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Message |
Dave_02_1200
| Posted on Thursday, October 15, 2009 - 12:03 pm: |
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I read the press release in disbelief. Still processing what it all means. One thing for sure - I just went to my garage for another look at two beautiful bikes. Orphans or not, they will always be cool and, with the Buell community we have here, we should be able to ride on for years! |
Edv
| Posted on Thursday, October 15, 2009 - 12:51 pm: |
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It is a sad day for sure for Eric and all that have put their heart and sole into the company then to have Harley pull the plug on them. Fortunately for us the owners there is a loyal following and aftermarket suppliers that will allow us to keep our rides on the road for years to come Ed |
Mwellm
| Posted on Thursday, October 15, 2009 - 01:10 pm: |
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truly sad...I will keep my bike forever now |
Texastechx1
| Posted on Thursday, October 15, 2009 - 01:16 pm: |
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bought my buell in July of 2006, it was the same 2002 X1 I have now. it was my first bike purchase, all my own. i can't help but shed a tear for such a great bike, company, and man (EB). Thank you very much, your innovative bikes have changed my life for the better and you will be missed.
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Jimmy77
| Posted on Thursday, October 15, 2009 - 02:01 pm: |
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Saying goodbye... http://www.buell.com/en_us/ |
Hugie03flhr
| Posted on Thursday, October 15, 2009 - 02:16 pm: |
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WTF, I didn't see that coming. Just when his bikes where beginning to be accepted as mainstream competition. |
Buellistic
| Posted on Thursday, October 15, 2009 - 02:18 pm: |
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BUELLers: "HARLEY-DAVDSON MOTOR COMPANY making MECHANICS out of BUELL Riders since 1986 !!!" "RIGHT NOW !!!", go and but the FACTORY SERVICE MANUAL and PARTS BOOK for your YEAR and MODEL !!! |
Jrobm2
| Posted on Thursday, October 15, 2009 - 02:23 pm: |
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Thanks Harley!!! and thank you recession!! |
Dstaff
| Posted on Thursday, October 15, 2009 - 03:20 pm: |
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this is killing me, erik's video is kind of discouraging and just plain sad... always wanted to meet him |
Randymoser
| Posted on Thursday, October 15, 2009 - 03:33 pm: |
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Interesting story in Reuters: http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS11 0897+15-Oct-2009+PRN20091015 Here they explain why they would rather kill Buell than sell it off like they're doing with MV -- basically because Buell is integrated better with HD dealerships, as I understand it -- and a spokesperson says HD will accept a $125 million loss in one-time costs. Sad, sad, sad... Randy |
Onebadx1
| Posted on Thursday, October 15, 2009 - 03:46 pm: |
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This is a shame! Billions squandered in Government bailouts.. Why couldn't this company be saved! KEEP YOUR BIKES! |
Whisperstealth
| Posted on Thursday, October 15, 2009 - 04:11 pm: |
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- Another American dream squashed. One more step to the droid world of socialism. - And not with a Bang, but with a teary sad whimper. F#%K it. They can take our bike, but not our soul. |
The4ork
| Posted on Thursday, October 15, 2009 - 04:31 pm: |
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oh no, are we still going to be able to buy parts from the dealership? |
Safd
| Posted on Thursday, October 15, 2009 - 04:42 pm: |
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I was JUST about to buy a 2002 M2, now I don't know. Will this mostly effect the newer Buells? Are the tubers more 'Harley' parts? Help me out ben |
Daveswan
| Posted on Thursday, October 15, 2009 - 04:47 pm: |
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I'd get the tuber for sure. I just got one - it's a piece of american history. Nothing is like it and I like to be different. Parts are there, the engine is a Harley, there's a lot of people networking through here and such that will keep it alive. The new Buells are enough different than the tubers that they're sort-of on their own regardless of what the company is doing anyways, even if it was pumping out new models. |
14d
| Posted on Thursday, October 15, 2009 - 04:51 pm: |
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Very sad day, my eyes got a little moist watching that video of erik. I'm sure buell will live on in the hearts of the riders though. |
Onebadx1
| Posted on Thursday, October 15, 2009 - 04:58 pm: |
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Ben, Buy the bike! Tube Frame Buells are one of most unique bike EVER made! Like Dave said "it's a piece of American History". I'm not gonna let this slow me down, neither should it any of you. On the other hand.. I was really looking forward to next years "Homecoming" in East Troy. It wouldn't surprise me if a bunch of us just showed up anyway! I loved meeting my Buell bro's last year. |
Fasted
| Posted on Thursday, October 15, 2009 - 05:09 pm: |
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a tuber costs a few grand........buy it, thrash it, enjoy it, ......when/if you ruin it, it will have been better than keeping the money.....think of it as an investment in fun & adrenaline |
