| Author | Message | ||
     Nuts4mc |
go here: http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2012/Feb/120222c.ht m | ||
| D_adams |
http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/290 431/669042.html?1329930958 http://www.badweatherbikers.com/cgibin/discus/show .cgi?tpc=4062&post=2184177#POST2184177 Same link as above, but some pretty nice pics here. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/cgibin/discus/show .cgi?tpc=4062&post=2184257#POST2184257 | ||
| Brumbear |
oh no The new elevinbibbty WOW this is for real, I am sorry I can't buy an Indian Buell. I know they make a quality product in Totta intl Jaguar and LandRover but when the CR runs out of steam so do I. I am very saddened but I will always have a spot in my heart for EBR. Good Luck. (Message edited by brumbear on February 22, 2012) | ||
| Duphuckincati |
Brumbear, I hear you but it's a new world order.And no companies in North America have stepped up. Like Dylan said "The Times they are a Changing" Even his Triumphs are made in Thailand now. Or some damn place over there. | ||
| Duphuckincati |
Just looked at the pics in the link. Dunlop sticker-Diablo tires. Someone miss something? | ||
| Budgolf |
I've read everything I can find on this issue and for the life of me can't figure out why people think this company will be making EBR product for sale here in the states? | ||
| Brumbear |
It's not that they would be selling a product at all to me it's how every business deal with that culture I have had has made me feel. Not gonna happen for me sorry. | ||
| Torquehd |
man... that is disappointing. | ||
| 99buellx1 |
Nothing missed, its an 1190rs with the race bodywork on it, not one of their AMA bikes. | ||
| Mickeyq |
"As part of the partnership, HMCL will receive support in terms of cutting-edge technology and design to develop future models from EBR - the East Troy, Wisconsin-based firm, which specializes in designing and manufacturing powerful and high-speed motorcycles."..."As a part of this plan, Erik is going to play an integral role in giving shape to some of my dream two-wheelers for the discerning youth of today." Looks like a win-win to me. EBR is now recognized as a high-tech "skunk works" facility--very cool. | ||
| Dktechguy112 |
Yeah, it seems like Hero Moto is giving EBR money for design work, it doen't say Hero is building EBR bikes. IMO there is no way Erik would let them build his 1190 and sell it. look at Heros website, all their bikes look 30 years old. | ||
| Nuts4mc |
like Japan after WWII - India has the brains...and like Japan (did) - needs to learn about Quality: (thanks to an American(Demming)...it appears to be a good symbionic relationship with equal give and take...hopefully Hero will listen to EBR when asked - it will be interesting to watch Honda and what they'll do with Gwing production now that it is gone from Marysville...we buy a lot of Stainless from India at the shop and the quality is acceptable to our demanding customers. At a former company I purchased products from Ta-Ta Info tech and was pleasantly surprised with it's performance and value. fear not the quality from India - fear the fact of jobs leaving our shores... | ||
| Buell101 |
IMO there is no way Erik would let them build his 1190 and sell it. look at Heros website, all their bikes look 30 years old. So there's plenty of room for growth and investments, seems like a good match. I'll bet you an Indian made East Troy assembled EBR that it happens.  KTM Ducati HD sales are up due to India, easy math. Don't want to say ERB is desperate but its a competitive market. $18k 1199 Panigale, $16 RC8R, $17k RSV4R aprc. $15,999 would be a good base, sales grow, evolution through racing, mitsubishi electrical package, on to WSBK... ok back to reality | ||
| Syonyk |
Looks like a win-win to me. EBR is now recognized as a high-tech "skunk works" facility--very cool. That's what I got out of the article. EBR is pushing the bounds of motorcycle tech more than their previous partners, so EBR gets money to go racing, and trades tech. Sounds like a good deal to me! | ||
| Court |
>>>EBR is pushing the bounds of motorcycle tech more than their previous partners, so EBR gets money to go racing, and trades tech. Perhaps one of the closest statements so far on Badweb. But . . .you have GOT to get that motorcycles out of there. It may INCLUDE motorcycles, but the TECHNOLOGY and CAPABILITIES The Elves possess is not limited of constrained. HERO, one of the major multi national players, recognizes that. They know the Erik Buell Racing can (they, by the way, have already proven themselves) can deliver what other companies only talked about. Buell, by the way, had this talent and capability well under development while associated with Harley-Davidson. I'll quote a Harley-Davidson executive when they saw the video (yep, I've still got it) of the secret Buell project I was involved with at M.I.T. . . . ."if Buell does something like that, it'll make us look like we're in the stone age". The project, shortly after I got to share a stage with a young upstart names Bill Gates at the Cow Palace in San Fran, HD killed the program . . . . never to be mentioned again. Today is Erik and the folks at Erik Buell Racing's day . . it's their time to shine. | ||
| Dannybuell |
Mickeyq ~ Absolutely! Nuts4mc ~ Bulls Eye! Buell101 ~ Following the HD route? Court ~ Wow! | ||
| Finedaddy1 |
"I'll quote a Harley-Davidson executive when they saw the video (yep, I've still got it) of the secret Buell project I was involved with at M.I.T. . . . ."if Buell does something like that, it'll make us look like we're in the stone age". The project, shortly after I got to share a stage with a young upstart names Bill Gates at the Cow Palace in San Fran, HD killed the program . . . . never to be mentioned again." Well we ever get to read about any of this stuff in a book one day? I for one would love to hear "the rest of the story." | ||
