Erik Buell Interview Exclusive [motorcycle-usa.com]

[Tpoppa]

I think the picture is the only factual thing in that article, and a picture is worth a thousand words.

The article is from Australian Motorcycel News, which is known to be a credible publication.

 

[Brad1445]

It reads like an opinion piece  or at best http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellow_journalism

Makes no difference,   New Buell was not selling still some available at half price now Buell is dead.

Game over man, game over.

If everyone bashing Harley now had bought the ugly thing they would still be in business.

as the lord said, turn the other pod  That's not really factual but either is that article.

[macdiver]

Brad

Do you have inside information that says BRP was not trying to buy Buell.  If not how can you say the article is not true.  Just because you did not like the pod does not mean that you know what was going on behind the scenes when Harley closed Buell.

To your previous quote of my previous post.  NO magazine article blames the pod for shutting down Buell.  Everything I read says it was because HD was losing millions on bad loans combined with a poor sales of HD bikes as well as Buells.  A member of this board also hinted at some personal bad blood between Willie G and Erik as being part of the decision.  Nothing I've read says it was the pods or the 1125.  Please link the articles that say the pods killed Buell.  You are the only one singing that tune.  Time for a new song.  

[Spiffious]

Brad

Do you have inside information that says BRP was not trying to buy Buell.  If not how can you say the article is not true.  Just because you did not like the pod does not mean that you know what was going on behind the scenes when Harley closed Buell.

To your previous quote of my previous post.  NO magazine article blames the pod for shutting down Buell.  Everything I read says it was because HD was losing millions on bad loans combined with a poor sales of HD bikes as well as Buells.  A member of this board also hinted at some personal bad blood between Willie G and Erik as being part of the decision.  Nothing I've read says it was the pods or the 1125.  Please link the articles that say the pods killed Buell.  You are the only one singing that tune.  Time for a new song.  

Actually, the pods were merely the cause of Brad's insanity.  He actually has lots of photos, creepy drawings, magazing clippings, etc. of pods pasted all over his bedroom.    

[Tpoppa]

Actually, the pods were merely the cause of Brad's insanity.  He actually has lots of photos, creepy drawings, magazing clippings, etc. of pods pasted all over his bedroom.    

True story.

[Tpoppa]

Actually, Erik was known to be in Canada during that time period.  It was speculated that he was meeting with the folks at BRP, but that info was not made public for obvious reasons.  This article is confirmation.

If I owned HOG stock, I would demand some answers:
--Harley spent over $125 million to shutter Buell.  
--If they would have GIVEN Buell away they could still had a tax write off and saved $125 million.
--In addition to BRP, there was at least on other group that attempted to purchase Buell (google it).
--HD then needed to borrow over $500 million from the gov't.

I think HD was afraid they would look like bumbling idiots (more so than they do already) if Buell would have been sucessful with the HD dealership and marketing roadblocks out of the way.

HD markets heavily on being a pro-AMERICA, AMERICAN company.  Seems they could have saved over 180 AMERICAN JOBS with very little effort.

Since this all happened, I have heard many riders with no previous Buell love, say they will never buy a HD product.  HD may have just created a lot of new fans...for Victory.  

[chornbe]

Since this all happened, I have heard many riders with no previous Buell love, say they will never buy a HD product.  HD may have just created a lot of new fans...for Victory.  

We'll see... people like to *talk* about voting with their wallets... not many (not enough?) seem to actually do it.

[Tpoppa]

We'll see... people like to *talk* about voting with their wallets... not many (not enough?) seem to actually do it.

That could be true.  Time will tell.

I always thought that the anti-Buell bias held by many sportbike riders was an extension of the 'Power Ranger/Village People Fued' that has been around for years.  It seemed when HD blindsided Buell, Buell suddenly had alot more fans.

Read Badweb.  There's about 18,000 riders of American motorcycles there that won't be buying a HD anytime soon.

[Spiffious]

That could be true.  Time will tell.

I always thought that the anti-Buell bias held by many sportbike riders was an extension of the 'Power Ranger/Village People Fued' that has been around for years.  It seemed when HD blindsided Buell, Buell suddenly had alot more fans.

Read Badweb.  There's about 18,000 riders of American motorcycles there that won't be buying a HD anytime soon.

actually, I think you're right.  People associated Buell with HD....  HD haters had trouble accepting buell.   Buell being dropped has indeed separated Buell's image from HD.

[chornbe]

I'm not poo-pooing the idea. I just know that lots of people "run home to mama" (metaphor meaning stick with what you know) when it comes time to plunk down the $$$.

[Tpoppa]

The most damaging part of the HD realtionship was by far the dealerships, and I'm not bashing the dealerships.  It just the reality of the motorcycle market.

How many poeple who are looking for a sportbike or adventure bike, go to a HD dealer?  How many people who were looking for a Road King wind up buying a Firebolt?  The answer to both questions is VERY FEW.  Most people who bought Buells were specifically looking for a Buell.

