| Author | Message | ||
     Snub13 |
Thanks Court. Notes will be sent after work! Please keep us informed if there is ANYTHING we can do..... Tim | ||
| Ronbob43 |
Thanks Court and everybody on the site. I took down the address and will follow your suggestion to send cards and thoughts. After 46 years of riding and owning I finally found the motorcycle built for me by a company of people full of dedication and without attitude. It should be obvious I am not talking about the parent company. | ||
| Chadhargis |
I've had about 24 hours to digest this, and I've run the gamut of emotions from shock, sadness, anger, compassion, and hope. This morning, after reading some more posts, I tried to explain to my wife how this made me feel. How my gut was wrenched with sympathy for a man and his dream and how worried the 200 people Buell gave gainful employment to must be about their families and how they will continue to support themselves. My wife coldly said to me, "What about all those GM people, you didn't care about them? What about the thousands of other people who have lost their jobs?" Then she said the one thing that struck me, "It's not like it's your brother or anything". But that's EXACTLY what it is....Erik and the Elves and all of you guys are like my brothers. We share a bond. We share one man's dream. I'm not a book reader, yet I read Court's book in just a few sittings. I made the trip to Homecoming a few years back to meet some of the people dedicated to the brand and see the XBRR race. To me, it's not about a motorcycle, or a paycheck, or how I'm going to get parts....it's about a dream. Erik Buell embodies the American dream, the never say die spirit, the American way. Men like him are who built this country and made it great. Of course, he couldn't do it alone. He's surrounded himself with some amazingly talented and dedicated people who share his passion and his dream. Sadly, I don't have a close personal relationship with Erik like Court and many others do. I wish I did. But the few times I've met Erik, even though it was for a brief moment, I knew I stood in the presence of greatness. Nothing I can say or do will change anything. I feel defeated. Helpless. Hurt. I've spent a lot of time thinking about how I could help, what I could do, how I could lift up this man and his team. I know there are those of you who don't believe in the power of prayer (and I am not wanting to start a religious debate please), but I do, and at this moment...it's the only thing I can think of that would help. I asked the Heavenly Father to watch over Erik, the Elves, and their families. Give them strength, and wisdom to overcome this trial. Most of all, give them peace. Comfort them and let them know that God is watching over them. I am hopeful that we will soon see Erik in a video....smiling....and saying what wonderful news it is to be able to announce that he is one again building Buell motorcycles. A very close friend of mine, and mentor, had a son, Jeff, who contracted Reye's Syndrome. He was mentally handicapped because of it. One day, I saw him with a button on his lapel that read, "Celebrate Jeff's Healing". I asked him how Jeff was doing, and his answer was profound. I will never forget it...."Jeff is already healed, we just can't see it yet". Buell may be already healed, we just can't see it yet. (Message edited by chadhargis on October 16, 2009) | ||
| Doerman |
Thank you Chad. | ||
| Jim_williams |
Court, As a new owner of a Buell, I'm not as emotionally affected as this decision as many folks. Still, what sold me on the bike was just as much Buell the man, and, Buell the American Company, as the bike. Since owning the bike, my affection for the bike has grown, of course. This is something I don't know anything about, but, what is the possibility of organizing, and, trying to come up with $XXXXXXXX to keep Buell running? What would it take? How many of us would pitch in whatever we could afford, and, be given some form of stock in return. We'd all be silent owners to an extent. Contribute more, and, your percentage of ownership is higher. Less, vice versa. Jeez 500 people throwing in $1000 each would be $500,000 (clearly, not enough, but, you get the picture). I'd probably be willing to part with closer to $5,000-$7,500 to invest in a "new" business I believed in. I'm sure others could afford alot more. Some, less. Who knows.. Obviously, a gamble, esp. in this day and age, but, this might enable Buell to soldier on. Let loose of HD, who knows what Buell could do. Anyway, just a thought, however crazy it may seem. Jim | ||
| Vampress |
Court, I am familiar with a few of Courtenays works. The Power of One in particular, if this was your reference? A very powerful book/film about how with passion, courage and perserverance, one person can inspire a nation's people and ascend ingrained obstacles. Some very fitting quotes from said work, could no doubt be applied here? p.s(why does Australia "wake up" about my bed time?) timing is everything  (Message edited by vampress on October 16, 2009) | ||
