| Author |
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Tpoppa
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 19, 2009 - 02:30 pm: | 
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The driving force behind the MV Agusta purchase was for HD to gain access to MV's European distribution network. I believe this was said during the press release. Additionally, you may see some technology spillover, and more MV's being imported to the US.
Personally, I would love to see Erik gain access to MV's wonderful styling dept or that sweet 1078 mill. |
Chadhargis
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 19, 2009 - 02:52 pm: |
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I'd like to see HD spin off the sportbike division and have MV Agusta/Buell dealers, but I don't think there would be a compelling business reason to do so.
It would just be really nice to go to a Buell shop and not have to see people in wife beaters and flip flops buying the another chrome gadget and looking at you funny because you are in full gear with a full face helmet. |
Avc8130
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 19, 2009 - 02:55 pm: |
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So in Europe are they going to have MV/Buell dealerships?
Will the MV dealer network change at all in the US? Right now the closest MV dealership sells the following:
MV
Triumph
Ducati
Suzuki
(They just DROPPED Aprilia)
ac |
Rfischer
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 19, 2009 - 03:18 pm: |
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The official word at the time H-D closed the deal for MV was that nothing would change in the dealer network; there or here. And that is exactly what has happened - nothing. |
Avc8130
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 19, 2009 - 03:37 pm: |
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It would have been sweet if the MV dealer by me picked up Buell. Someplace other than a Harley dealer to go would be cool.
ac |
Court
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 19, 2009 - 04:01 pm: |
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>>>>You have any actual facts to back up your assertion?
My thoughts exactly.
There is nothing, to date, in this thread I'd cast as "accurate".
The myths around the MV Agusta deal tend to be borne of internet chat, not facts. |
Avc8130
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 19, 2009 - 04:24 pm: |
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I don't care WHY they bought MV. MV makes beautiful motorcycles and I am just glad they have the financial backing that should keep them around now!
ac |
Tpoppa
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 19, 2009 - 04:55 pm: |
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More internet chat...
According to Ziemer, the acquisition is intended primarily to expand Harley-Davidson, Inc's presence and footprint in Europe, complementing the Harley-Davidson and Buell motorcycle families. Retail sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles have grown at a double-digit rate in Europe in each of the last three years, as the Company has increased its strategic focus on global markets.
http://www.nextautos.com/harley-davidson-buys-mv-a gusta-109-million |
Buelleaver
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 19, 2009 - 09:41 pm: |
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i've only ever seen one mv, and it was stunning. pics don't do them justice. I hope buell and mv could at least share some sourcing of components. Just slapping on the mv's switch gear would be very nice.
Buell is due for an update on that anyway.Plus both could enjoy larger quantity pricing. |
Court
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 19, 2009 - 11:27 pm: |
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>>>According to Ziemer
And where . . . shortly after this purchase . . . if I were wanting to call this Ziemer fellow . . . should I dial?
With me?
>>>>MV makes beautiful motorcycles
A completely different topic, but at the risk of distorting the thread I'll entertain it. As you know I have been writing for magazines and involved in the motorcycle business for a number of years. One of my good friends has written extensively on MV Agusta and I could not agree with you more.
As you know . . . the bike you recently bought was replaced by an MV Agusta. I have four good friends who bought the first Serie Oro, including a Neiman-Marcus and a Senna. Pure Art.
These photos, by the way . . . were shot with this F4 sitting next to the bike you currently own at NJMP. |
Tpoppa
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 19, 2009 - 11:38 pm: |
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Yes, who is this Jim Ziemer fellow??? And how would he know any of these details? |
Avc8130
| | Posted on Thursday, August 20, 2009 - 08:08 am: |
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Wow Court! That is an amount of money I would LOVE to have one day. To afford to take a $25k motorcycle to the track. Awesome. Simply awesome. I have a $1k SV650 that goes to the track in comparison. LOL
ac |
Rfischer
| | Posted on Thursday, August 20, 2009 - 08:39 am: |
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Ziemer is the H-D CEO.
And, not sure there is "nothing" accurate in this thread, Court....but, no matter. |
Court
| | Posted on Thursday, August 20, 2009 - 10:48 am: |
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>>>>Ziemer is the H-D CEO.
Was.
See dialogue re: MV Agusta. |
Rfischer
| | Posted on Thursday, August 20, 2009 - 11:20 am: |
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Correction - "was". Allegedly.
Forgot about that tidbit...short-term memory not being what it once was.
