Buell Not Dead afterall? (hopefully)

[Bald_Tire]

Article dated Oct 19th. I hope they can pull this off.

http://www.topspeed.com/motorcycles/...e-ar80525.html

[springer-]

That would be good but it will be a huge task if HD washes their hands of the brand. Dealer network would be needed, would they continue with the HD sporty motors or a complete switch to the Rotax? Will be interesting to see if it pans out.

[ultraplusrotax]

We wish them all the luck in East Troy.
But the Rotax in the USA? and a new dealership? that won't work.

[kemo]

I bought a Buell s3t Thunderbolt in 2000. The main reason that I bought it was because of the engine being a H/D proven sportster motor. I don't want no sticken foriegn stuff in my Harleys.
kemo

[J ROD]

Originally Posted by kemo

I bought a Buell s3t Thunderbolt in 2000. The main reason that I bought it was because of the engine being a H/D proven sportster motor. I don't want no sticken foriegn stuff in my Harleys.
kemo

Kemo
I guess you are from Ontario California and not the other Ca.....Canada, because Rotax is a subsidiary of Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. of Quebec Canada.

Built on an 60-year tradition of excellence and headquartered in the Canadian town of Valcourt, Quebec, BRP owns manufacturing facilities in Canada, the United States, Mexico, Finland, Austria, and China. No different then most of the large manufacturing facalitlies in the US.

Any way HD is leaving Buell.....So I am not seeing my V Rod going to the V twin Rotax any time soon. But if you have not thrown a leg over the Sypder yet that is one sweet machine and with Eric's enguinity and the backing of a worldwide manufacturer we may see a huge resurgency of Buell designs with a new powerplant.

[hogg831]

....a group of officials from the Village of East Troy, Walworth County Board and East Troy Chamber of Commerce, formed by the Walworth County Economic Development Alliance....

..sounds a lot like government to me, I guess they'll f(uk it up, overcharge, delay yearly release and generally run it in the ground.

[ultraplusrotax]

Rotax-engines are made in Gunskirchen, Austria.
They make engines for Aprilia, KTM, BMW.
Their V-twins are highly stressed high-revving engines, not easy to keep them tuned.
Rotax doesn't care that Eric will not buy the 1125 anymore, that bike didn't sell anyway.
Even the ever-laughing Craig Jones doesn't care, he can wheelies Dyna's, CVO, V-rods...

[kemo]

I am in Ontario Canada and would actually have some person in Canada or the US building an engine than someone in Austria. Nothing wrong with that engine but it ain't no Harley. Also from what I have heard about the Spyder they go like snot. Our cops here in town have one on loan. In Alaska I imagine that you have a sled, I had one once and wouldn't give you two cents for another one.
kemo

[Gerg]

Eric was building Buells with Sporster motors before the MoCo bought controlling interest. I suspect there COULD be something worked out with the MoCo if the money was right. As it stands now the MoCo is just walking away and shuttering the factory (of course they would recoup the sale of equipment).

Hope this works for Eric. He's a class act.

[J ROD]

Originally Posted by kemo

I am in Ontario Canada and would actually have some person in Canada or the US building an engine than someone in Austria. Nothing wrong with that engine but it ain't no Harley. Also from what I have heard about the Spyder they go like snot. Our cops here in town have one on loan. In Alaska I imagine that you have a sled, I had one once and wouldn't give you two cents for another one.
kemo

Would never own a Ski Doo......I just work on them. Money's good.

[JayFL459]

Wishing Eric luck but gonna take some finessee to make it work

[fafcpa]

I too hope it works out. I would not own a Buell as I would never be able to flat foot one with the high seat height but keeping the name alive and the people working is a positive effect. I cannot see a reason for HD to prevent the current dealers from continuing as Buell dealers or to stop selling engines to the successor company.

Fred

[Bald_Tire]

Originally Posted by ultraplusrotax

Rotax-engines are made in Gunskirchen, Austria.
They make engines for Aprilia, KTM, BMW.
Their V-twins are highly stressed high-revving engines, not easy to keep them tuned.
Rotax doesn't care that Eric will not buy the 1125 anymore, that bike didn't sell anyway.
Even the ever-laughing Craig Jones doesn't care, he can wheelies Dyna's, CVO, V-rods...

I have two neighbors who own Aprilia RSV's and the bikes are reliable and virtually maintenance free. No tuning problems what so ever. I've ridden the 1125r and know a few owners. Trust me, that engine/bike combo Blows away the Buell/Sportster engine by leaps and bounds and by 50 HP. (I owned an X1 and a XB) Sorry, but No freakin comparison.

The Buell Ulysses with that 1125 engine could have seriously competed with BMW's GS models, if not blow them away too.

In my opinion the MOCO was entirely short sighted.

[Sam03FLHRI]

I've got a Uly and friends that have Aprilia's and thumper Beemer's, no comparison in regards to powerplants. The Rotax powered bikes clearly show the design limitations of the Sportster based engines. I was looking forward to an ABS version of the Uly exected in 2011 and someday having a more modern design of engine. Like a longer stroke 1125 for more torque and better heat management.
I hope HD bundled up all the assests including goodwill, etc. takes the write off and sells the former Buell assests after year-end. The fire sale of bikes and acc's by HD and dealers must have had made some small improvement to the bottom line as well as clean up any liabilites against the closing. Small beans but beans nonetheless.
Since the Capitol Drive closing not wanting to add the Buell engine manufacturing to the confusion of a plant move makes sense as well.

[Thorns]

I had a Rotax engine in an Ultralight I owned and flew....it was a great engine.

Thorns