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Reg_kittrelle
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 23, 2010 - 11:34 am: | 
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"Dirty pool?" You bet!
We expected more of Harley-Davidson, or rather, we wished more of Harley-Davidson.
HDI is no different from any other large corporation, and as recent history has amply shown us, business ethics in large corps appear to extend no further than the press releases they issue.
I have a couple of very dear friends at Harley and, as a whole, significant respect for the organization. That respect, however, has diminished over the past year. This has not happened as a result of pulling the plug on Buell ... I understand that... but, rather it is due to the manner in which they did it, plus a number of subsequent actions.
My second (as I see it) facts list:
1. Harley will ruthlessly seek markets in any place it can.
2. #1 will be done with little consideration for Harley's history or the domestic market.
3. Asset Manager Wandell will win the battle, but lose the war.
4. The erosion of HD's brand equity will continue apace.
5. The K-Car strategy employed by Harley will net the same results as it did for Chrysler. |
Mm128
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 23, 2010 - 11:36 am: |
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I believe that there are other MAJOR players out there looking at BUELL.... I have for some time believed that OTHER players have been looking at them for a while but stayed their course due to the hold that HD had over BUELL.
I think the coming months....years... will be very interesting.
While I DONT know EB personally I KNOW people like him. They ALWAYS have backup plans and ALWAYS keep doors opened for posibilities in the future...
I believe that the HD seperation was QUICK and left EB with a small window to prepare... but look where he is at right now.
Those OTHER players have taken notice.. and watched his progress.
I think it is just a matter of time before he surfaces with a creation that will stun the masses. People like him have visions...dreams...and a goal. He tells about it in several articles. He invisions a TRUE AMERICAN sport bike with power and handeling capabilities that upsets the other companies. He WILL NOT quit until it is available to the general market.
Thats just the type of person he is... Dedicated...determined...and deserving.
Matt (LEO SOUTH GA.) |
Drkside79
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 23, 2010 - 11:46 am: |
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On a completely personal level of impact.
I think the worst part of it was that this was my first Buell. Harley pretty much ruined my chances of owning another. They also sold me a bike and then treated me like an ass afterwords. Oh and then they killed the value of my bike so I owed a lot more then it is worth(monetarily of course)
It will take a while before I forgive them for that.
Now tack on the even worse reality that they blindsided 200 American family's for no apparent reason and people wonder why my mouth drips venom for some of them. 
(Message edited by drkside79 on March 23, 2010) |
Reg_kittrelle
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 23, 2010 - 11:46 am: |
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Reep...
I have been an idiot, and a heartless selfish jerk on many occasions, no doubt.
At the same time, I need not apologize for my point of view.. recall the chicken/pig homily re breakfast. When it comes to my supporting Harley and Buell efforts, I have spent more than two decades in the pig roll.
My passion for the brands remains unabated, but that passion does not lack a brain behind it. And as far as knowing about Buell and its people, I'm probably quite far up that list of individuals.
I do not, however, worship at anyone's corporate alter; large company or small. |
Reg_kittrelle
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 23, 2010 - 11:49 am: |
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So... '79,
If there's "no apparent reason" what do you believe is the reason HDI killed off Buell? |
Drkside79
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 23, 2010 - 11:57 am: |
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Narrow-minded bad business. They decided to go back to pumping all of their energy into overpriced shiny sleds. They decided to market go back to the American Badass imagery that they have always relied on. Problem is they need young riders and most young riders cant afford a new Harley. Now, while before for 12 G's you could get a great bike (Buell) now you can only buy the bottom of the barrel sportster. So no i really don't get it.
If HD had ever just really advertised Buells they would have succeeded. IMO |
Drkside79
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 23, 2010 - 12:00 pm: |
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Now mind you I hold nothing against most HD employees and store owners. They are completely not at fault.
The exception being a certain parts guy at a certain IL HD dealer that I would like to see flogged. That however is a different story. lol |
Reg_kittrelle
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 23, 2010 - 12:05 pm: |
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Try this on for size, '79;
HDI is a publically-owned business. As such it is beholden to its investors ... most of whom could give 2 shits about motorcycles. What they do care about is ROI, something that Buell never provided enough of.
Short-sided? Could be.
Do we like it? Nope.
Is it understandable from Harley's POV? Yep.
Proof? Chart the stock price over the past year.
The future looks dark, but investors have made money off the sale. |
Drkside79
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 23, 2010 - 12:12 pm: |
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Once again had HD actually advertised Buell it may have done better.
I do understand your point i just don't like it. |
Court
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 23, 2010 - 12:24 pm: |
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quote:I have a couple of very dear friends at Harley and, as a whole, significant respect for the organization. That respect, however, has diminished over the past year. This has not happened as a result of pulling the plug on Buell ... I understand that... but, rather it is due to the manner in which they did it, plus a number of subsequent actions.
That NAILS it.
quote:I have been an idiot, and a heartless selfish jerk on many occasions, no doubt.
I .. at my age . . have elevated it to an art form.
quote:I believe that there are other MAJOR players out there looking at BUELL...
No doubt about it. My phone rang twice on October 15, 2010 . . . both times by people who could have written a check, without calling their bank, for any price tag Harley-Davidson had placed upon Buell. Be mindful those offers have also come over the last couple years and been summarily rejected. Harley-Davidson's reason for not selling or wanting to sell Buell have very little basis in economics. Their problem is . . . loosing quoting one of the now departed. . . "if we sell it and they sell 30,000 bikes
It's not like Erik Buell is a promising young engineering student who shows potential. His place in the motorcycle industry, regardless of how a single individual may view is, is well established and he joins the ranks of some of the most creative thinkers. Erik, and more importantly his style of engaging teams, is well documented and works.
I don't see Erik retiring or going off to tractor ride any sooner than I would Reg or myself. Some folks thrive on the passion. I've had a great chance to get "bought out" and retire . . my response, pretty much both words of it, was identical to Erik's response to the offer to be a Softail Technical Consultant that Friday. |
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