| Author | Message | ||
     Cj_xb |
However, what's this event really about? Pleasing the Buell owners or making it easy for Peggy and the BRAG crew. I have to agree with that myself, even out of town folks sometimes don't want to make every event !! The idea is to involve as many folks as possible, and by having an all or nothing event, it could limit the number of people attending !! CJ  | ||
| Nevco1 |
Nobody may agree with me on this, but if you chalk up the Rally package (T-shirts, etc) and the race at Road America, You have three days of Events. Therefore, I can see a $25.00 per day fee as it includes a dinner with your friends and even the worst chicken dinner is worth that. Just kidding about the chicken. Think about last years Buell 20th Celebration. Around 85 bikes road from Hal's to East Troy. Yet only around 20 stayed at the hotel and participated in the rest of the weeks activities. Plus only a handful of locals commuted for the rest of the activities with the exception of the Banquet. Note that at the banquet, there were quite a few attendees that did not participate in anything else that week, including the ride to East Troy. This year, that's the boat I am in. I can attend Erik's dinner at East Troy but at $75.00 for one or $150.00 for two (Di liked Erik enough last year that she wants to hear him again) it is out of the question. I understand how priorities such as work and family can effect one's ability to participate. HOG must also as they did an excellent job of making daily participation available for those in commuting range. Well, at least they did last year for the Harley 100th. Let's hope that BRAG can learn from HOG concerning the interests and needs of the local rank'n'file whether it be here or anywhere else they have a multi-day function. edited by nevco1 on March 05, 2004 edited by nevco1 on March 05, 2004 | ||
| Spooky |
Nevco1, Don't you mean HOG could learn a thing or two from BRAG. | ||
| Nevco1 |
Spooky...Never thought of it that way. You have a very good point. Two different riding disciplines mean two different personality types among the owners. When you consider that, perhaps BRAG is trying too hard to emulate HOG and not follow the natural order of its respective membership. The inverse is BRAG really does know its membeship and is functioning to the best of its abitity to satisfy them and some of us are not understanding and applying HOG characteristics to BRAG. Ewwww... Thanks Spooky. As I previously posted, "Nobody may agree with me." In this case, I am glad somebody didn't. edited by nevco1 on March 06, 2004 | ||
| Sarodude |
Not meaning to sound like an asshole, but I kinda get the feeling that Buell CS is taking some steps in the "Less Friendly" (trying not to say "wrong" ) direction.  -Saro | ||
| Blake |
Elaborate? | ||
| Sarodude |
Called 'em up today. Was trying to get a little info regarding the ONE, ONLY, AND WELL KNOWN Blast recall. Nothing VIN specific (like "Did my bike have the recall performed?" ) - just wanted to know what was part of the recall kit and how they specifically accomplished speedo recalibration. DANGER: BAD EXAMPLE APPROACHING! I mean, if you call McDonald's corporate and ask for the nutritional info of a Big Mac, do they HAVE TO KNOW where you last ate one before they can help you? Anyway, I didn't have my VIN. The lady on the other end had no interest in helping other than to tell me to take my bike to the dealer - and let's not get me started on that. I got the distinct feeling that at least this gal wouldn't wanna tell me anything beyond what an Interactive Voice Response (telephone robot) type of system would do. On a previous call when I DID have the VIN, I tried to get some sort of service, warranty, whatever history. I got a bit more phone time but was basically told that it was private or personal information that couldn't be given out. I'm not the original owner of the bike. WTF. I believe not knowing the history of my ride can lead to "serious injury or death" and would expect to be told something useful. Oh, well. Maybe I'm just expecting too much. -Saro | ||
| Court |
Customer = noun Service = verb Common sense should be. Common courtesy must be. In the diatribe "Court on Customer Service" there's a chapter reminding the CS staff that their very existence, in the providing service business, orbits about the customer. There is a reason we post the CS number everywhere and brag about "service after the sale" Legal and corporate considerations should be respected. So, too, the customer. Write a letter. Nice, concise and detailed. Erik Buell would NEVER stand for sub-par customer service. CoCS For further reading: Robert Townsend "Up the Organization" (out of print but I keep spares I used to make the staff who worked with me read) Anderson Zemke "Delivering Knock Your Socks Off Customer Service" (predictable, but good) Thomas Stirr - "Miller's Bolt" "A must read for anyone working in today's innovative and collaborative teams" - Court Canfield. | ||
