98 T
Member
Posts: 649
'98 Tourer
Brookfield, WI
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« on: October 15, 2009, 07:17:08 AM » |
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Buell Motorcycles will cease to exist!! They've just announced here on the local Milwaukee area news this morning that Harley is bleeding lots of money. Sales are down $100 million for 3rd quarter this year from 3rd quarter last year. Erik Buell was crying while he made the announcement - Harley is dropping the entire Buell line and selling MV Agusta ASAP. A couple hundred jobs lost in the East Troy Buell plant (about 35 miles west of Milwaukee)... probably some more at the Harley plants around Milwaukee.
I always thought Buell had some unique ideas... I've never owned one, but liked the story of Erik Buell. I've done my share of good-natured ribbing of HD to friends of mine who own them, but I hate to see any company drop dead just like that!! It must have been a surprise decision because Buell has come out with some new models in the last year. I like the Ulysses model...kind of a cool idea. Buell motorcycles were a different direction for Harley to go in and I thought it was a good idea of them to buy Buell out years ago.
Maybe some other company will pick up the entire Buell line?
In any case, it's sad to see and hear there are fewer choices for riders.
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It's not WHAT you ride....it's THAT you ride!
vrcc # 21815
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Serk
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« Reply #1 on: October 15, 2009, 07:22:53 AM » |
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Ouch... I've always felt sorry for Buell riders, the Harley guys figured they were on just another jap zip-splat and wouldn't give 'em any respect, and the "metric" riders knew it was just a Harley and wouldn't give 'em any respect... But as you said, sad to see any company go under, especially in these economic conditions...
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Never ask a geek 'Why?',just nod your head and slowly back away...  IBA# 22107 VRCC# 7976 VRCCDS# 226 1998 Valkyrie Standard 2008 Gold Wing Taxation is theft. μολὼν λαβέ |
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Big IV
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« Reply #2 on: October 15, 2009, 07:25:09 AM » |
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it probably would have been a Buell. Simple and easy to maintain it seemed like. I wouldn't have wanted to set track records or race for pink slips anyway, so a Buell would be a fun option for short jaunts.
I've done plenty of test rides, but never bought one.
It is a shame to see it go off the market even if it isn't my first choice.
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"Ride Free Citizen!"
VRCCDS0176
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Disco
Member
Posts: 4898
Armed Man=Citizen; Unarmed Man=Subject
Republic of Texas
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« Reply #3 on: October 15, 2009, 07:32:23 AM » |
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That sucks on many levels. I too never owned one, but always thought they were really cool. I spent time in their booth at every show. The loss of American jobs is my biggie, but the fact that H-D loses a great source of in-house innovation that might swim upstream seems short-sighted.
Oh well.
Hopefully this will be a blessing in disguise for Erik & Co.
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2000 Bumblebee "Tourer", 98 Yellow & Cream Tourer, 97 Rescue blower bike 22 CRF450RL, 19 BMW R1250RT 78 CB550K 71 Suzuki MT50 Trailhopper .jpg) VRCC 27,916 IBA 44,783 |
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asfltdncr
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« Reply #4 on: October 15, 2009, 07:39:36 AM » |
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Well, at least Buell won't be making their owners cry anymore.Buell was the most unreliable piece of junk out there.Harley bought them in the late 90's to improve their reliability and that never happened.Every bike had repeated recalls and problems.Buell was no different from so many things made in America.The responsibility of R & D is left to the general public.
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~ Timbrwolf
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« Reply #5 on: October 15, 2009, 07:43:04 AM » |
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....thats too bad....Chili and I checked them out at a bike show down state few years back....never rode one but did like the styling and "lines"....reminded me of the old Nortons....balls out torque..  |
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. . . ...I saw a werewolf at Trader Vics. . . ...his hair was perfect...
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Mikey
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« Reply #6 on: October 15, 2009, 07:58:52 AM » |
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We should get with the Buell riders and start and "Extinct Bike Club"... Unless Mother Honda decides to bring the Valk back to life!
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Remember folks, street lights timed for 35 mph are also timed for 70 mph
VRCC# 30782
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Bob E.
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« Reply #7 on: October 15, 2009, 10:12:50 AM » |
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I actually wondered how long Buell would last under the Harley umbrella once they started using the Roatax motors instead of the HD Sportster motors. My friend has a Ulysses and it is a nice bike...really cool, actually. He likes it, and it is a decent ride to put some miles on. He rode it (rather than his Heritage Softail Classic) when we went to the AMA Superbike races at VIR...which was over 400 miles each way. Here's a pic from that ride.  |
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Big IV
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« Reply #8 on: October 15, 2009, 10:16:12 AM » |
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:cooldude:Extinct Bike Club My buddy just sold a Huskavarna bike and a few Nortons. An extinct bike club makes sense to me. |
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"Ride Free Citizen!"
VRCCDS0176
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KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)
Member
Posts: 4146
Specimen #30838 DS #0233
Williamsburg, KY
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« Reply #9 on: October 15, 2009, 10:37:59 AM » |
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Extinct would be no longer around. Valks aren't extinct, they're just on the endangered species list.  |
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Mikey
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« Reply #10 on: October 15, 2009, 11:01:36 AM » |
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Good point Misunderstood... maybe we should make it an "Endangered Club"...
