| Author | Message | ||
     Bomber |
I'm lucky enough to be in an area where these regional meetings are taking place -- I'm jumping at the chance to share my opinions with Peggy and company, and would strongly encourage others to do so. I am also aware that not everyone is so located, or can';t make it due to any one of a number of reasons . . .. . So, I'm making the following offer -- post a question, suggestion, kudo, beef, or comment, and I'll take it to the meeting with me and see that it's presented to the folks that are being brave enouigh to ask Buell riders what they want (don't know if I'm that courageous or not!) just like in November, if ya don't make your voiuce heard, yua don't get to bitch later! | ||
| Xb9er |
The Adventure Atlas, FUELL magazine, Roadside Assistance program, and MSF course reimbursement seem to be worth the price of membership to me. I could do without Enthusiast magazine. I would like to get a BRAG member discount on Buell products at Buell dealerships and on aftermarket products at selected motorcycle accessory retailers. I would like discounted tickets and paddock passes at races where Buells are competing. I would like to see more women riding Buells and joining my local BRAG club. I would like my bike washed by bikini-clad hotties at the BRAG adventures. I don't have a GPS yet, but when I get one, I would like BRAG favorite roads provided for download to the GPS unit. I would like BRAG to offer special rates at sport riding schools like Richard Pridmore or Freddie Spencer schools. I would like BRAG to have contests so I can try to win cash and prizes. I would like dealerships to take BRAG as seriously as they take HOG. Mike. | ||
| Gomo |
Here's a couple for you. 1 - As a BRAG Director, I never received any notice about any of these meetings. I've only heard about them here. Perhaps communication could be better. 2 - BRAG should try to get their events dates out as early as possible. HOG seems to have their events planned and announced with plenty of time for folks to plan around them. 3 - I understand that BRAG is the riding side of BUELL, but perhaps BUELL would be willing to hear what their riders want from a BUELL motorcycle (examples: a new version of a S3T, bikes for taller riders, etc.). Maybe have a forum, email address or something along those lines for BRAG members to send in their ideas/suggestions. 4 - Have more of a presence at P.O.T. for the BRAG Officers. I would be even willing to Volunteer services when it came to our area, and I would safely guess that there would be many BRAG Officers willing to help out at P.O.T. to get info out to new clubs. As a BRAG member/Officer, I realize that there may never really be an understanding between HOG & BRAG (this I know being a member & officer of both). We as members/officers have to do what we can to make this work for us and define its identity as a serious riding organization.  Hudson Valley Riders Club - Director Woodstock, NY HOG - Past Director MANYS-MSF RiderCoach 2003 Americade KING AMA Member | ||
| Gomo |
PS John- Thanks for gathering the questions. | ||
| Coolice |
Bomber you goin to Peoria or Sauk City? I'm planning to go to Peoria. | ||
| Bomber |
Ice -- Sauk, it's just a touch closer to me -- Peoria makes good sense for you (duh! said the master of the obvious). Gomo -- you are very welcome XB -- I realize that some of your requests are tongue in cheek (at least partially), and I'll leave those out -- having had a job similar to what Peggy's doin, I don't want to slap her upside the head over things she can't have an affect on .. . . it's not that I am missing the humor (I don't think), I just think that they were kind enough to ask, the least I can do is give square answer, yes? Thanks, all, for your input | ||
| Mikej |
I hope you plan to take a few notes and report back to us after the meeting is over, please? | ||
| Bomber |
Mike -- damnbetcha! | ||
| Outrider |
Better wear a wire in case they confiscate your notes. LOL | ||
| BadS1 |
I'll be there in Sauk that is.See ya all there. | ||
| Bomber |
good deal! | ||
| Bomber |
just nudging this further toward the top | ||
| Daves |
I'll be in Sauk also. Dave | ||
| Bomber |
which fact, of course, raises its own questions ;-} | ||
| Bomber |
to the top, and to avoid the dreaded archive beast! | ||
| Bomber |
I'm gonna keep this sucker near the top !!!!! | ||
| Xb9er |
I went to the meeting on October 2nd. A pretty good turnout. I think I counted 21 people not including Peggy, Mary and Dave. Some people had some good ideas. It will be interesting to see what comes out of the next meetings. Mike. | ||
| Bomber |
hey, Mike -- willing to give an update on your meeting? | ||
