| Author | Message | ||
     Slypiranna |
Being somewhat new to Buell...less than a year here with you all, I've come to know some of the most diverse and incredible folks and friends of my life. I've also been educated upon a great number of subjects that I would still be in ignorant wonder about today, if not for BadWeb, it's members and the few higher posters herein. Concerning the Liquid Cooled effort...I know we've all come a great and positive leap ahead from where we were a year ago. Major thank yous to BMC&HD for what kind of a company that has helped in such incredible ways. Many thanks also to the persistence of loyal owners as well...which has been mentioned in other threads. So with the current economy and world times...Buell, current and future owners and the aftermarket folks march forward like nothing is really wrong in the world!  Yes, the aftermarket really has picked up since the release of the 09 models...now they have a lot more potential for their investments to be paid back by similar platforms to design and produce for. Having gotten over the "hump" of the initial issues, owners are also smiling more so now and Buell's dedication to resolve reinforces what the majority, collectively, agree upon. With the above a given now, where do we go from here for further progress? It is proven now, new education for me, that HD owns Buell...and we are pretty much forced to deal with HD dealers as a majority. This has been the one hurdle of past and I question why we all cannot figure out just how to help improve this one area, further. For whatever reason some of us have had, getting along with HD type folks doesn't work the same as Buell type folks? Without stereotyping or judging either or, the two are very different and don't always see the light of the other. A select few dealers have started the process of change, involvement and or inclusion for a true Buell customer to feel at home within HD surroundings. A few, mind you. I've been in over 15 dealers and 2 have that "feeling" of my belonging there! LOL! I know that I'm not alone. I've read it here and heard it countless times from others. So, how do we help those that help us? How do we all come together and then help bring HD/Buell closer together by the mere process? How do we loose the lifestyle differences in order to work together as a common entity...BOTH, HAPPILY benefitting the other, along with the current owners and those still on other brands? This is America, come on, we CAN take this to another level and blow the doors off all the competition, IF we all work and share together? Yes? Finally, how do we get further involvement from Anonymous on very important issues that inquiring minds wish to have answers for? Yea, I know there is a limit and that might be it! I wouldn't post this if I really didn't think it was important. I hope all that read me won't take it in a negative manner. It is meant to be positive for the whole effort to move forward on. Thoughts? mm | ||
| Gschuette |
Yeah this dealer problem is my biggest issue with Buell. Why they aren't in dealerships with Ducatis, BMWs, KTMs, and the like is beyond me. The only close dealer is 50 miles away and it sucks! | ||
| P_squared |
Here's an idea, "Adopt a dealer." Make yourself available to a dealer that at least shows an interest in the brand, and then do your best to help & support them in anyway you can in all areas concerning Buell. It's a constant process, but it is one step along a very long path. A good place to start would be with any BWB sponsors here on the board that are dealers in your area. If you poke around enough, you'll notice some are openly looking for ideas to help their bottom line. Help them sell the bikes. Anytime you're stopped and someone asks you, "What kind of bike is that?", think of it as a sales opportunity for your adopted dealer, give them a business card from said dealer, give them the lowdown on the trilogy of tech, and let 'em know they do allow test rides. Ask your adopted dealer if there's anyway you can help them, and keep thinking outside of the box. | ||
| Slypiranna |
P_squared, Yup, you hit one subject matter! The 2 that I did visit in high regards, were Toledo HD and then Western Reserve HD/Buell. The service department at Toledo was over the top in every respect. Showroom? hmmmm...can't put my finger on it. Western Reserve, however, was incredible in the showroom experience...perfect marriage of both brands. I've yet to looksee in the service tho...but soon will. Both are at the top of my current state, Ohio...and a good couple of hours of ride but I go there before returning to some within ten miles. I carry both cards and speak highly of both. They do deserve it! Morespeed and Teach have been incredible in all respects to customer relations and the Buell ownership experience. Excellent input P_squared! Thanks for the reminder! What else can we do? (Message edited by slypiranna on December 01, 2008) (Message edited by slypiranna on December 01, 2008) | ||
| Gschuette |
Screw that! I'm the customer! I'm not selling myself to them. If they want my business they can earn it the old fashioned way. | ||
| Zac4mac |
Since each dealership is individually owned, that's where it has to start. Gschuette - you reap what you sow, P_squared has the right idea. The dealership I work at is very pro-Buell. We sell them, ride them, race them. We should be online as a BWB sponsor today or tomorrow. Work from the outside and inside to improve your environment. Zack | ||
| Morespeed |
I work at Toledo hd/Buell back in service.We are very lucky to have guys that live and breath Buell.The dealers need to embrace the Buell line more.Our dealership could improve also.There is always room for improvement though.If your in a dealership let them know how they can improve.I know we are always looking for input to improve. | ||
| Xbswede |
Here in Portland myself and Borrowedbike started a local Buell Club PBR. This was then noticed by Latus which showed interest in growing their Buell product line. We ended up hooking up and are now sponsored by Latus as well as they are a board sponsor here. We make group showings, we organize rides and meetups and we hold club meetings at Latus along with their Buell sales representative(who also owns a Buell and rides with us). Last summer we were able to negotiate group discount on track day passes as well as getting support from Latus with their Race trailer and demo 1125R to ride on the track. In return we help promote Latus. We even have our club cards made up with both our PBR logo along with Latus logo to hand out to anyone that shows interest in our bikes. I think its possible to grow the Buell/HD support for our bikes it just takes time and a willingness to work with the dealerships in our areas. Especially the ones that show interest. | ||
| Teach |
