| Author | Message | ||
     Crusty |
"A Simple Twist of Fate" is a great song from "Blood On The Tracks", my all time favorite album. Does anyone have a copy of Volume 1 #3 that they would be willing to part with? I've got a black and white "photocopy" that Lora sent me a couple of years ago, but a real issue would make my collection complete. V.1 #3 is the issue with the S1 with the custom paint job on the cover. | ||
| Racerboy |
Hi guys!...I called Reg as soon as I received the letter and like some of the rest of you told him to keep my money...No, actually that's wrong...I told him to send it to Ferris...Reg said he's going to keep BattleTrax very active and he's got another project that is actual parking lot racing with multiple scoots on the course... And also like some of you I too think we're seeing the beginning of the end...The canary analogy seems to work...I wonder how Tat is doing with Buell items...James also comes to mind...Tough to make a living out of such a small demographic getting steadily smaller... For me the tell tale remark was the H-D exec in the annual report after they had acquired most of the Buell company saying that Buell was a good fit for H-D because a lot of the Buell riders would someday move UP to a Harley...Clueless, don't you think?...We'll move up, yes, but to RC51's, ST4s's, FJR1300's, R1's, gixxers, well, you get the idea...H-D's purchase of Buell was like a tale of two motorcycles...It was the best of times...It was the worst of times... And José, you're spot on regarding the marketing...Trying to sell sport bikes in a Harley shop is asinine...Court, you read the Hahvahd Business Review...What do you think the biz school would think of this business plan...Hmmmm, let's make an advanced design sport bike and market it in dealerships whose main product has it's forty five degree roots imbedded about 100 years in the ground and we'll sell more cruisers...And don't read this as anti Harley because I'm the first to tell anyone who is interested in a cruiser that there is really only one choice... Well, I road Pumpkin about 250 miles today and had a blaxx, a good time...And this is the really sad thing about this whole issue...If you sell your Buell (the REAL Buell's), what the hell do you replace it with that has that much character and fun factor (aside from José's S3T from hell)?... See Ya! Bob | ||
| Hans |
José, your website/address is out of order. Do you still need Battle2win vol 1 issue 1, fall 1996 ? (My vol 1 issue 3 is also in photocopy). Ping me. Hans. | ||
| Rick_A |
I think a lot of people are jumping the gun here. There's simply a new era of bikes. There will be more business in aftermarket parts/accessories for those as well. Nothing is over! There is a good thing about Harley dealers selling Buell...if Buell dealers stood alone, they'd probably really be few and far between...but at least you wouldn't have to deal with the frustration of talking to those damn Buell ignorant employees. | ||
| Blake |
Care to guess how many bikes Buell was building when American Sport Bike opened it's doors for business? | ||
| Racerboy |
Blake...I have no idea but what I'd like to know is how Tat's Buell business is trending today...Up or down... And you're right, we may be jumping the gun...But the manner in which our tube frame models were relegated to the junk pile of history with no follow on replacement was not, in my opinion, the best business decision...Take a look around at the various sources where one can get an estimation of the value of my 2001 S3T and then try to convince the "investor" to buy something from this manufacturer again...Now I know the scoots are emotional purchases for most of us and we don't make our decisions based solely upon finance but people like Tat and Maria, Reg and Lora, James and let's not forget all those Buell dealers do have to make their decision based upon the business issues... Here's the danger for me here in St Louis...I may be only seeing a tree and not the forest...The dealers here are having a hell of a problem first selling XB9's and one dealer tells me that he can't get any to try to have that problem... See Ya! Bob | ||
| Ferris |
I called Reg as soon as I received the letter and like some of the rest of you told him to keep my money...No, actually that's wrong...I told him to send it to Ferris... ha ha, i could use it for part of the down payment on my new Lightning -- thanks! FB  | ||
| Blake |
I guess you need to ask Tat about his business. Here's another question for you to ponder... How do you think ASB was doing when there were less than a fourth of the Buells on the street as there are now? And... How do you think ASB will be doing when Buell releases more new models in the coming years? | ||
| José_Quiñones |
Tat? He'll be busy selling Vrod parts.... Bob, I prefer to call my bike the "S3 built on a Tuesday after a Monday Holiday" instead of the "S3 from Hell".  Actually, maybe some anons can help me out here. My Vin # is :4MZRS11JXX3000395 Can someone tell what day it was built from this number???? What other interesting things does this number tell about the bike? | ||
