| Author | Message | ||
     Cityxslicker |
A full fairing 250 two stroke Ninja killer, sub 300 lbs. | ||
| Aeholton |
You think you got it bad FB? I know you have a XB but did you own a tuber? Did you have to deal with the recals and dealer service a million times worse than what you have now? As a former tuber owner, don't think you have the lock on recalls and dealer service issues. I believe us 1st year Uly owners and now the 1125r buyers have some ideas. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Spidey, Please don't feel I am belittling the devotion of those who have come before me and suffered much and persevered. Were it not for you, I wouldn't have an XB. Buell would have folded long ago. There are few companies like Buell. You will not find a more passionate cheerleader of Erik Buell and BMC. It is because of this passion that I am disappointed. The only antidote I have is to go out and enjoy the hell out of my bike and bemoan my disappointment here. I've had MANY issues with my bike. Were it another marque, I would have given up and sold it as a lemon. I'm still here. Others are as well. It isn't just the bike. It's everything else that comes as part of the ownership. BadWeb Homecoming Passion Spidey in a thong We love what we have and yet pine for what Buell can become. | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
Spidey's wedding cake The TT photoshop contest | ||
| Ratbuell |
I attended Homecoming with my wife, and we both had an incredible time. We didn't go because of the hope for something new. We didn't go because we needed something to do on a holiday weekend (and yes, Homecoming historically ties in with the races at Road America). We went because of the bikes, and the people, and the enthusiasm. The dealer show is just that, folks - a DEALER show. Owners not invited, Buell or HD. Sorry. Hell, *I'm* a dealer (well, I work for one) and even I'm not going because each dealer is allotted a certain number of available spots. They're pretty tight on stuff around the show, and they should be. In the grand scheme of things, they have a lot of market share to protect. Brings to mind the BMW fella who went on the factory tour. Not a "guy on a BMW", but a guy who works for BMW who showed up during Homecoming at the factory with Manufacturer plates on the BMW he was riding so he could tour the factory. It was research, plain and simple, and that is why Buell and HD don't reveal things ahead of time, no matter how much we may think it sucks. For those of you who didn't go to HC, it was MUCH more than just a bunch of people talking about bikes and trying to see something new. It was a huge family, having fun doing a LOT of different things in different places (I still don't know how Laura kept track of it all!), and having the chance to hang out and talk with the people who brought these bikes to life for us. While I was talking with Jon Flickenger at the HD stage at Summerfest, my wife was commenting to Laura how cool it was that we were there, just hanging out with a guy who created something that we use every day for transportation. That sort of thing doesn't happen often. THAT is why we went to Homecoming, and THAT is why, after much reluctance in preparing for the trip ("oh god, a week of motorcycle stuff??"), my wife wants to go back next year. She could give a rat's ass about the bikes...she loved the event, and the people, and the overall vibe of the place. | ||
| Spiderman |
Flick had his damn hands in my underwear yet again! Who else can say that the COO's hands down their underwear in two different state! lol | ||
| Xl1200r |
Let's not let this get into some kind of pissing match about who got shafted worse for owning a Buell. I have yet to have a single issue with my bike, which makes it loads better than older tuber guys had it, or the current crop 1125 guys have it now. However, I still had to fight my way through a fairly hidden supply channel to get it, and I believe mine was one of THREE 2007 Firebolts sold in my area (could be wrong, but I'm pretty certain). Had I decided to buy a rice rocket, I would have countless options for bikes, colors, pricing, dealers, etc. Just because Buell is easier than it was doesn't mean it's easy. It's kind of like trying to claim that you're more devoted to your wife living on life support than someone else who's wife is clinically depressed...or something... If someone wasn't presented with the option to cut and run when it was really bad because they weren't around yet, that doesn't mean that they would if they had been. Spidey - feel free to have a beer on me each year I can't make it! I hope I get out there soon, but until it's not on the 4th of July it just isn't going to happen. I'll have to stick to March Badness and Headless Horseman runs to get my Buell Community fix. | ||
| Court |
The 25th Anniversary event was fabulous. I described it as the "Woodstock of Buells". If you missed it . . . you missed something big. The motorcycle stuff was fun. The music, both nights, absolutely rocked. Everytime you looked there were Buells on the podium and Blake walking around tossing cash like he'd hit the lottery. I met old friends, new friends and at least a dozen fellow Marines while signing books. It was a historic event. Like most Buell events. . . the bikes were soon eclipsed by the people. It was amazing to see Buell fanatics from around the world. Court | ||
