| Author | Message | ||
     Buelliedan |
Third time? Don't you learn???  | ||
| Mikej |
Bill, congratulations. Dan, but why can't we attend the dinner and music and not the races? We get hungry and like music too. We'll probably be there for part of the days, and for dinner we'll be down the street at Perkins. (ignore the other posts that may have popped up, I seem to have tripped into an editing twilight zone there for a few moments.) (Message edited by mikej on March 31, 2005) | ||
| Lake_bueller |
I did it for all the right reasons this time Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! | ||
| Buelliedan |
Has anybody officially said you can't attend the music? I think only the factory is for participants only. The music is at a local pub is it not? | ||
| Mikej |
Don't know, did they update the web site with more details in the last week or so? I'll have to go check.... --edit in process--. We may still sign up for the weekend, got until May 6th to do so, just have some other issues we're working with at the moment. Maybe I've just spent too much time in line at McDonalds and like having a choice of either a pre-package meal or individual selections like a $1 chicken sandwich and a yogurt parfait and a large blue juice drink. In any case we'll see you here. Might even see you in Texas as well this summer, unless you're on your U.S. lap at the time. If you think of it maybe you can bring me up a street map of San Antonio with you. It's all good. (Message edited by mikej on March 31, 2005) | ||
| Buelliedan |
Looks like the lap of America is probably not going to happen with the cost of gas just going through the roof right now. The 2 trips I have planned are probably going to cost at least $600 in gas as it is! What time frame are you thinking of coming to San Antonio? | ||
| Outrider |
Thanks to all that are contributing to the discussion about the possibility of BRAG making daily passes available to locals. Regardless of your opinions, it is your posts that count. In fact, I strongly urge anyone with an opinion to post it. I didn't start this rant again this year to argue with anyone. I did it to get some dialogue going so Buell and/or BRAG has something to think about. If I were to make a joke out of it, it would go something like..."If Bueller's are Harley's Stepchildren, then Wisconsin Bueller's are BRAG's Stepchildren." Feel free to add any State you wish where I used Wisconsin. The subject was supposed to be brought up at last years Regional BRAG meeting at Sauk, but that meeting was canceled. Later, the issue was dismissed as trivial when presented during a one-on-one meeting with a BRAG official and a credible BRAG Member from Wisconsin. Personally, I would like to think of this as just a matter of priorities during that encounter. Apparently, some of it registered as there is a separate weekend package this year. Hopefully, next year there will be a one day pass available next year. | ||
| Mikej |
Thursday is registrants only. Friday: dinner and music is probably registrants only. BattleTrax was scheduled to be at West Bend Harley, but I don't know if they'll still be a Buell dealership then according to a few of their employees, so I'll put this under "location subject to change". Don't know where the dyno runs are planned to be at, if at Hal's then the B'Trax should be down there as well. It should be a great event no matter how much of it people can attend. Does anybody know when the gates open at RA? And how late the races run into the evenings? And can you come and go during the day? And will you still be able to get back into the special Buell parking area if you do come and go during the day? I guess I could call and ask someone. | ||
| Mikej |
Dan, Probably in July sometime after the 4th. Not confirmed yet due to some things we have going on and may have to be rescheduled. I should know by June what the plans are. And my comments about West Bend Harley should not be interpreted as being anything against them as the BattleTrax events they've hosted before were well run and nicely supported. They seem to like doing the Buell stuff, they just don't have much Buell stuff in inventory that I can see, and some of their staff believes their Buell line is leaving (but maybe I just have a talent for picking the wrong person to ask) . If the B'Trax is at WB HD then expect it to be well supported again. It'd be nice if this event recharged the dealership's Buell activity. | ||
| Lake_bueller |
Mike.... 1) No info on the RA website about times. Nothing on AMA's site either. I'd expect a more accurate schedule be released by the end of April. 2) Yes, you can come and go during the day. 3) We had no problem getting back to the Buell parking at any time during the day. People were in & out all day. Hope that helps answer some questions. | ||
| Outrider |
Dan...I know you weren't bashing. That's never been your thing. I think the interesting issue at this point is the lack of posts from the local Bueller's that were active in the subject last year. Unless they post, It looks like only a very few of us either read this thread or care one way or the other. Easy to make assumptions, but that doesn't help anyone. | ||
| Buelliedan |
