| Author | Message | ||
     Jlnance |
It's really hard to get people to think outside the Japanese/Italian box. get the 'against-the-grain' kids into them. You're right about the against-the-grain thing. People buy bikes for all sorts of reasons, most having nothing to do with anything resembling logic. It's not just kids either. Certainly I did zero comparisons when I bought the Uly. I wanted it because it was a Buell. The company was doing exciting thing and I wanted to be part of that. I rode it to Daytona, watched the XBRR race, met Erik, Blake, Court, Daves, Crusty, Daveguess, Vegasbueller, Dora, and a host of other people. I could have done all that on a Honda, but then I'd have felt like an outsider (I wonder if Erik would autograph a Honda?) All the brands have their fans. They aren't going to run out and consider an 1125r just because it's a good bike. But some people don't want to be just like everyone else. They will look at the Buell specifically because not everyone has one. The fact the 1125r isn't slower than the bikes everyone else has will please them greatly though. | ||
| Regkittrelle |
Blake... Yes, profit is profit. At the same time, the majority ($ volume-wise) of HDI stakeholders are not motorcyclists; they require a maximized profit. There are ex-Buell dealers out who have admitted to making a profit on Buell, but reassigned the space to MotorClothes because the profit there is greater. Short-sighted; certainly, Unusual; no. | ||
| Regkittrelle |
Jlnance... That was certainly one of the better thoughts I've heard re Buell. It is also what is so maddening to the Japanese manufacturers. Their view of the marketplace is heavily slanted towards the engineering specific. What you reference is a reality that can't be quantified. | ||
| Jima4media |
I think it is time for HD/Buell to consider stand-alone stores. Look at what the Apple Stores have done for Apple, Inc. The first two Apple Stores opened in 2001. Now there are 190 stores, with over 250 planned, and they do $4 Billion a year in revenue. The Grand Experiment of Modesto Buell as a stand-alone store ended in failure for HD, but with the right formula, stores like these could be very successful. A win-win for everyone. | ||
| Nondual |
Stand-alones are a must at some time in the future. These are iconclastic bikes, and the average Harley rider is a 'going with the herd' type of customer. Let's face it, the Japanese make better cruisers these days for lower prices. The indies make more interesting cruisers for slightly higher prices. The people who buy Harleys are often buying them because of the image, and that image is 'safe-cool', or 'cool-for-old-people'. People buy Harleys for the same reason people buy Porsches. They're not the best performers for the money, but the dingbat blond with the fake tan and fake boobs doesn't know what a Lotus is and is less likely to be impressed by one. It's like Evangelical Christians all sporting goatees like that's somehow rebellious. It's just like faux-hawks. Erik Buell's bikes truly ARE interesting. New tech philosophies, new considerations (the rider comfort pocket created by the fairing? Awesome!), belts instead of chains because the maintenance is easier, they're lighter, and who the heck really changes out gear ratios that often? Yeah, track riders do - so build a kit for them and let the rest of us have lighter, maintenance-free, loss reducing drivetrains. Anyway, my point is that Harley riders are 'safe, staid, stodgy' buyers who are after cachet, safely attained sex-appeal, and image. Why do you think they sell so much chrome and clothing? Buells are just a different machine. They're riskier than the top-end Japanese bikes! They look different, sound different, and (I'm assuming - haven't been able to test ride yet) RIDE differently. Erik's taking more risks and innovating more than pretty much any other manufacturer out there, and these bikes are being sold next to a brand that is the LEAST innovative, least risky, least changing type of bike you can get. Let the MV, Aprilia, and Triumph sellers carry Buells and you'll be exposing the line to the market that might actually be interested in these bikes. /rant The Apple reference is an apt one - I'm a Mac user. "Buell. Ride Different." | ||
| Regkittrelle |
