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That's right Jake. Cept Harley had nothing to do with sport bikes from 1983 to 1993. In that 10 year period Erik set the tone for the power in the Buell, not Harley. In 1993 Harley took 49% of Buell, again Erik set the tone for power. 5 years later Harley took control. Then they started to highly modify the engine. Hmmm, in 98 they started looking hard for more crank up power and spending money.

I think it is safe to say that for the first 16 years of Buell, Erik had control of what powered the bikes.

Their 34 models are 6 models with different do-dads bolted on 5 or 6 different ways. Actually its pretty cool to have a big menu to pic from wouldn't you agree? Controlling production numbers of those 34 models and closing York will make them survive the fad or the end of it just fine. IMHO.

Would you say the "fad" also helped Triumph with their retro bike line? If so is Triumph about to tank too? I heard they report a 2% increase in sales this year. I can't find it but heard that rumor. If that is the case, what makes Triumph immune from the failing fad?


i would venture to guess that Triumphs low production numbers compared to Harley/Yamaha/Honda have been what has kept them in the black.to be honest a lot people who come up to me to ask about my Speedie don't even know that Triumph still makes motorcycles.that coupled with the fact that most people seem to want a v-twin,whether it'a Harley or Japanese clone.i'm beginning to think that us Triumph guys are comparatively small niche group of people.here where i live in Dayton,Ohio we have a very large bike nite every Wednesday at a local bar called Jack A$$ Flatts that brings in about 4,000 bikes in the summer on a regular basis.between that spot and all the Ohio events i've attended i've only seen one other Speedie,one America,and a couple of Bonnevilles.the people who own Triumphs to me seem to be just as dedicated to the Triumph brand if not more so Than any Harley die hard.i would also say Triumph attracts a different kind of customer;where HD and the japs seem to attract all kinds,from the dedicated to the brand new,Triumph seems to me to attract people who have previous motorcycle knowledge and expierience and when they buy one it's because they have already ridden other brands and are serious about their purchase.HD customers buy a bike thinking if something happens,they can just sell it for what they paid for it,which they try to do.Jap bike riders seem to buy those bikes to hold them over until they can afford an HD,Triumph doesn't seem to attract either of those two kinds,which happen to be the ones i believe have the most impact on those brands current sales.