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Ft_bstrd
| | Posted on Friday, August 07, 2009 - 12:14 pm: | 
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A motorcycle isn't a commodity. Too many dealers treat them as such. People don't buy them because you have them. People buy them because they WANT them.
I want to put a "mental splinter" into everyone who comes in contact with our dealership and with Buell. When they leave, I want them to be unable to claw the thoughts of the Buell and our dealership from their mind. I want them to obsessed with a bike and certify that OUR dealer is the ONLY place they want to buy that bike.
If you aren't passionate about a motorcycle, you are dead. If I can't make you passionate about a bike, I have failed (or this the wrong bike for you). |
Ft_bstrd
| | Posted on Friday, August 07, 2009 - 12:18 pm: |
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Oh, and no one buys or doesn't buy based upon whether or not the dealership has brats or not. |
Ft_bstrd
| | Posted on Friday, August 07, 2009 - 12:24 pm: |
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Tom is great. I haven't met a single person at the dealership who isn't 100% on mission. I credit that to good ownership/management. It's a top down message.
I did get yelled at by one of the service guys. 
I don't like the look of most of the Dyna line except for the Fat Bob. I have never liked the look of the Heritage. Too many studs and conchos. |
Sifo
| | Posted on Friday, August 07, 2009 - 12:25 pm: |
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I have to admit, I've talked to lot's of people about what they like about lots of bikes and I have never heard that they like their bike because they got a free lunch with it!
 |
Chellem
| | Posted on Friday, August 07, 2009 - 01:15 pm: |
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At the special events for metric and Buell riders you absolutely must ensure that no one has to even look at, talk with, or acknowledge any cruiser riders, especially the hardley riders. Cruisers are not invited. It must be exclusive to get the message across that the Buell and sport riders are special and valued. The hog riders are the number one problem followed closely by the dealerships and sales force. Make it non poser night. Anyone thinking they will succeed at bringing in substantial sales prospects from the metric riders while the cruisers are in control is way out in left field.
Wow, I mean, I know some Harley riders have attitudes, but jeez, it does sound like you have a pretty good attitude too there! Non-poser night? And slow, ponderous machines give a black eye to Buells?
We have a bike night every Tuesday at a local restaurant, and we get about equal parts sport bikes and cruisers. Each keep to their own for the most part, but some talk to each other. So far, no actual wars have broken out. No black eyes, no broken bones.
We seek peaceful coexistance!
To think that a Harley dealer can physically stop Harley riders from attending one of their events is a little short-sighted. To think that a Harley dealer would actively exclude the population that accounts for over 90% of their sales is, I think, a little unrealistic.
Even when we have our Buell events, even when we have Erik here to play music or sign wierd things, we have NEVER excluded Harley riders. And if we're having a Buell demo day with the truck, a good portion of the test rides are to CURRENT HARLEY OWNERS. What's to say today's Harley rider isn't tomorrow's Buell rider? We have more than one customer who has both, and a good number of posters here also have both - for different moods.
I think that exclusionary way of thinking - on both sides - is ultimately unproductive.
Just my $.02.
ChelleM
(I like both!) |
Sifo
| | Posted on Friday, August 07, 2009 - 01:21 pm: |
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Is it wrong to come out of the closet and admit that I too go both ways?
Honestly, I just experimented a bit in college! |
Ft_bstrd
| | Posted on Friday, August 07, 2009 - 01:27 pm: |
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The Harley buyer/rider has a different culture than sportbike buyers/riders.
Neither is "best". They are just different.
A HD/Buell dealer can't attract one buyer with the culture of another. Not to say that a dealership can't cultivate both cultures simultaneously. Many don't.
The ones that will be successful moving forward will be able to attack and attract BOTH markets using tools and tactics specifically for the target buyer/rider. |
Fast1075
| | Posted on Friday, August 07, 2009 - 01:34 pm: |
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I once experimented in college, but didn't inhale...Opps...wrong thread  |
86129squids
| | Posted on Friday, August 07, 2009 - 01:42 pm: |
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Ft:
I doubt you've had a chance to see a clean example of the above mentioned Dyna's. Many had a kewl blacked-out aesthetic, mag wheels, definitely different from most of the current model Dyna's. Much more sport-capable, even with forward controls.
