| Author | Message | ||
     Finedaddy1 |
Interview in Hell For Leather 10/10 Quote: "I know people are interested in buying, but I'm not going to sell direct, I'm going to go with some body, but until I know what my final cost structure is, I can't take orders. So it's better for me not to talk too much about it, then I get deluged and with this little team I just can't take orders. So it's better for me not to talk too much about it, then I get deluged and with this little team I just can't spend the time answering the phone. When it's all done it'll really be done, it will really be legal, there will really be a dealer network." "I don't want to deceive anybody so I don't want to give specifications that I'm not going to deliver. So right now, we're just working through the last steps of a few things that have to be finished: emissions, sound testing and that kind of stuff. Until that's done, we can't have the weight, we can't really have the horsepower." "We're hoping to start sales this winter so we can have something out in time for spring." If your "hoping" to have something out by this spring and possibly selling this winter, what dealer network are you going to use?.........hmmmmm. I think the writing is on the wall. | ||
| 46champ |
what dealer network are you going to use?.........hmmmmm. There are enough GOOD dealers that Buell had with a H-D sign out front to launch the first year of production. | ||
| Cataract2 |
Won't be HD dealers me thinks. | ||
| Nattyx1 |
I can think of a few current HD dealers who'd be GREAT Erik Buell Racing Dealers because they were great Buell dealers. They sold their inventories. They supported the community of riders. They rode and sometimes raced the bikes themselves... hell, they STILL do. It's a place to start, and if there's continuing crossover with the Rotax engines in terms of parts and service, it makes good sense to start with them. IMHO YMMV etc | ||
| Jules |
It's highly unlikely that any HD dealers would be involved with distribution of any new Erik Buell Racing products. My local dealer was forced to sell off all Buell stock at a loss and even the sales manager was forced to sell his 1125 and buy a Streetglide. HD want nothing to do with Buell so there's no way they'd allow one of their franchised dealers be in any way involved. It's unlikely Erik Buell Racing would deal with independant shops as that just complicates the whole model. | ||
| Rogue_biker |
Agree. H-D wants to wash Buell off the face of the planet as far as they're concerned. After how they treated Buell and many of his customers, does anybody REALLY want that relationship to continue? Screw that! I'm sorry for the great Buell dealers out there but I would NOT want to take another step into a H-D dealership....ever. | ||
| Court |
>>>HD want nothing to do with Buell so there's no way they'd allow one of their franchised dealers be in any way involved. So you are suggesting that Harley-Davidson would let a dealer sell Honda, Yamaha and Ducati but not Erik Buell Racing products? You understand that Harley-Davidson can not, legally, dictate that to a dealer, right? | ||
| Bott |
Court- your relative lack of comments in this thread is feeling a little spooky...should we read into this - OR - are you just having fun watching the ole internet 'do its thaang' ?  | ||
| Jules |
Court - legally I am sure you're right, certainly at the dealer I'm talking about nobody "forced" them to clear the stock out and sell all of the mechanics/salesmens's Buells... well, not in any way that would hold up in court. Heck - you know the situation better than I do, if you hold a franchise and want to continue to hold that franchise you pretty much have to tow the party line. There are a few "strong" dealerships out there but on the whole I'm guessing (and that really is all it is) that the majority of HD dealers would not do anything to upset HD. And no I am not suggesting HD would let their dealers sell any other brand (not just Buell), far from it.. | ||
| Hughlysses |
So, what were the repercussions (if any) regarding Erik's remark about not being able to sell bikes after December 21? Erik Buell Racing's website is still up, and still lists the various race-only bikes for sale. | ||
| D_adams |
Just wait until next year. I just wish I had an extra $90-100k in spare cash laying around. If I win the lottery, I'm sooooo gonna buy a couple. I'd throw a lot of $$ to Erik Buell Racing as a sponsor or backer just because. Not sure how much it would take to really get them tooled up and running, but if I had the $$, I'd do it. I really want to see the 1190 stomp some AMA butt this next season. (Message edited by D_adams on December 23, 2010) | ||
| Spank |
That's what I have been saying. If I won the lottery or had the cash that Erik would need I would give it to him freely. Maybe a silent partner and only ask to know what's going on before everyone else!  | ||
| D_adams |
I'd probably want an honorary job after they brought all the elves back. Anything so I'd have an excuse to ride up there whenever to see what's going on. :-) | ||
| Bott |
I really want to see the 1190 stomp some AMA butt this next season. as long as we DON'T have to listen to all the 'cheater bike' nonsense of '09. Granted, the 'displacement' bs won't be as bad, but we all know the shitestorm will be coming... | ||
| D_adams |
1200 cc displacement is the max for a twin in the literbike class, isn't it? The ducati is 1198, right? I don't see any issues there, it's a "smaller" bike. | ||
| Bott |
