| Author | Message | ||
     Jaimec |
http://motorcycledaily.com/20december08_canceltheh oot.htm | ||
| Froggy |
Honda has been cutting everything! When does it end? | ||
| Billinpa |
It ends when they ask for a bailout! | ||
| Easy_rider |
I'm not sure if it's smart business or over-reacting. Regardless, the Big 3 could take some hints as to how other companies control costs. Maybe sell a company jet or two? | ||
| Badlionsfan |
All these companies are making matters worse. The economy is built on confidence. Stupid cuts like this only rattle consumers. There's no way in hell that the money this rally costs Honda to put on is gonna make or break them. Doesn't make sense to scare your customers into not spending any money. | ||
| Froggy |
Yep +1 to that. I believe they also cut their Formula 1 team.
Thats for the other thread, but anyway they already did. | ||
| Oldog |
Perhaps they are not in as good a shape as you may expect, union or non union, they are a forign co and as I understand it Japan is in as bad or worse shape than we are. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
so lets tell everyone that was going to come to town, spend money, stay a couple of nights, "dont come, we dont want your money" geez I wonder if Sturgis is next.... | ||
| Brumbear |
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Harley-Davidson-199 9-HARLEY-DAVIDSON-MT-500-MILITARY-MOTORCYCLE_W0QQi temZ320325992649QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_motorcycles? hash=item320325992649&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkpa rms=72%3A727%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318 hey CityX looky here | ||
| Cityxslicker |
aaaah Kryptonite. I have actually ridden one of these, they are tanks. A drz400 will run circles around it. the Air Force has them in black. | ||
| Oddball |
 How many cuts does it take to get to the chewy solvent center of a corporate pop? Lets find out.  One... Two-hoooo... Three <crunch> Three  | ||
| Cityxslicker |
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| Ferris_von_bueller |
I heard today that Honda is expected to lose 9 billion in 09. I guess some trimming is in order. | ||
| Etennuly |
Yeah, but have you ever been to the Honda Hoot? I live fifteen miles away. I would rather just send a check to a few of the vendors and hotel people than attend again. Last year the Buell test ride folks didn't even attend. Hot, crowded, slow riding, clothing horse, Honda chrome fest. I doubt you will ever see that many Goldwings in one place though. | ||
| Jaimec |
Sure you will... Lake George, NY the first week of June! | ||
| Xl1200r |
Me and buddy drove from New York to Tennessee to pick up a Pontiac 455 he won on Ebay. It was a non-stop trip, and when it was time to find a room for a couple hours of sleep, somewhere around this Honda Hoot hoopla is where we ended up trying to look. We must have stopped at over a dozen hotels, motels and inns, EVERYTHING was booked, lots FULL of Hondas. I could care less if it gets cancelled. What a headache that was! Sure you will... Lake George, NY the first week of June! I do Americade every year, but the slow-riding Goldwings are the WOSRT part. I don't know why some of these even enjoy motorcycling at the pace they go, lol. | ||
| Froggy |
Last time I was in Lake George, traffic was so slow my cooling fan was propelling my bike. (Message edited by froggy on December 21, 2008) | ||
| Jaimec |
Xl1200r: Now you know how that Korean family in the microbus felt in South Dakota a few Augusts ago. I think they ended up sleeping in a parking lot somewhere in their bus... | ||
| 86129squids |
My 2 cents: Once upon a time, the Hoot offered demo rides from most of the major players- as of the most recent Hoot, the other guys were chased off for the most part- mebbe Triumph and Aprilia did demos, but that's about it. It had been quite successful, well attended and well received by the city of Knoxville- but to me, since it moved from Asheville, it had become too homogenous. Bottom line is that it has been a popular, successful and well-attended event, a thrifty way for many folks to take a vacation and get some great riding done. I think it's shortsighted and unfortunate for them to cancel the Hoot- sure, it costs $$$ for Honda (actually Honda Riders Club) to put it on, but it's kinda like cancelling Easter or Xmas because it costs money to do it. Poor decision, IMHO. (Message edited by 86129squids on December 22, 2008) | ||
| Spiderman |
Let me tell you a little story, Back in 2003 back in the BRAG days, the Mothership didn't want to recognize that year as Buell's 20th anniversary. On top of that they didn't even want to throw a homecoming that year. Well a few of us got together and threw one badd asss 20th anniversary shin dig. If the Honda boys are into it they will either survive or throw their own shin dig... | ||
| 86129squids |
+1 Spidey. I doubt anything like that would spontaneously happen with a bunch of Honda riders- takes more kewlness in a bunch of nutty folks like us to do what you mentioned. That's why we ride Buells, no? | ||
| 86129squids |
Another thing, Spidey: What you described points to a GLARINGLY idiotic, and reprehensible attitude in marketing at the Mothership towards Buell. For the life of me I cannot understand why H-D won't embrace the history of Buell as its own. Why can't they talk it up, emphasize the fact that Erik worked for them as an engineer way back when, and build the image of Buell as the badass backroads brawling brudder that nobody knows about? They are so paranoid about Buell cannibalizing the LEAST bit of market share away from the pitiable Sportsters that they have become blind and insular as to the marketing potential of these modern, marvelous machines with H-D DNA in their hearts. I'm still chapped about this, ever since I posed the question to Flickinger last March. Mebbe the changing of the guard at the top of H-D (Zeimer leaving) will allow a more enlightened approach to this issue. Anyone else with 2cents on this? | ||
| Court |
>>>Anyone else with 2 cents on this? Yes. There was to be no 2007 Homecoming either to accrue funds for the 25th. The folks at Buell listened and responded to owners ideas, wants and needs. It's part of what makes it so darned special. Couple with the enthusiasm of Buell owners, since the day there were less than a dozen in the USA, it's always a fun time. Court | ||
| Court |
Tony: I've got an idea. Court | ||
| Spiderman |
remember what happened the last time I said those three words and a contraction  | ||
| Psyclonej |
Tony, I've got an idea. Jon | ||
| Jaimec |
Are those words followed by "Hold my beer for a sec?" | ||
| Spiderman |
no they were followed by this, newb http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/681 7/14689.html | ||
| Mikef5000 |
It could have to do with the fact that they moved all motorcycle manufacturing out of the USA. Last year was the last Honda Homecoming too. | ||
| Rex |
Kind of sad for Honda and its riders. I am a member of the Honda Riders Group, wonder how they will explain this one away. The Hoot was a big event. You would think by now, they would have it offset with vendor money and fees from the attendees.....rex |
