Buells have always been unique. Not always the fastest or smoothest but just different in some very good ways. Erik and company have made some major strides with the company in the last 6 years or so and deserve a lot of credit for taking exactly what they needed to fix and DOING IT. It takes a massive amount of effort to implement new QC procedures and manufacturing methods let alone the R&D required to reengineer an entire bike as they did from the Lightning-T-bolt-Cyclones to the XBs and Ulys. Now they take on an entirely new powertrain, retain all the strengths of the prior accomplishments, improve the entire package even further and bring it to market not only a timely fashion, but with panache. If Detroit was 10% as focused and organized as these guys Toyota wouldn't be whipping the big three like rented mules.

The only hurdle remaining is how well a bunch of mouth-breathing Harley dealers can sell a bike that is an anathema to the cruiser-crowd. Guys like me don't need to be sold, we KNOW what that is and why we want it. The squid-squad will continue to buzz their 16,000 rpm alphabet bikes around, the half-helmet-half-brains will keep rattling windows and dragging hard parts at a 10° lean angle and the real enthusiasts will figure out what matters. Ride well, ride what you love and do it often.

I'm heading to a Buell dealer in 2008.