My Buell Experience.

[1967 R50/2]

Don't get me wrong I think Buells look great and love the ergos, but I see a big issue with a potential purchase. What is that you might ask?

The Dealers.

Last weekend a buddy and I went into a absolutely monstorous Harley dealer. After looking at all the H-D's I ask a salesman where the Buells are.

"Over with the used bikes" He says.

Hmmm..used bikes...not in the main showroom. Already kinda second tier.

So we walk clear across the lot to the used bikes. Lot's of H-Ds but no Buells in evidence. I take that back...there was a singular Blast.

I figure we might be in the wrong place so we leave that showroom and head in no particular direction, but end up in service.

"Can I help you?" A tech asks.

"Yes...I'm looking for the Buells."

"They are in the used bike showroom"

"No, they aren't I was just in there and there are no Buells."

"Was there a sales guy there, because they ARE IN THE USED BIKE SHOWROOM."

(In fact there was a sales guy...on the phone...not that I need his opinion. I can recognize a Buell when I see one.)

A different tech walks with me back to the used bike showroom. It's locked. In the intervening 5 minutes the sales guy has managed to slip out for lunch.

So here we are, me, my buddy and the tech peering through the locked doors of the used bike showroom. Kinda comical considering te tech an employee.

The tech says "There's a Blast back there...and I think I see...hmmm..... a Lightning."

I don't recall there being a Lightning, not that it would have made a difference in my opinion at this point. Any dealership that treats these bikes as such second class citizens gives me very little incentive to buy there. I mean...not even any bikes on display, let alone to ride or to buy. What would the service be like?

Are all Buell dealers like this? Because if they are, I can't imagine that I'd ever buy one...or anyone else buying one either. Or is this what the H-D sales experience is like in general? Maybe the staff feels they don't have to make any special effort to sell because people are beating down the door? I don't know. But I do know that I walked away, and probably won't walk back.

[sfarson]

Are all Buell dealers like this? Because if they are, I can't imagine that I'd ever buy one...or anyone else buying one either. Or is this what the H-D sales experience is like in general? Maybe the staff feels they don't have to make any special effort to sell because people are beating down the door? I don't know. But I do know that I walked away, and probably won't walk back.

Some are, some aren't. Mine wasn't when I had a Buell Cyclone. There were people in sales, parts, and service adoring the Buell line.

[ExarKunONe]

Sportbikes in Harley world is just hard. A lot of harley guys cant fathom riding one of dem crotch rockets. Maybe theyre not shiny enough, who knows? Unfortunatly all my experience has been when you go into a Buell dealer there will be one or maybe two guys who are Buell fanatics the rest could really care less.

[SCOTTinNJ]

There are a couple of shops in Jersey that cater very well to Buells. In fact, one has a couple of salesmen that do a lot of trackdays on Buells and the other supports one of the Buell race teams.

[BSnyder]

Scott beat me to it. Liberty Harley in Rahway and Harley of Edison are two "Buell Friendly" dealers. Where are you located 1967 R50/2?

[repoe3]

Originally posted by 1967 R50/2
Don't get me wrong I think Buells look great and love the ergos, but I see a big issue with a potential purchase. What is that you might ask?

The Dealers.

Last weekend a buddy and I went into a absolutely monstorous Harley dealer. After looking at all the H-D's I ask a salesman where the Buells are.

"Over with the used bikes" He says.

Hmmm..used bikes...not in the main showroom. Already kinda second tier.

So we walk clear across the lot to the used bikes. Lot's of H-Ds but no Buells in evidence. I take that back...there was a singular Blast.

I figure we might be in the wrong place so we leave that showroom and head in no particular direction, but end up in service.

"Can I help you?" A tech asks.

"Yes...I'm looking for the Buells."

"They are in the used bike showroom"

"No, they aren't I was just in there and there are no Buells."

"Was there a sales guy there, because they ARE IN THE USED BIKE SHOWROOM."

(In fact there was a sales guy...on the phone...not that I need his opinion. I can recognize a Buell when I see one.)

A different tech walks with me back to the used bike showroom. It's locked. In the intervening 5 minutes the sales guy has managed to slip out for lunch.

So here we are, me, my buddy and the tech peering through the locked doors of the used bike showroom. Kinda comical considering te tech an employee.

The tech says "There's a Blast back there...and I think I see...hmmm..... a Lightning."

I don't recall there being a Lightning, not that it would have made a difference in my opinion at this point. Any dealership that treats these bikes as such second class citizens gives me very little incentive to buy there. I mean...not even any bikes on display, let alone to ride or to buy. What would the service be like?

