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Strato9r
| | Posted on Thursday, February 23, 2012 - 02:31 pm: | 
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The stuff coming out of India these days is light years ahead of what it was even five years ago. In my own lifetime, I saw "Made in Japan" go from a guarantee of junk to a statement of pride. It is a small world........ |
Ridenusa4l
| | Posted on Thursday, February 23, 2012 - 02:40 pm: |
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SO EXCITED!!!!!!
Court....oh how i wish i could be in your shoes behind the scenes lol....how bout a little pic of the "to be announced" like you did with the Uly? (i believe dont recall the whole story)
Jake |
Court
| | Posted on Thursday, February 23, 2012 - 02:43 pm: |
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Hahaha . . . . you know as much as I do.
But . . . I've been "here" before and have a keen sense of the trajectory from this point.
The Ulysses thing we don't talk about . . .that still is s sore point with a couple folks and was TOTALLY unintentional.
I only jumped the gun by about 7 months, eh? |
Ridenusa4l
| | Posted on Thursday, February 23, 2012 - 02:46 pm: |
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well...per se...how many months would you be jumping the gun if you were to accidently to post a pic of the next bike?....hypothetically of course 
Jake |
Syonyk
| | Posted on Thursday, February 23, 2012 - 04:51 pm: |
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I certainly haven't gotten any "EBR, made in India!" vibes out of the articles I've seen.
I do get a "A giant Indian motorcycle manufacturer used to work with Honda, and is now working with EBR, because EBR has better engineers and better tech" vibe.
And that's awesome!
Something I've learned over the years is that, in many cases, bigger is NOT better. You can take 100 engineers and $20mil to do a worse job than 10 engineers & $100k can do, if the 10 engineers are absolutely driven to the goal.
Somehow, I get the feeling EBR doesn't hire anyone who *isn't* incredibly driven.
I can't wait to see what else is coming! |
Kenm123t
| | Posted on Thursday, February 23, 2012 - 06:29 pm: |
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We know why Court wont be a test rider.
And as for him not knowing about Hero
Vickie wouldnt let Erik tell him ! ROFl |
S21125r
| | Posted on Thursday, February 23, 2012 - 06:33 pm: |
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My perspective - don't put Hero into a box thinking that their only aspiration is to make 125cc scooters for the Indian market. Now ask yourself this, did Honda/Suzuki/Yamaha/Kawasaki really have a local market for ATVs and watercraft when those companies branched out into those fringe products? For that matter does Japan currently have any demand for 185 MPH sportbikes or a Sequoia sized SUV?
Connect that dot with the fact that the USA is still a very large and lucrative BUT competitive market for all products. To me it seems obvious that Hero’s end game is to tap into the US market not with small econo bikes, but with a full line of dirt/street/ATV/watercraft/automobile products that US customers want. And if they are really serious about wanting to venture into uncharted territory it makes perfect sense to partner up with a highly talented crew that has already been around that block before.
Now recall Erik vision for Harley several years back – he wanted them to be a full line manufacturer of products in which Buell would be one managed brand while other brands/badges filled other niches. Harley proper would only fill the cruiser niche yet the collective company would be diversified enough to weather most any storm.
So let’s summarize. Shared vision – check. Opportunity – check. Technically proficient/efficient talent – check. Pocket full of dollars – check. Could it be that we are viewing the courtship of a future merger of equal that will someday rival Honda/Kawasaki/Yamaha/Suzuki? Perhaps one large enough in size to buy a majority stake in HD???
I know I’m spewing some crazy crap here, but work with me :-) |
Ferris_von_bueller
| | Posted on Thursday, February 23, 2012 - 07:24 pm: |
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The goal with EBR, he declares, is to become a serious motorcycle manufacturer, with a production chain supporting domestic and international suppliers, and design and assembly in the U.S.
quotes from an article published two days ago.
http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/222783}
We had the potential to do 1,500 bikes in 2012, but we had to revise that down to 900. I didn't think it would be this hard to raise $20 million,
(Message edited by ferris_von_bueller on February 23, 2012) |
Berto
| | Posted on Thursday, February 23, 2012 - 07:28 pm: |
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Great news now I will be able to buy a Buell when I stop to get my beer and lotto tickets.I can hear it now "would you like a Slurpee with that motorcycle"  |
Ferris_von_bueller
| | Posted on Thursday, February 23, 2012 - 07:29 pm: |
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Project details are confidential, but Buell says EBR has been contracted by several companies, including one of the largest Asian motorcycle manufacturers, to do customer research and conceptual projects.
Another quote. Isn't India considered part of Asia? |
Ratbuell
| | Posted on Thursday, February 23, 2012 - 09:02 pm: |
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I still fail to see why people assume this partnership means EBR's will be build overseas.
Show me where it says that, in ANY of the press.
So Court...how is Jon these days?  |
Court
| | Posted on Thursday, February 23, 2012 - 10:27 pm: |
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Jon is developing a finely honed golf game. He's a mere child compared to us old guys.
(Message edited by court on February 23, 2012) |
Gregtonn
| | Posted on Thursday, February 23, 2012 - 10:41 pm: |
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Munjals-owned Hero MotoCorp will buy technology from EBR without sharing profits or ownership. After its December 2010 breakup with Honda, the Indian company had been scouting for new technology to compete better in the domestic two-wheeler segment where it holds 56% market share.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-i ndustry/auto/two-wheelers/hero-motocorp-joins-hand s-with-erik-buell-racing/articleshow/11999706.cms
G |
Chopped_burban
| | Posted on Friday, February 24, 2012 - 04:19 am: |
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Okay, this seems to be someplace worth putting my two cents in. I'm actually somewhat amazed this is in its second page and hasn't gone off the deep end. Nice to be in good company here.
