| Author | Message | ||
     Bbstacker |
This afternoon when I was at the Harley dealership getting a part ordered I was told it's gonna get harder to get parts from Harley dealers. The reason being, I was told, was because the Harley shops are dropping the Buell line. Some sooner than others. The reason for this is to pave the way for dedicated Buell dealers. I don't know how much truth, if any, is in this. The parts guy could'a just been talking out his arse. Seems to me the product line, albeit a stellar product, is a little short for that. Guess we will have to see what July looks like as far as (a) new bike/s go. And I guess It's wait and see if Buell separates sales and service from Harley. Again, I'm not taking this as gospel. Just wondering what anyone/everyone else has heard.  | ||
| Mookie |
i think its true if im right, harley dealers are now able to choose whether they want to carry the buell line or not but it would be nice if we had independant buell dealers.. now it seems as if while nobody else likes to credit my bolt as a real bike, harley doesnt even want buell either | ||
| Daves |
I haven't heard anything of the sort. Saying Harley(as in the Motor Company) does not want Buell is, as Court would say inaccurate. HD dealers have always had the choice to carry Buell or not. Yes, there was a "push" a few years back to have lots of HD dealers carry Buell but it became evident that many of them just don't have what it takes to be good at Buell. Hence the current thinning of the herd. That said, if it is true I hope someone at HD/Buell sees this, I'll take the first Buell only dealership! Sign me up today. Not going to happen but I can wish. As far as parts, I'll gladly take up the slack! 1-866-757-1651 ask for Dave in the sales dept. | ||
| Xb12s_streetdemon |
Harley Davidson of Danbury CT. highy supports Buell. Both of the owners drive them to work | ||
| Izzinya |
i just asked our gm here at eastside harley in bellevue wa. if we were going to continue carying the buell line as sales have been slow (or so i thought) he said a definate YES on that one.... and i havent heard ANYTHING to suggest that the factory was going to have 2 seperate shops ive been told by our distrect rep to look out for "real neat MAJOR changes" to the line next year no more info than that though Izzinya | ||
| Stevebay |
Two HD dealers in my area in CT no longer carry Buell's which forced me to go to Harley Davidson of Danbury. Best experience I've had with a motorcycle dealership of any brand. Very enthusiastic about Buells and extremely helpful. Streetdemon, I'm just down the road from you in Oxford. | ||
| Bb13 |
I've had two salespeople and one owner tell me that the biggest reason Buell gets snubbed at some HD dealerships is that the owners realize that they can’t jack-up the price on them like they do the HD lineup and get away with it. I can see paradise now, a showroom full of XBs in every color, a few classic tubers to show some history and style. Maybe a couple seriously tricked out XBs in the window for some eye candy. The shelves stocked with every aftermarket performance, and cosmetic product ever made. And lets not forget the complete clothing line from Buell (you know, the stuff on the website that nobody carries). And a giant neon lit sign with the name BUELL on it. MY GOD MAN! IT’S BEAUTIFUL! | ||
| Cyko_bob |
My .02, I am afraid if Buell did go separate, the new Buell dealerships would struggle to survive. In other words, selling only Buells might not support the shop, but if you are selling Buells along with the Harleys, you will have a dealership strong enough to support the brand, even if they don't sell as many as the main line. Bottom line, I think we would have even less dealerships to carry the brand if Buell went alone. Some would survive and do quite well, because they are known, like Appleton, but the rest would struggle to survive that first year. I think the option of selling the Buell line or not is the best option...does not force a dealer to do it, but those like Appleton and others that strongly support the brand can do so. Okay, give me change for my 2 cents! | ||
| Court |
There will be no "Buell Only" dealerships. There was a "more is better" misstep about 5 years ago. Very exciting news (watch www.buell.com) is at hand. A Harley-Davidson dealer who can not sell Buell needs to look within. Buell can add much to a dealership as they have to the mothership. Please......quote me. Buells future has never been brighter. Court | ||
| Garp |
My uneducated guess is that Harley is allowing the dealers that don't want to handle Buell to exit the business. Once this process is complete I think we will see Buell franchises spring up at other Non Harley dealers in order to fill in the geographic gaps. | ||
| Court |
>>>I think we will see Buell franchises spring up at other Non Harley dealers in order to fill in the geographic gaps. No. You will not. | ||
| Cyko_bob |
Court...Oh, I agree about Buell having a bright future. Also agree that a combo Buell and Harley shop has more to offer. Also, have a sneaky suspicion Buell is about to upgrade the XB line...Gee, why did I write this...Agreed? | ||
| Court |
Let's cut through the crap.....who wants to be the one to call DaveS or any Buell dealer who has made a substantial investment and tell'em "hey, we're unilatrally amending the dealer contract".....anybody who wants to can sell Buells. No way. | ||
| Deerhunter17 |
I was told by a s parts sales guy at a local H/D Buell dealership that they would not be stocking many Buell parts anymore, but that would be able to get me whatever i needed. He continued to say ( His opinion?) that there was a neighboring H/D dealership that "Could Not" get Buell parts because they dropped the line, and that when they needed Buell stuff, it would be ordered through another dealership. ??? Doesn't much matter to me, I can honestly say that Frederick (MD ) H/D Buell is very happy to sell (service is up and down, but at least trying) and stock Buell bikes and Parts. They are even rebuilding there Brag group, having a 3rd meeting tomorrow w/ a ride to Summit Point racetrack to follow. | ||