I can almost guarantee you that anyone who wants to will be able to attend the music function even if they didn't pay. Mary and Peggy will bend over backwards to get you a seat if you are a BRAG member. I recommend you call and ask to speak with either of them about it and see what they say. | ||
| Mikej |
Thanks Dennis, helps in the planning and "negotiation", if you know what I mean. I wonder if I put a Buell gas tank onto a different-brand two-up cruiser if I could still get into the special parking area??????  Dan, I'd have to renew then before I did that, eh? I'll go stand in the corner now. (Hmmm, no corner standing emoticon/smiley/frownie, oh well.) (Message edited by mikej on March 31, 2005) | ||
| Buelliedan |
The corner is too good for you!! Off to the basement for you!!  | ||
| Mikej |
Man, and I just finished digging a hole out of there last week and now I'm back in it again. Sometimes I feel like a cast member in Hogan's Heros or The Great Escape. trudge trudge trudge back down the basement stairs I go, can't even get the Buell down into here to work on it, grumble grumble grumble, THUNK -ouch hit my head on that low beam again..... somebody get the lights | ||
| Outrider |
Dan...You got me on that one! We are HOG Members, not BRAG. Switched two years ago when BRAG informed me that their Roadside Assistance Program would only cover my Buell, whereas, HOG's Program covered both my Harley and my Buell. Most likely was, as Court would put it,"an inaccurate statement" made by a BRAG employee, but at the time it mattered to me. Back to the Homecoming schedule, it would be nice if they listed the events as open or closed especially when addressing Friday evening's dinner vs entertainment. However, I would think that would be akin to BRAG shooting themselves in the foot. Perhaps a "pay as you go" program for the locals with limited time to attend the events would be a good solution. They could use a rubber stamp and different colored ink for each day. Just an idea that may help stimulate some thought. | ||
| Coolice |
Back to the camping question....IS ANYONE GOING TO STAY AT A CAMPGROUND?? I would like to park the rv and use it as a "base" for those who want to day trip, but would like to be close to the "host" motel. Maybe just park in the motel parking lot? | ||
| Kinger |
Outrider, Do HOG events do day passes? I ask because I do not know. I understand your point but I tend to agree with Dan. They made a big step with the weekend only package this year. I can see why they didn't do weekday only package, cost at RA. By requiring that someone by either the whole event or the weekend only, they secure more funds to pay for the most expensive part of the weekend. They put on a nice spread (food and location) at RA last year. My wife and I enjoyed ourselves. I do understand your situation with regards to the work commitments. I just started a new job in Madison. When homecoming comes around, I will be taking 1/2 days thursday and friday. Driving from Madison to East Troy to West Bend to Janesville each day!! Plus I plan on attending the races Sat and Sun. That may mean traveling back to Janesville each night. If I can talk the wife into going to the races with me (shouldn't be too hard) we will probably get a hotel room for the night. All this talk about the homecoming has gotten me itching to ride! | ||
| Outrider |
Kinger... I was addressing only the BRAG Homecoming, not their other events. As such, there is absolutely no comparison with HOG. BRAG and Bueller's in general are a much smaller, tighter knit group that communicate world wide almost daily compliments of the BWB and a few other Buell boards. With the exception of what is an open or closed event, Dan and I agree. The only folks that can resolve the gray area work for Buell/BRAG and I assume it is too late for them to modify this years program, but the input could make a difference in paid attendance next year. Perhaps all the BRAG Club members in Wisconsin are satisfied with the current situation for a variety of reasons. Yet, this is a Buell homecoming open to all, and that includes National BRAG and HOG members as well as those that don't belong to either group. Since you digested all the posts in the last two or three days on the issue, there is nothing more I can add. Just do me one favor... While you are at the homecoming count the number of folks not wearing the wrist bands indicating they paid for the event. | ||
| Court |
Gads....how much is the entire thing? I'm going to do it the old fashioned way. I'm just gonna get on a motorcycle in NYC, ride West, stop when I see many Buells, hang for a couple days, eat well and head toward NYC. Simple?  Eager to see everybody | ||
| Outrider |
Gads....how much is the entire thing? Perhaps the best dollar value ever for a national four day event. Eager to see everybody Same here. | ||
| Mikej |
"Gads....how much is the entire thing? " Costs: BRAG Membership: "Cost is $40/year for Full and $20/year for Associate (limited benefits apply). " Homecoming: "The cost is $100 (full event) and $75 (weekend only) for BRAG/H.O.G.® members, $125 (full event) and $100 (weekend only) for non-members, and $65 (full event) and $50 (weekend only) for kids ages 13-17. Call 1-888-432-BRAG to register or fill out the form. Registration closes May 6. " RoadAmerica: "$60.00 ea., Superticket (Thursday-Sunday admission, including Paddock access and $7 coupon redeemable for 4-Mile Merchant merchandise.)" So, for two people, one rider, one associate, the costs would be: BRAG: $60 Homecoming: $200 or $175 or $150 Total: $260 (both full) or $235 (one full, one weekend only) or $210 (both weekend only) or Homecoming only: $250 or $225 or $200 or BattleTrax and RoadAmerica tickets: $120 or BattleTrax only: $0 Thems the costs. So convince me.  Court, what package did you purchase????? | ||