IIRC the years were '99 thru '02, mebbe '03. One of our regular folks here has a clean looking Dyna, can't remember who.
Fuggetabout most of the Softails- although I do enjoy a well set-up Heritage sometimes. |
Cyclonedon
| | Posted on Friday, August 07, 2009 - 03:24 pm: |
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I don't like the look of most of the Dyna line except for the Fat Bob
I like the Dyna's with the mid controls! Kinda seems like a fat heavy sport bike! But I'm kinda fat and heavy myself so maybe that's why I like them.
But still prefer the Road King. |
Rainman
| | Posted on Friday, August 07, 2009 - 04:00 pm: |
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Dynas with the mid controls, the new XR1200 and even the old Street Rod I like. Not much for having my feet way ahead of me.
Still, I prefer an XT or an Ss |
Cityxslicker
| | Posted on Friday, August 07, 2009 - 04:29 pm: |
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I go both ways....
but I have never bought a bike cuz somebody put a weiner in a bun. |
Cyclonedon
| | Posted on Friday, August 07, 2009 - 07:39 pm: |
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Still, I prefer an XT or an Ss
me too!!!
Buell "different in every way" |
Ratbuell
| | Posted on Friday, August 07, 2009 - 11:10 pm: |
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I just took a bike in on trade. '01 FXDX, yellow, blacked out motor, adjustable suspension front and rear, detachable windshield, detachable bags, solo and 2-up seats. SPOTLESS. Everyone who looks at it figures 5k miles.
Actually has 26k.
Guy owns an X1.
They traded it in? For a Blast. 
I've said it before, and I'll say it again here. I'll buy HDs all damn day in order to sell Buells! Makes me feel almost as good as the fact that when HD wanted real power out of the XR....they used Buell parts.
Full circle. |
Ft_bstrd
| | Posted on Saturday, August 08, 2009 - 12:20 am: |
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Did test rides at the track day tonight. Really fun.
Rode my first Harley Davidson tonight.
010 Wide Glide. Really liked it. Hated the seat.
Burned the hell out of my legs on the pipes trying to figure out where to put my feet. |
Barker
| | Posted on Saturday, August 08, 2009 - 12:31 am: |
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test rides @ what track? |
86129squids
| | Posted on Saturday, August 08, 2009 - 02:16 am: |
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Huh? I know I'm out of the loop, but didn't HD just discontinue the Wide Glide (AKA FXDWG)?
I know it's alphabet soup, but it's helpful to know the nomenclature.
I write weird sentences late at night. |
Smoke
| | Posted on Saturday, August 08, 2009 - 06:02 am: |
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they had a night trackday in Nashville last night.
tim |
Iamike
| | Posted on Saturday, August 08, 2009 - 08:34 am: |
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When I was visiting Norice the other day at his shop there was a father/son duo in there. The dad was going gaga over an 883 and pointing at it like his son should just jump on it and ride away.
It was too bad since the Buells were just around the corner and they would have been much more fun than the 883. |
Ft_bstrd
| | Posted on Saturday, August 08, 2009 - 09:23 am: |
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Barker, if you'd listen to your mail, you'd know.  |
46champ
| | Posted on Saturday, August 08, 2009 - 11:38 am: |
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IaMike unfortunately you have just meet the guy who hasn't figured out that Buell is the new Sportster. |
Barker
| | Posted on Sunday, August 09, 2009 - 12:05 am: |
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mail? I musta fallen off the bumpus mailing list. |
Crusty
| | Posted on Sunday, August 09, 2009 - 07:59 am: |
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HOG dealers ain't leaned a thing...
That's what you think
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Mdoughten
| | Posted on Sunday, August 09, 2009 - 08:13 am: |
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Huh? I know I'm out of the loop, but didn't HD just discontinue the Wide Glide (AKA FXDWG)?
it's back for 2010.
http://www.harley-davidson.com/en_US/Content/Pages /2010_Motorcycles/2010_motorcycles.html?locale=en_ US&bmLocale=en_US#/model/fxdwg |
Ft_bstrd
| | Posted on Sunday, August 09, 2009 - 02:44 pm: |
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Over two days at the track, we had 19 people do test rides. Most rode multiple models. Nearly ALL left with a very favorable impression of the Buell models (and my business card ).
