| Author | Message | ||
     Ejc |
It's like what Chris Rock said in regards to O.J. Simpson,"I don't agree with what he did. But... I understand." If Buell could start winning races in the liter bike class, they wouldn't have to be such harda$$es. | ||
| Cyclonedon |
Court. I agree with you! I feel that I don't fit Buell's new target group either and it will be interesting to see what next year's homecoming will look like, if they even have one. Most of the people that ride Buells are older and can enjoy the motorcycles for what they are, very few actually race them, they just ride them! I also ride and enjoy my Ulysses and miss my old M2 Cyclone. I doubt if I'll ever own a 1125R or Cr either because they are NOT my style of motorcycle. I've ridden them both and didn't care for either one. As for the Blast, I've never owned one but I tried to talk lots of people into buying one because they are one of the best built, most reliable, and economical motorcycles ever built by ANY motorcycle manufacture. And for Buell to just cube it is like saying that they no longer care to build motorcycles like that, they just want speed for racing. I doubt if any motorcycle company will ever make a living off selling racing motorcycles. | ||
| Tginnh |
All this discourse on target marketing is peculiar to me. There was no marketing campaign that I remember when I bought my Uly in 06. There were simply reviews. The reviews and engineering of the bike is what fit me. I pay no mind to marketing. Who cares about marketing? If some manufacturer produces something you like, buy it. Guess I didn't realize the Uly belonged to a target market since I don't pay attention to marketing. But, apparently it does? Does it? | ||
| Skifastbadly |
The fact that there's a thread on the marketing means to some extent that the marketing is working. This is, however, a captive audience. We already have Buells or we wouldn't be here. It would be interesting to see if/how the ads are working for the non-Buell crowd. They're certainly spending big bucks, those ads are in the inside cover, and that isn't cheap. I ride a Uly. Had some issues with it this summer, but I still love it. But how I came to buy it I think says something about their marketing. My first bike, which I still have, is a HD Heritage. I was riding it up in the mountains of Utah four summers ago and the tarmac ended. I thought "geeze, I wish I had a bike that could go on that gravel road". A buddy of mine was on a BMW R1200GS and kept telling me that I needed to get one so I could use it on gravel. I wasn't keen on the idea, not sure why, maybe image, maybe the driveshaft. Anyway, I started looking around for a dual sport. I came very close to a Triumph Tiger, the old 955i. If the dealer in Salt Lake hadn't been so determined to not pay attention to me, I'd probably be on one now. Here's the thing...as a loyal HD rider, who went into the dealership all the time to get shiny bits and tee shirts, I NEVER KNEW THE ULY EXISTED! I knew BUELL existed, because I am from Wisconsin originally and tried on several occasions to sell them some design software, but I had no clue about the Uly. I stumbled onto it quite by accident. In fact I was reading a BMW board thinking mabye I'd get the GS after all, it was a comment someone made about the GS that went along the lines of "Great bike, I wish the seat was as comfortable as a Ulysses." Then I had to do a search for that...to find out about this bike. So clearly, the marketing never reached me at all. If I were HD, I'd completely change the approach on marketing. I'd position the Uly as "The Adventure Bike for HD enthusiasts". I'd position the rest of the bikes as "Sport bikes for the HD enthusiast". Just my two centavos. | ||
| Scooter808484 |
Hadn't read the "Book of Buell" until just now. Kind of offensive, I think. As an "Engineer without an AMA license" does that mean Buell doesn't want me riding my Uly to work everyday?? I've seen plenty of squids running around on the competition's bikes. I bet not so many of them have AMA racing licenses either. Just a little bit odd to alienate your existing customer base that way. | ||
| Tginnh |
Still perplexed by the BOB alienation that is being expressed. Hasn't Buell's moto been "Own the corners" for years now? Doesn't that speak to the type of bikes they produce and the rider they are targeting? | ||
| Hooper |
The BOB didn't alienate me, because I'm already sold on Buell. I get it. The Blast episode was a little sad, but it's a machine, and I didn't quite see it fitting with the rest of the lineup either. If they cubed the Uly, I'd be bummed because I'd be back to the drawing board to find something that's so fantastic. Maybe that's why some people (Blast riders) are upset. It seems to me the BOB campaign is to fish (pun intended?) for riders of "other" sportbikes who might be in that phase of everyone's ridership when you've got an itch...you're "not officially" looking for your next ride. You read the magazines, poke around at dealers, and look at bikes parked on the street. We've all been there. I might be there right now. If I bought a new bike in six months, what would it be? Is Buell looking to win over cruiser riders with this ad campaign? Not really. It's aimed at 16-45-year-old sporty-bike riders, many of which pride themselves on their sport-bike attitude and desire for what they believe is