What if Buell was sold next to Ducati and Triumph?  Alot more sportbike friendly asses would have sat on Buells and more would have been sold.  The Lightnings and CR's would have pulled sales from Monsters & Speed Triples.  The Ulysses could have competed directly with the Tiger and Multistrada.  Etc, Etc.  Sales are a function of traffic, anyone with a sales or marketing background can tell you that.

HD was never on a mission to sell Buells, they saw Buell as a way to get younger buyers into showrooms to eventually buy Harleys.  Fact.  This all supports the fact that HD and Buell were not a good fit.  HD should had sold Buell.  Closing Buell was a very shortsighted decision, made by people who do not understand the sportbike market.  

A successful Buell, free of HD, would have made HD look like a bunch of old guys with even less appeal to younger riders.  

[Brad1445]

Brad

Do you have inside information that says BRP was not trying to buy Buell.  If not how can you say the article is not true.  Just because you did not like the pod does not mean that you know what was going on behind the scenes when Harley closed Buell.

To your previous quote of my previous post.  NO magazine article blames the pod for shutting down Buell.  Everything I read says it was because HD was losing millions on bad loans combined with a poor sales of HD bikes as well as Buells.  A member of this board also hinted at some personal bad blood between Willie G and Erik as being part of the decision.  Nothing I've read says it was the pods or the 1125.  Please link the articles that say the pods killed Buell.  You are the only one singing that tune.  Time for a new song.  

I don't care if you disagree with me.  I would have fired Erik immediately after the 2008 failed launch.

You obviously don't read my post.  The pod's are a metaphor of a much larger problem.  The bike was crap, and is crap.  The pods are just the most obvious outward sign of a don't car mentality.  I go to bad web everyday, you can watch as the loyal customers pop up saying something went wrong with their new bike, and then get flamed off the board,  

The Buell community was a tight knit community until the premature release of the 1125.  the dream bike we were waiting for.  Buell's lack of development and quality control tarnished the name beyond repair.  

There still out there if you think they are such a good bike you can have one for $5,000, but they are still plenty sitting.

Harley is right not to sell the technology that their dollars allowed to be developed.  I hope they take this time to get it right and re-release a line of high quality sport bikes under the Harley name.

Eric Buell is a engineer and someone let him off the leash for he 1125 thinking it should be a no brainer he had no business since. Should not have been making any calls.

How else do you manage to mess up the combing of great handling bikes with a world class motor?  Well Buell did?
Hopefully Harley will get it right by keeping Erik in his little playroom trying to get clutch fluid to stop shooting out the side of the bike.

1- Great handling bike
+
1 - great engine
=
1 - 1125r POS

I have had 4 ducati's and 5 Buells, I love twins, but what is the market place supposed to do with this???



Crying for Buells closing is  just a new way to Harley bash, put your money where your mouth is.  Go buy one.
Bunch of hypocrites that never liked Buell before and few owners trying to protect their value and self esteem for the two wheeled Edsel.

[Tpoppa]

Perhaps if you actually rode one, you would have some credibility.  But you haven't...

The 1125CR beth the Ducati Streetfighter in a Head to Head comparo.  Doesn't sound like crap to me.
http://www.sportrider.com/bikes/146_0912_buell_1125cr_ducati_streetfighter_comparison_test/index.html

Go invest ALL your money in HD now that they are free of Buell.  Let me know how it works out.  

[Spiffious]

Perhaps if you actually rode one, you would have some credibility.  But you haven't...

The 1125CR beth the Ducati Streetfighter in a Head to Head comparo.  Doesn't sound like crap to me.
http://www.sportrider.com/bikes/146_0912_buell_1125cr_ducati_streetfighter_comparison_test/index.html

Go invest ALL your money in HD now that they are free of Buell.  Let me know how it works out.  

 

Test Rode many Buells... always felt mixed about the 1200 lump, though I did start to "get it."   Then I rode the 2008 1125r.  "wow! this thing is fest, feels great! Engine's a bit course though..."   Then I demo'd the 2009 1125CR.  "Holy crap, this thing is even better!  Engine feels smoother too!".   Then I demo'd a 1200 bike and was promptly underwhelmed.   Then I bought an 1125cr.

You have no credibility without the seat time.

[Brad1445]

I have no doubt the 1125 is a fun ride, there is the pain, a great bike with poor build quality and ugly looks.  A bike that could have made people rally to but an American assembled

I think i'll wait on the Harley stock until it reaches bottom.   I try to remain pragmatic. For instance I would buy a 1125r for about $1,000.00 as a track bike.

[Brad1445]

You have no credibility without the seat time.

Does owning $$$ five (5) count for any Buell experience?

[Spiffious]

Does owning $$$ five (5) count for any Buell experience?

No.  None of them were 1125's.


EDIT:  Buell experience; Yes.   But you don't talk about 'Buell.'   You talk about 1125's which you've never ridden.

[chornbe]

You have no credibility without the seat time.

May I quote this in every harley bashing thread?  

[desert_rider]

Harley is right not to sell the technology that their dollars allowed to be developed.  I hope they take this time to get it right and re-release a line of high quality sport bikes under the Harley name.

Not.

Gonna.

Happen.

[chornbe]

Not.

Gonna.

Happen.

Agreed. I fail to understand why people hold onto this pipedream.