Erik Buell is an idiot.

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/28/buell-blast-comes-to-a-crushing-end-new-entry-level-sportbike-i/

The fun little Buell Blast will likely be killed off after MY2010.

Morons.

Hopefully those were model year pre-production units that could never be titled. Given H-D's performance in recent months, if I were an investor I'd be more than a little upset to see saleable inventory crushed for the sake of a press release and promo video.

Apparently they need to hire a marketing firm , or fire the one they have and learn what "damaging the brand" means, and then endeavor to avoid doing so. Not that I care.

Harley has a good marketing firm, not sure if the contract extends to Buell or not though.

I suppose it never occurred to you that this is a marketing thing?

Why make a big deal about the death of your entry level bike if you're not going to replace it.

Buell has been wanting a "Dual Sport" for years now, it would dovetail nicely with an entry level bike. :)

therex wrote: I suppose it never occurred to you that this *is* a marketing thing? Why make a big deal about the death of your entry level bike if you're not going to replace it. Buell has been wanting a "Dual Sport" for years now, it would dovetail nicely with an entry level bike. :)

The whole thing is so weird that I doubt it can be taken completely at face value. My guess is that either the Blast is simply moving to another division (Harley, Cagiva, or something new) and possibly a minor styling change, or Buell has put together a more "ruthless" replacement with a closer resemblance to the larger bikes.

We really need more bikes (and cars) with 15+ year production runs so we can have the aftermarket support we need to ride "classics."

Clem

therex wrote: I suppose it never occurred to you that this *is* a marketing thing? Why make a big deal about the death of your entry level bike if you're not going to replace it. Buell has been wanting a "Dual Sport" for years now, it would dovetail nicely with an entry level bike. :)

Yes, I am aware that it could be a campaign concted by professioanl maketers, hence the "or fire them" in my post.

I think the campaign damages the brand becuase:

a. They intone that the bike they have been selling you for the last few years sucks and they knew it.

b. They are STILL SELLING THE THING. with MOST of the branding removed?!?!

"the Blast will soldier on in 2010 with its most of its Buell markings removed"

Hi! our product sucks! always has!! still does!!! do you want buy one!!!!

I'm with therex on this one. My bet is 500cc dual sport. The B-Last was always destined to be a learning appliance. I saw Erik Buell speak about it and say that there weren't enough bikes out there for people to buy, learn on, then pass on to the next beginner. I guess he met that goal.

What he has next will be interesting to tell.

I'm with Shaun on this one. That is not an intelligent marketing exercise. I'd be pissed if I was a shareholder. I don't care if they axe the blast or not, but that is one dumb way to go about it.

Half a 1125 engine in a fuel-in-frame supermoto, please!

Cute - they added it back to the 2010 lineup on their page...

http://www.buell.com/en_us/bikes/

They've even purged it from the 09 model listing. I think Harley/Buell is going to be learning a tough lesson soon. Much like GM/Ford/Chrysler did with their SUV/Truck obsession, they've been trying to get into upmarket high-profit bikes, without offering anything entry level (no, a $7000 Sportster is not entry level, at least in price) for a novice rider to buy. They're depending on being an aspirational brand, but with so many good metric cruisers, whats the point? Today's Honda Rebel buyer can move up to a Shadow, a Suzuki S40 rider can move up to an S50, etc... The blast was the only thing that was remotely entry level.

Not to mention, what are they gonna use for Rider's Edge classes now? Or will they break with the MSF recommendations (requirements?), and teach the class on 883 Sportsters?

Osterkraut wrote: Half a 1125 engine in a fuel-in-frame supermoto, please!

That would be so tits.

eastsidemav wrote: They've even purged it from the 09 model listing. I think Harley/Buell is going to be learning a tough lesson soon. Much like GM/Ford/Chrysler did with their SUV/Truck obsession, they've been trying to get into upmarket high-profit bikes, without offering anything entry level (no, a $7000 Sportster is not entry level, at least in price) for a novice rider to buy. They're depending on being an aspirational brand, but with so many good metric cruisers, whats the point?

Every time I see a Harley I get angry, essentially for that reason.

The Blast is a fun little bike! The V-1 shakes a lot and doesn't like to be out of its sweet spot, but I put my fat ass on my roommate's with her on the back and we rode around just fine after she broke my Lightning.

