| Author | Message | ||
     Danny_h__jesternut |
I especially liked the part about racing.  Our great American SUPERBIKE as it is called, races against mostly 600cc inline four MIDDLE wgt bikes from the big four, Japan inc. Club(AMA) racing, priveters no less. And its(1125cc)only won 3? Got any cool-aid  | ||
| Ferris_von_bueller |
Surely, you jest | ||
| Dbird29 |
Those Hanson brothers in Minnesota made a hell of an American bike, Henderson Excelsior was it? Butt ugly and expensive. I like Buell. | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
Got any cool-aid Poor Erik. He's been made fun of by a backhoe operator. Bet he's pretty tore up. FB | ||
| Steve_mackay |
remind me to tell you why he's laughed at every offer and was working until midnight this week. Telll Erik, a hearty THANK YOU! I may catch some flack for mentioning this, but what the heck... I am reaping some of the benefits of the Elves' work. It's the 1st overtime I've seen in nearly 6 months thanks to Buell and the Elves. They are certainly keeping this American manufacturer busy  Keep 'em coming Elves! What MOST of you don't realize is Buell actually spreads A LOT of their work locally. Which keeps us little Wisconsin tool & die shops, job shops, plastic injection molders, etc... Busy. | ||
| Spike |
You mean those "privateer" "middleweight" Japan Inc. 600s that go 170mph+ at Daytona and are such a threat that Ducati's $14k 848 Superbike and Aprilia's RSV1000R Superbike don't even bother to show up? I just want to make sure we're talking about the same bikes. You make it sound like it's a cake walk to show up and win against those bikes, but apparently the Italians are afraid to even try. But don't get hung up on that. I wouldn't want the facts to interrupt your fun little bash session. | ||
| Court |
Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. . . don't make me have to lower the cone of silence. Fact is you are dead right. Buell has gone to extraordinary lengths over the years to move things, from welding frames to producing tooling, to local Wisconsin firms. I met the gal with the State of Wisconsin when Vick and I were at Buell for the 100,000th build. Wisconsin has a vibrant and usually effective Business Development agency and atmosphere. There was a time where consideration was given to moving Buell. Two locations were consider but the folks of Wisconsin, the Village of East Troy and, most of all, local labor and the support of skilled craftsperson within an hour drive, make East Troy, WI a perfect location. Cooler actually than many know. I apologize . . . in arrears, to the Village of East Troy for the little "trailer incident" . . . who knew Buell would grow like they did! Steve could tell you more but suffice to say there is a wellspring of talented, technical and innovative manufacturing support vendors in the area. | ||
| Steve_mackay |
Wisconsin has a vibrant and usually effective Business Development agency and atmosphere. It's not as good as it once was. Thanks to our MORON of a Governor. But that's a TOTALLY different story. But keeping Buell in this area was smart. They have some world class manufacturing facilities within an hour drive of East Troy. | ||
| Crusty |
Uh; I'm just curious. How many motorcyclists are going to the Honda/Suzuki/Kawasaki/Yamaha Homecomings this year? | ||
| Court |
Uh . . . Crusty . . . you accidently included HONDA on your list. You must not have gotten the MEMO. I used to, on behalf of Buell, ride to the Honda Hoot and the BMWMOA events. Met many nice folks. Times get tough and Buell makes us buy our own $4 lunch but makes damn sure we have a chance to gather and celebrate friendships. Honda, who spent $200,000,000 on racing, cancels the entire event citing "economic concerns". I'm sure they are a dandy motorcycle. . . they'll get you from point A to point B. But . . . I ride for fun, pleasure and fellowship . . I need a motorcycle and a motorcycle company with values I respect and admire and that I can be proud of. I'm funny that way. See ya there John! | ||
| Ferris_von_bueller |
Well, shoot, Honda closed their motorcycle factory in Ohio. This is why I say it's important to support the home (American) team when you can. | ||
| Danny_h__jesternut |