Are all Buell dealers like this? Because if they are, I can't imagine that I'd ever buy one...or anyone else buying one either. Or is this what the H-D sales experience is like in general? Maybe the staff feels they don't have to make any special effort to sell because people are beating down the door? I don't know. But I do know that I walked away, and probably won't walk back.

sounds like battley's

[repoe3]

the harley dealers in northern virginia dont carry buells or even order buell parts.

the ones in MD do.

but, again...WHY OH WHY, would you want a buell?!?!?

repoe3

[tbsstunta]

Originally posted by repoe3
but, again...WHY OH WHY, would you want a buell?!?!?

I've ridden Buells down the Dragon and around the North Georgia twisties and had a rockin time. Combine that with 50mpg in commuting traffic and I'd love to have one in the garage.

My suggestion is always to go on Bad Web and ask for the good dealer(s) in your area.

[SCOTTinNJ]

Originally posted by BSnyder
Scott beat me to it. Liberty Harley in Rahway and Harley of Edison are two "Buell Friendly" dealers. Where are you located 1967 R50/2?

yup, dem's da ones.

[repoe3]

Originally posted by tbsstunta
I've ridden Buells down the Dragon and around the North Georgia twisties and had a rockin time. Combine that with 50mpg in commuting traffic and I'd love to have one in the garage.

My suggestion is always to go on Bad Web and ask for the good dealer(s) in your area.

but for the price and options to competitive machines...seems like there are others that fit the bill. but i will admit to having lusted after a few buells...spent some time inthe saddle of an XB9R and it just runs out of steam way early.

the XB12R might be different. i also like the lighting over the firebolt. but then again...and TBS should be able to relate...i have a tuono in the garage. it doesnt lack power, thrust, or lust!!!

repoe3

[Flatbutt1]

That HAD to be Kosco on Rt 23 South, just HAD...TO....BE!!

[Nevermore]

Sounds like their attitude toward sportbikes is about the same as my BMW dealer.

[varmint]

i thought harley shops were obligated to have a buell section, with a dedicated percentage of floorspace for bikes and apparel.

and remember the high turnover at dealerships. if those one or two buell enthusiasts leave, you're back to being the bastard stepchild.

[tbsstunta]

Originally posted by repoe3
but for the price and options to competitive machines...seems like there are others that fit the bill. but i will admit to having lusted after a few buells...spent some time inthe saddle of an XB9R and it just runs out of steam way early.

the XB12R might be different. i also like the lighting over the firebolt. but then again...and TBS should be able to relate...i have a tuono in the garage. it doesnt lack power, thrust, or lust!!!

repoe3

Its very silly for someone with an 1100S to argue price vs performance.

[varmint]

Its very silly for someone with an 1100S to argue price vs performance.

I'm hard on machines. I asked myself, am I faster on the bike I flog the hell out of, but it just keeps going? Or, am I faster on the bike that I can't trust to go three hundred miles without a part fall off?

I'm making a promise to myself. I'm going to staart ignoring buell threads.

[BSnyder]

Originally posted by varmint
i thought harley shops were obligated to have a buell section, with a dedicated percentage of floorspace for bikes and apparel.

That is incorrect. It is a seperate franchise agreement signed into. Only Harley dealers can own a Buell franchise though. Only Buell franchises can sell Buell parts.

[BSnyder]

Originally posted by varmint
I'm making a promise to myself. I'm going to staart ignoring buell threads.

There's a start.

[BMWSaint]

I like the Buells. Sadly I only fit on the Ulysses!

Feel free to buy from your local $tealer, but find a good independant Harley wrench to do the Service. They don't keep many experienced techs on staff as a rule.

I'll take 30 years experience over a tech school grad anyday.

[R111S]

My Buell friends are typically treated like the proverbial "red-headed step-child" at the local HD shop.

I guess it's because they sell 500 HDs, then 1 Buell, then 500 more HDs, then 1 Buell...

Here a nice German Buell website...find the page for "Projects":
http://www.hillbilly-motors.com/html/porteng.html

Like this project for example:
http://www.hillbilly-motors.com/html/m2_orange.html

I've met a fair number of Buell Riders that are former BMW Owners.

[repoe3]

Originally posted by tbsstunta
Its very silly for someone with an 1100S to argue price vs performance.

ah but see...the unknowing see performance in more than top speed, top HP, etc...the S out performs so many other bikes, its silly to even compare

repoe3