Does the thought of BMC being shackled by the mothership actually still shock you? HD did not ever want to see BMC be too successful, that has seemed clear to me for years. What's to discuss?
Either A) They hate sportbikes (even those using their motors) and couldnt stand the fact of being connected to any "dem dere dang crotchrockets"
or
B)They plan on making their own sportbikes...wait for it......PSH HAHAHAHAHAHA Wonder how much chrome the "Harley sportbikes" would come with. That'd be like Geo making a pickup truck.
I'm sure folks knew of it back over the summer. And anyways, the 1125RR was loaded up with race only parts that would not pass EPA stuff I'm sure. Aside from that, it had a chain and different radiator setup. I'm sure HD squashed it because they don't want a chain in the lineup, and because otherwise all the R&D needed just to change the rads is kind of worthless.
Even staid and conservative BMW recognized years ago that in order to survive they had to expand their market place.
I remember a few years back (during Harley's 100th Anniversary) one of my Fag friends snidely commenting he doubted BMW would ever see their 100th anniversary.
This has beaten to death. But why? Why would Harley FEAR Buell making streetbikes? The target audience is defintley not the same. Why does Harley hate Buell so much? If Buell went off to their own company independent of Harley except for the XB engines.... the sales wouldn't be any skin of their nose. they'd be making money on the sporter engines before Buell got a crack at em. Different target audience completley!
Yep... its time to move on.... I think things could end up being better for Erik and crew. We have just been taken out of our comfort zone.... pretty soon we will be saying "I wish this would have happened sooner!"
Worse is the killing of Buell just prior to Buell releasing what would arguably have been THE race oriented streetgoing superbike that so many in the sportbike community have been clamoring for. It would have been a HUGE seller, no doubt, especially on the heals of such amazing racing success.
That H-D killed the RR is not surprising at all given their attitude in general. They are idiots.
I agree. But think of this: finally a race-winning product that is globally desirable coming from Buell. And it doesn't have an HD motor in it. Heck, it was even chain driven! There was nothing (thankfully) HD about that bike! I would have felt threatened by that if I was an HD upper management as well.
In 20 years, Buell would have been saddled carrying around a dead elephant on its back.
Erik ain't dead. New motorcycles will come.
The cool thing is that there are now far more rabid fans that there were just a year ago. I know on another board I frequent there are at least 5 new Buell owners who would probably have NEVER bought one were the prices not what they were. To a person, they have each lamented being late to the game.
Who do you think might be first in line for the NEW Buell bikes?
The 1125 RR and the Barracuda had absolutely nothing in common with the moco. No chrome, a Rotax engine, (not an under powered over weight lump), a Buell philosophy amongst the other bits and pieces that just didn’t jive with their “core values.”
Its really retarded, new riders or wanabees who didnt like the hd stigma or rules or whatever could get behind a Buell motorcycle, ride it, love it and be proud of it.
They just shot themselves in the head and managed to it up. It wont be long though. It will be slow.
I test rode mine at Mid Ohio last year.... as a matter of fact... I showed Danny how to do that pass at the top of the S's. when I did it to him on my Cuda... I don't care that he stole my move... but a little "HEY HEY YO YO that pass be rock'n" would have been nice.... just say'n...
about 31 seconds into the video....
That move is much harder to do on the Cuda because of all the power that it has over the 1st gen. 1125R But its no problem for me and my super human mad riding skills
In 20 years, Buell would have been saddled carrying around a dead elephant on its back.
Erik ain't dead. New motorcycles will come.
And when they do, you;ll be dayum sure I'm getting them repainted with Buell logos and sending photos to Harley Execs with my own photo...give ya a hint: my 1-finger salute