| Author | Message | ||
     Old_man |
I was going through the town of Somerset PA, saw a Harley dealer with a big Buell sign. I remembered I had a coupon for a hat in my wallet. They had 4 or 5 Buells in the far back corner, hidden so as not to overly offend the Harley faithful. Alas, they are not a participating dealer for the hats. While there, I looked around the big store, nary anything other than the bikes with Buell on it. (I really think we offend the Harley people) I asked about the new Dyna with the six speed transmission. (Dumb look) Didn't know about that but was up on the ape hanger bars, chrome this and that, wire wheels etc. It seems Harley people are all about looks, function (HUH?). This actually made me feel better about the dealer I usually deal with. If I go there for a part for my Buell I had better know the part number, because the parts man doesn't have the first idea where to even look, but I think they know about the Harleys. I know they make a lot of money selling this bling but it has nothing to do with the performance of the bike. Its all about how it looks. When I'm riding I can't see the bike, so I really don't care that much what it looks like to other people. One of the reason I bought a Buell was it didn't have any chrome to polish. Many Buell owners are the same though, form over function, what it looks like is more important to them over how well it works. Don't get me wrong, I try to keep my bike clean and looking the best, but when I decided I needed a windshield, I put a real one on, even though others may call this heresy. It looks better without one but I don't care as long as it works to keep the blast off my chest while RIDING in the cold. | ||
| Pupu |
stores like that are for all the weekend warriors (lawyers, doctors, etc) they get their chrome and their tasseled chaps and they are happy, they get to say they have a harley at their dinner meetings  | ||
| Rkc00 |
I bought my Road Glide from them last year. I have to say that they were the best dealer that I have ever bought a bike from. I went 360 miles each way to get my bike from there. These are the same owners of the Lavale MD. store that had the last BRAG event. I was going to get my Uly from them but I wanted it before he could get it for me. Mike Long Island, NY 06 XB12X Black of course | ||
| Kdan |
Old_man, it's like this in everything. Most people prefer form over function. Most people have to impress the neighbors. Other wise they wouldn't sell 3 different flavours of Hummers. Or metric cruisers for that matter. Bling is where the money is. Those of us worried about engineering and performance are like a sub-culture. | ||
| Kuuud |
Somerset doesn't come off as a strong Buell dealer, that's for certain. They DID step up to the plate at their LaVale, MD store for last fall's Appalachian Adventure...great BRAG rally! | ||
| Percyco |
I own both a Bling-mobile (Harley) and a XB . I can tell you that many H-D owners are very interested in performance . Changing the appearance of an H-D is no different than many of the mods that are done by Buellers that grace this website. Just look at the thread on the XB page (Pics of your XB). You will see wild paint jobs, chrome do-dads, polished frames and every part redone that can be unbolted. I can't seem to understand why some Buell owners are so anti H-D. In my opinion.....Buell wouldn't be where it is today if not for the H-D company and might not even be in business anymore. Although I do agree that the dealer network seems to be lacking and i wish it would change. Like it or not the Buell is Harleys little bastard cousin and is one of the reasons why I have two parked in my garage. Cheers! | ||
| Dragon_slayer |
Man, I love this biking!  In the 80s, when you rode a Harley you were bad, lowlife, trouble, and uneducated.  Now when you ride a Harley you are a lawyer, doctor, and a weekend warrior.  80s: Japan trying to make their cruisers like Harleys. 2000s: Many Buell owners denying the strong Harley blood in their bikes. Lets see, should I just hang with the Harleys that seem to never leave the bar, or try to catch the squids on their fast bikes. Hey, I know, why don't I hang briefly with both and then go on my way on a quaint ride we use to call a "Putt"! | ||
| Vanvideo |
Percyco, you wonder about Buell owners and their aversion to anything Harley, even though our bikes have definite H-D DNA. It's not that I'm against H-D motorcycles (for the most part). What I have a hard time stomaching is this new biker "lifestyle" that seems to have sprung up in the last decade or so. I've been riding street bikes for 30 years now. Back "in the day" Harleys had a reputation of being ridden by no-nonsense bad-asses. Whether true or not, the perception was there, and I respected that. Nowadays, does the sight of a group of harleys strike fear into anyone's heart? Harley dealerships are now "boutiques," catering to the new lifestyle (harley-brand coffee, anyone?). I find it comical that normally quiet individuals don their leather chaps and vests, swing a leg over their hogs, and suddenly imagine themselves instant bad-asses, all the while gloating about their "individuality" (never mind they look just like the 50 other guys out at bike night). I can't help but laugh at all the doo-rags, vests, chaps and black t-shirts, usually advertising a harley shop. Rarely do I see a helmet. I listen in on conversations at local cruiser nights and hear such gems of wisdom as "there ain't nothing like a harley," said as though they're discussing some new religion. And perhaps they are. And I get offended when they say such things as "When are you going to get a real bike?" or "Ride American, not that jap crap." Where the hell were these "bikers" when I was out riding 30 years ago? Probably polishing the bumpers on their BMWs. I want to distance myself from that type of "biker" as fast as I can. I sometimes hang out with the sport bike crowd, although they tend to be a bit young and full of p*ss and vinegar for my comfort level. Usually I ride alone, or with good friends, most of whom ride sport bikes. Maybe that makes me an ideal Buell candidate, who knows? I certainly don't mean to rag on your choice of a harley as a bike, nor offend your lifestyle. I merely attempt to explain my own personal feelings as to why I distance myself from anything harley. And I'll admit my view points may be baseless. I know, my XB has a harley-derived motor, but I ride a Buell, not a harley. |
