| Author | Message | ||
     Xb9rski |
Ever since I have bought my Buell and even before then. I have been planning on going to MMI in Az to become a Motorcycle Tech. Being a Helicopter Mechanic for over 17 years now; I still love getting my hands dirty. I do my own Buell's maintenance unless of course I don't have the tools needed for the job or it's a warranty issue. But now after owning a Buell for over a year, and dealing with HD idiots at certain dealerships, I think my life may just take a different direction. How hard would it be to get a Buell dealership/service center away from Harley? If it's not that hard I might really consider doing that. Imagine walking into a Buell dealership and having Buell Parts in stock, and Buell Techs that actually own/ride Buell's what a concept that would be. I truly believe that while I'm in Okinawa, I'm going to see what I need to do to make it happen. "Ride it till the engine seizes."  Ski | ||
| Bomber |
ski great idea! and, like most great ideas, one that's occured to a number of folks . . ... the short answer seems to be no, or, at least, it difficult enough (and expensive enough) to realistically be no. there have been a number of folks who have pursued this idea, but, to date, none have hung their shingle out . . . . . . | ||
| Xb9rski |
I bet you they were not Polish Jarheads either. We like pulling it out. "Ride it till the engine seizes." Ski edited by xb9rski on May 12, 2004 | ||
| Wordshop1 |
Ski: If it was possible, I would invest in a minute. But best I can tell, you would have to qualify for a full HD franchise (I've been thru the preliminary stuff as I've looked at buying a dealership - it ain't cheap) then I guess you could carry nothing but the minimal HD's and concentrate on Buells. But based on the way HD sets up it's basic franchise requirements, you could never sell enough Buell's, parts and service to make the nut you have to send to the Mothership. | ||
| Xb9rski |
Then how about a service center that specializes in Buell? And stocks Buell Parts? And aftermarket parts? Kinda Sucks Eric only kept like 2%. "Ride it till the engine seizes." Ski | ||
| Darthane |
EriK, EriK, EriK. | ||
| Boulderbiker |
What about Modesto Ducati/Buell? Whats their story? | ||
| Xb9rski |
Yeah well it should be spelled Eric after he sold 98%....LOL "Ride it till the engine seizes." Ski | ||
| Wordshop1 |
Ski: The biggest draw back would be getting HD/Buell to honor warranty work if you are not an official HD/Buell franchise. And as much as I love my XB, and as cool as the Buell's are, even the biggest aftermarket shop I know of -- American Sportbike -- has to carry parts and stuff for all the other sports bike to make a go of it. If all the Buellies in the land were located within a days drive away from your shop, you might be able to make it work. | ||
| Xb9rski |
Looks like I might have to go to plan B then. Building custom street legal Dragsters. "Ride it till the engine seizes." Ski | ||
| Wordshop1 |
Boulderbiker: <<What about Modesto Ducati/Buell? Whats their story?>> My understanding is that the Modesto shop was grandfathered in as something that had been set up earlier by Erik before the sale to HD, but I have not been able to confirm this. There are a hand full of dealers who sell HD along side other bikes, but again these are rare and all were older dealerships according to the guy I talked with at the HD franchise dept. | ||
| Charlieboy6649 |
Hell No Ski, Never give up! That is a dream of mine as well. When I retire, I plan on devoting the GI bill to MMI also. I think a sole Buell dealership would be great! I'm with ya bro! There's got to be a legal way around the mothership. Elizabeth wants to know, "What's the fun in street legal?" LOL! | ||
| Fst_tyms |
I like the custom drag bike idea. If you could put something together for a good price and market it - you can make some good money. | ||
| Xb9rski |
I was thinking Cheap enough for a 35+ male to own, but to expensive for anyone under that. But then again, if they got the cash, why should I care if they thin out the gene pool. When do you retire Charlie? | ||
| Buckinfubba |
ski go for it if it is truely what you want to do, but....and this is a biggie. you would have to do aftermarket, and not that I know from experience, but being the buell guy in the land of chrome and money...is a hard long road. I had the same dream at one time and lived it | ||
| Blublak |
Here's something I was thinking along those lines, IF only I could win the big lotto..  Take several MILLION dollars (the only way to get the mother ship to acknowledge you..) Get a H-D Stealer to sign on as you 'partner' (as in, I'll pay you a spiff so I can open this 'non competative' shop within your area)  Then open a shop with a couple of names in it.. like Triumph, Ducati etc., along with the primary BUELL bikes)  Then, you open a real shop. One where all the rides and riders are a 'priority' and customer service is the name of the game. You stock as many parts as possible (that way you can also sell to other dealers around the nation when somethings on the 'hard to get list') advertise, sponsor BadWeb and a few other little things.. It would ROCK!! Screw the BIG PROFIT FIRST ideas and go for the long haul with a customer base that just would keep growing.. in a few years, maybe you could 'buy out' your so called partner and show them how to really have fun running a motor shop..  as opposed to a boutique that also carries bikes once in a while. Later.. | ||
| Charlieboy6649 |
Alas, I still have 10 years... But it gives us plenty of time to plan   | ||
| Xb9rski |
True "Ride it till the engine seizes." Ski | ||
| Oneway |
Ski if you were in central IL they would probably pay you to take the buell dealership. maybe you can work something out with one of the dealerships that dont give a ---- about buells maybe a % deal to drag it out of the gutter | ||
| Dblhaulxb9s |
I am at MMI and because of Harley (Boo Hiss) I have decided to go with Honda and Yamaha electives and start my own shop back home that will work on Buells. The deal is that if you document all work done and money spent, your warranty is still intact. They may fight it, but with persistance you can win. It is a proven fact. Most people just give up too soon. Also, I am planning on specializing in performance and cosmetic modifications which will void warranties no matter where they are done. Good luck, MMI is a great school Morgan | ||
| Xb9rski |
Dbl, I am at MMI and because of Harley (Boo Hiss) What kind of BS are they doing to make you change your mind? "Ride it till the engine seizes." Ski |
