Harley ends Buell

Yerf Dog · #1 10-15-2009, 01:11 PM

See what happens when you crush a Blast.

Quote:

Harley drops Buell and will sell MV Agusta

Harley-Davidson Inc. said Thursday it will discontinue its Buell motorcycle brand and divest its recently acquired MV Agusta lineup as the company announced dismal third-quarter earnings.

Harley said its third-quarter income fell 84% to $26.5 million, or 11 cents a share, from $166.5 million, or 71 cents a share a year ago. The company had $1.12 billion in sales in the quarter, down 21% from $1.42 billion in the third quarter of 2008.

In a news release, Harley said it would discontinue Buell, based in East Troy, and divest the Italian MV Agusta brand it acquired in 2008 . The Buell decision will result in the loss of about 80 manufacturing jobs in East Troy and about 100 salaried positions.

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/business/64352502.html

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

iamlowsound · #2 10-15-2009, 01:20 PM

About time. The Buells were some of the worst built motorcycles of all time and it is only time holding them back from ruining MV Agusta for good (not that there is much left to save).

lowsound

Dr. Cheese · #3 10-15-2009, 02:04 PM

I never rode one, but I always though Buells looked cool and sounded great. I have to take others word when it comes to reliability.

hover · #4 10-15-2009, 07:02 PM

Hmmm. I thought the Buells were definitely good at innovative ideas in their build...between the in-frame fuel and oil reservoirs, to the radial brake systems pretty cool. I always liked their looks too...streetfighter badness... ah well.

coyoteboy · #5 10-15-2009, 08:24 PM

Prior to the XBs, Buell ownership was a labor of love. The XBs are by all accounts vastly improved.

-Bueller