| Author | Message | ||
     Xbrad9r |
found this on Harley's facebook page... "In a statement released by Yamaha Motor Corporation, Hirofumi Osawa, President of Yamaha Corporation of America, stated that the company is looking into acquiring recently defunct Buell Motorcycles. =93We are interest...ed in the spirit of innovation that Buell has used as a foundation in their business. We feel their values align well with Yamahas culture, stated Mr. Osawa. According to Yamaha, discussions of a purchase are in the exploratory stage. Harley-Davidson Corp, owner of Buell since 2003, could not be reached for comment."Read More | ||
| Froggy |
Reepicheep just posted that in Court's section. Interesting to see what comes of it. | ||
| Fresnobuell |
Yikes. Of course it's pure rumor and speculation, but positive news nonetheless. After the last couple days, and numerous teary eye sessions, I will take it! | ||
| Chadhargis |
I can't believe it's true, but that would be something to see. | ||
| Americanmadexb |
Really? So now we would be the "SLOW" jap bike? i guess i don't get it. | ||
| Pkforbes87 |
I'd be much happier walking into a Buellaha dealer than what we've had available for the last few years. (I hereby copyright the name Buellaha)  | ||
| Rocketsprink |
what if they build them in Japan? Still interested? | ||
| Teddagreek |
doesn't Yamaha have a factory in Italy...  Rossi on a Buell? That would be interesting | ||
| Tpoppa |
Very interesting! It's a LOOOONG way from reality at this point. But, selling Buells in Yamaha's dealer network would really be something. Effff HD. (Message edited by tpoppa on October 16, 2009) | ||
| Ted |
Yamaha has been more adventuresome than the other 3, imo. And they're the only Japanese co. with air-cooled v-twins. | ||
| Teddagreek |
Good points Ted.... I've been scouring the net looking for a link.... None yet... | ||
| Psychobueller |
Imagine a 1000cc 2-stroke square 4 with a crossplane crankshaft! LOL! | ||
| Chadhargis |
While that would be sad, yes, I would still support the brand. I think they are great bikes wherever they are made. I just hope of this rumor is true (very doubtful) that they leave Erik's formula in place and not "japanize" the bikes. I don't want a two wheeled refrigerator. | ||
| Bads1 |
They wouldn't want Buell... they want the patents and Buell's future that we are not going to see as of now. Then they will stamp it Yamaha. Nah I wouldn't be interested. | ||
| Teddagreek |
http://www.repsolforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t =5650 On the Repsol forum this morning and its a guy from wisconsin... Still looking for another source... | ||
| Gunut75 |
Think about it. GONE would be BAD dealer support. Buell would then have total worldwide support. GONE would be the days of hard to find parts. BUT, as I live 8 mi. from East Troy, please keep the factory right where it is. | ||
| Rcf2 |
Could be very profitable for Yamaha to acquire an 'US ID' buying Buell. It will not be much money for them but will HD let them have this edge to promote sales? | ||
| Chadhargis |
I still think it's internet hoax, but part of me really wants to believe it's true. Buells selling in Yamaha dealerships.....humm..... They don't really have any bikes that compete head to head. The 1125 is faster than the R6 but not as fast as an R1....sort of a Gixxer 750 fighter. Damn, I really hope there is truth to this, but I'm not hold my breath. | ||
| Jaimec |
Isn't that funny? Just this morning I made an off-handed comment that Erik belonged with a company that could use his vision... like Yamaha!! Wouldn't be the first time. Yamaha took a chance on another American innovator in the 1980s... James Parker. They licensed his RADD front end for the GTS1000. Having ridden the bike, I thought it was AWESOME, but it was "too different" and more expensive than most people were willing to pay for a Japanese bike, so it was discontinued after just two years. I have no problem with Erik's ideas being utilized by a Japanese factory. If the American factory is TOO DAMNED STUPID to use them, why shouldn't the Japanese? (Message edited by jaimec on October 16, 2009) (Message edited by jaimec on October 16, 2009) | ||
| Jaimec |
PS: Of all the Japanese factories, Yamaha has always been my favorite. | ||
| Indy_bueller |
I'm actively looking for the source of this rumor. I can't find it on Google. | ||
| Froggy |
It probably is bogus, there has been no word other than some random facebook post. | ||
| Twin_rider |
uuuuhhhhhhh!!!!! That would be ace!! Valentino Rossi on a Buell I'd pay money just to see what he could do. Hee hee hee doubt it will be true but can you imagine. Oh come on you Yamaha | ||
| Eor |
The only part of that I have been able to confirm is that someone with that name is listed as an Executive Officer of Yamaha Corp. | ||
| Teddagreek |
If they bought it and made it in the USA... What's the Diff? Who owns HOG shares? Anyone in the world with cash.. Anyways... I'm calling it BS until I see a real source.. | ||
| Ferris_von_bueller |
Hmm....I would support the company if it basically remained as it is now. If they took it offshore, I wouldn't. | ||
| Indy_bueller |
I've found it posted in three different places, the same exact quote. But none of them include a link. | ||
| Teddagreek |
Bupkis looked all over.... I did run across some asian deal called a bangkok slide... I got to find a place that does this  ... | ||
| Ferris_von_bueller |
The President and CEO of Yamaha Motor is Takashi Kajikawa - NOT Mr. Osawa. | ||
| Reepicheep |
The facebook guy sounds like (no offense) a flake... for what that's worth... I think it's fantasy. |
