| Author | Message | ||
     Buellster42 |
Would you have still purchased your Buell if it wasn't affiliated with Harley Davidson? | ||
| Spyder12s |
depends on who made the motor....but most likely | ||
| Wyckedflesh |
It would depend on if it was still using a V-Twin pushrod engine or not. Not real certain for instance if it came with the Aprilia V-twin if I would have bought it. Mind you I was sorely tempted to get a Mille...but not enough to not get my Buell. | ||
| Dynarider |
Go back in time before HD owned any shares of Buell. | ||
| Coyote_xb12s |
For me, it was the Harley equation on the XB12 that made me consider not buying it. It is also the thing that still is taking me getting used to: the shake at idle. Everything else about the bike I loved, looks, concept and especially- Character.  | ||
| Rocketman |
MORE SO I could quantify that statement but I'd be ridiculed by some for doing so as my reasons are hypothetical and Buell have since carved a seemingly successful path down the Harley Davidson road. Rocket  | ||
| Bykergeek |
When I was shopping for a new bike, It had to be a Vtwin but I didn't want to spend Ducati level $$ for less bike (900SS) and the TLR/TLS did not appeal to me. My XB is everything my old 883 Sportster wasn't. Better Brakes Better Suspension More Power More Flickable Infinitely Cooler. edited by bykergeek on January 09, 2004 | ||
| Dasxb9s |
Harley Davidson had nothing to do with the purchase for me... I will generate hate mail with this comment... but other than a V-Rod... the HD product line does absolutely nothing for me... candidly... I think if one was in the market for that type of bike... you get more for your money with the "metric cruisers". I have never liked Harleys... I think they are way over priced and a high percentage is owned by leather wearing yuppie posers who talk about being "individuals" who all look exactly a like, and trailer their HDs to rallys... putting on a few hundred miles a year. Never been rained on, etc. I just don't get this deal with a big CI engine that puts out 75 or 85 hp... and bragging on all the power between their legs. ...and don't get me started on chrome and leather tassles! "I lost my daddy at the rally officer?" "OK little boy I will help you find him... what does he look like?" "He has a pony tail, big boots, a harley t-shirt, a leather vest, a little black helmet and is wearing blue jeans and leather chaps!" "What is his name?" His an accountant and his name is Melvin... but when he rides his Harley he wants everyone to call him Spike." "Well little boy, this might take some time... you just described 90% of the guys at this rally!" It is like a uniform... won't wear a suit because it is so conformist... but dressing exactly like 90% of the Harley riders is an act of being an individual... a non-conformest... GIVE ME A BREAK! Please check my profile and send all hate mail to my e-mail address to save space on this thread. | ||
| Racerboy |
Dennis, Dennis, Dennis...You were doing so well in that first paragraph...Up to and including "I think they are way over priced" (but you would get an argument there from a free market economist)...But it takes all kinds of motorcycles and riders to make up this community...The "life style" riders may not be you or me but they add another dimension to motorcycling...Most of you know that I traipse back and forth between the Buell/H-D riders (with my S3T "Pumpkin" ) and the sport/sport touring/endurance riders (with my ST1300 "The Mother Ship" ) and if there is one thing in motorcycling that drives me nuts it is to hear one criticize another's choice of how to participate in our sport...But the thing I really like about you is that you're not afraid to speak your mind so one always knows exactly where they stand with you and I like that in a person...I'm looking forward to meeting and riding with you this Spring... Bob | ||
| Metalstorm |
I would absolutely purchase a Buell if they weren't affiliated with HD. I wish they were sold in seperate dealerships by people who appreciated them. The service would be better and I wouldn't have to trip over that damn sportster everytime I go to check out (drool over) the new Buells.  | ||
| Dasxb9s |
