| Author | Message | ||
     Ogobracing |
I thought I put this up earlier, but apparently screwed up. Sorry to hear of the coming layoffs. http://www.roadracingworld.com/news/article/?artic le=38070 | ||
| Daggar |
Pretty cool that they are giving the laid off workers their holiday pay and benefits, while they're laid off. | ||
| Junkyrddog780 |
I wonder if this is related to my local dealer, as worthless wth anything Buell as they were, dropping the Buell line of bikes. | ||
| Ccryder |
This is already being discussed on the Quick Board: http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/406 2/494943.html?1252604605 | ||
| Dentguy |
Maybe Blake or someone can adjust the thread title to 2 months instead of 3. | ||
| Jaimec |
I was going to point out that October 30 through January 4 is just TWO months (not three), but Dentguy beat me to it. | ||
| Blackflash |
Q2 U.S. Motorcycle Sales The numbers aren't looking good for the first six months of 2009 compared to the same time period in 2008. Sources tell us that street bike sales for the first two quarters of the 2009 year so far totaled 212,130, down 46% from the same time period in 2008. Dual sport sales are down 47%; off-road motorcycle sales down 37% and scooter sales are down a whopping 67% from the first 6 months of 2008. Meanwhile, some numbers from Japan indicate motorcycle production in May 2009 was down 28,445 units or 40.9% of the May 2008 number of 69,626 units produced. Motorcycle exports from Japan in May 2009 totaled 33,845 units, down 28,203 units or 45.5% of May 2008 figure of 62,048 units. Just for comparison, Japanese automobile exports in May 2009 were 233,217 units, down 295,400 units or 55.9% from the May 2008 figure of 528,617 units | ||
| Redscuell |
Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha !!!!!!!!!!!! So indeed there are consequences for the kinds of inadequate ergonomics, reliability, and customer service coming out of BMC. And here I've been trying all year to make lemonade out of the lemons they gave me. Suck on this, fresno. | ||
| Badlionsfan |
Yeah that's right fuctard, the fact that you're some kind of umpa lumpa that can't touch ground or what ever has caused the global economic conditions that we're dealing with right now. Most every review commends the comfort of this bike. You're in the minority on this subject by far. It's no one here's fault but your own that you bought a bike that doesn't fit you or your needs. GET OVER YOURSELF!! You're a compete moron, bring nothing of value or even humor to this website. If I were Blake, you'd be gone a long time ago. Making light of the fact that people WITH FAMILIES are getting laid off the months leading up to the holiday season just proves what a worthless scumbag you really are. Go to hell you loser. | ||
| Rockstarblast1 |
haha ben hes just mad cuz he bought the "25r" in hope to make up for other stuff hes lacking between his legs, but realized its too much power after dealing with something thats only 25mm.. on all serious notes why is he still here? and not cool on the making fun of job lay offs. i work in a machine shop and we laid off all our guys except me and 1 other guy and im only 20.. so id really watch what ya say red. | ||
| Oldog |
Boys time to cool off? Red your outa line, If you are unhappy with the machine or the dealer service, you have the option, SELL IT be rid of it, I rode a nice yamaha, today and expect to ride a newer Kawi KZ soon, either may fit your needs better. as far as being [ amused smug or unconcerned ] about others misfortunes Life is circular friend, what goes around comes around, I have been here long enough to see this Lemons or not......... from the porch 'oldog | ||
| Court |
>>>So indeed there are consequences for the kinds of inadequate ergonomics, reliability, and customer service coming out of BMC. You'll have to pardon me if I missed something but Buell's business response has nothing to do with any of the items you mentioned. I'll bet you are smarter than you sound. You may want to study up on some of the ongoing world issues. Most the vehicle business is in the tank. Of about 74 motorcycle companies Buell is one of the few holding their own. The temporary production slow down is a result of the world economy and impacts only about 25% of Buell employees. With consumers not buying it simply makes no sense to shove stuff into the pipeline. No go study and hopefully you'll sound a bit brighter up your return. Court | ||
| Jaimec |
I think he'd be happier on a Ridley. | ||
| Marcodesade |
Blake: With all due respect, why is this guy still allowed to post here? His last 20 posts --- easily --- have had nothing to do with anything except insults. He is effectively making this a less enjoyable site for everyone else here. Please consider banning him. | ||
| Mainstreamer |
No doubt that a weak dealer network and the less then successful introduction off the '08 1125R has had a significant impact on BMC. '08 1125's are still available at give away prices, dealers not making a substantial profit and dropping the brand. From where I sit the future of BMC looks a bit bleak. As always, YMMV. Somethings wrong here, Red talks about the brand,his experience and the potential consequence. he is then personally attacked. Why is it that some here need to resort to name calling? At times it sounds like the 3rd grade to me. (Message edited by mainstreamer on September 14, 2009) | ||
