Harley-Davidson shutting down Buell

Wow.

That's a shame.

While I've never been much of a Buell fan, I hate to see a marque go Tango Uniform.

And M/V - Double Wow.

Maybe someone with really deep pockets will pick up the brands. One can only hope.

"And M/V - Double Wow."

This is just the second best day of a sportbike company buyers life. That move was a bonehead from the beginning.

IDK i sort of feel that alot of MVs bike look like every other sports bike.

Bummer. I really didn't see that coming.

newagetwotone said:

IDK i sort of feel that alot of MVs bike look like every other sports bike.

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It's really the other way around. The F4 body was penned about a decade ago. Many current bikes look as good as a 6yo MV. Sad to see her up for sale. Maybe the Koreans can buy it. I still stick by the VW idea. They have a hard on for BMW, Honda and Suzuki for being able to sell bikes and cars. The MV thing could work out. Then they can call them MVW.

Well, I've been waiting for the other shoe to drop.

"Thud."

I just read an article about Eslick signing he's sontract or the 2010 AMA season. Good time to look at stepping up to Superbike with the Aprilia RSV4.

BTW: I'm sorry it didn't work out, Erik. Really. You did admirably with what you were given - far exceeding what anyone thought you could accomplish with so little.

Think I need a plumber

There's millions of dollars of Harley investment stuck in the pipes. Can't believe they developed a new engine, got Buell shoe horned into Superbike competition, developed multiple new models, contracted with guys like Eslick to race their bikes, only to shut it all down on short notice. Too bad, I was really thinking that 1125 would make a great base for a sport tourer, dual sport and standard. Best of luck to Eric, hopefully he can resurrect the brand in another form.

bbtowns said:

There's millions of dollars of Harley investment stuck in the pipes. Can't believe they developed a new engine, got Buell shoe horned into Superbike competition, developed multiple new models, contracted with guys like Eslick to race their bikes, only to shut it all down on short notice. Too bad, I was really thinking that 1125 would make a great base for a sport tourer, dual sport and standard. Best of luck to Eric, hopefully he can resurrect the brand in another form.

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I've got just one arrangement of letters & numbers to answer you: VR1000

You know Buell was so close but they really blew it with the latest bike. It had a great motor and was fun to ride but it was so damn ugly.

The problem when you try to make a bike to appeal to the milkcrate brigade is that it's hard to convince tightwads to spend the dough for a new bike.

People don't buy products. They buy how products make them feel.

Sure is a shame to see such an innovative division being shut down. I really like those bikes (never rode a water-cooled one though). These things taught me to appreciate an HD twin after years of me considering them to be useless dinos of a by-gone era. Thanks for the lessen, Mr. Buell. I prefer the tubers but the X bikes are fun, especially the CityX. Still may have to pick one of those up before they all disappear. I will go out in the garage, sit on my S2T, raise a single malt and toast a wonderful effort. If you have never ridden one, go give it a try before you can no longer find one.

BTW That "Blast for 2010" ad sure seems a bit harsh now don't it?

Here's the official video. Dang. Watching it makes me feel so bad for Erik.

http://www.buell.com/en_us/

Times are tough. And the bear market crash just up the road apiece isn't going to help HD out much either. Losing divisions have to go.

bbtowns said:

There's millions of dollars of Harley investment stuck in the pipes. Can't believe they developed a new engine, got Buell shoe horned into Superbike competition, developed multiple new models, contracted with guys like Eslick to race their bikes, only to shut it all down on short notice. Too bad, I was really thinking that 1125 would make a great base for a sport tourer, dual sport and standard. Best of luck to Eric, hopefully he can resurrect the brand in another form.

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Rotax built the motor off a platform that was developed by Erik. Buell probably saved millions doing that. As for Danny- he's signed by RMR not Buell. RMR has a 3 yr contract with Geico, but Rossmeyer sponsorship is as valuable as Geico. Question is (Ken may be able to answer this) the Triumph franchise at Destination- Is it Rossmeyer's or someone elses? I could see him pedelling a Daytona 675 and not catching nearly the shyt he caught on the 1125r.

"They made the decision to sell MV within a year of buying it. I feel this is much more significant than them shutting down Buell. MV was to be their great, white shining hope in Europe, the future of Harley and a way to entice sport bike riders in Europe into Harley dealers and so on."

"To put it on the market within a year of buying it (MV) ... it beggars belief really," Lock said.

As in Michael Lock- Ducati North America.

Fun to ride, comfortable, great fuel economy, plenty of power. Apparently that isn't a winning combination anymore.

Other than crappy switchgear and a fan that doesn't know when to quit, I love mine.

Too bad for Erik and everyone else at Buell.

Buzglyd said:

People don't buy products. They buy how products make them feel.

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So true! Spoken like a true marketing guru.

The new "Great Depression"

This is the new "Great Depression". At least I can say I owned an iconic American brand.

R.I.P. Buell