A couple comments have tip-toed around something, and touted the education available in the US. Someone even mentioned Porsche which I found a little amusing having knowledge of H-D, Buell, Porsche engine in the V-Rod.
Anyway, here's my point.... has anyone noticed that India has just outsourced engineering jobs to the US??? I don't say this to be as a$$. I think it's a legitimate observation of what some other people in the world think about what Erik and EBR is doing in the motorcycle industry and what a statement of how good they are. I think it also says a lot about economic climates and international business, but I'll keep that to myself. Don't want to put everyone to sleep.
So, Erik and EBR, the small motorcycle company out of East Troy, take a bow, and stand tall. Once again you've proved knocked down is NOT knocked out.  |
Cityxslicker
| | Posted on Friday, February 24, 2012 - 04:29 am: |
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Test rider in India outback for a more powerful adventure dirty ride ?
Call me
Has passport, bags are already packed - India has some amazing wilderness preserves and great alpine territories.
I could be there in a week |
Crackhead
| | Posted on Friday, February 24, 2012 - 12:01 pm: |
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Chopped you just hit the nail on the head. USA has some of the best and brightest people on the planet and above it.
Why are people not celebrating that one of the largest motorcycle manufactures in the world, is contract with one of the smallest motorcycle manufactures in the world. |
Court
| | Posted on Friday, February 24, 2012 - 12:28 pm: |
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quote:Why are people not celebrating that one of the largest motorcycle manufactures in the world, is contract with one of the smallest motorcycle manufactures in the world.
It is more amazing than even I can wrap my head around. Some of the stuff the folks at Erik Buell Racing are doing are beyond what some of the world's most sophisticated companies could imagine.
All American suitors see is "small". Hero saw "bright and talented".
I'm not up on the details . . but I did read well over 100 articles yesterday and delved deeply into the background, history and culture of HERO including sitting down for dinner with a fellow board member at Columbia who is from Delhi to get a sense of the scope and magnitude of what this MIGHT mean.
My first take is that it's an amazing relationship.
Buell brings brain power and the ability to be (quoting Court in a Buell meeting years ago) "Mobile, Agile and Hostile".
HERO brings brawn and one of the world's largest companies with REALLY visionary thinking.
I'm excited. |
Xb12mel
| | Posted on Friday, February 24, 2012 - 12:49 pm: |
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No offense to anyone of Indian dissent here on the board, but I currently work with a company that does a lot of business in India. My observation is this: Great at "Duplication" poor on "Innovation". Enter EBR: Great on "Innovation" to shore up their deficiencies. (and boy do they love 2-wheelers!)
I just like the fact that the partnership brings Eslick back into the fold. That kind of racing confidence should get the 1190 a LOT of exposure. Not to mention, there's no harm in doubling the chance of winning by adding a second bike onto the field.
Go EBR!!! |
Brumbear
| | Posted on Friday, February 24, 2012 - 03:38 pm: |
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Well I asked myself these questions Why would Hero want Buell:
Technology- nah they got engineers
racing - maybe but to what end?
a patten we don't know about - a real possibility
The ability or license to sell bikes in the US with fuel costs expected to rise- very good possibility
Why would Buell want Hero- It virtually guarantees a Buell Motor cycle for the future.
access to small bike production lines- yep
a virtual goldmine of potential customers-yep
a way to circumvent US red tape-yep (look at the shipping industry).
I really just want to see Buell bikes continue to be made American and not have to go through another HD style situation.
I am sure EB doesn't want this either and has safeties in place so I think after cooling off this will be a good thing but I don't trust the Indian business practices that's what made me mad. Not ignorance or anything like that just being thorough in my own mind. |
Gregtonn
| | Posted on Friday, February 24, 2012 - 09:19 pm: |
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A quote from the article link which I posted above.
I thought it would ameliorate some of the speculation here.
"Munjals-owned Hero MotoCorp will buy technology from EBR without sharing profits or ownership."
Think of it like a company hiring an architect for building projects.
A partnership where neither owns any part of the other.
The bonus is EBR gets a race sponsor.
I like it!
G |
Bluzm2
| | Posted on Friday, February 24, 2012 - 09:35 pm: |
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Read the tea leaves folks, this is EPIC... |
Danger_dave
| | Posted on Friday, February 24, 2012 - 10:22 pm: |
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>>No offense to anyone of Indian dissent <<
Nice pun. |
Ratbuell
| | Posted on Saturday, February 25, 2012 - 07:25 am: |
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I believe that was supposed to be "descent".
Look at the partnership for what it is, folks - INCOME for EBR |
Jumbo_petite
| | Posted on Saturday, February 25, 2012 - 07:37 am: |
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I just say support Erik, the Elves and their company. They have earned it, deserve it and it would be disrespectful to not give it to them. I am sure that Erik has done what he thinks is best and that is good enough for me. |
86129squids
| | Posted on Saturday, February 25, 2012 - 10:30 am: |
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Here's another news piece...
http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2012/02/erik-buell- racing-teams-up-with-an-indian-hero/ |