| José_Quiñones |
I wish they had at least done one last issue, with Exhaustive Measures II........ | ||
| Racerboy |
Blake...I fervently hope that Tat and Maria will be doing just fine...This is the end of this thread for me as any future projections are kind of meaningless...Remember, I'm in the computer biz and I've seen so much "vapor" ware that you learn to not listen to promises of what is to come and just deal with what is on the table today... Now I'm off to investigate José's VIN... See Ya! Bob | ||
| Kcbill |
My two cents. On the discontinuation of the buell tube frames. At the kansas city open house I spoke with a buell employee about a new S3 replacement and he said sales numbers did not support the making of this model. I told him their market research was flawed. I knew a lot of buell riders that prefer that model, namely those of us that tour or ride several hundred miles at a time. I don't see me doing that on a xb9r or the xb9s. I guess they should pole us to see where they are sending us. I like the buell brand, but they have sent me a message from marketing, go buy your sport touring bike from some body else that has done the correct market research and know what we want. A cruiser won't do for the way we like to ride. I am personally looking at bmw,triumph,maybe yamaha. I have no choice! Buell, does any body really know how to check the pulse of it's market or have they become bored with us? | ||
| Josh |
I dunno about the rest of you but if my S3 ever dies I'll go do my reasearch again and buy whatever meets my needs (Think XB9R meets FLHT). Hopefully Duc will still have the ST4s so the FJR?1300 Yammiehaw has competition for my checkbook. Josh | ||
| Nevco1 |
For what it's worth, my Crystal Ball says Harley will enter the street fighter and sport touring biz with the V-Rod engine while Buell will continue to develop the sport bikes. This is based on the comp of the V-Rod street fighter in (I believe) Cycle World earlier this year, a Harley Exec announcing that the V-Rod is the platform for a whole family of new bikes and that Buell will bring new customers into the Harley marque as well as the commonality of the Screaming Eagle line of upgrades. Additionally, as most Buell Fans appear to be more street fighter oriented (IMHO) I contend that this strategy would result in better service and customer relations with the Harley dealers. Evidence: other posts that indicate Buell parts tagged obsolete and a Harley cross reference numbers added. This strategy will also free Buell to continue to develop innovative and hopefully winning sport bikes that will attract new customers from the market segment that is currently dependent on the imports. This is just the opinion and wishes of a semi-retired marketing guy and is based on sources of all things written and rumored. Make sense??? Bill | ||
| Racerboy |
José...Sorry but I could find nothing that will correlate your VIN with an actual day of manufacture...Unless someone with access to the factory records can help I think we're screwed on this one... All...Per the last three posts above lack of sales may have driven the withdrawal of the S3T but the dealers I spoke with could sell M2's...So what's with that?...Josh and I apparently agree fully with Bill and for us sports touring riders it's off to another marquee and WOW, are the choices interesting...John and I are both looking for reliable, long haul sports tourers and a shaftie is probably required...He doesn't know this yet but in 2004 we're touring Alaska (I'm taking the 22 cal bear pistol)... If you haven't guessed it by now I have absolutely no brand loyalty...I am the antithesis of the Harley/HOG/BRAG concept wherein a manufacturer tries go marry you to their "lifestyle"...I enjoy most motorcycles and most riders...When someone insists that their scoot is the "best" what they're really wanting is confirmation of their choice and it is porbably "best" for them...But maybe not you or me... And Josh, whatever you do paleez don't sit on a ST4s...It's a fatal attraction...I was VERY lucky I didn't have my checkbook with me the day John and I were at Donnelson... See Ya! Bob | ||
| Josh |
A 22cal bear pistol? What are you going to do with that? Josh (I know yer begging for someone to ask) (You can write a check for a ST4s? Am I on your Christmas list?  ) | ||
| Blake |
If y'all are serious about touring Alaska, there is only ONE choice... the R1150GS! Nevco1/Bill, Very interesting. Sounds plausible to me. | ||
| Nevco1 |
RacerBoy... Lots of good sport tourers out there. All are good investments when you find one that fits your riding style. Personally am concerned about the ST1300. Honda is a great manufacturer of cars and bikes, however, being the only company that has an engine that passes 2008 CARB standards scares me, at least for the first year of production. How lean can this thing be and how did they do it? Get my drift? Bill | ||
| Nevco1 |
