| Author | Message | ||
     Electraglider_1997 |
Uly ran great without a hiccup both out and back. 1126 miles total. About 50 mpg average running ethanol as always and my big windshield. My son's Yamaha 600 Radian always got way better gas mileage but I can't really complain since I was carrying most of the gear and 600cc's more engine. Saw Erik Buell at the Factory doing his autographing thing. Met Buellhusker, BFSkinner, and this AirForce kid named Phillip that I had put through Experience Rider Course last year at Offutt AFB in Bellevue NE, and others. Phillip had bought and rebuilt a Buell tuber and had ridden 1100 miles from Oklahoma on it. Nice bike Phillip. Saw Crusty but never did get to speak with him. Went to the Harley Museum which was really neat, informative and well worth the price of admission. I can't remember the name of the outlaw biker group but they were in force at the museum but seemed to just be enjoying the museum with the rest of us. Rode through about 200+ miles of rain on the way back and both Yamaha and Uly ran perfectly. The 2009 Homecoming attendance was about 1/2 of last years. I understand that Buell was trying to cut expenses but considering how far many of us Buellers had ridden they could of done better by us. No host Hotel, no meal, no anything. Free water which came in handy as I was thirsty. I most likely will not see East Troy again unless Buell throws out the welcome mat like the previous couple of Homecomings. 2009 was a nice ride but completely anti-climactic. Buell was penny-wise and pound foolish. My son and I did not go to Road America. A couple of reasons, one weather, and the other price. Since Buell was not defraying the cost it was going to run me about 90 bucks for the entrance fee and all I really wanted to do was demo some bikes. Demo's are supposed to be free and 90 bucks is far from that so we passed. I don't know if it rained up there on Saturday and Sunday but if it did then I feel for those that bought online tickets to the track. Nice ride through Wisconsin as it is a beautiful state. Thursday night camped at Whitewater State Park. My son and I had the camping area to ourselves. No one else at all was camping. Nice place. Friday night we got a room at the Baymont Inn in Whitewater. Again, nice place but wish I had brought the AAA card. (Message edited by electraglider_1997 on June 08, 2009) | ||
| Mad_doctor |
My Brother and I also went to the homecoming, and the races. we rode from the lower Michigan, across the bridge, and across US 2. had a great ride over, it was kind of misty at the races on Saturday, and a little rain on the was back, (around Escanaba). I was a little disappointed at the homecoming, (to be honest). I did get to thank a few of the factory workers for doing a great job of assembling the bikes. I do wish I would have got to meet Erik, but I did meet a few friends from BB&D, and also make a few new friends. Still had a good time though. So Thanks again, to all of the people at the factory, (if you read these posts), and for showing up at the homecoming. And to ourdee, I hope you made it home without changing another set of bearings. LOL | ||
| Svh |
Mad_doctor how did you miss the chance to meet Erik? He did an autograph session and was great. Not sure if you made it over to Hal's for the concert but he was there early and mighty talkative. Very nice man. | ||
| Ourdee |
Tim, The new bearings are holding up so far. I have a little 300 mile ride planned tomorrow. I hope the black ones will get more than 4900 miles. | ||
| Charlie_zulu |
I to attended this years gathering and I must admit it was a bit of a disappointment. oh well. On the positive side the factory tour was intresting as well as the HD/muesem. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
I asked some of the employees about new models and of course most were tight lipped about them except for one slip-o-the-lip. One employee let slip that "THE NEW MODELS" would be introduced at the dealer show in early July. That particular person got nervous when I press the issue about the new models and refused to say anymore. One of the assembly line gals said that they were on their last day before a 2 week layoff. When they came back they would be making 2010 models. She made it sound like the 2 week layoff was just that, a 2 week unpaid layoff. She told me this stuff because I asked her if they had already laid off the 10%. | ||
| Ratbuell |
I (and my wife Kim) had a wonderful time. We were there last year for the 25th, and as awesome as all the events were...it was nice to have a relaxed, personal, cozy event this year. As always, the hosts were super-cordial and the whole atmosphere was great. Can't go big every year...otherwise, you lose track of how nice it is to have the big event when it does come around. Small is good - look at BMC in general. Kim T, Erik, Flick, and all the others at HD and Buell - thanks for a great weekend. And SOMEBODY up there please give the poor girl in the employee store a pat on the back and an extra day off for putting up with all of us! I didn't catch her name, but she was super sweet and nice, despite being totally outnumbered. My shirts were also folded quite nicely in the bag when I got home (she freely admitted to being a "little OCD" about stuff like that). LOL. | ||
