| Author | Message | ||
     Jima4media |
Mikej, We were hoping that you would take a drive over to East Troy and scout out the situation. Are there XB's being loaded into trucks this week? Are there pallet loads of motors stacked outside the factory, you know, that sort of thing. Bring a digital camera - take some pictures. Do an interview with Erik. Take some more pictures. Inquiring minds need to know. Jim X-2.5 | ||
| Mikej |
(Jim, Shhh, I figured that if I asked then they wouldn't be looking for me. Then I could put on a suit and tie and look like I'm just some guy wandering around the area looking for a job at one of the neighboring businesses. Now I'm going to have to go buy some bib overalls and rent a tractor to drive down the street so I just look like a local farmer looking for his field. Don't tell anyone. Ps, I still need to get a new digital camera, so pics will have to wait for a print&scan routine. If they come out blurred blame it on the tractor suspension.)  | ||
| Jima4media |
There are 450 dealers in the United States according to the Buell website. California has the highest number with 43. How many XB's can you fit on a semi-trailer? If you can fit 25, you can get one semi per state with the exception of California, where it would be better to have one go to LA, and one go to the SF Bay area. DC and North Dakota don't have any dealers. You can put all of the bikes going to SD, WY, MT, NV, UT, OR, WA on the same truck. Same goes for ME, CT, VT, and NH. Send the bikes to AK and HI by air freight. 8 bikes total. Should be able to do it all in two weeks, by my estimations. Jim X-2.5 | ||
| Jima4media |
Mikej, Hahahaha. Speaking of photography. I'm going to go to the Ikonos and KH11 satellites and see if I can spot semi's in the Buell parking lot. You can spot anything bigger than a bread box nowadays.  | ||
| Ramon |
Hey everyone, Give me your opinion on commuting on the firebolt about 70 miles a day. Smart move or "not that kind of bike"? I am on the buell blast deal (and i want to get out of this crappy bike), but I don't know whether make the jump to the firebolt. Reliability is the biggest issue for me, and the Blast has left me on the side of the road too many times. Other choices are: Ducati Monster 620 i.e. (very cool!) or Honda 600F4I (I rode this bike and it is very easy to ride) thanks! -ramon | ||
| Libnosis |
Kahuna Don't get us started!  | ||
| Jima4media |
Now this is scary. I didn't think this would work as well as it does. I can actually count cars and trucks in the Buell parking lot. http://cloud.datashed.net/static/images/motorcycle/BuellFactory.jpg | ||
| Dynarider |
Ramon, you presently have a Blast for commuting. Why would you think the Firebolt would not be capable of performing the same duties? Only major difference is you will have about 3 times the power & 2.5 times the payment | ||
| Mikej |
Ramon, Take a test ride and let your butt and body decide. Jim, But can you see the Troll that lives under the bridge between the buildings? (Long story with a pseudo-happy ending.) Does it say when the photo was taken? And can you peek at pics from earlier days? Guess I'll have to check it out later. Might be interesting to see if they have a pic from one of the Homecomings. | ||
| Dynarider |
Jim, how do I access that website? Whay is the actual site address? | ||
| Mikej |
Try GlobeXplorer.com. 'cept Jim's doesn't have their name across the image, so he might be a subscriber. | ||
| Sarodude |
Ramon- You probably won't be able to swap the Blast under the full buyback program as it doesn't seem to apply to 2003 models. Maybe you should think about an M2... -Saro | ||
| Libnosis |
dyna aerial photo page | ||
| Dynarider |
Thanks, very cool site. | ||
| Jima4media |
Try mapquest.com type in your address, and then click on images at the top of the map, and you won't get the globeexplorer watermark. There are other satellites too, but you need an account to get at them. Do a google search on Ikonos, KH11, Keyhole and NRO for some interesting reading. Jim | ||
| Court |
Just got off the phone with Wisconsin. . . and have felt a strange disturbance in the force....as if a thousand Bueller's have just cried out in joy. I love days like this! Court | ||
| Peter |
Court, Damn you're cryptic sometimes! Does that mean we will have a Firebolt here in Hamsterdamn on the 27th????? Can I test ride it? PPiA | ||
| Pige |
Court, Are you not saying what I hope you're not saying? I've been anxiously awaiting the first blue XB that arrives at my local dealership for quite some time now. DJ Baker | ||
| Jima4media |
Court, I'm wondering what your cryptic message means now myself. Tonight I heard the the April 27th Slay the Dragon intro promotion has been cancelled, because of 235 XB9R bikes being impounded in California because they won't pass the C.A.R.B. certification. Dealers have been told to cancel and plans they might have had in place for April 27th. Can any other dealers watching this board confirm or deny that is the case? So is Buell going to hold off on the intro until July and introduce other 2003 models as well? Hmmmmm Jim X-2.5 | ||
| Pilot |
Damm you Courtney L. Canfield (don't love it when people use your middle initial to get your attention)If you know something then it can not be on the official secrets list.So email me and let me in on the facts.Your post is in the p.m. so April fools day jokes are over.Like somebody posted before you must live your life in a permanently excited state, so share some of your excitement and make the Buelling World a Happier Place.Hope to see you on the Salt. Ross.p.s.passed my PPL-A exams yesterday and are now able to fly G.A.aircraft as well as Ultralight,now to finish off the Helicopter side of things. | ||
