I'd think a more appropriate comparison would be Vincent motorcycles. They produced motorcycles over a similar span of time before going bankrupt, yet I don't see people referring to Phil Vincent as a failure.
Erik is no Phil Vincent, Giancarlo Morbidelli, or John Britten....... but he tried.
Do you think Vincent's sat in on the show room floor at deep discount waiting, and waiting, and waiting for a buyer?
Then you're are happy with the current state of the Buell situation since you've elevated him to Phil Vincent status?

Paul