| F_skinner |
Plus 1 Ratbuell. Since I have been talking to Kim T. via email concerning the S2 Gathering I sent her a note telling her what a good time I had and highlighted the things I liked the most. After riding 2,300 miles it was worth it. Anyone that did not have a good time can always write a letter to Buell but I highly recommend that those that did have a good time do the same. I finally met Buellhusker, Crusty, Phillip, Steve O and a lot of the engineers from Buell. Of course that is what it is about, the ride and the people. Or maybe it is about the free crap you can scam. In which case I missed the whole point. The XB did great even in the 350 miles of rain through NE, high winds in IA and fog/rain and low temps in CO. | ||
| Ratbuell |
Look at it this way, Frank...at least that rain probably washed some of the bugs off.  | ||
| Court |
I've been going for 20+ years and thought this was absolutely spectacular. The "no one will go without a free lunch" nay-sayers will be pleased to know that the entire parking lot was filled with over 200 bikes, the sun was shining and it was absolutely wonderful. I got to sneak out early in the morning and meet with a bunch of Buellers who were camping and was thrilled to get the chance to sit down with a group of Buell owners and have lunch together. Milling around, standing in line for a bag of chips and soda in the hot sun was no contest for getting a chance to sit, relax and hear some of the folks' tales of the ride in. Fascinating group. Better yet was we had several hours after things wound down at the factory and before the wonderful show at Hal's so Dave and I carpe'd the ol' diem and did a lush ride through Kettle Morain. We hit Hal's and the place was already rockin'. The wives had shown, some of the locals who couldn't make the factory were there and the food, hospitality and music rocked. If you haven't seen Hal's and you are in the Milwaukee area it's worth the trip to get in and have Bud give you the tour. They have their original 1990 Buell dealer charter hanging on the wall. There was a brief interruption as a neighbor files a noise complaint but that was soon worked out and the partying went on. I was aboard Erik's Ulysses and he gave me the word that it Ourdee's wheel bearing didn't arrive in time, that he'd offered up his rear wheel and I'd have to walk home! The Saturday races were run in nearly winter conditions . . with at least one rider suffering hypothermia as a result of 48o temps and a driven rain. The first four corners of the first lap each collected a rider. It became a ballet of endurance and metered restraint. Cool to see Buells the most represented brand in the Top 10. ________________________________________ quote: Daytona SportBike Saturday Race 1 Results: 1. Chris Peris, Honda CBR600RR 2. Roger Lee Hayden, Kawasaki ZX-6R 3. Martin Cardenas, Suzuki GSX-R600 4. Taylor Knapp, Buell 1125R 5. Damion Cudlin, Yamaha YZF-R6 6. Danny Eslick, Buell 1125R 7. Shawn Higbee, Buell 1125R 8. Jamie Hacking, Kawasaki ZX-6R 9. Michael Barnes, Buell 1125R 10. Fernando Amantini, Kawasaki ZX-6R ________________________________________ Saturday almost . . . for a slip on the last lap . . . saw Shawn Higbee put a Buell in the Top 10 in a Superbike race. This will happen soon. Sunday started out looking dicey and as we left East Troy we were in a torrential downpour. But as the race approached I found myself shedding the sweatshirt as the sun broke through. I enjoyed the "Fan Walk" on Sunday and the chance to get up close and look at all the bikes. Buell . . not that this would mean anything to you . . . had far and away the best "Umbrella Girls" on the track. I thought so that day but confirmed the fact late last night when I got home and downloaded 9GB of high res photos! Buell had an excellent weekend of racing and all I could think of was the 2 days following the XBRR debut at Daytona and the "Buell will never race again" chants . . . It's an amazing company with amazing owners. Buell tends to bring out the positive in folks. This was a stellar year with great folks, great stories, great food, great music and great racing. I had a great time and am already looking forward to next year. Court | ||
| Ratbuell |
I got to sneak out early in the morning and meet with a bunch of Buellers who were camping ...that coffee was pretty darned good, too!  | ||
| F_skinner |
...that coffee was pretty darned good, too! and the company was even better.  | ||
| Court |
And I survived the return home . . . that was TOO FUNNY. When I went out I almost started coffee in case someone awoke . . . then I think . . . nahhhhh. . . never happen. The moment I was in the joint to get the coffee in Mukwonago the phone rings . . . A C C C C C K K K K!. . . coffeeless wives alert! No harm no foul . . . and it was a gorgeous morning. Before I stopped to get the coffee, I wandered for about 45 minutes and shot photos. What a great day it was . . .      | ||
