In an astonishing move Harley-Davidson has stopped all Buell production and no more Buells will be built – ever!
The announcement was made this afternoon by company founder Erik Buell himself in a video posted on the Buell website.
A clearly emotional Erik Buell thanked customers for their support and said he was very proud of what the firm had achieved in the last three decades, that all customer bikes’ warranties would be supported by company owners Harley-Davidson and that a limited supply of machines were still available at Buell dealers.
In another astonishing development, it has emerged that Harley-Davidson is to sell Italian brand MV Agusta with immediate effect.
The news follows the shock announcement of the closure of Buell – also owned by Harley-Davidson – and confirms the crisis that has enveloped the historic American marque.
Harley has also just announced a further worldwide drop in sales of 21 per cent and an 84 per cent decline in income compared to a year ago.
Buell's are a cool looking bike such a shame that Harley are doing this as a finality rather than a mothball solution to a finacial crisis, as for MV bloody hell..................
Pretty sure MV will be resurrected by a consortium or just re born at some point in the future as they are a very nice machine.
Maybe a Buell with a Vmax Engine will arise in time? lol
Andy i say you are correct about rather mothballing,i cant see this being the final days of either bike but i also cant imagine the new vmax motor in a Buell lol
Well as I have posted before I learnt to ride to ride a Buell. I'm in love with my SB9SX 05 CityCross. I guess it will last my biking life out but I'm still gutted at the decision. I just hope some organisation gives Eddfie Buell the necessary funds to persuade HD to let him have Buell again,
Roger
I am sure Buell will re-emerge eventually. It was after all a huge success for HD a few years ago tempting many non-HD riders onto bikes using their engines.
I've never ridden a Buell but I have been told by a number of trusted sources that they are excellent bikes.
Shame.
....shocked!!!.....now did I get out of HD just in time or should I have hung on to her I wonder?............plus disputes about challenging directorship within my Chapter so maybe meant to be................still cant believe it all tho!!! Shame...............Buells great bikes too............
I've ridden a few Buells and was rather impressed at thier qualities, design and innovation.
I also liked the fact that someone had bothered to put a good engine in something that handled. It was the American version of a triton if you think about it.
And while we knock H-D they do make a punchy motor.
Thats the way of the world now unfortunately RD ,apart from the German input(which i believe is on one engine design only (v-rod by Porsche)the rest is costcutting but i can be wrong here too.
I love my bike but the quality when used as a practical bike leaves a lot to be desired. The paint is falling off my bike just due to rain and wind (not a pressure washer!). I am sure once i have taken it apart and rebuilt it to TeeCee specs then I will have nothing to grumble about.
Yes, there are cheaper, faster, more reliable, better finished bikes out there but haven't yet found one that stirs the soul like this one...
A good friend of mine dropped his HD 1640cc thru a diesel spill on a twisty,his quote to repair +_ 6k pounds (solid bike indeed)the incident destroyed nerves in his right shoulder so he'll never ride again but is having it rebuilt for his 23yr old son to take him pilly on it..apart from being a true biker he was also a guitarist for a local SA band so one can imagine his pain physically and mentally.I'll try and post a pic of "Dean"and leave it on my profile if OK with the mods..a small tribute to a good friend.
Dean on a weekend getaway with myself and 6 other riding buddies,just us on the bikes doing route 62 for a break from the family's and city stress...him and his favourite german pisspot helmet which nearly cost him his life
Dammit, exc - always sad to hear about an accident like that! Hope Dean is managing to cope. Won't be long before he is back on his bike I hope, albeit as a pillion.
Just a thought but I am sure I have seen handlebar conversions for one-armed riders and was only yesterday reading about the legal aspects of fitting hydralic assistance to handlebars... Depends how comfortable his arm would be in that position if he wanted to get back to riding himself.
p.s. if that is your V-max in the background, nice ride!!
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