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Southern Marine
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 01, 2006 - 05:17 am: | 
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We just had our BRAG meeting this past Saturday. I was proudly wearing one of my Buell shirts, bright blue with the Buell logo on front. One of the ladies at the store came up to us handing out brochures for the HD's 07's to everyone but me. She said, "I won't give you one since you are the Buell guy!". Something like that.  It didn't hurt my feelings any. If I bought anything other than a Buell from HD, it would be the street rod.
I just wish that more of the dealerships employees would take time to learn more about Buells. It's a shame when a customer comes in off the street and knows more about Buell than the salesmen, or anyone else in the store. If I could have any say in how they do business, I would make it MANDATORY that they take a little bit of their time each day to log on to this site, and/or any others that can be of GREAT benefit to them. This site can not only help you learn more about your product, but more important, about your customers. Let's be honest, officially, this is the unofficial forums for Buell. Anything and everything you want to know about Buell is here and this makes this website an EXTREMELY VALUABLE tool for Dealerships. Some of them know that, we know who they are, and I'd like to think that their participation on this board has paid off for them and their dealerships as well as Buell/HD.
The only other knock I have against the dealerships is the lack of Buell items available. It would be nice to go into the local dealer and be able to purchase items from them, instead of calling out of state to someone else. |
Court
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 01, 2006 - 06:38 am: |
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>>>>stories of prototype bikes with fork stops for only the bravest riders
Now THAT was funny!
I've told that story more than once to some young hotshot who declares he should be a "test rider". Test riding is much more than pointing a bike down the interstate and whacking the throttle.
Okay...I don't know MUCH. |
Kuuud
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 01, 2006 - 08:39 am: |
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LMAO, mouss and Court...funny stuff. I sure hope we don't have to wait seven years to find out who's a fart smeller!
I've been following Buell since the early days but didn't own one until 2000. Fortunately two great HD dealers where I lived were selling Buells in the '90s and I took many fun demo rides. These dealers are long-standing, family-owned dealerships that survived the AMF days (and before).
Way back then (60-70's) the dealers were the best; they did whatever it took to fix things and to keep the customers happy. The Motor Co was the difficult one to deal with. They were putting out a less than stellar product with a 90 day warranty and were slow to address complaints/problems. Now HD/BMC has great products and (most) dealers are the problem. Clueless automobile dealers, retired millionaires, and non-riding money grubbers own many dealerships. Any wingnut that can afford a dealership only has to open the doors and not screw up TOO badly, and he will make wheelbarrows of money.
IIRC in the early days of Buell, HD dealers were to be offered the first dealerships, and then independent dealerships were going to be sold after that. That of course never happened as many HD dealers signed up (due to being promised more Harleys or whatever).
Buell certainly did the right thing, long term, by revoking many franchises. Unfortunately many still only have one bike and one hat and no one with a clue. (Shouldn't those revoked dealers be forced to take down the Buell signs?)
I do feel sorry for those of you that now have to drive 100's of miles to the closest dealer. I can only hope we are in a transitional phase, and that independent dealerships, owned by enthusiasts, as still to come.
...and I believe HD owned 51% of BMC from '93 to '98 when they bought all but 1%. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.
Bret |
Kuuud
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 01, 2006 - 08:44 am: |
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Make that 49% from '93 to '98. |
Court
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 01, 2006 - 09:57 am: |
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HD owns 100% of the Buell stock.
I am very fortunate to be from Topeka, KS home of the MOST AWARDED Harley-Davidson dealership in the world and in the hands of the Patterson Family since 1929. They've been a Buell dealers since I got hooked up in 1987. |
Light_keeper
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 01, 2006 - 10:13 am: |
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"Court will be dumping his Buell stock, including shares he bought from Erik Buell"
Well, that explains a lot
What does it explain?
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Anonymouss
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 01, 2006 - 11:13 am: |
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I thought it was funny too.
>>>I've told that story more than once to some young hotshot who declares he should be a "test rider". Test riding is much more than pointing a bike down the interstate and whacking the throttle.
I am not, nor have I claimed to be an expert rider. I’m just someone with aspirations( a career that could give back to the company). If I have come across as a hotshot, it may be a miss interpretation of my enthusiasm toward all things Buell.
(something I assume we share)
Thanks for coming clean on not knowing "much". Were all just jealous anyway.
