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[tazmun]

WOW, I thought he was going to cry.
It was like he was reading a eulogy at a funeral.
I have owned 3 Buells and enjoyed each one.
This is sad.

SBB

Yes it is, and I hope people on this site READ the Buell story. I think one or two have no clue
about how it started. I do think HD should have taken clues from Buell, on how th improve
Harley motorcycles. Just my 2 cents.

[CVOStreetglide]

Yes it is, and I hope people on this site READ the Buell story. I think one or two have no clue
about how it started. I do think HD should have taken clues from Buell, on how th improve
Harley motorcycles. Just my 2 cents.

I agree!!!

This was a niche motorcycle with a solid customer and performance backing.It could survive n my assessment if it wnetindependent and scaled back to service the specialty market tha it built over the year.s

As far a MV Austa goes their moters are terrific!! I thinking that it might end up in one of our newly redesigned FL frames as the first water cooled Harley.

Harley seems to be following the car industry business model before it's too late--Reduce the number of models/brands adn focus on making them the absolute best products in the market. couple that with state-of-the -art manufacturing processes adn technolgy and the company will survive but at a smaller scale. 

I think the 2010 CVO Street Glide is an example of what they want to morph into.

I hope they do make it as I am sure lots of you guys do.

[BigLew]

Not sure that I agree the the Motoco is doing anything differently. They are not even saying anything differently about what they are "going to do". I guess part of the love hate relationship I have with them is trying to understand how they can have such a good thing going and pay so little attention to the real issues that bite all of the owners. you would think if the mindset was right that after making a v twin for 100 years they could almost make a perfect drivetrain. But they don't. And the MotoCo has by far the worst customer support I have ever encountered. But before I rant to much I will remind everyone that I too am a Harley owner/rider. Hard to put my head around it. Why do I ride a bike thats half as good as a BMW for twice the price, not sure but I do. It really saddens me because I see the loss of an american icon in the future.

Mike

[LC110]

http://www.mvagustausa.com/web-mvagusta/news/1009_HDdivestMV.html

They are trying to sell off mvagusta.

[tazmun]

Not sure that I agree the the Motoco is doing anything differently. They are not even saying anything differently about what they are "going to do". I guess part of the love hate relationship I have with them is trying to understand how they can have such a good thing going and pay so little attention to the real issues that bite all of the owners. you would think if the mindset was right that after making a v twin for 100 years they could almost make a perfect drivetrain. But they don't. And the MotoCo has by far the worst customer support I have ever encountered. But before I rant to much I will remind everyone that I too am a Harley owner/rider. Hard to put my head around it. Why do I ride a bike thats half as good as a BMW for twice the price, not sure but I do. It really saddens me because I see the loss of an american icon in the future.

Mike

I agree, but the bottom line is the ALMIGHTY stockholder!
I have a number of friends that work for the company, and all they ever hear
"how much faster", and "where can we buy it cheaper"!

That's the real problem with publicly owned companies.....
It's not about history or family......it's the dollar.

Sad sad, just sad!

[sadunbar]

WOW, I thought he was going to cry.
It was like he was reading a eulogy at a funeral.
I have owned 3 Buells and enjoyed each one.
This is sad.

SBB

Yep - very sad.

I feel for Eric Buell - his life's work - his namesake..  I suspect he did shed some tears...

It is rare that a company can cut and shrink their way to prosperity.  I never did understand the MV Augusta acquisition.  I think they lost their way with Buell products with their marketing strategy.  I hope the MOCO knows what their doing....

[Twolanerider]

 I hope the MOCO knows what their doing....

Jesus Scott, we've been hoping for that to happen again for years.

