Buell closing up shop. - LotusTalk

JWA · 10-15-2009, 07:32 AM

I know that there are lots of bike fans and at least a few Buell guys here, and haven't seen it posted that Harley has just announced that they are shutting down Buell for good. Erik Buell has a video message on their site: http://www.buell.com/en_us/. As you can imagine, it looks like the last few weeks have been pretty rough on him.

I wonder if they quietly shopped them around before deciding to just close them down? Best of luck to everyone involved.

Bavarian Motorist · 10-15-2009, 07:37 AM

I liked their bikes

I'm gonna see if I can grab one of the last new ones for a decent price.

mrcarcrazy · 10-15-2009, 07:46 AM

If I were to own a bike it would have been a Buell. Sucks to see them going under!

dma550 · 10-15-2009, 07:51 AM

Wow, that sucks. I always thought I would have one of those. I am maybe jumping to conclusions here, but to me, it looks like all HD cares about is someone they can sell an overpriced 50's technology clunker to that will also spend 5K in accessories to embrace the "HD lifestyle(tm)". I have an empty nester neighbor whose car is covered with stickers, wife wears HD polo shirts and they both walk and talk the Harley lifestyle, tattoos and all. It looks and smells as over-commercialized as life gets.

Shorty111R · 10-15-2009, 07:52 AM

NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now I HAVE to get a Buell before my Lotus!!!!!!!!!!

NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

NOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Buell was my Lotus of the bike world!

The 1125 was kicking ass and taking names! What happened?

agirls · 10-15-2009, 07:54 AM

that blows

RENDERMAN · 10-15-2009, 08:21 AM

Classy message!! There are still honest people in this great country of ours

mrcarcrazy · 10-15-2009, 08:28 AM

I remember when I was actually trying to buy a Buell the local dealer is a HD dealer by trade, and realy didn't know/care about Buell. I was ignored by the entire staff, and finally grabbed a guy from the parts counter, and we chatted about the bikes, he told me who to talk to in sales, and that guy blew me off saying "nobody buys those, we won't sell them much longer"...I said "well if you'd try not to be rude that may change." He wasn't interested.

I was saddened to see such an awesome name in motorbikes being represented by such low-life jerks with no respect for a "kid" with a wad of cash. (shortly after this incident I bought the lotus instead). I guess I should have worn my leather jock strap and chaps.

PhlypSide · 10-15-2009, 08:38 AM

I'm soo glad I got to meet Erik in person. But now I'm totally bummed about this....

My first bike was a Buell.... I wanted to add another one to the collection too.... sh*t looks like I may have to be financially irresponsible to get another one at some point in the future.

Didn't Harley just buy out MV Agusta? Yeah, way to repay Erik for his blood, sweat, and tears.

I'm never buying a Harley.

JWA · 10-15-2009, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhlypSide

Didn't Harley just buy out MV Agusta? Yeah, way to repay Erik for his blood, sweat, and tears.

They bought Cagiva, which owns MV Agusta, and along with the Buell announcement they also said that they are looking to sell MV.

dma550 · 10-15-2009, 08:52 AM

And Cagiva bought Husqvarna motorcycles. "There can be only one"

SweetDaddyD · 10-15-2009, 08:53 AM

Bummer. ;(
Well I'll continue to ride my molten orange/volcano grey M2 Cyclone for many years to come (or until I die on it)
I enjoy it every bit as much as the first day I got it, and it's never given me a problem.
I've never had any plans of selling it, and now have even less. But one thing is for sure, I will continue to disturb the peace with it and not just sit and look at it.
(setting off car alarms with the twist of a wrist is fun)

PhlypSide · 10-15-2009, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JWA

They bought Cagiva, which owns MV Agusta, and along with the Buell announcement they also said that they are looking to sell MV.

^^^ Good to know, but still doesn't quite take the edge off for me.

My thoughts are with the Buell family (includes all the folks that make up Buell Motorcycles) up in East Troy.

evomind · 10-15-2009, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrcarcrazy

I remember when I was actually trying to buy a Buell the local dealer is a HD dealer by trade, and realy didn't know/care about Buell. I was ignored by the entire staff, and finally grabbed a guy from the parts counter, and we chatted about the bikes, he told me who to talk to in sales, and that guy blew me off saying "nobody buys those, we won't sell them much longer"...I said "well if you'd try not to be rude that may change." He wasn't interested.

