| Author | Message | ||
     Ezblast |
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| Daves |
That new Ducati 1098 is "totally new"? It doesn't use any pre-existing technology or hardware? I find that hard to believe. They upped the displacement(just like Buell did in 04, on the XB bikes) They made some new bodywork. I like the bike but it is not "totally new" either. Maybe they should have just said "bold new bodywork for 07"  | ||
| Madduck |
I know for a fact that HD checks into sales and registrations of bikes. In 1995 I was part of two different sides of that coin. The new bike truck pulled up in front of my dealer in Davenport and had an "extra" sportster, ie no paperwork at all. Driverdidn't know the procedure and asked Bobby if it was his. Being an astute dealer he said sure. HIs problem was to get it sold to a real customer before the "paperwork" caught up to it. I was the first one to call dibs and get there with cash, bikes were in short supply at that time. Got to talk with a "zone manager" to prove I existed. Bought my S2 and paid for it in March but didn't take delivery until late May as I was traveling for business and pleasure. Same "zone manager" kept checking inventory and asked about bike several times. No big deal as Buells weren't selling very well. Bobby got into real trouble when a few customer of his uncle waynes' in Peoria wanted Buells and they shipped a few down there to see how they would sell. I think they were only on the floor in Peoria a couple of weeks before a Buell rep was knocking on the door to get em out of there or sign on as a dealer. I believe the Harley sales numbers are accurate based on my personal experiences. | ||
| Daves |
OK I went to Ducati.com and looked up the features Trellis frame, been done,and done, and done. Single sided swingarm, been done,nice weld in the middle of it for some reason? Brembo Radial brakes, been done Undertail exhaust, been done Testastretta engine, been done(this one does get a big heap of HP though) Totally new huh? But the Uly was "just another remake"? | ||
| Garp |
Daves, I'm not familiar with the Italian market, but "pre-registering" unsold inventory is rampant in the UK, and it's not just dealers, manufacturers do it to. The UK does not have the same franchising system, so the Factory owns some dealerships outright, and they can sell direct. I used to work in the Rental Car industry over there, and there was never any shortage of 0 miles preregistered cars that could be picked up cheap. The manufacturers used old airfields around the UK and stored tens of thousands of cars that were counted as "sold" All for the sake of maintaining "market share" | ||
| Court |
By the way. . sometime when beers flowing and we've time, remind me to tell you some of the stories of what Harley-Davidson used to do to make it LLOK like they were selling bikes. There are some classic stories. As time and tide flowed it worked out in their favor but when their backs were against the wall and the coffers were empty they proved themselves to be among America's most innovative and ornery kids. Tow current Vice Presidents were prime "Three Card Harley" players. Court | ||
| Rocketman |
Dave dude. I didn't say Ducati invented the motorcycle all over again. The point is quite simple really. Have it your way though. Ducati changed just about every part on the 1098 engine but yes it is essentially the same engine as the 999. In way of comparison all Buell have done to their engine since 2003 is bore it and stroke it. Hell I did that to my Triumph when I was 19 years old, and in my Mum's kitchen. Garp, I quit arguing that point as it seems us Brit's are seemingly on our own in this practice. Anyway I still don't believe 762 XB12S genuinely sold in Italy in the 2005 sales year, but I'm a man of my word as all can see above, and I've eaten my socks just in case. Saves on the washing anyway! Rocket | ||
| Rocketman |
Court, you can tell as many upbeat stories as you please about manufacturers tampering with sales numbers. Whilst they are somewhat entertaining clearly you feel there's a need to take the heat away from those alleged 762 sales. Some things never change. Have you ever considered eating your socks? Rocket | ||
| Woody1911a1 |
 wtf difference does it make ? ride what you want , whats the point of argueing sales figures unless you've got an axe to grind geeez | ||
| Old_man |
I like the fact that I have a rare motorcycle. In my years while riding, I have only seen two other Buells on the road here. I know there are many more here but I haven't seen them ridden. I see many cruisers and Japanese crotch rockets but nary a Buell. I like it that way. | ||
| Sshbsn |
Rocket-- I still remember years ago when you wrote here that not even Rossi on an XB12R could keep up with a 749. You may remember me telling you how foolish that was. I see you are still, after so so long, waving the Ducati flag and wringing your hands that Mr. Buell will not build you an American Ducati. Maybe he has been busy. Don't you get tired of this? You used to, on occasion, post something genuinely interesting about riding your Duc. Can bad gripey Rocket go away now, and good happy Rocket come out to post? | ||
| Daves |
Actually Buell just stroked it, the bore is the same. You are the one that said the new Ducati was "totally new" while it is clear to see that it is not. I know, I know, I am an ignorant petrol head. | ||
| Daves |
Garp, I am sure you are right that things are different then here in the states. Why would they need to maintain market share? To get more cars or bikes that do not sell? That just doesn't make any sense to me? | ||
| Garp |
