It is damn shame to see this happen. My opinion on why it happened or what the future holds means jack shit and would be pure speculation as I feel most opinions expressed here are. I really wanted to buy an SX. I was waiting to see the price drop a bit and see how the company did first. I am glad a didn't now. If I was Buelliedan I would be feeling very bitter as well. To have faith, loyalty and not to mention hard earned dollars invested only to be kicked in he teeth would be a hard pill for me to swallow as well. My only hope is that somehow EBR snaps back and cleans up this mess and moves on.
a supposition or proposed explanation made on the basis of limited evidence as a starting point for further investigation.
When attempting to prove or disprove something, you come up with a hypothesis. You do some sort of repeatable experiment to prove or disprove said hypothesis. Proving or disproving this leads further down the road to either prove or disprove the theory.
Hootowl, that's the old science. These days a hypothesis is and idea around which you build your computer models, and adjust your data to fit so that you can get government funding. Then you claim the science is settled, and you need more grant money to keep adjusting the data into perpetuity.
There have been only three posters who actually know what is going on. Out of respect for Mr. Buells situation and their relationship they are standing mute. I applaude their discretion. I know the difference between hypothesis and speculation.
I'd suggest that most of what the general public and long time Buell friends need to know at this point . . . they have known for years and that is Erik Buell himself.
I, and many of you, have watched for years as Erik has made tough choices. When he was right he shared to spotlight with everyone . . . when he, or anyone working for him screwed up (I fall in this category) he was the first to step up . . take responsibility and provide the means to correct the situation.
I, for one, can easily . . in times like these . . .extrapolate on years of watching Erik, seeing his character, knowing his strong sense of right, consistent honest dealings year after year and not for one minute do I somehow think he was giving an interview, sharing his excitement about the coming months, and suddenly went though some conversion late on a Tuesday afternoon and abandoned years of high personal standards.
It's not cheerleading and it's not baseless optimism. . . .it's a solid fact based on 30 years of personal experience.
I like the flavor of Beullaid myself but that's a little too strong in my opinion.
The current situation is not about the man it's about business. The reality is in spite of the integrity, acumen, vision, talent or intentions of the owners, employees, or creditors, sometimes(quite frequently actually) businesses fail.
In business as in racing as in life, having a good plan, a good heart, a great team, great talent and a clear track to success does not always mean you bring home the contingency check which is what pays the bills at the end of the day. Sometimes you do EVERYTHING right and you still get beat. It happens.
Things happen. I'm sure Erik is a great guy, but all of his great guyness does nothing for the dealers with unpaid invoices, employees who didn't get their last paycheck or the guy with an EBR in his garage in need of a part to get it running. All I can do, all any of us can really do is thank God if we aren't any of those people stuck in limbo and if you are, first know as a customer I'm truly saddened and hurt for your loss, and second I'm right there with you trying to keep things together until something shakes out. I am one of the blessed ones who for the moment has a bike that's running like a champ. So I too hope the company comes out intact and resumes operations but its a hope not a religion.
>>>>the guy with an EBR in his garage in need of a part to get it running
Are you aware . . this is s serious question . . . of anyone who has experienced trouble getting a part?
The reason I ask is that Parts Unlimited is, and has been for better than a year, handling ALL the parts inventory. They OWN that inventory and it is not subject to the proceedings.
I don't know . . . I suspect we could find out . . . but would GUESS that there are TONS of parts (there were part purchased for many more bikes than were built) . . .
Court, We already are starting to see some parts that are not available. Once the Parts Unlimited inventory runs out there are currently no plans for them to re-stock.
They right now still have most of the normal wear and tear parts available but no telling how long that will last.
IMO, Erik is the kind of person that can passionately describe his vision in a way that can influence others to passionately believe in his vision. There aren't many people that can do that.
However, does that vision guarantee a viable business model? No.
EBR (the company, not that man) has made some obvious missteps in regard to understanding their market, their race teams, and their finances. So, no I don't blindly believe in them. You can point fingers are Hero or whoever else, but what is the name on the airbox cover?
At the end of the day, I would like there to be a viable producer of American sport bikes.
"Are you aware . . this is s serious question . . . of anyone who has experienced trouble getting a part? "
Let's see, I'm still waiting on race body work, OEM front sprocket, OEM rear sprokect, OEM rear brake cover bracket, OEM front air scoop bracket.
We all aware of the tragic fate of Max Flinder and his effort to campaign the EBR in Moto America which was scuttled by lack of parts and then sponsor confidence.
That's two but I could go on. A number of racers I know also need front rotors and mounting kits..
Everyone keeps saying Parts Unlimited carries the parts but ask your local dealer to get a part and you will be disappointed.
Thanks, Timothy. Nice summary. I am going to keep riding mine. Fingers crossed. And in the meantime, I am going to buy a track bike I am not afraid to break.
If you know the EBR part numbers you are looking for feel free to e-mail me and I will see if I can locate them for you. No guarantees but it does not hurt to try.
Another interesting quote on the EBR closure, regarding its effect on Hero Motocorp:
quote:
The shareholders are unlikely to have an issue, said Shriram Subramanian, the founder and managing director of InGovern Research Services Pvt. Ltd. “Rs.150 crore is not huge money. It is risk capital,” Subramanian said. “If Hero managed to absorb some technologies, it is well and good, otherwise it has gone for a toss.” Hero had plans to enter North America and Europe in partnership with EBR as part of its plan to export one million two-wheelers by 2017, chief executive Pawan Munjal had said in a 2013 interview.
I wonder how many EBR dealers will ever want Hero motorcycles in their showrooms after what has happened to them with the EBR brand name that has just happened? My guess it would be about the same effect as trying to trade a Buell Motorcycle in at a Harley dealership!
"same effect as trying to trade a Buell Motorcycle in at a Harley dealership!"
I've been having similar thoughts. My old boss and good buddy, the sales manager at Smoky Mountain HD called to ask (a) if I'd be interested in an 1125CR, or (b) if I might know anyone- they were trying to work a deal with a dude wanting to trade on a V-Rod (definition of idiot). My old boss wasn't even aware of EBR's latest troubles... that'd be like worrying about Pluto from HD's Earth, not hardly aware of it, might not even be a planet.
Dan, and all youn's sitting on EBR's marvelous machines, I sure hope things turn around for you all, and for EBR's Elves, and for Erik.
I've said before, EBR's deal with Hero sure seems to have some significant similarities to the Mahindra diesel pickup fiasco of a few years ago. Here's a good summary of that story:
According to my contacts at Polaris they are not interested at this time they just purchasrd Bremmo, and just finished installing a $35,000,000 paint system that they just started testing for the Slingshot, Indian, and Victory lines. On top of that they are struggling to keepup with orders of the Idians their sales are through the roof. They dont want to stretch their assetts anymore then they have at this time.