| Author | Message | ||
     Drummer |
Court, Got my copy of the book this week and I'm on page 50...and loving it. This is real quality piece on every level. May I ask...how is the book doing? Sales as good as hoped for? Are you now a very, very rich man? When will Oprah discuss it on the show? Thanks Court, Steve | ||
| Court |
The book is doing dandy and I saw 4 more reviews a couple weeks ago that were all very nice. If you are at page 50 . . . read carefully . . that was a very critical time in Buell history. Enjoy and ride (or read) safely . . .  | ||
| Mortarmanmike120 |
Hey Court. Just got the book yesterday for my birthday. I'm not that far into it yet but you did a great job. | ||
| Davegess |
Oprah has not called us, she is miising the boat, with my intellect and Courts raw sex appeal we woul ddrive the audience wild  The book is doing fine, I have hope that we will do a reprint. We have made a little money but we sure are not getting rich ;( Still disappointed that H-D didn't pick it up as a promotional thing for the 25th but so it goes. Maybe they will for the 30th anniversary. | ||
| Loki |
Dave, Court, I loaned my copy to my 69yo mother to read. She now understands my passion to ride and the brand. Get this. She clips any news paper article about Buell and forwards them to me. Bryan | ||
| Loki |
Ooops, she also liked the book. | ||
| Davegess |
Very cool! Glad she gave it back, does she need her own copy? | ||
| Newbuellertoo |
My Brother (obviously the best brother in the world) bought me "The Book" for Christmas. It is not a coffee table book, but a bedside book. Many nights this past winter when the wind was howling, the snow falling, and the furnace struggling, I opened the book and went for a ride in my mind. Second greatest book ever written. | ||
| Court |
>>>Second greatest book ever written. Yeah . . well, they edited out the photos of Dave walking across Lake Michigan in the robe and sandals! Glad you're enjoying it. | ||
| Ponti1 |
I bought the book on pre-order, and have read it quite a few times. Nothing to complain about except I with it were longer!!! | ||
| Court |
>>>Nothing to complain about except I with it were longer!!! Careful what you ask for with Dave and I! I'd estimate that the book represented about 30% of the material we were wanting to use. Constraints of time (it was essential that it be out by Homecoming) and politics (it was essential that it contain nothing that would elicit imperial problems) dictated that some amazing stuff got left on the cutting room floor. I tossed a great chapter on the bicycle and guitar that were deemed "non-motorcycle" and I lost my argument that the served to show that Erik was a true visionary and motorcycles were such a small part of what he "envisions" . . . the chapter with "33 special Buells" (the ones the public never saw) was deemed "iffy" and ran the risk of drawing the ire of 3700 Juneau. . . Dave Gess could tell you takes of the Blast development, how it literally changed motorcycle production (and not just at Buell either. . the Blast project was so much more than a motorcycle) and Dave's frank comments about the Buell TT (perhaps the most crucified Buell) stirred them to the point that the publisher (who someday may want to do a book about Harley-Davidson) cut that baby pronto. It was a fun book to write and I confess I am enjoying reading it . . . . My Mother is still ticked about what I wrote in hers so I'm written out of the will. Dave and I ruffled feathers everywhere! IT was truly a shame, at the pittance that HD could have bought them, that there was not one delivered with every 25th Anniversary Buell. I have a feeling that the sales generated as a result of the table tops the book would have been seen on my non-Buellers, would have made it a good business decision. Always got the feeling that HD wanted nothing to do with this book and just wanted it to go away quietly. I'm happy it was so well received. | ||
| Svh |
I sure hope someday to read and maybe see the "33 special Buells" and I know I am not alone. All of those topics sound great and hopefully they can be expanded upon soon as well as the may more stories/facts/rare glimpses you 2 offer. Maybe if the book hits reprint the publisher may want to do the sequel. | ||
| Drummer |
Well not what am I supposed to read? I've finished the book guys and really enjoyed it immensely. I'd still like to know a bit more about some of the challenges when designing and manufacturing various models, experiments that didn't work, behind the scenes stuff with HD and even though it wasn't really a Buell...a bit more about the entire VR1000 program; including the different approaches taken by DuHamel,Chris Carr,Doug Chandler and Mike Smith. So Dave and Court thanks for a great read...we now await volume 2. | ||
| Cliffburton |
What was the Buell TT? | ||
| Froggy |
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| Rex |
