| Author | Message | ||
     Gonen60 |
Since we all know that some HD dealers could really care less about selling Buells, and some dealers dont even carry them at all. Why don't we see them in other cycle dealers. Here locally in Virginia Beach We have "Cycle World" selling Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawaski and Honda sportbikes. They are not limited to one brand or type of bike. I have seen many dealers like this. They would be perfect type places to Get the XBs seen by lots of other cycle buyers, that might not ever walk into an HD boutique. Has anyone ever seen just a Buell dealership, with no HD along side? | ||
| Glitch |
Cycle World of Athens does the same thing here. Although I've only seen them sell Blasts. Attitudes are changing around here. I think part of the solution is for us to promote Buell with a positive attitude whenever possible. Unbeknowst to a Bueller I hold in high regaurd. I took his example, and am trying to show that Buells have an undeserved bad rap and do what I can to promote Buell by getting involved. It's what we have to do if we want things to change. Prejudice can be overcome through performance and a good attitude. I read about a guy that took it upon himself to ride everywhere he could just to show it could be done on a Buell. Thanks for the inspiration Court! | ||
| Buckinfubba |
glitch not to burst your ultra positive approach. but.... why is it the customers job to get a dealer and its workforce to do their fucking job....... if you put the sign up ....get with the program. your in the new love stage right now....wait til they don't think all their efforts are getting a nice return .... but keep it up... | ||
| Glitch |
glitch not to burst your ultra positive approach... I've been negative too damn much lately and I don't wanna go back. I agree, hang the sign, get with the program. But, I'll do what I can so they don't regret hanging the sign. I didn't know they had a choice, they don't act like it half the time I know. And hey, if the locals screw me, there's always Statesville, just a longer drive... I still will be the optomist, I have to be. Besides until I get one o' them thare scan-o-things and learnt on how t' use it, I'm a slave to the local boys... And yes...say hello to the new...ummm...old Glitch! Doin' what I can with what I've got. | ||
| Xb9srider |
Bubba has THE point of these threads. It is not my job to ensure I get good customer service from my dealer. It is his/her job. I'm certain there are plenty of non-jap dealers in this country that would love to have another unique, passionate brand. I am also certain many multi-line jap dealers would put Buells creations on the floor given the chance. I've had Jap (7+), Italian (1), and now an American bike (1). I still own the last two because they instill a passion in me the highly functional, yet run of the mill Japanese bikes lack. Buell would do better putting these bikes with like-minded dealerships. Go into a Harley/Buell dealer. Harley shit everywhere with a couple of Buells collecting dust in the corner. Go into a multi-line Italian/British dealer. Whether they also sell Jap bikes or not, there is Ducati/etc. stuff up on the walls and in the accessory shop. Buells are not your average bike. They are unique and should be marketed as such. Just my .02. Ride safe. Mark  Never Give Up! | ||
| Gonen60 |
if you put the sign up ....get with the program. Brian, I think this is some thing Erik Buell has had to have visited before. He is certainly aware of the problems Buell owners and potential buell buyers are having at many of the HD/Buell dealers. I for one, do not see the world of HD and Sportbikes ever being in Nirvana under one roof. I would like to see a survey, showing the percentage of Buell buyers that are in some way HD customer connected. Buell buyers that are... current or past HD owners. Someone in family is HD owner it seems most are connected like "Seven degrees of kevin bacon" Buell needs to spread it's wings and cover more bases. | ||
| M1combat |
I think that repli-racer dealers would treat the Buells just like most Hardley dealers do, but with the opposite point of view. I think they would look at them as an overpriced slow piece of shtuff that they can't sell because it doesn't have the numbers to back up the price. Of course, that would change if they rode one but I see that as being an uphill battle just like the HD dealers are. They would certainly be looked at more often though, and then once they DO build the reputation they deserve I think it would be a better ave. than the HD shops. Gonen - Why the bold? | ||
| Buckinfubba |
hell everybody and there brother is connected thru six degrees of separation to harley. its been around so long... kinda like a ford..... that don't mean pee pee to me. | ||
| Glitch |