| Court |
>>>>The 2009 Homecoming attendance was about 1/2 of last years. Just looking at that and thinking maybe you are correct. Last year was somewhere over 900 Buells. I was guessing this year at around 250, more in line with "normal". But . . . it may have been larger as the entire lot was full of bikes. Tough to compare with last year with groups coming from Australia, Japan, Brazil and so forth for the 25th. I have yet to have a bad time at one of these. | ||
| Ratbuell |
OK, if you're gonna play *that* way...I'm not actually tripping in that pic, but I'm sure you're not actually picking your nose in one of the pics I have at home (and have, until now, been nice enough not to post...). LOL Guess I'll have to dig when I get home, so everyone can enjoy  It was a beautiful day. Do tell - are either of the nature shots you posted of the "can I help you since you're on *my* road" pics you were shooting that day? And, I just found out (thanks Kim T!) that the girl in the employee store is Alex. I've been assured that Alex will be thanked and our praise passed along. I love this company... | ||
| Court |
>>>>are either of the nature shots you posted of the "can I help you since you're on *my* road" pics you were shooting that day? Nope . . . that was funny as the dickens and if you look carefully . . . you can see the approaching headlights in the distance in this photo. The road was not marked "private" or anything . . on the other hand it didn't have a road name. I wandered down and the further I went, the more I saw and the more stops I made to capture the morning moment. I made a big ol circle through the field and pulled off to the side as I saw the approaching mondo Dura-Max diesel to allow him to pass. . . . Farmer: "Can I help you?" Stupid Motorcyclist: "Nope, I'm fine." Farmer: "Actually you're not. This is a private road and you're parked in my field". Oooooooooooooooooooops. I wanted to tell him "just let me go, you can have the motorcycle" but thought twice about having to ride a Honda the rest of my life and started the Obama style "Apology Tour".   \   Hahahaha . . . even Kim knows who to point the finger at!! | ||
| Ratbuell |
Oh buddy, her finger'll be pointed at *you*, soon as she sees that! LOL. I'll make sure she has your email address And I'd have been stumped, too. That's one damn nice private road - better than a lot of the public ones up there, actually (maybe that should have been the giveaway?). I'd KILL to have our 3/4 mile driveway in MD look that good! Good pic of Erik, though. Too bad he's standing next to Lurch... | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
I enjoyed the factory tour and get-together in the factory parking lot. I think the HD Museum is pretty fantastic and only wish it was located better because the Milwaukee traffic blows. 200 bikes sounds like a bunch but it could have been 2 to 3 times that amount if Buell would have made it more of an event like the other couple of years. Would have gladly paid for it because the previous two years were so memorable. It also would have been real nice if those demo bikes would have been available without having to pay to get into Road America to ride them. I liked Road America the previous two homecomings we attended but couldn't really tell what was going on race wise because of the forest around the track. I guess I could just gush about everything but then I wouldn't be telling the truth. | ||
| Court |
Different events trip the trigger of different folks at differing times in their riding careers. I, as an example, wouldn't pay $10 to go on a group ride to a museum or to an Inside Pass Track Day . . . doesn't mean many wouldn't. This was the 2nd or 3rd largest attendance at Homecoming and, at least for me, met all my criteria which is pretty much . . . "visit with Buell riders, visit with Buell riders and visit with Buell riders". I never even set foot in the factory . . . . well at least the one where Homecoming was held. | ||
| Svh |
We had a wonderful time. I am glad there wasn't more filler stuff. Gave me more time t tak to Court, Erik, and all the Badwebbers I could find. Day seemed to fly by actually for me. There are some people I would have liked to meet but I am sure I will get the chance again in the future. Hopefully next year. Because this was my first I guess my expectations were not too high but they were exceeded. Thanks for the great conversations Court and Erik and RPM4x4, No_rice, Barker, etc.. Homecoming 2010 here I come... | ||
| Rpm4x4 |
My wife and I had a fantastic time at homecoming. Hals really stepped up to the plate and did a fantastic job if you ask me. We went to the motor factory, HD museum, Buell factory, Gus's, Hals to watch the Thunderbolts, and even the track. I spent over $700 on hotel, fuel, t shirts, rain gear, track fees, museum tours, Martys Pizza  ect. I could care less about a free meal or whatever I might have gotten previous years. My only request for the future is to at least have a host hotel so Buellers can hang out, or ride back to, a common area after the events are over. That should cost Buell nothing but a phone call.  | ||
