| Author | Message | ||
     Buellerthanyou |
From H-D Net (a day early, apparently): March 2, 2007 To: U.S. and International Buell Dealers Subject: Buell Strategy Session (WDM) Follow-Up Note Dear Dealer: For those of you who attended our recent Buell Strategy Session at our Winter Dealer Meeting in Orlando, we hope you enjoyed yourselves and are excited about the news we shared about one aspect of Buell’s future direction – heading for the dirt! The whole reason that we shared this information with you at this early point is to allow you the time to plan your business and get ready for this new opportunity. You heard us speak a lot about how critical it will be for us to understand this new market and customer, and what drives their passion for riding dirt bikes. As part of our “Get Ready” strategy, we’ve got some homework for you to get started on this. Don’t worry; we’re hard at work in East Troy too! In fact, we’ve recently added some new folks to the project design team who bring a wealth of relevant product and off-road industry experience. We’re moving fast & we need you to do the same. Quick Self Test: 1. Who are “The G.O.A.T.,” “Bubba,” and “Reedy?” Who just won at Anaheim III? 2. What AMA Racing District are you located in? Where are races held? 3. Where are the local riding areas in your neck of the woods? Don’t know the answers? Your future customers do! Time to start learning – don’t worry, this is a lot more fun than algebra homework. We’ve got some suggestions to get you started today, and we’ll be continuing to send more information to help get you and your staff ready. For example, watch for dirt-related information in the upcoming Sport Minded newsletters. Homework Checklist Next 30 days * Order subscriptions to some off-road magazines & start reading about the world of dirt * Watch some dirt videos (dirtY videos don’t count!) * Talk to your staff & find out who has any off-road experience Next 120 Days * Visit other off-road dealerships in your area to evaluate their sales & service capabilities and observe their customers * Consider purchase of an existing off-road competition-level product for employee use * Make contact & join an off-road riding club in your area * Attend at least one local and one national motocross, supercross, or enduro race * Encourage employees to take an off-road riding course * Plan a dirt riding event with employees at your dealership Now that’s got to be the best homework assignment you’ve ever had. Look at the attached “cheat sheet” for some suggestions. We look forward to making this great journey into the dirt with you. Please feel free to contact your District Manager if you have any other questions regarding this. Sincerely, Greg Heichelbech Buell Marketing Platform Director Verrrrrrrrry Interesting! HellBuelly J "All that we did, all that we said or sang or wheelied, Must come from contact with the soil..." --William Buelltler Yeats | ||
| Dtx |
WOW! | ||
| Spike |
Ditto. I'm still confused about a Buell MXer, but I'm certain they wouldn't go into that market without something spectacular. | ||
| Pinball |
I can`t wait!!!  | ||
| Swampy |
Gosh, what a kick ass organization to work for! Great direction and enthusiasm. And just as I am job searching!...LOL | ||
| Firemanjim |
I volunteer for the job of riding/evaluating all of the competition---heck I already have a KTM and Yamaha in barn, and just got rid of a Suzuki to get the KTM.I am experienced and willing to put my all into it!!!  | ||
| Bake |
Hang on a second Jim, I'm sure I got more dirty bikes than you!  | ||
| Firemanjim |
Nope--got an SL-100,and ATC-90,2 RV-90's,and an SL-70.Added to aforementioned KTM 300 and YZ-125(150)--though I must confess,the big bore 125 is my son's ride.I just wrench on it. | ||
| 12r |
This is a wind-up. I can imagine what sort of reception it would get from dealers in the UK. | ||
| Trojan |
This is a wind-up. I can imagine what sort of reception it would get from dealers in the UK. So can I  'You mean you can ride motorcycles off road? Won't that damage the chrome?' 'Do you mean to say that there are other manufacturers out there as well as Harley?' 'I'm not riding off road, my 100th anniversary HOG back patch might get wet!' 'Off road experience? I had to wait an hour by the side of the road when my Roadking broke down, does that count?' 'Here is a letter from Buell, didn't we used to sell those?' | ||
| 12r |
rofl | ||
| Rocketman |
Sorry but I can't help but be cynical here. Homework? If HD / Buell were as serious as that letter is trying to imply, then why aren't they holding seminars and keeping their dealers and technicians on the ball with product development as it happens? Training them up as they go along? Anyone serious about buying a real dirt bike isn't going to want to be buying a brand new one from an inexperienced in the market company who is relying on chrome and trinket sales people to read up on off road sports and join a local dirt riding club in order to educate them into selling those new dirt bikes unless the market HD / Buell are aiming for isn't really the pro dirt bike market at all. This jokey jokey mister nice guy softly softly patronising twaddle in house marketing bullshit is more likely suggesting this will be more like dirt bike come road bike sort of dual road not to serious off roader where HD / Buell hope to once again rely on 'made in the USA' patriotic buyers who'd rather shun a better import bike to buy an American made one that exist in an otherwise empty of such domestic market. If Buell build a pro off road bike like a KTM for example, once again I'll eat my socks, except this time I'll garnish them with my neighbours soiled underpants. Rocket | ||
| Nevrenuf |
is your neighbor hot though | ||
| Court |
>>>>I'm certain they wouldn't go into that market without something spectacular. You can't begin to imagine how spectacular and play close heed to the words . . . (Emphasis added) FMJH . . . you are 2-1/2 years late volunteering as a comprod (competitive products) tester.  Dirt bike develop has seen some great advances and some interesting technology but has been plagued by "in the box" thinking . . . doing it like we've always done it. . . moving the bar up in increments of inches not feet. . . imagine doing for a dirt bike what the XB frame did for street bikes. | ||
