| Author | Message | ||
     Spiderman |
Just got back, what a time! Got some really great pics but that will have to wait. Keep an eye on the quick board! | ||
| Atoms |
I really enjoyed the factory tour. The Buell folks are really great - as was no surprise given how great the bikes are. It was also very cool to meet so many other Buellers and see such a wide variety of great bikes. It sucked though, that there was no Friday Only option. Well there was a Friday Only option, but it was to pay the same amount as everyone else and then blow off the rest of the weekend. $35 for lunch and a couple of seminars seems exorbitant to me, so that kind of Friday only option was not an option for me. The BMWMOA rally is only $30 (in advance anyway) and that gets you four days of camping, seminars, organized rides, demos, tons of vendors and live music. | ||
| Crusty |
The $35 bucks I paid got me a T-shirt, the factory seminars and tours, two separate stunt shows, three good meals, admission for the races at Road America for two days AND I'm going to be one of the first few to see the new bike. We got to take a lap of Road America, as well. We had damn good live music Thursday night at the Boiler Room, and there was a good band playing at the Buell area at Road America. The BMW rally offerings pale in comparison. | ||
| Anonymous |
The Thunderbolts will play for the BMW rally to try to spice it up, but it'll cost 'em!!!  | ||
| Ulywife |
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| Steve_mackay |
The BMWMOA rally is only $30 (in advance anyway) and that gets you four days of camping, seminars, organized rides, demos, tons of vendors and live music Four days of camping... check. Just contact one of us locals next time around. I know BudC from Hals offered some of his land for camping. Seminars... Check Organized rides... Check Demos... Check Tons of vendors... Check...(Hals, Ukes, etc...) Live Music... Check. Actually 3 different bands. Including Erik Buell himself. Did the BMWMOA rally get you in to a world class race track? Did they feed you a couple of meals? T-shirt? Did you get to talk with Nate Kern? I know I talked with both Paul James and Danny Bilansky., and their crews. Did you get a chance to be on one of their pit crews? Did the BMWMOA rally have a Friday only option? I'm sorry that you think the way Buell did this was exorbitant. But fortunately for the VAST majority of us. This weekend has ROCKED. And it was a completely AWESOME value! } | ||
| Trapper |
Saturday morning at the Buell Hospitality tent at Road America  | ||
| Trapper |
Saturday morning at the Buell parking area and hospitality tent before it filled up. My camera batteries died shortly after taking this photo & the extras I bought at WalMart were dead when I opened the package they came in.   | ||
| Court |
And you may have seen that Erik Buell was mentioned in the current issue of Guitar Player magazine that hit the newstands yesterday. Cool or what ?  | ||
| Naustin |
Great Pics Rex! Thanks for posting | ||
| Iamike |
Just got back from the Homecoming and I want to say thanks to Buell, Hal's and Uke's for the great time they put on for all of us. It was great seeing my old (not neccessarily in age) friends, meeting new ones and just the all around great comaraderie. I think that the $35 was a bargain for what we all got for the weekend. I was glad to see that they were letting people tour the factory even if they didn't pay the entry. A couple of years ago I rode up with my son just for the day and we weren't allowed to do anything. The fee then was $70 and I couldn't see paying for both. This time it was just right. I have always wanted an antique motorcycle and being around all the new ones my '99 feels a little like one. I wish I could have stayed for the big announcement this afternoon but family priorities took over. Alex, sorry you missed it but since next year is the 25, mark your calendar now! | ||
| Brinnutz |
Still up here, about to head back to the track. I must say, this is one of the best weekends I've ever had. Meeting a lot of you folks is definitely awesome! I'm the owner of the orange framed Cyclone if you didn't get to meet me... | ||
| Bluzm2 |
I arrived home about 12:45 yesterday. 400+ miles... Man was it hot the last half of the way home. Around 93 degrees or so. Even though the trip was short, only Thursday and Friday, it was well worth it. Next year is going to be even better. Thanks to all the folks that put this thing together, Dana and company, thanks for putting the on festivities Thursday night. Mike, the times are a changing aren't they? The tubers were out numbered about 5 to 1. There was only 2 S2's in attendance, maybe 4 S1's. They may be antiques but I still love um.. however, I REALLY liked Steves, TT/Uly/Firebolt. Erik appeared to be very impressed with it. Buell, build this bike and I will buy it! I can't wait until next year! Brad Oh yeah, Here's a shot of Erik on my son's S2. He couldn't be there as he's currently stationed at Pearl Harbor. I figured since he couldn't be there his bike sure could! Erik, thanks for taking the time for this shot. It really means a lot to me and Carl.  | ||
