| Author | Message | ||
     1313 |
THE "Sea Foam" Buell. . . (I have at least 50 pics) may have been one of the best looking Buells ever made. I do have to concur on that one! The 'sea foam' Buell was Buell-tiful!!! Damn I got a LOT to catch up on... 1313  | ||
| Tom_b |
"Aren't green bikes bad luck." probably since most green bikes are kawasaki and they seem to do a good job of kicking ass with them. | ||
| Firemanjim |
We were told on our factory tour that the dirtbike rumor was to keep people from wondering why so much time was being spent in Austria working on 1125. Never was going to be a dirtbike. | ||
| Thespive |
Hey Jim, that is the first time I have heard that there never was an actual dirt bike be a program. That is fascinating info. Thanks for sharing. --Sean | ||
| M2nc |
I don't understand waiting the time between Homecoming and the dealer show. Unless you live under a rock you know the new models are around the corner and will wait anyway. It just seems like a great time if not a total unveiling, just reveal the big project for the year. Uly in 05, TT in 06, 1125R & Uly XT in 07, blank & blank in 08. It's just such a great time to do it with all your loyal customers, friends and employees all together. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
From the other side of the aisle, let me tell you what an absolute pleasure it has been to get bikes that were promo'd in the summer, and arrive on the showroom floor, 6 months later (in the middle of f'n winter) Nothing cools motorcycle enthusiasm like 94 days of straight rain. Witness FXCWC, FXCW, FXDF, FLSTSB. All with dramatic lag in lead times versus unleash and flooring. And from the Buell side of the house, The XB12Stt, announced in fall but not even on the circuit for that years Motorcycle show ... And dont even get me started on the dirt bike and that program being cancelled; that still fries my biscuit  | ||
| Danger_dave |
>>We were told on our factory tour that the dirtbike rumor<< I've had a beer with a tech that worked on it. | ||
| Bikertrash05 |
Ask a real old school biker, green bikes ARE bad luck. | ||
| Crusty |
I've heard that "Green bikes" superstition since I started riding. It's just that - a superstition. | ||
| Badlionsfan |
And dont even get me started on the dirt bike and that program being cancelled; that still fries my biscuit  | ||
| M1combat |
It's not just green bikes... It's green racing vehicles in general. | ||
| Miamiuly |
So the British must have started that... British Racing Green....that's why the Lucas electronics gave out, thus costing us the race. Blimey. | ||
| Mikej |
"We were told on our factory tour that the dirtbike rumor was to keep people from wondering why so much time was being spent in Austria working on 1125. Never was going to be a dirtbike." I find it hard to believe that they would tell the dealership network to study up and get familiar with dirt bikes if there was never any intention to produce a dirt bike. Seems like a good way to alienate further a dealership network that you already have some fairly significant issues with the bulk of. "and there is a "walkaround" scheduled for the new Buell motorcycle." Could this simply be a walkaround of the 1125R to help get the dealerships up to speed on the new to them attributes of the water cooled Buell? I don't think it has to be anything new, maybe just a "here's what we're hearing from customers and here's some things to keep an eye on and some ways to more quickly resolve any customer issues or concerns with these 1125R bikes". I mean, couldn't it be as simple as that????? | ||
| Reepicheep |
I don't have any inside information, but I talked to somebody who would know (NOT Court, for the record) after the announcement that the program was canceled (meaning it was public information at that point). The person did an exceptional job of stating the Harley line clearly and convincingly. He or She did not do *quite* as good a job of hiding his or her bitter disappointment at the fact that the project was not going forward at this time. They really tried, but you can't bury passion (otherwise, it ain't passion). If the dirtbike program was a rumor, that person deserves an oscar. Actually, a factory tour announcement that the dirt bike program was a ruse is the best news Cityslicker and I have heard in a while. You know, the factory tour with the BMW guy attending.  Bring back the dirt!!! | ||
| Ferris_von_bueller |
We were told on our factory tour that the dirtbike rumor was to keep people from wondering why so much time was being spent in Austria working on 1125. Never was going to be a dirtbike. Ah, the person I was referring to in my earlier post is further up the food chain. I guess this person could have been telling a tall tale but I doubt it. | ||
| Danger_dave |
I require that all motorcycle companies inform me of their plans at least 12 months in advance. I will then advise those that are cool enough what they may ride. | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
"Shame that the "walkaround" couldn't happen with the 800+ hardcore fans in attendance." No kidding, because we all know how excited the dealers are to see a new Buell. | ||
| Rde48 |
"No kidding, because we all know how excited the dealers are to see a new Buell." I think it is time that Buell started a "refer a friend" kind of sales strategy. These bikes don't sell themselves, OWNERS SELL THEM. Look at successful dealers and you are likely to see owners. I myself have sold 3 in since getting mine, and that is without a dealer within 75 miles. I had planned to stay at homecoming until Monday just for the sole reason that people that left early last year missed the first look at the 1125r, but after no talk of anything new being shown to the owners I decided to leave on Sunday to head back to NY. | ||
