| Author | Message | ||
     Jak |
With so many HD dealers no longer selling Buell bikes because of a "lack of interest" from the consumer I thought of a question. What if Buells where HD branded, meaning all Buells would be now and forever known as HD's. Would HD dealers then put there hearts into selling them as they do their current line-ups? If my Buell Firebolt was a H-D Firebolt I might actually feel better about my purchase. Nothing against Erik Buell and his hard work, but it seems to me that these bikes may have a better future under a bigger tree with a well known name and dealer support. This thought occurred after my last dealer visit during which I overheard a salesman saying they would probably stop carrying the brand. Any thoughts? Kilgore | ||
| Stevenknapp |
Uh, no. No thank you. | ||
| Rubberdown |
Please no. | ||
| Silverado140 |
Oh dear GOD NO!!! | ||
| Gowindward |
"If my Buell Firebolt was a H-D Firebolt I might actually feel better about my purchase." WHY???? Josh, you are riding an American Exotic Motorcycle. Made in small quantities by a little niche market firm in Wisconsin. Enjoy that, just like your buddies probably enjoy riding their Italian exotics. Enjoy that it's An American Motorcycle and it doesn't say H-D on it. Be a prophet and spread the word about what a great brand Buell is, and how they build awesome handling American made motorcycles. | ||
| Diablobrian |
You won't change the opinions of the die-hard faithful by re-badging a Buell a H-D. These are the same people that refer to the v-rod as a Honda-Davidson. A dealer that is thinking about dropping the brand is probably not a dealer with a lot of commitment to the quality of work they do on Buells. I would find a new one. But that's just me. | ||
| Soggycal |
It would be a terrible shame if our bikes were turned to H-Ds, but I do agree that we might get a little more attention at the dealers. In my experience with dealers, not many people seem too eager to help since my bike isn't a Harley. | ||
| Mr_cuell |
I couldn't care less what name is or isn't on it. If it means the style of bike would continue it could say "Playtex" and I wouldn't care. What I would care about unfortunately would be made worse - uninformed salespeople without any comprehension of the bike or its riders. Sales-prevention staff . . . | ||
| Lovematt |
If the bike stayed the same but had the H-D name on it instead of only being able to say it is owned by H-D as a "connection" and that made any difference...I would wonder why that was. I think it is the type of bike that is the "problem" more than the Buell name for a dealer than doesn't want to support it. I must admit...I grew up around bikes but I don't feel like I fit into the crowd and culture of H-D...at least not so far. But we are all riding on two wheels and that is good enough for me. | ||
| Jak |
I think you guys are missing my point. I love that I ride a bike that nobody has heard of and separates me from the crowd. I also think Buell has come a long way and that the sky is the limit for what kind of products they could produce in the future... But, I am concerned about the future of Buell. As shown on this site, there are some pretty amazing dealers out there. But the sad thing is, a lot of dealers are jumping ship and quite rapidly. I can think of four off the top of my head that are in driving distance. My remark about feeling better about my bike if it were an HD comes from the fact that I would love to know that two years from now my dealer will still be selling and servicing Buells so I can have someone to turn to when I need them. This question isn't about needing a small niche brand, it's about the bikes and knowing that they are getting full factory and dealer support as they deserve. And I'm not talking about kicking Erik and the team out. I'm thinking they are the brains (designer, consultants) and HD is the muscle (think branding power). So how about some real thought into these comments and think about 10-20 years down the road. Kilgore | ||
| Jak |
Okay, several of you posted as i was writing so some of my post doesn't apply. Good thoughts so far, what else. Kilgore | ||
| Barker |
No. If some salesmen can't sell with Erik's name on the bike, he aint going to do with an HD logo on the bike. You have just opened a the flood gates. Get ready for a long list of no's. | ||
| Jak |
I'm open to "no's", but i want some thought as to why not? Kilgore | ||
| Metalstorm |
It would probably be pretty insulting to Erik Buell & the Elves to rebadge them. It's their baby, not H-D's. | ||
| Barker |
Here is my why not explained, Only one reason for a no. It would hurt Harley more than help buell. Brand strategy 101: A brand is built on consistency. Being consistent gives the consumer something to hold on to. You dont want to rebrand a bunch of products with brand that is some what similar. (One motorcycle brand to another.)Yes we know the difference between buell and HD, but we dont count. as much as people that have not bought a HD/buell yet. Plus HD would have to spend tons of cash rebranding (ads, marketing etc.) I dont think thats anything they will be doing in the next 10 years. They don't even market the buell brand that great right now. If you ask anyone who understands the harley brand, they would tell you that naming a buell a HD would be like HD shooting itself in the foot. I would dilute and add noise to their current brand. And It would confuse HD/Buell consumers and potential consumers. I hope this makes sense. I tried to condense down a long speech I usually tell my clients about branding/advertising. | ||
| Cochise |
Yeah, I don't think that being named an HD would help it sell, but I DO think Buell would sell better if it was on its own, the only problem with that is the R&D of Buell may be hurt. | ||
| Tunes |