| Snail |
Any word on what they'll be using for an engine? | ||
| Jaimec |
Something with a piston and crankshaft. I'm betting it'll burn a petroleum based fuel of some sort... | ||
| Slaughter |
I still think Buell needs a physical separation from the Chrome-and-buttless-chaps. If it were true when they were attempting to sell "streetfighters" and "sportfighters" - it's even more true with the (heavily rumored) advent of dirtbikes. The sales staff can't just put a couple dirtbike magazine racks next to the displays of chrome skull and leather tassels, bandannas, and expect to get anywhere. If the staff doesn't have a passion for them, they're even going to look worse than some dealers did with the Buells. If you think Buells are a couple steps removed from HD cruisers - how much farther away are the dirtbikes? I sucked it up and bought my Buells DESPITE the fact that I had to go into a Harley dealer to do so. I know MANY riders of all sorts who feel similar. Sure, I've gotten to know some of the HD types but I still say the crowds don't mix well. Wonder if there are other potential buyers out there who are prevented from ever seeing the front door of a dealership BECAUSE of the HD "image" -just some thoughts. | ||
| Buellridersww |
Can't image what the HOG Customers will say when they see Buell Dirt Bike on the floor. "What is that thing?????" Hopefully HD will think twice on allowing Buell to place in the same floor as Jap. That way it can sell better. | ||
| Kenb |
very cool | ||
| Mikef5000 |
I'm a little worried about the dealerships mindsets about these new Buells. I'm worried they're going to be stuck in the back and ignored, they don't want a dirt bike in the beautiful harley showroom! Let alone with a non-harley motor, that's WATERCOOLED! | ||
| Naustin |
Doesn't do me any good. I buy only locally, and my local dealer just doesn't get it... | ||
| Jayvee |
On the other hand, Wow ! What a great excuse to buy a new bike.  | ||
| Swordsman |
I agree with Mikef5000. If H-D dealers can't be coerced into promoting another top-of-the-line street bike, why the hell would they care about dirt bikes? H-D and Buell corporate need to start yankin' some chains, chains with choking collars. That, or stop trying to force Buell on the H-D fogies and FINALLY give them their own stand-alone dealerships! I mean, c'mon, Buell offer 7 different models of street bikes, and you're lucky if you can find 3 different ones on any given showroom floor. Now they're adding dirt bikes to the mix? Buell desperately needs it's own space. H-D dealers are singlehandedly choking the life out of them. ~SM (Message edited by Swordsman on March 01, 2007) (Message edited by Swordsman on March 01, 2007) | ||
| Liquorwhere |
Well if you have dirt experience and you want to work in the industry I guess now would be the time to start your moves at the dealership of your choice...having worked for one I can say choose wisely because of the independent ownership they are not all alike, but what an opportunity for someone that loves the dirt and already has a Buell to go in and be THAT guy and sell them...a Daves for the dirt as it were...HD people may or may not embrace the bikes, I am guessing the more of a "late arrival" to motorcycle you are the less dirt riding you have done...on average...so the love will not be there...some like myself and my brothers were on bikes as soon as we could be strapped to Dad's Harley or could tip toe a mini bike or the little HD 60cc my dad used to start us all out...then it was XR75's, YZ80's, Suzuki 90's, a Yamaha 360(that was fast in it's day) at PE250 and multiple CR and XR 125's and 250's until one day you realize you want to go fast on the street and you don't ride the dirt as much anymore...many of you that are excited about this new bike should go to your local dealership and try to CHANGE their minds maybe...from the inside. I have written this before, but HDI is to Buell what AMF was to HDI...so it needs to change from the INSIDE...my six pence.. (Message edited by liquorwhere on March 01, 2007) | ||
| Typeone |
damn, this is gonna get real interesting. wholeheartedly agree that i cannot imagine my local HD shops making this mind-shift. i'm floored by the amount of 'crap' you can buy with an HD logo on it but apparently thats 'what sells'. hmmm. they're gonna have to move a lot of those fancy jeans, shirts, belt buckles, useless leather stuffs and dog toys (yup, dog toys. WTF?) to make room for GEAR. each time i read these new tidbits i wish a storm of Buellers and dirty bikers would take over the dealerships. push the Hogs in the corner or to some other building near a bar. hahaa. ah, to dream.. . | ||
| Kdan |
It all depends on the dealer. If the dealer is progressive and forward thinking, like mine. I'm sure they will be prepared for the new bikes, ie; educating the staff and hiring new staff. You have to figure the chrome & butless chaps crowd already have the bike hauling capabilities, so dirtbikes aren't a stretch. Me, I'm not so much into dedicated dirt, but a dual sport would be way cool! Buell! Make it light! Real light. I want a dual sport, but 400lbs is ridiculous. The BMW, KLR, DR 650 crowd want a lighter bike. | ||
| Glitch |
I'm more concerned about space more than the H-D crowd not getting it. My favorite dealership is a pretty good example of good Buell service. What they don't have is more floor space. The dealership is a very crowded place. They could put all of motor-clothes in a building by itself and use that room for dirt bikes, but I don't see that happening. I wonder what the mother-ship has planned, is planning, etc. If not stand alone what then? | ||
| Court |
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| Spiderman |
When Court starts quoting StarWars you know it's serious! BTW Court I sent you a email, Buell wasn't in the Subject so just makin sure ya got it | ||
| Swordsman |
So, um, Court.... we're supposed to ignore the 4 total Buells on the floor, reach out with our minds, and imagine all the wonderful sport bikes and dirt bikes that aren't actually sitting there?   Hmm... wonder if that would work for hot chicks, too...?) ~SM (Message edited by Swordsman on March 01, 2007) |
