Tpoppa

I think you are giving HDI more credit than they deserve. Many of the folks who pushed for the Buell shutdown & thsoe who were involved withthe MV purchase have "left to pursue opportunities elsewhere." http://dalefranks.com/cycles/index.php/2010/08/mv-agusta-really-did-screw-harley/

HDI got pwned by Castiglioni.

I buy and sell a few bikes each year. When buying, I won't even call if the asking price is $5-600 more than I am willing to pay, unless the bike is rare or unusual.

True. Some people are delusional about what their bikes are worth. And the economy has killed the used bike market. Last week someone was trying to sell a used 09 GSXR 600 for $10,200 on CL. New 09's can be had for $7,499 with no setup fees. Used bikes are only worth what someone is willing to pay

Back to the OP. It looks like HDI pissed away about 170 million euros. http://www.visordown.com/motorcycle-news-industry/how-much-did-harleys-mv-gamble-cost/13373.html

It's not cutting edge tech, but it's a good bike. They still have more cornering ability than most riders

I'll be selling mine, just not yet. If you're really interested in one, PM me.

For some reason the Z750s is not that well known in the US, but it's a teriffic all around bike.

I've never felt it get blown around. Range is about 200-220 miles. The stock seats suck, but mine has a Corbin

This is kinda what you are describing. Think FZ6 with more power and better handling. There is a good chance I'll be selling mine by next spring to buy a brand new bike. Reviews were always good and they are bulletproof. http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/kawasaki/2005-kawasaki-z-750s-15722.html http://www.sportrider.com/bikes/2005/146_05_kawasaki_z750s/index.html http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/159/840/Motorcycle-Article/2005-Kawasaki-Z750S-First-Ride.aspx

A professor of mine was giving a speech at a UAW plant near Toledo. He taught manufacturing concepts, supply chain mgmt, etc. He was carrying a box with a few folders, a couple handouts (the stuff he needed for his speech). He walked into the plant he was told to put the box down or there would be a grievance filed. They wanted to have a union material handler carry the box...it would get to the conference room eventually. He walked around and went in through an office entrance. If the stuff was in a briefcase and not a box I don't think it would have been an issue. The UAW is a joke.

It was cruiser-fied....like Jesus??

A one off custom would be cool. That 425lbs dry weight is with some exotic materials to shave weight elsewhere. Probably doesn't include weight of tires, battery, brake pads, etc. My guess is the Roehr was well over 500lbs at the curb. I saw photos of a 1 off V Rod bagger. It makes you wonder why HD doesn't make one.

It's been tried. The motor is too heavy and to large. You'll wind up with a overweight bike with a wheel base that's too long for real sportbike capabilities. http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2007/03/25/roehr-motorcycles-v-rod-powered-v-roehr-1130/ 425lbs DRY. 56" wheelbase 1130cc http://www.roehrmotorcycles.com/specs.html 432lbs DRY 56" 1250cc w/supercharger (HP number is impressive) I don't believe any Roehrs actually made it beyond prototype. Last I heard, they were moving to electric bikes.

If you have any interest in the way HD treated Buell read the 5/2010 Cycle World. There is a really good article written by a former insider. I'm sure HD was pissed when they read it.

The Road 2s have plenty of grip to lean all the edge of the tire. I've pushed them hard an never had an issue. Sidewinder's assessment of the profile is accuate. It's predictable turn in, but not as quick. Not necessarily a bad thing.

That motor began as a Buell project. HD took it over because "Buell shouldn't have a better motor than HD." When HD took it over it became too heavy for a spotbike application. +1000 I've owned 3 Buells. The downside of owning a Buell is the dealer support. Most dealerships (WRHD in Mentor is an exception), barely tolerate the sportbike crowd. No parts in stock & barely any gear or accessories that would be of any use to a sportbike rider. HD mechanics are good at installing chrome...handling modern technology...not so much.

True or not...some at HD believed the the Uly was pulling sales from the HD baggers. "They didn't want to see anyone succeed where they couldn't," I tend to agree with that. If I was Erik, and had gotten royally screwed over...In addition to making sportbikes, I would give some real thought to an American Sport Tourer that could put a dent in HD bagger sales.

I've seen Feb/2011 a few times. Not sure if that is true. Interviews with Geoff May and Erik Buell have already hinted at a limited production run of street legal 2011 1190Rs.

Keep in mind with Pontiac, Saturn, and Oldsmobile there was really nothing to sell. They we the same GM platforms with different sheet metal. GM tried like hell to sell Hummer and Saab has been sold. It makes business sense to cash out on an unused asset. There were all kinds of rumors of underhandedness in HD's treatment of Buell and personal vendettas. The May Cycle World lists many of them. I do think HD percieved another US manufactuer as a future threat, even though Uly is the only Buell model that even sorta completes with any HD model. Perhaps when Erik Buell's non disclosure/non comnpete expires he will reveal some of what really happened. I still have a hard time with HD's All American marketing angle, when they could have easily saved lots of American jobs, but chose not to.

Repost, but fitting. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izzlN2zC8PU[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izzlN2zC8PU][/ame]

Still have my Taurus 94 for trade.

HD's most profitable product line is made almost entirely outside of the US.

BRP first tried to buy all of Buell. HD said no (I can understand HD wanting to keep control of the XB motors). BRP then tried to buy the rights to jus the Rotox powered Buells. Again, HD said no. BRP even hinted that they would move the Can Am Spyder production to the Buell factory in WI. HD could have sold Buell. HD could have saved 200 American jobs. More if you count vendors

From what I read, HD bought MV to access their European Dealer Network. I believe they were counting on the XR1200 (initially only a Euro bike) being a hit. It's been a flop. So...they incurred $125 million is costs to close Buell, plus they decided to forgo the $$ from BRP who was trying to buy Buell. Then they sell MV for $1 and are still keeping some of MV's debt. During this time, they borrowed $500 million from the US gov't & then more money from Warren Buffet. Like monkeys fucking a football. WOW!!!