Buelleaver
| Posted on Thursday, October 15, 2009 - 05:27 pm: |
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That reuters article is not but lip server to justify a failing business model. Doesn’t Harley realize that there median age customer is very high. Most young riders are out enjoying there light, fast, cheap, very dependable Jap bikes. Brand loyalty is forged at an early age. Why would any younger generation Rider even consider an over weight, over priced, low powered bike that hasn’t changed much since they were kids. Buell was Harleys only chance at attracting them. It’s never about long term viability. It’s always about quarterly profits. That’s all they worried about in the article. The share holders must get rich quick. (Message edited by buelleaver on October 15, 2009) |
Buellistic
| Posted on Thursday, October 15, 2009 - 05:53 pm: |
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Keeping My 1997 S3T and 2000 BLAST !!! Can not get rid of the S3T as "i" have not got 200,000 miles on it yet ... Then "i" plan to do the THUNDERSTORM up-date ... |
Mick
| Posted on Thursday, October 15, 2009 - 05:59 pm: |
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I'm gutted , my bikes a keeper. |
Rick_a
| Posted on Thursday, October 15, 2009 - 05:59 pm: |
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My S1 has been and continues to be the love of my life...has been since 2001. It's evolved into a powerful and extremely fine handling machine, and satisfies my every need for a sportbike to this day...and the next. |
Daveswan
| Posted on Thursday, October 15, 2009 - 06:16 pm: |
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My dad wished he kept his 47' Indian Chief he paid $400 for. Tube framers became that bike once they started building the tank-in-frame models. But now all of the models will become that bike. People are going to look back and wish they kept theirs if the company doesn't spin out of this in the future. Reminds me of the 3-69 Mustang fastbacks I had once (stupid kid). Oh well, some things take me a little longer to sink in, but not this one! And Harley losing 84% this year while Ducati gains 10% in the 20 biggest markets in the US. But they're going to focus on their core business huh? the one that's working so well with young, educated, fuel conscious, fun loving folk. They just don't get it and even in the Buell Harley dealership some of the folk are from another dimension so if that's indication of the brain-trust at HD corporate it's a dying cause. (Message edited by daveswan on October 15, 2009) |
Doughnut
| Posted on Thursday, October 15, 2009 - 06:23 pm: |
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This is killing me. Got rid of my S2 with less then 18,000 mile on it! |
Luv2jugs
| Posted on Thursday, October 15, 2009 - 06:25 pm: |
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Very sad to see....... |
Fullauto
| Posted on Thursday, October 15, 2009 - 06:47 pm: |
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Any orphaned tubers needing a good home...........I'll pay the freight to Australia. A sad day indeed. |
Purpony
| Posted on Thursday, October 15, 2009 - 08:45 pm: |
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very very sad. I planned on keeping my X1 forever, and will for sure now. Also when i get a chance i want to pick up a XB12S |
00x1
| Posted on Thursday, October 15, 2009 - 09:11 pm: |
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Got the news a few hours ago and hate hearing this crap. HD better keep the Buell engineering alive in the new lines its the least they could do after this knife in the back. Never getting rid of my X1 (never planned on it before either). I'll ride it until it craps out, fix it up, and keep going. Maybe find some other orphaned Buells to keep it company along the way. |
Preybird1
| Posted on Friday, October 16, 2009 - 10:32 am: |
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Time to load up on parts....isos, bearings, seals, springs, switches, manuals. I never liked Harley Davidson's anyways. Now i hate them with a passion. |
Essmjay
| Posted on Friday, October 16, 2009 - 11:28 am: |
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This sux. It won't make much difference in keeping my s2 and s3 on the road. I already had no local dealer and have been using aftermarket, and doing my own service, for years. I had hoped to buy a new Buell in 2012 or 13, now that is shot. But the whole deal of killing the brand, it is like one giant cube and we are all in it. If you do have a mint stock s2, keep all the parts you take off so you can restore it back someday. |
Brinnutz
| Posted on Friday, October 16, 2009 - 12:28 pm: |
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Most of us should be used to whats to come, LOL... Time to buy up a few sets of isolators front and rear, some handlebar control extras, and then I'll be good for a decade or two. |
Guell
| Posted on Friday, October 16, 2009 - 03:36 pm: |
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Yea, whats the deal on the rear iso's going to be, do i need to buy a few sets of them? |
Fullauto
| Posted on Friday, October 16, 2009 - 06:32 pm: |
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The Norton factory's been dead for 32 years. You can still buy every part for them with no problems. Mine is a daily rider, just like the X1. When something becomes unavailable, someone, somewhere will make it. That's free enterprise for you. Supply and demand. Don't panic. |
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