| Author | Message | ||
     Electraglider_1997 |
A stand alone Buell factory didn't payoff for Harley so H-D closes them. Erik still works for H-D. Buell production starts again but now manufactured in Kansas City or one of the other H-D factories. This would accomplish a large cost reduction. It's gotta be mighty expensive to run an entire factory for the relatively small amount of bikes Buell was making. Adding Buell production to Kansas City would centralize shipping parts and materials in and finished bikes out. It would help keep KC factory busier and anyone who has visited the KC H-D facility knows that it is nice, clean and beautifully located in the woods of northern Kansas City, Missouri. Adding Buell to an existing HD manufacturing facility would be like adding another CVO (custom vehicle operation). Buell could still exist and under a more cost effective manufacturing structure for Harley Davidson Corp. Kansas City makes thousands of Sportsters and Dyna bikes per year and a few thousand more Buells would be icing on their cake. They just want to keep the orders coming and whether they make Sportsters today or Uly's probably would make no difference to their manufacturing employees. Both would pay the same and keep the soup on the table. I know for a fact that except for the last couple of years, Buell provided demo bikes at the Kansas City H-D Open House. I always had to wait in line to demo the Buells. That is where I decided I had to have a Buell. As for those here on BadWeb that keep harping about how the chrome and fringe crowd dislike Buell, that is just so much crap. Most Harley riders like Buells just fine. They are American made and that is what counts to the Harley crowd. | ||
| Hangetsu |
Umm, should I assume that this is a hypothetical scenario? | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Of course. | ||
| Hangetsu |
Who knows for sure, but the tone I feel in all articles I've read so far, as well as Eric's video clip, is that HD's decision is pretty well set in stone and they really want nothing more to do with Buell regardless of financial matters. That's just the tone I get from what's been published. | ||
| Hughlysses |
From the Q and A section regarding the closing announcement at buell.com:
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| Johnboy777 |
""Most Harley riders like Buells just fine. They are American made and that is what counts to the Harley crowd."" Who cares whether Harley riders or any other riders like Buell. Most Harley 'dealers' didn't like Buells - and that was one of the real underlying problems all along. . | ||
| Desmo900 |
In my perfect world, Buell rises from the ashes and is COMPLETELY disassociated from Harley Davidson. They're precious dealer network was a major downfall for Buell. As for where to get a a air-cooled V-twin? who says Rotax cant make one, or the new S&S motor could be shrunk down in capacity and used. Although 120ci could be nice. | ||
| Buewulf |
HD will sell Buell, or at least the intellectual property. It is feasible that they will keep the name for fears that a new venture under the Buell name would still be associated with the mother ship, but I suspect they'll sell that too. I believe they want to write off the expense of closure this year under the cover of a bad economy, and sell the assets next year as a boost to the financials for the new, "off to a strong start" year. Plus this odd "waiting" period is like chum in the water for venture capitalists and only helps to intensify any future bidding wars for the rights. HD's management may not understand the non-cruiser market, but me thinks they understand money pretty well. It makes no sense to just bury it unless they have their own plans for the technology or brand in the near future. They will sell. | ||
| Atoms |
I am not going to ride to KC for Homecoming. I would rather see the factory stay in East Troy. But if we *have* to move the factory, lets move it somewhere with mountains and twisty roads nearby. | ||
| Pkforbes87 |
Eureka Springs gets my vote. Damn that place is fun, but then again I've never ridden the dragon. | ||
| Crusty |
I know; the factory should be relocated to Gunnison, CO. Jacksonville, VT wouldn't be a bad location, either. | ||
| Methed |
Dahlonega, GA. Perfect proximity to Smoky Mountain riding (and the Dragon) as well as a major metropolitan concern. Shoot, while we're dreaming, they can then hire me for creative/imaging work.  | ||
| Hughlysses |
I would work for free if they put it there.  | ||
| Widowmaker2011 |
As for where to source a air cooled V twin, I think the Yamaha 1700 Air Cooled motor out of the Yamaha MT 01 would be a nice platform...  I have not ridden this bike but know someone who has and they say its a hoot. Currently a Canadian and UK bike only. (Message edited by widowmaker2011 on October 22, 2009) | ||
| Ourdee |
Bike looks like it is packing some extra weight. Not bad though. | ||
| Ourdee |
I keep thinking, I'm going to have to make my next bike. I want the Elves to build the next Gen. bikes. |
