Buell motorcycles: Buell enthusiasts from across the country say goodbye to a Harley brand

I waited all afternoon to see the news clip on TV6 about Buell and all they had was a tiny little bit. This was on their web site. It's not everything but more than I saw on the news tonight.

It's a grand thing that Buell enthusiasts do, visiting the factory, and the wonderful people that made these great bikes we love so dearly. To Harley we are just a dollar sign, but to Erik Buell and his "elves" we are family.
Thanks for the story, it was good to watch and see my family saying their good byes. I wish I could have made it

No doubt about it, this is a sad day for both Buell owners and in particular the Buell factory workers. Just two days ago I bought my first Buell, an 1125CR. I went to Nevada to pick it up, I live in California. I've been a die hard Ducati owner over the years and when I heard about the factory rebate program, I decided to do some research. The more I looked into the Rotax powered 1125 the more I wanted to experience a motorcycle that best represented the how I define motorcycling. After calling all around for a day or two, I was prepared to go as far as Montana to find a bike.

I must say, after owning it two days and especially after I made some minor suspension adjustments,(well spelled out in the manual) this bike really did make me smile today after a ride. I won't buy something based on price alone, the product has to be good as well. The price made me look, but the bike convinced me, you can't put a price tag on that. I'm finding more and more positive things about this bike and I'm saddened they have to close their doors because I believe the 1125CR is truly representative of the next level of evolution for the company. I consider it the benchmark product, a model for others like it to follow and for competitors to admire. But alas, it came to market too late.

I hope this is merely a temporary bump in Erik Buell's road. He has too much of the ingredients that make up visionary people to let it sit idle. A return of Erik Buell's passion is in the making, I'm sure of it. Maybe this time without hindrance meaning getting stuck for too long with a Harley motor, or maybe even the Harley influence. Just the thought of a company like Harley Davidson being involved in the sportbike culture, doesn't make sense to me. It reflected on the way most Harley dealers treated the Buell brand, like their unwanted step children.

If Ducati survived all of the things through out its history and is doing well today, Buell can to. Maybe the next go round will be free of the strings that kept him down, I can't imagine what Erik Buell can do untethered.

Thank you Erik Buell and your team for the effort and for what I currently admire, my Buell 1125CR.

Sincerely,
John Shutz
President
Ducati Owners Group of Sacramento

After Harley starts making parts in China, I might as well buy a Honda.

The most monumentally stupid decision Harley has ever made in over a century of being in business. I doubt they'll be in business for another century.

I just wanted to say GOOD LUCK Buell Employees....You should stand proud knowing you made one heck of a bike! Once again, the motor company screwed not only their customers, but their own employees.

Talk about getting it wrong...HD hasn't got a clue about marketing. The Buell brand brought the younger crowd into the HD fold. Once there HD, had a fair chance to move the aging 'younger crowd' into the HD mainstream.

Now HD hasn't got a chance. The younger crowd now has one less choice and will gravitate toward Kawasaki, Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki, etc. All 4 mentioned brands already have a solution for the aging 'younger crowd'.

Getting out my crystal ball I predict that the HD V-Rod will be next. Why? Because the V-Rod is way radical in comparison to the two cylinder tractors that HD Management seems to prefer.

Unfortunately there seems to be no requirements such as common sense, rational thought process, intelligence, prior significant successes, etc. to be a board member of a US Corporation. Just bring your smile, current Forbes rating, and arrogance and you'll soon be a board member.

I have a 1995 Buell S2 Signature series bike. I am a rider and a fan of the innovation, stability, handling and comraderie that come with owning a Buell. I regret not having made the trek to Buell days at the factory this summer. I also salute the success of Erik and the company to bring an AMA championship to Buell in September. I was really hoping that success on the track would also increase sales and further innovation. I am thankful for Buell's support or racers and enthusiast through the development of the XB Series and the design of the 1125R, & 1125CR that considered the rider and the riding experience. Ruthless engineering and innovation have made American Sportbikes and racing legend....let the legacy begin

Y?

i will have a hard time shopping at a harley dealer after this. to me buell is a harley,not a harley brand. it would appear harley squandered there funds akin to general motors poor management. they failed to realize they have destroyed this countrys heritege and pride world wide. please take note bmw,honda,and triumph are alive and well. you should have scaled down and restructured. harley you have shamed america!

This is a really simple matter.

Harley Davidison bought Buell to enter the sport bike market. They elected to not design or source a new motor this market mandated at a time when Harley Davidson was flush with cash and earnings.

Two years ago Buell was finally able to pursue their destiny with a new motor...success and a world class sport bike where within reach.

Harley Davidson did not react fast enough to the plunging economy and their own bike and accessory sales plunged.

So the decision was make to kill Buell of and not entertain selling the brand....all because of mismanagment of the Harley Davidson brand when infact the decison that should have been made by the Harley Davidson Board was to fire all the companies Directors

Victory made 94 million dollars last year and Buell made 123 million dollars. Harley killed the second biggest manufacturer of US made motorcycles.

I fought hard for this country. I believed in freedom, hard work and I never believed in surrendering.
Looks like the boys at Harley Davidson are afraid of competing with the japps.
They must be French and not Americans.

We at the factory would like thank all for their support during this hard time.We loved our jobs and loved that ride for as long as we could.Look forward to seeing our riders at the many homecoming events we can get right here in little old East Troy!

Eddie wrote:

After Harley starts making parts in China, I might as well buy a Honda.

Harley parts are already made in china have been for many years

Erik Buell and company, are mavericks of industry. Once again the accountants kilt the mavericks. But it is the mavericks who create anew that which we desire. Thank-you Buell ... I listened.

I hazard to guess that the H-D XR1200 sales in Europe and the pending expansion of H-D into the sport bike market is the cause of this. You see, they had to kill the one competitor that would hold them back.

Hopefully the 1125R Helicon engine will reappear, but not in a Harley.

By the way, ever compare a V-rod to a Hyosung cruiser? Hmm... I might as well stick with my chinese Rotax engine in my BMW G650GS and wish I can acquire a Buell 1125r someday soon.

umm.... I am not from Ocean Springs MS..... Boise Idaho is my home... sorry for the confusion.

Eddie wrote:
After Harley starts making parts in China, I might as well buy a Honda.
John wrote: Harley parts are already made in china have been for many years

Then WHY do I need to buy a Harley, again?
American pride????
Well, I guess there IS no reason left to buy a Harley.

I put 250 mikes on the Uly today. Makes me smile every time..........

Dear Willie G.

You've lost at least 2 (and as many people as I can get to see that you are selling us a lie) customers in our house. We own a Buell (mine) and a Big, Loud, Slow and overrated HD (my wife). She says "Honda next time"..........What a dumbass move. Come on Erik, show us what you can do without a boat anchor for a motor!

Erik can do it.