| Xb9er |
1. There was a raffle and I won one of the prizes. Thanks Peggy and Mary. 2. Good job BRAG members from Schaeffer's Buell in PA for riding over 400 miles to attend the meeting. 3. Much discussion about low membership and lack of participation in club events on the local level. Buell buyers at dealers that don't sponsor a club only know about national BRAG and aren't given local club information. 4. National BRAG is looking into the possibility of an online calendar or event listing for local club events. You could go to the BRAG website and click on any club to see when, where, and what is going on in your area (like rides or other stuff). (patting myself on back for suggesting this one but not holding my breath) 5. Having more contact between local clubs on a "regional" level was discussed. Since Ohio clubs were well represented at this meeting, and all expressed low participation as a problem, we thought working collectively would make us more visible and would also provide more opportunities to go out and ride. 6. A sponsoring dealer that "get's it," along with an enthusiastic dealer representative and a club "leader" who works well with them are essential for a successful local BRAG club. 7. Talk about a (BRAG sponsored?) street riding school (not a racing school or track day) was well-received. Dave Leppelmeier (XB9) said that his school, FastTrax, can do this at reasonable rates. 8. The BadWeb came up several times. 9. Buell dealers can now order a BRAG packet from the mother company to give to Buell buyers at time of purchase which has some of the stuff normally mailed out later. 10. Three months notice is needed if you want to publicize your club's major event(s) in FUELL magazine. Just some of the things that stood out in my mind. Mike. | ||
| Mikej |
Hey, Bomber, there's a comment for you to take to the meeting - some of us are FLASH disabled. So if a BRAG site is linked from the Buell site and if the Buell site requires FLASH then us FLASH impaired folks will never see the BRAG site in the first place. Pet peeve of mine where a company expects the whole wide world to keep up with them technologically because they don't have the time or patience or budget to maintain a dual-path flash/non-flash website. Okay, I'm done now.
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| Bomber |
Mike -- thanks for the data, sir MikeJ wilco | ||
| Xb9er |
One of us is "flash disabled" In my opinion, it's not likely to happen because it relies too much on the clubs themselves to submit information. At best there are only about a dozen really active clubs (based on Storm Fronts) that would consistently use this feature. Plus, with national BRAG in control, we couldn't call it our own and would have to many rules on what can and can't be posted. What would be really useful is an event calendar on this site, similar to one I set up for my club through Yahoo (see this link: http://calendar.yahoo.com/xb9er). As it is now, you never know where event info is going to be posted. Mike. | ||
| Gomo |
An online Calender may work if there are multiple BRAG clubs within a certain radius. There are only 2 BRAG Clubs here in NY and as low as ours is in activity, I believe the other is less. Perhaps more regional (as in making the regions of the US broken up into smaller parts than presently done)Rallies with support from willing Buell/BRAG dealers may generate interest a little more. Sure it may be more $$$ to do, but if done properly the pay off may work out in a positive way. Everyone says the best way to get a person realize how good Buells are, is to get them to ride one. Well perhaps the best way for a person to know what BRAG is all about may be the need to bring it to them via an event. Buell riders enjoy riding with other Buell riders. Give them a reason to come together and there may be more sparks from this than footpegs on Deals Gap. Just a thought. | ||
| Vegasbueller |
When does Brag host a regional meeting for those of us on the left hand side of the country?? Nick  | ||
| Outrider |
Thought BRAG did last year. | ||
| Vegasbueller |
NOt sure... just getting started on forming a Brag club. | ||
| Kinger |
When is the meeting in Sauk? I am pretty sure that it conflicts with something else I have going on, but want to make sure. I think I threw away my info. | ||
| Daves |
Oct 30th 12-3:00 Dave | ||
| Bluebuellxb9r |
For those that went - what/how did they suggest getting more people active ? | ||
| Outrider |
Free Milk and Cookies? Just kidding. Beer, Brats, Cheese and Cream Puffs work much better. LOL On the serious side, I would like to know the answer to BlueBuell's question. |
