| Author | Message | ||
     Eor |
Mr. Osawa is President of Yamaha Corporation of America as the posting states. http://www.global.yamaha.com/ir/report/pdf-data/20 09/20090430b.pdf} | ||
| Djeans |
I hope there is some truth to this thread, but I agree with Bads1 in that if they did buy Buell, it would be to acquire some of their technology, etc. Doubt they would keep it Buell, but rather incorporate it into a new line of Yamaha bikes, but who knows. I did find this link for Yamaha executives that has this info on Osawa Hirofumi Osawa Executive Officer, President of Yamaha Corporation of America http://www.global.yamaha.com/ir/publications/pdf-d ata/2009/ann/an-2009e-017.pdf so, if it is completely made up, someone did their homework in attributing the quote to an actual person in the right place at Yamaha. | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
I learned how to ride on a Yamaha.... so why not! | ||
| Metalstorm |
If that were to happen I would very much support them so as long as Erik and the elves are designing & building the bikes. If they or anyone acquires Buell with out Erik then no. I wouldn't be interested because it wouldn't really be a Buell but rather a Buell copy. | ||
| Brumbear |
they didn't do that when it came to the criuser line they call it Star m/c I believe | ||
| Ferris_von_bueller |
Ah, Yamaha of America. Mr. Takashi Kajikawa is CEO of Yamaha corporate, in Japan. | ||
| Daveswan |
Yamaha has an amazing v-twin air cooled sport-style bike only available in the European market... a lot of cool models are just never brought to the US for "emission" reasons or some other dipsh*t reason like we wouldn't like those bikes here. | ||
| Ferris_von_bueller |
I do find it comical that some are jumping on the Yamaha bandwagon when Japanese bikes are consistently bashed on the BadWeb. | ||
| Teddagreek |
 | ||
| Whatever |
AMERICAN MOTORCYCLES PLEASE... American Jobs and American Money... I am disgusted!!!  | ||
| Xl1200r |
If Yammie were to buy them, and the bikes continued to be built in the U.S., what choice would I have? It would be between a half-assed American company and Japanese company. If production was brought to Japan, again - what choice would I have? A japanese company I'd like slightly more than another japanese company? | ||
| Cyclonedon |
AMERICAN MOTORCYCLES PLEASE... American Jobs and American Money... I am disgusted!!! I agree Char! | ||
| Ulyranger |
The dudes a he!! of a fisherman IMO.........just a trollin' on the vast web ocean. Bite...........bite...........bite.............bit e...  | ||
| Teddagreek |
American Money You think HOG has no big foreign investors... | ||
| 2008xb12scg |
AMERICAN MOTORCYCLES PLEASE... They don't make those any more... well they do, but they're to slow... | ||
| Bigdaddy |
Will some please beg Honda to get Erik, and some Elves, to fix the VFR1200? This could be the XX replacement that is 5+ years overdue, but they've got it all jacked up. Imagine Buell, the man, building bikes on a Honda budget...that should get you going. I can only speak for myself on this, but if Erik's behind it I don't care if they build them on Uranus I'm buying. | ||
| Jaimec |
No. Anyone BUT Honda! Sorry, I have to draw the line somewhere.  | ||
| Dynasport |
I gotta be honest here. If they built Buells in Japan, they would lose much of their appeal to me. I'd probably end up with a Yamaha, an FZ1. | ||
| Oldog |
Wait, Yamaha builds a buell spec engine, uses fuel in frame and builds air and liquid cooled bikes, Erik & his team as technical advisors and just like the "yamaha road star" became "Star liners" by Yamaha, Buell-powered by Yamaha World class asian Vtwin engines, Erik's chassis and suspension designs, perhaps assembled by many of the elves It's one hell of a pipe dream! yes I can see Rossi kicking Major Ass in moto GP Yes perhaps the Phoenix rises in the east Mean while back in Milwalkee, the dim awarness seeps in that perhaps "we've stepped on our own d!ck" | ||
| Rick_a |
Cool bike, but underpowered, overweight, and strange even compared to Buell.  Sure looks awesome and they do have pretty massive torque output. This was just a concept. | ||
| Ferris_von_bueller |
Meanwhile back in Milwaukee, the dim awareness seeps in that perhaps "we've stepped on our own d!ck"  | ||
| Teddagreek |
Any one hear anything else or this dead in the water... | ||
| Elvis |
The information backing this rumor seems shaky at best, but, in theory, there would be some things that would support the concept at least. Yamaha rcognizes the values of American bikes and American image as evidenced by their splitting off the "Star" brand for their cruisers. Yamaha also has shown a real interest in the American market with their recent racing efforts - and that raises another reason for them to help Buell . . . Yamaha is currently vested in the AMA more than any other brands and if Buell drops out, the one thing that was propping that series up will be gone. I don't think Yamaha would break Buell up. I think they'd be savvy enough to realize the value of Buell is the sum of their parts, and I think (if there's anything to this) they'd keep Buell running much as they are while encouraging the racing that Harley has fought. I also don't think Erik would go along with the deal unless it allowed him to operate with greater (rather than less) autonomy. And without Erik Buell onboard, I don't think Yamaha would be nearly as interested in the deal. And the dealer network Yamaha would offer would be a HUGE boost to Buell. How great would it be to be able to root for Ben Spies and Josh Hayes and Ben Bostrom as siblings? I don't have any idea if there's any truth to this, but I think it could be a great thing for Buell if true. Maybe we should expand our letter writing campaign to encourage Yamaha and show our enthusiasm? Maybe even if there wasn't anything to the rumor at first there could actually be something to come from it if Yamaha starts thinking about it and realizes how strong the Buell loyalty is. | ||
| Elvis |
I just checked out Yamaha's facebook page, and it certainly is . . . interesting. I think you have to be a fan to post (under the "just fans" section). I'm a little reluctant to open a can of worms, but any articulate people interested in offering up some invitations to a Buell union? http://www.facebook.com/search/?q=yamaha&init=quic k#/pages/Yamaha/19225353993?ref=search&sid=1399203 865.779460095..1 (Message edited by elvis on October 18, 2009) | ||
| Elvis |
Oh, and Yamaha has a heck of a 450 cc engine.  | ||
| Court |
The possibilities are endless. | ||
| Boltrider |
I think a Buell/Yammi alliance would be cool. If EB and the Elves come as a packaged deal, I would support just about anything at this point. | ||
| Strato9r |
Why the hell not? Yamahas are the only japanese machines I've owned, and there is a common philosophical and technical thread that runs through their vast line of musical instruments, electronics, and motorized machines of every description; they are meant to be used and enjoyed by humans. "Designed from the rider up" would certainly not be a stretch for a company that already understands the human/instrument interface, but hey, at this point, its all conjecture. OK, that being said, here's a thought: Bombardier, Wake up!!!! Here is your golden opportunity to take that wonderful Helicon powerplant that your parent company was commissioned to build, put together a North American production plan of action, and stir those ashes NOW, while they are still hot!! | ||
| Eor |
I was discussing the Buell situation with a management level employee at a Harley dealership yesterday and out of the blue he told me he wouldn't be surprised to hear that that Yamaha was purchasing Buell. I had not yet mentioned the rumor that had been going around. I'm not hung up on geographical brand origins. The contents of the garage and driveway are a testament to that. However, as much as I admire the Buell philosophy I can't see it having the same allure if Buell was owned by a non-American company. But I'd sure like to see the Buell employees back at work. That's probably the most important thing. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
They already got me for the dirt squirter, my first Yami in 22 years. That old Vmax was a widow maker and scared me off the brand. the Dually has me back. |
