| Author | Message | ||
     Crip2nite |
Wycked, When my H-D dealer sold me the bike, they promised service and parts in the future. Drove by 2 weeks later, The Buell sign was down, went in and they said they don't sell them anymore. Had I known this was gonna happen, I definitely would not have laid out the cash for the bike! I'm basically screwed now. Lighthouse Harley,NY screwed the hell outta me. I got taken. They just had to sell that last XB! | ||
| Court |
>>>Are Buells going in the same Direction that Indian Motorcycles did??? No | ||
| Smoke |
hell, most of the time i just ask for sportster parts at the local store. the next store an hour away has been good for parts support{orders} but they built a big super boutique type of clothing/ motorcycle sales destination for the "bikers" that really irritates me. lot of nice looking young girl sales attendants, though. good thing i dont go there often. tim | ||
| Benm2 |
Do you have to pay the same "homage" to H-D to open a stand-alone Buell dealership? | ||
| Mikej |
"most of the time i just ask for sportster parts at the local store" More than one person has done that. I've had to a few times and I'm right in the middle of several Buell shops. It comes down to product knowledge, if the person behind the counter has it then all is well, if not then not (like S2 spark plugs for instance). "Do you have to pay the same "homage" to H-D to open a stand-alone Buell dealership?" This has been discussed and cussed into the dirt, not an option under the current program as I have been told. | ||
| Mikej |
Hey, just a thought, has anyone done a Snopes check for Buell? There's enough urban legend around that there should be some entries on Snopes.  | ||
| M1combat |
I think they just put two top tier guys in at BMC... I don't think they'll die. From what I hear these guys know how to get things done and have friends in the mother ship. I see only good coming from that. Quite frankly, I don't mind ordering parts from people here at all with the exception that we enable. It makes it just that much easier for another shop to drop Buell. Granted, I don't think that the one belt, one brake lever and one peg that I've ordered from Dave (aside from the bike...) would have changed the opinion of my local HD shop one bit (they still carry Buell BTW). The only option you have if you want service right around the corner will generally be the Japanese big four. NONE of the other manufacturers have any more dealers than Buell. Most have less. Anyone have any idea how the Buell dealers are doing in Europe? I know they've sold a lot of bikes, but are there a lot of them pulling out? I think not. This tells me that the dealer market was oversaturated here, and this won't matter much for BMC. It doesn't matter to me either. AFAIC, the dealers that drop the line are for the most part dealers I wouldn't want anything to do with anyway. If you want a dealer within ten minutes, buy a Honda. We all know what Buell offers so that's unlikely. New customers though? Good question. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Just for perspective here, my two local Saturn dealers are roughly as close to me as my two local Buell dealers. I don't expect to be able to drive my Saturn into my local Pontiac dealer and find a replacement wheel cover in stock. | ||
| Rick_a |
This is the same stuff that's been circulating since Harley first took a share of Buell. | ||
| Budo |
But if some Pontiac dealers were also Saturn dealers and only Pontiac dealers could be Saturn dealers then you might expect to be able to get Saturn parts at a Pontiac dealer. | ||
| Uwgriz |
I don't expect to be able to drive my Saturn into my local Pontiac dealer and find a replacement wheel cover in stock. Just my opinion... Wheel covers - no. Spark plugs, or head gaskets or serp belts - perhaps. If not, they should be able to get them (and in relatively short order) and install them. Not every HD dealer needs to sell Buells, but I think they all should have the ability to get a guy on the road again. Again, just my opinion. | ||
| Budo |
">>>Are Buells going in the same Direction that Indian Motorcycles did???" No, apples and oranges. Indian had investors that decided to pull the money plug. Buell is owned by HD whom has deep pockets. Also notiable is Triumph wholly owned by John Bloor, he answers to no one where finance is concerned. Someone also noted that Triumph is still plowing more money back in to the company than it is taking out, after what, fifteen years. It takes along time to make a motorcycle company profitable. Someone said that a fundemental difference between Japanese business investors and everyone else was that the Japanese did not expect to see a profit until ten plus years, where others might expect to see a profit in as little as five years. | ||
| Court |
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Deep pockets, although obvious, fun to talk about and not entirely unrelated, have little to do with Harley-Davidson's enthusiasm toward Buell. Many men chase the sun. The wise ones follow the light, fools are consumed by the heat. Thimk, Court | ||
| Steveshakeshaft |
Mentioning Triumph, I personally don't see any attraction in them. But for sure, one thing that really impresses me is that they now have a very wide range of bikes on offer. I'm afraid Erik hasn't managed to pull that one off for us yet. In the UK it's either a 9 or 12, an R or S. We don't even get the Blast. Good luck to Triumph, I hope they prosper long term. Very many have failed. Steve. steve_s@ukbeg.com www.ukbeg.com (Message edited by steveshakeshaft on September 21, 2004) | ||
| Reepicheep |
Rephrase that...
