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Electraglider_1997
| | Posted on Monday, August 24, 2009 - 04:25 pm: | 
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I may be mistaken but wasn't the 1125CR introduced other than at a dealer show? Maybe that will happen with the 1125 ULY. |
Blake
| | Posted on Monday, August 24, 2009 - 05:43 pm: |
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Swampy,
Why so bitter? My experience with Buell dealerships is on par with every other vehicle dealership I've ever dealt with. None of them are perfect, some are better than others. |
Hangetsu
| | Posted on Monday, August 24, 2009 - 06:10 pm: |
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On that HD not having a sportbike thing - it'sw really too bad because HD has a rich racing history. Until Japanese 2 strokes came on the scene, they had one of the fastest machines on the track. And in dirt track, they still do. It's their inability to evolve past the air cooled lump that took them out of the racing scene and it's that same inability that limits them to the nostalgia, i.e., "lifestyle" market now. It's really too bad. It seems like a company with that heritage and pockets that deep could have easily catered to the "racing leather" as well as the "buttless chap" crowd. |
Hangetsu
| | Posted on Monday, August 24, 2009 - 06:13 pm: |
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Uh, Electraglider - the first thing Bush wanted to do was to dismantle and privatize Social Security. |
Ironhead1977
| | Posted on Monday, August 24, 2009 - 06:23 pm: |
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The people at the dealership I deal with are just people. I cannot expect anymore passion from them then the amount of passion I give to them.
When I went in to purchase my first new Buell in 06 the salesman tried to sell me a vrod. Nowadays when I come in the same salesman always comes up to me with something about Buell that he thinks I would be interested in, most of the time we talk about the possible 1125xt that will be my next ride. |
Johnboy777
| | Posted on Monday, August 24, 2009 - 06:53 pm: |
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""Uh, Electraglider - the first thing Bush wanted to do was to dismantle and privatize Social Security."'
Social Security is actually a Ponzi (or multilevel pyramid) Scheme - relying as it does, on contributions
from the ever-expanding general population to pay current recipients.
Nothing could possibly go wrong there.
. |
Slinky
| | Posted on Monday, August 24, 2009 - 07:17 pm: |
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DMG has rules that allow the Buells to be competitive in road racing. I don't think they are "kicking the ass" of the japanese bikes. DMG will change the rules next year. |
Blake
| | Posted on Monday, August 24, 2009 - 07:47 pm: |
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DMG has rules that allow the Japanese to be competitive in road racing.
Aren't rules put in place to make for good competitive racing amongst all competitors? Why are so many people confused about that? |
Hangetsu
| | Posted on Monday, August 24, 2009 - 10:25 pm: |
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Johnboy - Then I guess we'd (Americans I mean) better keep procreating! 
(Message edited by Hangetsu on August 25, 2009) |
Hooper
| | Posted on Monday, August 24, 2009 - 11:33 pm: |
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I wonder what would happen if the assless chaps guys rode a Buell...kind of like a "hi, meet your neighbor" kind of event. They might stop looking like those weird sport V-twins they sell next to the Hogs. It might be like a wakeup call. I've showed up at so many Harley events and Patriot Guard rides and the Harley riders express wonder and surprise to see someone pull up on a "big" v-twin that isn't a Harley, yet has major luggage, and is made in America.
I think there might be a reluctance to adapt.
That said, I love the Harley I bought AFTER my Buell. Granted, it doesn't actually SAY "Harley" on it anymore...
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Swampy
| | Posted on Monday, August 24, 2009 - 11:56 pm: |
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Not bitter,just sad, an opportunity is being squandered.
I would just like to find one close by I could trust to do what I need, which is precious little, like ordering parts.
When time is right I am getting the RSS and would like the ECM update.(Summers are never hot here in Michigan anymore)
I called in sick to work today and actually comptemplated riding to the closest Buell dealer, I instead rode two hours north to stain my mothers deck at the lake. I was actually in the mood to buy a tee shirt today.
Choices thats all, I will never be racer, spend tons on the latest and greatest, but I will always be a rabid fan. Just ask the guy at the gas station in Barryton this afternoon, he asked if the Ulysses was a German bike as I ate a deli turkeywrap while sitting next to a restored Cushman with saddlebags on display inside the store.