| Dongalonga |
I will be going to get some Buell gear today as well as picking up a couple of cards for Erik and The Elves | ||
| Snub13 |
Holy crap, Chad...now YOUR going to make me cry... Very well put! I aint so good at talkin but that is exactly what I've been feeling. Tim | ||
| Chadhargis |
Tim, You don't have to be good with words. I will be sending a note to both Erik and the Elves. Keeping in mind they will be getting lots of notes, I plan to keep mine short and simple and probably less than 6 or 7 words. It's not what you say that matters, it's that you cared enough to say it. | ||
| Rainman |
I think Chad nailed it. The Buell on my Blast stands for thinking out of the box, designing something that is the best at what it can be. That's the loyalty many Blastards feel to the little bikes that can. It's also the character I felt riding the XB Ss and XB-R. I could feel something in those bikes I didn't feel in the GSX650 F or the FZ-6R. I, too, will look forward to the next Buell motorcycle, whether it says "Buell" or "Pegasus" or "Court." I'm sure my Blast can keep running until then. I've got time to wait. Give me innovation, radical steering geometry and soul. Make it and mark one sold. | ||
| A10tankkill |
Is it wrong to go out and grab a bike at some of the ridiculous prices being posted? I spent the summer having my bike budget destroyed by my house, but see a chance now at these prices. On the other hand am I a piece of crap for grabbing one here? When my job was outsourced to a subsidiary just down the hall from where my team worked I wasn't happy, but I didn't think people should stop flying our airline. At the same time I have to admit I feel kind of bad of the situation. Anyway, it would be nice to join the club I thought I was going to have to wait until next year to be part of, but.... | ||
| Chadhargis |
I would love to pick up an 1125R for a track bike. It's just a bad time to do it with my daughters birthday and Christmas around the corner. I also just bought a CR a few months back. I got a good deal on it, even considering how much they are being discounted now, it's still a good deal. A great, great, great motorcycle. | ||
| Tommy_2stroke |
I'm trying to think through this whole thing and behave rationally, but my emotions are clouding everything and I feel like I've been gut-kicked. Its just a "business decision", right? The corporation has a primary responsibility to its stockholders. Times are tough and tough decisions must be made. Still, this would seem to be a poor decision even by that standard. Incredibly short-sighted. H-D is desperate to appeal to younger buyers, but the only people in their showrooms under 40 are us Buellers. (And I'm 63, HA!) So dumping Buell really does not make sense. Sure enough though, the stock price went up. Maybe I'll sell my 100 shares and use the money as a down payment on an 1125R. Is that the right thing to do? Perhaps I should wait for the Buell Phoenix to arise, as I am certain it will. That would be the best time to buy, and the right, proper thing to do. | ||
| Clarkjw |
Chad, They are going for $4,000. Get your daughter a motorcycle for christmas and new tires for her birthday | ||
| Hooper |
Ratbuell...that get well card is priceless. I remember when that happened to you from the postings here and saw the pictures on BadWeb of Buellriders gathering in your hospital room. I was just a Buell noob back then. Not sure there are many products out there that inspire that level of connection. There are a lot of Buell-related employees on this site like you. What will happen to YOUR job once all the Buells are sold from Frederick Buell/H-D? Are you boning up on what an FXDFLHCRDFL is and how many different flame paint schemes you can order? I might be riding up there tomorrow to grab up all the XL Buell t-shirts you got! And a small for my wife! | ||
| Moxnix |
As the banks and Warren Buffett purchased HD's debt last spring, many things will change in Milwaukee. Ten years ago there was a group building new Indian bikes, then gone, and a new group doing it again. Henderson? Ten years ago . . . and now no one remembers they were in business. I expect Buell to be more of a Vincent than anything else, if they never come back, they will be remembered and respected for their significance. | ||
| Gowindward |
Here's a thought to ponder. H-D lost customers yesterday. Erik Buell did not! Twenty six years ago Erik struggled to find customers. Today his customers will find him. Erik may have lost "his ride" yesterday, so to speak, but he did not lose his customers, fans, admirers, and friends. I'm still today his customer, his fan, and certainly an admirer. | ||
| Hughlysses |