I could have used that as a parts bike. I get the issue about being associated with a starter bike, but it is about the only single, carburated, pushrod, aircooled street bike on the market. I like my blast and it handles pretty good. Great bike to ride around San Francisco.

I just went by the HD dealer and a new 883 was listed at around 9000$, don't know what that means but it sure isnt cheap.

therex wrote:

Osterkraut wrote: Half a 1125 engine in a fuel-in-frame supermoto, please!

That would be *so tits*.

Buell, are you listening? I'd buy one right now.

Osterkraut wrote: Buell, are you listening? I'd buy one *right now*.

You know, I was talking to a motorcycle buddy about this.

It's the only thing that makes sense. In the video he (EB) talked about "what is a sportbike" and he (I'm paraphrasing here) tried to define a sportbike as a bike that "anything that has sport in it, anything that has a lot of athleticism". Seems like he is going out of his way to sort of "grey-define" sportbike so he can clamp onto "Buell Makes Sport Bikes".

It wouldn't surprise me in the least for him to say, "This is a dirt sport bike" even though the rest of the industry would say "Erik, geez, we already have a word for that."

Despite the fact that "starter bikes" are a required part of the industry, nobody wants to be seen riding one. A supermoto, however, is "cool", it fills the entry level bike while still being sporty, exciting, and innovative and all the ADV nerds out there will pop chubs over it if actually has off road capability.

Buell already has a relationship with Rotax, so the engine is just as simple as picking one off the shelf.

Buell definitely wanted to do a dirt line, but put it on hold for the 1125R. Now that that is done...

Finally, a supermoto doubles as a great entry level bike, while still being sporty and with large innovation potential. Price it right (say, 10% higher than the Blast, or 10% higher than DR650/KLR650) and you should have a license to print money, when your only real competition is the gutless DRZ or the SuperExpensive KTM or Husa/Husqy. A real opportunity to be a price and innovation segment leader here.

I really hope that's the answer. And not some generic "655R". :( That would make me sad.

Entry level bikes need to have low seat heights so that novice riders can feel safe on them. Supermoto bikes and adventure touring bikes need taller seat heights. even though the supermoto bikes made from motocrossers have lowered suspension, they still sit a lot taller then a standard bike, and the handling is a little to extreme for a beginner. The blast is a bike for new women riders. I have talked with a few women who found the sportster to be too tall and bought soft tails for the lower seat height.

therex wrote: Finally, a supermoto doubles as a great entry level bike, while still being sporty and with large innovation potential. Price it right (say, 10% higher than the Blast, or 10% higher than DR650/KLR650) and you _should_ have a license to print money, when your only real competition is the gutless DRZ or the SuperExpensive KTM or Husa/Husqy. A real opportunity to be a price and innovation segment leader here.

I don't think Buell wants to get into a bidding war with the Japanese. If they did they're bikes would be magnitudes cheaper to compete. They're going for the "American Ducati" badge. Cheap to build, expensive to buy.

I was in sales at a Harley-davidson/Buell/BMW/Ducati/Yamaha/Bimota/Triumph dealership when the Buell Be-Last was introduced. I mean this in the nicest way when I offer that it's a fine motorcycle until one compares it to any other motorcycle.

Xceler8x wrote: I don't think Buell wants to get into a bidding war with the Japanese. If they did they're bikes would be magnitudes cheaper to compete. They're going for the "American Ducati" badge. Cheap to build, expensive to buy.

Well, that was my point. If you compare the Husaberg/Husqvarna/KTM Supermotos, they're expensive as hell. Undercut those guys and you're in business.

Rusnak_322 wrote: ... they still sit a lot taller then a standard bike, and the handling is a little to extreme for a beginner. The blast is a bike for new women riders. I have talked with a few women who found the sportster to be too tall and bought soft tails for the lower seat height.

Well, uh, they're still going to offer the Blast, if I'm reading this right....

uh am I the only one thinking 'finally!' The blast was the same $ as much nicer bikes (ninja 250 anyone?) and had the hp of a lawnmower with an exhaust note and acceleration to match.

I have thought it long overdue for a replacement, especially with the new ninja 250 most likely stealing all the entry level sales of small bikes.

Buell already makes a dual sport, the Ulyesses.

Predictably, like their sport bike, it sucks. Too heavy, underpowered.

Most of the HD folks here have picked up the Hyosung brand as an entry level and MSF course bike.