BUELL closing ???

[chris56]

is this a yoke only ??
http://www.buell.com/en_us/

[BeRight]

Looks real to me - how sad - what a loss for American motorcycle innovation and technology.

[ntxYguy2009]

I am sorry to hear about Buell. My prayers go out to the employees and their families.

[Bersquack]

Very sad indeed!

[Firefly]

Wow-- yeah--- it's for real.

I give credit to Erik posting a video like he did-- that's the right way to do it.

Bummer.

[Tom in NM]

is this a yoke only ??
http://www.buell.com/en_us/

. . . . . HD decided to kill Buell. That was my take-away from the statement and Q&A. Sad. The motorcycle market could use a lot more diversity instead of herding the "market" to just one style of bike or one 'style' of riding.

My following statement probably won't sit well with the HD contingency here, but this is just another (corporate) step in converting THE rebel brand into a bunch of clones for the suburban biker who wants/needs a bada** image.

Tom

[sleepman]

It's the for real. HD included it in their 3rd quarter financial report. Not a big surprise really considering they never went out of their way to market the Buell.

Also up on the chopping block is MV Agusta. HD has decided to sell that brand after having acquired it not too long ago.

[NancysToy]

I fail to uderstand why they didn't try to sell it off. This is much more complex than simple economy, I suspect.

[BRPjunkie]

While the Buell design, engineering and performance were noteworthy, it is very hard to stay in business when your market share does not rise to noteworthy levels. With less than 1% of the bike market, they are like Saturn is (was) to the auto market.

[NancysToy]

While the Buell design, engineering and performance were noteworthy, it is very hard to stay in business when your market share does not rise to noteworthy levels. With less than 1% of the bike market, they are like Saturn is (was) to the auto market.

Just out of curiosity, what is the market share of the Spyder?

[Tom in NM]

I fail to understand why they didn't try to sell it off. This is much more complex than simple economy, I suspect.

. . . . it has lots of sides to it. I would not be surprised if they did try and sell it off, but could not find a buyer that would not end up being more competition. And just straightening out the licensing on the technology would be a nightmare and like so many companies today, without the over head of actually making anything, there could be significant income from licensing.

My limited experience with the HD/Buell combination was that it was a failed market expansion - one that the rank and file in HD never "got" and therefore, could never reap any benefits from. Mismanagement of growth, resources, vision, execution or assets - - - - probably all the above. I know the big local HD shop would not allow any of the Buell models on the floor with the "real rides". You had to go outside to see them and on 4 different trips, not one salesman ever went with me after pointing the way, while on the floor, it is not uncommon to see a couple of salesmen and their assistants 'hanging' with a HD (pigeon) customer.

Sad for what it says about HD, the industry in general, and the future of motorcycling.

Tom

[3wheeldemon]

Very sad but not surprising. Hard to compete with the big four in their turf. Maybe HD refocus on developing the leaning Harley trike:



3D

[Smylinacha]

Not all HD riders are like that - HDX & Roaddog aren't like that, all my friends who ride Harley's aren't like that and they don't like the ones that buy them now - all a bunch of wanna be bad a$$es who in all reality are only rich white collar wanna be bad a$$es. Look at the gear they sell now - it's all metro lookin! LOL!

And the ones I see ride in shiney new leather, looks like they ironed their chaps w/ a nice little crease in them. Never see a scuffed boot or helmet - it's really quite comical but guess what - Harley makes their cash off people like this. It's unfortunate but it's the truth.

Glad I hang out with REAL bad a$$es. They can tell ya stories.

. . . . . HD decided to kill Buell. That was my take-away from the statement and Q&A. Sad. The motorcycle market could use a lot more diversity instead of herding the "market" to just one style of bike or one 'style' of riding.

My following statement probably won't sit well with the HD contingency here, but this is just another (corporate) step in converting THE rebel brand into a bunch of clones for the suburban biker who wants/needs a bada** image.

Tom

[Tom in NM]

Not all HD riders are like that - HDX & Roaddog aren't like that, all my friends who ride Harley's aren't like that and they don't like the ones that buy them now - all a bunch of wanna be bad a$ who in all reality are only rich white collar wanna be bad a$. Look at the gear they sell now - it's all metro lookin! LOL!

And the ones I see ride in shiney new leather, looks like they ironed their chaps w/ a nice little crease in them. Never see a scuffed boot or helmet - it's really quite comical but guess what - Harley makes their cash off people like this. It's unfortunate but it's the truth.

Glad I hang out with REAL bad a$. They can tell ya stories.

100% Though, I was begining to wonder about Roaddog and that "metro"-"gay little trailer" of his. http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/s...4&postcount=15 But, I see he changed his signature picture, so all must be good now.

Tom

[Roaddog2]

100% Though, I was begining to wonder about Roaddog and that "metro"-"gay little trailer" of his. http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/s...4&postcount=15 But, I see he changed his signature picture, so all must be good now.

Tom

All good here She likes the trailer now that it brought home some of Her Foodstuffs.Plus She was able to follow the tail lights when riding in the clouds on the Blue Ridge PKWY

[daddydarko]

I'm a huge Buell fan so this really bums me out. Hopefully Erik lands with another garage soon.

HD is now void of innovation. I hope they fold.

[Smylinacha]

Yeah those tail lights saved my life that day! I only said it was gay cuz you made me mad about something that I totally forgot what it was about.

All good here She likes the trailer now that it brought home some of Her Foodstuffs.Plus She was able to follow the tail lights when riding in the clouds on the Blue Ridge PKWY

[Smylinacha]

Told ya he had a Harley too!

100% Though, I was begining to wonder about Roaddog and that "metro"-"gay little trailer" of his. http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/s...4&postcount=15 But, I see he changed his signature picture, so all must be good now.

Tom

[Firefly]

. . . . . HD decided to kill Buell. That was my take-away from the statement and Q&A. Sad. The motorcycle market could use a lot more diversity instead of herding the "market" to just one style of bike or one 'style' of riding.

My following statement probably won't sit well with the HD contingency here, but this is just another (corporate) step in converting THE rebel brand into a bunch of clones for the suburban biker who wants/needs a bada** image.

Tom

HD has been so far behind in keeping up with technology-- it wouldn't shock me if they drop on the list big time. They still hold on to their air-cooled technology-- like many still like Betamax----.

It seems they didn't want Buell to do well in the first place. My local dealer never sold them at all--- which doesn't make sense-- why not push them through the existing dealer network.

Wonder how many jobs Wisconsin will lose?

[SpyderRider2492]

is this a yoke only ??
http://www.buell.com/en_us/

Another sad day in the American Motorcycle industry, but some have seen this coming for a long time.

I am just in the process of doing an oil change on my Spyder and my Buell Millenium X1 and although I have not ridden the Buell for a long while now I have the Spyder, it still has a special place in my heart. I will keep my Buell as its a good looking bike and I just cannot think about selling it at this time.

I am glad my model was based on the sportster with a 1201 cc v twin as parts are available at the HD dealerships. Times are surely hard at the moment but as mentioned its still a sad day to see this happen.

[draboo]

http://www.nextautos.com/report-buel...-second-chance