high performance. This is exactly the demographic Buell needs to better tap into for future success. On this forum (not a scientific poll, I know), I read so many stories about Harley riders who buy a Buell and fall in love with it, but not so many stories about a Ninja rider who buys a Buell and becomes a convert. I think that's what the BOB is about, and that's something I support: how does Buell get more converts like us? They have to go to where they are (sportybike riders), get them curious (bold, slightly elitist/aloof ads), then get them to take test ride. Then we get to talk to them here. Like another poster, my Uly and I came together after I got interested in BMW GS's and started finding that it had a competitor. A little research, some magazine ads and reviews, and I was test-riding one in Baltimore. The rest is Ulysstory. | ||
| Blake |
I buy the bike that I most prefer regardless of advertisements and marketing. Marketing is never aimed against, only to attract new customers. Imagining it as some kind of personal affront seems silly to me. Ride the bike you want how you want. Forget about the marketing. Shop in reality. | ||
| Slinky |
"The wise, experienced rider will buy the best bike for their needs regardless of marketing campaign." I don't see how a Harley would ever be the best bike for somebody's "needs". Unless your need was to get rid of too much money. I know i'll get blasted for this, but look close at a Harley, and then look at a Victory or Star. | ||
| Maximum |
I have enjoyed seeing the additional visibility that Buell has received with the 1125 and the AMA Daytona Championship...and seeing the Uly get more exposure by being the pace bike! I really don't care about their advertising campaign in regards to the Blast (and I own one). I agree with ElectroGlider that the Blast has never shown what Buell really is...as far as the quality goes...but it is a pretty good bike to learn on (cheap to buy and cheap to fix). But as far as my Uly...even after 33 months and 38,000 miles...this machine continues to inspire in me a love for riding! And as "Etennuly" said in a recent thread after spending some time sorting out some issues on his bike...my Uly is also running better and stronger than ever after I just just completed some TLC on her! It pains me to see my Uly in the garage just sitting there...she begs to be ridden, and ridden hard! I plan to ride my Uly into the ground...rebuild her...and do it again!!!!!!  | ||
| Mnrider |
If something happened to my Uly I would still buy another one,goofy marketing or not. | ||
| Blake |
"I don't see how a Harley would ever be the best bike for somebody's "needs". Unless your need was to get rid of too much money." "Needs"? How many people "need" a motorcycle? That said, you ever ride a late model Harley, say a Road Glide for instance? I have. For what it is designed to be/do, it is an excellent motorcycle! (Message edited by blake on October 08, 2009) | ||
| Court |
Q: How many people "need" a motorcycle? A: 0 I have owned many Harley-Davidsons. Each one was a spectacular motorcycle. I will likely own another someday. My goal is to be like Ferris when I grow up. | ||
| Crusty |
"Needs"? How many people "need" a motorcycle? Me, for one. I can survive a New England winter without a car, and have, several times. However, I always have a motorcycle. Even in sub freezing temperatures, a ride helps me to regain my mental and emotional Balance. And Harley makes a very good motorcycle. I have owned several, over the years. | ||
| Slinky |
Yes Blake I have ridden a late model Harley, a streetglide and CVO ultra. I'm assuming they were not designed to lean very far or go very fast, because they did that VERY well. But I have not ridden a road glide, possibly because it was so ugly I had to sneak up on the thing. It looks like it was styled by Felix the Cat. I still think the alternatives from Japan and the US are better quality and value. (Message edited by slinky on October 08, 2009) | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
I also need a bike. It's my drug of choice and I don't plan to give up my addiction any time soon. That being said, it's time for my daily fix. | ||
| Blake |
Motorcycle bigots suck. No not all motorcycles are designed for racing or even sport riding. What a revelation! I've scrutinized the Yamahas you mention. They cannot compare to the Harleys in quality, fit, finish, or style. That's my opinion. They are all great bikes though. Why anyone feels the need to go out of their way to badmouth any of them is one of the really queer things about some folks that I'll never understand. (Message edited by blake on October 08, 2009) | ||
| Murraebueller |
I've needed a motorcycle for the past 46 years and I've always met that need. Been without a lot of things but rarely without a bike. Have a bunch now so I'm never without one. | ||
| Slinky |
I wouldn't say I'm a bigot. The street glide I rode was a great ride, seemed well built, and I really had fun on it... lots of fun actually. But those things are around 20k out the door, for that much I need to feel like I'm getting the most bang for my buck. I mean you can get a Uly for about half that and I think the Buell is more advanced technology wise. But everyone has their opinion, and i guess people (me included) should ride the bike not the name. | ||
| Scooter808484 |
