| Author | Message | ||
     Rocketsprink |
http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/21/ 503243.html?1255624137 How ironic. No doubt in my mind this came out of the blue to him. No indication at the track he knew anything about this | ||
| Bbbob |
R.I.P.!!! I'm speechless... | ||
| Interex2050 |
That is really unfortunate and shocking... I hope this is just a rough beginning to a new future for Buell. | ||
| Bobr |
What a damn shame. I found out when Breanna at GHD&B e-mailed me the news. The video at the Buell website was truly painful to watch. I hope Erik Buell and company will somehow be able to resurrect the brand. I love my XB12XT and my wife Sarah is just getting her new cg set up the way she wants it. It will be such a loss if Buell goes the way of Indian, Crocker, Vincent, Brough and so many other fine marques. | ||
| Hmartin |
What?!? WHAT?!? WHAT?!? I come back to the board after 2 days away and all h#!! breaks loose. Just dang. | ||
| Blake |
Buell Motorcycle Company is being closed by Harley-Davidson Incorporated. The remainder of a ten year contract with Rotax was bought out at significant expense to HDI. HDI is paying money to close down BMC. BMC employees were given 60 days notice this morning. All who remain with the company through December 18, 2009 will receive 12 weeks severance plus an additional week's pay for every two years of employment with Buell. Those are the cold hard facts. They don't take anything away from those of us who feel like we were just eviscerated by HDI corporate. Knowing something about what Buell was on the cusp of achieving, this "business" decision sure smacks of personal, ego-driven vendetta. If it ever becomes public what Buell had in the works for 2011 model year (July of 2010, just 7 months from 12/18) and that now is apparently dead and gone, American Superbike enthusiasts will be even more upset, outraged by such a short-sighted and hostile decision by HDI. I'd sure like to see the business case that justified the decision. I'd sure like to hear from the HDI CEO why there is no room at HDI for Sport Bikes. I sure hope that the whole honest story eventually comes out. I sure hope that Erik keeps up the good fight. I'd sure like to help in any way possible. Word is that HDI doesn't care to offer Buell Motorcycle Company for sale due to concerns about the competition gaining access to the H-D dealership network. So it seems clear that some individuals at HDI and HDMC view sport bikes as competition. Idiots. I feel gutshot. I feel very angry at HDI. I'm not sure where to turn that anger towards positive results at the moment, but we'll figure something out. Any ideas? Erik has my full support and if there is anything I or BadWeB can do to help keep up the good fight, I need to know. | ||
| Krassh |
Maybe instead of a ride to the Buell Factory maybe a ride needs to be planned to HD corporate to show how pissed off we all are. | ||
| Swordsman |
"The remainder of a ten year contract with Rotax was bought out at significant expense to HDI. HDI is paying money to close down BMC." Yeah, they can't really blame this on a bad economy. They're spending more to kill it than they could possibly be losing on them. ~SM | ||
| Tpoppa |
this "business" decision sure smacks of personal, ego-driven vendetta. I've heard similar rumblings from industry insiders over than last few weeks. I hope Penske or VW take a long hard look and Buell and MV. | ||
| Hughlysses |
Well said, Blake. I think a lot of us are wondering what we can do to make any difference in all this. A ride to the Buell factory on Monday October 26 is being promoted in another thread. I questioned if Erik can go back to building Buells in a barn in another thread. Court implies there's a silver lining in all this in "Court in Session". Yep, we need to know what we can do. | ||
| F_skinner |
Erik has my full support and if there is anything I or BadWeB can do to help keep up the good fight, I need to know. I feel the same way. I cannot express my anger at this moment but did send a few emails to friends in WI. I just do not know what to do. Lynn, a Harley rider, is also upset and has some choice words about HD. By not selling off Buell they have effectively slapped all of us in the face. It is clear that HD has lost their way. I think HD is headed to a new chapter very similar to the AMF days. They dropped the wrong brand! | ||
| Tpoppa |
Maybe instead of a ride to the Buell Factory maybe a ride needs to be planned to HD corporate to show how pissed off we all are. 1000 Buells at HD Corporate would make a loud statement, and would probably bring a much needed smile to Erik's face. Grassroots movement? | ||