Blake... Thanks for your comments. To be perfectly honest with you, I feel this would be the best direction HD/Buell could take considering resources and market segments. Now, if one of them would develop an adventure tourer and/or dual purpose bike, I would be in HOG HEAVEN!!! Er, that is unless I have to push it home. Trust me, in that respect the street is much more desirable. LOL In Wisconsin, we have many ATV trails but relatively few MC trails. If Harley/Buell were to introduce a dirty street bike (dual purpose) I am willing to bet the ATV trails would be open to MC's. Would think that the Dynamic Duo would consider this their Civic Responsibility for a growing segment of the MC market. Have a great day!!! Bill | ||
| Nevco1 |
Oops...Forgot to mention my Y2K X1 handles great in the dirt, trails and roads under construction. Ergo's and power are there. All I could wish for is Renthal bars and the world's biggest bash plate. In the interim, I settled for Buells touch up paint. | ||
| X1glider |
The ST1300 passes the test because they have a multi-stage catalytic converter just like the new Goldwing, not from leaning it out, though there might be just a little bit of that for good measure. | ||
| Racerboy |
Blake...John won't let me have a GS 'cuz he says they're so UGLY...Bet we end up on them, though... Somebody call Nelligan and get him on here to tell us about his 22 cal bear pistol... Hey, Fred Zigler, the national pres of HSTA has had a ST1300 on order for about forever...Looks like he's going to get to see it in the motorcycle show here in Nov again before he gets his...We're kidding him that Big Red is trying to make like a high zoot eyetalian moto company and show a scoot for three years before delivering (if then!)...Bill, I'd opt right now for the FJR as it's been in production for three years...First year bikes are against my policy, no matter who the manufacturer is...I love my R1100RT but we only have one dealer and if you get sideways with them you're screwed...Friend of mine goes 90 miles away for service... See Ya! Bob | ||
| Nevco1 |
RacerBoy... Good Choice! I rode my 1989 FJ1200 hard till I sold it in 1999. Last month, a friend reported the guy that bought it from me is still happy as can be with it. All it ever cost me was normal maintenance!!! Damn...Still suffering from "Seller's Remorse." Same story for my 1989 KLR 650. Sold them both the same day to return to Wisconsin. Now am a happy owner of a Y2K X1. Fun bike. Fits right in between the FJ and KLR. Bill | ||
| Jssport |
just a second while I put my flame suit on.... ok,.. I'm ready now... This is supposed to be a thread about the magazine right ?? The answer seems obivious to me... How many Buells are sold per year ?? How many Sportsters ???? There was a magazine called "Hot XL" which met a similiar fate as "Battle2Win". The XL engine base provides a large enough following to create the critical mass needed to substain operations. Please don't fall in into the HD prejudice trap about Harley riders are an entirely different breed than Buell riders. Not all of us have "Live to Ride" chrome pieces on our bikes. And we don't think Buell riders will be trading "up" to an HD in a couple of years. Luke, I am you father. Join me on the dark side and together we will rule the universe. Ok, flame away..... | ||
| Jssport |
You can't always get what you want... but if you try sometimes, you'll find,.... You get what you need !!! | ||
| Nevco1 |
Jssport... No need to wear the flame retardant suit. Your basic premise is sport riding and sport touring vs cruising and luxo-touring. We all agree, either directly or indirectly, that head first riders are more attuned to the sport and safety side of the equation than our feet first relatives. When the dust settles, and this could take a few years, I am confident that you will find Buells firmly entrenched in the agressive sport arena (perhaps even race only compliments of the EPA) and the Harley (tubular) products flowing towards our steet fighter and sport touring needs. I really do not care how the transition is made. I just want to see the dealers respond more to our problems and needs and this just may be the ticket. A side benefit may well be that we will no longer be the bastard step-children and receive the respect we deserve and apparently have not received. Bill | ||
| Jssport |
You miss my point, this thread is about "Battle2Win" magazine going out of business because it's readership base is not large enough to pay the bills. Make it an XL magazine including Buells and it might be able to support itself. | ||
| Josh |
But the XL-only magazine {"Hot XL"} couldn't support itself. I've got the issues if you want proof I think Battle2Win lasted longer to boot. | ||
| Gwcrim |
Maybe so Josh, but Battle2Win did't last either. But maybe, possibly a combine XL/Buell or Buell/XL rag would. Maybe, possibly. But I doubt it. | ||
| Turnagain |
I'm thinking an XL / Buell / StreetFighter / naked / VRod / SPORT Tourer bike rag might do well. Reg? Bob & John, on Alaska, maybe y'all could save some money, fly up and rent something like these:  Tok, Alaska in August. OK, they're not a GS, but look like fun on the trail. Steve(2) |
