| Author | Message | ||
     Pkforbes87 |
I'll get straight to the point - I've wanted a Uly for a very long time and never pulled the trigger. Now seems like the best time to do just that.. I'm in Oklahoma City, so if there's a dealer on the coast or something then it would be nice to arrange some sort of shipping deal. Anyway, my nearest Buell dealer is offering a new 09 XT out the door for $7900, but that dealer is pathetic when it comes to knowing jack squat about Buells so I'd prefer buying from a fellow aficionado. If any sponsors here can offer the same ballpark figures I'd prefer to go that route. Let me know. | ||
| Americanmadexb |
Damn, that price is hard to beat. | ||
| Ratbuell |
If you want to steal it, might as well get it from someone who doesn't care. ...and people wonder why this is happening to Buell.... | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
At this point, does it really matter if the dealer cares? | ||
| Pkforbes87 |
It's a matter of principle to me. As Chellem explained it, HD won't see an extra penny from me at this point, but I'd rather spend my money at a dealer that supports and will continue to support Buell riders. | ||
| Ratbuell |
I guess not. I mean...it didn't matter before either, did it? "got a bike? lemme steal it from you, or I'll go and steal it from *that* guy instead". Those of us who believe in the brand...*we're* the bad guys, I guess. <sigh> | ||
| Americanmadexb |
Even if that deal was local for me, i wont give HD another cent of my money! | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
As always, there will be dealers looking to "dump" Buells on the market at ridiculous prices. There will be folks who will buy them at those prices. There will be dealers who can't sell them at those prices and still support the brand. Tom, Chellem, Ratbuell and others have made a commitment to continue to support the brand as long as there are parts to. You have to ask yourself, is it worth it for me to spend a little more for a bike in order to preserve one of the few dealers left who might actually support the bike I buy? This has been the question all along, hasn't it? The sponsors here have said, almost continuously, enjoy that "bargain" Buell. There aren't many coming behind it. | ||
| Ratbuell |
The dealer you "want to support" has already given HD the money for the bike. That particular deal is done and I guarantee HD has cashed the check. How's that for personal and full of principle? You want to support a dealer? Let them make a buck selling you the bike (the bike that's already paid for, remember), built by a company you claim to care about. Let the dealer make a buck so they can buy that belt, or brake lever, or clutch cable that you might need in a few months. What kills me is, Buells have always been fairly priced for what they are. There's more tech and blood and sweat and *love* in a Buell than in just about any machine I've ever been exposed to....and I've driven VIR with Carroll Shelby and spoken with him on many occasions in the past, so I think I've got an idea of what "love of machinery" means. But, there are all these "enthusiasts" who love Buells...as long as they can get them for bargain-basement prices, no matter what. Go show that kind of love to Honda. I'm only a dealer salesperson (who's owned Buells personally since '98), and I'm offended by all this. I guess, like Ft says, it comes down to this: do you want to support - TRULY support - the dealership who cares? And yes...at this point, the only way to support is with your wallet. Let's be real here. Emails and letters and "boycotts" are all very romantic...but not worth two s**ts in the real world. Or do you want to say "FTW, I want my new toy and screw the rest", and go buy that bargain-basement bike from some short-sighted ******* who just wants to dump "worthless" inventory? Have fun sourcing that clutch cable later on... (Message edited by ratbuell on October 15, 2009) | ||
| Reepicheep |
It's important to remember the the group that HD screwed even worse then the loyal Buell owner was the loyal Buell dealer. I paid retail for my 05 9sx, and took the HD loan at about 1 percent higher then my credit union would have given me, about 3 percent higher then my home equity would have given me. My intention of rewarding HD was clearly misguided, but rewarding a loyal Buell dealer was worth every penny. | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
my nearest Buell dealer is offering a new 09 XT out the door for $7900 ... and that is/was part of Buells problem... Profit is not a four letter word. Discounting dealers are putting the screws to the rest. | ||
| Mikef5000 |