| Lake_bueller |
Dear Buell Parts People: Why, oh why can't I find my part?  My poor tank has a shiny new paint job but it's sitting in my garage looking naked  . My noble local dealer has been calling all around the country trying to help this humble tank. You see, since I had the heart to adopt this discarded S1W, I would like to see her have all the proper attire . But nowhere to be found are the 3-D letters used on the replacements. Why does this have to be so? Why can't you keep parts available for this 6 year old orphan? Why am I loosing my hair? Can't anybody help  Sleepless in Wisconsin, Dennis | ||
| Bads1 |
Dennis email Court he thought I was the one that needed the tank lettering and told me to contact him.You might want to get in touch with him. | ||
| Lake_bueller |
The part number I got from Court was for the old decals. Stocks HD/Buell has been bending over backwards trying to find the part. They even went so far as to have someone in the HD/Buell parts warehouse go pull a part from the bin. It's was the old decal. I'm now in pursuit of another route. A friend of mine works for the company that did the original decals. They also do all the H-D tank and lettering decals. He found the name of the company that makes the 3-D decals. I called their sales department. They're trying to track down a set for me. I'm still a little miffed that this is such a hard process. It's just a tank decal for crying out loud! | ||
| Court |
The number I gave was for the 3D tank decals. UNLESS (and this is looking likely) it's a catalog snafu. I'l lfin dout. | ||
| Sparky |
Please fix the fax number on the online Registration Form for the No Wine N' Tour, Bringing It Home & Laguna Seca events web page to agree with what's in the BRAG newsletter. The correct number should be 414-343-4515. Some poor lady's answering maching in Wisconsin is being inundated by strange screeching whistling sounds. Ref: Buell Motorcycles | BRAG | Upcoming Adventures web page. Sparky | ||
| Philip |
thanks for the t-shirt in xl. what a nice gesture. thanks again. philip | ||
| Spyder12s |
I am with Philip ..Thank you for the T-shirts .. | ||
| Spyder12s |
Now for something that seems to be plaguing some of us 12 owners...I hope that you guys at home are seeing the problem that is popping up on the XB board with the Race ECM/Idle/running issues that we are having..as well as more than a few bad O2's ...Please help... | ||
| Crusty |
I've heard that the squeaky wheel gets the grease, so I WANT AN XB12T! I want something as beautiful as an S3T with the reliability of an XB. I want hard bags. I want to be able to carry a passenger. I want to do 800 mile days comfortably. I KNOW that you guys can do it. And before someone tells me (again) that sport - tourers don't sell, I suggest that you look at BMW. All that they sell are sport tourers, and they're doing pretty well, last I heard. | ||
| Turnagain |
Keep an Eye on Buell  XS4T ? SX4T ? VX4T ? VX11T ? VX13T ? so much potential, but are they hamstrung with the 'move up' mentality of the Mothership? time marches on:  | ||
| Court |
>>>before someone tells me (again) that sport - tourers don't sell That is inaccurate information. | ||
| Turnagain |
as the Donald Sutherland character in "Kelly's Heroes" says. [Ed] "Enough with the negativity man; your negative vibes are curling my Karma." "If you build it, they will come."  | ||
| Josh_ |
>I want something as beautiful as an S3T with the reliability of an XB. I want hard bags. I want to be able to carry a passenger. I want to do 800 mile days comfortably. Do what I'm doing - get an FJR1300. I might miss the inverted forks and I'll be carrying an extra 50lbs or so, but the extra 44HP and top box should make up for it. "we fill 'em full of paint. It makes ... pretty pictures in the sky." "I'm drinking some wine - eating some cheese" "woof woof - that's my other dog imitation"  edited by josh_ on April 23, 2004 | ||
| Crusty |
