http://ydr.inyork.com/ci_13563219


Harley-Davidson reported this morning a 21 percent decrease in motorcycle sales in the third quarter of 2009. The company also said it plans to discontinue its Buell production line and divest MV Agusta, an Italian motorcycle maker Harley purchased recently.


The company also said in this morning's earnings report that talks have begun on a new contract with union workers the plants in York County. Harley said its "two path" study into whether to keep Harley in York County continues and that it still expects to make a decision by the end of the year.


Harley's sales fell by about 30 percent this spring. Shutdown weeks and job reductions have come this year as the Milwaukee-based company has sought to scale back production. Locally, four full weeks and two partial weeks of shutdown time were scheduled earlier this year. Three weeks have already happened.


York County hosts Harley's largest manufacturing facility, but the company said earlier this year it might move the operations elsewhere to make them more cost effective. The company maintains its preferred option is to stay, and union and company representatives reportedly told workers last week a restructuring plan is "viable." Contract negotiations are also part of the effort to keep the Springettsbury Township plants from moving.


Harley said this morning it plans to end Buell production and terminate about 180 total positions. Most of those workers will see their employment end by Dec. 18, the company said. MV Agusta will go up for sale, only a little more than a year after Harley purchased it.
Harley CEO Keith Wandell said in the release the company is seeking through the moves to have a "single-minded focus on the Harley-Davidson brand."

SHIT!

http://www.buell.com/en_us/ Gutted for Erik and team.

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'08 X / '16 SX

Ahem guys see the social section

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Its a blonde thing alright!!!!!!!!!!

Thats screwed the resale values then hasnt it?

I feel sorry for Erik and the team!

but that makes my 06 Uly even more a keeper!!!

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currently XB12X, Honda XR400R, Honda CB1000R, Honda SH125A

or improved them...?

What I posted on the Riders Club website....

My disillusionment with the MoCo is now finally and utterly complete....and sadly my days in the Riders Club are now sadly numbered, as they aren't going to be making my preferred steed.

Heartfelt sympathy to Eric Buell and the team for making something different and renewing my love of going round corners far to fast for my advancing years

.....but on the plus side i won't be putting another cent in the MoCo coffers.

FUCK THE FACTORY

Oh Shit is right, what will it do to insurnace premium renewals I wonder, spares like ECM, ICs etc may become an issue unless HD does the honest thing and keeps these available, but unlikely?

I wonder if Erik has consdiered a management buy out?

doubt if those bean counting bastards would allow it....

Sad day indeed. Tho' think in the long run will guarantee survival of the brand and its core values.

thought about px, ing my ulysses a few weeks ago and wondered why they offered me an such an awful price. guess they new something I didnt.decided to keep the bike in the end, as i kinda got attached to the thing. surely second hand values now are gonna be even worse, what does everyone reckon, will these bikes become unsellable?

Is it difficult to sell Vincents, Nortons, Meriden Triumphs, etc, etc, etc?

Maybe the merchandise will get sold off cheap by the dealers now?

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pbi5Ggmk ... re=related

Really bloody sad. Eric has been shafted by the corporate bean counters. Hope the bikes become rare enough to eventually improve the values. I'll keep my uly anyway as its the best damn bike I have ever owned.

I've just watched Erik Buells video. I have to say, what a great man. He displays exactly the passion that seems to be lost in many manufacturers now days.
I am yet to own a Buell having hankered for one for ages. This makes me more determined than ever to get one.

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/15/harl ... mv-agusta/

This is sad.....but is my X1 now worth more money? I will now mothball mine and restore it bit by bit.....

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Buell X1 lightning 2001 in white