Which is exactly what we have, I think. I can go into a pontiac dealer, and there is a decent chance they may have a spark plug I need, but they probably won't be able to look it up on their computer, won't know that Saturn changed the valve covers on my 95 SC2 half way through the model year (requiring different plug wires), and won't be able to order any custom parts based on Saturn part numbers. But I agree, I would hope *any* motorcycle dealer would help a rider of *any* motorcycle get back on the road quick, *especially* a Harley Dealer with a Buell rider. Actually, this has been my experience, I always seem to get a friendly reception at Harley dealers when I pull up on my Buell. The good intentions are always there, though the knowledge and experience is sometimes lacking, and it hurts to be the learning curve. | ||
| Johncr250 |
There might be alot of Buell Dealers in the USA but most of them seem to half heartly trying to sell them at best. The service dept doesn`t want to work on them, parts dept only stock oil filters and plugs, and salesmen don`t even want to answer questions. Compare that to a Ducati or Aprilla Dealer. Knowlegable sales staff that are enthusastic about the bikes they sell, parts dept stocks many parts including many aftermarket items and cloths, and quality service dept. I know there are great buell dealers out there, no disrespect to them, but most are really lacking. | ||
| Glitch |
Interesting thread. Buell has been booming here. Last week at bike week there were at least nine XBs and five or six Tubers. SMHD/Buell loves to see us coming, more money for them. I think what may happen as new blood (dealerships) come into play they'll be more open minded to Buell. Buell will succeed for the simple fact they won't die. If Buell was to go away because of some tough times, we'd not be posting about XBs at all. | ||
| Whodom |
Glitch- I have a buddy that rides an Aprilia Mille in Atlanta, and even he commented on the number of Buells he saw last weekend. That has to be a good sign. | ||
| Bob_thompson |
I agree with John above. Here in Utah I have 5 HD dealerships within 50 miles and in all but one which is the farthest away,if you mention Buell you are treated like a second class rider. Even the one, which is the only "authorized" Buell dealer, by their own words, have to order many items not kept in stock for Buell. No shortage of leather and chrome though. It was better before their only Buell rider/salesman who had any knowledge left for obvious reasons. He went to a more Buell friendly dealer in Arizona. I'm afraid if we don't support people like him many people will lose confidence in our Buells and choose another brand as many have already done on this forum. I hope not. After many years I have found the one bike I love to ride more than any other but I dread having to go to a dealer for anything. We are in an age of super competition and I think if Buell is to survive THEY have to start increasing buyer support on all levels. Maybe they don't care; I hope not. Anyway, thanks to all on this board, dealers and riders alike who faithfully support our bikes. Bob | ||
| Glitch |
That has to be a good sign. At first I thought it was "Yellow VW Syndrome", I was just noticing them because I owned one. But every Bike Night at the Vortex I meet at least one new Bueller friend. It is a good sign. | ||
| Gowindward |
