 Re: Buell is out of business
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,540
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,540 |
One thing I want to add is that Erik was a Harley engineer. He was one of 4 that came up with the FXR frame which HD people claim was the best handling bike that HD came up with. Granted after 2 years it was lowered to make it more of cruiser. My wife's FXR low handles as well or better than the speedy. He also had a hand in designing the FLT which didn't sell well in the 80s but spawned the Roadking and that Roadglide(the one with the frame mounted fairing).
So anyway this is probably why he worked with HD motors. He was from Wisconsin. For him to go to another companies motors would have been as odd as a designer of the mustang or the camaro switching over to a Civic in 1972.
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Re: Buell is out of business
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Good reminder and good point there, Dill. Yep, Erik's whole original concept was to produce his vision of "The Great American Sportbike"(or for Thanassis, I guess make that last word "Roadbike" or "Streetfighter"!)  And so, now I'm wonderin' if maybe it was Erik appearing to finally give up on the idea of Harley ever helping him develop a new and more modern engine for his machines and going to Rotax instead which might've ultimately caused this turn of events??? And Thanassis, in your latest reply I felt you talked more about the kinds of machines Buell should make if he should ever return to production on his own, but not so much about what kind of dealer network he should consider. So...what say you on that dealership angle?
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Buell is out of business
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,518 Likes: 32
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,518 Likes: 32 |
Quote:
... but not so much about what kind of dealer network he should consider.
So...what say you on that dealership angle?
I mentioned it earlier ... I think it's called "cherry-picking".
A mix of dealers who WANT to sell the brand and support it (to include a selection of existing, loyal HD dealers).
That applies, of course, if they get back on the market soon enough (say within a year or 2).
Bedouin.
Blessed are those eyes that have seen more roads than any man! (Homer).
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Re: Buell is out of business
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,518 Likes: 32
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,518 Likes: 32 |
Just as an addition to my previous post, I strongly believe the Buell brand will also get more sympathy from the buying public, detached from HD.
Bedouin.
Blessed are those eyes that have seen more roads than any man! (Homer).
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Re: Buell is out of business
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Well, unfortunately in THIS economy, I really doubt that he'll be able to find anybody in that length of time who'd have the venture capital needed to revive his brand...BUT ya never know, right?!
(and speakin' of "venture capital" quickly here...what's the lastest with Tolis' deal? Is it finally inked?
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Buell is out of business
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1
Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1 |
Culled from one of the money webzine prognosticators, this pretty much says it all: Quote:
So puny is Harley-Davidson's (HOG, news, msgs) profit at the moment that it's expected to more than triple next year and still not amount to half of what the company made in 2007. Management has a turnaround plan that -- unfortunately for York, Pa., bike builders -- involves shutting the company's plant there.
Harley will also cut noncore, money-losing products such as Buell and MV Augusta motorcycles while adding more international dealerships for its core brand. A weak dollar seems likely to spur overseas purchases.
The stock price has nearly tripled since March. Shares now seem priced as though an earnings recovery is a sure thing, at 21 times forecast 2010 earnings.
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. Herm Albright (1876 - 1944)
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Re: Buell is out of business
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
Some updates on Harley Davidson: York location to stay. One plant to shut down, 1,000 to upwards of 1,950 employees to be laid off, wage freezes, higher employee contributions to health plans, and cutting back on holidays. The York operation will undergo a major restructuring. The State of Pennsylvania (which taxes homemakers, i.e., retired ladies who have no job) to give 15 million to HD and there will be no Kentucky expansion. http://www.allbusiness.com/labor-employment/human-resources-personnel-management/13528762-1.htmlhttp://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/2709310/
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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Re: Buell is out of business
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 524
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 524 |
Just talked to a friend who rides a Buell. The local Harley shop that she bought it from will no longer service Buells, even change a tire.  That's pathetic.
Didn't buy into the hype, you can keep the change.
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Re: Buell is out of business
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Well, for some reason eddie, THAT sure doesn't surprise me none! BUT, I think I have a solution to her woes here! Now listen up.... First have your friend bolt on some ape-hangers on that sucker, and THEN lower it so that it scrapes the ground like a sonnavagun whenever she tosses it into ANY kind'a turn at all! Yep, she's gonna wanna make it look AND perform as much like a "real american" motorcycle as she can muster here. Ya see, if she can't find anybody else to work on that Buell o' hers there in Arkansas then MAYBE she can fool the guys at that shop into thinkin' it REALLY IS a Harley AFTERALL, and THEN maybe they're put a wrench on it for her...JUST LIKE it was supposedly PROMISED by BOTH Eric AND Willie G when this whole thing came tumblin' down on their little heads!!! (HEY...it might be worth a friggin' SHOT here anyway, right?!) 
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Buell is out of business
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 524
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 524 |
Quote:
Well, for some reason eddie, THAT sure doesn't surprise me none!
BUT, I think I have a solution to her woes here! Now listen up....
First have your friend bolt on some ape-hangers on that sucker, and THEN lower it so that it scrapes the ground like a sonnavagun whenever she tosses it into ANY kind'a turn at all!
Yep, she's gonna wanna make it look AND perform as much like a "real american" motorcycle as she can muster here.
Ya see, if she can't find anybody else to work on that Buell o' hers there in Arkansas then MAYBE she can fool the guys at that shop into thinkin' it REALLY IS a Harley AFTERALL, and THEN maybe they're put a wrench on it for her...JUST LIKE it was supposedly PROMISED by BOTH Eric AND Willie G when this whole thing came tumblin' down on their little heads!!!
(HEY...it might be worth a friggin' SHOT here anyway, right?!)
I'll pass that along to her. 
Didn't buy into the hype, you can keep the change.
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