totally agreed. But the homologation is certainly going to be put under a microscope and the whole production based bit will be thrown all over. I realise Erik Buell Racing is following rules to a T , and so did the RMR bikes. These people just don't want the status quo to be upset. Just really bothers the hell out of me that America didn't completely go nuts when an American David and Goliath story was being played out right before their eyes. I hope the entire WORLD is poised to see this years story unfold! | ||
| Court |
I'm excited. | ||
| Court |
By the way . . . subject to the constraints of things like "morality clauses" (ask the dealer who rented his store out to film a porn movie) and such things . . . the dealers are independent business folks and Harley-Davidson control, all of it, over dealers is described in the dealer contract. Harley and Honda have always sold well under the same roof. . . | ||
| Fresnobuell |
I think fresno is in buell land.LOL And damn glad to be here, son. Seriously though, Curve. You sound like the schoolboy. YOu cannot backup your misrepresentations of the truth so you resort to snickering and taking pot shots like a high schooler. WTF is your corporate business analytical qualification? Maybe you don't believe in the power of the written word or perhaps you simply don't have a firm grasp of it, but don't underestimate what the right letter in the right person's hand at the right moment in time might accomplish. Yeah it's extremely unlikely letters from the public will change a thing in this situation, but it might be so unusual someone may pay attention. Far fetched? Of course. But I guaranf'ing tee you far stranger things have happened due to written communication. | ||
| Fresnobuell |
It comes down to money Yeah, I know. The acquiring of EB and the Rotax platform was so far fetched, there's no way Bombardier made a serious and persistent run for EB/1125 immediately after the shutdown announcement? PS--That's sarcasm. Bombardier did exactly that. Figured I needed to reiterate a fact already stated previously as you seem to have most of your facts completely mixed up as it pertains to the short history of the 1125 platform. And it comes down to money in yet another way--this economy may force HD to reconsider it's stance on selling Buell property rights. | ||
| Brumbear |
What made me excited about the interview was EB's desire to make street bikes again. I am getting older and do not want a sportbike but a naked hooligan machine is still very very appealing to me as well as a Uly style machine. I know there is Ducati and Triumph and they are fine machines but they are not Buells. The thought of my favorite style of machine comming back to fruition if you will is a wonderful Christmas present. And if the man wants it keep motorcycles I can afford I will keep buying em  | ||
| Court |
(Message edited by court on December 25, 2010) | ||
| Jdugger |
Cycle World reported that at least two offers to buy Buell after HD's announcement were rejected, no? | ||
| Court |
Good thread for me NOT to play in. (Message edited by court on December 25, 2010) | ||
| Spank |
Jdugger - My father-in-law works at a company that does maintenance on private jets. With Bombardier being on of their clients, they got word from corporate that they had put in two offers to buy the Buell Motorcycle Company. Both were rejected with the second being substantially higher than the first. | ||
| Jdugger |
That's more or less what I thought I read in the Cycle World article. Worth what it cost me to read it, I suppose. | ||
| Hybridmomentspass |
how can they force an employee to sell a motorcycle and get a certain other motorcycle? That makes no sense and sounds quite made up. As Court said - there are a lot of dealers out there that sell other brands. There are a lot of Buell dealers that STILL have Buell stuff, no one is forcing them to get rid of it etc Either way, the future is bright I am sure. Cant wait to see it develop | ||
| Fresnobuell |
Just really bothers the hell out of me that America didn't completely go nuts when an American David and Goliath story was being played out right before their eyes. The Erik Buell story is completely amazing. From where he started just over 25 short years ago, along with the trials and tribulations which followed, it is just beyond unbelievable he was able to win a AMA National Championship in road racing then follow it up with actually leading an AMA Superbike race the next season (under extremely challenging circumstances.) Yes, this is the epitome of David vs. Goliath. If Erik Buell never made another motorcycle from this point forward, he should still be revered by 2 wheel enthusiasts everywhere--ESPECIALLY AMERICAN MOTORCYCLISTS. What ever happened to pulling for the little guy? Maybe that helps explain why the Yankees, Cowboys, Lakers, Red Wings, etc. are so popular in this day and age? } | ||
| Court |
I absolutely agree. Look at John Britten who was a multimillionaire when he started and never in his shirt life, got past 10 motorcycles ( yes, I am aware of the counting anomaly ) How about the Hanlon's and their 100's of millions. Indian? What Erik Buell has done is what American legends are made of. | ||
| Kenm123t |
Court you realize that one day there will be a room full of tall boot wearing Inquistors waiting for you. You will be restrained and questioned till you reveal ALL OF THOSE REMIND ME TO TELL YOU SOME TIME STORIES! The info will cataloged back up data located Swag will be distributed from your Basement. Proceeds to to given to Erik Buell Racing and Vickie. THE REAL BUELL story will be told HD lawyers be damned You will be innocent since you revealed the information under duress. Dave Gess YOUR NEXT ! I enjoyed my bikes and the development process. The Erik Unplugged era will be different but no less of an adventure. Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year to everyone And remember to pray for the safety of our forces and their families |
