| Author | Message | ||
     Blake |
Gossip no matter the source is rarely accurate and never paints an honest picture. It's just best to avoid it. I do. This thread sucks. | ||
| Fahren |
Agreed. Time to go for a ride. | ||
| Bill0351 |
"That is a very inaccurate characterization of H-D's apparel market." Yes! They have SEVERAL colors of dog scarves. Plus, anyone is free to wear the rhinestone belts. They aren't just for girls. Get your facts strait. | ||
| Ferris_von_bueller |
Don't forget the beef jerky, the hardhats and the safety glasses. What else did I miss? | ||
| Slipknot |
Fact: Inside sources are found out and fired. That is the policy. Inside sources leaks seem to be more about intentional misinformation. Over the years I've heard enough scuttlebutt from "inside sources" about changes at MOCO to start my own magazine. And I cannot recall any of it to be accurate or even close. I would not believe any of it. And as an aside, HD does not exist to sell scarves but motorcycles. All of the low dollar branded clothing is for psychological branding of the potential customer. And Buell not only has increased sales at a time when HD is shrinking sales but Buell also contributes to the development of the HD line, the FXD chassis for example. To emphasize the first point above, if you want accurate information about HD, wait until an official announcement is made. Believe nothing else. | ||
| Bads1 |
I hate to say this but this is the tenth time I've heard this story from dealers.... to HD employee's..... to others in Racine that are highly recognizable people in the Community I live in and I'm 45 minute from HD and the same to East Troy. I hope this is not true but lots of companies are having huge struggle in these times. | ||
| Tnxbrider |
The financial news from Harley-Davidson is bleak: a second quarter drop in profits of 91%, Remember that a drop in profit is still a profit... There are many companies right now that would love to be reporting any kind of profit. Buell may be facing some tough questions, but I tend to agree that so long as they are making any kind of profit or progress H-d's new boss won't simply cut them off. He might however entertain offers.. anybody willing to speculate on that price tag? How much do you think it would take to get them to even consider selling, and maybe creating a potential competitor? | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
It would be impossible to sell Buell without revealing some "trade secrets" about how HD operates in that Buell's systems are HD's systems. What is THAT worth? | ||
| Bads1 |
Jeremy, No they couldn't hide it but it hasn't happened yet either. Its just he say she say rumor and speculation even locally in town for us that live close. But we are hearing it. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
We are hearing about the new engine plant in Murfreesboro too. I don't believe we'll see that plant any time soon. HD could sell Buell tomorrow for a variety of reasons. THAT IS A FACT. The question is whether, throughout ALL of Buell's history, THIS is the worst position Buell has ever been in. Worse than 2000? Worse than 2003? Worse than 2006? Worse than 2008? Maybe releasing Buell to use Rotax was the first shot across the bow to make Buell marketable to an outside firm? IF Buell is sold, it's an almost certainty that the XB line is gone. HD isn't going to source engines outside of HD (at least they have refused in EVERY other opportunity to do so). At the very least, the XB line would be on a VERY short leash. So who would want to buy the 1125R/CR line only? | ||
| Ducxl |
Gossip no matter the source is rarely accurate and never paints an honest picture. It's just best to avoid it. I do. This thread sucks. Yep..I believe BMC is a stand-alone company that with current capacities could at least be self-sustaining. Texas Pacific Group? Lot's of places to get a business loan i think for a company like BMC. And i don't think Erik, as Chief Technical Officer or whatever his position, HAS to deal directly with HD.Does he? | ||
| Cyclonedon |
I hate to say this but I do think Buell will be sold. As much as I like my Buell Ulysses, the company didn't do themselves any favors with this new marketing campaign. If I was to purchase a new motorcycle today, it would be a Harley-Davidson, There is no way I would have said that a year ago but times have changed. I'm also seeing dealers dropping their Buell motorcycles and ordering more Harleys. Why not? They can sell Harley's at full M.S.R.P. along with all the chrome accessories and make huge profits. Dealers are discounting Buells to practically giving them away and are basically unable to sell the accessories to boot! I was at LakeShore Harley/Buell three weeks ago and they had their showroom full of new Harleys and just three Buells in the back corner of their store. A 2006 XB12X Ulysses (new demo), a 2007 XB12STT (new demo), and a 2008 1125R (used). All priced to sell $6995.00, your choice, so you know they aren't making any money selling those at that price and no Buell accessories to be found. I think they cleared them out on Ebay. This is a very large dealer in the Chicago market and he's almost completely out of the Buell line and from what I've seen from other dealers, they are cutting way back on the Buell product. I ride my Uly daily and I can ride for weeks without seeing another Buell on the streets (although I did see a Firebolt today) this has to say something about the sales or lack of the Buell sales in this area. | ||
| Brumbear |
I am of this mind some of you seem to be saying hd getting rid of buell as a bad thing hell do it!!!!!!!! I would get a dealer network that cared as a buell guy I am lucky I have 2 good dealers right in my area I don't think most of you have that, Erik buells motorcycles aint going away if the hd mothership axes them they would in my eyes open up a chance for the machine I prefer to grow from people who care deeply about the machine and its people | ||
| Froggy |
I largely disagree. Buell is one of only 4 motorcycle companies that sales are up, while the other 71 on the list are down.
I have been seeing more dealers pick up Buell and more bikes on showroom floor. I know one sucky dealer several hours away from me thats dropping Buell, which is a good thing in my book.
Not in this economy. One dealer near me recently had a promo going on, 10% off MSRP, plus they give you the tax value in a gift card.
Those dealers are the ones that are dropping like flys. Brand new CR's for $8k. If only I had money to burn 
A little high in price for used bikes, at that point I would buy new, especially instead of getting a 5 year old Uly.
