| Author | Message | ||
     Jaimec |
Bigger yes. Better? I'd ask the LAPD about that... (Message edited by jaimec on November 15, 2009) | ||
| Lemonchili_x1 |
"Do people still put things like that in a dumpster? Me thinks it'll be stashed somewhere safe for now, perhaps one day turning up in a motorcycle hall of fame - what could have been." H-D, a company that sells "history", seems to be trying to erase Buell from the history books... I'm really hoping someone at H-D is getting their butt kicked for this photo being leaked. I bet this wasn't in their "plan"  | ||
| Rick_a |
The guys here at work...all Buell haters...pretty much universally changed their tune and said this bike looked nice. It's sad, but it seems that most people turned off to the 1125R had done so due to looks. Those that see form in function tend to like the looks of Buells in general. I think this polarizing aspect is what has kept Buells core customer base a little atypical and often more motorcycle savvy. I'd be a bit perturbed if there was eventually a squid at every stoplight with a stretched out and lowered Barracuda wearing a bandanna, wife beater, shorts and flip flops with a helmet strapped to the passenger seat. That said, in my four years at a stealership I definitely saw more H-D customers buy Buell than Buell customers going H-D (save for chicks riding Blasts). I think Buell gaining strength was diametrically opposed to H-D's business plan. The bike looks like a love child of these two IMO:   | ||
| Midknyte |
don't think for a minute that they weren't seeing Buell as a "stepping stone" to their bikes I want[ed] one of each...  | ||
| Redbuelljunkie |
Ok, I'm confused- I thought H-D's raison d'tere was building and marketing big, classic, AMERICAN motorcycles. According to what I'm reading here, H-D is setting up shop in foreign countries to domestically produce big, classic, AMERICAN motorcycles. Is it just me that thinks this sounds like crazy talk? Is it true that potential H-D buyers in these countries are willing to pay too much for a big, classic, AMERICAN Harley that's made locally in Brazil, or India, or China? Are they proud to own the locally made Harley because it's better than the other bikes currently made in their country? Does this not sound bizarre? I was under the impression that the only reason there is a market at all for H-D products is because they are big, classic, AMERICAN motorcycles- but definitely NOT because they are a superior product. If you remove the AMERICAN from the H-D product description- what are you left with. The more I learn, the more I find myself hoping H-D fails. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
I think the American workers are about to find out how "American" Harley Davidson really is. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
I agree with your point that H-D saw Buells as a gateway to lure younger people into the brand. they always seemed to have the expectation that we would get bored of riding fast around corners and then get an electrglide barge. Like it was a passing phase. they put the wrong bait on the hook and got frustrated when the wrong fishies were biting. Then they blamed the bait!! | ||
| Gearhead |
I'm seeing several TV commercials promoting the Iron 883. Maybe H-D figures all us Buell folks will buy one since we cannot purchase new Buells? Ha, Ha, Ha, NOT!!! | ||
| Jstfrfun |
In another thread it was stated, something to the effect that the dumpster was filled because (probably),it would cost too much in labor to "part out" all those machines. I think I could come up with about 20 of you guys who would happily volunteer to provide such skills, tools included, to do the job...for a selection of pieces of course. What do you think? | ||
| Court |
>>>>I think the American workers are about to find out how "American" Harley Davidson really is. Be mindful that several of the folks involved in the decision . . . I refer to them as the "snookerees" . . . have approached the age of 60 years having never placed pooper to pillion. I think they are smart, intelligent businessmen. But I think, as they come up to speed, perhaps the "snookerors" provided some ill considered advise. They may, in spirit and personal deed, have espoused "Buy American" sentiments but not truly appreciate how deeply ingrained it is in Harley-Davidson. Heck . . . I had second thoughts about buying a Harley when someone told me the brakes were imported. It just gets better and better . . .
So in the last week I've read that Harley-Davidson intends to PRODUCE in India and that they intend to IMPORT to India. I've taken the liberty of sharing some of the recent conversations with both Ms. Schwab and Minister Nath. I can;t say but wonder . . . . if Harley-Davidson so callously trashed 200 folks in East Troy, WI . . . . what is it about the firm that would support the logic that they harbor any concern for the Indian people . . . . these are the folks you are considering lowering your tariffs for? Talk about being used? I'm wandering if Nath is aware that among those Harley-Davidson has rendered unemployed is a very talented engineer from India who came to the United States to work for Buell. Minister Nath may be contacted HERE. I've an associate who is currently having a 250,000,000# order of steel produced in India and the experience, absent any trade concessions, has been a excellent bilateral relationship for the Indians supplier and American consumer. Eager to learn more about what would prompt the dissolution of the import tariffs. (Message edited by court on November 15, 2009) | ||
| Boltrider |
Jeez, talk about quid pro quo..... I wonder what's in it for Susan Schwab? Harleys for mangoes - that's funny (Message edited by boltrider on November 15, 2009) | ||
| Ezblast |
Harley Davidson is ran by by Homer Simpson! So obvious! With that many "Dolts!" and slaps to the forehead - it can be no one else! EZ | ||
| Ferris_von_bueller |
Plans to export to India were also held up by import duties of 60% and taxes of 30%, which effectively doubled the sale price. Regardless of HD, most of the world is not fair trade. I'm sick and tired of Americans bowing to the demands of others while being chastised for any attempts to level the playing field. Enough !!! Our politicians are ignorant weak-minded self-serving Troglodytes not worthy of the mention of their names. | ||
| Court |
If . . . and I don't . . . . I worked at the Harley-Davidson plant in York, PA and was watching this . . . I'd be staying very aware. It will be interesting to see how many folks are moved to actually write anyone a letter. How come this stuff never makes the press? I love the Harley's for mangoes . . . | ||
| Ustorque |
