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Court
| | Posted on Thursday, March 27, 2008 - 01:28 pm: | 
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- Is there something wrong with Ulysses electrical systems that caused multiple failures with multiple riders?
No, there is not. There have not been many issues in terms of nominal numbers. This is little relief, I understand, when you are one of the few, but there is no chronic problem with design or construction of the motorcycle.
>>>Need more data? Common issues in terms of what? The Ulysses? . . the electrics?
- Next question was: Why does HD not commit to Buell?
Harley-Davidson is tremendously committed to Buell. Like that part of your personal budget that makes up less than 1% of the pie, from time to time Buell doesn't get the attention it deserves and, in an effort to get things done quickly and with minimum effort, a Harley-Davidson system is "morphed" to Buell. Sometimes this works, sometimes id does not. The "nots" tend to be monumental and become quite obvious in contrast. Good example is the HD tries to morph their internet policy to Buell. For HD, I think it makes sense. For Buell, a company who's reputation is being a high tech cutting edge firm, I still marvel at the lack of a single e-mail contact on the website or the presence of electronic manuals or so forth. Buell actually DID have the 1997 manuals on CD and the moment some folks saw Buell had something HD didn't they hit the ceiling.
Things are improving, albeit at an agnozing pace it seems. Having Jon Flickinger on board at Buell is one of the best things that has ever happened. There is an incredible future ahead.
(Message edited by court on March 27, 2008) |
Bugnut
| | Posted on Thursday, March 27, 2008 - 02:22 pm: |
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Thanks Court. It helps to know it's not allot of people with issues like this. Bearings, VRs, side stands, and on and on do go bad for reasons outside the company control. Forums and the ubiquitous web make the few seem larger in numbers than they really are. Especially knowing the numbers of riders who are not part of this community.
In terms of commitment, what the average guy sees every time they wander in to a dealership, is that Buell is a leftover. Not a front line product, but something they have been saddled with and have to deal with the riders of those bikes. I've always tried to pick up something from those dealers across the country. My wife hates it. Another Buell t-shirt, sticker, or nic-nac. I want to support that dealer and show we have a voice. But it seems our voice is but a squeak to the lions roar. My local dealer started out strong. Over the past year it's been scaled back drastically. And when there are no parts available in a "timely manner", well we get upset.
Thanks for the input,
Mike |
Towjam
| | Posted on Thursday, March 27, 2008 - 02:49 pm: |
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Mike,
When it comes to frustration with the dealerships, you're preaching to the choir. But, if it's any indication of progress, check out this little nugget (part of a bigger motorcycle.com review of the Uly XT):
Buell: Coming to an H-D dealer near you...again
It's no secret that Buell bikes haven't been readily embraced by the ultra-devoted Harley crowd. It's highly probable that if they didn't at least have an American powerplant they would've been driven from the village by pitch fork and flaming torch (or at least flaming paint job). If you've been to two different H-D dealers that carry Buell then you may have seen one dealer shoving its three dusty Buells into the corner next to practical riding gear, while another dealer may have gone so far as to create a separate entrance for the Buell side of the shop.
In an effort to raise brand awareness and foster current growth, Buell has created a dealer within a dealer, called The Buell Experience. For now, this will still be at H-D dealers, but two stand-alone Buell dealerships are running, though they are an extension of existing Harley dealerships.
The entire retail environment is designed around creating a "garage feeling" as well as an atmosphere of being uniquely Buell, catering to those riders who currently love their Buells, and enticing those that may have been interested in a Buell but most likely wouldn't have set foot in an H-D dealership. Along with displays tailored to the Buell fan, areas to hang out and general Buell goodness, each Buell Experience will have a "Knowledge Center." This will be an interactive information kiosk replete with computer terminal there to help you get Buellified.
