| Author | Message | ||
     Bikertrash05 |
All I can think of is the quote in Super Troopers. "You boys like Mexico?!" | ||
| Brinnutz |
Would you ride to Mexico for Homecoming? I sure as hell wouldn't. So, no...And I'd sell everything Buell related including my bike... | ||
| Oldog |
Interesting speculation. Mexico you say... why cant the belt drive be liceneced HD did not invent the tech Goodyear and gates did the zero lash idler mebe not. I would have to see one up close in person to judge BTW there is Fischer, and Roeher if El-Phoenix dont get it. I would prefer canada to mexico, but there will be a vacant building in east troy and folks who are familiar with the process, so the learning curve will be minimal if Made in the US can be done. Its a factor but a lot of focus on costs is placed on labor, and there are many other factors to be looked at too. Yes a different engine would likely be built, oh wait HD bought the contract, if the buyout did not prevent production of the helicon parts, with a different name you wont have to change much to have a "different engine" | ||
| Methed |
How about the "ElIcon" instead of the Helicon? I'd ride to a south-of-the-border HC, if only because Court wouldn't have a say in what the 'most authentic Mexican restaurant in town' is.  | ||
| 2kx1 |
I do not think Erik would build his bikes in Mexico, maybe if he built cruisers, but not a sportbike. | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
My Buell has an Italian frame, Chinese wheels, Swedish suspension, Japanese brakes, and god only knows what other foreign parts. Still it is assembled in East Troy, and I like that. Problem is, that just isn't happening any more. So.......... The question really is: would I rather have a Mexican Buell or no Buell. I guess that depends on the design, the quality and the price. I wouldn't rule it out, but it certainly is a negative. On the other hand, I never thought I would be composing this message on a Chinese Macintosh, either. I can also imagine that Erik might be highly energized by working with company like BRP, and perhaps inspired to reach even greater heights. That's cool.  PS: REAL MEN RUN CHAIN Always have, always will. Am I right, my Chain Gang Brothers? (Message edited by gentleman_jon on October 25, 2009) | ||
| Tramp |
What do I care where it's assembled? BMWs are assmbled by Turk gastarbeiten, that doesn't stop me from riding them. } | ||
| Garyl |
gastarbeiten My mom used to tell me that I could go blind from doing that! | ||
| Jim_williams |
This is the first American bike I've ever owned, and, likely the last unless Buell, or someone in the future opens shop, so, yeah, I would, without hesitation. Bottom line, there isn't another American bike I'd ever ride, so, for me, the choice is not riding anymore, which is no choice at all. I'm new to the Buell world, and, am still surprised there are so many Buell riders that would also own/consider a Harley. The two couldn't be more different, in my mind. | ||
| Mndwgz |
How many of you guys drive dodge trucks? Go check and see if they're not Mexican. Chevy trucks? A bunch are Canadian or Mexican. "In 2008, most of the vehicles that GM and Chrysler built in Mexico were trucks. Both of these companies lagged behind Ford in offshoring car production to Mexico: Over a third (34.4%) of all Ford cars built in North America last year were made in Mexico." I spent 30 years working in Canada, now live in Florida, and I'm tossing the idea around of heading down to MX to retire. Buell from anywhere, no problem. | ||
| Ducxl |
 I no longer wear anything Levi nor will i eat York Peppermint patties.A Mexican manufactured Buell would repulse me too. So why Mexico? Because our fellow Americans in East Troy are fat and overpaid? Any Mexico deal takes Erik off the table.And i'm certain this thread doesn't contain a "thread" of truth | ||
| Nevrenuf |
i'm sorry but i wouldn't. i'll keep my american built buells as long as possible then after that i would think maybe english. but having been in construction for most of my life and i fill there is no such thing as quality when it comes to south of the border. (Message edited by nevrenuf on October 25, 2009) | ||
| Ferris_von_bueller |
but having been in construction for most of my life and i fill there is no such thing as quality when it comes to south of the border Isn't that the truth. Slop it in. It's a race to the bottom | ||
| Chadhargis |
When I was in college, I took a class called "International Relations". It opened my eyes to the "Made in America" thing. There are very few things that are 100% assembled with 100% parts made in America. So that means you have to choose what your threshold is. 50%? 40%? Then where do you find that info? If something is "American Made" like Buell, you will find that it's really American "assembled". Most of the parts come from other places. If our bikes were 100% American made, they'd likely cost over $20,000 due to our high rates of pay versus other countries. So, would I buy a bike made in Mexico? Sure, given the parts were high quality parts and the quality control was good. I'd rather them be made right here in the USA as I get a sense of pride when I see "WISCONSIN USA" scroll across my cluster, but if it takes going to Mexico to continue the Buell dream, then yes, count on my support. | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
It all smacks a bit of running away & thumbing your nose from the other side of the fence to me. Personally I feel he should buy an island somewhere & build bikes in a secret underground facility. He might have a job getting the elves to wear those silver jumpsuits though, but I'm sure they'd enjoy riding the monorail. | ||
| Vampress |