Bob... I qualified my statement... related to hate mail... and direct contact! I was not criticizing anything but the contradiction of what they say and what they do. Not that they ride... (er I mean trailer) but that it is so little and they pose to be "Bikers"... HEY GUYS... ADMIT IT... IT IS A HOBBY! When this gets old... will it be roadsters, go carts, racing lawnmowers? I actually like the bunch... when I started riding in the late 60s... no one saw bikes... and everyday was an adventure... with all the hobbiest... people are beginning to actually look for bikes... at least sometimes! :-) I think everyone has the right to pick the kind of riding they do... but I just don't get a couple of things. 1. Dealers ripping off the yuppies by charging above MSRP... one local dealer I tried to get my Buell from was going to cost me $1500.00 more than where I bought at MSRP. 2. Be what you want to be... but be real... stating you are an individual and looking like clones is a contradiction. "HI, My name is Melvin... and I am a hobby biker!" 3. I never ever fit in... and never followed the lemmings over the cliff. (But if that is someone's thing... go for it!) So that makes me not understand even more! 4. Chrome... I just don't get... I could make a gazillion bucks if I could chrome leather and make it flexible... they would flock to me for chrome vests and chaps! 5. Leather... if it is REALLY protective like Vanson or Joe Rocket I get... but I swear... the Hindu must hate Harley riders!!! I vote with Metalstorm... separate Buell dealers... move from Harley as far as sales... however stay with them for engineering on commonality issues. Hey Bob... I was not meaning to criticize... I just don't understand... and if I don't understand, then I can only do what the voices in my head tell me... MAKE FUN OF THEM!!! I look forward to riding with you and meeting soon... my other form of being an individual is a 1995 BMW R1100RA, talk about a strange group... BMW riders... I better shut up! No one will ever say... "Gee, I wonder what Dennis meant by that!"   | ||
| Dynarider |
I dont think the affiliation with HD hurts Buell one bit. Look at when you have a dealership that actually strives to sell the brand & pushes them hard..they do well. It's the horseshit dealers that grudgingly take them on so they can get extra HD's or a riders edge course or simply dont understand the bikes is whats hurting them. The part of HD that is hurting them is whomever is in charge of product development along with P&A & ends up coming out with this type of stuff  Get some real performance goodies available to the consumer & knock it off with the cheezy tack on crap. Show the consumers that HD actually believes in the performance aspect of the bikes. Otherwise its just a sportster in different clothing. | ||
| Henrik |
It must be late or I must be drunk (nah 3 beers shouldn't do it  ) 'cause I'm actually agreeing with everything Dyna wrote. Dang, that's scary  Henrik | ||
| Captainkirk |
I must be a bad man. I bought my Buell in SPITE of the HD affiliation. I fell in love with the thing simply because it was something that I might build had I been a motorcycle designer. Some of the things that tripped my trigger; 1) Swing arm attached to the back of the motor 2) Big monster 1200 motor crankin' out 91 HP-almost twice that of a stock Sportster. 3) The header exhaust, and believe it or not, that big ol' tractor can. 4) The single shock and where it was placed. 5) That sound, especially at idle. The way the whole bike shakes...vaguely reminiscent of a Hemi 'Cuda I saw in the pits at the strip once. 6) The looks. Like a T-Rex on roller blades. 7) The first dealership I went to had salesmen descend on me like a plague of locusts...until they realized I was interested in the Buells. Made me think that much MORE of them. I guess I'm sort of a non-conformist at heart. I have nothing against Harleys, they're just not my ride. All bikes are inherently good, as are the people who ride them. Buells are GREAT, as are the riders...as evidenced by this website in particular. Just my opinion, but I'm stickin' to it.  | ||
| Kaese |
I actually bought my first Buell because it had a Harley engine. I was in the market for a bike and decided I wanted a twin. Checked out the Vstrom, Ducatti’s, Aprilla, and BMW’s. I almost bought a Vstrom except for that THAT STINKING CHAIN! I had ridden a Yamaha XS11(shaft drive) for about ten years it handled like a pig but had all the power one could ever need. Aprilla’s, Duc’s and Beemers, I thought the new ones were way overpriced. So I started looking at used Ducs and BMW’s, but those people thought they were made of gold. For example used California Highway Patrol bike with 65K miles and 3 years old went for $13,500! Any decent used BMW(any year and 30K+ miles) went for over $4K. Ducatti’s were not much better, not to mention the chain and maintenance costs. Finally ran across Buell’s, one could pick up a used one for less than $5K with very low mileage. Ended up with a S2 with less than 10K miles and all the performance options for $4K. Did well I thought. The S2 was the most fun bike I had ever ridden. Took the S2 into service and took a 3 hour demo ride on a XB9R. DARN DEMO RIDES! Now the XB is the most fun bike I have ever ridden and have not regretted it. | ||
| Wyckedflesh |
