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Trojan
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 07:48 am: | 
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From reading this board, it seems nobody in the UK will be wanting the 1125R. I don't think that's a problem. That will just be a few more bikes that can be sold elsewhere to people who are begging for them.
I don't think it will 'nobody' buying them, but I believe it will be less than Buell would like. The problem then will be that bikes are allocated to the UK/Europe and will be sitting in a warehouse in Belgium waiting for people to order them (much like the 2006 Ulysses are still doing). They won't be available to fill a shortfall in the USA or elsewhere but will be Euro spec bikes. If they don't sell in the first year then we can probably expect heavily discounted sales of this years models next year, leading to reduced used prices, annoyed owners and even less demand again. This is the sales model that has been followed by Buell Europe for years with disastrous consequences for used bike values, so I don't imagine it will change with the new model.
Personally I hope they sell every bike that they can get their hands on, as it will be good for us  |
Cobralightning
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 08:01 am: |
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Just the difference between the 1125R and the GXR is enough money to buy a helmet, jacket, pants, boots, gloves, a cover for the bike, Xena disc lock, and a clean & polish kit. So while the numbers look close there is so much more you could get for a bike that performs at the same level as the other bikes listed. Money is not the only factor in buying the bikes. But for many people it will sway them towards a bike that will allow them to walk out the door of the dealership with everything the need to ride safely. I just went to the dealership and got two jackets, a pair of paints, and a helmet (for my wife) for under $500 (248 pounds). So I know that price was an influence in buying the bike. If it was $3000 (1400 pounds) more I think I may have waited for an eBay bike or a used one. Not that I can not afford one it is just I want to have everything I need to ride and keep my payments or down payment low. |
Trojan
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 08:50 am: |
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Just the difference between the 1125R and the GXR is enough money to buy a helmet, jacket, pants, boots, gloves, a cover for the bike, Xena disc lock, and a clean & polish kit.
At list prices I would agree, but most if not all of the GSXR/R1/ZX10/CBR etc will be discounted or have clothing/extras deals available within the price. The 1125R will have no discounts and no extras for the first season at least. Also a lot of buyers already have all the clothing they need so are just looking for a replacement sportsbike. The £500 difference could be swallowed up in trade in figures or in deals quite easily. Buell dealers are notorious over here for extremely low trade in prices compared to their Japanese rivals, and that may be enough to send a prospective customer elsewhere on its own. |
Blake
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 08:56 am: |
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That "1125" in the Ducati UK price still makes me laugh. |
Blake
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 09:04 am: |
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Matt, Listening to your view on the state of UK Buell sales if I were Buell, I'd be considering pulling out of the market. Good grief. Buck up a bit eh? Why always look for the negative? I don't get it.
My take is that Britain, Europe and elsewhere have plenty of folks who are looking for something different and so the 1125R will do fine in sales. But then I'm an optimist, silly me. 
When do you take delivery on your new 1125R? |
Blake
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 09:25 am: |
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Do you really see the 1125R competing competing for the same sales as the Japan Inc 600cc repli-racers?
It wasn't long ago, some folks were clamoring for a Buell motorcycle that could hit 150+ mph and sell for a reasonable price.
Buell does so, shattering the levels of performance and price requested.
Yet now, once again, just like with the air-cooled models, we are seeing the Buell compared to the budget repli-racers, IL4's and the like. It gives one the feeling that unless/until a Buell motorcycle wins Superbike and MotoGP and then Buell offers the street going versions to the public for less even than the cheapest 600cc sportbike on the market, some folks won't be pleased. That's the feeling I get anyway.
How many folks are really wanting the same old Japan Inc repli-racer versus something entirely new and very different that is designed/engineered from the rider up? That question is even somewhat ancillary to the topic of this thread, so good for me. 
Time will tell the answer. Here in America, the indications are that the answer to the above question is "a lot!"