| Ridenusa4l |
Come on court....its secret no more...old news....so can you spill a few beans outta the can please??? PLEASE AND THANK YOU! Jake | ||
| M1combat |
Wasn't Erik on the cover of something like "Factory" or "Manufacturing times" or something like that a few years ago? Good stuff. Go Buell. I'd like to be at Daytona again this year  . | ||
| Brumbear |
I really wish I could share your enthusiasm. I don't like a deal that has the other guy in a short period of time dictating or I should say the ability to dictate what you are gonna do and how. The deal makes perfect business sense but that sadly isn't why I bought my Buell. The fact that Hero could boost sales in smaller bikes will have the ability to quickly dictate how Buell is run. I pray I am wrong.Add to this the daffy duck and the pearl it's mine mine mine way of doing business and I must defer. | ||
| Milt |
Gives new meaning to East Troy. | ||
| Ridenusa4l |
Hero plays NO PART in managing EBR, they are merely funding/paying EBR in return for innovative engineering and consulting. It is a mutual partnership, nothing more. EBR is still EBR and is still going to be made in East Troy, Wisconsin and will remain there. And Hero will still be Hero. This is my understanding, I HIGHLY doubt that Erik will EVER be under someone elses thumb, this is HIS time...this is ELF TIME! YEAR ROUND CHRISTMAS IN EBR!  Jake | ||
| Mickeyq |
IMHO, Hero has several things in mind revolving around enhanced technology. First, they are competing against chinese mass-producers. Second, race on Sunday--sell on Monday. A race team support and tech sharing relationship will boost their sales and bolster their image. When--not if--and hopefully very soon, EBR starts winning races; Hero benefits because their name is on the bike. Imagine the advertizing potential in their home market as well as overseas, "Hero/EBR wins Daytona Superbike". Someone mentioned their current product line is old-tech. True, they look like OHC Honda motors from the 70's; but winning races changes that perception quickly. I don't see World Superbike out of this picture either. | ||
| Slaughter |
Lots of opinions here but based on all you'd read (Steve Anderson articles in particular) - what evidence do you have that Erik AGAIN signed it all away? | ||
| Reepicheep |
It was crazy enough when people would find any shred of dark cloud in a sky full of silver lining. Now people have to make stuff up to find something negative. Unbelievable. | ||
| Zac4mac |
Makes way too much sense for Erik to be somebody/anybody's Skunk Works. He runs his stuff at the races and They say they run his tech. They pay for much of the racing and reap the sales. Erik and the Elves do what they do best. I like the business model. | ||
| Jdugger |
I'm with you Zac. I see it as nothing more than being an engineering consultant to a larger firm. It's probably a good deal for both companies. Good on them for finding a partnership that benefits both sides. | ||
| Glide |
One of the things EBR lacks is a dealer network. This may give them access to Hero dealerships in the future. I know people who will not consider a Ducati or Aprilia because they do not have enough dealer support. | ||
| Rogue_biker |
What Hero dealership network? LOL! On a side note, Pro-Italia in SoCal just started offering the EBR 1190RS. I wish I had the $$ to get one because I would in a New York minute. | ||
| Rodrob |
Now you all know what was on the screen in the factory tour video that I had to blur out. This is a great deal for EBR. Hero builds millions of motorcycles. US EBR bikes as we know them will not be built in India. Some parts might be sourced from there to take advantage of the price points that come with huge volumes. Hero will build bikes with EBR rather than Honda technology. This is a huge statement by Hero about their future. They don't want to just build knock off Hondas anymore. They are betting their future on EBR and will go head to head with Honda India, Erik will get to build the US bikes he wants. It's a win win. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Nice summary! I would have been happy with an EBR hybrid with an engine from the US, from Austria, or from India... so long as EBR put significant engineering into it. How much do you think an EBR hybrid would cost with a total production run of 900 motors and battery packs? How much do you think an EBR hybrid would cost with a total production run of 900,000 motors and battery packs? For US centric folks, look at it this way... 1) If EBR contributes heavily to the design of a hybrid motor for an EBR only bike, and a US company has a competitive part to contribute to it, then best case, that company will sell 900 parts. 2) If EBR contributes heavily to the design of a hybrid motor for both EBR and Hero, and a US company has a competitive part to contribute, then best case the company will sell 900,000 parts. I don't want American welfare. I want Americans going toe to toe in a fair fight with the best and brightest in the world, and winning where they should and loosing where they must. Again, there just isn't any bad news here.... | ||
| Hughlysses |
What Hero dealership network? LOL! Good point, but Hero likely has the deep pockets required to fund setting up a dealership network. EBR and Hero could offer complimentary products that both could be sold in these dealerships, to the benefit of both companies. |
