| Author |
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Gtmg
| | Posted on Thursday, July 19, 2007 - 06:00 pm: | 
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Being a former motorcycle dealer owner, I will tell you that you would have very very tough time making it as a Buell stand alone dealership. Not enough sales volume. The finances are not there. I could go into details but I can tell you that for even a small dealership to be profitable they need to sell 125+ units per year. You might be able to get a way with a tiny space and a two man shop but would that really represent Buell well??Harley just needs to find the dealers that want to do it right and give them the right incentives. Exclusive territory and volume incentives. Buell will have a hot bike this year but one hot bike cannot make a whole dealership. Will they be able to create a hot bike next year?? This is why you see so many multi line dealers in the niche bike segment. They have to have it to get to the volume. If Buell allows HD dealers to mark up this bike because of low inventory it will not be positive for the Buell line in the long run. They need to get more riders right now.
Old inventory CANNOT sit on the floor. My personal opinion is that the XB line is priced about $500 to $1000 high. The people who eat this difference is the dealers. This is major reason HD dealers aren't enamored with Buells. Metric bike dealers discount and make it back on volume and accessory sales. Some know units have to move and discount them others don't and let them hang around forever. They normally don't do that with the Harley line most are sold at full pop.
Most dealerships are not well run from a business point of view. Lots of money left of the table. As a former dealer we loved the HD dealers because they would never negotiate opening the door for us to sell metric bikes. If the HD dealers would have listened to the corporate HD they would could have come very close to eliminating metric cruisers. Now look at it they are stronger than ever. |
Ishai
| | Posted on Thursday, July 19, 2007 - 07:27 pm: |
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"Try calling Tom at Liberty, the one who's forked over tons of cash investing in growing his Buell business and telling him "we've changed the rules". "
Court- in my opinion a dealership rises or falls on their reputation and not just investment in fancy building- I think a great H-D/buel will continue to be a great or get even better with some up and coming stand-alone dealership competition whereas the standalone will have higher goal to aim at.competition is good. I don't think that the real good ones will be hurt by another good dealership. Unfotunatly we hear more about the not so great ones that are sheltered due to their contract and not their performance. |
Court
| | Posted on Thursday, July 19, 2007 - 10:06 pm: |
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Good points all . . . |
Ratbuell
| | Posted on Thursday, July 19, 2007 - 10:28 pm: |
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Gtmg - have you noted that the prices on the '08 XB line have dropped $500 across the board? I also agree with you...what I do NOT agree with is dealers who blow out Buells just to move a "problem product". All that does is degrade the value of the product...and in all honesty, an XB is one hell of a motorcycle. However the pricing problem is HDI-wide at the moment...I recall hearing about t-shirts at one of the dealer shows that read "It's not f&#(ing Wal-Mart".
As much as I would love to see a standalone...I think it'll be a long time (if ever) coming. Unless the 1125r is more of a juggernaut than any of us expect and the engineers and beancounters all agree to launch a complete line based on it, to live right next to the still-successful XB line! (fingers crossed) But right now Buell on its own is not strong enough, either in market share or in absolute dollars, to carry its own line of dealerships (and they're smart enough to know it, so they aren't trying...think Indian...again, and again, and again....).
I do see progress being made in leaps and bounds if the 1125 is what its made out to be...but we're not there yet.
Notice...the word "yet". The existence of the 1125 in and of itself (and the amazing LACK of pre-release leaks) tells me there's quite a bit going on...and tons of possibilities. I can't wait to see what happens next! |
Towjam
| | Posted on Thursday, July 19, 2007 - 10:40 pm: |
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Gtmg - have you noted that the prices on the '08 XB line have dropped $500 across the board?
Only the XB12R dropped $500. The Lightnings retain their '07 pricing. |
Panthercity
| | Posted on Friday, July 20, 2007 - 06:05 pm: |
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Court rambled: "Competency will, in the next several years, replace chrome, as the key ingredient of success and HD's market softens."