Lets get in to our little time machine an head on back 10 or 12 years shall we? We find our selves at the AMA races. There we find SUPERBIKES racing, 1000cc twins up against 750cc inline fours. 250cc disparity and everyboby was crying foul, no fair. Back to the future, now we have 1125cc twins racing 600cc IL 4"s. So now all of a sudden a 525 cc disparity is fair, and no one is susposed to cry foul, no fair? The more I think about it the more I Middle wgt 600's = 170mph Superbikes 1000IL/1200T = 190+ mph big diff. | ||
| Imonabuss |
Trollie Jackyernut, The Buell has not had the fastest top speed at ANY track so far. Go somewhere where people are ignorant, don't pedal your lies here. The motors are stock except for a pipe, while the factory 600 pits look like a space program. I know the Latus guys and there is no rocket science or rocket program money in those bikes, just professional set up by a good, but poor, team, and a damned good rider. It ain't about Kool-aid here, but it is about BS with you. Buell is doing exactly what the AMA has allowed to get more competitive, and is the only brand that has been hit with penalties to slow them down. Suzuki has won five races in a row and no penalty has happened. The Aprilia, which is faster than the Buell, has been given additional allowances at every race. I don't hear anyone from Buell whining about it. And no one cried foul about the 1000/750's until the 1000s started winning a lot, unlike today when jerks bash Buell for going out and competing according to the rules. You are a Buell hater for whatever reason, but it certainly has nothing to do with truth or fairness. | ||
| Crusty |
Easy, easy; next weekend, the nationals at Road America are going to happen. It's Buell's home track and all the kool-aid guzzlers will be attending after visiting the factory for Homecoming. As much positive energy as possible will be directed towards Shawn, Danny, Barney, Taylor Knapp, Walt Sipp, and any other Buell racers out on the track doing battle. I sincerely hope to see an 1125 on the top of the box both days. If living well is the best revenge, beating six digit $ racers disguised as street bikes with privateers on bikes with stock engines will really feel sweet. | ||
| Ferris_von_bueller |
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| Ducxl |
Easy, easy; My sentiment exactly.I hope Buell earns the right to be KICKED OUT of racing with 600cc machines.For good reason. As far as American manufacturing and the American economy,I'm seeing something along the lines of what happened to Argentina in 2001 | ||
| Crusty |
So that stops a Honda Homecoming? In 2003, when the Mothership wouldn't come up with any dough for a Buell Homecoming, we threw our own, and had a pretty good time, to boot. With all those Honda riders out there, you'd think they'd be passionate enough to do likewise. Or maybe they aren't really that passionate? | ||
| Paint_shaker |
I am holding my own on a near stock, air-cooled, old tech, push rod V-twin street bike on the track, against I-4 race bikes disguised as street bikes... More Kool-Aid please! | ||
| J2blue |
Just to egg whoever they are on: These aren't penis comparisons, they are engine comparisons. Who gives a sh!# what the displacement is? And for disparity? The only point of comparison that means anything is horsepower. It doesn't matter what engine configuration is chosen. It would be fair for a 20,000 cubic inch steam engine to race the 600cc rice burners. "Waaaa - boo - hoo, that old steam locomotive has too much displacement and we are afraid he may run over us." Get over it already. Is every single part on a Jap bike made or assembled in Japan? I somehow doubt it. Buell is an American designed, engineered, and built bike. By God I like that. Hell, it's pretty damn fast and can hold it's own with just about any bike from any country. And as for kool-aid, Buell makes a delicious and refreshing drink, too. If I wanted saki that's what I'd choose. And if I wanted to hear all the argumentative blathering about how great the emperor's scooter is I wouldn't tune into this web site. From now on can we just ignore such small minded trolls? | ||
| Court |
Somewhere I missed whatever rule it is folks seem to think Buell broke . . . . or where Buell, the tiniest of the competitors, somehow wrested control and wrote the rules. The whining and woe-is-us tales hold no water. | ||
| Ducxl |
THis thread is going WAAAAAYYYYY off topic | ||
| F_skinner |