| Teddagreek |
a German Spy?  Is this him???  I have a Question? Is the dealer show mandatory for dealerships that sell buells? | ||
| Spiderman |
I KNOW NUFFFING!!  | ||
| Crusty |
I just finished a 3200 mile Odyssey with my wife and daughter on their own Buells. It was the most phenomenal vacation I've ever had in my life. I saw old friends, made new friends and had more fun than I can possibly begin to describe. I was sleep deprived, and still didn't have enough time in the day. As Court said, It was a historic event. If your attitude is that it wasn't enough, then it's probably a good thing that you weren't there. You have my pity. | ||
| Badlionsfan |
If your attitude is that it wasn't enough, then it's probably a good thing that you weren't there. You have my pity. Ugh, who said that, or even implied that? The vibe I'm getting and the point that I'm trying to make is this was a golden opportunity with it being the 25th anniversary. Answer this question. Is Buell around 25 years later because of people like you and I (their rabid fans) or is it because of their awesome dealers? It was a marketing blunder is all I and others are trying to say. I'm sure it was a great event anyway. The pics you guys that have gone posted are great. Until it is scheduled around the fourth, I won't be able to go no matter what is planed or released. I'm not lucky like to have a family that's into riding, let alone a family of Buellers. That's awesome, and maybe I'll have a family of riders of my own someday, and ride as a family of Buellers to the 50th. | ||
| Court |
Gotta disagree with you there. The TT is a marketing blunder, the 25th Anniversary Homecoming was an unmitigated success. I can't think of anything they could have done to improve it and frankly trying to roll out a new bike would have been . . . well, a HUGE marketing blunder. Court | ||
| Badlionsfan |
I can't think of anything they could have done to improve it and frankly trying to roll out a new bike would have been . . . well, a HUGE marketing blunder. Court I respect your opinion second to none on these boards, really I hope I get to meet you sometime. I gave my reasons why I feel not releasing a new model (this is of course assuming there is one this year) was a boo-boo. I'd like to hear your opinion as to why doing so would've been a bad deal. Not trying to be a smart azz or a jerk, but would really like to know. | ||
| Court |
First of all, based on my two years of experience with The White House Advance Team, I know what goes into planning one of these things. Add to that my years of experience in the motorcycle business and I know what goes, politically, emotionally and logistically, into a new product launch. Few folks had a inkling of how big the 25th Anniversary was going to be. Think of the poor soul who looked at the 83 or so folks on the Badweb list and got there to find that the Badweb list was less than 10% of the total. Now you know why Laura so strongly pushed early registration. The simple logistics (I've been involved with a number of the tube frame bikes) of rolling out a new (even if it's just bold new colors) bike is huge. You can't imagine how many departments from Technical Publications, Marketing, Dealer Relations, Homologation, Tests and Analysis and the Media group are involved. Buell (under Laura's wonderful leadership) had everyone focused on the 25th Anniversary Homecoming. That group, by the way, for those of you new to Buell in the last 8 years, included returning Super Stars Diane Arnholdt and Greg Heichelbech. To toss a new model launch, out of synch with the product development schedule, into the mix would have been akin to a kid's birthday that falls on Christmas. Many of us who have lived through a couple dozen Buell near death corporate experiences were wanting to take the time to celebrate, be thankful and to share memories. A new bike would have taken a lot away from capturing and properly honoring a special moment in Buell's history. Besides . . . we now have great fodder for the next two Buell parties! In closing, let me say that I greatly appreciate the tone of your question. The events, the schedule and the details were never going to suit each and every persons wants, needs and desires to a "t". It was easy at the first Homecoming, all 17 of us just agreed we'd better do something fast while Buell was still in business. Don tossed in the first $1,000 to the Buell Foundation and the BBQ was fired up at 214. It's more complicated and with the number of owners passing 100,000 it becomes a bit of a consensus sort of thing. That's even before you consider the financial, scheduling and logistical constraints placed on Laura in the planning. The fabulous thing about this, and the salient item that sets Buell apart from ANY other vehicle company in the world, is that you can sit down today, pen your likes, dislikes, wants, wishes and dreams and have them, by Monday, in the hands of the person making the decisions for future events. Try that anywhere else. By the way, if you write that letter, please also take a moment to write a thank you letter to Laura and send a copy to Jon and Erik. If you just send it to Kim I'll make certain each of them gets a copy. Buell is an amazing company and the most amazing it has been in 25 years. . . and yes. . . I'm writing a long winded tome about why.  Court Mrs. Laura Scheer Buell Motorcycle Company 3700 West Juneau Avenue Milwaukee, WI 52130 Mrs. Kim Tordik Buell Motorcycle Company 2799 Buell Drive East Troy, WI 53120 (Message edited by court on July 09, 2008) | ||
