| Author | Message | ||
     Whosyodaddy |
thats is why Buell had to offer a 2 year warranty vs. HD 1 year... As is the case with Buell, HD's standard warranty has been extended to 2 years beginning with the '04 models. WYS | ||
| Anonymous |
" would be better off getting a sportster since Buells build quality was not up to HD's par," I have heard from reliable sources that Buell's build quality easily surpases H-D's | ||
| Wyckedflesh |
as a reiteration of a previous quote "you should look into this nice sportster, your a bit old for a Buell..." needless to say I have not set foot back in that dealership nor do I intend to. I am 34, and look late 20's, that is just WRONG. | ||
| Johnnyxb9 |
It sales guys like that that will be the death of the product. | ||
| Court |
>>>getting a sportster since Buells build quality was not up to HD's par, Oooooops...INACCURATE information. Warranty period is unrelated to reliability. Suppose those guys offering 10 years packages for cars are essentially saying "it will last about 10 miles?". The Blast and the XB are well on their way to becoming two of the most reliable motorcycles made. I have been helping a friend acquire a new HD/Buell dealership. I think the timing is excellent. Court | ||
| Kaudette |
I got the same story from the sales guy at my dealer in France - eg - Buell will go the way of the dodo. He complains that they can't sell the bikes because there is a lack of interest & buyers. My guess is that the buell reseller base will consolidate and let the non-volume dealers opt out of the Buell line. If anything this could help the brand medium term as the remaining dealers would, theoretically, have enough volume to stock parts & skilled service techs. | ||
| Brucelee |
Lets cut to the chase. We HATE that Buell is connected to HD and this emnity is well deserved. The company has clearly made no effort to get their dealers on Board and a great bike goes unpromoted and neglected. I love the bike and hope they sell the division to someone who has the money and desire to make the bike a big hit. Erik deserves better and so do we! IMHO! | ||
| Nxtr |
The key will be when Buell gets their own independent dealerships. The HD sales people are all about the DOLLAR! When the demand for product starts to ease and they are no longer able to add 2 to 5K on top of the MSRP they will begin to appreciate the fact that there are Buell buyers like us, and hopefully begin to compete for our business. I feel Buell should use the Sam Walton technique, send a few unknown (Not the regional reps since they are in my belief fed a line of BS from dealership sales while they are there then back to mark ups leather and chrome when they leave) factory sales reps to see first hand "not spy" but check up on the sales tactics used in the promotion of Buell. The first key indicator should be the size of the Buell signs at dealerships or lack there of. I mean we all see the commercials but ask the average Joe who would like to test ride a Buell where he could do this and he says the Buell dealer, and where would that be you ask him, ya know what I don’t know he says. JMHO Bring on the 2005's The Future is getting brighter by the day for Buell. Here is hoping this year will not require shades but a welders mask. V/R, Nick | ||
| Mikej |
Scenario: Send in teams of three, one man or woman in a business suit aged 30-50, one man or woman in construction clothes looking like they are on a lunch break, one man or woman mid-20's in street casual attire. Send them in with a survey form to fill out when they get back into their car after visiting the dealership. 1. Walk into the store and go stand in front of the Buell area and start looking at bikes, even sit on some if there is no signage stating not to do so. a) How long did it take to be approached by someone in sales? b) When approached were you asked if you'd like a test ride? c) When approached were you directed away from the Buells and towards the Harleys? d) Were you told anything negative about Buell quality or reliability? e) Were you told anything about the dealerships parts and accessories and service departments relative to Buell ownership? f) Were you told anything about the various features of the various Buell models? g) Were you shown where the Buell accessories were. h) What was your overall appraisal of how Buell was represented by the dealership and by the particular salesperson you dealt with? i) If you entered the store, looked at all the Buells, sat on several of them, and were not approached at all by anyone then phone Corporate immediately. A similar scenario can be done for parts and service, as Court has occasionally done on his own in the past. | ||
| Daves |
"The company has clearly made no effort to get their dealers on Board" That is, as Court would say, inaccurate. Have they done enough? Maybe not. Since all HD dealerships are individually owned it's harder than with say, a Wal Mart. I'd LOVE the job of being the mystery shopper! Ride to the edge! Dave daves@h-dappleton.com | ||
| Buellgator |
