| Author |
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Jerseybuell
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 - 10:17 am: | 
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I have a HD machine, already. I ride the Buell because it is different and it's kinda like a mutant stepchild that's starting to grow up,of sorts. I prefer not to be like everyone else. |
Davy_boy
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 - 11:01 am: |
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I think buell will be around for a while . The dealer by me (Bergen County HD ) sells plenty of them and they have buell merchandise as well . I stop in a least once a week and always see SOLD signs on the buells ! |
Diablobrian
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 - 11:05 am: |
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Al at American Sport Bike may not have as broad of a selection of parts as you
might like, but he stands behind everything he sells, and won't sell something he
feels is sub-standard.
I wouldn't call that "sketchy", I'd call it integrity.
Al loves our sport, and our bikes. He'll happily stop what he's doing, and talk to
someone for an hour about bikes in general, or parts they might buy down the road.
I think Al has it right. |
T9r
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 - 11:10 am: |
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The question posed reminds me of the GEO... Tracker/Metro... now the Chevy Tracker/Metro. In no way do I compare the Buell to a GEO. Does the GEO branded stuff sell better now that it's Chevy? No clue.
Just get the word out that these bikes are awesome and then maybe someday the coin will flip... The Buell Dyna... Buell Sportster...Buell Electra... |
Wammy
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 - 11:51 am: |
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my 12r has all the H-D branding I need....
if anyone asks, tell them to get on their hands and knees and point in the direction of your cylinder.
peace out |
Buelltoys
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 - 11:56 am: |
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I do think that Buell is doing more advertising. If you look in every motorcycle mag and on billboards on the side of the road you will find that out.
Many people look at my bike as different and that is what I like. I bought the Buell XB12X because of the style that I like to ride. Don't see myself as a cruiser and won't but myself on top of an engine that can do 160+ mph. I like to drive the limits of any machine and the Buell limits me with that. I feel comfortable on the bike.
As said above, HD is cruisers, not sport. Even the VRod is more a cruiser then sport. So to market the same it would be like all Jap bikes where all of them make from cruiser to Sport.
Let's just be different and build the brand. I do suggest better merchandise sales. Would love to get shirts that say Buell at the dealership then HD! My dealership has one style shirt and I have it. My closest is 1hr30min away and still try to visit. Nice ride on a weekend. |
Jimidan
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 - 12:09 pm: |
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I think it is asinine for HD dealers to have the choice of whether or not to sell Buells. It should be part of the articles of the franchise...period. To have it the way it is, indicates that their are forces within the MoCo that are not fully committed to Buell's success, and probably even harbor ill will for all things Buell. Corporate treason is alive and well in the MoCo...and I say screw 'em.
It is also incredibly stupid and shortsighted as it is like they think this cruiser fad is going to last forever. Well folks, I am here to tell you is ain't! In my short 55 years on this planet, I can recall not too long ago that HD was crawlin' on its belly to the Nixon administration beggin' for relief from all of them Jap Daddies making those 750 cc motorcycles and taking all of their business. The US government passed a tariff on all bikes larger than 700cc in response. It wasn't so pretty back then.
And it will not be so pretty in the future without Buell...because Buell IS their future, they just don't know it yet. Tradition only goes so far, and fads come and go, we have all seen it.
Besides, Polaris is making huge gains for the American market share, and with the acquisition deals it just made with KTM, there could be trouble on the horizon in Milwaukee. Just a few years ago, Polaris had a $20 million a year motorcycle business, and now it is a $100 million business. They have their sites on a billion dollar business, just like they did with their ATV business.
Is there anybody at the MoCo with enough sense to recognize that?
Jimidan |
Glitch
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 - 12:17 pm: |
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But, I am concerned about the future of Buell.
When they're doing better than they ever have, you're worried?
I think it is asinine for HD dealers to have the choice of whether or not to sell Buells.
They tried not giving a choice and it blew up in their face. That was a major source of the dealership nightmares you've read about. Would you rather take your bike to someone that is forced to service your bike, or to someone that wants to service your bike?
EDIT: As far as KTM & Polaris...competition is a good thing. What better way for Buell to come up with even more neat stuff?
(Message edited by glitch on May 24, 2006)
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Phantom5oh
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 - 12:30 pm: |
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I wouldn't have bought it if it had an HD badge on it. Sorry, but that's my feeling. I almost didn't buy my XB12Scg because the stealership was such a terrible experience! |
Daves
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 - 12:30 pm: |
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Oh, where to start?
