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Rchop
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« Reply #30 on: October 20, 2009, 10:30:04 AM » |
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Each unexpected discovery is first ridiculed, then objected to and finally considered self evident www.frsengineering.com#4836 A-PBF 750cc(complete) #765 A/G 650cc |
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754
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« Reply #31 on: October 20, 2009, 11:34:57 AM » |
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I think Eric should talk to Dennis... and they could come out with... The BuBuell.........  |
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Milwaukee Midget
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If in doubt, it probably IS a mistake.
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« Reply #32 on: October 21, 2009, 06:35:19 PM » |
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"Information - we want - information"
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1212FBGS
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« Reply #33 on: October 21, 2009, 08:56:49 PM » |
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interesting quote from that news clip...
Bob Klein, Harley's director of corporate communications, reiterated that Harley is "discontinuing the Buell product line rather than selling the business because of how deeply integrated Buell is into our business systems and distribution network."
wonder how many Harley dealerships (distribution network) still want to sell Buell's..... and if Harley will allow them to.... might be the deal breaker.....
kent
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k.h.
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« Reply #34 on: October 22, 2009, 12:42:41 AM » |
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If Buell comes back, would Erik Buell be part of it?
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In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. But in practice, there is.--Jan L. A. Van de Snepscheut
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Milwaukee Midget
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If in doubt, it probably IS a mistake.
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« Reply #35 on: October 22, 2009, 05:55:16 PM » |
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wonder how many Harley dealerships (distribution network) still want to sell Buell's..... and if Harley will allow them to.... might be the deal breaker.....
kent
Other than jump starting Buell into the market, I don't know that the HD distribution network has done Buell any favors. If Buell can somehow emerge from this, I'm thinking the brand would be far better served by independent, non-HD dealers. Harley franchises are so rigidly controlled as to what they can and can't do - merchandising, display, marketing - all have to fit into the corporate caste structure. Kent, your question is spot on - how many Harley dealerships still want to sell Buells? But a better question might be, is a Harley Davidson dealership a place you would want to go to if you're looking for a world-class, state-of-the-art motorcycle? Despite the V-twin, Buells always looked out of place in most HD shops, whereas it would make perfect sense to see one in a shop that also sold Triumphs, Suzukis, BMW's or Moto-Guzzis. It's my hope that the brand survives. |
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k.h.
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« Reply #36 on: October 22, 2009, 07:43:36 PM » |
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Me, too. I feel you are spot on regarding H-D dealerships. Read one forum post, unsubstantiated, that claimed 80% of their dealers said they did not want Buell in a poll. Other forums suggest there are very few dealers who offer decent service on Buells, caring gear & accessories, are poor at ordering parts and stuff, maybe 5 or 6 across the country get real credit for doing well as brand dealers. Youth is not so much moving into hot rodding as into tuning. Look at the Asian 4-door slammers with wings and big exhausts for street racing and the drift game. I was happy to see Buell come along, what with road race boots older than most other Buell owners. Sad to see them go away, what with them being the alternative to going back to Euro stuff when the dollar is falling.
Monday afternoon, 2:00 pm, there is a gathering of the faithful in the E. Troy, WI, company's parking lot to meet with employees as they get off shift.
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« Last Edit: October 23, 2009, 03:58:24 PM by k.h. »
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In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. But in practice, there is.--Jan L. A. Van de Snepscheut
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Rchop
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« Reply #37 on: November 21, 2009, 08:59:51 AM » |
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Eric Buell isn't done yet... http://www.buell.com/en_us/company/ERIK BUELL ESTABLISHES ERIK BUELL RACING New Venture Will Build Buell 1125R-based Racing Motorcycles and Supply Parts Milwaukee, Wis. -- (Friday, November 20, 2009) Harley-Davidson, Inc. (NYSE:HOG) announced today that following the company’s recent decision to discontinue the Buell motorcycle product line, Erik Buell, Chairman and Chief Technical Officer of Buell Motorcycle Company, will leave the company to establish Erik Buell Racing, an independent motorcycle race shop. Erik Buell Racing will specialize in the supply of race-use-only Buell motorcycle parts and race preparation services for engines and motorcycles, and the building and sale of Buell® 1125R-based race-use-only motorcycles under license from Harley-Davidson, as well as providing technical support to racers of Buell motorcycles. “I’m looking forward to helping Buell racers keep their bikes flying,” said Erik Buell. “We’ve got some exciting race development projects in the works and it will mean a lot to me personally to see Buell racers competing for wins and championships in the 2010 season and beyond.” “I’m pleased that Harley-Davidson is assisting Erik in establishing this business to continue supporting the racing efforts he has had so much passion for over the years,” said Buell President and COO Jon Flickinger. “Harley-Davidson and the Buell Motorcycle Company will always be proud of their affiliation with Erik, and we wish him well in this new endeavor to support Buell racers.” Erik Buell Racing will be based in East Troy, Wisconsin and will be staffed by Erik Buell and a veteran team of personnel. For more information, after December 1, 2009, contact: Erik Buell Racing, LLC 2799 Buell Drive, Unit C East Troy, WI 53120 |
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Each unexpected discovery is first ridiculed, then objected to and finally considered self evident www.frsengineering.com#4836 A-PBF 750cc(complete) #765 A/G 650cc |
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Milwaukee Midget
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If in doubt, it probably IS a mistake.