BTW we haven’t had the pleasure of riding together. I didn’t know that you had assessed my riding technique/habits. I’ll be at Pocono Int'l on 8/26,27>>> just pointing my bike and whacking the throttle<<<.
You are welcome to ride my bike for a few sessions if you like. Should be over a dozen Buells in attendance. Better yet, bring out the S2. See ya there.
All in good fun.
Seth |
Court
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 01, 2006 - 11:27 am: |
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Seth:
Absolutely wasn't directed to you . . . just an observation that the testing process is much more than a race. My bet is that you are a FAR better rider than I.
I used to ride a great deal and could hold my own with some folks.
I've always had the good fortune to ride with groups where EVERYONE was better than me so it kept me pretty humble. Ya spend a day at a Buell press intro riding with Erik, Reg and some of the media folks I was pretty much an obvious "construction worker on a loaned bike". The one thing I, at one time, got pretty fair at, was commanding the S-2 and S-3 at slow...REALLY SLOW....speeds.
I also have a bit of the wisdom that comes with age by knowing that having not ridden nearly as much the last couple years, not to loose sight of the fact that my skills will be diminished. I'm seeing an opportunity to reverse that trend, maybe not back to my 2,000-3,000 miles per week, but at least getting the chance to get out more.
See ya soon ! |
Anonymouss
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 01, 2006 - 11:40 am: |
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If you are able to get out and ride more, you have my number. We should ride together. Any word on Mid Ohio? As good a place as any to reverse your trend. Take the T-shirts next time.
Seth |
Diablobrian
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 01, 2006 - 11:42 am: |
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Ahhhh but that's the big secret!
Shhhhhh Don't tell anybody I told you this, but Court owns HDI!}
Sorry Court, I couldn't bottle it up any longer.
I read it on the internet so I know it's true.  |
Bumblebee
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 01, 2006 - 11:47 am: |
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Warning, the following is an “as I see it”…not to be confused with reality!
When HD took stock in Buell (I think the number is 49%) cash flowed at Buell and R&D happened which brought us the great bikes we can get today. Since H-D has a pretty good dealer network it was decided that Buell could be handled by them. Does anyone know of a non H-D dealer that caries Buell?
The name Harley-Davidson is a legacy, certain people really want to associate with that brand, if you are in to what the motorcycles do, it’s a great bike. If you are into that scene, it’s the only bike to have.
The HD/Buell dealers have signed off big time on the Harley image/lifestyle thing, it’s pretty ingrained in their way of thinking and doing business. The Buell marque is a completely different animal attracting an entirely different clientele. The Antiharley if you will. So now what? Now there are interlopers among our flock! Arugh!
The dealer I deal with displays the Buells right by the door, you are apt to blast right by them in the way in, they are off to the side all crammed together. In the shop they have a bunch of Harley mechanics but only one Buell mechanic (who is pretty good!) and quite a waiting list for service.
So I think what we have is a clash of ideology. The deft Buell rider meeting the be loud and ride slow poser bunch can’t be a happy marriage.
The Buell is a unique machine better fitting into the niche with Ducati, KTM and Aperlia than with Yamaha, Honda, Kawasaki and Suzuki, once again attracting a different well seasoned rider – so would selling Buells along side a Suzuki work and better than along side a Harley?
Hmmm. |
Court
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 01, 2006 - 12:11 pm: |
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>>>>Any word on Mid Ohio?
ABSOLUTELY and post this as need be in the racing section.....Look for Steve Crevier and the Deely's Team at Mid-Ohio this weekend aboard an XBRR.
I suspect, nothing is yet confirmed that we'll be seeing Jezza once, perhaps twice more, this year.
Things are moving along swimmingly.
Court |
Onemanclan
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 01, 2006 - 04:57 pm: |
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My local HD/Buell dealer (Reno) doesn't carry any Buell merchandise...Their Buells are in a building across the street with the used Harleys...I just got back from a vacation in California and hit FIVE Buell dealers and not one of them had even a Buell shirt. I'd sure like to have one, but I can't find them in my size online (even on ebay)...Any suggestions? |
Court
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 01, 2006 - 06:29 pm: |
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Good lord man . . . you have ALL the bad luck!
First - What did your Buell dealer say when you asked them why they didn't have any Buell merchandise?
