From: v058l789@ubvmsb.cc.buffalo.edu (I AM the Nighthawk)
Newsgroups: rec.motorcycles
Subject: Re: American Sportsbikes
Date: 15 Oct 92 20:07:00 GMT
Organization: University at Buffalo
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41

In article <1bhglqINNs4c@sixgun.East.Sun.COM>, egreen@east.sun.com writes...
>This idea came up in e-mail, what do you think?
> 
>If Harley did see an advantage to fostering a domestic sportsbike
>maker, they could just back Buell.  They could invest in expanding his
>production capabilities, either as a strict investment or, more likely,
>in an optional conversion to stock.  If they don't want to invest
>directly, they could guarantee third-party loans for Beull's
>expansion.
> 
>Harley's interest in doing this is that they are developing a customer
>for their engines, which is just plain smart business.  Also, to the
>extent that Buell provides competition to the Japanese manufacturers,
>Harley would be protecting its own market from the Japanese cruiser
>knock-offs (admittedly a second order effect).  Third, it is simply a
>smart investment, and offers a degree of diversification, while
>remaining within the industry they thoroughly understand.
> 
>To help ensure Buell's success (and their investment), they could work
>out an arrangement to allow him to use the existing Harley sales,
>distribution, and service network, perhaps on a dealer by dealer
>optional basis, if some dealers fear this would alienate their
>customers.  This would also efficiently leverage Harley's mechanics'
>expertise on the sportster engine.
> 
>I would suspect that Buells would continue to be 100% sold for the
>first several years of production just as a novelty or image item.  As
>the price comes down, they would move into the mainstream, and find
>strong support among the "buy American" crowd (assuming they can build
>a quality bike in volume).  It would take many years before Buell would
>be competing directly with the Japanese on style/price (and he would
>probably never be competative on raw performance).
> 
>Let the Japanese mega-opolies invest gazillions in R&D, and use what of
>it is reasonable several years down the curve.  I would see the
>development philosophy being closer to Harley's (and Mercedes').  A
>distinctively styled sportsbike such as the Buell doesn't *need* to
>change the neon fairing every other year to attract finiky customers
>(neither do the Japanese, they only do it in competition amongst
>themselves).  This would work to their favor, just as it does Harley,
>in lower retooling and retraining for each new model.
> 
>Just another wacky neuron firing...

	I don't think Harley-Davidson Motorcycles realizes how much of a killing
they could make with an American-Born-and-Bread sportbike.  In the lastest issue
of Cycle World, the editor sent a letter to the Harley people that seemed to
reflect the idead and hopes of a great many readers, myself included.  Just
think of it, a Harley liquid cooled 80 cubic inch motor with over 100 hp
wrapped in a just enough plastic to make it look good and cut the wind well...
0-60 in less than 4.0 sec, mid-11 quarters, and killer great looks (much
like the aforementioned Buell) all from an American built bike.  So when
do we get to see it?


							Ethan Bowerman