It is not my job to ensure I get good customer service from my dealer. True enough, but, a positive attitude will help. All I've done is show that there is an interest locally. Pete called everyone that the dealership has done business with the Buell end of the dealership. He got less than a good response, but to his credit, went on with the BRAG group anyway. We've gotten very positive response from the dealership. Things aren't going as fast as I think they should/could, but, for them to do things my way they'd have to hire me ( I don't think they can afford me ) and let me go to work. I'd probably do what I think Buckinfubba's doin', and just concentrate my efforts on the Buell end. But since I don't work for them I'll help out on the BRAG end. No, I'm not entirely happy with what/how BMC does things (their hands are kinda tied by HD as to what/how they do things), but I am entirely happy with my BMC product, and am happy to join the BRAG chapter and help them out with what I can. I could go off on them for things like thier support for this website vs. this website. But instead of going off, I'll just offer my services as webmaster to the 3%er's. I think the world of Brian, and feel his rage, and also feel his rage is justfied. Our fight is to the same end, just going at it at different directions. Brian will appeal to those that only understand his way of getting his point across, and my way will appeal to those that respond to my way of getting my point across, and we'll meet in the middle, shake hands, and plow down the middle. I, like Brian, ain't just gonna stand by and wait for them (BMC) to come round, we choose to do what we can with what we got, to get what we want, and feel is right. Ya can't bitch if ya ain't tried to do nuthin... | ||
| Cj_xb |
Doin' what I can with what I've got. I love my friend Bubba too, but I DO like your positive attitude, keep it up !!!! CJ  | ||
| Glitch |
Ya can't bitch if ya ain't tried to do nuthin... I just thought of what yer thinkin' and yer right, you shouldn't have to do more than buy the bike. I've just taken it on myself to do a little more. | ||
| Glitch |
CJ  ! | ||
| Buckinfubba |
I love you all and its a great big happy mess  but o low and behold the things I could tell ya. I bitch as loud as I do because every freakin day its always something else. and the simplicity is just mind boggling to some. sometimes things are real simple, that don't mean easy, just simple. I too don't believe that anything easy is worthwhile , it gennerally isn't. But listen to advertisements on the radio of most hd/buell dealers or look at their print adds. Most not all mind you, mention the word buell just when they say the name of the dealership. Now maybe I am stupid but advertising that we have harley's and all the clothing and chrome acessories for the millionth time to a crowd that already knows this is a big fat waste of money. why not advertise the product that not too many know exist. and put some damn excitiement behind it. why not , not penalize the dealers that have them and don't want them take them and put them in dealerships that want them. Sure this will make it few and far between but what the hell. or since hd might possibly make heavy suggestions on how many in the sales force your dealership should have. why not heavily suggest that if your gonna hang the sign out there maybe you should have a saleperson with enthusiasm and knowledge be the go to buell guy. kinda like what me and dave are and some others around the country. like I said simple, not easy. sorry I can't totally dive head first into the pool of positivity. I am sure with all your jobs from the outside could look rosy and it not be. a certain somebody told me that I was a glass half full kinda guy, but I'm just spitting in it. well realism is as realism does edited by buckinfubba on April 06, 2004 | ||
| Glitch |
Things got to look less than peachy to you Brian cause yer lookin' from the inside. And I can imagine that it frustrates the hell outta ya. Hell, I have an entirely different view of Coke, now than I did before I started here. That happens when you get close enough to see ALL the warts. But, for me I bought the Buell even after reading this board and the not so Buell friendly Buell boards, so in a way I knew what I was stepping in. I'd still like to open a Buell dealership, but since I don't wanna open an HD store, that won't happen. a certain somebody told me that I was a glass half full kinda guy, but I'm just spitting in it. Hell, keep spittin' it'll fill up sooner or later! | ||
| Hootowl |
Stubbs Cycles in Houston sells Buell right next to Hondas and Harleys. Not sure of their sales volume. There are other examples. The Cycle Barn in Lynnwood Wa comes to mind. It would be interesting to find out their sales figures. | ||
| Snowandsand |
Isn't KTM owned by HD also why doens't buell just go more of that route and separate a bit more... | ||
| Dyna |
A separate stand alone Buell only store would be a lonely lonely place. think that repli-racer dealers would treat the Buells just like most Hardley dealers do, but with the opposite point of view. I think they would look at them as an overpriced slow piece of shtuff that they can't sell because it doesn't have the numbers to back up the price. I think you hit the nail on the head there. the folks who are looking at $7-8K bikes that will do 155+ mph really arent going to give an XB a 2nd glance. | ||