I was saddened to see such an awesome name in motorbikes being represented by such low-life jerks with no respect for a "kid" with a wad of cash. (shortly after this incident I bought the lotus instead). I guess I should have worn my leather jock strap and chaps.

i think the HD salesmen are like that anyway. thats what happens when you basically sell out of your stock year after year.
i felt like i was being a slight nuisnace when i was looking at new harleys a few years back, im sure theyre the same if i was looking at buells.
buell didnt bring HD all that much business i guess and not much crossover.
nice bikes, unique.

Shorty111R · 10-15-2009, 09:42 AM

I'm counting my nickels and dimes to buy a Buell this weekend.

Do we think prices are going to skyrocket?

PhlypSide · 10-15-2009, 09:48 AM

^^^ I'm betting no, but wouldn't be surprised if some unscrupulous H-D salespeople tried to take that angle... "oh but these are discontinued! they'll be collector's items!"

SweetDaddyD · 10-15-2009, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shorty111R

I'm counting my nickels and dimes to buy a Buell this weekend.

Do we think prices are going to skyrocket?

For this week, yes.

SweetDaddyD · 10-15-2009, 09:54 AM

Gonna see if I can get some of my other more important work done and make up some
Buell American Motorcycles 1983-2009 shirts tonight. Might be the first thing I've sold on ebay in 2 years or so.

Doubt there is many fans here but if you want one, e-mail me (addy in sig.) $20 +shipping.

Shorty111R · 10-15-2009, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhlypSide

^^^ I'm betting no, but wouldn't be surprised if some unscrupulous H-D salespeople tried to take that angle... "oh but these are discontinued! they'll be collector's items!"

Do we really not think they're going up? Isn't this like the death of Indian Motorcycles?

Would a brand new Buell bought, preserved, and never ridden not go up in value?

I was planning on waiting a couple years before I got my Buell because the just started making the color combo I want.

Noble · 10-15-2009, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shorty111R

Do we really not think they're going up? Isn't this like the death of Indian Motorcycles?

Would a brand new Buell bought, preserved, and never ridden not go up in value?

I doubt it.

If you are thinking about an investment, invest your money using conventional methods. If you want to buy a Buell, ride it!!

Noble

10-15-2009, 07:32 AM	#1 (permalink)
JWA #33 Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Racine, WI Posts: 3,737	Buell closing up shop. I know that there are lots of bike fans and at least a few Buell guys here, and haven't seen it posted that Harley has just announced that they are shutting down Buell for good. Erik Buell has a video message on their site: http://www.buell.com/en_us/. As you can imagine, it looks like the last few weeks have been pretty rough on him. I wonder if they quietly shopped them around before deciding to just close them down? Best of luck to everyone involved.

10-15-2009, 07:37 AM	#2 (permalink)
Bavarian Motorist Live to Drive Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: NYC/Westchester, NY Posts: 10,852	I liked their bikes I'm gonna see if I can grab one of the last new ones for a decent price. __________________ Be an alpha male. Drive a Lotus.

10-15-2009, 07:46 AM	#3 (permalink)
mrcarcrazy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Midland, TX Posts: 690	If I were to own a bike it would have been a Buell. Sucks to see them going under! __________________ 2005 Magnetic Blue Elise - "the Lotus" (original I know) 2001 Jeep Wrangler - "soul crusher". If you dont GET it after you drive it, then you dont GET it - serpent

10-15-2009, 07:51 AM	#4 (permalink)
dma550 Yahoo! Got my Rotus! Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: CT, Shoreline area Posts: 1,189	Wow, that sucks. I always thought I would have one of those. I am maybe jumping to conclusions here, but to me, it looks like all HD cares about is someone they can sell an overpriced 50's technology clunker to that will also spend 5K in accessories to embrace the "HD lifestyle(tm)". I have an empty nester neighbor whose car is covered with stickers, wife wears HD polo shirts and they both walk and talk the Harley lifestyle, tattoos and all. It looks and smells as over-commercialized as life gets. __________________ David Avery 05 Lotus Elise ~ Arctic Silver ~ BWR SC ~ Gray RACs ~ Larini SE 08 BMW 135i Stock visit Spyderclub.com