| Garp |
Why Not? How about looking at it from the customer's perspective? There are millions of people who live in areas where the local Harley dealer wants nothing to do with Buell, why not give someone else who does care about the brand an opportunity? If Buell continue to allow the dealer base to shrink, then they can expect their sales to shrink at the same time. Dealers like DaveS are great, and I traveled over 1000 miles to buy my bike from him, but there aren't many people willing to do that, and there aren't enough passionate dealers willing to do what it takes to make the brand thrive. | ||
| Xb12s_streetdemon |
For those of you that go in to Harley of Danbury. I installed all the plasma tv's and speakers throughout the store. They run Harley and buell dvd's on them. it give the place alot of energy. Steve- we should go riding together. i ride every day that its not raining. drop me a line and ill give you my cell. | ||
| Hammer71 |
Stevebay... Same experience here with H.D. of Danbury. After being snubbed at Woodstock H.D. (was told to come back when I had cash) LOL all but 1500 was in my pocket and a Sportster in the parking lot to trade in. So far Danbury was the best dealer I've ever walked in not to mention that the four techs I spoke with own XB's. | ||
| Mike_bolts |
There is nothing wrong with Buell motorcycles as such. It is an excellent product that will sell itself if given a few square feet of the showroom and a sales staff that can answer basic questions. The dealerships need to be called to the carpet and told to get it together. For the life of me I simply cannot understand why we cannot even get something as inexpensive as a t-shirt from our local dealers. WTF is wrong???? These are the same businesses where we plucked down $10 grand of our hard earned money and do our service and we cannot get the most basic of accessories and parts??? | ||
| Court |
>>>If Buell continues to allow the dealer base to shrink, then they can expect their sales to shrink at the same time. I disagree. The essential thing is to first weed out the less effective and less interested. STATUS: Underway The next step is to study what customers want (remember the surveys on line and in the mail) and what successful dealers are doing. STATUS: Underway Craft a strategy based on the above. Note 7 items on which to focus and prepare staged implementation to keep from juggling all new balls at once. STATUS: Underway - first glimpse within 4 weeks. Dedicated a project manager to champion various Buell specific "close to the customer" initiatives to insure Buell capitalizes on it's unique in the industry relationship with its customers. STATUS: HR searching for 2 such folks. SUMMARY: First ablate the non-performers. Clearly communicate to the remaining dealers the performance expectations and provide the resources and support to allow them to succeed. In the interim, create, manage and grow Internet "short cuts" to get knowledge and "stuff" (I LOVE that word) in the hands of Buell owners. CRITICAL COMPONENT: Maintain quality of product during above steps. Tossing that ball back in the air now would drain resources and make efforts less effective. Court | ||
| Bbstacker |
See. I knew this was the right place to bring this question. It's good to be able to get my information from a source that is actually informed. I love these bikes, but I know they are a "niche" product. This poses some geographical limitations as far as getting parts and getting the bikes to reliable dealerships for service. Fortunately I have never had anything major go wrong with the bike that has taken it out of service for more than a day or two. I do all my own work, so my down time is spent mostly waiting for parts to ship. It's good to know that there will be no major upheaval in the way Buell does business. So far there has been no problem getting parts when they say I will get them and the one time my bike was in the shop for service the job was done to my satisfaction and done on schedule. I really hope this dealership isn't going to drop the Buell line, because I'm very pleased with them. Thanks, Court, for layin' it out. Mark | ||
| Cataract2 |
Thanks Court, that makes things much clearer now with what's going on. I'm hoping Space Coast keeps the brand. So far I have not heard anything about them dropping Buell. They have a new store being built and I have a feeling that they will move the Buell stuff (bikes, wish they had other things) to the new Palm Bay store. Have to wait till Sept. to find out. | ||
| Dave |
Harley dealer's abandoning the Buell line ...the sunshine and silver linings are all well and good, but it doesn't allow me to (conveniently) get a Buell specific part. Harley dealerships that carry Buell and could care less...well that sucks. Harley dealerships that carry Buell and have decided to drop the Buells to sell more chrome...well that sucks too. It's disheartening to see only the remnants of Buell at a dealership.... Talk to store management...offer to be their Buell go to guy and hear the "Buells just don't sell around these parts son". DAve ...man I like my Buells but really dislike the dealer (non)network | ||
| Mutation_racer |
im just leaving edison hd n buell to go work at liberty hd n buell, and let me tell you edison is one of the best buell dealers out there. now it time for liberty hd n buell to become one of them to. look out for are race team next year . i know i will have a fast bike then . i will miss working there . shout out to pete and seth . good luck to pete with his racing . | ||
| Budo |
