More of the Buell story?
 

Apparently the "spy shots" were of the Barracuda 2, a prototype that was supposed to be launched next year making almost 160hp, shed 20lbs....

Anyway, here's the scanned article.

http://www.froggypwns.com/buellpdfs/...racuda%202.pdf

You know, as Buell progressed their newer bikes were really something. I wish we could have seen what would have become of the bikes 5, 6, or even 7 years down the road.

Eff HD. :rant:

The V-rod engine was being designed for the XB's. Harley took it for the V-rod and made it a piece of crap.

Erik had a 150hp/120tq turbo charged XB that was apparently more reliable than the stock one, it got scrapped because Harley wanted to build their own turbo instead of buying one..

The list goes on, read the article.

cool name. that bike def could have brought my dollars to this shore. rip

Reading now - the opening definitely grabs your attention.

they actually had the hole in the frame for the piping in the xb that was never used... makes me sad on the inside:gofurslf:hd

We heard about this on Buelletin board. One of the guys used the hole to route his turbo and wrote to Buell to ask for advice, Erik himself replied and told him all about the turbo XB project..

Mine still has the hole. They eventually plugged it and gave the bike more fuel capacity. Fucking sucks. My hatred for the HD brass is still strong.

only got about halfway through the article before i had to head out to the van. Still, ive read enough. Fuck HD. I wonder if erik has noncompete clauses in his original contract and if thats why he didnt leave. Wonder when those would run out

that would have been freakin' COOL

Last paragraph of the first article says the clause is over in a few years.


You'd be amazed at how many people on the Buell forums get direct responses from him. He even adds the guys to his facebook friends.. :lol

see that is just really neat

It helps that like only 10 people own a buell.

Not to sound too nerded out, but hell erik even approved me as a friend on facebook, which is cool on a grass roots level

nice, i wonder if hes been talking to investors yet? :Lol: on a side note, the use of a vnt would go a long way towards fixing the problems with turbos and v-twins. And most of those use mechanical actuation. Very interesting...

Wow, what I have learned from this article is Buell is more of a fucking idiot than I thought. He gave Harley the world against his attorney's advice. I don't feel bad for the guy any longer, he sold his soul to Harley.

I've been cursing Harley's business policies and the products they produce since I became a motorcyclist 12 years ago. I'm sorry about what happened to Buell, but I'm glad to see Harley circling the drain. Hopefully they can be replaced by a builder that will be able to compete on the world stage and produce a product America can brag about.

Buell was right there on the line. Erik, if left alone, would've accomplished it 5 years ago....but he had to deal with Harley.

Same here. He responded to a msg I sent him too.

Wow, he didn't kill himself yet?

Rotax offered to buy them. Harley had to pay a huge amount to end the engine contract, Rotax (or Bombardier) offered to take Buell in exchange for that money and some other terms.

It's an odd thing, really.
I'm pissed at Harley for axing Buell.
But, then again, I might not have owned one had it not been for the 'fire sale'.
Regardless, I was happy to hear that Erik is keeping busy working on his race bike efforts and supplying parts to those who continue to race their 1125's
I can't wait to see what's to come when his non-compete agreement is up. :wink:

The 1125 is a very cool bike. I'm getting that v-twin itch again lately. It's a shame a new 1125 isn't an option for scratching it.

trade ya, lol

already done with the buell, lolz

what can i say, im an idiot

you have one bike, you are definitely not a bike whore. Hell you have only had 3 since I have known you. I have 3 in my garage right now and I am not a bike whore.

fixed for truth

lol, you are a want to be bike whore. If it wasn't Andrea I would totally have a garage full of bikes. Probably like 2 fiddies (dirt and motard), the GS, an SV, a track bike, a dirt bike, the DRZ....and so on

Dammit. I only looked at the pictures and I'm raging again. Fuck. You. Harley. Davidson.

why i am still un-married and no kids, im a greedy fuck and all my toys are mine and her toys are hers, (unless i have to fix or do something to help out)

I crashed my 1125R right in the middle of H-D dumping Buell. Not only did Erik personally respond to my E mail about parts for the rebuild, he handled the transaction, shipped the parts, and the installation tool personally, all while setting up Erik Buell Racing. He ever builds another street bike again I will buy it.

The guy is a class act.

I recently got a message on FB from him wishing me safe travels on my deployment, and thanking me for my service...
And I've never met the guy in person.

Well it's not like he has anything better to do....:lol: Hell, I'm surprised that he didn't bring the parts to your house and help you install them! Couldn't resist...:sorry:

On a slightly serious note, he has to feel for you guys that bought your bikes mere weeks before the announcement and subsequent "fire sale"...:idk:

I don't see Mr. Toyoda sending personal E mails to Prius owners. Didn't get a call from Rossi when I dumped my Yamaha. No one from Hammatsu called and offered me special parts for my SV, and I was llightweight champ...