On another note. Lynn hauled me out of the house today. I was happy and she was taking me to get rain gear so I do not repeat last weeks fiasco. We went the local Yamaha, Suzuki etc dealer that also sells Victorys. I have an idle interest in this company because I think they forced HD into a 6 speed and bigger inch big twin. Well, they had the demo truck there and a lot of bikes for test rides. I would say it was similar in what Buell does except no one was real friendly. I could not understand that, the color was back in my face and although I was weak I did not think I intimated anyone. I did have a Buell shirt on. They had a neat cut display bike and engine. I was impressed with the engine design and especially the transmission. I grabbed some free stuff and a DVD about Victory. I was similar to what Buell gave out at Homecoming last year but Victory was really jabbing at HD with a lot of it in between the lines. The only time they mentioned HD was in a HP comparison. For being around 10 years they seemed to be doing well. Of course Polaris is a very big company and they have great backing so that makes it a little easier. If anyone gets a chance to check out the DVD it is called "The Road to Victory" I know a couple of Victory owners and some of them do have what I call a HD mentality. Chrome this and that and my bike is better than yours. I got a list of their tour schedule and they have a few events this year and it does not look like they are slowing down. I have no idea how the economy has effected them. I imagine it is similar to most. They have an interesting niche market which seems to be people that want an American made V Twin but do not want a Harley. They are real proud of the parts made in the US. I must say the Vision is one ugly bike but it does look comfortable. I am not to crazy about the "Ness" style. Just my observations. Frank | ||
| Court |
>>>>Back up your bet Mr Buell. Back up your bet. I went back and read that and frankly . . . . I think he has. As I reflect on this "American Made" theme I recall all the folks who insisted Erik should have put that overweight oversized V-Rod motor in? That motor, of course, was designed in Germany, with parts sourced internationally and assembled in a facility originally set up and paid for by Germans. I just talked with someone who had a tour of the original Buell garage recently and he said what he saw there was insane. How about a prototype 1000cc V-twin sportbike like an 1125R built in the late 80's?!!!! If Erik could build a prototype then, why couldn't he get it built here? Because of what he is talking about...that America has to get back to it's roots, shut down the inefficient facilities and businesses and get down to being creative rather than lining individuals pockets for today with no though for the future. Many big American businesses dug their own grave with overpaid and lazy workers digging right along with overpaid and lazy management. Or perhaps all of this economic crisis was caused by the 200 at Buell that you love to bash? I'd suggest that GM. Chrysler, Harley-Davidson and some of the American "Giants" need to do some soul searching and rediscover those qualities that they built their reputation on like pride, quality and leadership. Buell, the person, the company and the products are setting a darn good example . . . . the path is no secret. I'm proud of American's and American manufacturing. Ask Steve Mackay is ANYBODY in the world can build better tools than he can? Your answer can be found in his answer. American manufacturing, go back and read the letter, is at the door of the greatest opportunity it's ever stared at in history. I'll be part of it . . . will you? | ||
| Spike |
If the facts interrupt your rant, run off to some previous history and pretend it's related. Ducati is allowed a 250cc advantage and doesn't even show up. Aprilia is allowed a 400cc advantage over the 600s and they're a backmarker. Buell shows up with a mere 125cc more and puts riders on the podium. Which one is the laughing stock again? (Message edited by spike on May 31, 2009) | ||
| Firebolt020283 |
if all you can do is compare displacement. You are a very weak minded person. Let me help you out for a minute. THE HOLE POINT OF THIS SERIES IS NOT DISPLACEMENT BUT PUTTING BIKE OF EQUAL PERFORMANCE AGAINST ONE ANOTHER. Buell won 3 races this season. They finally have a bike that can compete in a series. Funny thing is that bike is that bike has a completely stock engine. Those 600cc bikes do not they put alot of money into there engines and are not the same as the bikes you can buy at the dealership. I love the fact that A less than 30,000 dollar bike is kicking the crap out of bike that cost alot more. | ||
| Ducbsa |