Just a few random thoughts....and I am prefacing these with the fact that this occurs at many dealerships at the present.  There should be no difference in the way the Buell customer is treated in sales, parts and service compared to the Harley enthusiast. Each dealership should stock enough Buell parts and accessories so that enthusiasts will visit to not only look at the Buell bikes, but also the parts and accessories and clothing. Customer service is the key to everything and that comes from the top and reaches everyone in the dealership. All interactions between a customer and any dealership staff is marketing on the part of the dealership. Either good or bad. Dealerships have to "court" (no pun intended, Court!) the Buell customer. There are fewer potential Buell customers, so they should receive even greater attention than their Harley brothers. Our Dealership is working on the "store within the store" concept for Buells. This approach will validate that Buells are important and deserve to have their own "space". Buell success in racing will help sales and get the attention of riders of other types of bikes and manufacturers. Dealers, provide support to those people who are racing Buells. I would suggest that dealers offer a special promotion to any Harley owner who would like to add a Buell to their garage. Dealership staff should be wearing Buell clothing, also! We had a "conference" in November and we had over 30 Buellers attend. (Thanks BWB) If the event has value, people will attend. (To all of those who attended, thank you so much, and a special thanks to XB9, Slypiranna and Todd from Fasttrax!) Dealerships should plan these to promote the Buell brand. And Buell owners you have a stake in keeping the brand strong, so get involved and request these events or help set them up. I would be more than happy to share what we have done and our plans for the next one. (Message edited by teach on December 01, 2008) | ||
| Buellborn |
I just want a bike, and to ride. It seems it would be more professional if Buell themselves were more Proactive vs reactive. I don't plan on adopting any kids are dealers any time soon, but at least the kids would be tax deductible. | ||
| Cataract2 |
Well, example of a good dealer for my is Gainesville HD back in FL. I flew home from CO to go there to buy my 1125R and will still call Paul there in the parts section to order things I need from time to time. Now, with that said. Pikes Peak HD here in CO is coming along from what I can tell. Their service dept. has not done me wrong with any warranty or recall service I needed. | ||
| P_squared |
Greg (Gschuette) & Bob (Buellborn), I'd like both of you to think of the other side of what I said for a minute before you completely disregard my suggestion. If you help 'educate' the dealership(s) and promote them to potential new customers, don't you think they might notice & return the favor to you? It doesn't take a lot of time or effort on my part for my local dealer. As a result, the Service, Parts & Sales department all know me. Phone, email or in person, they're friendly & helpful to me in ways they aren't to other customers. It's 'nice' to get preferential treatment.  As for another suggestion for how to increase brand awareness, I like the track ideas: 1) Inside Pass - Try to get as many of your friends/acquaintances who ride sportbikes to attend & ride Buell's bikes for the day. 2) Working with a dealership for discounted trackdays. I'm going to have to work on this 1 more, as I like trackdays.  | ||
| Slypiranna |
Honestly, I was worried to post this thread but now am very excited to read of such an overall, majority (tho still minor #) positive wish to educate some of us...let alone hint for improvements and/or further positive involvement by all. My post was not with the intent of having any two or more dealers "compete" and I see that is not the case. I admire the dealers and their employees and/or reps that do participate here though. It shows that those individuals care. Really care! Major efforts by concerned and positive individuals help influence the rest of "us"...note, didn't say, "them". WE is the word, yes? WE should ALL be working 110% together. That is the only answer in moving forward. For any to even post here means volumes for what we are used to understanding as a very tight lipped and an internal minded, community. From my line of thinking, a community shares and benefits by all that are inclusive, within that entity. It really is an effort by all to benefit all inclusive. From the manufactures...DM's...dealers...owners, then back to customer service, engineers, dealer service, dealer techs, dealer parts and sales...and on and on...along with the potential for outside input? And there is so much more to "this" that can be gained via positive input and communications and ideas. Finally...it seems that all inclusive, race efforts, HD/Buell...er Beull/HD, outsiders, insiders, dealerships and right down to those on the fence in wonder... NOW is that time to bury the competition! OR, in more kind terms, invite others that are still outside of "this" and show them why selling/trading their current ride in favor of "ours" is a step in the right direction from all input/accounts. It is my belief that if we are all involved with the same purposeful mindset and share in a positive way, perhaps that doesn't seem so far out there? What other posts help in this whole deal? | ||
| Slypiranna |
And...without BadWeb, WE might not even have the chance to even begin to know each other's input! Its all good and Thank YOU, BadWeb, sponsors and all the great folks that have a watchful eye here! Whether or not we always agree, BadWeb helps it possible to at least get along for the effort to keep progressing forward. Awesome website! | ||
| Xb9 |
"Make yourself available to a dealer that at least shows an interest in the brand, and then do your best to help & support them in anyway you can in all areas concerning Buell" This, I know first hand works. I donate my time and work the IMS show w/o pay not only because I enjoy it, but it helps the brand and local NE Ohio dealers that have been good to me. They are all very good people, from the owners to the techs and I try to pass any knowledge and suggestions from my perspective on to them. I don't mind helping to promote a product I truly believe in. | ||
| Xl1200r |
We should put up someone from within Buell hierarchy to go for the CEO position who promises all these changes, then because this person is a minority in the motorcycling world, the press will get behind them 100% and only disclose their 'favorable' attributes while tearing apart any opposition. Then H-D will have to hire this person, based on all of the shareholder "votes". In all seriousness, I would sponsor my dealer if they were moving in the right direction, but I see less and less Buell people in there every season. I would work for them in a heartbeat selling bikes and promoting the brand if they could match my current salary, but I don't know if that's reasonable. |