Honestly haven't we been hearing this rumor since the first round of recalls. "Oh, Buell's done next year their losing to much money for the motor company." Than Buell comes out with the next years models and you hear the same thing again. It's no different this year than any other year. I still put no faith in this statement. | ||
| Whosyodaddy |
Nxtr, Bring on the 2005's Agreed. Looking forward to seeing what (if anything) new may be available. I miss my XB12R and will be anxious to see if there's anything new that may push me back into the Buell family. (I may even trade in my HD Dyna!) The Future is getting brighter by the day for Buell. Unfortunately, I'd have to disagree here. The single biggest problem Buell faces is their dealerships. And let's face it, unless Buell fixes this problem - and quickly, Buell is going to remain a relative non-player with regards to market share and customer satisfaction. I wish this wasn't the case but based on my experience with 3 local HD/Buell dealers, I get the impression that Buell dealers really don't want to be carrying the line. That certainly doesn't bode well for Buell's "future". WYD | ||
| Reepicheep |
*shrug*... my local Yamaha dealer was just as bad as my local Buell dealer was. I found another dealer. I was lucky one was close, but in these days of internet, 800 numbers, and Fed Ex, anyone looking at the banners as they cruise this site have at least two outstanding "local" dealers that I am aware of. | ||
| Daves |
Yeah and Blake still doesn't have my banner up yet! Ride to the edge! Dave daves@h-dappleton.com | ||
| Redb1ker |
Bring on the 2005's Sounds like the boy whistling in the dark. My dealer (High Country HD & Buell)is lucky enough to have a Harley salesman that rides both and at least one OUTSTANDING Buell tech. They didn't come up with the sling bag until I bought one. They treated (and continue) me great. They cut me a great deal and I am greeted by name by most of the employees of the dealership. The rest know that I have a Buell and a Harley both. They also frequently remember the model of both. This is uncommon for a Harley dealership. I was treated with a great deal less respect at the Ft. Collins dealership (by the owner, no less). I don't think that there is a way to MAKE the dealers give a C#$P. What a shame. | ||
| Kaudette |
Redb1ker - you want the dealers to "care" about their clients - how about the mother company sets discount for the franchises based upon customer satisfaction surveys done by a 3rd party org. This would get the financials incentives going and would really support the top dealers out there who go the extra mile for their customers. This is 100% legal, ethical and done in numerous industries out there. Court - cold day in hell before HD does this type of thing?? | ||
| Mikej |
The various forms of dealership awards is a form of this. I understand the focus on the award measurement parameters has changed in the last few years. Just rumors, no concrete details though. | ||
| Redb1ker |
The BIG Harley craze (the days of the list) are almost over. They made way to many of those UGLY blue & silver/ black & silver, special models last year. The market was glut and a lot of nice older well maintained bikes are now on the market while the "special" people are trying to figure out how to make payments on those hideous 100th anniversary editions. Now the dealers are having a hard time unloading the new ones. Bout time. You can finally walk into the dealer and buy a brand new one off the floor. NOW the attitude will change. | ||
| Redb1ker |
Last year they more than doubled the production of those UGLY 100th anniversary models. Now there is a glut of older well maintained Harleys on the market and the dealers actually have new bikes that you can walk in and buy. No more waiting on the list. NOW maybe the attitude will change. Any dealer that thinks he can still treat the customer like crap and get away with it, will fall by the way side. | ||
| Redb1ker |
oops. I guess it was important enough for me to make the point twice. | ||
| Koz5150 |
Daves can't be a mystery shopper, he is too famous...  | ||
| Socal |
The worst part about Buell ownership for me HANDS DOWN is the Fashion Davidson dealership experience. Complete crap. I absolutely can not stand it at all. It's like the dentist - I feel like I have to go there sometimes, but I do everything possible to put it off. To think . . I used to wander in to the local Yuppie Davidson stealership often and drool over the wide glide . . . man am I glad I didn't qualify for the HD loan when I applied! Blessing in disguise! | ||
| Bomber |
I've been predicting the coming downward trend of HD sales for over a decade . . . . .I've stopped (slow learner, I spose) Buells will thrive where they have a solid backing (customer and dealer), and not where they don't (pretty good for a slow learner) . . .we've seen some shops drop Buell, and some pick it up . . . .but, at the end of the day, it's all about the dollar . .. . . they are in business to stay in business . . . . we get enough Daves (and the few others I'm aware of) showing dealership owners that Buell can be a money maker, we'll be in great shape! | ||
| Gonen60 |
On the other hand, with out HD, would any of us even be on a Buell brand cycle. As much as I hate walking into a HD boutique, I have had many positive years of cycle buying and owning from HD and now a year of Buell. Even if The HD mothership pushed harder on promoting the Buell Line, You still need the core customer base. Like someone said, it's a niche type bike. So many people buying sports bikes, want race replicas and BIG HP. I think one of the keys is, getting more riders on test rides. the problem is, you can only push that subject so far. Hell, what other brand of cycle will let you even have a test ride. My local Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki and kawaski dealer do not even have bikes they will START, much less let you pilot into traffic. Why? they don't need to. I have noticed more print adds in the cycle mags, even the ones from across the pond are running full page adds. }} | ||
| Bads1 |
They don't need to????? Really thats because of insurance reasons.Back in 94 I was selling bikes at a dealer that sold Honda Suzuki and Kawasaki.The new ZX6R just came out and many were asking when...when is gonna be here???Well we finally got one in and we at the time were one of the few left if any in this area that would let someone demo a bike,a sportbike.Well this kid comes in with his Dad and wants the bike but want to ride it first.So we run a credit application on his Dad,it good check the kids drivers license..good.He's on his way.Well a 1/2 hr. goes by and we get a call from the police that this kid is on his way to the emergency room and the bike is on its way back to us.This kid was horsing around through a intersection and broad sided a car.This is what the big four dealers went through time and time again.Buell may at one time be no different.But then again Honda,kawasaki,etc.are not there own insurance broker either. | ||
| Gonen60 |
Dont know about other areas, but My area sportbikes sell like hotcakes, and you do not get a test ride. I understand the insurance problems. But it ends up not being a problem, because people buy them with out even starting them. | ||
| Starter |
I see that the reason these bikes aren't selling like "sportsbikes" is solely due to the power issues. Every magazine I pick up has the latest riceburner in it or a comparo of the four quoting that they have half a bees donger of the dry weight, upped the power by 2hp and extended the redline by 500rpm to 15,500rpm. No matter if they can use it or not the current consumer wants the most powerful bike in the class. Ask any kid staring at bikes in a shop hows it go and they will instantly say "oh it's pretty good with 105hp at the wheel but the brand x has a few more". How can you ever expect a bike that runs 75-80hp for a near 1000cc and less than 100hp for a 1200cc to ever compete with that mentality? I don't completely blame the dealers nor Buell as that is the current market demand and their product just doesn't satisfy it enough to be a major player. I personally am glad that every person on the block doesn't have one. That is why I purchased one. I also paid a premium price for a far inferior bike in terms of engine capability but that is cool as well. People need to reallise that the local H-D dealer is not likely in business to make a loss, hence he is not going to spend too much effort pushing a product that interests most people only by it's design, not owning one. The only concern I have is the lack of support I may get if they don't sell a couple more due to availability of spare parts becoming an issue down under. | ||
| M1combat |
"far inferior bike in terms of engine capability" I don't think that's quite true. Most of the people I have heard coming back from racetracks are more surprised about the fact that they didn't get their doors COMPLETELY blown off by the IL4 liter bikes. I guess it just comes down to different strokes for different folks. | ||
| Blake |
"far inferior bike in terms of engine capability" Well you could have purchased a lot of bikes that cost more and were"far inferior bike in terms of engine capability." Ducati Monster 800 or SS800, the 1000's are comparable. Moto Guzzi: Pick one BMW: Pick any R-model. The Buell engine is only inferior if your primary concern is peak HP or top speed. In all other categories, it pretty much kicks •••. | ||
| Starter |
Anyone who thinks t}he XB engine and heads are a technological miracle is dreaming. I do agree that there are heaps of other bikes out there that are even worse, but owners of these bikes get treated 200 times better than Buell riders by perspective their dealers. People can get all high and mighty about torque opposed to power, but at the end of the day a 400cc riceburner will still toast an XB9 in a drag race and a 600cc will do the XB12. The XB engine is under powered in a market that buyers want powerful engines. Plus the 600cc race reps are $AUD3000 cheaper. Hence Buells don't sell well and dealers couldn't be stuffed trying to beating a dead horse. |