I think with HD's financial backing and marketing clout, Buell will be around a long time... provided it's in HD's best interest. After all, Buell is owned by HD... and they have final say. ...and NO, I don't support a name change. I like riding an American Exotic Motorcycle... which HD is not... they are an American Traditional Motorcycle. | ||
| Metalstorm |
"I like riding an American Exotic Motorcycle... which HD is not... they are an American Traditional Motorcycle."  | ||
| M1combat |
"Buell will be around a long time... provided it's in HD's best interest." I don't agree with that at all. Look at the strategy employed by the people running Buell. HD would "probably" open their pockets if Buell asked real hard, but Buell doesn't want that. They need to be their own financially stable motorcycle company on their own. Once they are that, then they WONT need HD's best interest  . They're well on their way to it IMO. | ||
| Skyguy |
Re-badging the Buell will only pull the dealers interest when the price goes up $10,000 and there are 406,713+ little chrome things to bolt on it. | ||
| Sgthigg |
I AGREE METAL STORM | ||
| Scott_in_nh |
If re-badging a Buell as a Harley kept dealers from dropping the line it would not perk up their effort to sell the bike. You would just continue to have more dealers who know nothing about the bike who service it and it's customers poorly.... Forcing a dealer to keep the Buell line by calling it a Harley will not be good for anybody involved. I would be a fan of allowing non-HD dealers (such as triumph, ducati and aprillia dealers) to carry Buells. Especially in areas poorly served by HD-Buell dealers (most of the country apparently). | ||
| Rubberdown |
I agree with Scott. Get the Buells out of HD dealerships. They would fit right in at the Euro dealers. | ||
| Taxman |
there is another side to the situation of less and less buell dealers. the less there are the less people will be inclined to buy. sure there will be die-hards that will buy a buell from a dealership that may be as far away as another state. but most people want someplace local where they can take their bike to get work done on it. when i bought my Buell my closest dealer was only 20 minutes away in gaylord. they really liked buells but they did not sell enough bikes/extras to make it worth there while to stay a buell dealership. the next closest dealership is an hour away and they have already treated me very poorly. they are only there to sell bikes, they do not want to provide service. so really the position i'm in is that the next closest dealerships to me is 5 hours away. granted i've heard good things about them but i can't take my bike 5 hours away everytime i need service (not that it's all that often but jeesh). in the next year or so i'm going to be looking at a new bike. and i'm sorry to say that it probably won't be a buell. i really like my bike, but i want a closer dealership. i like the fellowship of the buell community, and i see similar fellowship amongst HD owners. i'm already looking at a Vrod streetrod as my next bike. i know it's not the same. but i'll have a servicing dealership 20 minutes away. | ||
| Rasmonis |
I'd love to sell, service and customize Buells exclusively. I'm tired of the lack of Buell merchandise, knowledgeable sales/techs at the dealers I've visited so far, with one exception: Battlefield HD/Buell Gettysburg, PA. I just got a great deal on a Buell from a fellow BadWebber because his servicing dealer stopped supporting Buell. He went to another brand and that sux. Great for me of course. | ||
| Swordsman |
I think Buell's biggest mistake is their outright lack of marketing and aftermarket products. I mean, look at us... we're scrambling around having to buy parts from Europe to customize our bikes (aside from American Sportbike, who's selection is a bit sketchy). I went to the International Motorcycle show in Atlanta a few months back and couldn't find a single thing with "Buell" written on it... hell, Augusta MV sells only 2 bikes in the States (couldn't even tell ya where), and they had more vendor merchandise available! I still run into people that haven't even heard of Buell. Tell me how Buell has managed to keep themselves hidden in their own country, a country that's obsessed with vehicles? I mean, c'mon, that takes effort! I think people would flock to Buell if they would just advertise. Put up a spot or two on late-night TV. Buy a few radio ads (they're pretty darn cheap, I've checked). Let people know that America makes a tough, bad-azz sport bike. With the current retro/muscle/sport car craze starting up again, and motorcycles becoming more and more prominent, seems like now's the perfect time. And Dealers, if Buell won't do it, do it for them! H-D draws cruiser people... you can't expect the Buells to sell if you don't draw in non-cruiser people too! Jap bikers aren't gonna' just wander into your store! =P All just MHO, of course! | ||
| Djkaplan |
"aside from AmericanSportbike, who's selection is a bit sketchy" When you buy stuff from Al, you also get rabid (and rapid) technical support. | ||
| Rubberdown |
The more I think about it, the more I like it. I'd love to walk into my new dealer and check out the line up.... Aprilla, Buell, BMW, Ducati, MV, and Triumph. All in their own areas with accessories and gear. All available for test rides. A place full of like-minded riders who are interested in the type of riding and gear that's appropriate for the Buell rider. That would be so refreshing and distinct from the usual crap and attitudes at the local HD dealership. IMHO. (Message edited by rubberdown on May 24, 2006) (Message edited by rubberdown on May 24, 2006) | ||
| Bigdaddy |
AmericanSportbike is a lot of things, but sketchy isn't one of them. Solid, reliable, and sound technical assistance. Superb parts and accessories sourced by a Buell expert (Read as Al.) Great communications with customers/gawkers/questions askers. The Sketchy comment was flat-out wrong. G2 | ||
| Buelldualsport |
Ditto what Daddy said about Al |
