| Author | Message | ||
     46champ |
I think we need to stop the generalized attacks on the dealers. Neither Buell dealer I frequent are jumping with joy that Buell got shut down. It's not going to do any good to pound on them the only people from the dealers that will read what goes on here are the sponsors or have employees that get it. If you have a real problem you need to say who is the problem not some vague reference to every dealership in the country. Remember there will come a time we will need parts from them. EBR will build street bikes again they won't have a motor derived from a Sportster powering it. We will need their support. No I don't work for a dealership. | ||
| Mikef5000 |
Why in the world would we need Harley dealer support for EBR bikes with nothing derived from Harley bikes? | ||
| Gunut75 |
Cuz HD will own all of the rights to the XB models.  | ||
| Guell |
Hes not saying we need dealer support for ebr bikes, hes saying we need it for our current bikes | ||
| Mikef5000 |
That's not what he said tho: EBR will build street bikes again they won't have a motor derived from a Sportster powering it. We will need their support. | ||
| Doerman |
I agree wholeheartedly with 46 Champ. There's no point in generalizing. Keep in mind, each dealer is an independent business owner that will run the business the way they see fit. Same thing with a Ford dealer. The business owner sets the tone and the level of service. | ||
| Zane |
46Champ is right. Look there are some really crappy dealers out there. I've been in a couple where the sales staff was obviously way too cool to bother with the likes of me. On the other hand, I go to Fletchers HD in Clearwater about once a month. Couple of the sales guys know me by name, show me pictures of their kids and act like they’re happy I show up. They know I can’t buy anything right now but don’t seem to care. I still get smiles and small talk. The motor company may be making some bone head moves but they are not the dealerships. Dealerships are good or bad all on their own. | ||
| Hootowl |
"That's not what he said tho: EBR will build street bikes again they won't have a motor derived from a Sportster powering it. We will need their support." Right. That means EBR won't be supporting the XB, HD will. | ||
| 86129squids |
"Right. That means EBR won't be supporting the XB, HD will." AND, the aftermarket. The Evo motor has been around long enough for S&S, Revtech, and many others to provide parts for the tubers and XB's drivetrains. There will be some parts that are HD proprietary, but the nature of most Buell owners I've met tells me that when there's a will to ride, there WILL be a way. "EBR Racing: The Future's So Bright, We Gotta Wear Shades and ATGATT"... | ||
| B00stzx3 |
*cough* Rotax XB engine swap *cough*  You're right...only bad dealerships deserve bad rap. What I see mostly on badweb is attacks on the HD company and not the dealers.. and it's very much deserved. Buell killing communists! I've watched my tounge though as have friends that ride Harleys and don't want to disparage them, though they know my hate isn't directed at the dealers or riders but the upper executives who made this evil and unpatriotic decision  Battley Cycles, Frederick HD and Baltimore HD are all good in my book. | ||
| Swampy |
H-D(spit) owns the XB. I drove past a H-D(spit) dealer today and there were a couple of Dyna's sitting outside with dual headlights on them that looked like the XB only larger. | ||
| Ebr_fan |
I say screw the dealers. They are part of the problem from the get go. Even the so called good ones only sold Buells to get kick backs from HD. even on this very board a site sponsor had the nerve to call it an EASY business decision. Harley is taken care of those dealers that are the remaining service/parts centers. I hope EB puts the new generation of motorcycles with dealers those sale competitive brands. | ||
| B00stzx3 |
Why? They only sold Harleys...to make money? Same with Buells? The 3 dealers I mentioned were always friendly, knowledgable and more than happy to help me with Buell related matters. Some HD dealers I understand treated Buell and their customers like red-headed stepchildren, but I doubt that was a majority of them. | ||
| Edgydrifter |
Latus HD/B in Portland always treated me right, and seemed genuinely enthusiastic in their support of Buell. Other dealers... not so much. Riding around the western US, I found the prevailing spectrum of dealer support for Buell ran from apathetic to hostile. Most seemed to resent the fact that Buell was "stealing" floorspace that could have been used for selling arm chaps or shot glasses. I won't be going back to those dealers. I WILL continue to spend my money at Latus. | ||
| 007blast |
Either way, we will never have to worry about a new Erik Buell motorcycle in a harley dealer again. not saying this is a bad or good thing, iam just saying. | ||
| Steve_mackay |
I disagree. There are still SEVERAL good Buell dealers. Hals(in New Berlin, WI) has been, and continues to be supportive of Buell. They've sponsored Buell race teams for over a decade now. Even fielded a XBRR in FX. Sponsored track days(including sending Dan Bilansky to one as our private instructor). They are also one of the few dealers that continues to sponsor a "Buell riders group". We still meet at Hals the 2nd Wednesday of every month. They've sponsored Buell homecomings the past few years, and will continue to do what they can for us "Buellers" during Homecoming.