Three Buell Experience shops exist with more in the works: Skip Fordyce Harley-Davidson & Buell, Riverside, CA, Granite Mountain Harley-Davidson, Conyers, GA and Harley-Davidson of Ocala, Ocala, FL.
http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/buell/2008- buell-ulysses-xb12xt-review-77130.html
It may come to nothing but it's the first public sign I've seen that Buell is trying to attack the "dealership problem". |
Court
| | Posted on Thursday, March 27, 2008 - 04:14 pm: |
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It's a huge problem . . . there are good people at work.
If surrendering or tossing in the towel was an option . . . surely Erik would have exercised it on one of the 17 or so times he went broke.
The surest way to insure failure is to quit.
Court |
Naustin
| | Posted on Thursday, March 27, 2008 - 04:24 pm: |
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Putting us in a small 'garage' with a computer kiosk is progress?  Sorry, I couldn't resist. Does Demonstate the level of confidance HD has in its dealers to be able to carry on an intelligent conversation about Buell, though.
The Buell experience: Alone in the garage, with the bike and the internet...
That's pretty much what we have now!  OH, I'm killin myself here...
(Message edited by naustin on March 27, 2008) |
Towjam
| | Posted on Thursday, March 27, 2008 - 04:32 pm: |
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Putting us in a small 'garage' with a computer kiosk is progress?
Baby steps. Think of it as baby steps. |
Naustin
| | Posted on Thursday, March 27, 2008 - 04:38 pm: |
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Its just funny.... It'd be sweet if the thing could drive around by itself and supervise the service techs too... Like one of those robots in hospitals where the specialist teleconfrences into the surgery...  Oh man... I gotta take a break... 
(Message edited by naustin on March 27, 2008) |
Court
| | Posted on Thursday, March 27, 2008 - 05:06 pm: |
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>>>>The Buell experience: Alone in the garage, with the bike and the internet...
To the dismay of the good folks at Harley-Davidson I ended up with 4 printed books and a copy of the video of the project I was sent to work on on the north shore of the Charles River Basin in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1997.
It was an amazing effort so far ahead of it's time I still shake my head when I look at it.
Just as the 1125R represents the long overdue public unveiling of a 19 year old concept . . . wee. .. Erik's not done yet.
Remind me to tell you some time . . . |
Naustin
| | Posted on Thursday, March 27, 2008 - 08:14 pm: |
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I wasn't really knockin it, it just strikes me as ironic. The funny part is that an inanimate object might really be able to do a better job of selling a buell than the typical HD Salesmen. Of course, my generation and younger would probably rather play around at a computer kiosk than talk to a real person anyway. LOL 
Remind me to tell you some time . . .
That's why I bought the Book! Honestly though, Ann and I are riding the S3T to NYC in the middle of July}, so I don't think I'll make it to Homecomming this year. I tried to corner you last year, but there was this rowdy band there and no opportunity to have a chat...
(Message edited by naustin on March 27, 2008) |
Court
| | Posted on Thursday, March 27, 2008 - 10:49 pm: |
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I'm always here and the rowdy band MAY (talks currently underway) be back.
 |
Dbird29
| | Posted on Friday, March 28, 2008 - 03:47 pm: |
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"the north shore of the Charles River Basin in Cambridge, Massachusetts"
Isn't that where M.I.T. is? |
Court
| | Posted on Friday, March 28, 2008 - 05:32 pm: |
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You are a smart guy . . . you're name isn't T.I.M. is it?
A guy asked me that in the airport as saw my sweatshirt while we were standing in front of the mirror in the restroom at Logan Airport. |
Reuel
| | Posted on Monday, March 31, 2008 - 10:54 am: |
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Did someone call Court ordinary? I don't believe that for a minute!
Annapolis HD/Buell had their Buells right inside the front door and right outside the front door. That 1125R looks much better in person! |
Dave_02_1200
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 08, 2008 - 08:31 pm: |
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Rossiter HD/Buell in Sarasota, FL prominently displays their Buells in a row right by the parts counter in the middle of the store.
When I go there I see a genuine commitment to Buells and I think they are doing things the right way.
Credit where credit is due. |
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