345
edits
Difference between revisions of "Buell P3"
→History
| Line 9: | Line 9: | ||
The [[Buell Blast|Blast]] is Buell's only model to use a [[single-cylinder engine]]. With 492cc displacement and 360lb dry weight, it was their smallest model, often used in Harley-Davidson's "Rider's Edge" new rider instruction/riding schools.<ref name="cw0510" /> This filled Harley CEO Jeff Bleustein's idea of having a make-specific training bike, since many students end up buying a bike from the dealer where they trained.<ref name="cw0510" /> | The [[Buell Blast|Blast]] is Buell's only model to use a [[single-cylinder engine]]. With 492cc displacement and 360lb dry weight, it was their smallest model, often used in Harley-Davidson's "Rider's Edge" new rider instruction/riding schools.<ref name="cw0510" /> This filled Harley CEO Jeff Bleustein's idea of having a make-specific training bike, since many students end up buying a bike from the dealer where they trained.<ref name="cw0510" /> | ||
The Blast came from a quick proof-of-concept at the Buell factory.<ref name="cw0510" /> It originally used half of a Sportster 883 engine.<ref name="cw0510">{{cite news|title=The Demise of the Buell Motorcycle Company|last=Anderson|first=Steve|date=2010-05|work=[[Cycle World]]|accessdate=24 March 2010}}</ref> The engine ended up 80 percent over budget and very expensive compared to the higher-technology [[Rotax]] engines available from outside the company.<ref name="cw0510" /> [[Cycle World]] wrote "Such an overrun would be unheard of from an outside supplier, but when your supplier also owns you, you grin and bear it."<ref name="cw0510" /> The Blast was ultimately the most expensive development project Buell undertook.<ref name="cw0510" /> | The Blast came from a quick proof-of-concept at the Buell factory.<ref name="cw0510" /> It originally used half of a [[Harley-Davidson XL883|Sportster 883]] engine.<ref name="cw0510">{{cite news|title=The Demise of the Buell Motorcycle Company|last=Anderson|first=Steve|date=2010-05|work=[[Cycle World]]|accessdate=24 March 2010}}</ref> The engine ended up 80 percent over budget and very expensive compared to the higher-technology [[Rotax]] engines available from outside the company.<ref name="cw0510" /> [[Cycle World]] wrote "Such an overrun would be unheard of from an outside supplier, but when your supplier also owns you, you grin and bear it."<ref name="cw0510" /> The Blast was ultimately the most expensive development project Buell undertook.<ref name="cw0510" /> | ||
Because the engine was overpriced, it ended up making money for Harley while losing money for Buell.<ref name="cw0510" /> It was regarded as a technical success.<ref name="cw0510" /> | Because the engine was overpriced, it ended up making money for Harley while losing money for Buell.<ref name="cw0510" /> It was regarded as a technical success.<ref name="cw0510" /> | ||
In July 2009, Buell ran an ad campaign stating that the Buell Blast would no longer appear in their line-up. The ad featured a Buell Blast being destroyed in an automobile crusher.<ref>http://www.buell.com/en_US/bikes/blast/</ref><ref>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/28/buell-blast-comes-to-a-crushing-end-new-entry-level-sportbike-i/</ref><ref>http://www.sportrider.com/news/146_2010_buell_blast_redesign/index.html</ref> | In July 2009, Buell ran an ad campaign stating that the Buell Blast would no longer appear in their line-up. The ad featured a Buell Blast being destroyed in an automobile crusher.<ref>http://www.buell.com/en_US/bikes/blast/</ref><ref>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/28/buell-blast-comes-to-a-crushing-end-new-entry-level-sportbike-i/</ref><ref>http://www.sportrider.com/news/146_2010_buell_blast_redesign/index.html</ref> | ||
==2006== | ==2006== | ||