Buell puts the brakes on popular sportbike
Motorcyclists are mourning the loss of the only American-built sportbike.
The doors will close at the Buell Motorcycle Company in East Troy, Wis., just before Christmas, but the easy handling, speedy motorcycles will remain popular with fans, who like the motorcycle as well as its mystique.
"It's cool to ride on something you know is made right here in America," said Matt Pirrera, 22, of Palm Bay.
Founded by ex-Harley-Davidson engineer Erik Buell, the company first partnered with Harley-Davidson in 1993 and became a wholly owned subsidiary of Harley by 2003. By 2006, Buell had produced and shipped its 100,000th motorcycle. But when Harley's profits plunged 84 percent this year, the parent company decided to close Buell.
"Buell was just getting success a little too late, in a bad economy," Pirrera said. "It's tough times right now for everybody."
Pirrera is attending welding school after being laid off as a Harley salesman. Last year, he purchased a 2004 Buell XB12R and refurbished it.
The Buell motorcycle accelerates quicker and handles better than Japanese motorcycles, which have higher top-end speeds, Pirrera said.
"It's quicker because it has a lot of torque," he said.
But he most enjoyed the motorcycle's uniqueness.
"They always referred to themselves as mavericks, not the stereotypical cruiser, not the stereotypical sportbike," Pirrera said. "So, you just lost a very unique thing. You went back to the norm by eliminating them."
The motorcycles, however, are likely to hold their value and remain popular. Since the factory announced in mid-October that it would close, sales have been strong at Space Coast Harley-Davidson, which has two Buell Blast cycles left in stock after selling four to customers who knew the company was going out of business.
"There's Buell fanatics that are card carrying members for life," salesman Danny Christy said.
Space Coast Harley-Davidson has agreed to stock parts and provide service for Buell motorcycles for seven years.
Though the motorcycle had its fans, sales were slow, especially during the recession, because they cost 10 to 20 percent above the Japanese bikes. Prices range from $4,795 to $12,900.
Source: Buell puts the brakes on popular sportbike
