| Author | Message | ||
     Davegess |
I think you could have made the marketing work both for WSBK and AMA but .... | ||
| Noone1569 |
 This came across my instagram today | ||
| Mog |
I have no fears that Erik can pull off rebuilding his bike design(s). There is a paradigm shift occurring in plant production that is bringing manufacturing back into the USA of items such as a motorcycle. New methods of manufacture that only a few on this forum clearly understand as a unique shift in prototyping and nearly lights out production of components in house. Manual labor is still needed but is highly directed toward final assembly of the in house components. This methodology is way beyond CAD CAE CFD and CAM. KTM, Ducati and BMW are linked into a portion of the new production scheme but Erik has the potential of starting with a clean slate with his incomparable ingenuity. I have seen this movie before... and love how it plays out.  | ||
| Hughlysses |
Ryan- from that post, it sounds like the guy is making an advertisement FOR Erik Buell Racing, not just an ad featuring an EBR motorcycle. Cool! | ||
| Blake |
FMaxwell, You've been to four dealerships and surveyed some salesmen? That's what you're basing your opinion on? Statistically, that is literally meaningless, both in the responders polled (salesmen) and sample size. The statistical confidence factor is virtually zero. Salesmen don't set policy or business model. Owners do. Just off the top of my head, I can name eight dealerships that would likely be enthusiastic about a HDI backed return to the sport bike market, especially via EBR. These are dealerships owned by people who get it. The salesmen don't run their business. Hal's H-D Tilley's H-D Bruce Rossmyer's H-D Lone star H-D/Triumph Liberty H-D Ray Price H-D Latus H-D Trev Deeley H-D In order to assess the argument I've layed out, you have to be able to imagine the scenario where Buell had not been prohibited from offering a genuine American Superbike and other highly popular sport bike concepts they had wanted to offer. Your have to imagine that only those dealers who wanted to sell sport bikes would have been Buell dealers. You have to imagine that Buell would not have been saddled with an engine supplier who for all intents and purposes was actively sabotaging Buell. You're just operating on very little information. The insurmountable hurdle in the scenario I proposed isn't the dealerships, it's the mindset and integrity of the people at HDI and HDMC. Imagine the mindset where HDI prohibits Buell from advancing to superbike and supersport class machines, instead purchasing MV Augusta. Imagine the mindset that refuses to sell Buell Motorcycle Co., instead preferring to write off eight figures of contractual obligations and costs due to closure. The hurdle isn't the dealers. There are more than enough to support EBR given strong corporate backing. The hurdle is the small petty short-sighted minds that poisoned the well at HDMC and HDI. (Message edited by blake on February 29, 2016) | ||
| Court |
Blake: You have failed to include Bill Bomberger at Newcastle Harley Davidson. I haven't spoken to Bill in years… But during the heyday of Buell he was a real mover and shaker. Court | ||
| Blake |
Court, Thanks for adding to the list. The top of my head is very limited concerning this list.  I'm sure there are many more. | ||
| Hughlysses |
The hurdle is the small petty short-sighted minds that poisoned the well at HDMC and HDI. Blake- Are these guys still around, or have most of them retired by now? | ||
| Buelliedan |
I just don't see anyone in the upper echelons of HD mngt that would even consider getting back with EBR/Buell. Too little profit margin per bike and terrible P&A sales after the purchase for the bean counters. | ||
| Buelliedan |
Some folks were asking what I think they need to do differently. IMO it is all about the price. RX under $12,500 and SX under $11,500 will go a long way. Talk to dealers about marketing before you waste a bunch of money on stupid stuff. A good demo truck schedule would help a lot along with brochures to hand out to potential customers. And keep the website updated!! (Message edited by buelliedan on February 29, 2016) | ||
| Lake_bueller |
RX under $12,500 and SX under $11,500 will go a long way. I can't see those prices being profitable. Especially for the "amount of bike" that you're getting. Look at the liter bikes...Yamaha R1S is $15K; Suzuki GSXR1000 is $14K; Ducati 959 is $15K. The EBR isn't too highly priced in comparison to the competition. IMHO. Bring me a sport adventure for $14K-$15K and I might be in the market. At my age (not old but too old for a sport bike), I want a bike that still have performance but all day comfort. | ||
| Ysracer |
"Blake: You have failed to include Bill Bomberger at Newcastle Harley Davidson. I haven't spoken to Bill in years… But during the heyday of Buell he was a real mover and shaker." Slight correction: New Castle HD | ||
| Buelliedan |
I agree that a $15,000 shouldn't be a big deal but you have to understand with the recent tarnishing of EBRs reputation it will be tough to get folks to take a risk buying a bike that might not have any warranty 6 months later. | ||
| Hughlysses |
I can't see those prices being profitable. Especially for the "amount of bike" that you're getting. Look at the liter bikes...Yamaha R1S is $15K; Suzuki GSXR1000 is $14K; Ducati 959 is $15K. Maybe not profitable long term, but it could be very profitable short term for LAP if bikes are built with the parts already on hand. The parts are already bought. LAP might be to recover most, if not all of what they spent on EBR selling low-priced 1190's. That benefits EBR by getting more bikes out there and attracting more attention for a buyer. LAP recovers at least some of their investment before they ever sell EBR. | ||
| Buelliedan |
Exactly my thoughts Hughlysses | ||
| Hughlysses |
This was posted by Ed of AF1 Racing to the EBR Forum (which AF1 sponsors) this afternoon:
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| Court |