So NOT buying that Buell because it's cheaper will help the case? We're not low balling the dealerships here, they're low balling themselves. It's an ugly situation that's getting uglier. I hope the silver lining shows up soon. We Buell enthusiasts are going to end up tearing each other apart. | ||
| Steve_mackay |
Discounting dealers are putting the screws to the rest. And they always have been. | ||
| P_squared |
Meh. I've got an '08 1125R out in the garage now. Paid full price for it. I'm still happy with it. My wife has an '05 XB9SX out in the garage next to it. Paid full price for it from Joe's (Ratbuell) shop. Wife is still happy with it. If I needed another bike right now, I'd be sorely tempted to catch the fire sales as the dealers who want to dump & run try to dump their inventory. I'd be a liar if I said otherwise. However, when I need parts or I see a used Buell I just have to have come through any of the good dealers sticking by Buell, they WILL have my business. Guess that whole "Fly-n-ride" shindig took on a whole new meaning for me and others today. | ||
| Rocketsprink |
I'll sell you my 06 Uyl with bags and all and a whopping 4000 miles for $4500. This way you support a guy that supports Buell and your money doesn't go to H-D. I'm going to return my race XB12R back into a street bike. It deserves to be rode more than a few times a year. (Message edited by rocketsprink on October 16, 2009) | ||
| Pkforbes87 |
My feelings exactly Mike.. That XT is going to sell for $7900 one way or another. I might as well be the lucky guy who buys it. As for putting Buell out of business, no amount of complaining about "the high cost of low price" is going to send me on a guilt trip. I didn't buy a Ulysses before now simply because I couldn't swing it financially. With today's prices, that has changed. Just like everyone who's upset - I understand the irony there. Now that buying a new Buell has become possible, I'll no longer be supporting Erik and the elves by making the purchase. Yeah it sucks, but pissing and moaning about it won't change a thing. I fell in love with this brand because they seem to be designed purely for the joy of the ride, and that's what I plan on using mine for. If that way of thinking makes me "different in every sense" then so be it. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Phillip, I would buy the bike. There will be a slew of bikes sold at rock bottom prices. Maybe that is the smart move, to sell 'em for what you can get them for. Others will hang onto them and try to sell them for more. Maybe they will have to discount them as much later. I honestly don't know. I do know that if we sell the bikes we have for the prices that others are selling them, we will lose money. Lots of money. We can't lose that money and then have anything left to supply parts and service. If enough dealers slash and burn, you will have a new bike and no dealers to service it. HD can't force a dealer to service Buell. Right now there appears to be a short list of 25. That list can become smaller. Maybe you'll be lucky and be one of the dealerships that will continue to support Buell. BTW, 4 of the 25 are Bumpus. That leaves 21. Tic, toc, tic, toc. | ||
| Dynasport |
This is exactly what I was talking about in my post earlier today. I really want to buy a Buell, but what kind of support can I expect. Several people encouraged me to go ahead and buy one. I am going back and forth over this even now. Buy one at a great price, the dealer doesn't service or support it, the nearest dealer that does is who knows how far away. Who wants that headache? Jeremy, I'd be happy to buy a bike from your dealership knowing that they will continue to support Buell's but what advantage is that to me if I am 500 miles away when I need that warranty work or service? I don't live in Tennessee. I don't even live in a state that borders Tennessee. I have no confidence in my local dealer. I don't even like taking my Harley there. So, what do I do? Buy a Kawasaki? | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Given 25 servicing dealers, 500 miles may be "close". I don't know the answer. | ||
| Pkforbes87 |
Dyna - I've been living in Oklahoma City for the past year, 90 miles from the nearest dealer. I stopped by once before to check the place out. I checked out the three Buells on the floor for about ten minutes and no salesman bothered to try and sell me a bike or even say hi. The parts staff was clueless as to what an X1 was.. etc etc. Long story short, I haven't been back and you really can get used to not having a local dealer. I completely rebuilt an X1 in the past year by ordering from Beartooth Buell in Montana, American Sport Bike, and other sponsors here. If you don't do your own maintenance, I think now is the time to start or you may be SOL. |