| Fullpower |
KTM is owned by HD??? have i been under a rock? | ||
| Dyna |
They dont own KTM. | ||
| Aesquire |
One of the bike mag writers said "H-D should buy KTM, fire the guy with the orange paint gun, and stick their 950 in a Buell, all the Buells." | ||
| Roc |
Modesto Buell was stand alone before they picked up Ducati, best Buell shop I was ever in and they were busy. Deeley's house of Buell too. | ||
| Steviejay01 |
Let me tell you guys this, not all the HD dealers are the same, We have a HD dealership in the uk called DOCKGATE 20, those guys there are 110% dedicated, They have given me advice, helped me out with parts, and always do more than they need to do. They have just purchased 40 XB9R's and are even doing XB trick bitz. Its a shame there aint more dealers out there like them, the have even started an owners group and offer discounts on parts. Best service I've ever got. | ||
| Buckinfubba |
I am not saying I think the buells would do well in the jap line stores, but in a store with duck's triumphs, aprilia's, guzzi that kinda thing and that kinda price point and that kinda customer. It surely would not hurt | ||
| Snowandsand |
I agree it would probably do better with the euro bikes because they attract a different clientel. Most of the jap bikes go to kids that just want the fastest and cheapest bike.... | ||
| Buellgator |
I think it would be cool if HD bought KTM. Sticking the LC8 in a Buell would be awesome. Also don't fire the guy with the orange paint gun, hire a guy with a black one to work alongside him. Also an HD or Buell dirtbike would rule. | ||
| Buelluk |
They should pull that dumb sportster advert of the tube and substitute the XB12S instead, I think even I would buy a killer dinette set rather than an 883. The current Buell adverts are good ,but they just show the bikes behaving like a Japanese sportbike and I think its hard to get the product identification they need there. | ||
| Mikej |
"I think it would be cool if HD bought KTM. " It might be more interesting if KTM bought out Harley. Think about it. | ||
| Glitch |
Since KTM sells all the bikes they make... edited by glitch on April 07, 2004 | ||
| Buellgator |
I don't think KTM has that kind of money Mike. | ||
| Turnagain |
>> It might be more interesting if KTM bought out Harley. Think about it. or if Honda bought H-D.  twisted  | ||
| Mikej |
Give it three to five years and re-assess the financial aspects of the merger. Background things are beginning to get very interesting if you know what shadows to pay attention to (feet under the curtain type of thing). | ||
| Mikej |
Honda doesn't need Harley any more, and hasn't since the 1950's and early 1960's.  Interesting bike though, what is it? | ||
| Turnagain |
Vincent. how's about a Tourer: | ||
| Blublak |
Turn... If Honda bought h-d/Buell the first thing they would do would be to scrap all the product lines, since any computer will tell you that the engines can't run. All need to serve the common view, there will be no individuals in this army. Everything must be homogonized and made to fit the official mold. Please do not question us.. We will make a GREAT racing bike. Too bad you don't have the skills to ride MotoGP, or you too could enjoy it. Nope, I don't think Honda should ever buy h-d/BUELL.. I think we'd all hate the results. later, | ||
| Turnagain |
Blu, that was a joke. I don't believe Honda should buy H-D and produce a half-goofy bike like that. Nor would I run down to the corner shop (if there was one) and buy one of them or most anything in the line (Vincent). | ||
| José_quiñones |
According to roadracingworld/Forbes: Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc. The April 12 issue of Forbes Magazine ranks the 2000 largest companies in the world, based on sales, profits, assets and market value. Six motorcycle manufacturers made the list, including Honda, BMW, Suzuki, Harley-Davidson, Yamaha and Kawasaki. Of those six, Harley-Davidson and Yamaha are the only two with a primary business of making motorcycles. Honda, BMW and Suzuki also make cars, while Kawasaki also builds trains, planes and ships. The Forbes rankings of the six companies follows: #49 Honda Motor, sales $67,439,000,000, profits $3,610,000,000 #74 BMW-Bayerische Motor, sales $52,226,000,000, profits $2,122,000,000 #452 Suzuki Motor, sales $17,050,000,000, profits $262,000,000 #585 Harley-Davidson, sales $4,624,000,000, profits $761,000,000 #898 Yamaha Motor, sales $8,571,000,000, profits $216,000,000 #1069 Kawasaki Heavy Industries, sales $10,487,000,000, profits $110,000,000 More information is available at forbes.com | ||
| Smitty |
The Vincent looks better with the Vincent motor like this, not a **nda.  The radiators suck on it performance is better with the **nda motor but it doesnt look good in this chasis. | ||
| Mikej |
Now that's nice. |