Complete B.S. | ||
| Reindog |
San Diego Harley has always been Buell friendly and helpful even though I am obviously a sport/adventure bike rider and not a buttchapper. Their biggest problem is that they seriously undercook hamburgers at the weekly BBQs. I saw Erik Buell play guitar on the stage at San Diego Harley to kick off the All-Cali Ride in 2002. Happier days would be hard to find. | ||
| Ebr_fan |
The more volume (motorcycles sales) a dealer has the more HD is likely to send the newest latest greatest (CVO) models to that dealer first. Also give them a leg up on all the BS awards hd gives out. This is just how it goes. I don’t hate the HD dealers. one just cant sale a 2008 1125r at $3000 over msrp. this is an example of the hd way of thinking. good for a ultra, but not for a sport bike. you guys are right there prob is a hand full of good dealers, but I have not had good experiences with them. | ||
| Milt |
+1 re: Hal's Hal's has treated me wonderfully. Without exception every person I've dealt with has been friendly and they really know Buells. When the time comes for mechanical work, I'll take it there: 90 miles from home. I only wish I could say this about another H-D dealer. | ||
| P47b |
One bad dealer makes the brand and other dealers look bad. That is with any business. It took me more than a few dealers to find one that I could get parts thru. Mostly bad taste from overpriced parts or give me the run around after I proved to them that the part was the same. Guess what? There is a great list of dealers here that are awesome to deal with. | ||
| Ourdee |
My dealer has done right by me. If they were a sponsor here, I would say their name. Don't dog em all. Hal's did me right. Didn't complain when Erik and I snuck into the service area and he signed my bike and looked at my bearings. Big thumbs up to Hal's. I agree, that if the dealer is dragging their feet, call em out. But, don't forget to give the good ones credit when they do you right. It's not fair if you only cry. | ||
| Firebolt020283 |
well I know at least 21 of them who seem to be at least some what pro buell since they are all Badweb sponsors. I have dealt with 3 of them personally and have had good experiences with all 3 of them. those would be central texas H-D (my closest one) Bumpus Appelton (though Daves does not work there anymore and I am not sure about Andy) | ||
| Spank |
"Hal's has treated me wonderfully. Without exception every person I've dealt with has been friendly and they really know Buells" I wouldn't say that about all the salesmen (or women) there. There are a few that know of them... not about them. Other that the select few, Hal's is great! I used to have a Buell dealer across the street from my house. I would get the "we can get that here in about a week and a half". I learned real quick to drive the 45 min to Hal's because they would usually have what I needed or could get it in a timely matter. No, it isn't the most fuel efficient deal, but it is overly aggravating when a dealer sucks!! | ||
| Fast1075 |
My local dealer is pretty good...the owner still rides with us on Buell rides...The service charges are a bit extreme (I do my own work anyways)...but they keep most of the usual stuff in stock, like oil filters etc....if I need something ordered...they will listen and expedite if requested. But they have absolutely no Buell swag left at all....I got the last two decals they had...and the last shirt. | ||
| Slaughter |
Some dealers as mentioned above are truly great. Antelope Valley here in the Desert still PROUDLY has the Buell store-within-a-store. The GM and his wife own/ride a few, (1125R, Uly, Blast) his son owns an 1125R. They sponsored Pinson and Haugo last season on MotoGT1 in AMA and will continue to sponsor yours truly (loudest and slowest Twins racer at Willow) They were as bummed as anybody about the announcement in October. | ||
| Swamp2 |
I wouldn't say my dealer was particularly passionate and committed to Buell - but since buying my CR there, they've been very nice, several of them know me by name including the parts guy who's always happy to help me out. So, maybe they didn't help Buell's cause, but I don't think they're inherently evil. They do sell a few Japanese lines as well as HD - used to be in 2 separate buildings but with the economy they consolidated it all under one roof. Anyway, I hope they can hang in there. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
I never saw a dime of kickback from corporate HD for selling Buell. I sold them, because I enjoy them, passonate about them, and if you cant have fun on a Buell; really I think the new Health care plan will do nothing for you Three days on a track convinced me of what I was missing. Amazing bikes. The Griffin would have been too. Pity. | ||
| Ljm |
I have to agree with 46champ. I have had good luck with two dealers, HOH in Anchorage and Chandler HD in Arizona. Nice enough folks, don't mind either selling the bikes or working on them and seem to be about as bummed as I am by the turn of events. Parts and service guys at Chandler have gone out of their way to work me in on short notice and to find me things from among their customer base, e.g. used stock exhaust when they didn't have to. Guess there are some lame ones out there. Oh well, won't go to them but won't go out of my way to kick them either. I'd rather vote with my wallet. That said, can't wait for the next generation of bikes. | ||
| Mmmi_grad |
46champs dream is just a dream. Fact is, non owners of Buells or any motorcycle WILL and do bash hd and the dealers for what happened to the American Sportbike. Its really silly to think all the succesful marketing and selling that made it to peoples hearts and minds just vanished into thin air after oct 15th. You didnt have to be a biker to admire Buell motorcycles, and you dont have to be one to bash the hell out of the fools that deserve it. (Message edited by mmmi_grad on April 07, 2010) |