Yea I know but there's a difference between a company that sell 2,000 bikes a year and car and bike companies that sell millions...:idk: Bimota hand delivers every bike and if it needs service or maintenance, they pick it up. Something like that anyway....:lol: There are definitely advantages to buying from a smaller company. Hey, I got my email answered by the president of J&M when I had problems with my Integrator.... I doubt the president of Chatterbox would drop you a note if your XBi2 craps out.

That's a selling point with some folks. People over product. Service over features or maybe as a feature...

It's too bad that HD had them scrapped. Erik could have turned up some good coin if he would have been able to auction off these "limited edition" bikes.

Thats awesome. Love that guy. A guy like Erik Buell will get my support all day.

give bimota enough cash and they will build one offs for you. I used to have a pic of this crazy looking green beast with tesi suspension

BUt doesn't this whole thing tell you that Erik has nobody to blame but himself? He essentially signed over his dream company to a company that was in the cruiser market and epically so. Fast forward to this crazy market. Companies have to make hard decisions. If they fail to do that, they will fail completely.

I understand being tinged at HD for the axe. But they are only acting in self preservation. Erik gave them the power to kill his own dream. He has to be ultimately accountable for end result.

If you don't want somebody to axe your dream, don't give away that power. Especially a corperation that isn't in the same market that you are.

I agree, I kinda felt sorry for the guy til I read this article.

He went against the advice of his legal counsel and sold his soul to HD. HD fucked him good, but it's his own damn fault for selling out at such a high price. It was a stupid move and he was given that advice prior to making it.

I see why he did. HD has deep pockets. Deep pockets to fund his super mind and make cool shit. You're right... its kinda like selling your soul to the devil. Not to say that HD is the devil, I love HD. But they aren't going to share the same POV and/or goals as somebody in road racing like Buell. Neither would Victory. Maybe he should have tried Ducati or something. I know he wanted to keep it American, but he could have worked that from the inside. At least they would have shared the same passion for the same types of racing and all.

If either of you want to buy me a Harley, I'd gladly ride it. I just don't see the point in supporting a company who didn't give me what I wanted. When the time comes for a cruiser I'll speak with my wallet and there's about a 95% chance it will not be Harley.

Before the Buell fiasco it was the exact opposite. I was considering an XR1200 to suit my needs. Now I think I'd rather a japanese standard or a Triumph..

None of my money will ever go to that company.

triumph. :dthumb: and id be floored if honda doesnt drop a magna 1200 next year

Fat Bastard sent the card...My salesman sends me a card every year and even Ron Ayers has contacted us twice about my gf's bike since she bought it. There are good salespeople for every brand. To be honest, for the most part, I wouldn't count the Harley guys who sold Buells on that list. It was quite typical for guys entering HD dealerships seeking info on Buells, to be treated with apathy at best.

Very interesting that he had short-stroke big bores (and turbos!) in the works. That could have brought the rev range and horsepower up to a comparable level, instead of feeling like a tractor engine.

I can understand why he originally sold out. Big ideas and big plans are Erik's thing. Hard to leap into production with wild new ideas if you can't afford to promote or build/sell the numbers you need. How many computer/software/tech companies started in garages and dorm rooms? Nearly all of the great ideas are sold off to deep pocketed monster companies for peanuts.

That happen to you? I went to 2 dealers, Pig Trail HD and Old Fort HD and both dealerships went way over backwards for my business. Best service I have ever recieved from any brand or vehicle auto or bike??

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.:idk:

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

And I will never buy anything but.

Plan on buying used in the next couple years? :lol:

Pretty sure I'd go Victory or Triumph right now for a cruiser.

heh you know they"ll do an indian after the inevitable crash

They are sure pimping themselves out all over TV. I am seeing desperate harley ads on every channel.

"No more excuses! Make this the year!"

No

Some of the newer victory's are nice.

What?

Watch TV for like 2 minutes. There will be like 4 HD commercials on in that time. I am serious, feels like every few seconds. They are marketing their asses off right now.

Apparently, HD has put up over 1 billion of their own dollars for financing...

I love this old commercial about Harley individuality...:lol:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzgSsioAGHs

This one is cool.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AE9qjrpXGQI

Okay...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nz00B_gbcpA

I actually do enjoy those commercials...

You guys can say what you want. HD has been setting the scope for years, all the other cruiser brands just try to follow suit.

I don't expect people here to understand. Cause you don't get it.

Further, everbody always hates the top dog.

Why buy a HD when me local Honda shop has leftover 07 and 08 VTX1800s NEW starting at 7500...

I don't want any cruiser, HD or otherwise. Sorry, I don't want an incapable motorcycle for the roads I ride. It's not the top dog there, it's not even close to the podium. It's a backmarker.

It doesn't set the scope in anything I do either.