I always experience such a warm flush of human kindness when someone takes the time to define me as well as has "Nondual." As a Harley rider of 20 years, I now learn that... -I'm evangelical -I go with the herd -The HD image defines me - I'm cool cause I'm old... or old cause I'm cool, or something like that -My dingbat blonde fake boobs/tan wife is stupid - My goatee is a sign of rebellion -I'm safe, staid, stodgy -My sex appeal has been safely attained. Thanx, Nondual. Oh, and any time you're in my neighborhood... give me a call. I'd LOVE to ride with you. | ||
| Nondual |
I never said you were evangelical. I said riding a Harley is 'rebellious' the way that evangelicals with goatees are 'rebellious'. If the HD image doesn't define you, why are you riding them? There are much better cruisers that cost less. I suspect you're upset because I hit a little close to home. Don't sweat your leather doo-rag, friend. | ||
| Jlnance |
From Here
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| Regkittrelle |
I gave up getting upset a long time ago,ND. Ah yes, "better." Why is that your opinion is... uh... better than mine? I like Harleys for many reasons. And I like the Ulysses in my driveway, and the '96 S1 in my garage, and the MultiStrada that's still warm from a ride. And I like the Victory Kingpin, and the Kawasaki 636, and the KTM 625SM and I like my Hodaka 250 project bike, and my Bultaco 360 project, and the XR1000 that I'm having trouble with... heck, you get the point. Don't you? And my doo-rag is actually a Buff. And it may scare you to learn that I'm a Mac AND Windows user. | ||
| Regkittrelle |
Wish you hadn't of done that. I know you meant well, but it's just history; old and musty. | ||
| Gregtonn |
Don't remember who it was but it went kinda like this, "I had my S1 leaned into the Fishhook. I thought I was doing pretty good. Then Reg passed me on the inside. On his Road Glide!" | ||
| Regkittrelle |
Note doo-rag and rebellious goatee. Wife unavailable for pix as she is in her tanning booth.  | ||
| Regkittrelle |
In my rush to be a smart-ass, I forgot to mention... I agree with ND as re the stand-alone Buell store issue(tho not necessarily for all the same reasons). P.S. received an e-mail re the pix. I took it this morning at the spot where Summit, Pole Line, and Madonna Rds. all come together. I rode about 60 miles worth of dirt/gravel roads to see how the new Big Unit works on these surfaces. Sorry for the hi-jack. | ||
| Firemanjim |
Now that is some funny stuff!!! Reg, getting my new-to-me DR 650 all set for our run wit Bob-n-Snail!!Took the whole end of the month off to do this an Al's BBQ.I'm off the 17th -the 3rd. | ||
| Rex |
good photo. reg, you and fireman jim must not be at bonneville this year. rex i have been gone for three weeks,so cancelled my trip to bonneville. heading to cal next two weeks. should be at ama races at laguna. rex | ||
| Nondual |
I'm not saying everyone who rides Harley is a nimrod... But they're expensive status bikes and their designs don't really take chances. I have to admit, cruisers in general don't do anything for me, but if I was into cruisers, why would I get a Harley? A lot of people just get them because they want to get on the bandwagon. That's all I want to know. Why Harley? For a lot of people, the reason seems to be status/identity. A motorcycle can do a lot of things for you, but it can't make you 'cooler', and a lot of guys seem to think it can. | ||
| Regkittrelle |
ND... That's a good question... and difficult to answer. Wrong place for this, tho. Start another thread? | ||
| Mbsween |
Reg, As long as were hickjacking, does the new steering lock make a minor, moderate or huge difference whilst off road? Thanks matt | ||
| Regkittrelle |
Matt... Several variables involved, but for me somewhere between moderate and huge, with a bias towards the huge end. First off, my off-road skill are very rusty and were never exactly world class. I liked the Ulysses from the first moment I rode it a couple of years ago at the Denver press intro; It is the best all-around motorcycle that Buell currently makes. Since that first ride I've put several thousand miles on this bike, with the last thou + being on an '08. OK... The root cause of the problem I've had with this model is me. I'm 5'8" (almost) with a 30" inseam. This means with the bike straight up, my boot toes on each side barely touch terra firma. BTW, I only ride this bike wearing my thickest-soled boots. I have to be very careful coming to a stop and make sure my foot won't be in a hole or low point. I prepare for stops by sliding as far forward as possible and slip a cheek off the side of the seat. On the occasions where I stop in the wrong spot... and start to tip... the corrective action is to turn the bars to full lock to counteract it. With the first models this swing was not great enough to do the job, causing me to really scramble to keep from falling. With the '08 and it's 20 degrees increase in arc, counteracting is much easier. On today's ride I got into a turn a bit quicker than I should have, resulting in a sideways slide to a stop. Had I been on the previous model I would have fallen... probably a highside. A better off-road rider would probably not find as great a difference between the two. For me, I did not consider purchasing the first one but the new one could find a spot in my garage. | ||
