Buell to Close

[Hellgate]

Looks like I will HAVE to make an exhaust now as I'm sure the aftermarket will stop all development of any new parts. Too bad as 2010 should have been a very good year for 1125 series aftermarket.

I'm not sure if I'll keep mine or not. Its paid for so I may as well hang onto it for a few more years. I've got a five year warranty so I'm really not worried about support. The dealership is very good and the Buell mechanic there is outstanding.

Recently the dealer ordered warranty parts at my word over the phone; a speedo sensor and a new rear Pirelli Corsa III tire. They said once the parts come in they'll give me call and do the work while I wait.

IF every dealer was customer focused like that I suspect Buell would still be here.

 

[rider1a]

Hang on to that Beezer....the rare ones thou are pre unit construction, pre 1965 , (seperate transmission ) lightning and spitfire were the best... if you need parts I have some new and used...will trade 4 beer ! ( Nickleson bros. in Calgary / Canada have many new parts in stock for british bikes.. and prices are good...Daryl

It is ironic as we contemplate the end of another bike company...I took this picture at this weekends FZ6 rally in Leakey, Texas organized by Pete or Hellgate. L-R- Kilbane83 (Ed), Hellgate (Pete), and Fred (Fred) looking at the details of the Norton engine.

We walked among a large assortment of vintage bikes at the Vanderpool Motorcycle Museum. I expect our FZ6 to be there in 20 years from now.



Fred 2

 

[Daryldaddy]

It is ironic as we contemplate the end of another bike company...I took this picture at this weekends FZ6 rally in Leakey, Texas organized by Pete or Hellgate. L-R- Kilbane83 (Ed), Hellgate (Pete), and Fred (Fred) looking at the details of the Norton engine.

We walked among a large assortment of vintage bikes at the Vanderpool Motorcycle Museum. I expect our FZ6 to be there in 20 years from now.



Fred 2

Boy........this brings back memories....dam....you got me crying now...in 1966 I bought a NEW norton P11 scrambler...I had goosebumps for 2 months, what a bike ! torque up the ying yang...........Daryl

 

[Hellgate]

There is "insider" talk over at the Bad Web site about Buell being purchased or getting financing to start over. Actually either option would be a million times better than HD. Imagine the bikes for sale in a proper sport oriented store? No chrome and tassles. Also imagine being able to redesign the bikes to bring the entire bike up to current day standards? Now keep in mind these are the hardcore Buell-aide drinkers saying this. We'll see.

 

[rider1a]

Boy........this brings back memories....dam....you got me crying now...in 1966 I bought a NEW norton P11 scrambler...I had goosebumps for 2 months, what a bike ! torque up the ying yang...........Daryl

The new Phoenix emerging from the ashes is Indian Motorcycles with new ownership. I would love one in the living room.

If Buell has enough critical mass, the strengthening M&A increased activitity might create some innovative solutions to Buell's plight....perhaps....or not.

Fred 2

 

[C-bus Biker]

Of course it's closing. I just decided that it's going to be my next bike.:spank:

 

[Hellgate]

Of course it's closing. I just decided that it's going to be my next bike.:spank:

Bet you can get one for cheap! Heck '09 1125CRs are down to $9999 and $8999. Rumor has it you can get an '08 R for $6995.

But then again rumor says you can get an '08 CBR1000 for $6995.

 

[champion221elite]

Very sad to hear that Buell will be closing. I checked out an 1125 R a couple of months ago while my local bike shop was installing tires on my FZ.

I thought the 1125 R was a very cool bike with loads of technology and advanced features. I could actually see myself riding a Buell in few years... hopefully someone picks up the brand and breathes some life back into it.

 

[Doorag]

After 26 years Buell is closing.

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

I know I'll get flamed for this but Harley bikes are crap. It will probably be the best thing for Buell and MV to get away from them.

 

[C-bus Biker]

I know I'll get flamed for this but Harley bikes are crap. It will probably be the best thing for Buell and MV to get away from them.

No flame, but mine caused me absolutely no pain.

 

[Hellgate]

I know I'll get flamed for this but Harley bikes are crap. It will probably be the best thing for Buell and MV to get away from them.

