REPORT: Harley-Davidson paying dealers extra $5K for each Buell sold
In the market for a new motorcycle? Now might be a good time to visit your local Harley-Davidson dealership. Not necessarily for a new motorcycle wearing the classic orange and black Bar and Shield logo – not that there's anything wrong with that, if that's your thing – but for one of the last bikes from the recently discontinued Buell brand.
According to a report from the boys from Hell for Leather, Harley-Davidson is sending a check to each dealership worth $5,000 for every new Buell sold. This knowledge ought to give customers a little extra negotiating power when it comes time to sign on the dotted line, no? Happy shopping!
[Source: Hell for Leather]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
yeah baby! 8:22AM (11/02/2009)
I want one!
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MikeInNC 8:15AM (11/02/2009)
I sure hope someone figures out a way to keep these guys around. You hate to see 20+ years of service building American sport bikes go to waste.
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James 12:07PM (11/02/2009)
Wasn't there talk here about "bailing out" Buell by the Walworth County of WI...talks fell through, perhaps.
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/20/buell-will-be-back-county-officials-throwing-axed-hd-brand-a-li/
Bobmarley 8:31AM (11/02/2009)
why dont they just cut $5k off the top of the sticker price?...hopefully the dealers will pass this credit on to the consumers.
that would be sick if you could get an XB9 for $5k
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Yaroukh 9:15AM (11/02/2009)
Why did they not succeed?
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jim 5:05PM (11/02/2009)
1. Sold through a dealer channel that lacked interest in the product.
2. Controversial styling.
3. Powerful, but agricultural engine.
4. See #1
5. Hopes that a Buell would be a second bike for HD owners wanting something sporty never happened, nor did the brand attract owners of other brands, partly because of #1
Yaroukh 5:12PM (11/02/2009)
Thanks for the reply. I for one liked their styling. But then again I am not a bike-guy.
It is sad they weren't able to adress above mentioned in two decades and gave up eventually. :o[ Maybe shouldn't the downturn come they would try longer...?
I wonder whether there's a chance someone would buy the brand.
Bubba 9:20AM (11/02/2009)
Just the other night I tripped across reports of HD/Buell dealers letting 1125R/CR's go for as little as $5 or 6k. Gosh that's a steal! .. I wish I were in the position to walk into a dealer with a cashier's check for $5k and see what happens.
Considering the 1125 MSRP's at like $12k, I HAVE to believe that you could get one of those XB9's ($9k MSRP) for similar money.
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Hazdaz 10:33AM (11/02/2009)
What a shame.
H-D is going to take a bath on these last remaining Buells, but one has to wonder if they put even 1/2 as much effort in keeping them alive what kind of profits Buell might have eventually generated for H-D in an improving economy.
H-D pulling the rug out from under them leaves a bad taste in my mouth - Buell offered up diversification which is almost always a good thing, and now H-D has one and only one market to try to gain sales.
This all smells like typically short-sighted Corporate American failure.
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Sean Clearwater 11:06AM (11/02/2009)
Dealers are passing it on; and this is not just a rumor. My buddy just bought an 1125CR for 6000, and his father liked the bike so much he bought one for the same price. Hurry up if you want to take advantage of this deal.
-Sean
Dan 3:19PM (11/02/2009)
Harley has had a few rough patches. They arent very innovative thats for sure. This is why they are suffering now.
RamblinReck89 11:30AM (11/02/2009)
Why couldn't Buell stay around and Harley go out of business? I'd pay a couple thousand for a Fat Boy, but I really don't have much interest in a Buell.
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audi_arena 12:04PM (11/02/2009)
I love this bike...
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cosman2001 12:24PM (11/02/2009)
I just picked up a 2009 Red 1125CR for $6100 otd! A deal I couldn't walk away from despite a 2006 xb12ss is in the garage. The $5K rebate is only good on the 1125 models while the xb models are seeing a 3K rebate. I suppose Erik Buell wanted to reward his loyal owners by giving them the excuse to purchase a new bike. But yea these bikes are SICK! I don't really know what to do with 6000 additional RPMs. It feels so natural going into a curve and this bike makes it easy. I can't wait to break it in and feel what WOT feels like. I do feel sad that Americans don't have anything left to call their own besides a slow piece of chrome. :(
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jim 5:08PM (11/02/2009)
No, HD wants to close the books on Buell this quarter and move on.
Venom 2:28PM (11/02/2009)
If I knew how to ride a bike and I did not mind dying or ending up in the hospital I might buy one..
I might still buy one anyway and just put it in the garage.
I like the Buells.
Just walk out into the garage at night and admire it..
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Dan 3:19PM (11/02/2009)
Whenever I went to look at Buel at my local Harley Store non of the salespeople even cared about the bikes. They knew nothing about them. They certainly didnt push the bikes either. They were only concerned with the cruisers. I bought a CBR instead. Im not surprised if most harley places act the same towards the bikes and Im sure this had a lot to do with the lack of sales.
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Charlie 4:36PM (11/02/2009)
I just got a Buell. Been riding for many years and this is the best. You have to ride one, and you will be hooked.
You are treated like a red-headed stepchild by the HD dealers, but they do have the parts (and HD will honor the warranties and parts in the future), and screw 'em, I don't ride with them.
A true shame: they are America's Corvette to Europe's Ferrari and Japan's GTR.
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RLQ 7:29PM (11/02/2009)
RIP Buell
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