| Author | Message | ||
     Choptop |
Ok, my train of thought has taken a side track from the "what kind of Buell would you like to see" , to "what i would do if I ruled the world". Oh well, its only electrons I'm burning, so here it goes..... On the subject of Race Team. Loose the Harely Davidson name on the race team. Make it a Buell Team. HD has NOTHING to gain by having a kick a$$ sportbike race team. HD riders DONT BUY SPORTBIKES. They buy HD's. The HD image/tradition/sales figures wont get hurt a bit if there is no Factory HD Racing Team. BUELL on the other hand, could benifit TREMENDOUSLY from having a kick a$$ race team. ONLY if it is kick a$$. The sportbike crowd laughs hard enough at HD (and to some extent Buell) as it is already (and that laughing translates into NOT buying). DONT fuel the fire. Do it RIGHT. WIN. | ||
| Chuck |
Okay . . . I thought of something else I'd like. Polish the edges of the cooling fins (especially on the black engines) . . . and perfect the torque curve by making it even "flatter" --- this will help to improve the consistency of my wheelies  | ||
| José_Quiñones |
Blake wrote, 4. Reliable (and how about adding some kind of auto-tensioner to the primary, not necessarily for a no-maintenance scenario, but to at least help cut down on the noise) The Blast! has an automatic chain tensioner..... Aaron, There are too many leads (the handlebars, the shifter hole pictures I posted above, the cam markings you mentioned) pointing in the V-Twin Blast! direction. This doesn't rule out the "Flagship" Race Replica model, Buell should do both, as my magic 8 ball predicted. I agree with what Choptop said, and I'll take it further in saying that the whole HD racing program (Road Racing, Dirt Track, Drag Racing, LSR) should be run by BUELL. Leave the Chrome to HD, the Performance to BUELL. What I want, is a motorcycle that in the September 2002 issue of Motorcyclist, they have to write the following: "After one year of constant Hooliganism, we have to hand it to BUELL, this is the most fun, BULLETPROOF bike they have ever created." | ||
| S2carl |
My $.02 1) Not just dealer support, but enthusiastic dealer support. Let's drop these fat & lazy HD dealers and reward dealers like Modesto, TSI, Manchester, Topeka, Gainsville, etc. Show the dealer base the bonus of being nice, treating customers well. Make the dealers stock Sportbike related parts (Helmets, boots, gloves at a minimum). Make them stock the bare bones minimum of Buell parts (See Courts list of must haves). 2)branch out the models a bit. bring back the raw hooligan bike. Modify the S3 to become a true sport tourer (shoot for the pinnacle, the VFR). Keep the M2 a good all around bike. 3) Bring out a Blast version w/ more attitude. Carl | ||
| Toddt |
Gotta weigh in on this one finally....choptop said: HD riders DON'T BUY SPORTBIKES. They buy HD's. The HD image/tradition/sales figures wont get hurt a bit if there is no Factory HD Racing Team. I happen to own a Harley (an FLHTCU) and a Buell. The main reason I bought the Buell, was the connection with the MoCo....probably wouldn't have done it other wise. I think that there are probably others out there like me who wouldn't mind seeing a "joint" HD/Buell Racing team. Remember, HD was involved in racing long before there was Buell, and I think that it should continue. | ||
| Aaron |
Jose': don't get me wrong, I agree completely, the signs are sure pointing to something with it's roots in the Blast. And I think Choptop makes an excellent point. | ||
| Choptop |
Toddt - I'm in the same boat as you. I've got two HD's in the garage next to the Buell (a 1942 WLA and 1980 Shovel Chopper). I bought a Buell because of the ties to the MoCo as well. BUT Buell will never be a full and respected member of the sportbike society (and hence market) selling bikes only to the likes of you and me. The HD racing team does indeed have a long and legendary tradition. Perhaps a joint team (as has already been mentioned) would solve it. My only point was, seeing an HD race bike do well on the track doesnt drive buyers into to buy chrome barges. A good race team will drive buyers in to to buy the race replica first, then the sales will filter out into the rest of the line based on brand awareness, and overall brand perception. oh yeah, one other thing - Price - under $10K would ROCK !!! When you can go buy any other brands top of the line (RC51, Busa, ZX12, R1) world killer for near this price point, it stands to reason that the Buell should be at or near it. I didnt mind paying more for my Buell, but to really break into the market, this will be an important one. | ||
| Toddt |
Choptop - Point well made, but I think that you underestimate the importance of the "race on Sunday, sell on Monday" philosophy that manufacturers have. Look at the big three and even the MoCo's association with NASCAR. Additionally, maybe the Factory race team hasn't helped sell bikes because it hasn't done well? BTW, I wouldn't mind taking that WLA off your hands  | ||
| Eeeeek |
