No more Buell...

[junior varsity]

Are the Ducati welds that superior?

[RetroSBK]

In reality, they only thing they are doing is trimming the fat... If sucks to be a union worker on an assembly line and lose your $40 an hour job, and it sucks for the management as well.

Look at the two brands to go bust in this - Buell and MV. Both make bikes you might call... interesting. Neither have performance near what is offered by the big 4, not even at twice the price or displacement. The MV is for all intents the same bike as they designed in 1994! Buell had to outsource most of its bits (wheels, brakes, suspension, engine) to get it right, and it still doesnt work or last.

I feel bad for Erik Buell, not so much for MV. Buell was allowed to put a few inovative ideas to market that are now commonplace (Mass centralization, underbike muffler) that never would have seen light of day if it wasnt for his tireless work and dedication. The AMAZING thing is that the Buell was built at all in the US, given the idea crushing, CYA attitude of nearly every executive I have ever worked with.

I hope Buell finds a new home, but at the same time, I dont think they are for sale.

MV will end up in china, which will be good for the brand. Improve quality a bunch and lower the price for what really is a 94 GSXR750 with a big bore kit. Perfect match.

Now Ducati with VW.. hmmm Wonder if they will build the bikes in Tiawan like BMW?

[LA]

I have a lot of respect for Eric Buell and he finally got a real engine with the 1125 which is all I thought he was lacking.

I really like what he has done and wish the make the beast with two backs something could be done to save Buell.

I feel bad for all the folks who make the bikes and obviously for Eric himself.  You can tell he's hurt to the bone in the video.

I just saw one of the 1125's win at Barbar this weekend.  Looked and sounded great.

LA

[RetroSBK]

Yeah,.. the welds ARE that bad... think Blind man with a stick welder in a tornado

[mitt]

Wow - what a shocker


mitt

[junior varsity]

Y'know, with a company like H-D, I'd consider working for them, IF I thought they were looking for invigoration - but for all purposes, it seems like they stifle ideas. Its kind of confirmed by flipping the off-switch on Buell. That, and the bitter north is a deal breaker. H-D isn't relocating to warmer climes, and their location isn't exactly a relocation destination at the top of many engineer's minds.


While its not limited to just these companies, nor does this really state all that much about the regions, but I find it interesting that american transportation companies are located in the same general area, and are laying down like a cheap dates on prom night.

[derby]

In reality, they only thing they are doing is trimming the fat... If sucks to be a union worker on an assembly line and lose your $40 an hour job, and it sucks for the management as well.

iirc, buell was a non-union shop.

edit: yep...

http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2009/09/07/daily22.html

The employees are not represented by a union.

[Mad Duc]

If I were Buell I would get a Management buy out setup. Buell's problem is that he's an engineer and not a business person. Buell reminds me of Colin Chapman. Amazing engineer, horrible business manager.  If he could work with someone that could take over as CEO that has at least a bit of industry experience he could do really well - once he gets rid of the HD motors. HD's management doesn't understand the sport bikes segment and they made a dog's breakfast of it.

[mitt]

While its not limited to just these companies, nor does this really state all that much about the regions, but I find it interesting that american transportation companies are located in the same general area, and are laying down like a cheap dates on prom night.

That is a bit of an over-simplification.  It isn't about the American transportation sector as much as age of the company.  How many 100+ year old companies are based in the West or South versus the iron belt and the East?

mitt

[bluemoco]

Man, Erik Buell is almost crying in that video.  It's like his child died.  

It's tough to see the Buell brand fold up, but I'm not shocked about it.  Buell sales have been soft for some time, and the current environment just makes it more difficult to keep going.

Looking forward, my thoughts aren't so much focused on the US market - it seems like Buell and MV were intended to be part of Harley's strategies in Europe and other continents.  The MV acquisition was quite recent, too.  

[EvilSteve]

The MV is for all intents the same bike as they designed in 1994!

I don't agree with this. It's like a 911, looks very similar but a lot has gone on with that bike. And the F4 312 is in the ballpark with the Japanese bikes just the same way that Ducati is.

Improve quality a bunch and lower the price for what really is a 94 GSXR750 with a big bore kit. Perfect match.

So far off the mark, you just sound bitter dude, I'm not sure why.

[RetroSBK]

Derby, I was just making a statement about the effect of overpaid union labor on the economy. I believe that HD is, but not sure.

 

[Mad Duc]

Now Ducati with VW.. hmmm

Dear god no. I really hope that this does not happen. VW ripped the soul out of Lambo. The difference between Ferrari and Lambo used to be that a Lambo was a raw amazing car. A Lambo would kill you if you didn't know what you were doing. Ferrari's were for OCD control freaks, Lambo's were for people that wanted to get into heaven in a fireball. VW castrated the bull and now the difference between the two is mostly aesthetics. If VW gets Ducati I see Ducati's going down a very boring road...

[il d00d]

Well, it is a shame.  I always hoped that Buell would make some shifts and find their footing.  But in many respects, it is a little surprising that they lasted as long as they did.  Their offerings were like the Saab of bikes - quirky, with a dedicated following.  
 
They never had much to offer me in the way of performance, ergos, or aesthetics, hopefully Buell will find a place where he can make contributions to the moto world.  I don't think he designed a complete package as well as he engineered individual parts.

[mitt]

If VW gets Ducati I see Ducati's going down a very boring road...

With Suzuki SV engines.....


                       


mitt