No more Buell...

[Raux]

not sure if anyone has said this... but think Erik Buell, Chief Technical Designer... MV Agusta  [moto]

[Goat_Herder]

Although I am not a fan of Buell, this is indeed another sad day in American motorsport history.  I still haven't gotten past the Pontiac news...

[nicrosato]

How will used Buells fare on the market now? Will thee be bargains to be had?

[derby]

How will used Buells fare on the market now? Will thee be bargains to be had?

they're gonna have to compete with the new ones first...

$5000 rebates at the moment.

[il d00d]

not sure if anyone has said this... but think Erik Buell, Chief Technical Designer... MV Agusta  [moto]

I like that.  But, how about:
Chief Technical Designer But If He Even So Much As Sketches Out A Seat Cowl On A Paper Napkin He Gets Punched In The Face By An Italian, MV Agusta.

[EvilSteve]

What's wrong with the fuel in the frame?

ZTL brakes don't work.

Side radiators were done by other manufacturers too.

[Buckethead]

Side radiators were done by other manufacturers too.

Yes, but tastefully.

Personally, I'm not sorry to see the brand go. Being shackled to the Harley powerplant for so long really ham-strung them.

That said, I feel bad for Erik and wish him the best. I doubt this is the last we'll hear of him. He's too passionate about finding new ways to do old things.

I feel doubly sad for the 180 employees of Buell whose factory will close for good in the middle of freaking December, a week before Christmas, all so Harley can focus on centralizing the brand.

[Randimus Maximus]

And what is the AMA/DMG debacle going to do now?

[derby]

And what is the AMA/DMG debacle going to do now?

we'll find out in march.

[Speedbag]

Damn. 

So much for getting that 1125CR, which was growing on me after seeing one in person (seriously).

Then again, I might be able to score one cheap....

[zenjim]

MV seems to be getting the best deal. In better financial shape and being sold.

Buell is a bummer though. Being part of HD was probably never a good thing. And now it looks like they'll keep the intellectual property, not build the bikes and not sell the company. I seriously don't see HD actually using any of the Buell tech. Which is a shame. If they had been in separate dealerships, they may have fared better.

As far as racing goes, from the Buell website, "Buell will continue to supply parts to dealers to support racers who want to go racing next season. However, the racing support program and contingency will be discontinued."
I'd like to see the guys who bought Indian buy both Buell and MV. They've got a great track record for turning brands around. And if I was going to buy a modern replica of a 1930s era cruiser for $30k, I'd definitely go with the Indian. 

[Grampa]

I'm no fan of Buells. I almost bought one prior to buy'n my first Monster. Having never ridden either bike, I'm glad I went with the duc. That being said..... Erik not only dreamed of doing it....he did it.

Hats off to him for stepping into a world most of us only dream about. I wish him success in his next adventure.

[danaid]

   Greed is why Buell/H-D is in the financial mess they are in, selling outdated and overpriced crap, using lots of their investors money to buy up bad home loans, just to name a few of their bad financial decisions.
 Eric Buell had a lot of time to create his 1125r and strengthen his brand but choose to waste time and play with his stupid band and snort cocaine oh... my bad, losing control.   

[superjohn]

we'll find out in march.

I bet they're campaigned as Harley-Davidsons and given more concessions.

[DW]

Well, I am sad to see them go but more for what might have been than what ever was.  I have HAD IT with the US motorcycle industry for a long time.  My second street bike would have been an 883 sportster built slowly into a street tracker IF I could have gotten the local dealerships to give me the time of day.  Instead I bought a Suzuki.  Later I would have considered a Buell S1 lighting, but once again the dealerships didn't even show the brand any respect.  Why should I?  This year before purchasing my VFR, I looked heavily at the touring Ulysses.  Local dealership had one stting on the floor left from the prior year, but still wanted more than MSRP for an OTD price and refused to consider any trade for a non-Harley.  On top of that, no one even knew the difference between the Buell models on the floor.  I asked about the 1125CR which was coming out and had to argue with the salesman that their was a difference between the 1125CR and 1125R. 

And the final straw has been the debacle in AMA this year.  Sorry Eric, you have not been competitive at the highest level.  Nearly double the displacement of your typical competitor is not the same thing.  Even granting the 848 against 600cc is pushing it in my opinion.  1125?? Forget about it.

All that aside, your company was beginning to show some promise with the whole ruthless engineering thing.  SOMEBODY, please give me an American bike to cheer for.  I will be your biggest fan.  Eric B, I'll even give you a second chance.  Just make a real effort this time. 

Wow, I sound cranky tonight.