Quote: >>>before someone tells me (again) that sport - tourers don't sell That is inaccurate information. That was told to me by a Rather Significant Company Officer at Daytona Bike Week '02. I won't reveal his name, but he was autographing everything under the sun for enthusiastic Buell owners. I have also heard the same line from a number of other sources, some who work for Buell, some who don't. Don't misunderstand me; I love the S3-T. I think it's one of the most enjoyable motorcycles I've ever thrown a leg over. It's definitely the most beautiful. But it needs just a little more refinement. No offense meant Josh, but the FJ just doesn't do it for me. On my first trip to Australia, I bought an FJ900, and although it was a good bike, it did not stir me emotionally. I ride motorcycles because it feels good; I don't enjoy bland machines. The Ideal motorcycle for me would be an S3-T that required oil and tire changes and no other maintenance for 100,000 miles. | ||
| Josh_ |
>don't enjoy bland machines >no other maintenance for 100,000 miles. I think you only get to pick one of those And since no other maint. requires a shaft and self-adjusting lifters I'm wondering who you think will be making it? | ||
| Crusty |
I've had a few shaft driven bikes. All but one required U-joint replacement (one of those was the previously mentioned XJ900). An enclosed chain in an oil bath would last long enough and it wouldn't lose as much power as a shaft. Harley had an enclosed chain on their FLT back in the early '80s, but they dropped it in favor of a Belt. Of course, if the belt could be shrouded well enough to keep out foreign objects, like stones and gravel, yet receive enough airflow to keep it cool, it might not be a bad alternative. I could live with replacing a belt at 50K. I don't think anyone is going to build my Ideal, but Buell could come a hell of a lot closer than anybody else. | ||
| Bcmike |
In 2001, I really wanted an S3T but was fearful of the complicated trouble prone EFI. Compromised and bought a carbed Cyclone and set it up as a sport-tourer. Now that EFI reliability is better, I would also be interested in an XB12T. Can't understand why it has not been built. I presently ride a Yamaha FZ1 which has been an awesome lightweight sport-tourer. | ||
| Rd350 |
To anyone at Buell, Can you please put a helmet holder on the bike. I am tired of taking my helmet with me. Every bike these days should really have this on the bike. You could put it under the back seat. Take a look at the TL1000 models and look at their helmet holders. Last, all the wheels should have a clear coat put on them. I have the 2003 XB9R and the wheels are starting to pit. And I wax them all the time. Looks bad. | ||
| Jonsbuell |
Hey rd350 try a pair of hand cuff's clip to helmet and another part of bike turn stalk spoke handle bar's it worked for me! | ||
| Seanp |
Hey factory folks - how about donating a bike to a weary soldier who just spent over a year in Iraq? It would be great PR - the American Streetfighter for the American Fighting Man. I'll volunteer...  | ||
| Boulderbiker |
I've noticed a trend amongst similar manufacturers as Buell, such as Ducati or MV or now Moto Guzzi getting it too. They seem to have a small run of an exotica bike that was never meant to build revenue in and of itself. Instead its meant to be the thing to set the company up as an icon and to create a presence in people's minds. Then they use that image and prowess to drive the sales of their main stream bikes. An example in the car world is Porsche. I'm guessing, Porsche probably makes more off its boxter than any other car in production, but the boxter has a draw not as much because of itself, but because porsche has some exotic cars that inspire people and build the company name as an icon which in turn drives the sales of something like the boxter than many can actually afford. My suggestion to Buell, for the long-term health and growth of the company, would be to make a balls to wall bike that busts out of all the boxes in people's mind about the company name, and builds the company as an icon. The purpose of this bike wouldn't be to make money in and of itself so even though being an all out kinda venture would drive its price up, don't sweat it. Let the image and presence that this creates in peoples mind be the vehicle to drive the sales of the rest of your production line. | ||
| Jmartz |
It will never happen. HD looks at at Buell as an alternative entry level bike for people getting into biking. Handling is emphasized in order to be able to continue to use a Sportster based power plant. That is why power levels are modest compared to others of comparable price. I would welcome a higher revving lower torque bike with no less than 120 RWHP. Something in the Ducati/Aprilia power range/characteristics. I am still waiting and not holding my breath. |