| Atoms |
Did the BMWMOA rally have a Friday only option? Ha! no. Good point. I'm sorry that you think the way Buell did this was exorbitant. But fortunately for the VAST majority of us. This weekend has ROCKED. And it was a completely AWESOME value! Well I'm glad that it worked out so well for all of you. I'm in the minority. As usual. I don't really have much interest in racing, in fact I think it is kind of a bad idea. So I suppose that plays a large part in my dissatisfaction. I'm just not interested in a big chunk of what is being offered. I really did enjoy meeting other riders, the factory tour and the vintage bike display. It was worth the trip up there. I took a scenic route hitting five or six of Wisconsin's Rustic Roads. But while I love to ride, of course, or I would not be here, the way this event was scattered all over south eastern Wisconsin makes it far less fun for me. Far too much rigmarole for me. I reserve the right to go back next year though. | ||
| Court |
>>>I reserve the right to go back next year though. Wise move. My reservations are made . . . I can tell you that there are lots of "what ifs?" that go into the planning. The "June vs. July" decision this year got LOTS of thought. In retrospect, given that it rained cats and dogs on the "traditional" weekend, it worked out fabulously. It was REALLY cool to see darn near 500 folks at Buell. This more than doubles the attendance in years past and I'm betting on 1,000 next year. . . I'd be sorry if you were not there next year. Hell, I'd pop for your $30. It's an art of trying to accomodate and please the largest number of folks. I can tell you that is is just as much fun for the folks at Buell as it is for visiting owners. Court | ||
| Tattoodnscrewd |
Half the fun for most of us is the riding ... we wouldn't have bought these bikes if we didn't like to ride ... I led a few people on some of the better roads around here after the factory .. and a pretty fun ride (the 2nd half) to the dragstrip on Thursday as well ... I for one wouldn't have much interest in an event where you stayed at one place all day and didn't ride at all ... by scattering the events many people who might not have a chance to hit nice roads were able too .. and it allowed people their choice of when and where, instead of a strict schedule of events ... I know there was a schedule ... but the way it was done gave people more freedom to do other things .. next year you might want to hit up some of us locals' to show you around and show you the best places to ride - it will make your visit a bit more enjoyable.. As far as racing not being your cup of tea - not my thing either to sit all day in the heat and watch, I'd rather go riding - but remember - Buell got it's start in racing - can't expect them to forget the history of Buell ... I still went to RA - lots of things going on .. and of course the people - which makes this weekend's events more meaningful to most .. | ||
| Coldwthrrider |
Made it back home today myself after a 450mi each way detour to MN. Had a great short time at Homecoming. It's great to meet new people and put faces with the online names. And as always, it's just so cool to be able to go the factory where the bike you love was built, meet the people who build them, and meet the guy who made it all possible. I parked my bike in line for autographs just because it was an easy thing to do. After Erik signed it I realized how unique it really is to have these great bikes from such a great company and have such a genuine person behind it all. I think for a lot of us Buell owners, Homecoming reaffirms why we love our bikes and appreciate the people who make them possible.  | ||
| Brinnutz |
By far the best part of the Homecoming was the track demos....I dragged pegs on every bike I demo'ed (sorry Erik), Uly, 12Ss, 12r, firebolt...If they don't have that again I would be very disappointed...but I doubt that will happen! Good show Buell. My first, and will be here every year unless the Navy says I can't.... Tuber for LIFE, Wilson | ||
| Diablobrian |
Wow, my second homecoming was an amazing amount of fun. The hospitality shown by Scott (  ) and Toni Mackay was impeccable. The crew at Hal's worked very hard to put together a really memorable event on their end. (I want to know the name of the band that was out a the drag strip BTW) Dana set up a great venue for Erik and the Thunderbolts to play and for us to gather as well as arranging rides for those in need. Erik and the band did a great set. The events at the factory were a lot of fun. Abe's first seminar was a little too technical for some, but I enjoyed it! I feel I got a great value for my dollar. Lunch was great, Erik was a real trooper going down the line of bikes for autographs, the second seminar was INSPIRING by the accounts I heard. I know of at least 2 bikes that were supplied with repair parts (free of charge) at the factory. Every employee I talked too seemed to be just as happy to be there as I was...and that is saying something. Brian had a small gathering at his place (if you call 10 or so people small) on Friday