I want the Daves days back again. He made everything OK..... |
Cyclonedon
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 25, 2009 - 12:10 am: |
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I want the Daves days back again. He made everything OK.....
he sure did! We certainly miss him selling the Buell brand! |
Blake
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 25, 2009 - 11:09 am: |
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Swampy,
But to say that there is no good Buell dealer withing 600 miles is a huge exaggeration. That amounts to a 1200 mile diameter swath. There are in fact a host of good Buell dealers. In my experience, all of the dealers around me are good, Tyler, Shreveport, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio. |
Nobuell
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 25, 2009 - 11:17 am: |
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I am lucky. I live two blocks away from Calumet HD/Buell in Munster IN. I have never had a problem with a Harley attitude from any of their people. As a matter of fact, I have always been treated very professionally by everybody. Derek (sold me my bike) and Tex (GM) always say hello and shoot the bull when I stop in. I always get invited to any of their events. They even let me use an Uly X when my bike had an Idling issue during the spring.
I do my own work on the bike. Not because I do not like their service, but because I enjoy working on the bike.
I never have had any problems with the HD lifestyle guys. I go into any HD/Buell shop with a good attitude and never have any issues.
When I need parts or accessories, I go to them. The comfort kit they ordered thursday evening came in on Monday. Hard to beat that. |
Ulytide
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 25, 2009 - 03:55 pm: |
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I never have had any problems with the HD lifestyle guys. I go into any HD/Buell shop with a good attitude and never have any issues.
Exactamundo.
In life, you often reep what you sow. Chips on shoulders too often blind ones vision. |
Hangetsu
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 25, 2009 - 03:59 pm: |
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Hooper - I think that would be detrimental to Harley sales nationwide. My data is purely anecdotal, but the two cases I've seen where a committed HD rider took a ride on a Buell, their Harleys took a back seat in the garage and the new Buell owners began to smile like they never smiled before. |
Chadhargis
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 25, 2009 - 05:54 pm: |
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The days of Daves are being recreated with my local shop, Bumpus Buell.
Tom Bumpus (tnxbrider), Jeremy (Fat Bastard), and the service manager Steve (Ivershay) will all do whatever it takes to get you taken care of. |
Jammin_joules
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 25, 2009 - 07:58 pm: |
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"I wonder what would happen if the assless chaps guys rode a Buell...kind of like a "hi, meet your neighbor" kind of event. They might stop looking like those weird sport V-twins they sell next to the Hogs. It might be like a wakeup call. ..
I think there might be a reluctance to adapt. ... That said, I love the Harley I bought AFTER my Buell."
Half of the Buell owners I know personally own Harley's. And I know a lot of them. And if referred to as assless chap wearing guys, or girls, no wonder they look funny at Buell riders when they show up all sport-riding knee-padded gear for a parade ride.
I live the gap every day of exposing Buell riders to Harley's and Harley riders to Buells. Why some of each group have to stereotype and berate is beyond me.
But Buell will not grow converting bagger riders to Ulysses or 1125's. Growth comes from metric, Euro and newbie riders buying Buells. They won't buy when they don't see & ride. When Buell & Harley riders bicker like school children about who is alienating whom, no wonder they stay out of Buell dealerships.
Accordingly this Thursday we are doing a non-denomination sport bike nite at a nearby Roadhouse bringing in racers from drags to land speed record to road racing to Pikes Peak. We will host the event and have goodies for people bringing other brand riders in as well as food and a band. I hope I don't see any school children attitude from any groups, it won't be welcomed.
I like most customers, I like both bikes, I own a 2007 Ulysses but bought a 2009 FLHT for long distance cruises, it's what they are designed for.
I don't sell Buells as a hobby, I sell them like I mean it so if my attitude here is sometimes short with the school kids, sorry. But I am committed to success; for Buell, for my dealership, for me.
