| Author | Message | ||
     Fltwistygirl |
So, for the sixth time in as many days, I was filling up my Uly (yes, spring has sprung and I am riding the snot out of the Uly). I pull up on the other side of the island from a guy who pulled in on a naked upright Yamaha whatever bike. Once he removed his helmet, he looked to be mid- 70's. He's checking out the Uly and asks, "Is that a 12?". "Yep" I replied. He says, "I went over to _____ HD looking for a 12R last fall, they had none. So I went to Destination Daytona, you know, where they had Buell, Triumph & Ducati, and they were closed. Told me Harley had just decided to shut Buell down. That was the dumbest decision Harley has ever made! So I bought this." I went into the store, and when I came out, he was pulled up behind the Uly. He says, "All the gear, good for you! I just wanted to listen to the sound of it running, hope you don't mind". Of course I didn't mind at all. Made my day. But made me angry too. What was Harley thinking? How many more of these people that would have been loyal Buell customers are out there? Sad. | ||
| Buellerxt |
I agree, Fltwistygirl, very sad. I sure don't get it. I'd love to sit with the big wigs for a couple of hours, review the numbers, past strategies, drawing board strategies, and the logic behind the shutdown. I don't get it at all. Sounds like you're having fun riding though and that the visit at the pump was a good one. Ths. for sharing. | ||
| Fltwistygirl |
Me too. That would be one interesting conversation. The gas pump, cafe parking lot, even stoplight inquiries happen to me a lot on this bike (Uly). Probably close to daily. Wednesday we rode the Uly and the BMW K-75 to Daytona, and stopped for breakfast at a popular bike friendly cafe. Out of 30, maybe 40 bikes in the parking lot, guess where onlookers gravitated? Not to the numerous roadkings, ultras, etc., not to the Beemer, (pre-Uly, she got the attention), but to the Uly. Even saw a couple guys take pics of it. At the BMW dealer, same deal. People checking out the Uly. The funny thing, I got into rider's edge, not only because I love facilitating people's learning, but because of my fondness of the Buell line. I've probably helped to sell more Buells just by riding my Buells and answering questions honestly about them than any of the sales guys at that (not real Buell friendly) dealership. Then again, that's probably the case with most of use who really get out and ride our Buells. Anyhow, I'm still heartbroken, and this first Buell-less Bike week made me want to puke. | ||
| Badrap |
One of the reasons I like the Buell is that it's different. The first ride I took on mine, a gentleman was commenting on the unique front brakes. He had never seen anything like it. It's nice not to be one of the masses. | ||
| Hooper |
Unfortunately, and fortunately, I think our bikes are going to attract more attention than ever as the years go by. While waiting in a line for a cashier, the dude behind me asked, "What do you ride?" I was wearing my riding gear at the time. "Buell", I replied and turned back around. He wanted to talk, but wasn't very up on the different models. He didn't even know the company had been shut down. He wanted to talk Ducati...which is fine, but I do enjoy surprising people who have probably never met a Buell rider. We're different (in every sense). | ||
| Fast_eddie_1956 |
I've always wanted a good bike that was different. Thanks to Eric for building the Buell Uly, and, in a way, thanks to HD for making it a rare bike. | ||
| Two_buells |
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| Svh |
Two_buells My favorite is when people do that on his Facebook page! It is right there! | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
Eric??  | ||
| Hangetsu |
Yep, we're "different in every way". We're OLD and still riding!  | ||
| Court |
Hahahaha . . I've got photos of Erik "back then" (yes, he attended Woodstock) but his hair was much longer than the guy in the photo.  | ||
| Whisperstealth |
I've been riding all of 1 year, 6 months. Loved the first Buell I saw in a picture. Nine months into riding I fell in love with the first one I saw in person (X1). Loved it, had to have it, bought it. Then someone else wanted a turn lane more than I did. One month in the hospital, One month out of the hospital, I bought my uly (Oct 24 '09). Got 4000 miles on it, and Many miles to go before I sleep! I ride with full tilt Harley guy's, take crap all the time, and simply smile. It's kinda like I know the big secrete, and they don't. I'm so very thankful I started riding in time to learn about Buell, and be able to own and ride one. Ran into a Honda 1100st rider this weekend. His quote: "It's sad, just as they were really getting popular and people were starting to get to know about them". Meet him at a Harley retail shop surrounded by Harley's. He was that "guy" in his group who wanted a sports-touror. F'ing HD, two more years had Buell would be making a killing. America wants an American sports-touror! Makes me kinda think about Tucker and his dream.. | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
I don't think that this "Eric" was at woodstock... or was he? But he did have a song about Ulysses.... is this how our bike got its name???? | ||
| Etennuly |
 This thread am much funny!  I had the same thing happen three times on my way back from Daytona! I love it that these caring people come at you in a very gingerly fashion, to see if they are going to hurt your feelings. It is so funny that they think that the owner of a Buell would not know about the company's demise. Each of the people whom spoke to me about it were cordial and even apologetic. Two of them were non riders, the other was an HD rider who had test ridden an XT and was about to pull the trigger when the news broke. He commented several times that HD made a stupid move, but he didn't want to buy from a defunct company, so he bought a Yamaha! Aside from that, on my way to Daytona it was quite cold, most of the comments were about 'that is an awesome bike', but aren't you cold? On the way back it was warmer, nearly every gas stop I was approached by someone admiring the Buell. | ||
| Nevrenuf |
one of the things we did on saturday was went over to the mini store so the wife can test drive a clubman and of course we went in buell attire. sure enough one of the salesman asked if we owned one and commented on how stupid it was to shut them down. another possible buell enthusiast disgusted. |