[MIKEYTEE]

Eric said in his announcement that he would still be with HD. This might help HD in the R&D department.
Hope they put his knowledge to good use
Mike
 

[MontyB]

Press Release today:
HARLEY-DAVIDSON ANNOUNCES 3RD QUARTER RESULTS, UNVEILS LONG-TERM BUSINESS STRATEGY

 

Retail Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Sales Decline Moderates from 2nd Quarter

Operating Loss at Finance Unit Impacts Profit

Company to Discontinue Buell Product Line, Divest MV Agusta

 

            MILWAUKEE , October, 15, 2009 – Harley-Davidson, Inc. (NYSE:HOG) announced decreased revenue, net income and earnings per share for the third quarter of 2009 compared to the year-ago period, while reporting a moderation in the decline of retail new Harley-Davidson motorcycle sales compared to the second quarter.

Worldwide retail sales of new Harley-Davidson® motorcycles declined 21.3 percent in the third quarter compared to last year’s third quarter, an improvement from the 30.1 percent decline in this year’s second quarter.  An 84.1 percent decline in net income and an 84.5 percent decline in diluted earnings per share from the year-ago quarter reflected lower motorcycle shipments and the effects of the economy on retail and wholesale loan performance at Harley-Davidson Financial Services.

Harley-Davidson also unveiled major elements of its go-forward business strategy to drive growth through a single-minded focus of efforts and resources on the unique strengths of the Harley-Davidson brand, and to enhance productivity and profitability through continuous improvement. As approved yesterday by Harley-Davidson’s Board of Directors, the Company will discontinue its Buell product line and divest its MV Agusta unit as part of this strategy.

“While the environment remains challenging for us, we are mildly encouraged by the moderation in the decline of dealer retail Harley-Davidson motorcycle sales,” said Keith Wandell, Chief Executive Officer of Harley-Davidson, Inc. “And moving forward, our strategy is designed to strengthen Harley-Davidson for long-term growth and deliver results through increased focus.                       

 “As our announcement regarding Buell and MV Agusta indicates, we are moving with the speed and decisiveness required to bring our business strategy to life,” said Wandell.  “The fact is we must focus both our effort and our investment on the Harley-Davidson brand, as we believe this provides an optimal path to sustained, meaningful, long-term growth.”

 

Third Quarter and Nine-Month Results

Net income for the third quarter was $26.5 million, compared to $166.5 million in the third quarter of 2008, on revenue of $1.12 billion, compared to $1.42 billion in the year-ago period. Diluted earnings per share were $0.11 for the third quarter of 2009 and $0.71 in the year-ago period.

Through nine months, Harley-Davidson, Inc. reported net income of $163.6 million, down 71.6 percent and diluted earnings per share of $0.70, down 71.4 percent from the year-ago period. Revenue through nine months was $3.57 billion, down 17.1 percent from the same period last year.

[motor1]

          All I can say is that I have purchased 3 Buells, ( currently own an 04 XB 12R ) and they have all been trouble  free, can't say that about the 6 Harleys I have owned. I was going to buy an 1125R, not so sure any more, might become difficult to obtain parts, for the Rotax engined Buell. Feel like I have lost a friend.

[VaEagle]

I think it's a shame for H-D to stop production of the Buell and sell MV Agusta. My .02 is that H-D needs to attract a younger rider that doesn't have a lot of disposable income but wants a dependable bike with performance that comes right out of the showroom and they don't have to spend thousands to get it to run well. I don't believe that a new paint job or chrome bits on a Sportster will entice a younger rider away from the imports.
For anyone looking for a Buell, I just got an email from Hampton Roads H-D and Southside H-D in Virginia : they are selling the Buell blast for $1,000 off and the other Buells for $3,000 off (I am guessing MSRP prices) this month. Their email stated they would honnor warranties for Buells as well.

[knuck45]

Is the VROD next?

[sadunbar]

You have to believe there are a few NHRA Pro motorcycle Buell teams scrambling right about now also......

[49445CVO]

So what is H-D gonna run at the track? I know they use the V-Rod for drag stuff but the circle track?

[spydglide]

So what is H-D gonna run at the track? I know they use the V-Rod for drag stuff but the circle track?

They've already exited from flat track racing......just into drag racing as far as I can tell.  spyder