So I treat all my customers as close to the same as I can whether I like them or not. It is the professional thing to do. I could be wrong, but I doubt it. |
Skifastbadly
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 25, 2009 - 08:12 pm: |
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I started on a Harley. Still have it. In fact, I just rode it from Salt Lake City to Seattle in two days. I love that bike. One day several years ago I was with another guy, also on a heritage softail, and we came to where the tarmac ended and the gravel continued. Naturally, we didn't take the hogs. At that moment, I decided I wanted a dual sport. A riding buddy had a R1200GS and of course that's what he suggested. I just didn't dig the price or look or feel or attitude of BMW. In fact, I think the BMW GS crowd's poser attitude is JUST as bad as they stereotypical Harley rider. If some portion of the Harley riders wants to pretend it's Sonny Barger, an equal portion of the BMW riders want to pretend they're Ewan McGreggor. Frankly, I damn near bought a Triumph Tiger *the old 955i) and would have if the dealer wasn't so incompetent he couldn't be bothered to return my phone call. Now here's the thing...I was already on a Harley. And my sister in law rides a CityX. But I had NO CLUE that Buell had a dual sport. I only stumbled across it doing a web search on "adventure motorcycles" or something like that. When I rode it, I was sold. I was slightly positively impacted by the fact that it was Harley owned. But just barely. The point is, I think quite a few Harley riders could be convinced to try a Uly as their 'off road' vehicle. Not many would go to the full sport 1125, but most of them have wondered 'what's up that dirt road'. I bet the company could sell a bunch more Ulys if they positioned the bike as "The adventure bike for the Harley Rider" than "The adventure bike for the sportbike rider" And I feel HD dealers could do themselves a favor by not hiding them in the back by the bathrooms behind the oil. |
Jammin_joules
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 25, 2009 - 08:39 pm: |
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"I wonder what would happen if the assless chaps guys rode a Buell...kind of like a "hi, meet your neighbor" kind of event.... "
We demo 6 days a week at High Cntry H-D/Buell. State law prohibits sales on Sunday even though service and the store is open. On Saturdays we have at least one person just to do demo rides. I pull out an 1125, and XB12XT and any used Buell I may also have so that people feel encouraged to try the weird looking things. Of course any customer remotely interested in another Buell model gets that brought out for a ride immediately.
In this summers "Super Ride" program, Harley tracked demo rides of Harley's, but not Buells but I found a way to show the Buell rides taken during that 3 month promo. Our dealership completed twice as many logged demo rides as the second place dealer in our multi-state district. And there are at least four dealerships that shoudl be selling 50% or more new bikes a year than us.
A mid-year report should us having sold the lion's share of Buells in the entire state.
We race Buells; drag, land speed and road courses. We took second two years in a row in Pikes Peak, missing first this year only because our experienced ride got hurt in practice and a rookie, to the 1125 and to the 156 turn, 10+ mile race to 14,000 feet on pavement and dirt favors rides who know the course. Yet Erik Buell gave recognition to us at the dealershow.
Without wanting to be too high on my horse, when theories around here espose how dealers should do this, or dealers should do that, or Buell isn't doing this right - we know first hand how to sell successfully against the BMW, Aprilia and Ducati dealer down the street. From what I read, some of you are best kept in your day jobs. Buell owners are a tough sell, in general. More informed, more hands-on, more technical, more specific, demanding and quite spend thrift. If you think you have the right stuff to sell to this, come on over and fill out an application.
We work hard at succeeding where others are failing.
http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/406 2/490210.html?1251205495
Customer posts like:
Just thought I would pass on a little tid bit for Zac and the crew at Hi Country. I had a fellow by the name of Al and his wife from Grand Junction CO in the store today. HD riders. They couldn't speak highly enough of your dealership and your service department. Especially your service department! You all must be doing a great job down there!
Just wanted to give you a pat on the back! Great Job, keep it up!
……………………..o~’o
HCHD is the place for sure. There are very few dealers I actually like and trust and HCHD is one of them.
I would really like to see PPHD out of the Buell business. At one time it was a great dealership until the previous owner sold it. I do not buy ANYTHING from them.
It is always a pleasure to stop in at HCHD to talk to people that actually know about Buells and ride them.
……………………o~’o
HCHD is the place to be!
We that live near are pretty thrilled to have it.
I read about horror stories at other shops, but nothing like that there!
……………………o~’o
Added to the list at:
http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/171 43/426988.html?1250473338 |
F_skinner
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 25, 2009 - 08:55 pm: |
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Jammer, don't let this crap get to you. The new breed on Buell riders is no better than the people that think if you don't ride what they do then you are not worth talking to.
Sometimes this is just like a BMW forum.
I will pickup an application next time I am there. 
Your dealerships support of the S2 Gathering (in large part due to you and Bones) is one of the reasons your dealership will survive when others will not.
(Message edited by f_skinner on August 27, 2009) |
Atoms
| | Posted on Thursday, August 27, 2009 - 04:01 pm: |
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Jammer, don't let this crap get to you.
Amen! We are really fortunate to have so many dealer staff (and Court) here. The least we could do is be civil to our HD brethren. |
Nobuell
| | Posted on Thursday, August 27, 2009 - 04:04 pm: |
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In the future, I will respond only to fellow Uly owners.
I do not want to fraternize with the other type of Buell owners! |
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