">>>If Buell continues to allow the dealer base to shrink, then they can expect their sales to shrink at the same time." Why not? There is one Buell/HD dealer in my area, the next nearest dealer is 3.5 hours away. If my local dealer dropped Buell don't you think that would have a negative impact on sales in this area? Very few, and I do mean not many, people would travel 3.5 hours one way to purchase a bike and then who would service it? By the way, my local dealer Bumpas HD/Buell of Memphis blows! | ||
| Court |
>>>>If my local dealer dropped Buell don't you think that would have a negative impact on sales in this area? No, they would improve. There would be "less negative". Dealers are not so much "choosing" out of Buell as being asked to live up to certain covenants expected of Buell dealers. No hard feelings, either you perform or step off the track. Last year, my bush in front was showing signs of ailment. I cut back the bad branch and the thing is now thriving. Court | ||
| Buells Rule! (Dyna in disguise) |
Very few, and I do mean not many, people would travel 3.5 hours one way to purchase a bike and then who would service it? I undertstand the point of pruning the bad dealers out of the network but Budo does have a point. Sure some folks will travel a good distance for a bike but in the grand scheme they are a very small minority. I dont see the average Joe traveling that far & then needing to do likewise for service or parts. Remember that the majority of bike buyers are not on the web & depend on local dealers for parts & repair knowledge. How is eliminating marginal dealers that may be close to a potential buyer going to fix the issue? Right now the good dealers are selling all the bikes they can get, closing bad dealerships isnt going to cause their sales to go up unless they are in the same general sales area. | ||
| Ryker77 |
I went into a local HD/Buell shop to get an ET sensor for my x1. I stopped by the xb's to look at them and try and get a test ride since they had a sign out front. Most of the older sales guys just sat in the corner talking to each other. One younger salesman came over. All he was able to say was " they have some tech stuff on them" and "fuel is in the frame". Not they way to sell a bike! I think HD dealerships had better take a hard long look at the bikes and the service. Because alot of "other" bike builders are putting together simple and fair priced bikes. No need to waste money buying an ugly and •••••• performance bike only to then pay the "harley tax" to get what you want. | ||
| Davegess |
"Less is more" Bad dealers turn people off the brand, perhaps forever. Not having a dealer close by may cost you a sale this year but making that sale and than giving the owner really bad service could cost sales for years to come. BMW has very few dealers yet sells a ton of bikes. The dealers they do have are pretty much excellant. | ||
| Bbstacker |
The nearest Beemer dealer services the bikes for Riverside P.D., Riverside Sheriffs Dept., and the local C.H.P. station. They must be good, but from what I hear it takes some time to get work done. Sorry. A bit off topic, but My point is even if the service is good how do you get a handle on the time it takes some people to get repairs done? We've all heard the horror stories. People with their bikes in the shop for weeks or longer. Not a problem specific to Buell, but Buell only dealers would not necessarily fix that. | ||
| Saintly |
I see a lot of you guys praising HD/Buell of Danbury CT. My experience with them was not very praiseworthy. After selling my old bike in 04 I had over 10 G's cash to spend, I knew I wanted a xb9r, but I could'nt locate a dealer who had one in stock. Finally after many phone calls I spoke with a salesman name Chris at Danbury Buell. Chris said that he had a battle blue 9r on the floor and told me to come see it. I rode 1 & 1/2 hours to danbury CT, but when I got there, the blue 9R turned out to be a USED 03 trade in. It had 3800 miles and a badly worn(cupped) front tire and no warranty left ( 03's only had 12 mo. warranty). I spoke with Chris and after much thought, I offered Chris $9000.00 cash out the door if he changed the front tire & threw in the extended warranty. keep in mind MSRP in a NEW 04 was $9195.00 Chris said he could probably do that deal, but had to check with the sales manager first. He did and the manager said ok. We shook hands and the deal was done, Chris said that he would have the sales contract drawn up, he gave me the VIN of the bike and I went to my insurance agent and started a policy on the bike. I was gone for 2 hours, and as it was nearing the 5 O'clock hour, I decided to call Chris to see if he would still be there and if the dealership would stay open until I arrived with the insurance ID cards. When I got connected to Chris, he informs me that now they cant do the deal for 9 grand, that it will cost me $10,200 . I argued that we had a deal and that I already had taken out a policy on the bike, but he would not back down. I asked to speak with the sales manager, but Chris said that he had left for the day. Chris told me that the tire costs $400.00, taxes were $800.00 and that DMV fees would be $360.00 . I told him that I'm from New York State and that I'll pay the NY taxes when I register it, and that in NY it only costs $14 to register ANY motorcycle! He said that their DMV fee is $360 and that I must pay the NYS sales tax to them. We argued for 10 miutes and in the end he offered me the same deal with the new tire for 10 G's. I told him to stick it up his cornhole! 2 weeks later I bought a BRAND NEW zero miles battle blue 03 leftover 9R from Iron Block Buell in Adams NY for $7300 and had a year warranty. The guys at Iron Block were awesome to deal with, and they made it worth the 5 hour ride upstate. I'll never deal with Danbury Buell again, They'll never get any of my business. They're a bunch of snakes in the grass. |
