| Author | Message | ||
     Sprintst |
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWB0vCEUBCU | ||
| Xb9er |
Thanks for sharing. I encourage everyone to read the comments to the video. Some folks responded they never gave EBR a thought until now! This video gives me great hope. Gorilla marketing works. | ||
| Hughlysses |
Nice! Thanks for posting. | ||
| Court |
You can learn a LOT from that video. Mike Kirkpatrick is perhaps the single most powerful marketing tool EBR currently has in it's corporate quiver. He knows every inch of these bikes . . .what they are, why they are and what they can do. I thought the video was awesome. May make some sense for EBR to link to that video on the website whilst we're all eagerly waiting for the dealers to reveal. Nicely done and I am thrilled they had Mike do it as opposed to a "marketing head". Well done. | ||
| Crusty |
Mike is a Class Act. I'm glad he's still part of EBR. Erik has assembled some incredibly talented and skillful people to get the job done. It will be truly fascinating to see what's coming down the pipeline. | ||
| Xb9er |
EBR website and Facebook page. I would tag 650ib in the videos so it pops up that EBR is sharing the video and will allow easy access for viewers to get to the EBR page. This video is confidence inspiring for everyone who views it. The video made my morning. I also added a link to the video on my FB page. (Message edited by XB9er on March 26, 2016) | ||
| Hughlysses |
One thing that strikes me about the video is how little this guy knew about the RX; he'd obviously never sat on one before and I'm not even sure if he'd seen one. I think it shows EBR just didn't do a good enough job of getting the word out the first time around. They need to do more things like this. | ||
| Hughlysses |
EBR just posted a short bio and pic of Mike to their Facebook page. I posted a link to the video in the comments. | ||
| Ratbuell |
Favorite line? "well that just....it just makes sense!" Can't wait to see when EBR gives him a demo spin. Smart money says they should be calling the guy like NOW, and setting up a time to ride as soon as the weather clears and the roads are ready. And in the "instant gratification" world of the interweb...they should get him back up to interview Erik ASAP. Regardless of when the ride happens. Keep EBR at the forefront of viewers' brains. | ||
| Court |
I'd prefer to see Mike K load a couple bikes in his truck someday . . . drive a couple hours, run the guy down and take him out for a little ride. I suspect the guy would be bowled over. Mike excels at that and is the best Ambassador EBR could have at present. | ||
| 1313 |
The demo is the paramount next step. All the gushing this guy - which, with the bikes he rattled off in his first video on his EBR factory visit, makes him the perfect target customer for an 1190RX - was with the EBRs static. Once anyone who views his series of videos sees that gushing increase after riding an EBR will realize the serious contender that the EBRs are. The ideal demo, IMO, would be twofold: 1. Someplace where he can directly compare an 1190RX to the slew of bikes he's mentioned in his first video - even if that means some track time. It's already alluded to the heat management being better than his Panigale, but there are others benefits that need to be exploited. 2. Once he's familiar with the 1190RX in comparison to his other experiences, a more street oriented demo, whether just on an 1190SX or both an SX and RX. Showing that nothing has been removed (no de-tuning) from the RX to the SX, and how tractable they are, with EXCELLENT street manners, will only help to get the word out. Strike when the iron is hot! 1313 P.S. It would sure be nice if there were other videos like this that came from the Media Day. The more people oohing and aahing... | ||
| Hughlysses |
Turns out that video was #2 of 2 videos. Here's part 1: and part 2: | ||
| Steveford |
I'm surprised they still have Hero on the semi. I would have painted over that a long time ago. | ||
| Ratbuell |
I'm sure they've been busy doing other stuff...and for a while there, it probably wasn't even THEIRS - it likely belonged to the courts. That said...wraps are cheap and easy... | ||
| Xb9er |
From what 650ib said it sounds like EBR already set up a date with him to demo one. I can't wait to see his video. Its the people that have channels like him that can best reach the consumer; they have a strong following and viewers trust what they have to say. | ||