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« Reply #38 on: November 21, 2009, 11:20:04 AM » |
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Hmmm . . .
"Erik Buell Racing will specialize in the supply of race-use-only Buell motorcycle parts and race preparation services for engines and motorcycles, and the building and sale of Buell® 1125R-based race-use-only motorcycles under license from Harley-Davidson, as well as providing technical support to racers of Buell motorcycles."
A good strategy for the time being - keeps the brain trust together, and they don't have the headache of meeting federal standards for street bikes, although I would hope that a street production model might be in the offing after they right themselves.
Kind of rules out any new production based LSR Buells.
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46champ
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« Reply #39 on: November 21, 2009, 12:46:12 PM » |
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What do you mean no LSR Buells? The only thing it will effect is the production classes. We should see some parts for the 1125. As it was shaking out soon there would be nothing.
Sorry about that I didn't read the last part where you said production based.
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« Last Edit: November 21, 2009, 12:48:01 PM by 46champ »
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k.h.
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« Reply #40 on: November 21, 2009, 01:41:42 PM » |
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The next few years are likely a good time not to be in the motorcycle manufacturing business. The red-headed stepchild turned out into the cold night might very well make a silk purse from a sow's ear. Win races, stay "essential," develop new designs. The world awaits. I might even finish my LSR Buell before then.
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In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. But in practice, there is.--Jan L. A. Van de Snepscheut
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Milwaukee Midget
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If in doubt, it probably IS a mistake.
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« Reply #41 on: December 30, 2009, 12:07:59 AM » |
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Text of an e-mail the HD promotion department sent out -
The only collector's item that comes with seven years of support.
Now that Buell has stopped building America's sportbike, each remaining bike is technically classified as a collector's item. But instead of issuing a small laminate certificate of authenticity, every Buell comes with a Harley-Davidson, Inc. backed 24-month/unlimited miles limited warranty. In addition, Harley-Davidson, Inc. has made a 7 year commitment to supply replacement and service parts at over 250 authorized Buell service locations. Which is fitting, seeing how you don't buy a Buell to put in a curio cabinet or display on a mantle.
You buy one to ride.
If you buy a Buell to ride, then what, pray tell, is the rest of the HD lineup good for?
Maybe I'm being overly sensitive, and I'm sorry if this makes my HD riding friends angry, but what makes me furious is that during their oversight of the company, HD, IMHO, didn't do squat to push the bikes that Erik and his team were building. But now that Buells have cache as a "collectors item", the marketing department thinks they can work their nostalgia magic and move 'em out like a limited edition 100th anniversary T-shirt or leather jacket?
HD claims they're offering support. Where was the sales support for the last sixteen years?
I think this only adds insult to injury, and I think it's a travesty.
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willieworld
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« Reply #42 on: December 30, 2009, 01:21:46 AM » |
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MM my friend and sponsor owned the local buell dealership---he gave it up and went with a ducati dealership instead ---he said that most of the time he would wait up to 6 months on ordered parts---dont let the dealers stuck with those buells trick you into believing they are collectors bikes --i saw an add from a buell dealer that was advertising ---$5000 off of any buell in stock ---the 2003 and newer buell are nothing like the earlier buell or sportster if you buy one in 7 years or sooner you wont be able to get parts for it ----sheri and i use the motors in our race bikes hers a buell blast 500cc single me a 1000 cc XB9 twin---the motors were made by H D for buell--the bore is 3.50 in. X 3.125 stroke and will run to 8000 rpm ---ive owned a couple that i drove on the street and they were fun bikes ---its too bad about buell ----------------just some thoughts willie buchta
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willie-dpombatmir-buchta
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Rchop
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« Reply #43 on: December 30, 2009, 10:12:43 AM » |
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Dang, I picked a great time to switch from BMW to XB9 Buell power on my race bike  On top of that, I bought a 2008 XB12 in August! Good thing I took my money out of the stock market when I retired...my choices haven't been good lately  |
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Each unexpected discovery is first ridiculed, then objected to and finally considered self evident www.frsengineering.com#4836 A-PBF 750cc(complete) #765 A/G 650cc |
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willieworld
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« Reply #44 on: December 30, 2009, 11:30:44 AM » |
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there a few parts that enterchange with the older sportster -buell parts----rockers and shafts-topend gaskets-rings -wrist pins-lifters-oil pump-sprockets -clutch-primary chain-stater---most of the engine hardware ---i think thats about it for the motor--the rest of the bike nothing enterchanges between early (2002 and down) and late (2003 and newer)
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willie-dpombatmir-buchta
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