If Buell releases a fully faired, repli-racer version, will there also be another whole set of customers for that, maybe the folks who prefer the repli-racer look over that of the semi-naked 1125R? I wouldn't bet against it. |
Molly_hatchet
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 09:45 am: |
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money and looks are an important part of buying a bike for sure....i now own a honda because i couldnt pass up the price i got it for...now another factor for me was they all perform almost the same and look almost the same so il find the best deal...that would be the same thing that drives someone away to something like a buell...now if they de-uglify her a little i might consider forkin out few extra bucks for something different and cool. |
Elvis
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 10:13 am: |
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How many folks are really wanting the same old Japan Inc repli-racer versus something entirely new and very different that is designed/engineered from the rider up? That question is even somewhat ancillary to the topic of this thread, so good for me.
I agree, and maybe the premise of the thread is at fault, but clearly the Buell is not a direct competitor for a GSX-R1000. Even if its performance is comparable (and none of us have any real data on that yet), it can't compete on heritage.
And, in some ways, the Suzuki can't compete with the Buell. Anyone who wants a twin won't consider the Suzuki. Anyone who wants and American bike (or even a non-Japanese bike) won't consider the Suzuki. Anyone who wants something unique won't consider the Suzuki. Anyone who want's something "mature" and not all tarted-up won't consider the Suzuki.
The bikes are so clearly different in personality, I can't honestly imagine anyone narrowing their choice down to those two bikes.
BMW, Triumph, Moto-Guzzi, Moto-Morini, Aprilia, Benneli, KTM, MV Augusta are all out there selling motorcycles even though none of them could begin to compete with the standards some seem to want to hold Buell to.
If WSBK dominance is the only measure of a motorcycle, why do all these motorcycle companies even bother to try to do business? |
Cobralightning
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 10:36 am: |
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I know the 1125R is selling fast. I got the first one in the country (USA) and when I went back to the dealership they said the second walked out the door within one or two days. So the demand is here even if the dealerships may not know what they have on there hands. I am sorry I have to go it is almost 60 degrees here and the 1125R just looks like it wants to go for a ride. |
Ceejay
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 10:43 am: |
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de-uglify 
The bike rocks to ride. I don't much agree with the looks either, but I didn't like the firebolts when I first saw them, now I have one.
I probably will never get an 1125, not because of what it is or isn't, mostly because I don't have any money and I already have 1.5 motorcycles. I think it's pretty wild how people seem to believe that they can dictate what Buell can and should build. Maybe they do this on other boards too, I dunno, but I find it interesting that a company who has to put so much time and money into making sure a product will pass EPA certs, DOT regs, use pump gas, etc., and still find a way to fit into a bell curve of buyers(they still have to put food on the table right?) is blasted by board users who may or may not buy a scoot because they didn't build what THEY wanted Buell to build. |
Molly_hatchet
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 11:36 am: |
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de-uglify might sound like a harsh term...but...honestly who cares how i feel about the looks...most of you guys think my bike is ugly and just one of a million...and i could give a hoot..i could also give a hoot if the 1125 sells in europe or not...if i wanted one and had one id be happier than a pig in sh!t and thats all that counts...i am hoping buell sells a bunch of them so they make a ton of $$$$ and have a big ole budget for the next few years to develop all kinds of nifty stuff...once a buell owner always a buell owner...if u love to ride ur hooked for life..ugly or not the 1125 is always welcome where ever i ride. |
Blake
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 02:29 pm: |
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"de-uglify" LOL. I just got an image of Molly-H at the bar near closing time cozying up to a beat up old pre-production 1125R plastered with bright pink lipstick and false eyelashes, drenched in cheap perfume and smoking a cigarette. Still might be a fun ride.
I did NOT just state that!
(Message edited by blake on December 18, 2007) |
Davegess
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 02:52 pm: |
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It sure looks to me that Buell is right where they should be on pricing in the UK. That Super Duke looks like a bargain if you like the looks.
I certainly can't comment on how Buell sells bike in Europe but it sure seems from a distance that Germany, France and Italy are doing pretty well. The pricing seems to be right were it needs to be.