That's one of the best things I've read in quite some time. I very much look forward to that day! |
Daves
| | Posted on Thursday, July 26, 2007 - 08:00 am: |
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"The big downside I see is that people like DaveS, with lots of talent, insight, ambition, and energy... are pretty much priced out of the market and not given a chance to compete. He can't just become a great Buell dealer, he has to become a great Harley dealer that also sells Buell. Thats the one big drawback of the current system."
That is why I am in the bow and arrow business now.
With HD's systems and rules, it did not look like I would EVER have the chance to own a Buell dealership.
I guess, as a person that has wanted to have their own business since I was about 8 years old, the HD/Buell business was not the smartest choice for me to spend 10 years learning to do well.
As much as I enjoyed the business , working for a really good dealer and having the best customers in the world, it just wasn't my long term goal to always work for someone else.
The way the HD/Buell system is set up, they made it impossible for me to reach my goals and stay in the motorcycle business.
It's too bad, really. |
Mikej
| | Posted on Thursday, July 26, 2007 - 10:04 am: |
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I've heard a rumor, semi-local, of something. Once it's more public I'll say more, but this is the right area for the comment. Potential and Possibility are just two of the P's in the pod. |
Ebear
| | Posted on Friday, July 27, 2007 - 10:19 am: |
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Pod jokes....What will become of this World?
Positively Pretentious me says.
Are you probing or just postulating Mikej...??
 |
Mikej
| | Posted on Friday, July 27, 2007 - 10:40 am: |
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Both or either or neither, can't say, but are you interested?????
(location, location, location) |
Panthercity
| | Posted on Friday, July 27, 2007 - 03:09 pm: |
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iPod! uPod? |
Buellistic
| | Posted on Thursday, August 23, 2007 - 08:40 pm: |
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Gentlemen:
IMHO HARLEY-DAVIDSON Dealers(their sales Depatrment) do not sell BUELLs ...
It is the BUELL Riders them selves that sell BUELLs !!!
"BUT" the HARLEY-DAVIDSON Dealer is the only place you can get a NEW BUELL ...
IMHO after the HARLEY-DAVIDSON Dealer sales department dances them around the potential buyer tries another Dealer or waits an buys a used BUELL from a private owner ...
In BUELLing
LaFayette |
Ratbuell
| | Posted on Thursday, August 23, 2007 - 10:38 pm: |
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Being an owner (S1W, S2, hopefully 1125r) and an HD/B salesperson, I take issue with that. I know I'm in the VAST minority, but there are a couple of us out there. As with any marque - choose your dealer wisely, and ye shall be satisfied  |
Buellistic
| | Posted on Thursday, August 23, 2007 - 11:24 pm: |
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Joe:
Glad to hear you take ISSUE with my OPINIONATED OPINION ...
You as a TRUE BUELL SALESMAN, now other BUELLers now can find you for their BUELL needs in your area which will be your state and more ...
"AND" those other TRUE BUELL SALESMEN who should get the sales in their respective state, area, and more ...
Of course the this web site is not for BUELL SALESMEN to use to sell BUELLs on ...
"BUT" a simple chalange of my OPINIONATED OPINION will get a click on your AKA so you'll can be identified and found !!!
The mear fact of just how many BUELL SALESMEN actually lurk on web site would be interesting to know ???
Blake how about adding SPELL CHECK here ???
In BUELLing
LaFayette |
Ratbuell
| | Posted on Friday, August 24, 2007 - 12:09 am: |
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I guess after reading it all again, I don't really take issue with your opinion. Technically...you're right. I'm a Buell rider...selling Buells. I guess I just happen to spend my days in an HD/B dealership, LOL.
And they give me shirts.
 |
Buellerthanyou
| | Posted on Monday, August 27, 2007 - 10:24 am: |
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I l'il birdy whispered in my ear that there will be big changes regarding Buell dealerships in the near future. I believe changes are coming because of the new models. If the "25" and the dirtbikes are everything they are purported to be, Buell is poised to become a major player in the motorcycle industry and will need a "professional" sales and distribution system. Don't know any nationwide details yet, but locally, as soon as our new building is done (probably Jan-Feb), our old building will get a major renobuellvation. More as details are revealed to me...
