| Author | Message | ||
     Valkryie |
I have owned my S2 Buell since 1996, and now I don't know if I will continue buying Buells. All the HD dealers around my area are opting not to carry the Buell line of bikes. How can a Harley dealer not sell and service the Buell? I thought that HD is a major owner of Buell. I was ready to buy a Ulysses, but now I am not sure I want to purchase a bike with no dealer close that will service, and do warranty work. I have four HD dealers within fifty miles, all but one has dropped the Buell. Anyone knows what is going on?} | ||
| Imonabuss |
Valkyrie, From what I have been told, the dealer network was thinned a bunch because having so many dealers selling small numbers of Buells per dealer led to poor service. They picked the best dealers in each territory so the dealers would have enough sales of Buells per dealer to justify stocking parts and having trained staff. So it may sound like less choice, but it's supposed to mean better service. Try going to the one that kept buell, they are probably the best one. | ||
| Valkryie |
Imonabuss, Thanks for the information. I will go up and talk to my remaining Buell dealer and see if he plans to remain a dealer. There is the International Bike shows coming up and I plan to attend either Ohio or Illinois, maybe there will be a Buell rep at the show I can talk to.  } | ||
| Fusa21 |
Valkryie, The same thing happened to me and I live in one of the highest concentration of H-D dealers anywhere. We went from 7 dealers in 40 mi. radius to 3. I was lucky enough to have done some business with the one remaining one, that happens to be closest to home. They are ready and willing to have 100% of my future business. I'm sure you'll get the same reception at your remaining Buell dealer. | ||
| Buellgirlie |
i had to ride 80 miles each way for service in NH when i lived in VT, but it was worthwhile. total PITA sometimes, but the dealer actually cared about, had service writers, parts guys, and techs that owned buells......i would make an appt, and make a day of it. made real good friends with the dealership staff since i sat there for the 3-6 hours it took for them to work on my bike each time, before it was done and i rode home  i moved to WI last summer, and even though its not the closest dealer to my house, i go to the H-D/Buell (Hal's in New Berlin, WI) dealer (and bought my H-D there last fall) because of their willingness to invest in Buell. keep supporting the dealer that's willing to invest in Buell, and they'll treat you right in return. i make it a point to tell Hal's that i go there because of H-D *and* Buell, and also tell other local dealerships when i'm there that i shop at a place that supports both brands. yes, H-D owns Buell - bought 49% of it in 93 and another 49% of it in 98 - erik kept 2% of the stock. i am not totally sure if that's still the right breakdown, but that was the buyout ratio. there are Buell reps at every IMS show. however, just because someone is working at the Buell booth doesnt mean they work "at" Buell. ask around to find someone who works on the Buell side of the business to talk to. good luck, don't give up on buell because of bad dealership experiences - growing pains are tough. D | ||
| Blake |
HDI who also owns HDMC bought Buell. The dealerships are not owned by HDI; they are privately owned. | ||
| Court |
Bill: Your concern is not without basis or merit and folks much smarter than I are working on improving things. The good news is that things have improved since 1996. Several movements of the planets have conspired to make things better. First, the current line of Buell motorcycles are pretty much bullet proof. The dealers are becoming more "accessory distribution centers" than a frequent service shops. Second, the "accessory distribution" requires less dealer density. You may have not, right here on badweb, how many folks, around the world, feed their Buell habits in the Appleton trough. Dave doesn't just do this, he does it extraordinarily well. Finally. Buell's brain has recently acquired legs. The attitude and management at Buell has had the shades lifted, can see the world and, drum roll here, has the resources and desire to change things. Jon Flickinger has proven that regardless of how tough the challenge, he's willing to support change to make Buell better. This is the single factor that means the most to folks like you and I. You may buy, with total confidence, any of the Buells knowing that the "trip to the dealer" has made laps and bounds advance towards becoming something you "decide to do", as opposed to "have to do". If you need a test ride, more information or need to chat about details, just drop me a note. Court | ||
| Daves |
Bill, You aren't that far from me! You could be the third person from Indiana I have earned as a customer on a new Uly! I don't know what your time frame is but I do have a promotion going on the Uly right now. You can check it out on the Uly board, "Dave's Ride your Uly to the U.P." thread. In the meantime if you need anything for your S2,or just want to talk about Buells just give me a call. 1-866-757-1651 ask for Dave in the sales dept! | ||
| Valkryie |
 Thanks for the information. I have a better understanding of what is happing to all the dealers. } | ||
| Dave |
I agree with your concern. Buell needs to remedy their inadequate dealer network. "It's going to happen" is past due and "dropping the deadwood" ...well there seems to be enough here to make a nice toasty fire. Thankfully the new Ulysses is a terrific bike and seems to be very well sorted out (knock on wood). I've had one warranty issue since Oct and scheduled it before I made my way to my closest dealership...110 miles one way. After it was all said and done, I'd been better off ordering the parts from one my favorite Buell dealerships in WI or GA. For those that are less mechanically inclined and would prefer to have their Buell serviced by a Buell dealership...well the pickin's are slim in some areas. This doesn't help Buell...not the mother ship HD. To end on a totally positive note. The Uly will make a terrific stable mate for your S2. (Arguably the sexiest Buell...motorcycle ever made. Then again ... I'll get up close and personal to a Britten at Barber's tomorrow) DAve | ||
| Wardan123 |
Similar concerns were recently published in the letters section of Cycle World... unfortunately some who would have joined the Buell family may not... |