Can't sell what you don't have, not everyone memorizes every page of the catalog. Also another problem they have, is right down the street from them is another dealer that sells everything for 20% off. Hard to compete with that and be profitable.
It is just the opposite in my area. I usually see a Buell on the road at least once every other day. Sunday I saw 4 Buells on my way home from NJMP, and most of them were going the other way, so its not like they came from the track. Today I saw a molten orange X1 sitting in front of the local powersports repair shop. They are out there if you look. | ||
| Brumbear |
I see buells almost every gay now that is no shyt I aint talking about my shed either | ||
| Brumbear |
oops DAY NOW | ||
| F_skinner |
I heard they are going to stop making Tubers... | ||
| Pkforbes87 |
"No one is going to buy a Buell having to travel 500 miles for anything." I did, but in all fairness I've only visited my nearest Buell dealer once. I knew exponentially more about the bikes than the employees there, and wasn't appealed to by either one of the t-shirts on their "enormous" Buell merchandise rack  I've jumped at the chance to talk to a few guys at work who ride KaHoSuYa's about the Buell DSpB Championship, and am excited to see that for the first time people from outside the brand are actually interested in learning about the bikes and the company's history. While the HD loyals are retiring, I think Buell is reaching a younger and larger group of riders. The BoB marketing may offend some current Buell owners, but it has caught the attention of other sportbike riders and potential customers. I've always loved owning and riding Buells, but lately I'm becoming more and more proud of that name on the side of the tank. Go BUELL!!! | ||
| Ferris_von_bueller |
To emphasize the first point above, if you want accurate information about HD, wait until an official announcement is made. Believe nothing else. I don't recall reading any posts on this thread proclaiming Buell's demise as certain or imminent. It's merely speculation. Buell may be facing some tough questions, but I tend to agree that so long as they are making any kind of profit or progress H-d's new boss won't simply cut them off. That's not necessarily true. Companies close or shed divisions that are profitable for a number of reasons, among them, not making enough profit. Case in point, GM shutting down Pontiac and attempting to unload Saturn and Hummer. All those brands earned a profit but not at sufficient percentages for the dollars invested. (Message edited by Ferris_von_bueller on September 08, 2009) | ||
| Ferris_von_bueller |
the company didn't do themselves any favors with this new marketing campaign. Btw, Erik Buell said, at the races over the weekend, that it took 2.5 Blasts and some aluminum shelving to make the cubed Blast. Some has speculated it took more than one Blast and so it did. | ||
| Court |
Mostly hogwash . . . . . I know better than to take this bait. >>>Which ones would that be? I didn't recognize anyone from HD at NJ this past weekend. I saw LOTS of Harley-Davidson folks . . . they all seemed to be having a great time and working hard. (Message edited by court on September 08, 2009) | ||
| Ferris_von_bueller |
they saw some of the amazing things Buell wanted to do not as progress but rather a threat to HD. I can believe that | ||
| Daves |
Court I did not know they fired Ron "Mr. ORDER AGGRESSIVELY" That got kind of old at every dealer meeting. | ||
| Ferris_von_bueller |
Damn Court, you edited out your entire post...lol...well, just about | ||
| Cyclonedon |
Court enjoy your ride tomorrow! I'm out on my Uly enjoying dinner and a nice ride this evening. Tomorrow I will once again ride it to work as I have for the last two weeks and every single day that the weather permits. You never know how long our good weather will hold out here. | ||
| Teddagreek |
The company’s refusal to allow Buell to use any engine but the air-cooled, V-Twin, Sportster-derived Evolution engine effectively throttled Buell from the very beginning. If you had your pick what would you chose? A Modern AC V-twin or Massaged Sporty motor... | ||
| Dalefranks |
Ummm, neither. I'd choose a water-cooled V-Twin. Like, you know, Buell did for the 1125R. | ||
| Dbird29 |
Is Dalefranks the nom de plume for DYNA or Buelgrrrrrrrl? | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
The Thunderstorm motor WASN'T EB's first choice, but it was a great motor for that power plant. I have the ability to buy either the AC or WC motor. I want the AC motor. Those who buy the monster motor do the same. The only people who believe the AC motor "throttled Buell's chances" are those who are too narrow minded to think outside the box with regard to what makes a sportbike. | ||
| Dalefranks |
The only people who believe the AC motor "throttled Buell's chances" are those who are too narrow minded to think outside the box with regard to what makes a sportbike. OK, look, disclaimer here: I think the 1125R is a great bike. I'm planning on buying one in the next several weeks. Already got it picked out. Fell in love with it as soon as I rode it out of the parking lot. But surely you understand that your post is just "rah-rah Buell" cheerleading, don't you? Those people who are "too narrow-minded" are apparently the 98% of sportbike riders who don't buy Buells. Granted the XB is a sporty bike, but you'll notice it doesn't race against the Sportbikes in AMA Daytona Sportbike. And it certainly doesn't race in WSBK. So, do you honestly believe that Buell would not have done better if Erik had been allowed to produce the 1125R ten years earlier? Do you believe the that Buell would have sold fewer motorcycles if they had produced a 600cc and 1000cc I-4 motor years ago? Because if you don't then you must believe that Harley did, in fact, throttle Buell's development. And, frankly, Erik Buell must not believe it either, because as soon as Jim Ziemer gave the green light, Erik went out and got Rotax to design the engine he wanted. Either the Evo engine was an adequate engine to produce the bike Buell really wanted to produce, or it was not. If it was not, and it was used because the MoCo refused to allow him to use other engines, then logically, Harley retarded Buell's development. I mean, seriously, how many of you are HAPPY with the way Harley has directed Buell's operations? |
