| Author | Message | ||
     Mickeyq |
I am curious to see if anybody else's HD-Buell shop started listing 2010s on the webpage. Mine has done this and it got me wondering--this is strictly IMHO and hypothetical. I realize too that there may have been some 2010s built. What if the fire sale was because of the suppossed rift between HD mgt and EB? What if they felt the only way to get complete control of the Buell line was to get EB out by completely eliminating what was on the books up to the effective date? If HD can dissolve itself of the MV 110 mill. mistake, then they would have the capital again to bring Buells back. This product line has been successful, with a strong and loyal following--no argument anywhere about that. Buell was profitable and there is no doubt that the 1125s are competitive with any other super V-twins. I love my 1125R and hope to get another to setup as a track bike. So what if after the dust settles, HD says, oops we made a mistake and the Buell brand is returning?? Except EB will not be involved at all in the day-to-day operations and HD mgt will run the show. I can't help but think this, since HD did not sell Buell, is holding all the rights and is only looking to get rid of MV. If it was about a Rotax motor, then the VROD would not exist as that is a Porsche design. Also, HD floated 550 mill. in unsecured debt recently. IMHO, maybe hopeful about Buell continuing--not just as a racing support shop. BTW, I don't work in the motorcycle biz at all. | ||
| Hdwrenchtx |
a lot of dealers use generic websites that list all of the new models harley/buell. it doesnt reflect their inventory in anyway | ||
| Iamarchangel |
Put your cursor/finger over the link to Buell bikes, look at the status bar. You'll see that it links to Buell.com (or whatever country). Doesn't mean they're available or inventory. Just means that someone's found an economical way of making a web-site. | ||
| Froggy |
The 2010 links have been up since July on most dealer websites. Look at any dealer website, you will see 95% of them have the same feel, because they usually use the same template and then tweak it to their needs. | ||
| Diablo1 |
So what if after the dust settles, HD says, oops we made a mistake and the Buell brand is returning?? Do you have any theories on when BSA is coming back?} | ||
| Xnoahx |
Its just the way most dealers run their sites. I had to remove all the 2010 bikes that were auto added to our online inventory. | ||
| Ratsmc |
Buell has never made a profit and lost $27MM last year so I can't imagine H-D has any intention of bringing them back | ||
| Nillaice |
don't eff with me like that, please  | ||
| Ratbuell |
Most dealers (ourselves included) use PSN - PowerSports Network - to handle the websites. They simply link to the manufacturer websites, as noted above. Work smarter, not harder. Most dealers will have "2009 models", "2010 models", and "current inventory" links. "Current Inventory" is the one that's important. | ||
| Red93stang |
Actually I would like to see Buell and Britten Motorcycle Companies to merge, I mean while we are dreaming why not dream big! | ||
| 2008xb12scg |
Buell has never made a profit and lost $27MM last year so I can't imagine H-D has any intention of bringing them back is there Some place that shows this? | ||
| Oldog |
Buell has never made a profit and lost $27MM last year so I can't imagine H-D has any intention of bringing them back please site the source of that information thank you... | ||
| Johnnys999 |
I find it difficult if not impossible to believe Buell was shut down other than for continuously loosing money. I'm a newcomer and bought my 1125CR based on about 3 days of research. The rebate caught my interest, but at the same time I wanted a windshieldless,higher handlebar,"streetfighter" type bike. I've had the bike almost three weeks now and it has beaten all of my expectations, by a long shot. Especially after I adjusted the suspension, the stock settings were horrible. I like the bike so much my Ducatis have been sitting in the garage unridden since I bought the Buell. I think now that I've had a little experience with it the 1125 model bike in better economic times would have pulled Buell out of the doldrums and into better days financially. That Rotax Vtwin motor is the bomb, what a precision machine and a pleasure to operate. It would have been the base for future bikes or a motor with a great deal of potential. I can't imagine what that motor would be like 2 or 3 years from now. However, since EB is racing the 1125, no doubt many techno improvements will be made. Much is learned from racing, I'm looking forward to seeing the Rotax evolve, I will also be interested to see if the Buell comes back and reason being is because of the Rotax motor. What a fantastic and fun bike the 1125CR is. Ranks right up there as one of my favorites. I just sold my Ducati Multistrada to make room for the Buell because I have an agreement with my wife, no more than two motorcycles in the garage. I promised her I would adhere to that after I had a very bad crash over 3 years ago. The Multistrada is a great bike in its own right, but to me the Buell was better, easier to ride actually. | ||
| A10tankkill |
I don't know either whether they were tossed due to losses, ego conflicts or what, but I'm guessing HD said we need to concentrate on our core. They probably could have let Buell operate more independently and stand or fail on their own with minimal financial support,but too many companies can't see the trees through the forest. Which HD at least at the upper levels and in the financial arm are definitely guilty of. The finance arm and it's practices were as bad as any bank, or financial firm on Wall Street, and yet I haven't heard of any their butts being tossed out at any level. The big boys approved of the methods, but no penalty to them, only the little guy workers at HD and of course Buell. My 2 cents would be if HD's premise for dumping Buell is Buell is no good and can't survive, then you at least turn them loose with EB's patents and innovations available to him to return to an independent shop, maybe charge a small fee for access. I think you create some real positive good will, and say "hey, this isn't our area of expertise, but we want to see you succeed and in the future we can still work together". Unfortunately most big guys with out sized egos, and huge losses causing panic, can't make that leap of logic. Well there's a small run of my 2 cents. I wish I could get a job with whatever EB is coming up with, as he sounds like a great person to be around. I've worked with a couple of those over the years and it really does make going to work enjoyable, even on the bad days. Maybe I'll shoot a resume down there, and he'll laugh so hard at my lack of any qualifications to work at a motorcycle company he'll hire me anyway.  I'll sweep floors just to get an occassional ride and be happy. | ||
| Lemonchili_x1 |
"Buell has never made a profit and lost $27MM last year so I can't imagine H-D has any intention of bringing them back" I'd like to know the source too. | ||
| Blake |
"I find it difficult if not impossible to believe Buell was shut down other than for continuously losing money." Why? What information are you privy to that contradicts those who state the opposite based on sources within HDI itsel? How well do you know the people involved? Is it that you just want to believe that only honest and ethical behavior was involved? "Impossible to believe" that egos and personal vindictiveness were involved in killing Buell Motorcycle Company where doing so incurred nine figures of additional costs to the corporation? Buell never made a profit and lost $27M last year? Baloney. | ||
| Metalrabbit |
I know nothing about how much HD lost or gained with Buell but when I see a Ducati owner thats happy with his Buell it makes me happy too. Thanks for being Real! Johnnys999 | ||
| 2009cr |
At first I thought that since HD has their own "sport" bike now that they didn't want the Buells confusing potential customers. Maybe HD doesn't realize that a "sporty" Sportster is not the equal of a Buell and will apeal to different buyers. Must just be a money thing... HD wants some and they aren't getting as much as they want. | ||
| Court |
Gosh That explains why the Harley-Davidson Board od Directors so proudly and enthusiastically announced to constructionn of the new Buell world headquarters facility just ONE accoiunting period before announcing they'd be closing Buell. Inter-bunk | ||
| 2kx1 |
Did Buell loose money ?? I do not know. Nobody at harley knows either. | ||
| 2008xb12scg |
Wether or not Buell lost money, what we do know is there sales have been steadily climbing. Can the rest of the motorcycle world say they've climbed as fast as Buell? We will never know why HD closed them NOW. Now that they have been selling more bikes, getting better reviews, and winning races to boot. Also if they were losing so much money how did they self finance the production of the 1125? |