HellBuelly J
"There is no terror in a Buell, only in the anticipation of it."
--Alfred HitchBuelly |
Daves
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 11, 2007 - 11:53 pm: |
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Maybe there is hope for me yet? |
Backroadsbiker
| | Posted on Thursday, September 27, 2007 - 03:50 pm: |
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I just recently bought a new Buell Ulysses. I love the bike but the buying experience was abysmal. I've owned many bikes, mostly Japanese sport bikes,and have always been treated well. At the HD dealer I felt like I was imposing on their time. And, when I finally reached a deal (not that any were really willing to deal) I received a Harley t-shirt. Bad form! |
Hexangler
| | Posted on Thursday, October 04, 2007 - 07:56 pm: |
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Speaking of T-shirts, does Buell even offer one? Maybe I ought to try to license the name for T-shirt sales before I think of a stand alone dealership.
Hex |
Svo1023
| | Posted on Thursday, October 11, 2007 - 07:03 am: |
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So seminole buell doesn't count??? yes we are owned by seminole h-d..and the owners also own about 5 metric stores as well... but don't come in our store looking for chaps or a skid lid....and i am a salesman period....i read in a previous post 125 units a year....thats right no way could we survive on that..we would be so lucky to sell that many..buells that is...
it's not easy to showcase the best handling motorcycle out there....since we are in fl. the state of 2 twisties...but as of late i think my last 5 or 6 new buell riders....have been under 30y/o...and they all love there new bikes.that is a trend i love to see...
Now granted we are very small at this point..there are only 4 of us running the dealership...Ken..manager...Frank..tech...Cesar... parts....myself Mike...sales...
this seems like a bit of a rant...but it's not...i am there to sell motorcycles...period... if it's a buell great it pretty easy to sell something your passionate about...if it's a big dog great....pre owned h-d...great....pre -owned metric great....hey guys thats how i eat....
whoa look at the time...gotta get ready for work....@ Seminole Buell Shop....407-831-8888 |
Bombardier
| | Posted on Thursday, October 11, 2007 - 09:22 am: |
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Is it a fact that the Buell Company eyes is known as Anonymous on this board?
Perhaps we should address our issues to him then? |
Ratbuell
| | Posted on Thursday, October 11, 2007 - 09:32 am: |
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There are lots of Anons, and yes, rumor is many of them work in East Troy.
No need to address things to them. They're reading up on it, right here with us.
Hey Mike/SVO - PM me sometime, I'm curious how many units you move a year? I'm headed to St Augustine for Thanksgiving...I may have to make the trip to see you guys while I'm down there to do some research |
Court
| | Posted on Thursday, October 11, 2007 - 11:09 am: |
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>>Is it a fact that the Buell Company eyes is known as Anonymous on this board?
No. It is not a fact. |
Bud
| | Posted on Monday, October 15, 2007 - 02:32 am: |
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I would like to have a shot @ only buell..
but with out the very big investments H-D would like to apply for dealership
but that's becouse youll be a harley dealer who only sells buells |
Cityxslicker
| | Posted on Saturday, November 03, 2007 - 12:40 am: |
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Not lurking... pretty loud and muddy about my passion for the bikes, I like em, I ride em, I own one, I sell em. (just found this post, but I have been here a while) So if you need a sales guy up in the PNW area that is excited to make sure you See the bikes, demo them, join our group rides... come see me, or at least the latest coat of mud on the bike ;) |
Buellerandy
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 07, 2007 - 06:23 pm: |
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<~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Enthusiastic Buell Salesman |
Bamaboy
| | Posted on Monday, December 10, 2007 - 02:57 am: |
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Fletchers HD/BUELL Great dealership!!! |
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