I won't argue that point! Well really both points. I agree if they could get a good investor it could be a good outcome.

Anyone got about $100,000,000 laying around???

 

[macem29]

I know I'll get flamed for this but Harley bikes are crap. It will probably be the best thing for Buell and MV to get away from them.

well it ain't a flaming, but I do disagree, it's a totally different thought process
in buying/owning a Harley, you have to be buying into the Heritage mindset,
and be thinking long-term, my FZ6 cost me about 5K and when I'm done with
it, it will be worn out beyond economical repair, obsolete and next to worthless,
I could have dug a little deeper, bought a big Sportster for about twice that
and had a great time cruising around on a poorly performing, cumbersome bike
that is cool as hell, and sold it in 10 years and likely get every cent back..I
went for comfort/performance/reliability instead, it's a matter of priorities..
a guy should in all rights be allowed to have both

 

[razteo]

Re: Wow...Harley dropping Buell shocker!

With the exception of that crap engine, there was a ton of innovation with those bikes.

based on all the articles & comparison tests I read about Buel, can't agree more!

 

[Wavex]

I hope Eric Buell can somehow resurrect the brand now that he won't be restricted by the Harley built twins. The 1125R was a move in the right direction as far as providing the line with an engine that can keep pace with superbikes from the Big Three.

With the exception of that crap engine, there was a ton of innovation with those bikes.

I think the biggest problem with Buell not becoming a better established more profitable brand was that it was too closely tied to the Harley name. Someone looking for sport bike is not going to wander into a Harley dealer to look at one. Heck, the few HD dealers that I have been in that had Buells always had them in the back or upstairs.

I agree that part of the reason Buell is going down is probably due to the fact that Harley was selling them... as a matter of fact I am convinced it was a big part of the reason...

But what is the problem with the HD 1203cc pushrod engine that Buell was using on their Lightnings? I keep hearing ppl criticize this engine, but when I ask for the reason, no-one can explain the reason... all they can say is "well it's old"... or well "the magazines I read say so"... but "old" doesn't mean crappy to me... can you elaborate?

 

[YamiGuy]

RIP Buell Motorcycles

 

[macem29]

But what is the problem with the HD 1203cc pushrod engine that Buell was using on their Lightnings? I keep hearing ppl criticize this engine, but when I ask for the reason, no-one can explain the reason... all they can say is "well it's old"... or well "the magazines I read say so"... but "old" doesn't mean crappy to me... can you elaborate?

did a little googling on pushrod engines after seeing this post, didn't really find
anything useful to add, but I did notice all the pages with google ads that I
cruised into from their search engine were serving me Buell ads, someone should tell google about this

 

[Goop]

I know I'll get flamed for this but Harley bikes are crap. It will probably be the best thing for Buell and MV to get away from them.

I'll point out that whenever I see a motorcycle broken down on the side of the road, a large percentage of the time it's a Harley. I'll take my Yamaha over a HD any day just for reliability alone.

They look cool though.

I liked Wavex's Buell when I saw it in person. Even got me thinking it would be a nice second bike if I ever had the $.

 

[Hellgate]

Now the windfall of this is you can buy a brand new 1125CR for $5995!!! Not a bad deal.

My plan is to see if I can get racing parts, programable ECU, full exhaust, air box and a fairing at good prices.

 

[CombatPenguin]

Where can I get that cr for 6k? That might be worth trading the fz6 for.

 

[Yamahahauler]

This is really bad news and it fits in with the rest of the bad news these days. I am going to a Buell demo ride this Sunday at Appleton's in TN if they still have it. I have gone every time they have had one and rode all of the Buell's except the 1125cr. I have always though the the xb12 was one of the most comfortable bikes i have ever rode and was hoping they would put a version of the 1125 engine in it and make it a real competitor and in due time i think they would have.
I am not sure this will kill this brand. Different owners yes but gone forever i am not so sure. They had a lot going for themselves but a severe recession has taken a toll on them in the middle of an evolutionary process. They made it further than GM and Chrysler in this mess and did not even get a penny from our uncle.