Love my Uly... But I really love my Road King....of course, that 95 rear wheel hp, 100 rear wheel torque upgrade makes it a little more tolerable!!! | ||
| Edgydrifter |
To heck with the BOB. It's a stupid campaign designed to appeal to poseurs and squids. Bah. Eventually, Buell will realize that and switch to something different. I still love my Buells and ride them every day there isn't black ice on the roads. And I wave to everyone. And I think the Road Glide is the coolest Harley. Obvs I'm not Buell's (or HD's) target demographic. Too bad. I'm going to keep throwing money at them until they refuse to take it anymore, or until they only build bikes that suck. | ||
| Tginnh |
Common theme here, Slinky - if you write anything that Blake takes offense to, sooner or later you will be denounced as a a bigot by him. It's his favorite word. Oh, he usually throws "suck" in there as well. He deserves credit for his consistency. I'm sure he will flame me now for being some manner of bigot - probably a Blake bigot. btw - I'm with you on your HD assessment. I never got the big bagger concept. I've ridden them and always felt like I was riding atop a tank. Also, whenever I compared what you could get in a motorcycle for over 20k they really never made any sense. So what, right? To each his/her own. | ||
| Johnboy777 |
Can't we all just learn to get along?  | ||
| Florida_lime |
I also need a bike. It's my drug of choice and I don't plan to give up my addiction any time soon. That being said, it's time for my daily fix. Well put, and I agree 100% ! | ||
| Court |
I miss my FLHTC. Likely buy another someday. I never asked it to corner or handle like a sportbike. It excelled at it's intended purpose . . . extended relaxed cross country cruises. The quality of my last one (1988) was superb. I'll likely buy another. | ||
| Sprintex |
It would be interesting to know how many Buell owners used to own are still do own Harley's. Myself I sold a Triumph Sprint 900 and a Ducati Paso to buy my Uly. Before that a string of Guzzi's and BMW's. | ||
| Crackhead |
i wouldn't mind Erik crushing the Blast if and only if Buell released a new replacement bike. How about putting out the dirt bike with 3 variations, dirt, supermotard and standard/ sports bike styled. All based on the same chassis with different forks, wheels, swing arm and plastics. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
I've still got my 97' Electraglide Classic, 12 years now. It takes up a big space in my garage and my wife hints that I should sell it. Runs great and I take it out every other week or so to put it through it's paces and make sure it gets to operating temp of course. Until I got the Buell ULY I'd have to say it was my best bike. Now the ULY is my all time favorite. But, I keep the Hog because I know that many years in the future I'll be glad that I hung onto to it. How many times have you heard old timers say, " I had this 38 Ford Coupe that I got when I came home from the big one and I only wish I had kept that baby, it was a beaut". I want to be able to say, "Come out in the garage and I'll show you what I bought 40 years ago and believe it or not, it still runs like a top". The grandkids will say, "Cool, what's that other thing" and I'll say, "That's ole Ulysses, she's always been my favorite". (Message edited by electraglider_1997 on October 09, 2009) | ||
| Backroad_hog |
Never Owned a Harley, Was only convinced to try a Buell, because my son indicated that in my 35 years of riding, that I have never owned an american motorcycle. I found one that I liked (my back road hog)and I'm sticking to it. past bikes, BMW, Kawasaki, Yamaha, Honda. P.S. there are a lot of things in the BOB I agree with even though I am an engineer without an AMA racing license, like it's really hard to wave, when you are hanging off on a corner. | ||
| Hooper |
I went to the Uly from a Japanese cruiser and sportbike...I wanted to do what both of them could do, but more (and better, and more uniquely). But, I still missed a low-down cruiser for just tooling around town or winding through the countryside. I wanted something a little bit vintage-looking, like a bobber, with no frills...no crazy paint or chrome. The one with the most character, best classic cruiser looks, most pleasing and inspiring sound was a Harley (Street Bob). I do believe that the Japanese bikes are more reliable (and that's relative) and definitely more affordable, but I just didn't see what I was looking for with them. My old Yamaha V-Star was a nice bike, but the Harley feels like it was designed and engineered to inspire. The Japanese bikes didn't. And I ride for inspiration, even when I'm commuting to work. But, as I've mentioned before (and maybe this makes my point even more strongly), I've since removed all the H-D badging from the bike so that it's really just a big, anonymous, black, simple, one-seater. The H-D logo is SO strong and carries with it so much "luggage", that I decided I'd ride it under the radar. I find that I get much more attention and questions from people now that it doesn't have any logos on it (well, Vance and Hines) than it did when it had "Harley-Davidson" on the tank. Non-Harley riders would see the logo, make their assumptions, and move on. Instead, now many more of them come and say, "Nice bike! What is it? A custom?" Same goes for the Buell logo, which is why I left it ON my Uly! |