| Nondual |
Okay, there's a new 'Why HD?' thread in the 'quick posts' part of the forum. | ||
| Firemanjim |
Reg, I am a pretty fair dirt rider,been at it since 13 or 14 years old, and I had a terrible time on my test ride on the early Uly just for that one reason. I am of similar height/inseam and react in a similar manner. It was disconcerting to bang up against the steering stops so quickly to say the least.I will stick to my DR for off road stuff. | ||
| M2nc |
Ferris and I stopped at Meadows of Dan on Saturday, he on his Road King and my daughter and I on my Uly. This place is a favorite spot for the BRP riders to stop for many reasons, Jerry introducing me to one of them - good ice cream. As he, my daughter and I sat and ate our ice cream we got to people watch, especially by the bikes. One person stopped and looked at his beautiful HD, while it seemed many were looking at the Uly. One fellow who must have been at least 6'5" was very inquisitive about the Uly. First question - "Where is that made?" After a five minute conversation and his wife dragging him away to look for his child that had wondered off, Ferris looked at me and commented about how many people still do not know about Buell and the Ulysses. On Adventure Rider web site, the '08 Uly is still the talk of the beast thread. It matches any other bike on traffic and interest. People wanting to know if the heat is an issue or if the '08 upgrades are worth it over a discounted '07. The Uly gets a lot of coverage as I am sure the 1125R is getting in sport bike sites. I am glad that Buell has branched off into the more common, especially in their uncommon ways. | ||
| Blake |
Reg, Concerning your example of dealerships reallocating storefront space from Buells to motorclothes, what viable alternative use exists for the profit earning resource (mostly people) that is Buell Motorcycle Company? They gonna convince Erik and company to quit sportbikes and come home to the cruiser market or take up designing clothing? | ||
| Regkittrelle |
Blake... Talk with dealers who have taken that action. BTW, I don't support their strategy. Not all dealers believe that Buell is viable and, in fact, there are some who would just as soon see East Troy disappear. If the 1125R starts posting noticeable numbers, and the Ulysses continues to properly evolve, they might change that mindset. | ||
| Gregtonn |
Reg, What ever happened to the original "separate storefront" experiment at Santa Cruz Buell? I haven't been there in years so I don't know if it's still viable. Greg | ||
| Regkittrelle |
Greg... SC H-D has integrated the Buell line into the main store. The area once dedicated to Buell is now the, uh, Motorclothes et al, department. | ||
| Bobup |
re the above mentioned Modesto dealer...they were selling Buell alongside Ducati in a separate building from HD, so it really wasn't a total "stand alone" Buell dealership, just separate from HD. I bought one of the last '05 XB9SXs that they received as they were dropping Buell. Too bad, nice people. | ||
| Danny |
Separate dedicated service department Separate Apparel (NOT motorclothes) and m/c floorspace Separate dealer number Separate sales department Separate parts department and parts orders I'm not exactly sure how much more "stand alone" we could have gotten. | ||
| Rex |
yep, modesto was the best. whatever you needed done for a buell they did. you could call up, ride in, get whatever was done, and ride out. very much old school type cycle store of the old days. everyone knew you, and knew about the product they sold. you could come in and look talk, look, talk, and not be pressured to buy anything, and then they could get what you wanted. they either had it in stock , or could get it the next day. I miss them. rex | ||
| Hughlysses |
So, what's the bottom line on why Modesto dropped Buell? Too bad they couldn't have held out another 3 or 4 years for the Uly and the 1125R. |