| Court |
I'd look to establish a couple strategic alliances with folks like that. They have, as Chris mentions, a certain credibility with or without anything to back it up. Technically he did a nice job on the piece and the guy is engaging. Without hardly any cost to EBR they could arrange some engagement and experiences that would provide a good deal of video fodder. Leveraging that, and augmenting his efforts through things like a link on the EBR website, could work. At the same time, I'd follow up on a number of the initiatives I'd suggested in the last interaction of the company a fast, effective and comprehensive owner engagement/customer service initiative. There is an entire community out there who simultaneously love Erik and the Elves and what they are doing but is just coming off being bitten in the warranty parts thing. I hold HERO, not EBR, accountable but it's EBR's challenge to deal with. I still have my rapid action 1-800-ASK-ERIK cards from when I did a similar thing in 1998 to allow dealers to have an "answered by the 2nd ring" place to go to get anything they needed from sales literature to technical questions answered. I'd start with a dedicated person, a "router" and each owner (and dealer) would get a unique number. When you call in you'd enter your number (just like I enter my employee number to get critical grid condition info) and that would put you to the front of the line. Your call/case would be logged and someone would OWN it until it was resolved to your complete satisfaction. It worked in 1998 . . .
Those types of comments were common and I had complete and total authority, from Erik, to do whatever it took to solve a problem. It's going to take this type of passion and engagement to make "owning an EBR" a lot more than just "owning a sportbike". Differentiation . . is the key to brand development. EBR has the ability (stealing one of my won quotes from 1995 . . to be "mobile, agile and hostile" and to do things no other manufacture, regardless of size or funding, can do. I am aching to see EBR, Erik and the Elves succeed. Court | ||
| Ratbuell |
Court makes some excellent points. Realistically...EBR of 2016 is extremely similar to Buell of 1995. Perhaps a "reset" to those days and styles (and some of the same guerrilla tactics) would help move the brand forward... | ||
| Reepicheep |
It was a good perspective on the future market. They guy did a good review for a customer of the bike (as opposed to an engineer customer of the bike), and enlightened me quite a bit about the kinds of things that catch their eye. And he has credibility regardless of what anyone else thinks. He has put his time and money where his mouth is, and owns many of the bikes competing for sales in that class. He *is* a target customer. And I spent, what, 30 minutes watching his vlog? It is very rare that I ever do that. It was good, it was on point, and it was information I wanted. Funny how a thing like "cool levers" and "nice paint" can be the thing that sells a $12,000 motorcycle. I'm not judging either way here, just observing. | ||
| Greg_e |
They need to get someone from Revzilla to test one, maybe Anthony (one of the owners) because Lemmi is a little big for these machines. | ||
| Hughlysses |
^ Yes, they do. Unfortunately one of the first "hits" that comes up when you search for Erik Buell Racing is an article on Revzilla that says "EBR Sold for Scrap" (regarding LAP's acquisition). They really need to update that. | ||
| Greg_e |
Let me see what I can do. I've talked to the guy the records their video, he has several motorcycles too. They often shoot the bike reviews with him facing backwards off an Electra Glide. Ryan is his name. (Message edited by Greg_E on March 28, 2016) | ||
| Hughlysses |
^ that would be cool. Here's what I'm talking about- google search for "Erik Buell Racing":  | ||
| Hughlysses |
I just edited the Wikipedia page on EBR to indicate they are still in business. It could probably use some more work if anyone feels so inclined. | ||
| 1313 |
I must've missed something... Who is Mike Baldwin? Can anyone refresh my memory? 1313 | ||
| Court |
I need mine refreshed too ...... | ||
| Crusty |
Isn't he Alex Baldwin's brother?  | ||
| Court |
No . . no . . .I think he makes pianos. | ||
| Hughlysses |
I thought he built steam locomotives in Philadelphia? | ||
| Greg_e |
Ryan told me their producer rides a Buell, so maybe he already saw this thread. | ||
| Pmjolly |
Mike Baldwin is a Billy Bad Ass. |