Personally I feel like a bit of an outsider on this one...the politics at least, but in my humble... I love Buell. Buell is what I love. I live in Australia. I still love Buell. We have a Buell. We want more Buells! Not because I have any emotional attachment to America, because I have a passion for the bikes. The unique qualities they possess. The dream that inspired them and the journey it took to make them a reality. How often do we buy things without having a clue where they were made, just because it is something we want? How often do we make a purchase thinking it is made in one place, only to find it comes from another? Many companies and products have gone down this road before...Vegemite (only the most 'Australian' iconic food) is no longer made in Australia. This however has not stopped anyone from eating the horrid stuff. If the quality can remain the same, if the products could continue to inspire and light the sparks of passion and enthusiasm as they do now, I would more than happily support them. (Message edited by vampress on October 25, 2009) | ||
| Teeps |
Rocketsprink Posted on Saturday, October 24, 2009 - 11:44 pm: Always gotta interject your right wing bullshit into everything don't ya. And, yet you "feel" the need to to make a snippy comment. For the record: I wouldn't buy a hecho en Mexico Buell either. Repair parts are another story. "Transparency and change"; how's that working for ya"? | ||
| Two_buells |
Yes, I bought a Can-am Renegade in 2007. Last model year make in Canada. I want to trade up on a new 2010. I'm ok with it made in Mexico. If BRP buys into Buell I think they would keep the operations in Easy Troy. Rotax is still in Austria. Now if they add Dirt bikes in the future they would be made in MXico..... let keep dreaming.... | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
If its made in Mexico, its made there for a reason...made cheap. I would if I'd got a 10 year unlimited warranty. | ||
| Liquorwhere |
Well why not? Does it have to made in the states for it still to be a Buell? I know Mexico is still part of North America, but I would not be inclined to buy one made in Mexico. Not because of any bias against Mexico, I actually love it there and have thought it might be a good place to retire, but because the essence of the bike are the people that make it now, how much they love it. I don't think you could transport all the people down there, I just don't think it would be the same bike. Of course that is just an opinion..... | ||
| Badlionsfan |
I would if the bike was what I wanted. I'm pretty much over caring where something is made and supporting American companies. I'm also over being a "insert brand here" guy. Who ever makes the bike that fits my wants and needs at the time I want to buy, that's what I'll buy regardless of where it way built. You think you're doing a good thing supporting American companies, but the thing is the more they make the more they want to make, then what happened to Buell happens. Also, everything has stuff made every where in it, all part of this global economy thing happening. Bottom line, buy what you want because it fits what you want and need in a bike. Ya start chasing "made in....." on the parts and you'll drive yourself nuts. | ||
| Fast1075 |
If the "New" company complied with and strictly enforced ISO standards...the component quality would only be limited by the company's specifications. Beyond that...it's simply a matter of wrenching the pieces together properly. Buells are international bikes to begin with...as Jon brought up earlier...and my Blast had wheels made in Australia. | ||
| Crusty |
Build a Buell in Mexico? I can't think of a better way to kill any chance of success, unless it's to build it in China and call it a Wun Hung Lo. | ||
| Xb9er |
I would buy a mexican buell. I agree and buell is a buell. NOW for the catch. The new company would have to have 200 departments and the current 200 employees would have to supervise each department. I would hate to see the elves lose their jobs to mexico. That I guess is what bothers me. If the current elves wouldnt be out a job, yes I would buy a mexican buell. | ||
| Garyz28 |
Built in Mexico would be a big disappointment. I take pride in the fact my Uly says "American Motorcycles" on the airbox | ||
| Ferris_von_bueller |
If the current elves wouldnt be out a job, yes I would buy a mexican buell. In other words, you're saying, "NO" | ||
| Rainman |
What's gone, I'm afraid, ain't likely to come back, that's from a guy who grew up in UAW territory with Oldsmobile, Fisher Body and Motor Wheel and Diamond REO trucks. Ain't much happening in that town. Seeing the same thing in journalism. If the new Buell-designed bikes are made in Mexico, I'd weigh them against the bikes from UK, Japan, Korea, Germany, Austria and Italy. If they're good, if they call to me, if they're reliable (my wrenching sucks) and they beat the competition like the current Buells do, I'd definitely consider it. The only American-made bike that sings to me now is the XR1200. | ||
| Richsm2 |
The American worker can out work any in the world dollar for dollar,day after day, see the Kentucky benz plant, new employees, new plant( fews in operation) ,getting the benz worldwide quality award. it is the managemment that does not WANT to work. something for nothing , no matter the costs. Has every bought into this, that we cannot make a competitive product "MADE IN THE U.S.A."? | ||
| Slaughter |
There is more speculation now than there EVER was on the Badweb annual "next model year" speculation. You guys pay for milk, agricultural products, pay for home construction, for concrete pouring, for "domestically produced clothing" - by Mexican nationals - many here illegally. Why NOT do it honestly? | ||
| Crusty |
You guys pay for milk, agricultural products, pay for home construction, for concrete pouring, for "domestically produced clothing" - by Mexican nationals - many here illegally. Why NOT do it honestly? Why not just enforce the laws? I don't willingly give anything to illegal aliens. Erik builds great motorcycles, but they have a reputation of being unreliable. Building them in Mexico would nail the coffin shut. |
