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BUELL closing ???

I would like to see that happen but I betchya it would cost alot

3wheeldemon said:
Very sad :( but not surprising. Hard to compete with the big four in their turf. Maybe HD refocus on developing the leaning Harley trike::dontknow:

harleytrike1.jpg


3D
Click to expand...
 
Dang so if I get a Ducati I can be a 1%'er - now that would be cool!

BRPjunkie said:
Doesn't register yet, but BRP is counting on the aging market and design of the Spyder to create a new market segment. Below are the MC market shares of the approximately 1 million units per year. Interesting also are the ATV statistics where BRP is last, but they are a relative newcomer to that market. Unlike Buell, BRP has snowmobiles, PWCs, ATVs and boats to help new product launches. Selling a line of products with different markets, uses and seasons spreads costs and risks. Buell didn't have that going for it. That doesn't explain BMW, Triumph or Ducati.

Motorcycles
HD = 28%
Honda = 25%
Yamaha = 17%
Suzuki = 13%
Kawasaki = 11%
KTM = 2%
BMW = 1%
Triumph = 1%
Ducati = 1%

ATVs
Honda = 30%
Yamaha = 20%
Polaris = 20%
Suzuki = 11%
Kawasaki = 9%
Arctic Cat = 7%
BRP = 3%
Click to expand...
 
HD is bleeding more than Buell and MV Agusta. They also have cut back on production drastically and may close the York PA plant. Don't know how the India plant fits into this, but expect that plant to only produce for the local market -- lots of folks over there like the HD image.

Too bad Buell couldn't find some European investors. their bikes fit more into the Ducati/Triumph niches which are more popular over in Europe.

Unfortunately, the folks who were buying HD's the past few years are now more worried about their retirement funds than weekend rides on a Fat Boy!
 
Tom in NM said:
. . . . . 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
Click to expand...

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----:roflblack:.

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?
 
Lowflyingowl said:
HD is bleeding more than Buell and MV Agusta. They also have cut back on production drastically and may close the York PA plant. Don't know how the India plant fits into this, but expect that plant to only produce for the local market -- lots of folks over there like the HD image.

Too bad Buell couldn't find some European investors. their bikes fit more into the Ducati/Triumph niches which are more popular over in Europe.

Unfortunately, the folks who were buying HD's the past few years are now more worried about their retirement funds than weekend rides on a Fat Boy!
Click to expand...

And how long before they ship ones made in India over here to sell?

No company is immune to this outsourcing crap--- HD has used Japanese made parts for many years now.

Sad--- just sad.
 
Lowflyingowl said:
HD is bleeding more than Buell and MV Agusta. They also have cut back on production drastically and may close the York PA plant.
Click to expand...

The York plant is going to close because of HD's plan to build a new plant here in the US that will consolidate some of it's manufacturing. I think the last 3 states in the running are Kansas, Kentucky, and Tennessee.
 
sleepman said:
The York plant is going to close because of HD's plan to build a new plant here in the US that will consolidate some of it's manufacturing. I think the last 3 states in the running are Kansas, Kentucky, and Tennessee.
Click to expand...

HD is also considering a site in Indiana.:ani29:
 
At the end of the day, this was a pure business decision as Buell never turned a profit in ten years. The Buell line of motorcycle was only a rounding error on Harley's books.

The thing is that HD never really promoted the brand outside of its dealerships. I met people who had no clue what a Buell was. That says a lot.
 
Hmmm..a possible deal available on a 1125CR down the road??:2thumbs:

I had just checked these out at a stealer a few weeks ago. I was impressed by the hp/torque/displacement ratio's and the fact that HD was actually selling another motorcycle without a Milwaukee air cooled VTwin.

I sincerely hope HD will sell the Buell line instead of just dropping it.
 
chris56 said:
is this a yoke only ??
http://www.buell.com/en_us/
Click to expand...

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. :shocked:
 
Smylinacha said:
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.:2thumbs:
Click to expand...

:agree: 100% Though, I was begining to wonder about Roaddog and that "metro"-"gay little trailer" of his. http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showpost.php?p=142014&postcount=15 But, I see he changed his signature picture, so all must be good now. :D

Tom
 
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.
 
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