| Author | Message | ||
     Reepicheep |
And let's be honest here... look at how many MAJOR high dollar motorcycle manufacturers take a "bye year" anyway and release nothing but "bold new colors". Going into receivership was a tragedy. And then an opportunity. The new company would be foolish to waste it. Kind of like when the triumph factory burned down and left them with nothing. Which was, arguably, the best thing that ever happened to triumph motorcycles. | ||
| Buelliedan |
If you do not have any dealers to sell your product it will not matter IMO. The few faithful here that will wait cannot sustain a motorcycle company IMO. Hopefully we get good news soon. | ||
| Ratbuell |
But it's not just the "faithful". That does not make a sound business plan. I daresay we - faithful or not - cannot sustain the company. They need a NEW market. NEW blood. NEW interest. And they need to make a NEW name for themselves. Will it be in a similar vein as what they've done in the past? More than likely, with the same guy leading the vision. But...who's to say how much of past product was dictated by the "corporate leash"? Are the shackles well and truly removed now? And if they are...what's on the horizon? How long will it take to get there? Think about it. What is erik's mind capable of? What can he come up with, if given a totally blank slate? And a boss who has said "I'll run the company so he can create the motorcycles"? I'd be surprised if "we" were anywhere NEAR the "target audience". Not that they're saying "screw those guys", but more likely the product - like the market - will continue to evolve and change. | ||
| Mog |
Ratbuell.... right on!!! Erik has always wanted the Ultimate Electric Bike. Two versions are PEV and Hybrid. The Plug-in Electric Vehicle gets to the city folk and the police force. And the hybrid gets to the rest of motorcyledom, no range anxiety. I can smell the coffee and the brain cells burning into the night. And Mission electric MC is out of business. Whatever he builds will advertise itself because this is the competition...... http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1094729_2015-e lectric-motorcycles-buyers-guide He will nail it  | ||
| Mog |
By the way, a really great way to get his name back. BuellEV BuellElecricVehicles non compete clause/name | ||
| Lake_bueller |
^^^ I'm not sure if he owns the patent or if it was part of the Hero deal. But he has at least one patent for a hybrid motorcycle. https://www.google.com/patents/US20130168171?dq=bu ell+hybrid | ||
| Hughlysses |
^ I'm pretty sure Erik and the others own that one outright. All the Hero stuff listed Hero as the "assignee". That patent is not assigned to Hero, nor the defunct companies EBR, LLC or EBR, Inc. | ||
| Lake_bueller |
^^^ Sold his soul back in 2013  Nov 19, 2013 AS Assignment Owner name: HERO MOTOCORP. LTD., INDIA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:ERIK BUELL RACING LLC;REEL/FRAME:031689/0376 Effective date: 20130806 (Message edited by lake_bueller on November 10, 2015) | ||
| Needforspeed |
I would assume that since they already have inventory of 2014 1190RX and SX bikes along with bikes in different states of building on the factory line that it would make the most since to sell those and start there. They are both great bikes and tooling is already accomplished so if they do minor updates to electronics, new color and graphics and make them 2016 bikes could get them started. Any changes to design or direction would require re-tooling which has a high cost and time factor. EBR had some other bikes that were rumored to be coming, so part of the question in direction would be what were they and did EBR own them or did HERO own them? I do agree with many that some regular messaging from EBR would be nice to keep us interested and in the know. Once a month would be enough. | ||
| Hughlysses |
Interesting- two dealers posted today at ebrforum.com that they still haven't heard squat from the new company. One of those dealers is AF1, the host of that forum. | ||
| Buelliedan |
Unfortunately it is looking like NRHS will no longer be an EBR dealer. The new EBR has not registered with the state of CO. Until they do that I cannot renew my dealership license to sell EBRs. I received a call from the CO dealers division yesterday saying my dealership license is currently invalid. I have written several e-mails to the current folks in charge at EBR and have not received any response. I tried to stay positive throughout this whole debacle but communication from the new EBR has been severely lacking and now this. I do not see EBR having many dealers who are going to be willing to work with them when/if they ever get up and running again. AF1 was the one dealer if any that should be getting updates from EBR often. If they lose them as a dealer I think it is the kiss of death for EBR. I am very disappointed.  (Message edited by buelliedan on November 11, 2015) | ||
| Steveford |
Sorry to hear that, Buelliedan. I was hoping for a better outcome for you. | ||
| 2kx1 |
If AF1 has not been told anything and they have stated that there license has expired at least a month ago if not more then EBR should really wake up,as AF1 is probably the reason most people would buy an Aprilia. No contact with the dealers is not going to help EBR in the least. Dan, kiss of death is a nice way of putting it. | ||
| Theshinenz |