That's why we don't understand, because we don't have the same intentions with our rides.

i wonder when HD ceased to be a serious company and turned into a "lifestyle". 1950 something? their shit doesnt even make sense. small example

"The Man" is a slang phrase that refers to the government, leaders of large corporations, and other authority figures in general. "The Man" is colloquially defined as the figurative person who controls the world. The phrase is also often used to describe a racial oppressor, the boss of a blue-collar worker, or the enemy of any counterculture.

The phrase "the Man is keeping me down" is commonly used to describe perceived oppression. The phrase "stick it to the Man" encourages resistance to authority, and essentially means "fight back" or "resist"

dont get me started on the "individual" myth

Thanks for getting my point.

Most HD riders these days are "The Man." Lots of doctors/lawyers/judges/engineers/CEOs. They cost so much, the man is the only one that can afford to ride the damn bikes and pay for their $50 t-shirts.

Trip I know that is true about ur style of bike choice. They aren't in that market.

And I have never paid more than $20 for a HD shirt

They must be more proud of them here. The Smoky Mtn HD dealer thinks highly of their shirts.

They have dealership stores around here that just sell the apparel merchandise and no bikes. It's retarded.

They bought the new gas station on the Tenn side of the gap and are turning it into a t-shirt store. GHEY!

boomers. cant stand em

http://www.harleydragon.com/men-s-sh...rts-c-51_52_57

Yeah that's right, they have a t-shirt on sale for $38.....

I understand. My dealer has those expensive shirts. I just refuse to buy them. I have purchased 90% of my HD shirts on sale/clearance. I just got 3 more the other w/e. Average cost was $7 each. And they are badass!

Not anymore...:lol:

They are the kings of marketing! I will give you that for sure!!! Most people don't even know that Suzuki sells apparel.:lol:

True... the original XRs were dirt track racing. But still not off roading like what Trip wants.

Oh and Trip... the gas station thing... sounds like a great idea. Hows that any different that the gas station selling shirts at the GAP?

The airport in Cancun and here in Detroit both have HD tshirts for sale. People want. Why not sell to them?

True. They are kings. That is also why they will alwys survive. They have done one better than probably any other brand of anything has ever done before. Think about it.

And to compare it to any metric brand is almost laughable. Before the inception of Yam Star line, if you own say a Honda Sabre or VTX. You walk into the Honda dealer to get some pegs or grips or something in assecories. They don't have it in stock, maybe not even manufacture it. That is why you will see metric guys in HD buying things like highway pegs and other things that can be unviersally fitted.

Because we don't want the asshats that come with it. We don't like DGMR selling beer and catering to the same asshats either.

Hey I resent that remark.

Cause I want you to take me to this said store... so I can buy a tshirt. :lol:

Well you aren't one of the asshats. They try to block people wanting to pass. Ride 15 deep and leave no room to get around at 12 mph. Don't use the pull offs. I know this isn't required, but they come to this road as tourists knowing full well what the road is about and totally betray any ethics they have about riding.

They also are the ones that threaten the life of a TDOT worker because the TDOT worker was sent to guard a barricade due to a rock slide.

Um I was referring to Buell...:lol:

Hey, I'll sell anything that people will buy.

I know you weren't talking about me. But I just had to get you on that. Even since you jabbed me about Gaywings.

And all that stuff you meantioned is BS. But I'm sure there are other brand riders that do the same thing. Maybe not as often but then again, there are more hd riders in groups than others.

What about groups of Wingers?

Do you work in sales? You have the right attitude for it.

They MAY be second to NASCAR but I'm sure that it's close...

I had a V-Max and it was, of course, accessorized to the max!!!:lol: No problem buying parts at a metric dealership.:idk:

I have yet to be a a good metric dealership. EVER!

And HD still has Nascar beat. Remember HD is global. BIG TIME.

I used to...I'm happy and stress free now!:lol:

Hell yea!!

Doddering goldwing trikes, herds of pirate attired V twins. Rolling chicanes...

What is all tt smiley?

bro when have we ever NOT seen eye to eye? :lol: i cant remember a single example

so i just found motivation to put adobe on my beater compaq and finish the article. new ceo, non rider that starts riding HD, cant understand other riding. Irony so thick you could cut it

Wow, what a joke. Sounds like the Borg.

Seriously? That's a new low.

Yeah there are a lot of douches at the gap, we try to police the sportbikers :lol:

There are two companies I can think of off the top of my head that HD has nothing on and will never have anything on. Global scale HD will never reach. HD isn't as big as you think it is in a lot of the world, these two are ginormous.

McDonalds and Coca Cola.....

Walmart is getting up there too in brand recognition.

As far as motorcycle sales, HD will never have anything on Honda. It's absolutely impossible with the amount of 50 engines out there. I forget how many millions of those things that Honda has sold and the clones it spawned. There are kids out there that have never seen a cruiser and seen thousands of supercubs.