I Won't Have A Recession Fall On My Shoulders

[RedDog]

After many sleepless nights I pulled the trigger. I rode for 28 years and sold my last machine 3 years ago to play with the Jeep thinking I'd finally "grown up". No such luck. I had to get another one.

Web photos of my new Buell XB12XT in black:

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e399/RedDogAlberta/Alberta/black-x2-r.jpg
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e399/RedDogAlberta/Alberta/buell-ulysses-xb12x--2_460x0w.jpg

[Trail Monkey]

very nice bike. Congrats!

[jl8088]

Good work, way to help kick start our economy, American made too!

[timh]

Nice bike, you will love it. I had an XB12R Firebolt and I loved it!:wings:

[Wonderland]

I thought they closed their doors?


http://www.cobrabuell.com/2009/10/buell-closing-down-ride-to-factory/

[RedDog]

I thought they closed their doors?


http://www.cobrabuell.com/2009/10/buell-closing-down-ride-to-factory/

Indeed... and thus $6,000. off list. How can I refuse when HD has committed to warranty, parts and service long term?


Good work, way to help kick start our economy, American made too!

Yes! The Jeep was made by North American workers in Toledo, Ohio; the Buell in East Troy, Wisconsin and the Santa Cruz in of course Santa Cruz, California.

[turner]

Indeed... and thus $6,000. off list. How can I refuse when HD has committed to warranty, parts and service long term?


Yes sir! Nice buy!!!

As soon as they went under, and the incentive was released to the public this new price was on this little beast. Talk about a steal...

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc130/trandolph_88/Buellslashedprice.jpg

[RedDog]

Yes sir! Nice buy!!!

As soon as they went under, and the incentive was released to the public this new price was on this little beast. Talk about a steal...

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc130/trandolph_88/Buellslashedprice.jpg

Wow! Up here in CDN dollars that's the price of a mid range scooter.

[rctr03]

congrats on the new purchase!
jimmy

(atgatt)

[RedDog]

Thanks for the comments. I was going to get the Buell in Calgary today but the highway was closed last night to freezing rain and snow, and a 60 car pileup between Calgary and here (90 miles / 150 kms apart). It's minus 17c this morning. Next weekend is going to have to do. It's not like I'll be taking it for a spin any time soon.

[DaveInDenver]

Cool moto RedDog!

Santa Cruz in of course Santa Cruz, California.
FYI Santa Cruz stopped making the Superlight in the USA in about 2005.

[Wonderland]

Good work, way to help kick start our economy, American made too!

I'll bet Erik Buell would of liked it better before he had to close his doors.

Great deals for the consumer, not so much for the company, if you consider all of the manufacturing jobs lost.

[RedDog]

I'll bet Erik Buell would of liked it better before he had to close his doors.

Great deals for the consumer, not so much for the company, if you consider all of the manufacturing jobs lost.

I keep wondering how much of this decision was simply Harley-Davidson shedding "non essential" elements because their numbers were so down? Buell functioned in some form for 26 years. I try to imagine somebody with deep pockets coming along and restarting the program retaining only an engine supply arrangement with HD. A guy can dream.

[RedDog]

Cool moto RedDog!

FYI Santa Cruz stopped making the Superlight in the USA in about 2005.

Interesting. Do I have to smack somebody at my dealer in Calgary? Where are Superlights made? Please don't say China.

[DaveInDenver]

Interesting. Do I have to smack somebody at my dealer in Calgary? Where are Superlights made? Please don't say China.
Nope, Taiwan. Santa Cruz doesn't manufacturer many of their own bikes, most were and still are made by Kinesis. Kinesis is a major contract manufacturer of bikes, both here in the USA (Portland, OR) and Taiwan (they are a Taiwanese company). Kinesis makes very good bikes, one of the larger manufacturers in fact. I have a Blur that was made in Portland (they moved Blur production to Taiwan in about 2008) and a Redline Cyclocross made by Kinesis also from Portland. There is nothing wrong with Taiwanese made Santa Cruz bikes from a quality standpoint, probably the equal of Portland made ones.

[RedDog]

Ok thanks. I absolutely love the bike. It's a step up from what I was accustomed to as a casual novice commuter / leisure rider. I feel like I'm on the Mercedes-Benz of bicycles. It's entirely likely it'll be the last bicycle I ever buy... but, as this thread suggests, I've been down that path with motorcycles as well. :bike_rider:

[Wonderland]

I keep wondering how much of this decision was simply Harley-Davidson shedding "non essential" elements because their numbers were so down? Buell functioned in some form for 26 years. I try to imagine somebody with deep pockets coming along and restarting the program retaining only an engine supply arrangement with HD. A guy can dream.

I am sure you are right.

Like everyone else, they need trim the fat. Sad to see, though.

I have had many friends loose their jobs and/or businesses. My business is still down 30% from 4 years ago. Of course our government says the recession is over, I am calling BS on that.

[Sleeping Dog]

Congratulations, a nice bike, enjoy it. If Jason (http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/oped/economics-buell-used-motorcycle-market/)is correct you might score a financial gain in a few months if you decide to flip it.

Jim

[RedDog]

Finally actually got the Buell home today after consecutive weeks of blizzards and Friday/Saturday highway closures, combined with additional delay in borrowing a truck. They had it in the showroom in Calgary waiting for me. Magnificent! Not so much seeing it wheeled through the snow to their loading ramp though. They tossed in a polish / wax / care kit, a trickle charger and the straps to haul it home, saying theirs were better than mine. They just gave them to me.

It's a beautiful machine. I looked at it for a long time when I got back. It even smells new (8 km on it). The luggage was unlocked and removed as it won't be needed except for extended travel. I ordered their deluxe tank bag and I still have my slick Joe Rocket tail pack from the previous machine so those two will handle most weekend luggage duties.

Now can we speed up winter now please? :bike_rider: