| Author | Message | ||
     Cyko_bob  |
I have been reading the posts on the Buell being one of the few, mostly hand-assembled bikes...with a little help from their trusty computer tools. I like the idea that we ride a hand assembled bike. I like the simplicity of the bike...and at the same time the engineering feats and singular mechanics of the bike. I am a quad cam fan, and the Buell is the best thing going in my opinion. I look forward to seeing what Erik and his crew can put on the street...try to please us Buell enthusiasts. Questions: I am wondering, how many elves are involved in the actual building of a Buell? Don't count the engineers, those in marketing, etc...the wrenches that put our bikes together. The other number I want is how many Buells are sold each year? This should be an easy one...on a website somewhere. Thanks...Cyko Bob | ||
| Gowindward  |
From H-D's web site Harley-Davidson, INC. 2004 Quarterly Motorcycle Shipments (UNITS) HARLEY-DAVIDSON® Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 2004 Sportster® 15,822 17,596 18,903 - 52,321 Custom 36,864 39,407 39,857 - 116,128 Touring 21,404 25,031 21,818 - 68,253 74,090 82,034 80,578 - 236,702 Domestic 59,744 65,102 66,859 - 191,705 International 14,346 16,932 13,719 - 44,997 74,090 82,034 80,578 - 236,702 BUELL® UNITS Buell 2,603 2,718 2,472 - 7,793 | ||
| Charlieboy6649  |
Wow! I had to do a 10 min presentation in my class and I chose Buell history. I find it amazing that they are now producing per quarter what they used to sell in a year! Buell was small then so nobody made comments like, I heard Buell is going away. Now, they're doing better than they ever have and there's plenty of nay-sayers. Go figure! | ||
| Cataract2 |
Nah, just some nay-sayers that are wishing we'd go away. Not going to happen. | ||
| Thansesxb9rs  |
It's only going to increase, I think Buell has a very bright future. | ||
| Court |
>>>>I find it amazing that they are now producing per quarter what they used to sell in a year! Actually....you can tell them that there are 1.3 times as many Buell XB platform bikes built PER DAY than the number of Buells built the YEAR I bought my first one. In 1995, when S2 demand dictated a move from the woodcrafters building to the current (prior to the additional 5,000SF) building and the only way to increase production was to heat the molds, production reached a new high of like 9 bikes per day. Court | ||
| Cyko_bob |
Gowindward...have not tried to find the site, but what Harley website are you talking about? Pls post. Also, I am wondering now of the Buell numbers how many are overseas? I think Erik said sales was up 40% overseas. Yes, I think Buell has made its mark and can only go upward from the here and now. I may have a skeleton or two in the closet (X-brands), but I am dedicated to my Buell...love it that we have our own little (and growing) cult and the accessories seem to be growing. I have always loved the Sportsters...rode my first one in 1958, and the Buell to me is the height of that development. Count me as a follower! I love listening to you guys on the board and reading your posts. Love my Buell! Cyko Bob | ||
| Glitch  |
Thanks Court I had no idea. Bob, www.harley-davidson.com | ||
| Cyko_bob |
Thanks Glitch...been to the Harley website many a time...did not realize they had production numbers at their site...Cyko | ||
| Court |
>>>Buell was small then so nobody made comments like, I heard Buell is going away. Since the early days, motivated by a variety of things ranging from simple jealousy to folks who were obviously dropped on their heads as infants, there have been folks (quoting Don Sutherland - Kelly's Heroes) "thinking negative ways". I'll share with you the secret Buell strategy for dealing with them......IGNORE THEM. As someone once said "don't major in the minor league" Aaron Wilson brought it all together with "follow the light". Do good things, Court | ||
| Cyko_bob |
I was looking at the H-D website...did not see the figures mentioned above for quarterly figures, but I found three month ending figures. It looks like the Buell production was cut slightly from 2003. Maybe more Buells were also sold during the 100 year anniversary also. Not a big deal; I am not a stock holder, but as an enthusiast and Buell customer I am interested: 3 Months Ended 31 Dec 04: 2064 3 Months Ended 31 Dec 03: 2610 12 Months Ended 31 Dec 04: 9857 12 Months Ended 31 Dec 03: 9974 | ||
| Anonymous |
Cykobob, this was due to a dramatic drop in 2004 Blast production. Twin production was up significantly in 2004. There are about 170 employees in East Troy where the bikes are built. It's kinda hard to separate who is involved with building the bikes, since there is a lot of hands on work with engineers, folks who supply the line and other quality folks. But probably about 70 folks are involved with hands on production parts daily. | ||
| Cyko_bob |
Thanks Anonymous...was hoping you could provide insight. Might not be interesting info to everyone, but I was curious as to how my Buell was built and those behind it. Inquiring minds want to know. I am happy with my Buell and appreciate what the Elves are doing!  P.S. I see books on the Big-Twins, Sportsters, etc, but does anyone know if there is a good book on how the Buell came about (Erik, of course) and its development to the present? | ||
| Charlieboy6649 |
Maybe Court could combine all of his remind me to tell you somedays into a compilation???? LOL! I in no way meant that there weren't nay sayers in the beginning, just that among the Buell enthusiasts the paranoia didn't seem so bad. I should have specified... | ||
| M1combat  |
Davegess has a website that has a lot of Buell history on it. | ||
| Blake |
http://venus.13x.com/roadracingworld/issues/apr00/buell.htm | ||
| Cyko_bob |
Thanks Blake: Cyko Bob  |