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Remember folks, street lights timed for 35 mph are also timed for 70 mph
VRCC# 30782
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KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)
Member
Posts: 4146
Specimen #30838 DS #0233
Williamsburg, KY
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« Reply #11 on: October 15, 2009, 11:03:52 AM » |
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Good point Misunderstood... maybe we should make it an "Endangered Club"...
I like the sound of that. |
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« Reply #12 on: October 15, 2009, 02:14:54 PM » |
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I rode one at a test ride day and couldn't wait to get off the vibrating pOS.
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fiddle mike
Member
Posts: 1148
Nothing exceeds like excess.
Corpus Christi, TX
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« Reply #13 on: October 15, 2009, 02:52:21 PM » |
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Wow, Just this morning, I was having an online discussion about how much better HD was doing than Honda with a fellow who told me to get my head out of my, and Hirohito's, ass. I hate to see even more Americans unemployed. Daughter took the Riders Edge course on a Buell. She rides a Yamaha, now.
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F-106
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« Reply #14 on: October 15, 2009, 05:11:37 PM » |
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I could see Mr Buell getting pickedup by Victory. Just think what a guy like that could do for a good company with deep pockets!
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fiddle mike
Member
Posts: 1148
Nothing exceeds like excess.
Corpus Christi, TX
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« Reply #15 on: October 15, 2009, 07:06:10 PM » |
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I could see Mr Buell getting pickedup by Victory. Just think what a guy like that could do for a good company with deep pockets!
I don't know, didn't he speed tune a Harley engine and drop in a shorter wheelbase frame? Vic is selling status bar hoppers and a luxury tourer. |
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Black Pearl's Captain
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« Reply #16 on: October 15, 2009, 07:09:29 PM » |
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No more Buell, what ever will die hard HD riders use for (new) beginner bikes?
Raymond
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fiddle mike
Member
Posts: 1148
Nothing exceeds like excess.
Corpus Christi, TX
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« Reply #17 on: October 15, 2009, 07:35:22 PM » |
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No more Buell, what ever will die hard HD riders use for (new) beginner bikes?
Raymond
One of the old time bikers over in Aransas Pass finally quit riding choppers and bought a big Buell. When I asked him about it he told me "I saw all these Jap bikes that look like Harleys so I got myself a Harley that looks like a Jap bike". |
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F-106
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« Reply #18 on: October 15, 2009, 10:39:26 PM » |
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I see your point. just the man is so talented it would be a shame to see a man like that go away from motorcycling. I could see Mr Buell getting pickedup by Victory. Just think what a guy like that could do for a good company with deep pockets!
I don't know, didn't he speed tune a Harley engine and drop in a shorter wheelbase frame? Vic is selling status bar hoppers and a luxury tourer. |
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fiddle mike
Member
Posts: 1148
Nothing exceeds like excess.
Corpus Christi, TX
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« Reply #19 on: October 15, 2009, 11:07:10 PM » |
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I see your point. just the man is so talented it would be a shame to see a man like that go away from motorcycling.
Recall Dan Gurney's "Alligator"? Perhaps Buell will strike out on his own and build a better mousetrap.http://www.khulsey.com/motorcycles/z_dan-gurney-alligator-honda.html |
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Chrome
Member
Posts: 685
Um boom ba Bay Um boom ba Bay Ba Ba Boom Ba Be Be
London Ontario Canada
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« Reply #20 on: October 16, 2009, 06:59:22 AM » |
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Eric Buell gave a good talk about the demise of his firm.I think he meant it. Some sadness. http://www.buell.com/en_us/ Adrian |
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2001 Valkyrie I/S
1999 Valkyrie I/S
1998 Valkyrie Tourer
1998 Ace Tourer
1984 V45 Sabre
1976 CB 750 SuperSport
1969 CB 750 Chopper
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asfltdncr
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« Reply #21 on: October 16, 2009, 08:23:10 AM » |
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We should get with the Buell riders and start and "Extinct Bike Club"... Unless Mother Honda decides to bring the Valk back to life!
Bring a tow rope. |
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Hoser
Member
Posts: 5844
child of the sixties VRCC 17899
Auburn, Kansas
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« Reply #22 on: October 16, 2009, 08:57:21 AM » |
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I don't want a pickle, just wanna ride my motor sickle  [img width=300 height=233]http://i617.photobucket.com/albums/ |
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Tropic traveler
Member
Posts: 3117
Livin' the Valk, er, F6B life in Central Florida.
Silver Springs, Florida
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« Reply #23 on: October 16, 2009, 01:13:49 PM » |
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That's not good news.  While I have no use for the product they make I feel bad for the 200 or so Americans now out of a job. After reading through the financial data that Hoser's AMA link provided I think HOG is going to be OK after some rough patches, including the dumping of Buell & MV/A. As to the long term health I think {& hope} that HD will have to "change direction" a bit to remain viable to an ever changing demographic. It will be interesting to watch. Dropping Buell while necessary now may hurt in the long run. |
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'13 F6B black-the real new Valkyrie Tourer
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