The Buell legacy has come to a premature end today as the last Buell rolls off the production line. It is unfortunate that we lose Buell at this very difficult finacial time. We are still hoping that an investment firm or another manufacture will pick up the Buell brand.
Harley issued the following statement: “A Buell Lightning XB12Scg rolled off the company’s East Troy, Wis., assembly line, the last of the 136,923 motorcycles built in the company’s 26 years of operation.
“Parent Harley-Davidson announced on Oct. 15 that the Buell lineup of motorcycles would be discontinued effective Dec. 18, 2009. Buell motorcycles will continue to be sold through existing dealers until inventory is depleted.”
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