| Hellgate |
I worked in the semi-conductor equipment industry for the past 15 years for the worlds largest manufacture as a senior human resources operations manager. During that time, 1994 to 2008, I witnessed about 14 reductions in force, and roughly 20+ shut downs. The industry is feast or famine. While I question the length of the furlough, the season they have selected is actually a good one. The November through January time frame is typically the slowest quarter for many industries. Many employees take vacation and the factory is slow anyway so the timing is really very good. The money is already allocated in the vacation bucket so by closing over the holidays is minimizes impact to both the business and the employee. I'm not sure about Wisconsin but in Texas a furloughed employee can apply for unemployment benefits during the furlough period. While Buell as a company and a product line has some rather rough edges the entire motorcycle industry is very poor right now. Bottomline, motorcycles are toys in the US and they are really not needed by the consumer. Where as in Europe and Asia the motorcycle is a basic means for transportation. Slow times are actually and excellent opportunity for a business to excel. Now is the time to develop strategic relationships and gain market share. If a company can make those gains during a slow period they will excel that much more during the next up turn. Hopefully Buell will capitalize on this opportunity. | ||
| A10tankkill |
You hit it on the head Hellgate. Everyone is hurting now and as hard as it maybe, this is the time to make some strides and build on product. Quality, features, styling etc., and build your brand rep. and as things come around you can be the leader. Obviously not easy when cash is tight, but this is the time when the innovative leaders shine. | ||
| Hellgate |
You hit it on the head Hellgate. Everyone is hurting now and as hard as it maybe, this is the time to make some strides and build on product. Quality, features, styling etc., and build your brand rep. and as things come around you can be the leader. Obviously not easy when cash is tight, but this is the time when the innovative leaders shine." Thanks - As much as us Buell types love the product Buell finds themselves in a difficult place. Putting aside brand bias I see it like this: 1) They are stuck with HD, that is a mixed blessing. HD bring a mixed finacial bag to the table, cash and debt. While I'm sure Buell Co leans on HD from time to time, HD's junk loan problem really hurts the Company as a whole. I'd like to be a fly on the wall as HD and Buell are discussing Annual Operating Plans, I envision HD being the bulldog and pretty dictating what they wish. 2) Dealer network, wow, more of a curse than a blessing. As we all know most dealers don't really want to deal with Buell. Granted some, are very good or excellent. 3) Styling, we have pages and pages on this topic, bottomline, the average motorcycle consumer doesn't care for the look of the new bikes, many however like the look of the air-cooled bikes. They may work great (to varying degrees), but most folks think they look funny. 4) Quality issues. Yes pages and pages on this too. Bottomline quality needs to improve. I've never been on any vehicle forum that has as much quality issues as this one. Yes all bikes have issues to one degree or another, but we really put up with a lot more pain than we should. So how does Buell overcome these challenges? 1) Their current marketing champaign is outstanding! Well done and keep it up! 2)Train the dealer network better on mechanical and sales skill, knowledge and ability. 3) Impliment a quality tiger team to solve the main issues and work with the dealer network to implement solutions. 4) Design? Well, I'd hire an Italian, but that is me.  Back to work... | ||
| Court |
>>>No doubt that a weak dealer network and the less then successful introduction off the '08 1125R has had a significant impact on BMC. '08 1125's are still available at give away prices Golf balls and eggs . . . . unrelated. Porsche, who had a stellar roll-out for the 2008 models has 2008's sitting in dealers for $20,000 off MSRP along side their launch code 2010's. I am trying to resist a "used" (it's punched with 7 miles on the car) 2008 in Speed Yellow that is for sale at Danbury, CT.  Opinions will vary but I think it was a gifted move on the part of Buell. . . being able to lay off ONLY production folks while maintain R&D on several projects essential to the companies future. I'd be much more concerned if they, like Ford and Harely-Davidson, laid off a significant number of folks doing FUTURE work. Buells make a tough, but keen, business decision. The weak market in discretionary consumer goods has nothing to due with either the dealer network or 2008 launch. | ||
| Mainstreamer |
Buell vs Porsche..... Apples and bathtubs! Porsche is recognized world wide as a premium, highly desirable product, a status symbol synonymous with success.. Can you say the same about Buell..... me thinks not. Buell dealer are dropping like flies, there's no money in the brand for them. That was my point. | ||
| Court |
Buell dealer are dropping like flies, Name 5. Thank you for making my point . . . .