Does Buell need to rebadged as HD?
I don't think so. I think it would take away more from Buell than it would gain.
Should they be sold in dealerships with other brands than HD? Perhaps. I don't see that happening anytime soon,if ever.
Should HD dealers have the choice to carry Buell or not? Yes, that last thing we(Buell and Buell riders) need is more dealers that don't "get" Buell or the sportbike market.
I can't imagine a HD dealer not wanting to carry Buell,all it takes is something some HD dealers aren't used to, HARD WORK, and having the right people to sell and promote the Buell brand.
Is Buell doing more advertising?
Yes
Is it working?
Yes
Is there anyone at the MoCo with sense to recognize that? Yes
There are a lot of really smart people at HD and Buell. |
Daves
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 - 12:32 pm: |
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PS
It is not "lack of interest by the consumer" that holds Buell sales down at dealerships
It is "lack of interest" by the dealership and their staff |
Thesmaz
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 - 12:50 pm: |
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Daves,
You work at a dealership (a damn good one I might add), and love riding/selling Buells so let me ask you to expand upon your comment about Buells not being sold outside of HD dealerships. Is it impossible for a dealer to carry only Buells and no HD's? Say if someone wanted to start a new moto shop in a big city market and only wanted to carry the Buells as well as a couple of other "exotic" brands; would Buell even entertain the thought? why/why not? |
Daves
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 - 01:57 pm: |
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to be a Buell dealer you need to be a HD dealer,period. That is just the way it is. |
Hdbobwithabuell
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 - 02:10 pm: |
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The dealer that I bought my Buell from stopped selling them about a month after my purchase. Good thing, I say. I stopped next door for a bite to eat after taking delivery of my bike. Not paying attention, I had turned the key to the parking light position. The sales manager being the big Buell guy that he was (sarcasm) stopped to inform me that it seemed my new bike had a problem with the tail light staying on when the key was removed. |
Diablobrian
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 - 03:28 pm: |
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I think that parts should be available at all H-D dealershhips.
Whether the sell Buells or not, that shouldn't affect the
ability to order parts.
I do agree that the dealerships should not be forced to sell
Buells though, and stand alone dealerships would be a good idea. |
Daves
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 - 06:00 pm: |
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I disagree.
Why should they(the non Buell dealer) get to sell parts and make a profit off a brand they don't carry?
Not that they would have anything in stock anyway |
Sgthigg
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 - 06:16 pm: |
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The should rebadge Harleys with Buell!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...lol
Some of our stuff trickles down to them anyways.
Hardley ever do they give Buell a new Idea for Buell.
Atleast I havent seen it. |
Dongalonga
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 - 06:48 pm: |
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has anyone mentioned we all own the coolest most different bikes on the planet and only the deserving should sell/service them. i have to drive 3 hours to go to a dealership and i dont mind because i want someone who loves my bike as much as i do working on it. |
Teddagreek
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 - 09:29 pm: |
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I wish Buell was able to be sold by dealerships other than Harley... In Europe from what I understand they are sold sold along side triumph and duc's.
I'm sure there are dealerships in the US that would love to carry them.. Imagine what kind of after market there would be then..
There is a Victory/Polaris Dealer near me they are going to start carrying Triumphs but before they can all the mechanics have to go through factory training..
Once a Marine always a Marine!
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Diablobrian
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 - 09:33 pm: |
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Good point Dave, I didn't think of it that way. |
Brucelee
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 10:50 am: |
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the point I find interesting is that:
HD is one of the smartest marketing and brand companies on the planet, very profitable, too!
Yet, they don't seem to apply this knowledge and intelligence to the Buell brand.
THAT I find puzzling.
Thoughts?
(Message edited by brucelee on May 25, 2006) |
Rhun
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 11:12 am: |
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Maybe that is why Buell's logo is blue, like IBM, the worlds worst marketer (sic I5). 
EPA and other anti-motorcycle fanantics are Buell's real threat. Hard to get the "potato potato' from a fuel cell or electric motor. I'm hoping that E85 is our near term solution, as alcohol runs cooler with more power. When water comes, I hope Buell doesn't hire the Harley guy that designed the hugh ugly Vrod radiator. Why do you not notice the radiator on jap bikes and don't notice anything else on the Vrod? |
12r
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 11:13 am: |
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In Europe from what I understand they are sold sold along side triumph and duc's
Maybe on mainland Yrp but in the UK the only place you'll get a new Buell is from an H-D shop. There are plenty of multi-franchise outfits selling used Buells though.
