Harley-Davidson Kills off Buell Sportbikes

tplyons · #1 10-15-2009, 06:13 PM

Today Harley-Davidson announced that they will be ceasing production of Buell sportbikes on October 30th.

For those who don't know, Buells were great bikes built off Sportster motors. Incredibly agile, beasts that were fun to ride, and I was going to be shopping for one in my future.

Sad day in the motorcycle world.

Steve · #2 10-15-2009, 06:27 PM

Just goes to show ya, Japanese manufactures are better at making a Harley-esq bike than Harley is at making a Gixer-esq bike.

I agree they were nice bikes but, it that kind of zoom splat performance is what you wanted, there was a LOT of better, faster, cheaper out there.

H.D. is untouchable at any price doing what they're good at. They should stick with that.
You don't see Rolls Royce getting into the economy car biz.

IMHO

(I love my shovelhead)

tplyons · #3 10-15-2009, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve

Just goes to show ya, Japanese manufactures are better at making a Harley-esq bike than Harley is at making a Gixer-esq bike.

I agree they were nice bikes but, it that kind of zoom splat performance is what you wanted, there was a LOT of better, faster, cheaper out there.

H.D. is untouchable at any price doing what they're good at. They should stick with that.
You don't see Rolls Royce getting into the economy car biz.

IMHO

(I love my shovelhead)

Simply put, Harley should have never bought Buell.

TrooperFarva · #4 10-15-2009, 06:31 PM

You're a little late

Harley ends Buell

tplyons · #5 10-15-2009, 06:35 PM

Farva... it dropped to the 2nd page, so it doesn't count

Either way, I'm saddened. It's a shame.

HD opted not to spin it off because they used Harley motors. Buell did nicely with the Rotax engines. I would have just loved to see Buell sold instead of killed.

It's GM/Pontiac all over again. Corporations killing off their performance brands in a time of tight finances instead of the potential for great profits in the future.

your idol · #6 10-15-2009, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tplyons

Simply put, Harley should have never bought Buell.

PREACH!!!! i understand that at the time kawasaki ninjas were beating harleys teeth in and it seemed like a good idea. but now not only does that real core fan base have the cash but yuppies have made the money and jumped on as well. no more is biker hate the norm but biker love is growing at a huge rate. Sons of Anarchy is one of the most popular shows on tv. Real Harleys are back in a big way and buell has become the cross to bare. good call for Harley

MJ5150 · #7 10-15-2009, 08:03 PM

I'm fixin' to get me a Harley here shortly. I tried to get my dads '46, but he said no way. I've never owned a street bike before, so I'm excited.

-Mike

coyoteboy · #8 10-15-2009, 08:18 PM

Am I the only Beuller round here?

H-D never really knew what to do with Buell. It needed to be sold in other venues alongside ducs triumphs and guzzies.

I love my Uly and I'll be riding her till I'm 64.

B.A.M. R.I.P.

McHaven · #9 10-15-2009, 09:37 PM

There are Japanese companies better at being Harley than Harley. If I wanted some great big chrome monstrosity, I'd get one that runs properly and isn't a PITA to work on.

IMO, with Harley nowadays, you're paying a premium for the name.

klokker · #10 10-15-2009, 10:38 PM

A Harley is one of those things that is a mystery to me. Why the look-a-likes sell is a mystery to me as well. Most of the Japanese and European bikes outrun, outhandle, and out "look" Harley's in about every way.

Harley is a brilliant at marketing its product however. They've picked up on a truth of American culture, where in the name of being "free" and different from the crowd, everyone ends up exactly the same.

But if its better that they dropped Buell, then good for Harley....

tplyons · #11 10-16-2009, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coyoteboy

Am I the only Beuller round here?

H-D never really knew what to do with Buell. It needed to be sold in other venues alongside ducs triumphs and guzzies.

I love my Uly and I'll be riding her till I'm 64.

B.A.M. R.I.P.

I've been keeping an eye on the market for a used Firebolt to come my way. I can't be picking up a second bike until I get my Sportster paid off.

You're right, what killed Buell is the fact that they were being sold behind cruisers and touring bikes. The dealer network never allowed the brand to thrive as Buells were sold in a corner of a Harley dealership, with little knowledge or support. In the USA there is not one dealership that sells Buell without Harley's surrounding it.

They would have been better off in independent dealerships alongside other sportbikes.

tplyons · #12 10-16-2009, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by klokker

But if its better that they dropped Buell, then good for Harley....

Better for who? The shareholders?

**Eric Perry** · #13 10-16-2009, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McHaven

IMO, with Harley nowadays, you're paying a premium for the name.

Agreed. It's funny, one of my best friends has been a Harley cat his whole life, has owned a few Soft Tails, and most recently (years ago) a really nice Fat Boy. He went to FL for an 18-month training program to be a certified HD tech back when he owned that Fat Boy. Now that he works on them (and their Japanese counterparts) so frequently, he has grown to really hate Harleys. He feels they are grossly overpriced for what you get. They are the Fender of the bike world, putting very little into R&D, and just living off their name. He has long since sold the Fat Boy,and is currently building a custom.

I've always been a rocket guy, and my last few bikes have been Ninjas. If I wanted a cruiser, it would not be a Harley!

AnchorHoy · #14 10-16-2009, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coyoteboy

It needed to be sold in other venues alongside ducs triumphs and guzzies

+10

Their main competition was the big Ducati twins

Lumping 'em in with the rest of the "traditional" Harley line was a huge mistake. Totally different set of riders, with vastly different goals