| Author | Message | ||
     Vanvideo |
OK, I'm in an argument on another message board about Buells. I'm sure it's been discussed on this board before, but.. In your own opinion, are Buells Harley-Davidson's sportbikes? Ore are they different enough to warrant their own brand recognition. I am aware H-D owns Buell Motors and our motors are based on Sportster engines, but does that make Buells Harleys? I prefer to consider our bikes a separate entity. A rose is a rose is a rose, but how do you prefer to think of your bike? | ||
| Rubberdown |
Buell is a separate and distinct brand of motorcycle. Not a HD, but rather; genetically linked.  I like 'em both. Oh yeah, HD owns Buell Motorcycles. | ||
| Buelldyno_guy |
Buells were Buells before H-D purchased control. Remember the Sporster started out as the "K" model a long time ago. The Buells with H-D Motors have been gone for a long time. And now there is more Buell in the Sporster than there is Sporster in the Buell. Just my $.02 worth. ... Terry (Message edited by buelldyno_guy on February 03, 2006) | ||
| Vonsliek |
& officially .. now ... harley-davidson is going racing again! so .. technically it can be argued that buell IS harleydavidson's sportbike .. that new xbrr is - at daytona - apparently (from official sources) the new HD roadracing bike. | ||
| Diablobrian |
As has been said, Buell existed before the H-D buy-out. Honestly I think that Buell has been just as good for H-D as H-D has been for Buell. Buell has gained access to H-D rescources, but H-D gained access to Buell innovation. This is seen most clearly in the sporster line. | ||
| Vanvideo |
I thought of another argument - Bimota bikes. They have Ducati engines, but are certainly not Ducatis. In fact, Bimotas have had Kawasaki engines, but they're certainly not Kawis. Of course, Buell is now owned by HD...so, hmmm... | ||
| Chizzler |
Well, if a Lincoln is a Ford product and a Caddy is a GM, then a Buell is an HD. As much as I hate to admit that  See ya, Nick | ||
| Buellerx |
H-D didn't start Buell, Buells didn't always have H-D motors. Buell is owned by H-D, but Jaguar is owned by Ford, Does that mean that a Jaguar XK is the same as an Escort? Buell is a separate entity owned by H-D. They share some of the same parts but that’s about it. | ||
| Josh_ |
Yeah, but you can get a Hemi in a Jeep and a Subaru drive train in a Saab... | ||
| Darkducati |
Hehe Saabaru | ||
| Freyke |
I think of it this way.... HDI (Harley-Davidison Inc.) has two motorcylcle brands: A) Harley-Davidson B) Buell American Motorcycles... "Harley-Davidson, Inc. is the parent company for the group of companies doing business as Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Motor Company), Buell Motorcycle Company (BMC) and Harley-Davidson Financial Services (HDFS). The Motor Company produces heavyweight motorcycles and offers a line of motorcycle parts, accessories, apparel and general merchandise. The Motor Company manufactures five families of motorcycles: Touring, Dyna Glide, Softail, VRSC and Sportster. BMC produces sport motorcycles, including five v-twin XB models and the single-cylinder Buell Blast. BMC also offers a line of motorcycle parts, accessories, apparel and general merchandise. HDFS provides wholesale and retail financing and insurance programs primarily to Harley-Davidson/Buell dealers and customers. The Company operates in two principal business segments: Motorcycles and Related Products (Motorcycles) and Financial Services." from: moneycentral.msn.com (Message edited by freyke on February 03, 2006) | ||
| Anonymous |
Buells are a product of Harley-Davidson, Inc. (HDI), but are not Harley-Davidson Motorcycles(H-D). The brand was started outside, ran on it's own for ten years, and then was bought out by HDI. It is tracked as a separate division from H-D, has a separate dealer contract, and even a separate distribution entity within HDI. So, if HDI bought Vespa, and sold them through Vespa dealers, it would be a similar situation. what we have is a separate motorcycle company, owned by a parent corporation that has different brands. So, Buell is an HDI company, but it is not an H-D motorcycle. Time has, and will continue to show the difference. | ||
| Percyco |
Buell is the "bastard cousin" of  Harley Davidson like it or not. In fact it's the reason I bought a XB9S. The Buell is the perfect addition to my hot rod Harley. Depending on my mood, I can be a street racer or a cool hot rodder and never have to take off my Harley jacket !  PMC | ||
| Davefla |
I want a Vespa with an 88-inch engine...  Hey, I love the thinking behind my Firebolt. I might even have bought it with a Japanese engine instead. But I sure do love telling people that's "basically a Harley Sportster engine in a bike that's 150 pounds lighter," and that "Buell is H-D's sportbike line." Those are terms the general public readily understands. If they still seem interested, THEN they get the five-minute pocket history of BMC... | ||
| Chainsaw |
To the uninitiated, I tell 'em that Buell is Harley's version of a crotch rocket (this response gets me the fewest dumb looks in return) In reality, Buell is to Harley what Taco Bell is to Pepsi. (Taco Bell being owned by PepsiCo of course) | ||
| Americanmadexb |
From Diablobrian :>>>>> As has been said, Buell existed before the H-D buy-out. Honestly I think that Buell has been just as good for H-D as H-D has been for Buell. Buell has gained access to H-D rescources, but H-D gained access to Buell innovation. This is seen most clearly in the sporster line. Couldnt have said it better myself!! | ||
| Chiefiron |
I like to think of my Buell as a sport bike with the heart of a Harley. you get the best of both worlds as far as im concerned IMHO.  Tim | ||
