| Author | Message | ||
     Ferris_von_bueller |
Taking the opposing viewpoint: Revolution is a messy business and sacrifices must be made. | ||
| Boltrider |
The only way Harley gets my money will be for parts. I joined this board because of Buell, not because of Harley. Maybe it was a bad marriage all along and they never should have "wed." But that's in the past, so all I can do is look forward. And when I do, I don't see myself purchasing another HD product. It was a stretch to say that I liked anything HD made before; now it becomes really easy to spend my money elsewhere. | ||
| Boltrider |
Of course my opinion could change based on how Harley handles things moving forward. Maybe they bring Buell back in a few years after the market stabilizes? Probably just wishful thinking though..... | ||
| Patches |
I'll cherish my Old Shovehead for as long as I'm aloud and that goes for my Buell Blast too. I can only hope things get better. I agree with Chelle | ||
| Vanvideo |
Oh, it's OK to bash HD. The majority of the members of this board disagree - vehemently, at times - with the business decision HD made. Of course we have the right to voice our opposition on this forum. Will it effect the bottom line of HD? No, HD's eventual fate, be it bankruptcy or success, will not be determined by the members of this forum. Sure, HD could possibly lose some future sales from forum members, but that number will probably be so minuscule as to have very little effect on HD's overall financial picture. No, HD's fate will be determined on how many more cruisers they can sell to their chrome-polishing core customer base. So, bash away. Wish the worst on HD, they deserve the ill will directed toward them. But seriously, BBW.com will not decide the future of HD, anymore than it could have altered the fate of Buell. | ||
| Xbpete |
Thanks Chellem! As my ire at HD chills a bit, I too came to the conclusion that for the sake of the Sponsors and Badweb I will temper all comments toward HD and not wish them further embarrasing failure. But at the same time, having bought my first new HD in 1972 and ridden them until 2000, I will state emphatically that I will not purchase another HD for any reason. I fully support our sponsors, intend to keep my Buell going and look forward to further dealings with them. My next bikes will probably be a Tuber Lightning and another XB | ||
| Paint_shaker |
Chell, Excellent post! It soothes the sting of the wound just a bit. As time passes, the wound will heal. But right now it is painful. Understand I found Buell through riding harleys. I do not change my position that I am pissed at HD (not any specific Dealer), but I don't wish them corporate death either. I will continue to support the existing "good" Buell Dealers. | ||
| Sticks |
I too am trying to not be bitter with the HD brass feltchers and gerbilers, but I've still a ways to go. | ||
| F_skinner |
I got a new HD patch today.  You old (I should say former) Harley guys like me will understand this. | ||
| Just_ziptab |
If in H-D eyes,Buell is "To Small to Live"....what is to like about h-d anymore?But alas,we are too small a mass to make a difference... if we diss them or not....../ | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
ChelleM, very nicely said. Mr. Wandell gets credit for kicking Erik and his Company into the abyss. He did NOT found the Motor Company over a century ago. He did NOT see the Motor Company thru the Great Depression and two World Wars. He did NOT bring the Motor Company back from the brink of oblivion in the dark days of AMF. And, if I understand correctly, he does NOT even ride. I'm trying my darnedest not to be a bitter little man (with due apologies to John Burns), but I think the Founders are rolling over in their respective graves right now with what's going on at the company that bears their names. Harley's fortunes at this moment have nothing to do with the quality of their product. On that I speak from considerable experience. I can understand the Buell passion on display in this thread - at one time I had it, too. But when you wish for Harley-Davidson's demise, you're wishing - as ChelleM so eloquently stated - for the financial demise of thousands of honest, hard-working folks around the world who derive their livelihood via their involvement with the MoCo, folks who had absolutely nothing to do with the decision to close down Buell. See y'all on the road. Jerry Haughton | ||
| Just_ziptab |
So true Jerry ,but somebody started the hate at the MO Co.....who was it? Don't hate me for being upset h-d at the moment.I was named after one that my Dad had in the 40's....and proud of it. | ||
| Elsinore74 |
Well put, Frank. Think I'll pick up a patch, too. I remember initially feeling great when Vaughn Beals and his group bought H-D away from AMF, only to be incredibly disillusioned soon after when the H-D lawyer posse started filing copyrights on anything remotely associated with H-D, going so far as to challenge anyone building a single-crankpin V-twin (the H-D sound). Saw more than a few H-D patches worn upside-down in those days. (BTW, what ever happened to the patch design w/ ruffled feathers? It was meant to show you'd been down, as I recall.) Recent events make those days pale in comparison, though. Don't quite have the words for it yet, but I harbor no ill will toward H-D riders (most are OK, on average the same as any other brand). I have no negative feelings toward the bikes (though you'd never catch me on one). What I feel toward the corporation is something else. No words for that. Edit: OK, some words: Just for the record, I don't wish any further economic hardship for The Motor Co. and the obvious effects on its employees and dealer network. H-D's decision was a business decision, and when it comes down to using raw numbers and market research to formulate decisions, I suppose they did the best they felt they could for the company. I view motorcycles differently. I ride sportbikes because it's part of who I am. I'm profoundly saddened by the outcome of H-D's decision, but realize Buell never really fit their business model, and deserves to be free of that. (Message edited by Elsinore74 on October 18, 2009) | ||
| Chellem |