Buell would do even better here if they were available from solus dealerships. Ducati and BMW have the right idea, plenty of glass'n'marble in the showrooms and polite, knowledgeable, customer-facing staff.
My local H-D shop always treated me like I was a long-lost bro when I had my Harley but since I got my Firebolt it's like I had a complete brain-and-body transplant. |
Brucelee
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 11:19 am: |
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To be fair, the local HD shop guys in service and parts treat me fine. They just don't have many Buells on the sale floor nor any real parts and accesso. showing. |
Buellisti
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 12:01 pm: |
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Gee, the price would double and all the available accessories would be chromed. |
Bomber
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 12:15 pm: |
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HDI can only do so much when it comes to dictating to the independantly owned dealerships (which is all of em) --
this is why the variences in service, facilities, and costs exist --
there's good in that picture, along with not so good
holding HDI responsible for a bad, or good, dealership is only gonna get you frustrated . . . .
as far as Buells being rebranded as HDs, I don't see an upside -- comparisons to the ignored V-Rods help bolster that, I think
when more dealership owners see a business model that includes more than opening the doors and accepting orders, sales guys like Dave and the others that post here will no longer be the exception |
Swordsman
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 03:43 pm: |
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Whoa guys, chill out! When I said American Sportbike's selection was sketchy, I meant they just didn't have a huge selection. Sketchy, as in "incomplete". Maybe I used the word wrong? I'm sure it's a fantastic company, and I've seen nothing but good stuff about them here. I'm sayin' that when it comes to custom parts (body stuff, anyway), they basically offer CF duplicates of the factory parts, where the European companies are branching out and making more unusual custom pieces.
~SM |
Swordsman
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 03:51 pm: |
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Gee, the price would double and all the available accessories would be chromed.
LOL! Have you looked at the Buell site? If it's not a foot peg or a grip, it is chrome! |
Diablobrian
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 08:20 pm: |
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I have the Hillbilly-Motors catalog and I know what you mean.
Jens has really outdone himself hunting down suppliers
and having really nice products made. Not to mention
He's another really nice guy.
The American aftermarket is lagging behind, but I
think that may be, in part due to the internet making
it possible for us to get those parts from Europe.
BTW DaveS at Appleton is Hillbilly-Motors's distributor in
the US. You can get all of their stuff from Him. Just
be prepared for longer lead times than you are used to
for parts from here in the states.
See easy, now you have a US distributor for all the
really cool goodies.
I'd rather sweat than bleed, wouldn't you?
White is definitely the FASTEST color Buell.
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Daves
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 09:21 pm: |
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Yes, you do!
I have some of their stuff in stock
Buell of Appleton WI
1-866-757-1651
ask for Dave in the sales dept
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Chellem
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 09:39 pm: |
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I think it is asinine for HD dealers to have the choice of whether or not to sell Buells. It should be part of the articles of the franchise...period. To have it the way it is, indicates that their are forces within the MoCo that are not fully committed to Buell's success, and probably even harbor ill will for all things Buell. Corporate treason is alive and well in the MoCo...and I say screw 'em.
You are assuming a level of control over the dealer network that just doesn't exist. Or over humanity, for that matter. Could they force them all to carry Buell? Sure. Could they force them to do it well? They can try, I suppose. But why? Ultimately, we are all independent dealers who make our own business decisions. Some have chosen to drop Buell. It's their choice.
I have never met anyone at the Motor Company who was harboring any ill will for Buell. At the very worst, maybe indifference, but even then, very rarely. It's not in anyone's best interest to be against Buell - they make money from it!
I don't think that H-D is the marketing genius that someone remarked either. I think the "mystique" that everyone talks about was created by devoted fans of H-D who took it upon themselves. H-D does their part, but they are playing upon a mystique that, frankly, I don't even think THEY understand.
Hmm, a bunch of die-hard, devoted fans who are willing to stick with them through a lot of crap, because they believe in the product. Why does that sound familiar to me?? Hmmm. |
Vonsliek
| | Posted on Saturday, May 27, 2006 - 05:10 pm: |
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chellum .. HAHAHA!! |
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