One thing I had hoped for would be a screaming eagle tie in to the new buells. As Dyna said it isn't the good dealers (Brian and Dave adn several others that are out there that I haven't dealt with) but the dealers that don't that are hurting them. As I said I bought my bike because it was a Buell, it had the classic V-twin air cooled motor I wanted. I didn't need to run out and buy a sportster or just a motor and build my own frame because Erik did it for me. If I were to buy a actual HD it still wouldn't come from teh factory, it would be something I built piecemeal, I can build it for less then I could buy what I want from the factory. | ||
| Court |
>>>Would you have still purchased your Buell if it wasn't affiliated with Harley Davidson? As one of the folks here who started buying Buells years prior to HD coming on the scene, I'd say yes. I'd add that I think HD has contributed much to Buell, benefited much from Buell and there are some great things yet to come from the association. Court | ||
| Opto |
Would you have still purchased your Buell if it wasn't affiliated with Harley Davidson? Would you have still purchased your Harley Davidson if it wasn't affiliated with Buell? | ||
| Fuzz331 |
Would you have still purchased your Buell if it wasn't affiliated with Harley Davidson? Would you have still purchased your Harley Davidson if it wasn't affiliated with Buell? Where to begin? I read about the Buell XB12R in a late summer issue of the HD Enthusiast. This was on a Thursday. Went to my local HD dealer (Beautiful Boutique) on that Sat. and feasted my eyes and ass on My New Buell. For all of you riders that have been riding and living in the Buell world, I apologize. It was the first time that I had seen a Buell other than drag racing in AMRA,which they seem to perform very well at. I live in the middle of Mo. and don't get out much. Just jumped into this computer world of communication and information. And yes we have Libraries, I remember taking my kids to it. Back to my point, I think I have one. I took a test ride, and that was all she wrote. Put money down and p/u next week. To summarize! I have been tinkering on Harleys for about 18 years. Love the V-twin low end power. Yes, between my legs. Been drag racing 45 deg. bikes for about 6 years. Mostly for the thrill and fun. I have seen HP produced in these 6 years. I could have went much faster for less money by racing a,,,,,,,,,, well just about anything from an early model KZ to a late model anything. And I just can't figure out how to explain it. It just happened years ago. I had been bitten by the evil V-Twin devil. Now, I also have a need for twisties, which are pretty plentiful in the Ozarks. The majority of riders that I ride with DO NOT ACCELERATE AT THE APEX OF A CORNER. And of course I love to. Most folks I know can't figure out why I bought a Buell with my past. Some do. So along comes this Beautiful Buell that I happened across in a HOG members mag (my last issue given to me for (buying an overpriced Road King that I got underpriced with lots of extra chrome) I don't frequent Harley shops much, because I think I might have some compulsive disorder. Some day in the future (after warranty is up) I will drag race this bike. Why, because it is fun! Until then, I will enjoy the bike for everything it is worth. You see, for me It offers me the best of many worlds, I guess, because of its affiliation with Harley. Sorry, I ramble in the morning. And that's all I've got to say about that. Fuzz edited by fuzz331 on January 10, 2004 | ||
| Buckinfubba |
YEP! | ||
| Smadd |
"I was not criticizing anything but the contradiction of what they say and what they do." I suppose this argument against HD riders will continue forever... ad nauseum. Look at the sheer numbers (HD)... yes... there are some that don't ride much. But I've met many who tell me about their trips and long rides that would absolutely shame me and my "high mileage" Buell. Don't stereotype them and say they don't ride... it's not true. Check out the odometers on a number of sportbikes and figure out, percentage wise, who puts on the most miles. Leave 'em alone already... they're doing their thing and not hurting anyone. Of course, we all know they're not as good as us (insert type of cycle of your choice)riders and will never be able to ride nearly as well or understand the meaning of being a "true biker". But I won't argue with their choice... it's their decision... their money. Motorcycle Bigotry. | ||
| Court |