(BTW, what ever happened to the patch design w/ ruffled feathers? It was meant to show you'd been down, as I recall.) Broken wings. Pretty sure we still have them available at the shop. Thanks for understanding my position. Like I said, I don't expect warm fuzzies, and I certainly don't expect anyone to support the H-D brand when they're opposed to them, on such a visceral level. I hope they change their minds. But I do hope the company survives. Not just because my and my family's livelihood depends on it, but because of the things that Jerry brought up. This isn't their first economic downturn. Wish the guys that pulled them through the first one were still around to help out. ->ChelleM | ||
| Odie |
F_skinner- I remember that from years ago. When this all started it was one of the first things I thought of! I think Mike Seate was one of the ones who started it when he wrote for Iron Horse I think. | ||
| Joeyprom |
just another poor decision by harley.. time and time again there in the news about loosing money and lay offs.. way to go and get greedy and buy agusta when you already had an established sport bike that was finally turning the corner with you repeatedly turning your back on them.... you were after a younger crown a and may have had them cause you had me 24 years of age and guess the bmw is looking a lot nicer than the classic h-d as far as i am concerned buell was the only quality bikes that barely even had any thing to do with harley...... | ||
| Pdxs3t |
"I can understand the Buell passion on display in this thread - at one time I had it, too." You still do!  | ||
| M2me |
Wishing an entire company out of business because you disagree with a management decision is, I think, taking it a little far. I agree 100%! Harley-Davidson made a business decision. The decision was not based on hating Erik Buell or hating Buells or hating Buell owners. You can disagree with their decision but you can't make it out to be anything more than what it was: a business decision. | ||
| Rainman |
They finally made a good Sportster (XR1200) and then got rid of the best sportster they ever made (XB). I still like Harley's. I've just been spoiled by a better bike. | ||
| Cataract2 |
Where's an upside down HD avatar? Need one. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
 His father was a hamster and his mother smelled of elderberries. | ||
| Buell78758 |
If you ever want to by a Harley, just watch this maybe you too can jump a $hit house at Sturgis too! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MP4_jN1Edp0 | ||
| Buell78758 |
This was the last Harley sales person I spoke too, when I asked him about a Buell he went "whaaaaaaaaa?"  | ||
| Mmmi_grad |
Over the last 22 years I have little respect for HD even though I ONLY buy parts and bikes. I honestly dont see how any biker whatever they are on, not lose respect for hd. For them to do this to Buell and prevent or block further building and sales of their bikes as Buell American motorcycles. Its an American shame. | ||
| Patches |
"I honestly dont see how any biker whatever they are on, not lose respect for hd. For them to do this to Buell and prevent or block further building and sales of their bikes as Buell American motorcycles." I don't blame Harley Davidson, I blame our Government for it. http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/financialsvcs _dem/pressder_101509.shtml Preventing Abusive and Discriminatory Lending: Statistics have shown that many homeowners in the current mortgage crisis received more expensive loans than they qualified for. This is often the result of a predatory practice known as “steering.” H.R. 3915 will prohibit the undisclosed and unfair compensation schemes that disadvantage borrowers, and require regulations to prevent steering for subprime loans. Mortgage originators who engage in predatory practices and loan steering will be subject to strict penalties. Holding Wall Street Accountable: Because mortgage companies can sell loans on the secondary market, they are often bought by large Wall Street firms and turned into securities for investors. This bill contains unprecedented federal consumer protections that will subject Wall Street firms to liability if they buy, sell and securitize loans that consumers cannot repay. They will be held accountable by consumers and will have the ability for loans to be rewritten and reworked. http://www.opensecrets.org/news/2009/10/house-fina ncial-services-commi.html | ||
| Cityxslicker |
I dont know about that one. I would have a stack 2-3 inches thick every quarter with denials. You want to sell alot of bikes, you get up to the plate alot. That also means its not like buying a loaf of bread, nor should it be, if you cant afford it, you shouldnt be on it. Alot of those people would come back with outside financing, or cash and get the bike, others would go to foreign rides where it is put on a 'card' payment program at just 99 a month. The HD is a luxury item, its not the daily commuter that a toyota is; it should and as far as I saw didnt have the EASY credit that caused the fall of the auto industry. 0.9% financing!?! (what are they thinking? of course youre gonna have defaults) Unfortunately, Buell was tied to the HD financing. | ||
| Caddypat |
#1 on chellums post.i dont like what hd did but i sure as heck dont see how crapping on the people who have helped us all out over the years is right.these folks at the dealers didnt cause or promote this.i hope they all survive and prosper as we all will need them in the future.thx pat, | ||
| Patches |
It's like a Used Car Salesman put a lot of deals on the books and then con some dumb-ass to buy them for more than they will ever collect because of default and non payment. Then the Used Car Salesman goes somewhere else and does it again. Quick Easy Money! Everybody wants to blame the Problems with the Economy on Poor People. It's not that's why they call it Predatory Lending. Ten Years ago I had a Job making $15.00 a hour just trying to get the American Dream. Now I can not get a Part Time Job making Minimum Wages! The more people out of work the less sales companies have. The way to make up for lost Revenue is close production and layoffs. Short term fix bud a very vicious cycle. | ||
| Patches |
It's the Crooks on Wall-street, and our Government won't do anything about it because the Crooks are Padding there Pockets. http://www.opensecrets.org/news/2009/10/house-fina ncial-services-commi.html | ||
| Just_ziptab |
Harley-Davidson made a business decision. The decision was not based on hating Erik Buell or hating Buells or hating Buell owners. Yeah right,they just "hated" to spend 125 million to get rid of Buell. They just hated to make "Buell" a dirty/banned word on their free country page. Oh well,we all now know how the cubed Blast owners feel....To Small To Live |