Court and Dave. Yes, this was truly a great book. I am surprised that HD has not presented this to the dealers, so they would have it on the shelves where they sell Buells? I too am waiting for the second version. The one that has all of the personal stories, trips, little things about Buell. The "wait and I will tell you this later" stories....ahhaha. REX | ||
| Davegess |
"I am surprised that HD has not presented this to the dealers, so they would have it on the shelves where they sell Buells" We were unable to negotiate the labyrinth that is the H-D marketing and legal department to accomplish anything like that. Frankly we started too late and if quickly became clear that if H-D was involved in any way the book would be still waiting for publication. We are now working toward a 30th anniversary book and hoping that if we start now we can get wider distribution through H-D directly to owners. What we really need is an "angel" inside the H-D marketing department to shepherd our book through and hopefully by starting years in advance we will be able to pull that off. | ||
| 4cammer |
I'd love to see you fellas do a RR1000/RR1200/RS/RSS "bible" type book next. Full of detailed factory and period pics along with how the bikes were produced and what obstacles were overcome. I'd buy 3! | ||
| Reepicheep |
It'd be nice if somebody in HD actually "had a pair" and would let the real struggles and screwups see the light of day. Bikes are an adventure, and Buell is one *heck* of an adventure. Some epic screwups, some incredible insights, and a boatload of hard work in between. It would be nice if they would embrace the whole story and let it be told. Leave the happy marketing pablum to Disney. (and I say this as a Harley Davidson Stock holder... I bought 100 shares and am up more then 50%). | ||
| Davegess |
These days folks are keeping there heads down hoping to avoid being shot. This economy has gotten th eworld turned upside down. | ||
| Ratbuell |
I hate to agree, because I love the stories behind Buell (the small fraction I've heard, anyway), but I suspect people don't want adventure right now. They want stability and security and promise. Me? I want to pay my bills this month, and have enough to eat until I need to pay my bills again next month. How many chapters do you have so far?  | ||
| Dentfixer |
I too think the book was great and confirmed in print what I already knew to be motorcycle company ahead of their time. All I can ask now is ... When will we see the story on the big screen??? | ||
| Ronbob43 |
I got mine Wednesday and finished it this morning. As a person interested in the Buells and having test ridden them in the early days at PIR and Latus events and now a proud owner of 2 '09s[Blast & XB9SX]I was pleased to learn even more about the man and the people behind the machines. My respect for all involved now knows no boundary. Thanks Court and Dave. | ||
| Davegess |
Thanks | ||
| Ratbuell |
I'm holding you 2 responsible. My wife read the book at Homecoming so she'd know what the hell was going on, and why. She loved it, and loved Homecoming - the track laps, the people, the bikes, the company, all of it. Now, she wants to start riding again. She wants an S2 - she fits on mine. ALL YOUR FAULT  | ||
| Davegess |
We do not accept ANY of that responsibility, we blame it all on Erik. | ||
| Crusty |
Hey, Ratbuell; the only thing better than having a wife who likes to ride on the back of your Buell, is having a wife who rides beside you on her own Buell. This is an Accurate Statement. | ||
| Court |
That is correct . . . Erik is older and wiser than Dave and I and he should have seen and prevented this. As good fortune has it . . . . Dave and I rose above all this and turned out to be perfectly normal. well . . . . at least I did 1 | ||
| Rpm4x4 |
I picked up 25 years of Buell at my local dealer today. I didnt realize the dealers were selling it. Something that might be worth mentioning more often. I just stumbled upon it while getting oil and a filter. I just finished it tonight. I'm pretty suprised since havent read a book since high school. Great read, thank you. It kinda bums me out that I didnt know about Buell sooner. | ||
| F_skinner |
Court and Dave, I think you both did a great job on the book and have three copies, two of which are being sent overseas at this time. Something has puzzled me (that is easy to do). I know from past post that you had a lot of constraints including approval and time, yet HD has chosen not to market the book at whatever outlets they have for such things. That seems like a double standard to me. Sounds like HD wanted to approve the book but will make no effort to market it with traditional HD reading material. I have NO IDEA what is involved in such an undertaking. Maybe it is a trademark infringement issue but it sounds like you two got shafted to some extent. It is a great book. The pictures are fantastic and one day I hope to move beyond the S2 chapter. I look forward to any other book you put together. Frank |
