Harley To Close Test Facility

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HD searching for a "slow speed" test facility 10/28/2009 7:10:00 PM I guess dumping Buell, HD doesn't have any use for a "High-speed" test facility any more.
High Speed? 10/28/2009 8:47:00 PM I think anything HD considers 'High Speed' could be done legally on any public freeway for much less money.
HD is a joke 10/29/2009 12:14:00 AM Are you kidding me! how much testing do you have to do when HD bike technology has been the same for the past 50 years. They have no idea at HD what it REALLY means to be inovative. HD killed Buell
My 25 cents (adjusted to inflation) 10/29/2009 10:14:00 AM Yeah...sounds like a waste of money from huge profits over the past years. Well, not anymore - I think some of these were executive vacation spots. Whatever, the over-priced tractors aren't flying out the door to wanna-be "biker" yuppies much any more. Research? It's still a heavy, expensive air-cooled tractor.
HD = Low and slow 10/29/2009 11:02:00 AM How much testing is required to find out how much the kickstand can hold while parked at the local bar.... "Look at my new chrome thingy" BFFB
bend over 10/29/2009 11:06:00 AM back in the day hd's were somewhat cheap to buy and maintain, then when you had the movie star weekend worrior and all chopper buidling shows and hd bikes went thur the roof and they have even opened markets in India and Japan which is nothing wrong with that but, go to your local bar and the gentlemen there with their hd's thinks its patriotic to own a harley when in reality hd could give a rats ass for them, the americans who have made them what they are today. just another way that an american company has made millions on the backs of american works and they turn around and break one off in them
HD Testing?? 10/29/2009 11:28:00 AM I own a Honda & Kawi, It pee's me off that America won't build a bike that I can have confidence in, Also our Autos Suck too, We should be really good at this by now. We are too Greedy. CEO's & Employees!
Harley Bashers 10/29/2009 12:02:00 PM Over my 37 years as a licensed rider I've owned Suzukis, Yamahas, and Kawasakis, I've ridden most major makes and models considerable miles, now own a 2006 HD Road King Classic as well as a couple of Kaws. I'll be the first to agree that Harleys took too long to bring their quality up to par, that they are heavy and relatively low performance. And so what? I ride with great comfort and pride, have more than adequate performance for the type of riding I do (which does not include pushing envelopes)and get to own what is practically American artwork. "Truth be known", the main reason more riders don't own Harleys is that they can't afford them.... making them Harley owner wanna-bees... or that they are performance nuts - making them subject to Darwinian rules. And while its true that the basic design is unchanged for many years, each model year includes changes. These obviously need to be tested. So when your rice rockets are used up, or you need parts and can't get them when your bike is seven years old.... and you are willing to admit that what you really want is a Harley.... quit dissing them and buy one. At least you'll likely pay less than I did!
Bitter 10/29/2009 12:24:00 PM Harley is doing what they need to do to stay alive. They are doing the same thing Ford did back in the 80's for restructuring. Canceling the racing support I still think is the most stupid thing you can do for any company. Ford paid dearly for it on the track and in some cases still playing catch up. I hope that Harley Davidson can at least come back as strong as Ford did. I will never buy a Chopper or Road Couch. Not that I can’t ride them. I just don’t like them. Maybe they will come out with a great Café style bike that would put the other bikes to shame. Canceling Buell was the worst thing they could have done in there state of affairs. At least cut it back to one bike and keep racing.
he doesnt get it.. 10/29/2009 5:39:00 PM "So when your rice rockets are used up, or you need parts and can't get them when your bike is seven years old.... and you are willing to admit that what you really want is a Harley...." IF I ever wake up one day and am suddenly in the mood for a cruiser, I'll be paying my nearest Victory dealer a visit. That Cross Country looks damn good - both aesthetically and from an innovative design standpoint. In the meantime I'll ride the piss out of my four Buells.
Buy a harley? I dont think so 10/29/2009 10:42:00 PM Sorry dude whos going on about rice rockets not being able to get parts in 7 years. I can still get parts for my 1973 kawasaki. I can also get parts for my 1997 Buell. I wont ever purchase a harley, its just not fun riding on antiquated hardware. For the same money i could own a v-max and annihilate any harley that i crossed paths with on the street. BFFB
For The Holier-Than-Thou Road King Owner 10/29/2009 11:28:00 PM Darwinian rules. eh? Were Darwin still around, he might observe your Road King and note its limited ability to stop quickly, turn well, or achieve a great enough lean angle to avoid a preventable accident! Hopefully, you will never find yourself with the need to "push the envelope" to avoid one. The laws of physics are not on your side! As to cost - an '06 Road King is worth about the same as many Korean subcompacts. I'm curious what basis you have used to decide that anyone who isn't on an H-D can't afford one? I can afford to ride whatever I please. I'll take a Buell, thanks. American technology and innovation, in addition to being rolling art. Intimidating to sensible fellows like you - invigorating to those of us who strive to improve our riding skill.
To those who understand 11/2/2009 3:06:00 PM To those who understand, no explaination is needed. To those who don't understand, no explaination can be given...If you want to ride foreign junk, do it. If you want to ride proud, do it....
TO the riders out there 11/2/2009 11:46:00 PM YUp HD killed Buell. AFTER a very long time of BUell being very small, very time consuming and not very profitable. BUel built 134,oo motorcycles which is a feat since over the years Buell changed from a track ony bike to a nearly unridable on the street track mostly bike to a series of well pretty sad attempts at making a set of HD based BMWs (think the thunderbolts. Prior to the XB series Buell was all over the map. After that and a lot of backing from HD Buell really did well. Buell did so well they stopped using HD engines Stopped making frames. Stopped making most of the bike. I cannot blame Buell they were working WITH HD permission to go out and make it work. ANd they did. BUt the sales were not supporting the business. I have been to the dealerships they are empty of people and full of bikes. All the manufactures are suffering. TO say HD killed Buell is corret. BUT to not say HD gave Buell the best chance it could have would not be right. I like Buells a lot, But I am not buying a new bike. I have kids in college and expenses are up due to my partner not haveing a job for a year. TO quote a line of years ago it was not HD that killed Buell it was the economy... As for Improving Bike HD builds great bikes. I like nealy none of them. but they are great.
in terms of 11/19/2009 2:33:00 PM In terms of business the decision to close a testing facility does not surpass the elements of process. Sure there could be other ways, however, HD gave Buell a chance over so many years and it was up to Buell to define their market shares and not HD. Also, sad to say that Buell may have copied the protocol of sportbikes that killed their models from the beginning.

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