| Chadhargis |
Blake, That doesn't sound like good news. So if I'm reading this right, HD is going to keep ownership of the name, patents, etc....and not allow Erik and company to venture out on their own. Basically killing anything other than a complete new start, without all the patents and ideas Erik invented. They basically cut his nuts off. | ||
| Hughlysses |
I think Tpoppa may be on the right track. | ||
| Rah7777777 |
Harley Davidson is F'n retarded!!!!!!!! Erik Buell..... Stand up, kick HD in the nut sack and walk out! With your success and determination another company would take you in. Good luck! And please record it if you ever kick HD in the sack! We'd love to see it! | ||
| Oldog |
The remainder of a ten year contract with Rotax was bought out at significant expense to HDI. HDI is paying money to close down BMC. is this fact? when the spares run out for the helicon engined buells then what, wall art? how many spare parts are available? This is not to be believed.. and pardon my french but it definately smacks of $hit, stucking foopid definately fits, I have said enough it was this kind of leadership that sent GM and chrysler into the hands of the government..... I hope that my local shop will continue to support me, I have to wonder how motovated they will be with buells at 3 locations and poor sales prospects on the brand. | ||
| Lizard |
I also think this is a really bad investment...Added to it what is HD going to do about it's Rider's Edge Class??? Do they really think its a good idea to lose Buell? I hope HD catches hell about this decision. I love Buell! God Speed! | ||
| Haven564 |
I was 19 when I bought my first bike, a Buell, the coolest thing I ever had in my possession. Why did I sell it...why... | ||
| Jb2 |
Blake, All I could offer would be ideas and the willingness to work for damn near nothing to help restart the company. But I offer to Erik all that I have. JB2 | ||
| Sayitaintso |
I think HD is headed to a new chapter very similar to the AMF days. That thought has been running through my head for weeks now..... even before the announcement this morning. Edit: HD has become ONLY bottom line driven, and motorcycles at their core are based on passion. Passion for the mc and its history is what brought HD back from the AMF days, I think they have lost their way. It needs to be a blen of business and passion. Too much of either is where the path to ruin lies. (Message edited by sayitaintso on October 15, 2009) (Message edited by sayitaintso on October 15, 2009) | ||
| Zac4mac |
I'm planning on showing up at East Troy Sunday night - OCT 25th. Have a big showing at the factory Monday morning, then maybe a ride up to Milwaukee for lunch. What say ye all? Z | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
What say ye all? I say its ON! | ||
| Rainman |
First the Blast. Now Buell. It's not been a good year. Unfortunately, I came to Buell from H-D riding. Now, after the Blast and XB, I can' go back to heavy, slow bikes. Sorry H-D, maybe Yamaha will pick up on the fuel in frame. The patents aren't forever. | ||
| Mikexlr650 |
remember, this is same hd that thought elton john was the right "super secret" headliner for the 100th party. cmon, a homosexual englishman for the harley crowd??? the guys music is fine but what an odd choice. | ||
| Ghostrider |
If they can sell MV Agusta, they can sell Buell. Fockers. | ||
| F_skinner |
I gotta say, if I had just saw in print that HD dropped Buell I would not be as upset as I am viewing the video of EB saying good bye. My heart really goes out to EB and Elves. | ||
| Court |
Blakes recitation of the facts is accurate. Counting to 10. I need to ignore some of the personal shots directed at Erik, both intended and unintended. But . . I already have a list of 5 great options. Not a shiny day for Buell . . . but I've see 3 worse. I have complete and total confidence in Erik Buell and The Elves. Court | ||
| Chadhargis |
I venture to guess if Erik popped up here and asked for our help, he'd get it. I'm not rich, but I'd dig deep to help him or I'd offer my services for free (being an IT geek, I know my way around a network). | ||
| Rocketsprink |
I must have missed those shots. At least for me, he has nothing but respect. | ||
| Doughnut |
Who bought MV Agusta? I believe Court was saying there was hope. Could EB have gotten MV Agusta and now will be his own company w/o H-D? Sorry if this sounds stupid, but There must be so much we don't know about (and me more then most.) |
