Buell is done!

Bombardier would make sense, since they also own Rotax! The group that makes the 3-wheeler, Ski-Dos and Sea-Dos is called "BRP" - or "Bombardier Recreational Products" - probably to keep the business seperate from their aircraft industry stuff.

Take a look at the "not yet for public consumption" Sea-Do called the iBoat - it is pretty impressive from a technical standpoint (but the one I have seen is very cheaply constructed). They do seem to go for high $$$ "trick" machinery!

Personally, I have no opinion one way or the other regarding Buell. My guess is that Buell didn't have the business savvy to go-it-alone and probably got decent $$$ to sell out to H-D in the first place so his soulfull "pity-me" look seems a little out of place. On the other hand, H-D have known for a long time that their bike sales have gone flat - which is why they started aggressively marketing to women and new riders (via the Buell Blast). I would also agree that the vast majority of their profits come from merchandise and royalty fees - they are VERY aggressive about their trademarks! Try buying ANYTHING in a H-D store that does not have the H-D label on it - then price the same non H-D branded item in another store!

PLUMMEN wrote:

i think im gonna buy some harley stock while its down,ya know when the spring t-shirt collection comes out their stock will be right back up there! :laugh:

I hear this year's shirts will be black!

I picked up this unit for $4K under list.

rpiian wrote:

Word is that Bombardier is looking at him for their potential entry into the streetbike market. That'd be a fit.

A Bombardier built Buell? Now that's something I would buy!

Actually, it's almost exactly the opposite: a Buell built (well, engineered anway) Bombardier. Remember HD closed Buell, so they still own Buell and all the licensing associated with them. That Porsche designed, Rotax built motor is a Buell "owned" motor, same with the ZTL brake, the fuel in frame, oil in swingarm, etc... Stepping on copy rights is something HD has become very sensative to over the years. Eric probably has a ton of other ideas to throw at Bombardier...or whoever/where ever he goes.

BTW: BRAND NEW 1125s are going for $6200 out the door at many dealers. HD has made a deal with Buell dealers that as long as they will service and sell Buell parts for the next 7 years they will give them the 1125s at 5K and many dealers are signing on and punting their inventory. The XB bikes have much more HD lineage (Sportster based motors) so the discounts there are only like $3K (or 4???) off retail. Oh, and if they have any 'left over' 1125Rs the discount is even deeper. One dealer advertises his 1125s for $3999 (it's the left overs, but hey, still a new bike).

The newer designs were really getting good reviews from the SPORTBIKE crowd - too bad they're going under. We almost had a decent American (mostly) sportbike.

It makes you wonder if the decision to distance themselves from HD (especially the latest engine) was part of the reason HD has now cut them loose? Maybe the German-designed V-rod is next?

Yeah man, you know I think so too. The CR especially appealed to me; but, as you noted, they juuuuuuust weren't quite there, yet. Very close, though. Their attention to detail was still lacking. The 1125 just didn't carburete like it should have...and that front brake...I know it looked kinda cool...but that ZTL thing just never was what the competition was.
Still...he got pretty darn close...

-KR

rpiian wrote:

Word is that Bombardier is looking at him for their potential entry into the streetbike market. That'd be a fit.

A Bombardier built Buell? Now that's something I would buy!

Righto, totally meant Bombardier backed Buell, I would hope Buell would still be engineering their bikes.

But yes, I hope Erik is looking for a reputable company to partner with and that HD's proprietary information gets dealt with. I'd like for Buell to still build some quality bikes.