| Court |
What I was excited about had little . . . that's "little" not not nothing, to do with the XB9R introduction. Sure...bikes are packaged in white wrap, ready to be shipped. But, more important to me, is the excitement within the walls of the plant. Yesterday was a Town Hall meeting at which Erik and the Elves at the Buell factory were presented trophies from TEAM ELVES for the Land Speed Records aboard the RR-1000(#50). The XB intro is but one component in taking Buell to the next level. In visiting with Buell folks there have been several other developments aboard the "Mothership" of late that bode very well for Buell and the future of Buell. As regards the XB, I recall, during the midst of the post dealer intro flurry about Nov01 delivery saying "late spring, possibly early summer". It's more important that it be right, than to hit a date. In addition, it were us who demanded "even if it's not ready, clue us in and let us look behind the curtain". Dealer joined the throng demanding something to bolster the Buell line. Folks who had ought to be quite well informed can't say enough about the freedom they have been given to do their job right and speak of "BLAST® level quality". This is good. In additon, the processes involved in the production of the XB9R are breaking new ground in ISO level process control. Take a wild shot at how many air tools are on this production line? The XB9R will represent a new standard in the motorcycle industry in it's ability to be produced with consistent quality from one unit to the next...no more of this "it was built on a Monday" thing. Buells done well. After having one landed on their chin, they planned and executed. Sure, the proof will be in the pudding as the XB's hit the marlet. But, after all the business case stories are told the one salient fact that impresses me is that there are more Buell employees (and 4 former employees) with deposits on the XB than any Buell previously built. This, to me, speaks volumes. When people are excited, exciting things happen. Accuse me, if you will, of being an enternal optimist but I am confident that my excitement is based in fact and that Buell is posed to rise to the next level. Been a long trip boys and girls.....you're darned right I am excited. Court | ||
| Lsr_Bbs |
The XB intro is but one component in taking Buell to the next level. In visiting with Buell folks there have been several other developments aboard the "Mothership" of late that bode very well for Buell and the future of Buell. For their sake I sure hope this means fixing the dealer problems, but I seriously doubt it. Neil Garretson X0.5 | ||
| Court |
Neil: The Achilles Heel, no doubt. Past efforts have produced miserable and counterproductive results. But, I'll tell you a secret. When Richard Nallin made the one "slow" pass down the Salt, we didn't pack the tent and go home. Folks at Buell are learning, ditto Harley-Davidson. These are not bad folks and though there exist a couple folks who are just plain generally pissed at Erik (See Louis Rukeyser - "Success Offends Bureaucrats" 1970)} they are largely ignored as whiners. Harley-Davidson has been tremendously successful. The old adage "you don't mess with success" and "Dance with the one who brung ya" hold true. As Pavlov's Dog's salivated so too the Harley-Davidson folks will tend to continue to do what has, under the precept of classical conditioning, provided positive reinforcement in the past. Habits too, are hard to break. Watch a smoker try to quit. Now, toss dealers in the mix. Many of these guys (I know I am risking gross generalization) are the sons and daughters of folks who weather some tough times with Harley-Davidson. These kids worked in their parent's shops, made big $$ and are painfully cognizant that during those years many of them missed acquiring the education and experience to do anything but "run the shop". Interesting to see a guy who owns $1M worth of exotic cars and quit school at 8th grade to help out his dad in the lean (can you say XLCR and Super Glide?) years. These guys have a deal and they ain't eager to be "Different in Every Sense", paradigm shift to the max, for you California dudes. But, time and the changing fortunes of the world economy, are opening eyes. I, personally, am less than thrilled about the way Buell dealers are qualified, selected, trained and organized. It's a system that has little built in tendency to promote success. As Aaron Wilson would tell you about tuning.....it's a game of not optimizing a component, but a SYSTEM. Things must work in harmony. Your doubt, I am sorry to say, is not founded without some basis, a number of various serious attempts to help the dealer network assume a schizoid quality of maintaining two separate personalities simultaneously have borne laughable results. I still laugh at the video sent to dealers following the 1999 debacle ....as Jerry sat on the X-1 and told dealers "I'm here to tell you we are going to pay more attention to detail" his misspelled name scrolled across the bottom of the screen. The fact is however, I hope your love of the brand and the breed of folks they’ve attracted move you to continue your support. We need the support of a diverse and vocal group of owner's to continue to yell "Do the Right Thing" to the powers that be. I can't say a lot, but this week there have been major strides in that direction. I think things are improving and I am very optimistic that more and more dealers will emulate where Topeka has been for 14 years and Modesto has been for the last several years. I think my optimism is based in fact, not fancy. I see good times, peppered with the challenges of "real world" stuff, for Buell ahead. Erik's persevered above much greater adversity and it says much that many of the original ELVES are showing heightened excitement and commitment. That's my take......and I am going to steal Aaron's quote....."Walk toward the light". Court | ||