Second - If you can recall the names of the 5 dealer, I'd like you to e-mail them to me please. I think I can help resolve, at least partially, that problem in a very positive and effective fashion.
Third - What the heck size are you? |
Endobrian
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 01, 2006 - 07:04 pm: |
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If Erik & Team are still reading this thread, let it be known that dealers don't like to sell Buells. Either the commission % is lower, or no bonuses...something...maybe the sales guys think it's easier to sale 1 Harley than 3 Buells.
The good news, is while I have been shopping for a Buell the sales people leave you alone. That said, I did get the cool 2006 Buell brochure & cd from one of them, which is more than I ever got from Ducati or Triumph.
(Message edited by endobrian on August 01, 2006) |
Onemanclan
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 02, 2006 - 12:05 pm: |
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Hey Court,
My local Buell dealer has told me for 2 months that their Buell apparel is 'on order'. The other dealers I have complained to have told me they just don't sell enough Buells to justify taking up their valuable floor space for selling clothing...
On my vacation I stopped at (all California): Watsonville, Santa Cruz, Rocklin, Auburn, and another I can't recall now, but somewhere south of Sacramento...Santa Cruz was the most surprising to me. Their dealership is very swank (reminded me of a Mercedes dealer). I was told by their manager that they sell "500 Harleys a year, but only 2 Buells per month".
I'm an XXL in tshirt size. |
Lorazepam
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 02, 2006 - 06:35 pm: |
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Man, I would love to go see Crevier shred the field at Mid Ohio this weekend.
I live about an hour from the track, and if anyone wants to bunk here for a night they are welcome. I also have lots of space for tents, if you would want to stay. |
Mr_cuell
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 02, 2006 - 07:17 pm: |
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I read that too fast - at first I thought it said "bunk here for a nighty" which sounded kind of odd. I just googled it and it is actually spelled "nightie" so even my subconscious apparently can't spell -
Now I can't shake the image of standing at the door at some house in Ohio and ringing the bell, only to have some Buell guy answer the door in a nightie. |
Lorazepam
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 02, 2006 - 07:26 pm: |
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I think seeing me in a nightie would cause brain seizures. Not anything I would ever subject anyone to. |
Jetbuilder
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 02, 2006 - 08:35 pm: |
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I like to wear my favorite Buell shirt with a Speedo does that count? At least my wife likes it.
Red |
Marijane0569
| | Posted on Friday, August 04, 2006 - 02:43 am: |
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I kinda wish Buell had a dealer w/ a test track and let riders test thier bikes out and then run a Buell on the same track just to see which would handle better. Or atleast a stand alone Buell dealer(like that will happen anytime soon)
"MJ" |
Pwnzor
| | Posted on Friday, August 04, 2006 - 03:05 am: |
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I would pay a considerable fee to be able to go to a track, take a safety test, and then be allowed to test a number of brand-new bikes all on the same track under same conditions. I wonder if there would be enough business generated to support the outlay on bikes every year. Perhaps Consumer Reports could be involved and part of the deal is the customers give a written statement on each bike.
Marijane0569 I think you're onto something here.
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Kuuud
| | Posted on Monday, August 07, 2006 - 08:37 am: |
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I had a similar prob in NV/CA recently. Finally found a t-shirt in Fresno. When a dealer says they don't sell enough t-shirts to justify ordering them, I really have to bite my tongue. They only have to order in lots of 12 !!! In Carson City, two parts guys were reading Fuell. They both ride Buells it turned out, but one guys had to ask the other what kind of Buell HIS OWN bike was ! First guy: ''I ride a Lightning'' Second guy: ''Isn't my bike a Lightning too?'' First guy: ''No, yours is a CityX''. Ya think they do much Buell biz there? 5 leftovers at full MSRP. No shirts or accessories. (and this guy owns 4 dealerships!) |
Kenp
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 08, 2006 - 02:26 am: |
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I went to my local dealer because it was time to get a new ride!! A sizable down payment, good credit, I was ready to pay. Filled out the credit application and was told that I would be contacted soon. To make a long story short, 2 weeks later I bought a used 9R from a dealer in Louisiana. I live in central Florida!! Even got my used Buell delivered for free. Dont even mention trying to get parts! Impossible.....Dave in Appleton takes care of that for me. Its worth waiting for the items to be shipped here, just so I dont have to be snubbed by the dealer. |
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