This seems to be looking worse each day that goes by, I'm disappointed but also glad I didn't pull the trigger on an 1190rx that i could be stuck with without parts and losing value by the day .... have been a buell fan for a number of years but now am struggling to find another go to brand of bike. Here in Australia it must be sinking in as prices are dropping day by day with dealers trying to get rid of their EBR stock. | ||
| Classax |
I think there is a definite timeline on the resurrection of the brand that if missed will see most us owners including the factory parting out just about all of the 2014 machines. That day is at least to my mind, extremely close. Loosing AF1 will kill any hope of recovery for a number of reasons. If that happens no amount of Court's elf dust will be able to salvage things and Erik will simply not ever return. Sad, but true and I hope truly hope less than 90 days from now, you can all come on here and call me a liar and a flaming idiot for being so completely wrong. | ||
| 2kx1 |
I hope that something happens soon. I am finally getting on stable ground work wise and will be shopping come springtime.EBR was making what I want and I hope they will be making it again. | ||
| Rsh |
Where is Erik in all of this? Seems like he has disappeared. | ||
| Mrakz83 |
If the fat lady sings, we'll know it. Until then, I'll keep my fingers crossed. | ||
| Steveford |
It ain't over until the fat lady farts. Somebody had to say it. | ||
| Hybridmomentspass |
Class - Why is losing AF1 such a huge deal? Also, I found your elf dust comment hilarious. Bulliedan - is reapplying for dealer status through your state difficult or expensive? Serious question, never dealt with it and wasnt sure of the process. | ||
| Buelliedan |
"Bulliedan - is reapplying for dealer status through your state difficult or expensive? Serious question, never dealt with it and wasnt sure of the process." Unfortunately it is both. It would be pretty easy if the new EBR was registered with the state of CO but since they have not done that I cannot renew as a new vehicle dealer as they were my only manufacturer. I can stay as a used dealer but if EBR ever does come back I would have to re-apply to sell EBRs which can be a real hassle. I am just so dissapointed right now. I had high hopes that this was going to work out in the end but the lack of any communication lately to the former dealers just makes ZERO sense to me if they plan to start up again. Like Class says I hope I am wrong but my time table has pretty much expired. | ||
| Buelliedan |
as to why is losing AF1 a big deal? My feeling is they were more than just an EBR dealer. IMO they were leading the way for EBR dealers. Honestly from what I have seen there were maybe 15-20 old EBR dealers in the country who really tried to sell the bikes. Sure other shops had them but they were tucked away in a corner and the salesman only showed them if somebody came in specifically looking for an EBR. AF1 went even further by having EBR "events", a forum just for EBRs, etc. This is the kind of dealer you need to sell these bikes. Unfortunately the $18,000 price tag was a hard barrier to overcome so you needed someone who was passionate to show the customer why he should buy one. I was trying to model my dealership in the same way that AF1s ran. Marketing from the old EBR was dismal at best! You needed really good dealers to sell the product. Now I am afraid we are going to lose many of the last of the "good ones" I just do not understand why there is no communication with the dealers. I was given an e-mail directly to the new company but it does me no good if the powers that be do not respond to my e-mails. They said they know what the dealers need and want? We want communication on at least a bi-weekly basis to start! (Message edited by buelliedan on November 13, 2015) | ||
| 86bgn |
I would imagine that EBR would like to start manufacturing, and selling motorcycles again as soon as they possibly can. Seems reasonable to me anyway. I am sure they are not just kicked back sucking on lattes and reading magazines. Maybe they want to make sure what ever they tell everyone, they can back it up, and support. Maybe the dealer network was not working, maybe they don't want the same setup. Who knows.... Not trying to knock anyone that was a dealer, but it seems like lots of peeps are trying to pressure EBR into saying exactly what they going to do. I honestly think they should set up parts and service contracts with shops all over the country, the more the merrier, and then just sell the bikes directly to the customer cutting out the dealer all together. If EBR can discount the bike, and you take the dealer markup out of it they would probably sell a whole lot more EBR's, and honestly, what do I care if I take it to a dealer or not? As long as I can pick a shop to purchase service and parts from I am happy. Get on line, order the bike, how you want it, have it shipped to a PDI shop, or pay a fee for the PDI to be done at the factory, and then all you need is parts and service. | ||
| Buelliedan |
"I honestly think they should set up parts and service contracts with shops all over the country, the more the merrier, and then just sell the bikes directly to the customer cutting out the dealer all together." hate to burst your bubble but in many states it is not legal for a manufacturer to sell bikes direct to the consumer. Plus trying to get non-dealer shops to work on these bikes is going to be a lot harder to find then I think you can imagine. I am now pretty much the ONLY shop left in CO that is willing to work on the water cooled Buells. Even the harely dealers that sold Buells will not touch them anymore. Who do you think is going to be willing to work on EBRs? The training required alone to know how to work on them is going to turn off most shops. That all cost money, and there are not that many EBRs on the road to justify spending it on training. Whenever I read posts suggesting EBR does something like that I just shake my head. (Message edited by buelliedan on November 13, 2015) | ||
