex-racing driver.
We race. However, only at the national level in Formula USA. By the way, that’s where we lead. Unfortunately, I am not allowed to race myself. My contract with Harley-Davidson expressly forbids me to do so.
What do you feel when you put your own name on the tank of 10,000
machines produced per year? Proud?
No, the obligation to maintain the spirit of this brand. I didn’t choose the name Buell out of selfishness. In 1983, when I was thinking of what to call my first self-built motorcycle, I read a book about the first automobile manufacturers. Companies that had the name of their founders were more successful or at least more likeable than others. Like Daimler, Ford, Opel.
So Erik Buell sees himself as Count Agusta of the sport bike scene?
Not at all. I like people and don’t believe in exclusivity as a concept. My idol is more Soichiro Honda than Enzo Ferrari.

Facelift – Ducati ST3 and ST3 S ABS

Ducati presented the new ST3 and ST3 S ABS at the motorcycle fair in Birmingham / GB. Nothing has changed on the high-torque and refined 992 cm3 two-cylinder engine with three-valve cylinder heads, which develops 107 hp at 8750 rpm. The top model ST3 S ABS has an Ohlins shock absorber with hydraulic adjustment of the spring base, like the ST4 S ABS before, which is no longer produced. The Brembo ABS
The design of the ST3 S is said to have been modified compared to the ABS of the ST4 S. The braking system consists of two disc brakes with
320 millimeters in diameter at the front and a 245 mm disc at the rear. The ST3 models have regulated catalytic converters as well as electronic Marelli injections and meet the Euro 3 emissions standard that will apply to new bikes from January 2006. Details: six-speed gearbox, oil bath clutch, wheelbase 1430 millimeters, steering head angle 66 degrees, dry weight 201, with ABS 204 kilograms.
The prices have not yet been determined.

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