Todd: I can't agree with you there. I thinkt he reason you don't see NASCAR wins translate to car sales is the cars they race don't even remotely resemble the real cars. Additionally, NASCAR cars aren't even based on sports cars, so someone who really wants to race (SCAA) or push a car to its limit would do better to buy a Camaro, Vette, Mustang or etc. I mean really, I know there is (was?) such a thing as a Taurus SHO, but it's not a sports car. AMA Bikes much more closely resemble something you can actually buy. Sure, there's a whole bunch of massaging done to Nicky's RC51, but the bikes LOOK alike and the RC51 you and I can buy are great performers. The results of the races definately have an impact on bike sales, as do the magazine's stats. Now, if AMA was racing Goldwings and such, then maybe you'd have a case. Vik | ||
| Blake |
HD quit racing what they sold on the showroom floor, what, back in '70's? Asside from dirt track, HD has been a non presence since then. Buell should get their own race program, or HD should start selling VR's. All 6 of the other major moto mfg's participating in AMASB and WSB are running race kitted versions of their commercial product. You don't see BMW parading some super special race only, special SB around, and they actually sell sportbikes! I of course am a die hard VR1000 fan, but it irks teh hell outa me that HD would race but refused to market an actual sportbike. Especially when I think back to when the "Sportster" was actually a sportbike ('50's?). I always like to say that the Buell is what the Sportster woulda/shoulda evolved to if it had gotten the chance; if HD hadn't thrown in the towel in competitive road racing back in the early 70's. Can I get a "YO ERIK BUELL!!!"? Blake (happy with my current Buell thank you, but the checkbook is poised...) | ||
| Rocketman |
RULE # 1 Every item, no matter what, must be of superb quality, period. Fasteners that don't\won't corrode. Electrics that will work for years. Paint that won't fade or flake. Chrome or polish that will last. Components that won't break. Gaskets and seals that won't leak.............. RULE # 2 Production run of 500 give or take. Hand assembled by skilled craftsmen to GP 500 standards. Every item installed using lubricants, corrosion inhibitors, grease or copper slip. Attention to detail everywhere. RULE # 3 HARLEY DAVIDSON POWER whether it be completely new or otherwise. Non of this bought in re-badged stuff unless it's say S&S or similar. The motor simply has to be American and it must also be capable of tree stump pulling torque and easily power this Buell past 170 mph with infinite reliability. RULE # 4 As with previous Hooligan Buell's, this one must be in keeping with the S1 naked theme, except, this one must have the absolute best available components in every department. Basically, it has to be a world beater naked hooligan bike the likes of which the world has never seen on two wheels. RULE # 5 Sell it for what it cost plus a small profit, even if it's $30000 (It's a showcase Buell but a very useable one). Warranty it, no quibble, any component what so ever, for 3 years. 24\7 Buell technicians at the end of a phone (not a telephonist) in case of a problem, and if necessary, Buell will have a couple of tech's they will send anywhere in the world to solve any major problem\s or retrieve it(Super Buell) back to the factory (all at their expense) if necessary. RULE # 6 If the first 5 rules can't be met, don't bother building it TIPS : Observe Munch Mammot. Observe McLaren F1 (the road car). Study TVR philosophy. Never s h i t on your customers. Give your customers what they want. Don't keep it a secret. Show the world you mean business and mean what you say. Stand by your product. Don't screw it up !!!!!! Hurry up before I'm to old. Go get on with it then, instead of lurking here, or next time I'll want commission. Rocket in England | ||
| Toddt |
Vik - Ever been to a NASCAR Race? Even if the cars raced aren't what you buy in store, the majority of the fans are "brand loyal" (over the last few years primarily Chevy's and Fords in the lots), and even the Dodge Dealers are sponsoring the "flagship" Dodge team. My point was that if the MoCo was successful in WSB, it WOULD translate into more sales across the entire line - not just the "replica" bike. Actually, my original point was that HD riders DO buy Buells, but seems to have gotten lost in the shuffle. I agree that if HD wants to go racing, they should go - and do it right. Including offering a replica bike to Joe Customer. I don't, however, think that I'd be interested, because that's not exactly my thing. I bought the S1W because of the raw, in-your-face look and feel of the bike, and it does it well. I hope that whatever they do they don't forget the guys that want that. Todd | ||
| Blake |
A'MEN! | ||
| Choptop |
Ok, lets ask this question then....Who here would run right out and buy a VR1000 if they were offered for sale tommorow? Now think about it for a minute. Dont just react on the "Wow, the VR1000 is cool!!!" feeling. What if you could only have ONE bike (taking, price, parts, REALIABILITY into consideration), would it be the VR1000? What have you seen out of the HD/VR1000 racing team that would make you think the VR1000 would be a good bike to own? | ||
| Choptop |
Hmm, wonder if I have anyone at HD/Buell interested with that last question?..... |