| Chizzler |
Yes, a Jaguar is a Ford. So is a Volvo and an Aston Martin. I've worked on all of them and there's a lot more in common then you'd think! See ya, Nick | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
In a single word of two letters: N0! The reason behind this not particularly startling conclusion is that the design philosophy behind the two brands is not only different, but I should say, entirely opposite. Thank God. | ||
| Crusty |
Yeah, but you can get a Hemi in a Jeep and a Subaru drive train in a Saab... Isn't Saab an acronym for Still Another Arrogant Bastard? In reality, Buell is to Harley what Taco Bell is to Pepsi. Pepsi goes great with tacos. It tastes a hell of a lot better than a strawberry shake would. | ||
| Aldaytona |
I have been riding Harley Davidson motorcycles since the 60s and riding 2 stroke bikes, X6, RD, RZ, H1, H2, ect, and a couple of not so legal V4 oil burners as well. With Buell motorcycles you get the best of BOTH, H D durability and ease of routine service and spare parts availability and the smokin fun of lightweight, compact motorcycles. The H D Buell deal works for me.  | ||
| Buellshyter |
BTW, Taco Bell is no longer owned by Pepsico. It's now owned by Yum Brands, which also owns KFC, Long John Silver's and Pizza Hut. | ||
| Doughnut |
The answer is no, they are not an H-D, they are Buells | ||
| Cataract2 |
BTW, Taco Bell is no longer owned by Pepsico. It's now owned by Yum Brands, which also owns KFC, Long John Silver's and Pizza Hut. Yes, but wait until the franchis wars. Pretty soon everything will be Taco Bell. | ||
| Blake |
Are Buells H-Ds? Nope! | ||
| Chainsaw |
Yes, but wait until the franchis wars. Pretty soon everything will be Taco Bell. Quote from Demolition Man. Do I win a prize? | ||
| Rocketman |
Is a Rolls Royce a BMW? Rocket | ||
| Cataract2 |
Quote from Demolition Man. Do I win a prize? Very good. You win a cookie.  | ||
| Kootenay |
As a joke, I tell people sometimes that my bike is a "Harley Ninja." But on other motorcycle forums, I am constantly telling people that my Buell is NOT a Harley. Yeah, H-D owns the brand now, but c'mon--would H-D ever produce anything even remotely like a Buell on their own? In fact, I bought mine in spite of the fact Buell is owned by H-D--I had never been inside a Harley shop before I got interested in Buells, I've always ridden Japanese I4s before. And interestingly enough, I knew more about Buell bikes than the dealership personnel (who seemed less than enthusiastic about the brand)--I was pointing things out to the sales guys, they had no idea. So, in answer to your question, once again, a Buell is NOT a Harley. | ||
| Chadhargis |
Buell is no more a Harley than a Chrysler is a Mercedes. | ||
| Plag |
I ordered my XB12Ss last month. It's being built this month and should be delivered in March. I have always been a sportbike guy and I currently own a tweaked 04 CBR1000RR. I really wanted to get something with character this time, something V twin. In my mind is a Buell a Harley - hell no. But part of what appeals to me about the bike is a V twin that is based on one of the coolest V twins on the planet. This motor based on Harley's has a great heritage. Parry | ||
| Percyco |
"Buell is no more a Harley than a Chrysler is a Mercedes"........Are Mercedes Benz only sold at Chrysler dealers? Dodge and Plymouth are....would Buell still be in business if H-D hadn't taken over ? maybe , maybe not . PMC 03' XB9S - 91' H-D 883  (Message edited by percyco on February 05, 2006) | ||
| Truk |
Got my first bike in 1975. Over the years have owned a number of bikes, most have been sportbikes, all of them have been Asian. Still do have one - (01 R1). But over the years I have said, "...if America ever built a good sportbike I wanted one." I really appreciate Eric making the XB9R. Was fascinated by it the first time I saw one Now I have my American sportbike, it rocks, I love to ride it, I get a lot of comments, I tell people it is an American sportbike - A Buell, a company currently owned by H-D. I am proud of the fact that it is an American Sportbike, that it is unique and special. That I have one | ||
| Vonsliek |
er .. a chrysler a mercedes .. hell yeah! that crossfire is basically an sl merc .. they share across the range. audi's are essentially uprated but at heart vw & vice versy. fords & mazda .. & all the others .. c'mon guys .. its an argument based on brand loyalty & badge identity .. buells are not harleys, but they now are harleys .. i still think the ulysses is hd-management influenced .. as is the rr .. i can see hd management yelping for that one .. but as design & ideology go, buell is too european as to be true hd. bimota were a good analogy; as cld be the kawaskai/suzuki intel sharing .. that ended as soon as the '04 zx-10r threatened the gsx-r .. allegedly. pontiac gto is holden monaro is vauxhall monaro is the same car .. change the name/badge/macho culture angle ... buell go water-cooled .. there is almost as non-harley as u can get .. tho the italian (aprilia) cast frame & brembo (*more italian) swingarm .. well, we cld argue that buell is italian! i'd be cool w/ that. | ||
| Vaneo1 |
To the uninitiated, I tell 'em that Buell is Harley's version of a crotch rocket (this response gets me the fewest dumb looks in return) In reality, Buell is to Harley what Taco Bell is to Pepsi. (Taco Bell being owned by PepsiCo of course) mmm TACO BELL  } | ||
| Davegess |
i still think the ulysses is hd-management influenced Erik was doing drawing of this bike as far back as 1997. He had to win the battles at Juneau to get it built. Don't for a moment think that Buells are anything but the brainchilds of Mr. Buell |