night, Thanks Brian! I had a good time there too. I love motorcycle racing, even though under the circumstances I didn't get to see much of it this time, and I had a good time there too. I was right behind the control riders on the parade lap of Road America. It was a very different perspective of the track. Once again the band down at the bandstand was belting out some solid rock and roll. The ride to and from the track was fun (and thankful un-eventful). If I was to have any complaint with the whole homecoming weekend it would be the lack of shade outside at the factory, and that is a relatively small thing. I have to say thanks again to Scott  , Toni, Brian, Bud, Laura, Erik, Jon, and all of the people and racers that made the whole thing possible. I'm already looking forward to next year! And the 1125r looks to me like a home run! | ||
| Steve_mackay |
Now, to explain that "Scott" thing... Wednesday night, we parked Diablobrian, Diablomichael, No_rice, and Jen's bike in a neighbor's garage that's kinda kitty corner to my driveway. When parking the bikes, my neighbor came out. He was COMPLETELY plastered, and kept calling me Scott... So the rest of the weekend, I was known as Scott by the folks staying with us. The whole weekend was awesome! A little on the hot side, but at least we didn't get poured on like last year on our way up to Appleton. I think the factory got the hint that we wanted a new Sport Touring bike from Buell. With all the positive comments by all the Buell engineering staff. And thanks to all you out of towner's for your fine comments on my bike. It made the project that much more rewarding. But how am I gonna top it for next year? I talked with 'flick'<aka> at great length on Friday. I expressed my concern with the lateness in planning Homecoming 2007. He assured me we'd be seeing some announcements of Homecoming 2008 within the week!! How's that for being on the ball? The only hitch in our entire weekend was on our ride home from Road America, the wife and I got pulled over in Camblesport. Doing 37 in a 25  When he walked up to my bike, the 1st thing he looked at was the tires, and the VERY blue pipes. Which honestly were really from the bike over-heating the week before. But luckily, he let me off with just a warning, and told us to slow it down a bit. But I believe he called ahead to the Sheriff, because we had a Sheriff following us outside of Camblesport for over 15 miles down HWY 67. Thanks to everyone that made this yet another very memorable experience that I wont soon forget. Already looking forward to the 2008 Homecoming!!! | ||
| Lost_in_ohio |
Steve.....enjoyed seeing your bike in person. I have been following your progress on the board. I am gonna do something similar to my SS. Wife hauler/tour version. Need to see about getting the rear shock re-valved/travel limited. Great event.....Already looking forward to next years. Hats off to who ever planned it. | ||
| Freak |
nice to meet everyone, had a great time! i am the guy with the flamed firebolt. looking forward to next year already. | ||
| Court |
I got some pics of that bike and it was incredible. Well done! | ||
| Tattoodnscrewd |
I agree ... the best flame job I have seen - love the skulls (I had the skull helmet)worked in and the Buell on the tank ... nicely done !!! | ||
| Bads1 |
Thanks everybody for coming out to the Boiler Room,it was a Blast. Brian,thank you for bring the 18 year single malt,it was a very generous thing you did indeed. Erik had a hell of a time...seemed to be a huge stress relief for him I'd bet. I hope to this again next year. } | ||
| Chiefilliniwek |
I second the friday only option. $35 is a bit steep for a t-shirt as i have been in the factory a few times. Wish i could have stayed to see the new 1125r at the track. The best part as always was seeing old friends and making new ones. I look forward to riding with them again in the near future. "chief" | ||
| Buellshyter |
By far the best part of the Homecoming was the track demos....I dragged pegs on every bike I demo'ed (sorry Erik), Uly, 12Ss, 12r, firebolt.. Was that before or after three went down and sent to the trailer??? | ||
| Brinnutz |
Was that before or after three went down and sent to the trailer?? Well, the 12Ss and the 12r were before. The Firebolt was during the wreck, I was right behind them, damn near involved, and the Uly was later, after I got the jitters worked out of me... BTW, I just got home. Will post my adventurous ride home details later. 667.7 miles later and I'm finally home!! } | ||
| Carpedium81 |
Great meeting all/most of you. A whole lot of great personalities as well as great bikes all around. Its great how we all can be part of such a special company, one that actually cares what we think... and shows it. I assure you that everyone in attendance ate and drank more than their $35 ticket investment. Let alone the other hospitality. Either way cant wait till next year! | ||
| Diablobrian |
I think I personally went through more than $35 worth of bottled water....never mind any other benefits! BTW, Anyone catch the name of the blues band that was at the drag strip? |