I would love to see registration numbers for bikes from those countries. The info is usually closely guarded |
Molly_hatchet
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 04:18 pm: |
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wow...i didnt know u knew my wife blake..damn...small world. |
Blake
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 05:40 pm: |
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Duuuuude! If she sees that post you are in a world of hurt. Fear google. |
Molly_hatchet
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 06:47 pm: |
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funny u say that..she googled herself last night.. |
Josh_
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 07:01 pm: |
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>she googled herself last night
tmi |
Dtx
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 09:42 pm: |
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Does anybody find it a bit ironic that Trojan does not like the looks of the 1125R and basically has a "glass half empty" attitude about the bike, and yet he is an aftermarket supplier for the brand? You would think he would be excited about all the parts and accessories he could offer to change it up to his (and others) tastes.  |
Rocketman
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 09:52 pm: |
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So you're saying a smoker should only purchase cigarettes from someone who smokes?
Rocket |
Dalton_gang
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 10:09 pm: |
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Dtx
This is nothing compared to the belt tensioner thread (that I thought would never die). His attitude in that thread made it really easy to decide where not to buy my aftermarket stuff from. |
Fresnobuell
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 10:18 pm: |
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Trojan is even selling a T-Shirt for the 1125r. I agree...strange attitude for a sponsor. |
Blake
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 10:31 pm: |
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The key is understanding the quintessential British culture. Brits tend to be MUCH more pragmatic and frank in their communications and much less sensitive to that which might tend to put us off. Don't read anything into it. It isn't reflective of his enthusiasm for Buell, just his desire to see Buell succeed even more.
I agree though. Matt should be off working to create a new tail section and cooling air intake nacelles for the aftermarket. that may be a HUGE opportunity. |
Buellborn
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 10:41 pm: |
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Posted on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 09:42 pm:
Does anybody find it a bit ironic that Trojan does not like the looks of the 1125R and basically has a "glass half empty" attitude about the bike, and yet he is an aftermarket supplier for the brand? You would think he would be excited about all the parts and accessories he could offer to change it up to his (and others) tastes
Maybe he cares about Buells well-being more than his own. A true fan of Buell. |
Spatten1
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 10:50 pm: |
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Don't beat up on Matt (Trojan) for being honest.
In my opinion he is a bit more objective and much more knowledgable than most of us, which is probably a good thing since his living depends on it. |
Blake
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 19, 2007 - 01:23 am: |
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He's also thoughtful. Stubborn too. |
Trojan
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 19, 2007 - 06:41 am: |
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I agree though. Matt should be off working to create a new tail section and cooling air intake nacelles for the aftermarket. that may be a HUGE opportunity.
We are, in addition to lots of other goodies (which would be made a lot quicker with the availability of some bikes!)
Maybe he cares about Buells well-being more than his own. A true fan of Buell.
Exactly! I am a Buell fan to the core, so it hurts even more to see them miss an opportunity and to see muppets employed by H-D/Buell UK doing their best to tarnish and spoil the enthusiasm that a lot of people put into the brand over here. I want Buell to succeed as much or more than other people, as I have a vested interest in their success. |
Rocketman
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 19, 2007 - 07:16 am: |
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And Matt's 1125 will no doubt deal with some of the more controversial looks of the stock bike.
Rocket |
Trojan
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 19, 2007 - 08:49 am: |
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Just an idea I was playing around with the other day using parts that are already available |
Brad1445
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 19, 2007 - 10:31 am: |
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Trojan, The tail and fairing proportions look good there. You got game. |
Hattori_hanzo
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 19, 2007 - 10:37 am: |
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I can't believe I'm quoting Rocket... 
And Matt's 1125 will no doubt deal with some of the more controversial looks of the stock bike.
After seeing what Matt did with a Uly, turning it into a sweet race bike, there is no doubt in my mind that he'll do something special with the 1125R. (no pressure Matt!) |
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