It's business people! The dealers are independent businesses that have to make money to stay in business. If they tie up a bunch of dollars in slow moving inventory, whether it’s motorcycles or parts, it hurts their business. I understand that and really don’t expect them to inventory a lot products for what will most likely be a small percentage of their sales. Yes, it would be nice for them to have any part I might ever need sitting on the shelf for that one day when I might need it, but I understand them not being able to stock low sales volume parts. I would rather the dealer be in business tomorrow so I can at least walk in and order the part versus them have everything in stock today and be out of business next year because they ran the dealership poorly and lost money on slow moving inventory. One of the things that attracted me to the Buell was because there are not a lot of them around and not real common. That alone makes the bikes special!! Enjoy the fact that when you pull up to the H-D dealer and walk in that there are not 10 bikes just like yours on the showroom floor. Enjoy that there are not 25 bikes very much like yours in the parking lot. Enjoy being different. If you are riding a Buell you are riding a pure American Exotic!!!! Now That’s Cool!!! Being cool has it’s price at times…LOL Stock your own spare parts and enjoy it!! | ||
| Glitch |
Being cool has it’s price at times… That ain't that beauty is pain thing is it?  | ||
| Outrider |
If you are riding a Buell you are riding a pure American Exotic!!!! Funny...That isn't what my friends say.  | ||
| Crip2nite |
Yes,Loren.....but....When I bring my Harley in it might take a couple of days to fix it but they have the parts right there. Bring in the Buell to the same shop that used to sell them and it takes a couple of weeks just to get the parts! Let alone getting it serviced! I am now being inconvenienced because they take their sweet time getting the parts I need! For instance, It took 5 weeks to get a lousy horn!! 1 month to replace 1 headlight and 3 weeks for a lousy lollipop mirror. YA CAN'T BE COOL IF YOUR NOT RIDIN' ANYTHING TO BE COOL ON!! | ||
| Gowindward |
Politely be a squeaky wheel (call and call often) or find another source, such as a Buell friendly H-D dealer in another part of the state/ country and have them ship it to you via UPS. Modern communications makes for a small world. Again it's part of owning a niche market motorcycle with many of the bikes now out of production. I'm sure we all wish it was different but that is how it is right now for a Buell owner. | ||
| Crip2nite |
These were warrantied parts and they require dealer installation or warranty will be null and void!(So my Harley service guy tells me) | ||
| Bomber |
horn? mirror? Headlight? factory warrentied parts? hmmmmmm . . . .. .. . | ||
| Crip2nite |
Got them all for free! Not a dime,just the time! | ||
| SouthernMarine |
Wycked, I'm not saying that every store has to keep parts in stock for them. But they should at least be able to ORDER them if you need something. If a HD dealership has a Buell tech, and I believe that Yuma, for example, has at least TWO, then why can't they service and repair a Buell, they're certified. Hell, one of their techs was working on Buells even before he was certified, so that's not even an excuse, and M1, this same dealership increased their "Buell Techs", and they still dropped Buell. Does a HD Dealership have to keep Buell products, parts in stock? No, but if you have a customer who needs something for his Buell, and you're the only dealership in their vicinity, then why should they not be allowed, be able, to provide service for this individual? Back to the Basics, CUSTOMER SERVICE. Buell is fortunately and unfortunately a product of Harley Davidson(Buell is owned by the Mothership and is therefore their product), and should be treated as such by ANY HD Dealership, NO MATTER WHAT. (Message edited by southernmarine on September 21, 2004) | ||
| Biknut |
this kind of reminds me of when i used to own a moto guzzi. one time some numbnut ran into the back of my bike and broke off my fiberglass rear fender (it was parked at the time). i had to wait about 3 months for a pasta boat to float over here from italy to get a new one. now my 88 sportster is getting so old that the stealer can't even get some parts anymore so i'm pretty used to mail ordering. |