+1 on the humble beginnings. I visited the Mukwanago place in the '80's and it was a surprise with the tiny assembly area and bikes stored in the old pole barn next door. | ||
| 20xb12s04 |
I'll be part of it . . . will you? Now that you're done with your degree, does that mean you're officially going to be one of the Elves again? | ||
| Court |
>>>Now that you're done with your degree, does that mean you're officially going to be one of the Elves again? Actually, the opposite. I suspect, after a recent incident with Harley-Davidson, that I'll be meddling less in others business and more in my own. It's time for me to retire and join my place among enthusiastic owners. Besides, my wife wants her basement back. Buell, and several other American Industries, ore on the verge of doing some amazing things. Mediocrity, "good enough" and average are, as we speak, having their obituaries carved on headstones. Gone are the days when the stamp "Made in USA" is enough to elevate tolerance for mediocre. The rebirth of excellence is upon us. If you have ever considered starting and running a business and doing something the best it can be done, your timing is great. But if you are doing something "good enough to get by" your days are numbered. The new world order of commerce nearly insure that anyone doing less than top quality work and doing it efficiently will (see GM, AIG, Chrysler) will be crushed. I suspect that in the process of getting there we will see a crushing economic time, say around 2012, that will eclipse the Great Depression. One apolitical, unbiased and non-partisan economic research firm is referring to it as the "Greatest Depression", that will cull many of the average firms. In addition, it will take a couple years for the following masses to study and understand the "real world" lesson that a government trying to be everything to everybody can be none of those things. In that time the billions spent, ostensibly to create jobs, on follies like skate board parks, swine odor and the other 9,000+ will be gone, having joined the $850,000,000 that the private forensic accounting firm hired by the GSA admits they have already "lost track of". Today, as 3% of the "stimulus" dollars have been spent and 2.6M more jobs have been lost folks are in chapter 1. Time and tide will likely bear out that there are no "magic pills" and that excellence and efficiency are the keys. I hope to be on the leading edge of doing something similar to what Buell is doing but in the construction industry. I'm 4 years older than I was when my Dad retired and never dreamed I'd see these types of opportunities or be having this much fun at this age. How refreshing to the small number of folks who have actually read what Erik wrote in his letter to Forbes and thought about it. How wasteful for the small minds that read a learned treatise on manufacturing from someone who is doing it and knows it and we able to respond with nothing more worldly than "well Buell had more cc". Never in history have four generations of the healthiest, best educated, best connected and most visionary simultaneously been in the work place. Never before have they been so able to communicate, collaborate and create. Political and geographic boundaries are nearly gone. A short time ago a mountain or a river could keep two intelligent folks from collaborating, now nothing but an average human being can. The age of excellence is upon us. These are going to be amazing times. Amazing people will be leading them. I'l be part of it . . . . will you ? | ||
| Ferris_von_bueller |
I suspect that in the process of getting there we will see a crushing economic time, say around 2012, that will eclipse the Great Depression. Gee, Court, thanks for cheering up my Sunday  On a serious note, what is the basis for your prediction? ...solar storm that will knock out electronics hurling civilization back to the stone age?? (Message edited by Ferris_von_bueller on May 31, 2009) | ||
| F_skinner |
I suspect, after a recent incident with Harley-Davidson, that I'll be meddling less in others business and more in my own. Some of us that were around during the AMF days remember a Harley Davidson that was ground breaking. I have a feeling your services will be asked again. Especially when owners of Buells that know what a valued service you provide start stating some facts to a corporation that has lost touch with riders, is only selling an imagine and is only willing to take a risk when threaten by market shares. |
