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In 2008 Buell represented 2.2% of the income for H-D just ahead of other.
World wide revenue by product (Dollars in millions)
76.5 % HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLES $4,278.2
15.3 % PARTS & ACCESSORIES 858.
7 5.6 % GENERAL MERCHANDISE 313.8
2.2 % BUELL MOTORCYCLES 123.1 0.4 %
OTHER 20.5 TOTAL NET REVENUE $5,594.3
Buell shipped 13,119 units in 2008 which was up from the 11,513 shipped in 2007 and ahead of what I believe was the previous annual high of 12,460 in 2006. The Buell sales are predominately US with H-D taking the main line as an export. In 2008 the company shipped 303,479 H-Ds down from 330,619 in 2007.
For a bit of perspective BMW claims to have shipped 11,617 units to the US which was down 3.9% from the previous years. With a smaller and more narrowly focused product line Buell outsold BMW in the US for each of the years ’06-8.
I think a great combo would be a V-Rod powered Buell -- didn't somebody say the V-Rod line might be the next to get the axe?
...
The hub-bub around reaction to the V-Rod engine has always sounded like, in many ways, like the Airhead reaction to the introduction of the Brick...
Erik Buell was asked about the V-Rod Revolution engine powering a Buell. He mentioned the engine's weight was a problem (it is a heavy engine) and he didn't care much for all the unsightly and exposed liquid cooled plumbing.
The V-Rod won't get the ax. Overseas it is one of H-D's biggest sellers, and in many countries it is #1. International is H-D's source for growth. And the V-Rod volume in NA isn't too shabby. A report several years ago noted NA V-Rod volume at around 16,000 units. That's more than all BMW's combined.
: The H-D move that struck me as curious was introducing the XR1200 in Europe and making it a Euro only offering for the beginning of its run.
I think H-D knew what they were doing by not putting this bike's initial emphasis on the US market.
They now have a 2nd model called the XR1200X.
Guess where it's available (and where it's not).........?
Eddie
Many manufacturers have models that are only for specific regions.
Eddie
The Buell Blast! 500cc single was used by H-D Rider's Edge BRC courses all over the nation. IMHO it was a terrible bike on which beginners could learn riding motorcycles. For a beginner it was too heavy. The grabby front brake caused crashes. The clutch was on or off -- no friction zone -- which was hard for beginners to learn to use. It was too powerful and the gearing was too high for learning to ride on an MSF range. Finally, its vibration was fearsome. As an MSF trainer, the Blast was a disaster.
I wonder what Harley will use now for its Rider's Edge courses. If it is smart, it will use beginner-friendly Japanese 250cc training motorcycles. But don't count on it.