Why would they need to maintain market share? To get more cars or bikes that do not sell? That just doesn't make any sense to me? It never made sense to me either. I think it was corporate ego as much as anything else. They would rather sell some cars at a huge discount than be seen to be losing market share to the competition. The same thing happens in the US at times. We used to get huge discounts on cars that GM couldn't sell retail, but they didn't want the sales numbers to reflect the fact that their market share was collapsing so they dumped cars into Rental Fleets. It ruined the resale value for the poor souls that bought them retail  There were times we could buy a Cadillac Seville from GM, run it for 4 months, and then sell it back to GM with a guaranteed buyback for 100% of the purchase price  | ||
| Rocketman |
whats the point of argueing sales figures unless you've got an axe to grind geeez Woody, please don't make out I've an axe to grind. My point was that Buell sell so few bikes here in the UK that they are seldom if ever seen. That I'd suggest is because they are not as popular as they were a few years ago, and that's perhaps because they keep rehashing the same platform. I believe that brings us back on topic. You know, the 'new' Buell launched in Italy this week. Then we got to alleged 762 XB12S sold in Italy to defend Buells latest flop. Please stay on topic - and pay attention. I love the fact my Buell is a rare motorcycle. Some are confusing what is being argued above about alleged Italian sales numbers. That is not the point. I'm all for the rarer the better. Nothing gripey about my posts either. I just think it's a bit rich to go killing Italian's in Italy. There are no Italian motorcycles of mass destruction. You Americans are delusional. Ducati are not trying to take over the motorcycling world. Well ok, maybe on the track they are, and that's where Buell should be fighting 'em! Dave darling, the 1098 is totally new not compared to a 999 but compared to an XB12TT. Please tell me you get it you ignorant petrol syphoning delinquent. Jeez you ware me out dude, lol. Rocket | ||
| Daves |
Rocket, Yep, the 1098 has more new parts on it than the XB12TT. There, happy now  | ||
| Rocketman |
Nope Dave. The 12TT doesn't have enough new parts on it compared to a 12 something else. Rocket | ||
| Daves |
There is just no making you happy. | ||
| Blake |
Being happy is a personal choice. I usually choose to be happy. | ||
| Daves |
Rocket, This will make you happy http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/406 2/241137.html?1163795923 | ||
| Garp |
Rocket, This will make you happy http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/406 2/241137.html?1163795923 So they built 100,000, how many have they actually sold | ||
| Diablobrian |
No, they just stockpile them at the dealerships in dark little corners. So How many dealerships are there and how many corners can there be left? It's the end of the world! All of the H-D dealerships are about to explode due to the pressure built up by the un sold Buells!  Really though, congrats to the elves for reaching this milestone. They should be proud. | ||
| Xbmojo |
With so much of the buell rank and file disgruntled at the release of the low rent 12STT One wonders what Erik and co can do to convert existing buell owners into new sales. With god knows how many XB12S derivatives available and a decrease in global sales, it seems as obvious as the nose on ones face that to inject life back into the company that big erik and his team of yes men need to create a superbike. The question is how long will it take for these guys to pull their heads out of the sand? Yamaha outstrips all of buells yearly sales with one bike, (THE R1) that should tell big erik something about where he can gain some market share. Its time buell stepped up and tried to mix it up with the big boys rather then inventing themes to describe their bikes. It's time they all became man enough to create a superbike and go toe to toe with japan and italy INC. | ||
| Blake |
Source for R1 annual sales, please? Do you also know the profitability for the R1? I'd be interested in that too. | ||
| Davegess |
Yeah Buell is in big trouble they have had a terrible rate of growth. I took 8 years to build the first 400 bikes. It took 12 or so year to build the first 1000 and now it has taken another 12 years to get to 100000. That is pretty lousy.  You guys are nuts! The growth line on the production chart is practially straight up! Even selling less in the last year compared to the previous year th egrowth numbers are impressive. Add in that they make the most progressive design the world, are building a very high quality product and are making money and i can't see why all the negative vibes. You don't like this bike, so what I bet many will like it. And this crap about building superbike and going toe to toe with the big boys, PLEASE, Erik has followed a very successful stategy so far. We have seen other people fall by the way side. We have seen the very cool Italians struggle to be financially stable. We have seen cool bike announced by lots of folks but Buell actually ships cools bikes. If you thin America needs to build a bike to beat the R1's at the race track all you have ot do is start a company and build one. Otherwise STFU. | ||
| Woody1911a1 |
kinda funny how xbmojo and someone named dyna ride and have owned the same bikes ;-P xbmojo R1 Bike Model (Ex - M2, XB12Rr, S1W, P3): dyna R1 Bike Model (Ex - M2, XB12Rr, S1W, P3): lol | ||
| Az_m2 |
shhh . . . spy photo of lost buells  | ||
| Rocketman |
Is that pic custom shed 12 on Genoa's container dock? That figures. Rocket | ||
| Rocketman |
Happy? Make that ecstatic.  With bikes like this how can one not be happy? I just feel sorry for those Buell fans who Buell still haven't fulfilled. I'm not one of them. Rocket | ||
| Blake |
"With bikes like this how can one not be happy?" Because to me it looks ridiculous and also because its engine is an inline-4. But regardless, I am a happy man. |