| Anonymous |
We all know that Court's optimism is probably as overdone as Neil's pessimism . . . but it still leaves a little lump in the throat doesn't it? | ||
| Court |
Actually.....I've been about as quick on the trigger to take Buell to task when I felt it was warranted. I'd like to think my opinion is based, to the extent it can be, as much on facts tempered with enthusism. Been doing this for nearly 15 years through good and bad and I have no regrets. Court | ||
| Buelliedan |
Courts Optimism? Actually the way I read it is he's not so much an optimist but instead an optimistic realist. Court admits that there are problems and he is giving us some hints that things are changing. But should we let the dealers control our feelings about Buells? HELL NO!! If you have a local dealer who sucks, don't give him any more business then you have to! Order your parts and accessories from a dealer who deserves our business like Modesto or Topeka. I understand that warranty work still has to go through yor local dealer. Don't be afraid to call Buell Customer Service if the dealer gives you a hard time. Hell, I call them before I take my bike in so that it is already pre-approved. Yes, my dealer dreads seeing me come in but he knows not to screw with me either. Knowledge is power. And the more you have when you go to your dealer the better they will treat you. If you walk in ignorant to the facts then you had better be prepared to be taken advantage of. Welcome to Capitalism.  | ||
| Peter |
Hmmmm, On a point about dealers and the new Buells. Today I went to three different Authorised Buell dealers (two were Harley as well) to try and find a workshop that had part # HD-38871 (Camshaft Bushing Plate Pilot and Reamer) in their workshop. None of them had it, but the Buell (non Harley) dealer said that he's had it on order for about a year. I should ring them again tomorrow and he will try and find out why it was never delivered. I'm now going to email every dealer in Holland and see if one exists in this country. He DID tell me though, that he has already received about 40,000 (I'm assuming guilders) in tools for the Firebolt. Although he hasn't got any Firebolts yet, he's ready to work on them. Another shop's mechanic has just got back from the States after doing a Firebolt (and I think, V-Rod) course. It seems the guys are trained, the tools are there, they're just waiting for the bikes. This is good. The bad is, I can't find a tool for a 5 speed Sportster engine. When were they released.....? PPiA | ||
| Timmy2shoes |
taken from elsewhere (cough...Sacborg...cough) =======================Quote=========== To: All U.S. Buell Dealers Subject: Initial Firebolt Shipments Dear Buell Dealer, During our Winter Dealer Meeting in Orlandeo, we advised you that we anticipated initial deliveries of XB9R product beginning in March (later in California). Unfortunately, due to unforseen circumstances, we are not going to be able to meet this timetable. We ask for your understanding and continued support. Our goal continues to be to have the best possible quality new product launch in Buell's history, even if it means taking a little more time. We will be communicating a revised shipping goal as soon as it is finalaized. In that we can't currently guarantee delivery prior to the "Slay the Dragon" open house, we have created additional support plans. They include additional tools to help manage customer expectations, including additional brochures and posters. Based on this unfortunate delay, we suggest that if you have Firebolt advertising and/or promotion plans in place for the month of April that you postpone or modify those plans until Firebolt delivery is confirmed. In the meantime, we suggest that you continue to focus your efforts on selling Blasts and existing tube-frame Twins. Take full advantage of the recently announced X1 dealer cash program to maximize retail sales. We apologize for the delay in shipping the Firebolt and are working relentlessly to deliver it as soon as possible. Sincerely, blah, blah, blah. .......................................... Fast forward to April 27, "Hey, do you have any of those Firebolts in stock?" "No, but let me show you what we do have. This Ducati 900ss is a two-valve, air-cooled motor that comes with a two-year, unlimited mileage warranty. And if you're approved, you cn have financing as low as 2.75% for the first three years of the term. ================================= That was from Danny, at Modesto Buell | ||
| Court |
Welcome to Capitalism Indeed....I suppose it was an accident that I was born the year after Galbraith penned "American Capitalism" but if there ever was a self evident truth of American Capitalism (topical discussion in the week Wal-Mart becomes the world's largest revenue generator) it is that to survive a business MUST know it's customer. Buell does. Some dealers do. The story of Henry Patterson is a legend. Patricia Seybold (The Customer Revolution) may not be as far ahead of it's time as it may, initally, appear.  Court | ||
| Jima4media |
Court, This has nothing to do with the XB9R, and everything to do with the XB9R. I recommend a book written in 1997 by Clayton M. Christensen and published by Harvard Business School Press. It is called The Innovator's Dilemma. When New Technologies Cause Great Firms to Fail. It is all about managing disruptive technological change. I'm telling you this in public rather by private e-mail in hopes that more people will read it, and understand it's implications. Jim X-2.5 |