mmmmmmmmmm......Mangoes are so good, and I don't even need to wear leather to eat them! | ||
| Jaimec |
Couldn't we trade Buells for Okra instead? Okra originates from India... | ||
| Hughlysses |
Court- On the whole subject of Buell's closure being largely based on "personality issues" vice sound business reasons: This quote from a newspaper article on the "last ride to the factory" last month really jumped out at me:
"Not a reversible decision"? What kind of comment is that for a spokeswoman to make? How the hell would she know whether it's "reversible" or not? It seems to me like she might be "in" on the whole "personality conflict" side of this. | ||
| Midknyte |
 pooper to pillion. | ||
| Court |
>>>It seems to me like she might be "in" on the whole "personality conflict" side of this. She's not but she reports to someone who'd see Buell succeed . . . . and I'm quoting here from a secret off site meeting . .. "over my dead body". I think there are a couple folks who have placed their personal agenda ahead of the interests of Harley-Davidson shareholders. I'll be speaking with a couple analysts tomorrow for two firms who are among the top holders of H.O.G. I have no answers but I think they need to take a serious look-see at why a couple Harley-Davidson Executives were bragging, over a month ahead of the announcement, of finally doing Buell in. Just doesn't sound like a business decision does it? Who have you written and asked about the "nonreversible decision". It's be a great topic to write a couple of the Executives, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and a couple of the Board of Directors about. . . . this whole thing that 200 folks lost their job for what is looking more and more to be a personal beef. | ||
| Elvis |
Hugh. That's a very good point and it struck me as very unusual as well. I don't think Ms. Sweeney is more than a mouthpiece stating Harley's stance. . . . but why is Harley's stance so idiotic? I believe there's a simple, logical explanation for Harley's actions: They don't want to sell Buell . . . at any price . . . because they see Buell as a threat. They don't want to try to explain why they won't consider reasonable offers - because they don't want to have to try to explain why they feel threatened by a tiny company that they couldn't make work - so they are taking every step they can to discourage offers and discourage discussion. "We're not selling Buell and that's final . . . no more talking about it. *putting hands over ears* We can't hear you . . . naaah, naaah, naaaah." Harley's board is being extremely childish and they don't want to be put on the spot to have to actually answer any questions so they're not making statements beyond their initial, false statement that Buell is too "integrated" to sell  and they're not taking any questions from reporters. They're curling up and hoping we'll go away, so that's why we can't give them what they want. We need to keep the pressure on and we need to keep asking questions. . . . and when they refuse to answer reasonable questions we need to point out how childish and irresponsible they're being. We need to keep getting the real story out there to combat Harley's fiction. If we continue to state our case, logical people will realize our take on the situation fits reality much more than Harley's fiction. And the more truth is pushed over dishonest evasiveness, the weaker Harley's stance becomes. | ||
| Teddagreek |
I think a magazine with the Barracuda cover would do damn good....... Motorcycle enthusiast buell or not don't care for a brand be killed just for the corporate sport... | ||
| Tpoppa |
Hey Reg K, Sounds like there is an interesting story here that needs to be told. | ||
| Gregtonn |
Court/Elvis, Can either of you post email and snail mail addresses for the appropriate people to send letters to? G | ||
| Spank |
I thought it was very interesting that this Pat Sweeney was even at the factory that day to comment...I understand why, but still interesting. | ||
| Fireboltwillie |
how about getting info to kudlow from cnbc or someone like that? | ||
| Tpoppa |
We need to keep getting the real story out there to combat Harley's fiction. If we continue to state our case, logical people will realize our take on the situation fits reality much more than Harley's fiction. Court, I agree and I could get behind this. Unfortunately, I don't know enough of the story to tell it. If the story was told, getting it in front of a large % of the motorcycle riding public would be easy. | ||
| Ezblast |
I think too much of Reg's bread and butter comes from HD to actually balls it up and do such a story - it would be career suicide. Thats just a fact - Reg is a great guy, and has all my respect, but a piece like that would have to be by an outsider type writer - one without HD connections and/or cares not a fig about HD. The more the facts are gathered though, the more it sounds like it really does need telling. A select few - to preserve their goose egg, are sacrificing both the goose - in the long run, and the progeny. Why - to guarantee their own comfortable retirement and image, at the expense of everybody else. Very similar to Enron in some fashion. EZ | ||
| Rpm4x4 |
Court, I agree and I could get behind this. Unfortunately, I don't know enough of the story to tell it. If the story was told, getting it in front of a large % of the motorcycle riding public would be easy. I agree. Im not a good fact finder but I know Ive read enough to be outraged. My fear would be spewing a skewed fact and them disregarding my whole point. My memory for numbers and names is not so good. It would be nice to have what we know as fact all in one spot so I could write an intelligent letter. | ||
| Rocketman |
We're right on track with regard to the dealer network as well. Frankly . . Harley-Davidson provided Buell with two things in February of 1993 . . . an air-cooler motor and a dealer network. Guess what the two things are that have conspired to be the shackles that have bound Buell? If it'd been me and Harley-Davidson had come to me and told me they were cutting me loose . . . I'd be cheering to this day. The real crime (and it may be, I'm not qualified to make that call) is taking things like the bike you've seen pictured here (which, by the way, is essentially ready for market and served as the cause de' urgency to get the slitting done 3Q this year) and tons of intellectual property and just shit canning it. So the bike in this topic is confirmed as a production ready Buell after all. And one that shares not a single part with a Harley. Rocket | ||
| Jaimec |
The same could be said about any of the 1125 models... not a single part shared with Harley. |
