More of the Buell story? - Page 6

smileyman · 03-28-2010, 01:32 PM

Maybe my dealers were just anxious to dump as many as possible before the end of days. They were very accomodating, test rides, free HD t shirts, a toy for my kid, free remap with my break in service, personalized Buell plaque, all after they made the sale.

derf · 03-28-2010, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amber Lamps

Yep, I went to two HD dealerships inquiring about Buells...now, I will admit that this was back in the first few years of the brand... I pulled up on my GSXR, wearing typical "rice-rocket" gear and was treated poorly, very poorly. Heck, I once walked into a HD dealership and asked about Buell and the guy replied, "We don't sell that crap here" I swear on my Mother's grave! In fact, I did a job last night where the guy had a Lightning in his garage. I asked him about it and he told a similar story about how he had to ask for it, it was stuffed back in the warehouse and none were on display.

I've been told the same thing, "we dont sell that crap here".

Trip · 03-28-2010, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smileyman

Maybe my dealers were just anxious to dump as many as possible before the end of days. They were very accomodating, test rides, free HD t shirts, a toy for my kid, free remap with my break in service, personalized Buell plaque, all after they made the sale.

So you only went during the dumping period? I always heard a lot of horror stories about the Buells sitting in the corner and no salesman even wanting to talk to you about those things before the sell off.

Tmall · 03-28-2010, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trip

So you only went during the dumping period? I always heard a lot of horror stories about the Buells sitting in the corner and no salesman even wanting to talk to you about those things before the sell off.

My Buell dealer was the exact opposite. The salesman rode a Ulysses. Their head mech has two old tube framed Buells. Their service manager rides a city cross. And they're very Buell friendly. They just don't stock much of anything.

The Buells were either right in the middle of the showroom or up on the stage as soon as you come in the door.

Cutty72 · 03-28-2010, 02:28 PM

Yeah, same thing up in ND. No dealer wanted anything to do with Buell. Dealer where I bought mine flat told me the only reason they were still a Buell dealer is because they were the only one left in the state, and wanted the warranty/service work and parts sales. That was before they knew of the end.

They never had more than 3 Buells in stock at any time.

smileyman · 03-28-2010, 02:35 PM

I started shopping them in Spring 09, bought in July, they announced the shutdown in Sept I think. BUT the word may have already hit dealers before the announcement?

Tmall · 03-28-2010, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smileyman

I started shopping them in Spring 09, bought in July, they announced the shutdown in Sept I think. BUT the word may have already hit dealers before the announcement?

I'm pretty sure Erik himself only knew a few days before the announcement was made.

Amber Lamps · 03-28-2010, 03:30 PM

Chicken or egg? Did they dump Buell because of slow sales or did Buell fail because of poor salesmanship?

Homeslice · 03-28-2010, 03:44 PM

The bikes weren't marketed well. They seemed to carry a "fuddy duddy eccentric" image that only appealed to rebels and independant thinkers.

In Cali, the only people I see riding them are White people over the age of 30. I've never seen a Hispanic, Black, or Asian person with one. I'm not sure what that means, but it's the truth, around here at least.

Gas Man · 03-28-2010, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trip

None of my money will ever go to that company.

And I will never buy anything but.

03-28-2010, 01:32 PM	#51
smileyman White Trash Hero Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: NW Arkansas Moto: Buell 1125R Porco Rosso Edition Posts: 4,895	Maybe my dealers were just anxious to dump as many as possible before the end of days. They were very accomodating, test rides, free HD t shirts, a toy for my kid, free remap with my break in service, personalized Buell plaque, all after they made the sale. __________________ Arkriders.com To be the best you must first be willing to risk the worst!

03-28-2010, 02:35 PM	#56
smileyman White Trash Hero Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: NW Arkansas Moto: Buell 1125R Porco Rosso Edition Posts: 4,895	I started shopping them in Spring 09, bought in July, they announced the shutdown in Sept I think. BUT the word may have already hit dealers before the announcement? __________________ Arkriders.com To be the best you must first be willing to risk the worst!

03-28-2010, 03:30 PM	#58
Amber Lamps Moto GP Star Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 14,556	Chicken or egg? Did they dump Buell because of slow sales or did Buell fail because of poor salesmanship?

03-28-2010, 03:44 PM	#59
Homeslice Elitist Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: SF Bay Area Moto: Gix 750 Posts: 11,351	The bikes weren't marketed well. They seemed to carry a "fuddy duddy eccentric" image that only appealed to rebels and independant thinkers. In Cali, the only people I see riding them are White people over the age of 30. I've never seen a Hispanic, Black, or Asian person with one. I'm not sure what that means, but it's the truth, around here at least.