| Mikej |
Any idea what the actual head count was? With 83 being less than 10% it would put the total count over 800 people. If that's true then I'm thinking this year might have had the largest attendance yet for a Buell Homecoming. Really sorry I missed it, but I was over 800 miles away. Maybe next year. | ||
| Court |
It was easily the largest. I've spent almost 15 years using that parking lot as a gauge. Last year was like 585 and there were two rows of bikes. This year there were 4 rows the full length of the lots handlebar-to-handlebar. | ||
| Court |
By the way . . . this bears repeating. If you were at the Homecoming it's be absolutely FABULOUS if you would write a LETTER to Jon Flickinger and share your thoughts about the job Laura did. The folks at Buell have raved about how hard she's been working over the last year and as a person who's seen more Homecomings than most I think this was THE BANNER EVENT. And . . to top of off I never saw the young lady without her signature "I can make that happen" smile. . . .everything everyone wanted happened! If you enjoyed yourself. . please write and say so, Court Mr. Jon Flickinger - President Buell Motorcycle Company C/O Mrs. Kim Tordik 2799 Buell Drive East Troy, WI 53120 | ||
| Spiderman |
I sent Flick an email as soon as I got home | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
I sent Flick an email as soon as I got home ditto | ||
| Crusty |
I don't have his E-mail address, so I'll just have to do it the old fashioned way; via USPS. | ||
| Court |
E-mail is fine but there is NOTHING like a letter. Flick and Erik get just shy of 500 e-mails a day and usually less than 3 letters. Guess what gets read? It's also cool to have something that can go in Laura's employee file. I want to reward and encourage this type of effort and follow through. | ||
| Bads1 |
It was a Homecoming I will not forget. Seeing my Son paint a set of XB body work and spend the time he did and give it to Erik at the Boiler Room will always stand out for me. I hope as well as my Son hope to see a pic of it on a bike in the near future. The only one thing I had go wrong is one bad Apple at the Boiler Room that had to try to throw a monkey wrench in my evening. Thanks Brinnutz for coming and getting me. I'm glad it was it did escalate. It was over is fast as it started. | ||
| Spiderman |
Yeah but you only get one email from Spidey a day  | ||
| Massgirl |
This was my first ever HC, and I only had my license for a month before we made the 1600 mile trip out there from MA. I'm only 17, and 1 of 3 kids there, but I had the time of my life! I couldn't have asked for anything more. I didn't go looking for anything new from the company, or even expecting anything from them other than providing a place to have a good time. We were SPOILED by just being able to talk to the people who work for Buell and Erik. I can't believe that anyone would DEMAND something from a company, just because we're enthusiasts and not dealers. The bikes would not have been sold without the dealers. Just because there are a few bad ones, doesn't mean there aren't any good ones out there that love Buells as much as we do. Anyways, we should be GRATEFUL that Laura and all the other employees put so much effort into this event, just so it would happen. You really don't know how much work they do, until you know someone who did it (Leslie). I can't believe that people who DIDN'T EVEN GO are complaining about not getting anything from the event. Next time you want something from Buell, go to HC for yourself and see just what it's all about. And Ft_Bstrd...we had a "Loud Fans" shirt for you, but since you didn't waste your time or money on going to this event, we gave it to Lafayette instead. I'm sure he appreciated it more than you would have anyways. | ||
| Court |
Andrea . . . IT'S YOU ! Welcome! | ||
| Massgirl |
haha, thanks Court I finally got my Buell, met BadWeb people, and so decided it was time to join the boards | ||
| Firebolt32 |
Oh Lord...another Masshole. Was once one myself but was transplanted in FLA. Welcome and Go SOX! | ||
| Massgirl |
hahaha yeah, well, its in my blood born and raised here its a great place, and I love it...sometimes | ||
| Bads1 |
Hey there Andrea. Tell your folks hello and glad you guys had a good time. Did your Mom's check engine light come on again after the fix??? Also hope you guys make the trip again next year. |
