After a dreadful third quarter financial result by the company Harley-Davidson pulls the plug on Buell. With sales down and the recession hitting especially hard to the manufacture. Harley had to decide which division to keep between MV Agusta and Buell. As you see it Harley believes that the money and market will stay behind MV Agusta and Buell is out on the street.
We are sad to see any manufacture go out of business but Buell really brought a small business attitude to the table and a lot of inovation (Fuel tank in the frame, Periemeter Brakes, and much more). We are hoping a private company will step up and try to buy the debt and company away from Harley and try to revive the company in a couple years time.
Official Statement from Buell Motorcycles:
EAST TROY, Wis. — (Thursday, October 15, 2009) Buell Motorcycle Company officials thanked the company’s customers, employees and dealers for an unforgettable ride, following today’s announcement by Harley-Davidson, Inc. that it will discontinue the Buell® product line as part of Harley-Davidson’s go-forward business strategy. The new long-term strategy aims to drive Company growth through a focus of efforts and resources on the Harley-Davidson® brand.
“I want to personally thank all our past and present Buell employees, dealers and suppliers for their efforts. I also want to thank Buell motorcycle owners for their support and passion for the brand,” said Buell Motorcycle Company President Jon Flickinger.
Flickinger said a limited number of new Buell motorcycles remain available for sale through authorized dealerships and production will wind down by October 30. He also stressed that Harley-Davidson will provide replacement parts and service through dealerships and that warranty coverage will continue as normal for Buell motorcycles.
“I will always be proud of what we have accomplished. It is a testimony to what a small group of passionate and inspired people can do, and with brilliant innovations, we’ve produced some of the best-handling bikes of all time,” said Buell Chairman and Chief Technical Officer Erik Buell. “I personally look forward to exploring how I can continue to work with Harley-Davidson to bring advanced product technology to riders.
“I have also had the great fortune to meet and get to know many Buell riders over the years, and they are an amazing and interesting group of free thinkers,” Buell said. “May you ride with pride into the future. And may your roads ahead be as adventuresome and rewarding as mine have been for the last 26 years.”
A wholly owned subsidiary of Harley-Davidson, Inc. since 1998, Buell Motorcycle Company was founded in 1983 by Erik Buell and produced more than 135,000 motorcycles. Over the past 26 years, Buell motorcycles won numerous design accolades and awards, and countless races and championships around the world, including the AMA Pro Daytona SportBike championship in 2009.
Erik Buell Confirms Buell Going Out of Business
- Buell Saved! Erik Buell Starts New Business Venture for Race Bikes Just recently the last Buell motorcycle rolled off the production...
- Erik Buell Racing Sell First Race Bikes To European Team Erik Buell Racing has sold its first race bikes, a...
- Harley-Davidson Puts MV Agusta Up For Sale Harley-Davidson today announced its third quarter financial results and unveiled...
Thank You Erik Buell for a wonderful bike. I have the pleasure of riding a 98 Buell Whitelighting. It even has your signature on it, although it’s fading
My dream bike is the all black SCG, you see I am not even 5′ tall and I had finally found a sportbike I could ride. Maybe one day I will own one. I thank you again… with out this bike I would never have had the thrill of riding such a bike and guess what? I’ve even had the awesome experience of doing some Buell track days. All because I was able to fit on a Buell. It truly is an awesome bike. Mahalo nui loa!
CRY ME A RIVER……..YOUR RICH AND YOUR BIKES SUCKED
I own an XB9S It is an incredible bike. I hope someone picks up this very innovative company, who actually dared to do something different. Take the emblems off all the “big 4″ asian motorcycle manufacturers and u could not tell them apart. My Buell eats these run of the mill bikes for breakfast in the canyons and on surface streets with pure american heart pounding grunt.
Go swim in a river…gun?
I have owned several Buell’s and have ridden many … Eric Buell you are truly an American innovator that has showed us all want American’s can do when they have a passion and work as a team. I look forward to the future of your ideas as I know this will not be the end of Eric Buell and that passion that you have shared with so many, but perhaps just the beginning.
Good Luck
Personally, I have not owned a Buell yet. I have been admiring them for the last 5 years and can’t wait to get one of my own. I will be purchasing a used Firebolt next summer and look forward to the opportunity to buy a new Buell a couple years down the road.
I had 2 Buells Great bikes Thunderbolt is sweet GUN YOU SUCK
Eric, I’m a cruiser guy – always have been, and a proud owner of multiple Harleys over the years. but I’ve come close to buying a Buell motorcycle a couple of times, and had plans to do so once my last kid left the house. My sympathies. I won’t be surprised if a hot line of Sportster-related, Eric Buell insignia bikes start showing up in the new product line of H.D., and I think they will be foolish not to do just that.
Best wishes.
as a buell owner i can say with authority ..that cyclone is one awesome bike – all american
i guess that “gun” guy should get off his mini bike and get a real american pavement smoker ..a Buell
I own and will never let go of my 1999 x1 lightning for it will always be a reminder of what could have been all the best–robert dawgr
i have a 99 x1 fully modded it by far is the best sportbike ever created i could have baught any bike i wanted but i love the x1 lightning good luck mr buell and thank you for my x1