| Spiderman |
Either way it is a catch 22 The dealers will be mad we got to see it first or "we" are going to be mad cause the dealers seen it first. After all there are no good dealers nor good Buell sales people (sarcasim, I know quite a few dealers putting forth an effort and I quotated we cause I can wait ) | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
Dealers have to understand that WE are buying this stuff. The 25th Anniversary could have been a dealer meeting AND HC at one time. but, that didn't happen. The 1125 kick off was a huge pr success, the 25th would have been a perfect opportunity to do this. | ||
| Ratbuell |
I think it is time that Buell started a "refer a friend" kind of sales strategy. How, logistically, would you propose doing something like that? Think about it...tracking, verifying, and reimbursing the "insider" would happen how? What would be considered 'proper compensation'? What's reasonable, not only for the insider, but for the factory? Can-o-worms.... | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
What would be considered 'proper compensation'? WELL DA! You would get a Harley t-shirt......lol | ||
| Court |
>>>>I think it is time that Buell started a "refer a friend" kind of sales strategy. It's actually been done and it's incredibly powerful. When I did my "Lap of America" I gave demo rides (on my personal bike . . .no releases, and no BS) to folks. There were, when I ceased keeping track, about 62 folks who had never heard of the name Buell who 2 years later had bought Buells. Ask Jerry Haughton about folks like Jeremy Ricker . . I've got some neat photos of the "Come see a Buell" gig I used to do in Anaheim (where Denise and I first met about 13 years ago). There is merit to this idea and the "9 Ways to Sell A Buell" includes a section on "identifying, empowering and enlisting an enthusiastic local Buell owner" among suggestions for dealers. Nothing sells a Buell like an enthusiastic owner. | ||
| Regkittrelle |
The idea of the dirt program being a red herring insults both Buell and its followers. That's the type of bullshit that seriously dings a company's credibility. While it might sound clever when the spin merchants are discussing it, it is no more than a lie. I can see a Buell employee dropping that idea as a bit of a joke, but I would be very surprised if that was offical "policy." Might be a good time for "Anon." to chime in and clarify. | ||
| Court |
>>>>The idea of the dirt program being a red herring insults both Buell and its followers. True that be. The program was very real. There are plenty of other "sleight of program" tricks if they were needed. | ||
| Jaimec |
BMW reps used to routinely LIE to us about upcoming products back when I worked at a dealership. I'm not sure what the logic was, but I'll never forget the clown from BMWNA telling us about the upcoming R1100RS. It was going to have a height adjustable saddle, anywhere from 28 inches up to 33. Can't believe how many potential customers (especially those short of leg) who were very excited about that announcement. BMW has always had a reputation of being built for tall people, so we had a lot of shorter people (and women) looking forward to the new models. Of course, when the bike did come out, and the lowest seat height available was 31.5" we looked like liars. Didn't matter that we were lied to, the customer only saw US as the liars. That's when we realized Fox Mulder was right: "Trust No One!" There were a number of occasions when BMWNA flat out lied to us about upcoming models, but that one sticks in my mind the most. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
I am convinced that to get the bikes I want to function the way I want; that I will have to modify or build them for myself. I dont think Harley or Buell would have produced the bikes that I have set up the way I have (and still working on them) I was excited about the dirt bike. I am in the process of building one now. It comes back from shop next week, then the Buell Blast body work is going on top of it. Muell X-250 ftw | ||
| Buellerthanyou |
I, too, spoke with one of the personnel on the dirt bike project. He or she truly seemed very disappointed that it had been shelved in favor of focusing on the 1125R. Based on what little I've heard though, I believe it will be revived when the time is right. Buell is still a pretty small company and it would be easy for them to spread themselves too thin. As for the "refer-a-friend", our sales department will spiff a customer if they bring someone in (they must accompany them on their initial visit) who subsequently buys a bike. It's not a crazy amount of money, but it's good for the dealership and good for the customers who are enthusiastic about our products and service. HellBuelly J "To the illumined man or woman, a clod of dirt, a Firebolt, and gold are the same." --Buellgavad Gita | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
"He or she truly seemed very disappointed that it had been shelved in favor of focusing on the 1125R." Try talking to HD drivetrain engineers about how disapointed they were that they didn't get a shot at the 1125 motor. It would have been a perfect opportunity for HD to expand on their VR motor knowledge. | ||
| Ferris_von_bueller |
Considering the two previous posts I'm confused about the decision making process. HD killed the dirt bike but didn't give their own people the chance to develop the 1125 motor? (Message edited by ferris_von_bueller on July 16, 2008) |