| 86bgn |
Oh shucks.... ya my bubble has been burst! Are you sure? Why are you only allowed a license, and not anyone else? What states? and if you shake your head when you hear comments like mine, boy are you going to be in for a rude awakening someday. If you really think that some of the younger generations are going down the same path that you and I have historically, you are nuts. 18-30 year olds right now HATE dealing with anyone in person, much less talking to anyone in a "dealership". And as far as service, I think that you might be giving dealers a little to much credit. I can think of at least 3 custom shops to every 1 dealership that I would rather take my bike to. Just because someone has specialty tools, and youtube, or a manual, does not mean that their aptitude is up to par. (Message edited by 86bgn on November 13, 2015) | ||
| Buelliedan |
Like i said good luck trying to find shops willing to work on Buells much less EBRs if there are no dealers. | ||
| Nobuell |
Unfortunately, communication, marketing and sales has not been their forte. Say what you will about HD, but they knew how to market. It has been a mystery to me, they race world super bikes but not update their websites or provide decent maintenance information perform marketing 101. In many ways it was run as a hobby. Part of my original draw to Buell was the excitement, the track days and the family. That has seemed lost with the old EBR. The love of the platform and the folks that I know are the only thing that has kept this old Bueller around. I want to replace my 1125R race bike with a new platform for 2016. I fought with race part availability all summer. When EBR was in business, I could order the required parts and have them at my house in 2 days. I am tired of scrounging for parts and having virtually no support. The reason that I have been harping regarding getting more information is my schedule for next year. If I knew what the new company has planed, I could make some decisions. If they plan to sell race parts for the 1125, have available RX/SX race parts / support and continue to sell the RX/SX platforms. I most probably would buy a new EBR for the track and keep my 1125 as a back-up / track day bike. I am familiar with the platform and have many race parts that could be utilized on the new bike. That would be my preference. I will not however, buy a new EBR without knowing that there is reasonable chance that they will be around. My other option is a new platform all together. I primarily run the Super Twin class in CCS so another V-Twin would be required. Ducati and KTM are the only real choices. With either platform, I will be starting from scratch however, there is all sorts of help available to get the Ducati setup dialed in fast and performance parts are readily available. As was said before the time is ticking away. Bringing new people into the EBR flock will become much more difficult as the startup is delayed and dealers fall away. | ||
| Buelliedan |
"18-30 year olds right now HATE dealing with anyone in person, much less talking to anyone in a "dealership" If they need warranty work they are kind of SOL if they don't want to deal with anyone in person. As for those custom shops you would rather take your bike to, try this. Give them a call and tell them you have a 2009 Buell 1125R that has an electrical charging issue. Ask them if they will work on that? (Message edited by buelliedan on November 13, 2015) | ||
| 86bgn |
Your right if they need warranty work they need to talk to someone.... They just need more options which is why I say the more independent shops should be authorized to sell EBR service and parts. And really, I would have more problems getting most any of the dealerships in my area to figure out complex problems. I only take my bike to the dealer because I have to. Believe me, when the warranty is up, its up. Same goes for most other makes of bikes, there is always someone better to work on a Ducati, Honda, Harley, you name it, and that's because most the time the guys racing them, buying them and riding them, are not the dealers. And lasty, the example of the 1125 with a charging problem.... obviously you would not want to take your bike to a shop that would not be able to diagnose a electrical problem, and honestly, I wouldn't think they would be in business for long if they couldn't. It might be tough if the 1125 had some kind of flux capacitor or nuclear vortex turbine system on it, but it doesn't... (Message edited by 86bgn on November 13, 2015) | ||
| Buelliedan |
as I said i just shake my head when folks say EBR should justsell bikes direct to the public as then they could save so much money off the price of the bike. You just have no idea the complexities involved in selling, registering, servicing, warranty, parts, etc that is involved in the sale of brand new motorcycles. All of that cost money so how is that going to make the price of the bike cheaper? Where do you think EBR is going to find the time and the staff to do all of that while still making bikes?  } |