| Crusty |
Craig; I saw your and Sage's bikes at the Factory, but I missed you guys. I've been to five Homecomings, and they've all been different.1999 was the first, and was really spectacular. That was the year of the Recalls, and Buell demonstrated their level of commitment to the owners in exemplary fashion. I didn't get back until 2003 for the 20th Anniversary. It had the smallest number of attendees, but those of us who were there had a truly memorable time.(four of us even got Pegasus tattoos!) 2007 had more dealership participation, and was Terri's first Homecoming (she was still riding the Moto Guzzi). We had a lot of fun. Last year was the 25th, and the Factory pulled out all the stops. This year was really limited, but Hal's stepped up and I had a good deal of fun. It was much more mellow than the other Homecomings I've attended. I toured the Capitol Drive Engine Plant, went through the H-D Museum, rode behind Danny Eslick and Michael Barnes to Bike Night, rode to the Factory on Friday, ate at Gus' Drive - In along with a bunch of other Buellers, rode back to Hal's where I ate free food and listened to the band, then rode to the Fish Fry, rode up to Road America on Saturday and froze my butt off in the cold and wet, but watched an interesting race while standing behind RMR's generator (I was using the exhaust to keep warm) I also found out which of the drop dead gorgeous Umbrella Girls was Bree. I did leave early. I decided to head out Sunday morning to beat the rain, and was rewarded by a dry ride home. I did an 800 mile day and got to eat great BBQ at the Dinosaur in Syracuse before getting a room at the Red Roach Inn. I never got to eat good Mexican, and I didn't hear Hey Joe. If I had the chance to do it over, I would in a heartbeat. Wait 'till next year! | ||
| Crusty |
Oh; the XT ran fine, delivered 42 MPG and I didn't have to add a drop of oil in over 2500 miles of riding. | ||
| Rpm4x4 |
Glad to hear you had a safe and somewhat smooth trip home Crusty. | ||
| Rpm4x4 |
Hey crusty, have you heard from Ozz? Did he beat the storm and make it home OK? | ||
| Cyclonedon |
I enjoyed the homecoming this year also! I was happy to tour the factory again where the best American made sport motorcycles are built! Meet other Buellers and the elves at the factory. While in the factory I was looking around at the building and it was so small in size but then remembered Erik saying two years ago that Buell is a small motorcycle company, but they sure make a great product there. As for the food, we ate at Gus's Drive-Inn and it was excellent followed by riding through some fun roads on our ride to Hal's where we had to good treats to snack on while listening to Erik and the Thunderbolts followed by another ride to a fish fry. What a great day! I was sure glad I was able to attend. I must add a big THANKS to Hal's and the Brew City Thunderbikes for all the did to help make the event such a success! This is my third year and already I can't wait till next year. Let's do it all again! | ||
| Court |
Couple quick notes . . . . . Sam . . . .thank you for the kind words to my wife. Her and Erik's wife tolerate us year in and year out and they were both impressed that you took time to say thank you. That was nice. The host hotel thing for next year is doable. I'm going to drop Kirk at Hal's a note to say thank you. They did a tremendous job of throwing out the red carpet and hustling in any Buell folks who needed service work. It was a great year! | ||
| Ratbuell |
Well, as promised (threatened?) - you be the judge. Scratch? Pick? LOL. Maybe Jon Flickinger (to the L) can tell us, from under his nice, new hat. Grrr. Wish *I* had a hat like that.  Although, Court...you shouldn't point that thing at people....  Earlier that day, someone reminded Court to tell them something...he's drawing a crowd!  And this is what happens when you put a couple guys in front of an S2. First, they just sit and look at it...  ...then the guy who owns it starts acting all weird...  Good times. | ||
| Ourdee |
Court, I was very happy when told by someone that over-heard Erik offer up his wheel. (Not that you would loose your ride)(It would have saved him a luggage latch though  ) I would have felt funny every time I chirped the tire though. I went to the campsite and found a 1/2 cup of coffee left. Thanks, it was still hot and tasted pretty good. Bud was wearing a lot of hats. | ||
| Court |
Nah . . . we were in good shape. Erik's son had the pickup to haul equipment in, the wives rode together and Erik had his car. I'd have given up the wheel in a heartbeat if the parts hadn't arrived. The latch was hilarious! When I went to replace it, I figured I'd better not park out front and zapped into the employee parking. We were well into tearing it apart when I recalled I'd parked just outside Erik's office window. The good news is that he is ALWAYS late and when he came rocketing out of the office toward his car he didn't have time to kick my butt. |