Would you have still purchased your Buell if it wasn't affiliated with Harley Davidson? Would you have still purchased your Harley Davidson if it wasn't affiliated with Buell? Bear in mind that the "affiliation" when I purchased my first was an agreement to sell some XR-1000 motors that were left over from 1984. The "affiliation" was not, perhaps, as cozy and cordial as some may think. In addition, Buell Motor Company (the precessor of Buell Motorcycle Company) was having to jump seemingly insurmountable hurdles on pretty much a bi-weekly cycle. Each, that is EACH, bike seemed like it was impossible and could possibly be the end of the line. Some committments required folks to stay all night (see genesis of the term "Elves" circa 1994) to meet committments that would produce revenue. In one extraodinary move, the CEO was even dispatched to Japan to destroy a Gold Wing in an effort to produce orders, it did. Would you have still purchased your Buell if it wasn't affiliated with Harley Davidson? Yes. And I confess that even though there WAS an affiliation, on that day when I first laid eyes on a Buell at Amando Magri's, went to SMF, chartered a Piper Seneca, got flown to MKE, rented a car and spent those hours searching for a barn on Road "X" (note to the unknowing...EVERY ROAD in Wisconsin is labeled "Road X" and spent those following hours with Erik Buell and his two daugters sitting in a diner learning about a dream, I did not know what engine was beneath that gorgeous bodywork, nor did I care. I'm as smitten now as I was then. Court | ||
| Brucelee |
I think you have to look at two divergent issues here. HD's contribution of an engine with a sound and look that some folks really really like. I certainly liked that, once the race kit was added. Re: the other side of the equation, I think the marketing, sales and distribution effort of Buell within HD is just plain horrible (I am a management consultant and actually specialize in this stuff). From a simple display perspective, my HD dealer had two buells sitting on the floor and NO other support structures, tie ins, promos, clothes etc. Down the street, the Ducati dealer is a model of how to display, market and hype their bikes. Almost made me buy one till I actually rode the monster vs the XB9S. In short, HD either does not know how to, or cares to, promote Buell as a legitimate line of motorcycle. Too bad too! | ||
| Gonen60 |
Off subject a bit, Why does the Buell Blast speedo, have the Buell Logo on it and then below it says "A harley davidson company" Where as the XBs do not...just a thought I dont think my XB says HD on it anywhere(i may be wrong) maybe E Buell said no HD logos on the XBs.. | ||
| Blake |
People generally talk down or stereotype others in order to try to feel better about themselves. Doesn't work. It brings everyone down and sews seeds of negativity. I prefer positivity. Back on topic... I went to the dealership (Lone Star HD/Triumph/Buell) to check out the new Triumph Speed Triple. Was offered a demo ride on a hot rodded S1. End of story. I could care less if Buell were affiliated with HD. | ||
| Gonen60 |
I like the HD connection. Of course since there is the HD connection, I would love a VR1000 street racer too.. Buell platform + VR1000 engine  Only thing i do not like about the HD partnership is having to go into the HD boutique, all those damn tassles and conchos and chaps give me the creeps  | ||
| Dasxb9s |
hello... J O K I N G ON TOPIC COMMENT... Buell stands alone from HD with the innovation. Buell fills a nitch that other sport bikes leave as a void. It is refreshing with the XB12 series they are advertising even more than in the beginning of the XB series. Dedication to the Buell line will be the success of failure of Buell... Most dealerships seem to care little about Buell. To add to my above comment... I bought my XB in spite of the HD affiliation. My worst fear is that at some point HD will be discontent with the 3% Buell contributes... and drop the line. My hopes are that by then the demand will insure Erik will continue without HD, to give us things we never dreamed of. | ||
| Chainsaw |
Look at the base of the cylinder on the shifter side of the bike. Small HD Bar and Shield logo cast into the metal. I love pointing this out to guys that call my Buell a rice burner. | ||
| Easyflier |
Interesting question. I grew up around Harleys and loved everything about them, even with their weaknesses. So my experience with them, and Sportsters in particular was a good one. That being said though, I think that I liked the Buell no matter its origins. While the affiliation with HD has its drawbacks I think Buell has benefitted from the arrangement and for that I am grateful. So if the Buell had a KTM, Ducati, etc.. nameplate and the cost was roughly the same I would probably still want to own one. | ||
| Henrik |
I'd been riding a few Harleys, none of which rode, accelerated, handled like I'd hoped. Spent literally thousands of $$ to try to make it happen. When finally a Honda riding friend pointed me towards Buells (a *real* friend you see ). I went to a York demo day (and met Mike btw.) and demo rode Buells all day long. When I accidentally caught air coming over a railroad crossing I knew this was the bike for me. So to answer the question; I looked into Buells because of the V-twin motor but bought one because of the complete package Erik Buell had put together. Henrik |