(Message edited by rfischer on August 20, 2009) |
Marko138
| | Posted on Friday, August 21, 2009 - 10:12 am: |
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I can tell you this. A few years ago I wanted absolutely nothing to do with a Harley Davidson. I bought a Buell. I LOVE my Buell. It is the most fun bike I've ever ridden.
I'm now at a point in my life where my next bike will likely be a Harley. The Buell absolutely turned me on to Harley's. And I'm 27 y.o. |
Theslacker
| | Posted on Friday, August 21, 2009 - 02:05 pm: |
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I just sold my 2001 MV Agusta F4 to buy a Buell. |
Avc8130
| | Posted on Friday, August 21, 2009 - 02:38 pm: |
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Yeah, since owning my Buell I feel the need to add a Harley to keep it company. In a few years I am sure I won't be able to resist the urge any longer. 28 now.
ac |
Jpowell490
| | Posted on Friday, August 21, 2009 - 02:53 pm: |
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Hey Fellas,
I can tell you this, Harley's are fantastic machines and there is no ride as smooth for sure. If you are used to riding sport bikes though, don't get rid of your Buell for a Harley, you will be wanting it back in a month or two.
If you have the opportunity to keep your Buell and buy a Harley, by all means go for it. But take it from me, if you grew up on dirtbikes and sportbikes, a Harley just won't do it for you. |
Madav8tr
| | Posted on Friday, August 21, 2009 - 04:17 pm: |
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"But take it from me, if you grew up on dirtbikes and sportbikes, a Harley just won't do it for you."
It might not "do it" for you, but speak for yourself. I rode sportbikes exclusively for 12 years, roadraced for 5, and track coached for 6 before I bought my 1st Harley. Now have 4('07 Street Glide, '97 Sportster based chop and 2 Shovels) and a Ducati racebike to go along with my 1125. I didn't buy my Harleys to go fast on and I didn't buy my 1125 to cruise on. To say that if you have a sportbike background that a Harley won't meet your needs is ridiculous. My 1st Harley was bought when I was 31 and I am 35 now. I have a bunch of freinds my age that either own Harleys or are going to be buying one soon. BTW, they all came from a sportbike background too. |
Court
| | Posted on Friday, August 21, 2009 - 05:50 pm: |
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>>>Yeah, since owning my Buell I feel the need to add a Harley to keep it company.
Don't feel bad . . . I bought my first bike, a 1987-1/2 Harley-Davidson 883 "Hugger" thinking it'd make a nice "diversion" during the busy years I was starting and growing my company. I simply didn't have the time to play golf.
I screwed up.
In the next 12 months I bought 6 Harleys, 4 new, a 1977 XLCR Cafe Racer and a 1983 XR-1000 and 2 months later I was sponsoring a race team and traveling the Grand National Dirt Track Circuit.
I was in Sacramento when I saw the first Buell RR-1000 and quickly headed to Wisconsin to investigate.
It's been nothing but a wild ride since.
 |
Court
| | Posted on Friday, August 21, 2009 - 05:51 pm: |
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P.S. . . . I've got photos of Erik and I back then when we were in our 30's. We were kids and each time I look at the faces I recall how much enthusiasm we had . . . ready to take on the world and never had a doubt.
Cool stuff. |
Blake
| | Posted on Friday, August 21, 2009 - 06:44 pm: |
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Post 'em! |
Avc8130
| | Posted on Friday, August 21, 2009 - 07:17 pm: |
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Pics or it didn't happen! LOL
ac |
Court
| | Posted on Friday, August 21, 2009 - 08:22 pm: |
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Hahahaha. . . . nah. The old rule "if it happens past the entrance to the driveway at home it doesn't get posted" has served me well for 19 years.
I've posted, in those years, only one photo of Erik at home just because it was too powerful not to. Besides . . . who're recognize either of us at that age???
. . . . . and, who knows . . . perhaps it never actually happened. You know Erik's famous quote about me and stuff that seems to weird to have ever happened . . . . |
Avc8130
| | Posted on Saturday, August 22, 2009 - 08:39 am: |
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I think that is an excellent policy. It is always important to respect privacy.
ac |
Jerseyguy
| | Posted on Monday, August 24, 2009 - 12:54 pm: |
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My new Harley 
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Jerseyguy
| | Posted on Monday, August 24, 2009 - 12:59 pm: |
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BTW - I'll never sell my XB. |
R2s
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 25, 2009 - 12:38 am: |
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I cant believe a lot of people would go from dirt dikes and sport bikes to Harley's.
I would think the majority would go the other way. A Harley is mostly a starter bike anyways, ain't it?
When, or if they decide they would like a bike that accelerates, turns, and stops better they look for something else. |