| Bomber |
while I certainly understand the desire for a cafeteria approach to the event (I've paid for the whole meal and had to bail before dessert my own self), I think it's instructive to remember a couple of things -- it IS marketing -- while I'm sure Erik digs seeing the tribe, and manny of the other Buell employees as well, this isn't funded (I'll bet BRAG looses money on the deal overall) for that reason -- they want us to buy more stuff, and they figure that treating us right and giving us access to people/knowledge/events is a good way to keep us engaged as customers -- win/win so far, IMO also, BRAG has got few employee hours per year than any other group of it's like I've seen (I've helped run events similar to these for employers in the past, and, as Mennis and BadS1 will attest, it's a lot of work, with more details than you can imagine for it all to come off nicely lastly, Mennis, what would you say if I called you and wanted to buy a ticket for the last quarter of the football game -- I can't make the first three due to work, and, besides, it's won in the last quarter anyways ;-} not busting anyone's chops (not intentionally, at any rate), but I think there's more going on than BRAG ignoring folk's request . . . . two sides to every coin, like the man sez me too, looking forward to the gathering of the tribe in June ... | ||
| Kinger |
Perhaps the best dollar value ever for a national four day event. This we agree on. I understand Outrider's point, that due to his personal schedule, the event is not worth $100 dinner to him. As for the number of non-paid people at events, there will be plenty. Just not at the dinners that are provided or in the hospitality room at RA. Bomber...that is what I was trying to say. Thanks | ||
| Outrider |
I'll bet BRAG looses money on the deal overall Well said and you can bet your bottom dollar that they do if all they had to offset the cost was the entry fee. Still, $200 for the wife and I to attend one dinner is a tad steep even in Chicago. Err...that would be with the exception of a few of my favorite restaurants down in the Loop which we will be dining at on race weekend compliments of that danged trade show we have to attend. On a humorous note, I missed going to Sturgis for 30 years compliments of it being concurrent with the National Hardware Show in Chicago. Now that I am retired and can do it, I don't want to. Go Figure. Just don't confuse any other bike event with a Buell homecoming. The demographics of those attending the homecoming are heads and tails above all the other events and that is what makes it so desirable. | ||
| Outrider |
Kinger, et al...rest assured that I am not busting anyone's stones concerning the issue, especially yours. Is just an issue that was brought up last year and I brought it up again this year as a reminder to those that were so vehement about the subject last year. Apparently, this has been a issue that nobody cares about any more as they have made their own decisions concerning the event. I simply would like to pay my fair share for the few special events I can attend. On that note, I am dropping the issue. Kindly accept my sincere apology for bringing it up this year. | ||
| CJXB |
Mennis, what would you say if I called you and wanted to buy a ticket for the last quarter of the football game -- I can't make the first three due to work, and, besides, it's won in the last quarter anyways Excellent point Bomber !!! Sometimes it's disappointing but you just have to suck it up and enjoy what you can !! BRAG does what it can to accomodate (sp?) folks, but they can't make everyone happy, it's just not practical !! CJ | ||
| Bomber |
Outie -- don't stop now! you may just get the attention of those in charge (and, besides, ya never get what ya don't ask for, yes?) it's a tough balancing act for Brag, I'm sure, and for us, as well (time off, cost per event, and like that) . . . . ya pays yer money and ya takes yer chances, I spose | ||
| Outrider |
Bomber...I have to stop. I have said all I can and probably more than I should have about the issue. Now it is time for others to post their opinions. If it is important to them they will post. If not, so be it. As it stands, it looks like I am just one of 2-1/2 that think it is worthy of Buell/BRAG consideration and that won't cut it in the boardroom. Lake, no offense, but you are the 1/2 as your comp tickets to Road America most likely won't get you into the BRAG hospitality area unless they are some sort of Press Pass or Promotional type thing. LOL | ||
| Lake_bueller |
What did I do?!?!?!?! I was actually saying I'm going to pay the $100 for the event (even though I don't need the race tickets). For me, the whole week will be a relatively inexpensive vacation. Gas money for the truck may not be enjoyable (especially towing). But the house at Deal's Gap is a steal. And the hotel in West Bend isn't bad either (when split 2 or 4 ways). See everyone in June (if not earlier)!! |