"Good God that thing has gobs of torque!"
"the people knocking the ZTL braking system have never ridden a Buell."
"I never expected to even like this bike, but I have to admit that I REALLY, REALLY like this bike."
"I finally get the attraction of the Ulysses. This thing is a blast, and it GOES."
"it's really cool you guys are letting us test ride bikes. I can't imagine the other companies doing this."
"That was the best test ride I've ever done."
I think the potential for success is huge for Buell, but it is going to take a shift in thinking for dealers. Many of the folks who teet rode were from out of state. Conventional wisdom would say that letting these folks test ride YOUR bikes is a waste of time. YOU probably won't get a sale from it, so why bother. Those folks who test rode may buy. It'll probably be from someone local to them, but they will buy from someone.
I think that for Buell and Buell dealers to succeed, we will need to promote the brand in a way not done recently. In a city with 4-5 Harley dealers, the effort is in convincing people to select YOUR dealer vs. the next guys. You don't really have to help people know what a Harley is. I think success hinges upon getting Buell "virgins" in the seats, getting them excited, and getting them talking (and buying). To do that, we'll have to go where THEY are. They will NOT come to US. The majority will not voluntarily penetrate the phalanx of cruisers at a HD store to come see Buell based upon what they read. We MUST bring Buell to them.
I am convinced that most of the folks who threw a leg over probably wouldn't have ever test ridden a Buell had we not been there. Several said so.
This was our first attempt like this. I thought it was a success.
Not only did we serve hot dogs AND polish sausage, but we even tapped a keg.
Thank you, Tom, for being willing to experiment. I had a blast and enjoyed hanging out (and riding your 350 small block bar stool ). |
86129squids
| | Posted on Sunday, August 09, 2009 - 05:27 pm: |
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+1! Told youn's this thread has taken a great turn, leaning after all.
Jeremy- got pics? Sounds like a great weekend, KUDOS for proseletyzing for Buell.
I wanna see a bar stool burnout. |
Ft_bstrd
| | Posted on Sunday, August 09, 2009 - 05:42 pm: |
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No pics. Thought about it while I was trying to keep my eyes open on the drive home "damn, I should have taken a picture or two".
You should have seen an entire track paddock full of gear heads grinning from ear to ear as I did laps around the paddock riding a 350 small block on wheels with straight pipes.
I did get a picture of Tom and his daughter Alex before heading out for the last session for the two up ride. |
Iamike
| | Posted on Sunday, August 09, 2009 - 09:04 pm: |
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It used to be that you didn't ever see Buells out on the road. Now I see them quite often. Their distinctive styling makes them easy to spot. |
Ft_bstrd
| | Posted on Sunday, August 09, 2009 - 09:25 pm: |
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I think that's part of the reason people are taking notice of Buell. People are looking for something different.
There were dozens of IL4s at the track. Even IL4 owners couldn't tell one make from another. Ultimately, they only come in two flavors, 600 and 1000, and you can't really tell them apart by sound. |
Cyclonedon
| | Posted on Sunday, August 09, 2009 - 10:33 pm: |
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Fats, how many test rode Buells this weekend at the track? Did anyone make a purchase or do you feel like there are any close to buying?
I agree with you that to sell Buells, you've got to get people to test ride them. |
Ft_bstrd
| | Posted on Sunday, August 09, 2009 - 11:30 pm: |
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Of the 19, about 10 were locals. Don't know if they are "close" to making a purchase, but I can guarantee that they are closer than they were when they pulled into the track.
The last test ride, at 12:30 last night, was with three corner workers. They LOVED the CR and stated that given the choice for the riding that they like to do, it would be their choice. They are local.
I hope to hear from them.
I have their information. |
Wolfridgerider
| | Posted on Monday, August 10, 2009 - 08:25 am: |
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I am hoping that the Buell winds of change are about to start blowing at my local dealer.
Our local dealer wants to have a meeting with our local riding group (COBRA) to hear what we would like to see in a Buell dealership.... this is a good sign! |
Ft_bstrd
| | Posted on Monday, August 10, 2009 - 09:34 am: |
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I agree. Let's hope good things come from the meeting. |
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