+1 Gowindward. He got a company off the ground from scratch 26 years ago. Today he can start over with a loyal customer base, the Elves, and the internet. Erik will hit the ground running. | ||
| Mnrider |
Great post Chad,thanks. I only been a Buell owner for about a year and a half but I always admired Erik and his team and was waiting for the day to get my Buell and the Uly is the bike I always wanted. If they rise again that would be awsome! Good luck to everyone involved. | ||
| Milt |
Jim_Williams is not crazy. When investors brought H-D back from AMF hell, they emphasized this to the Wall Street money folks: Our customers are very loyal - we have the only brand name in the world that people tatoo on their chests, backs and arms. Buell owners, at least the ones I've met, are at least as fanatical. (I have no information on tatoo rates among Buell owners) They may be fewer in number, but the brand is still very young. Before 1997, Erik built motorcycles in a barn. Maybe we can convince him to do it again. Jim_Williams is right on target - there are lots of small investors who'd gladly finance Buell. I've let H-D know that I'm really pissed at them for killing the only real innovative products they've produced in the last 50 years. Let's tell Erik that we're looking for looking forward to the next generation of Buells - and that we're ready to put our money where our mouths are. | ||
| Crowley |
I really can't watch the vid that Erik posted again. It upset me a lot. To see pen pushers stamp on a (mans highly successful) dream is just too painful. I've bought, and kept, a lot of Buells since 1998 and I'm not prepared to stop the fun and friends they've given me now. I had the first 1125 that came to the UK and I'll have the first of the next bike that Erik builds to land on our shores. And that's a promise. I just hope the MoFuCo have the spine to support the loyal work force that they've just stabbed in the back. One day, HD may find themselves up shite Creek when the emissions Nazis outlaw their air cooled antiques, they may well look back with regret then. | ||
| Steveford |
Court, Bad times but Erik certainly has a lot of drive in him. Getting away from HarLee with their clueless dealerships (replete with their ridiculous line of pre-distressed leathers and low rent lifestyle accessories) may turn out to be the best thing that could have happened to him. Here's hoping and best wishes to the Buell family. | ||
| Jonzin |
Erik sold me my 1st Buell; maybe not in person, but he is the one I hold responsible. It wasn't the sales person or the dealership it was Erik and his passion. When I went into the dealership I had no knowledge of what Buell was other than an American made motorcycle. When I saw the Cherry Bomb Red XB12Scg I was in love, but it wasn't until I visited the Buell website, and watched the videos of Erik describing the Trilogy of Technology that I decided I had to have piece of his vision. Everything I have read or ridden since has convinced me that I made the right decision. I will be a customer of Erik Buell for as long as I ride motorcycles. I look forward to what comes next. | ||
| Chadhargis |
My letters are written. Now to find a damn envelope and a stamp. Does anyone use those anymore?? What year is this? LOL!  | ||
| Rmcconnell33 |
Chad, great Post! you said exactly what I have been feeling. And thanks Court for the updates. I have good feeling, this will end up better than it has ever been. Hang in there Erik, we are all behind you. Robert | ||
| Chadhargis |
Letters are in the mail! | ||
| Froggy |
Chad, funny you say that, I have been burning off my 34 cent stamps for a while now! That was the last time I ever bought a book of stamps! | ||
| Vtpeg |
Pretty big let down. One wonders if Erik may be boxed in contractually on the motorcycle front, and pursue other interests. Guitars, mtn bikes come to mind. Our loss could be another industries gain. Best wishes to those put out of a job. | ||
| Xb9er |
court could this be possible? Polaris has victory motorcycles and polaris atv's. They also have ties with Rotax for their atvs. Could they buy buell and the factory and keep the same elves? Polaris has cruiser bikes. We want a buell dirt bike. Could we have everything the same but instead of it being HD it would be Polaris?? I dont know if HD owns rights and contracts on the name Buell. Just an idea..... | ||
| Methed |
Xb9er, I'm guessing that there could be major obstructions in a deal with Polaris, not the least of which being non-compete issues with HD and even interest from Polaris. However, reality perhaps notwithstanding, it would be interesting to see a different v-twin in the XB frame... Now that would be different in an entirely new sense. Just the ideas of what the future might hold for someone with Erik's determination, inspiration, and innovation makes me realize that this might just be a new day for the bikes/company/culture/elves/racer-come-ceo that we've all come to cherish. |