Any of that sound like what I've been saying? Depending on who and what the legal entity is the process, which I have previously posted, could take a year. Tough to believe they do not know about it. I'd almost be inclined to question if that post is actually an accurate characterization of the conversation. I guess we will know tomorrow. | ||
| Hughlysses |
Court- Ed says he can't even legally sell the 2014 models he has on hand. EBR let their Texas licensing as a manufacturer lapse after the shutdown. This is a separate issue from EPA, DOT, NHTSA, etc. approvals for new motorcycles. | ||
| Buelliedan |
I had pretty much the same conversation with LAP a few days ago and at that time they also did not seem to know about their need to register with CO so their bikes could be sold here. I am afraid they thought this was going to be easy to do with a small investment and are now finding out that it is going to be much tougher than expected. | ||
| Hughlysses |
In the case of Texas, it appears the costs aren't that bad: $1800 for the manufacturer/distributor license fee, $40 per dealer, and $200 per manufacturer's representative. http://www.txdmv.gov/dealer/manufacturer Colorado looks similar: https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/enforcement/manuf acturers-and-distributors-auto-industry-division So even if all 50 states required similar fees, say ~$2.5k/state, that'd be another $125k to invest. A lot of money, but not much in the scheme of things. Hopefully not every state requires this and and EBR probably wouldn't try to support sales in every state right off the bat. Well, it's well after noon EST and still no announcement from EBR; I'm thinking it's not going to happen today. | ||
| Snacktoast |
It's going to happen today.  | ||
| Buelliedan |
it's not the cost that I am concerned about. It is the time it takes to get it done. This is government buerocracy we are talking about and we all know how slow that can be to get anything done before they will be legal to sell. Then once that happens then the dealers has to also apply to be able to sell EBRs in that state. So I could see it taking well over 3-4 months before an EBR could be legally sold. | ||
| Court |
Cost is nothing ...... It's the 6 - 8 months. But ......hey, hey, hey .......look who showed up at EBR today!!! Something big is afoot!! | ||
| Buelliedan |
Turn the Key & Twist the Throttle EBR Motorcycles is back in business, inviting press & enthusiasts to come celebrate with the team. EAST TROY, WI – Get ready to throw a leg over the ‘American Sport Bike,’ turn the key, and twist the throttle! EBR Motorcycles resumes production beginning March 1 with a stable financial plan in place from Liquid Asset Partners. The new company, EBR Motorcycles, LLC, will start with production of 2016 1190RX and 1190SX motorcycles. The first bikes are scheduled to roll off the line March 17 with a Press Day for approved media. The public, Buell Nation, and EBR fans are invited to attend the EBR launch party on March 18 at the EBR motorcycle factory on Buell Drive in East Troy, WI. There will be free food, an EBR team ‘meet and greet,’ tours of the production line, and other events at venues in the historic downtown village of East Troy, WI. “This would not be possible without the EBR team. All the credit goes to them for waiting out the storms during the last year,” said Bill Melvin Jr. “Now the clouds have cleared; EBR is able to shift into gear knowing that it has financial stability, a profitable multi-year plan, and a 5-10 year vision. We feel there is still room for new partnerships or investment, but it is not critical. EBR is on solid ground and moving forward. We are turning the key and twisting the throttle!” “I am really looking forward to the launch and the press day. I have dedicated my life to this and want to get the word out on how great our motorcycles are,” said Erik Buell, Founder and CTO. Ed Laben, Director of Sourcing said, “It is so good to see the factory coming back to life! The energy, talent, and enthusiasm of this team are unparalleled, and I can’t wait for the world to see what’s coming down the road.” The next steps for EBR Motorcycles are to identify the 2016 top US dealers and to work closely with them for the re-launch. Riders can prepare to buy from these premier dealers, helping to grow and solidify EBR Motorcycles in 2016. Information on EBR’s aggressive new 2016 MSRP, warranty for 2016 bikes, and plans for racing will be forthcoming next week. New Management Positions at EBR Motorcycles Include: • Steve Smith: Chief Executive Officer (CEO) • Bill Melvin Jr.: Chief Financial Officer (CFO) • Erik Buell: Chief Technical Officer (CTO) • Kim Tordik: VP of Business Operations • Ed Laben: Director of Sourcing • Dan Hurda: Director of Engineering Anyone interested in EBR Motorcycles or dealership opportunities should visit www.EBR.com. Concurrently on March 18, assets excess to current factory production will be sold through a public liquidation run by Liquid Asset Partners for approximately 30 to 45 days (excess machinery, equipment, tools, excess race assets, and excess parts). This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to buy a piece of history at the factory level. Anyone interested in more information about the EBR partnership, investment opportunity, or purchasing assets that are excess to current production should visit www.LiquidAP.com. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 1, 2016 | ||
| Hughlysses |
look who showed up at EBR today!!! Who? Who?! Who?!!!  | ||
| Hughlysses |
AHA!!!! http://www.jsonline.com/business/erik-buell-racing -restarts-motorcycle-production-in-east-troy-b9967 9298z1-370674071.html | ||
| Hughlysses |
And a little more info: http://www.roadracingworld.com/news/ebr-has-resume d-production-of-american-sportbikes-in-east-troy-w isconsin/ | ||
| Reepicheep |
Any news on Steve Anderson? | ||
| Hughlysses |
I believe Steve was at the EBR booth at the Chicago IMS a couple of weeks ago. (edit)...and he still lists EBR as his employer on LinkedIn.com. (Message edited by Hughlysses on March 01, 2016) | ||
| Midknyte |
>Turn the Key & Twist the Throttle... WHY IS THIS NOT ON THE WEBSITE??? |