And after a hugely successful launch of the 2008 Cayman Danbury just sold one with a window sticker of $66,000 for $41,000. The current lowering of the economic lake has taken all boats down. Buell did, as did Porsche when they cut off Valmet, a smart thing from a business perspective. | ||
| Mainstreamer |
------------------------------------------- quote: Porsche is recognized world wide as a premium, highly desirable product, a status symbol synonymous with success.. h ------------------------------------------- Can you say the same about Buell.. Well, can you?? | ||
| Court |
>>>>Can you say the same about Buell.. Well, can you?? No way in hell . . . nor can you about Harley-Davidson, Corvette or Honda. I get your point . . . but it's totally unrelated to the instant discussion. | ||
| Court |
Oh . . . . . and name me 5 or 6 that have "dropped like flies". Can you? | ||
| Ridenusa4l |
no, thats why its so sad that a WORL WIDE PREMIUM product CANNOT sell "highly desirable" cars.. So i guess buell aint doin to bad for being a "nobody" huh?? Jake | ||
| Chadhargis |
Yeah...it's pretty bad when a little American company founded by a man with passion and a dream grows from a barn to the factory I visited at Homecoming. That reeks of failure. Yep...that's failure alright. Especially when you have employees working for you that were there in the beginning. They could have jumped off the sinking ship, but they didn't. Failure....yep, the very definition of it. A motorcycle company that's just won a championship, is finishing top 10 in AMA Superbike with a bike that had only one race under it's belt. Yeah...utter failure. I wonder what Erik Buell would say if you told him he was a failure and that there's "no money in the brand". I've not been to his house, but I'm betting he's upgraded from the barn. He's employing ~200 Americans and supporting their families. He's the SOLE mass produced American sportbike in the WORLD. No one else has made it trying to sell an American made sportbike. Yep...Buell is failing. Best sell mine before I can't get parts for it anymore.  | ||
| Mainstreamer |
You have compare the action of Porsche to BMC in the past. My point is they are very different, and I don't believe the same suit fits them both. Apples and bathtubs I say! I suspect most economist would bet on the future of Porsche and it's ability to weather the world wide economic spin down. Would they make the same bet on Buell? Sorry, I don't have access to the number of current Buell dealer. Perhaps you can share with those numbers for each financial quarter of BMC's existence. To me it seems the numbers are dwindling. Am I wrong? | ||
| Court |
I will say . . . . I'm not exactly on track with your PERSONAL definition. The Porsche cost quite a bit less, think " a couple Buells" less than my wife's car, and we've laughed that it's less than my cousins GM Tahoe and his wife's "truck". It's darn tough to equate $$ with your definition. The Tahoe driving cousin just bought some designer edition Cadillac convertible XLR Special Edition that, and we each have our own standards, in my mind is a $100,000 piece of American made crap. The 2nd week he had it he was stranded when a power steering AND radiator hose gave up the same day. Now . . . my post is also totally unrelated. We're even. | ||
| Court |
>>>>Am I wrong? Depends. At one time . . . an MBA Rocket Scientist named Mike Kennedy thought the best way to promote Buell was to add 400 dealers one year. As a result of that . . . and the ensuing years of fallout . . . I frankly, as a businessman . . put damn little stock in "number of dealers". No Buell dealers that I am aware of are "dropping like flies" due to the economy. I know of 3 Harley-Davidson dealers who have taken bankruptcy. They were poor operators even in the best of times. Expect other news in the dealer arena with regard to HD. A smart firm, and one of the most successful in the history of American business, they are unlikely to sit on their ass and do nothing. | ||
| Mainstreamer |
Who has called Buell a failure? Certainly not me. However, I do believe they are in serious trouble and may not make it through these tough times. They are not to big to fail, or does No'bama have plans for them?? |