10-15-2009, 07:52 AM	#5 (permalink)
Shorty111R MY car weighs 3166lbs Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 556	NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now I HAVE to get a Buell before my Lotus!!!!!!!!!! NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Buell was my Lotus of the bike world! The 1125 was kicking ass and taking names! What happened? __________________ "Any car which holds together for more than a race is too heavy" - Colin Chapman -07 Chevy HHR -08 Kawasaki Concours 14 -09 Buell XB12Scg - GOT IT FOR HALF PRICE! Looking for a Lotus!

10-15-2009, 07:54 AM	#6 (permalink)
agirls Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Santa Paula, CA Posts: 772 Images: 73	that blows __________________ Toys- 07 Lotus Exige S Chrome Orange 05 Ducati S4R 02 Suzuki SV650 09 Kawasaki KLX250

10-15-2009, 08:21 AM	#7 (permalink)
RENDERMAN Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Miami 305 Posts: 916 Images: 6	Classy message!! There are still honest people in this great country of ours __________________ WILL.I.AM 2005 Saffron yellow Custom Elise…. Adobe Photoshop CS4 Certified Instructor Check out my work, Site under construction... http://www.wilsart.com/ Last edited by RENDERMAN : 10-15-2009 at 09:05 AM.

10-15-2009, 08:28 AM	#8 (permalink)
mrcarcrazy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Midland, TX Posts: 690	I remember when I was actually trying to buy a Buell the local dealer is a HD dealer by trade, and realy didn't know/care about Buell. I was ignored by the entire staff, and finally grabbed a guy from the parts counter, and we chatted about the bikes, he told me who to talk to in sales, and that guy blew me off saying "nobody buys those, we won't sell them much longer"...I said "well if you'd try not to be rude that may change." He wasn't interested. I was saddened to see such an awesome name in motorbikes being represented by such low-life jerks with no respect for a "kid" with a wad of cash. (shortly after this incident I bought the lotus instead). I guess I should have worn my leather jock strap and chaps. __________________ 2005 Magnetic Blue Elise - "the Lotus" (original I know) 2001 Jeep Wrangler - "soul crusher". If you dont GET it after you drive it, then you dont GET it - serpent

10-15-2009, 08:52 AM	#11 (permalink)
dma550 Yahoo! Got my Rotus! Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: CT, Shoreline area Posts: 1,189	And Cagiva bought Husqvarna motorcycles. "There can be only one" __________________ David Avery 05 Lotus Elise ~ Arctic Silver ~ BWR SC ~ Gray RACs ~ Larini SE 08 BMW 135i Stock visit Spyderclub.com

10-15-2009, 08:53 AM	#12 (permalink)
SweetDaddyD BANNED Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: ATL, GA Posts: 7,644 Images: 2	Bummer. ;( Well I'll continue to ride my molten orange/volcano grey M2 Cyclone for many years to come (or until I die on it) I enjoy it every bit as much as the first day I got it, and it's never given me a problem. I've never had any plans of selling it, and now have even less. But one thing is for sure, I will continue to disturb the peace with it and not just sit and look at it. (setting off car alarms with the twist of a wrist is fun)

10-15-2009, 09:42 AM	#15 (permalink)
Shorty111R MY car weighs 3166lbs Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 556	I'm counting my nickels and dimes to buy a Buell this weekend. Do we think prices are going to skyrocket? __________________ "Any car which holds together for more than a race is too heavy" - Colin Chapman -07 Chevy HHR -08 Kawasaki Concours 14 -09 Buell XB12Scg - GOT IT FOR HALF PRICE! Looking for a Lotus!

10-15-2009, 09:54 AM	#18 (permalink)
SweetDaddyD BANNED Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: ATL, GA Posts: 7,644 Images: 2	Gonna see if I can get some of my other more important work done and make up some Buell American Motorcycles 1983-2009 shirts tonight. Might be the first thing I've sold on ebay in 2 years or so. Doubt there is many fans here but if you want one, e-mail me (addy in sig.) $20 +shipping.

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