| Author | Message | ||
     99buellx1 |
November 2, 2006 To: All U.S. Buell Dealers, AROs and SRLs Subject: BRAG to be discontinued; membership benefits open up to ALL Buell owners Dear Buell Dealer: Since the club's formation, members of the Buell Riders Adventure Group (BRAG) have been some of Buell Motorcycle Company's biggest fans and some of our very best mutual customers. Based on the feedback we've received from them and from you, we're making significant changes to BRAG. Specifically, we are phasing out the BRAG membership program, including clubs. This means, effective immediately, we will no longer take membership applications or renewals for membership. Beginning in November 2006, we will be rolling out a more comprehensive (and we believe better) approach to our interactions with owners. These interactions will primarily take place through www.buell.com and plans for expanded event presence. Most importantly, we're opening things up to all Buell owners. Overview: More specifics will be announced over the next few months; until then, here's an overview of the changes: A new Owners section of www.buell.com is being created. This section will be THE destination to find information about local Buell owner clubs and events, as well as the place to communicate with other Buell owners. Look for these enhancements in early 2007. FUELLŪ magazine will continue, and be available at no cost to Buell owners who reside in the United States. Owners simply need to go to the Owners section of www.buell.com and update their online profile to receive FUELL in 2007. If they do not have an online profile, they must create one in order to receive (or to keep receiving) this magazine. The annual Buell Homecoming will continue and will be open to all Buell owners. It is tentatively planned for June 2007. We will continue to offer special hospitality for Buell owners at races, rallies and International Motorcycle Shows. In fact, our offerings will be enhanced. Look for more details in the near future. Some previous BRAG member benefits (e.g., Shipping, Roadside Assistance Program, Travel Insurance) will be available to all Buell owners, for a fee and where applicable. Local gatherings of Buell riders, such as the Wicked Twisty tours, will continue to be promoted via FUELL and, starting in 2007, at the Owners section of www.buell.com. Existing BRAG clubs are encouraged to continue; however, those with BRAG in the title will need to adopt new names. In addition, each dealer will be responsible for obtaining insurance of their club and/or dealer-sponsored events. Attached is a list of Frequently Asked Questions and answers so that you are prepared to answer questions Buell owners may have over the next few weeks. These FAQs will also be prominently posted on www.buell.com. The bottom line is that we are improving the privileges and ownership experience for all Buell owners more than ever before. And we're giving you the flexibility to engage sport bike customers the best way you see fit in your market. We hope you're as excited about these forthcoming changes as we are! More information will be coming in future issues of FUELL magazine and at www.buell.com. Hang on; it's going to be an exciting ride! If you have specific questions about BRAG please call BRAG at 888.432.BRAG. Your SPOC representative can assist with all non-BRAG related inquires. Best of Roads Ahead, Jon Flickinger, President and Chief Operating Officer and Erik Buell, Founder and Chief Technical Officer (Message edited by 99buellx1 on November 02, 2006) | ||
| 99buellx1 |
I kinda like the idea. It will make events open to all Buell riders regardless of membership status. I had heard alot of people mention that they didnt want to pay for the membership costs to get into the hospitality tent or Homecoming since they didnt have a local chapter. Hopefully this will be a positive step. But, I dont like that our established clubs are basically out on out asses. | ||
| Dtx |
That doesn't sound too bad. If they say it will be better then the current setup, I have no reason to not believe them. I am currently putting together a Buell Riders club here in Tulsa, OK. The riders are out there, you just gotta do something to bring them all together. | ||
| Iamike |
I was thinking that due to financial reasons that I wasn't going to renew anyway. Since I hardly ever can make it to Homecoming the other benefits weren't worth the cost. Even though I have what was supposed to be the most troublesome year made, in the 60,000mi. of travelling I've never needed the towing. The atlases are nice but I have a stack now and our dealer has quit honoring the discount. And finally our club has disassociated itself from BRAG too since we wanted to attract all sport bikes. It's been nice but now I know I can attend when I can. | ||
| Bomber |
Insofar as this indicates a growing understanding that Buellers are not necessarily HOG member candidates (not that there's anything wrong with being a HOG member, mind you), I see this as a good thing -- luckily, it will in no way alter the relationships that have occured, in part, due to the existance of BRAG | ||
| Spiderman |
I can see this being a positive thing, but on the on the other hand... It is like we will just take this little piece of pie here, ok now a little more, ok just a little more... UH OO No more pie left...  | ||
| Diablobrian |
The only problem I see is with established chapters losing their dealer backing. I guess they can meet at someone's house instead. It does take a lot of hassles out of the events. I assume you'll just have to show them a Buell key for whatever is going on. I wonder how that will affect things like my son getting into the hospitality area at the races during homecoming. He was an associate member. Other than that free Fuell for everybody! How cool is that? | ||
| Fullpower |
How very cool, I can sign up to get FUELL magazine, and then additional unsolicited trash and myriad discount offers from the MOtor Company and a few dozen others that share their marketing info. I'll go sign in right now. maybe some one will make a really good deal on some life insurance, and i bet i'll get some really nice credit card offers, and................................... | ||
| Hdbobwithabuell |
Can't get most HD dealers to support Buell, what makes you think a club based on HOG was working? I think we're better off. Hopefully the dealerships that DO support BRAG will continue. It's not like they are giving anything away anyway, most clubs lend plenty to dealer events, promotions, etc. BTW... I haven't renewed my HOG membership for a few years either. | ||
| Pwnzor |
ROFL, I predicted this the moment the dealer told me I had a year's free membership. I left the card, patch, pin, and everything else at the parts counter when I rode away on my bike. I couldn't hardly get out of there without them wanting me to sign up for fifty million different clubs and rides and whatever. I guess it's ok for some people, throwing money down a hole. Case in point, I paid actual greenbacks, in full, and it still took me almost 4 hours to get out of the dealership. They STILL flood my box with "motorclothes" catalogs and jewelry "offers".... All HD stuff. whatever. | ||
| Bads1 |
This is a good thing and more to come. | ||
| Beachbuell |
No big surprise there. (Message edited by beachbuell on November 02, 2006) | ||
| Angelwild327 |
it seems like a step in the right direction.. almost taking the HD dealerships out of the equation to a certain extent... and making Buell more of it's own entity...more independent for Buell owners... if that makes any sense. | ||
| Gearhead |
Due to the number of Buell in our area, we always invited all the other brands to be a part of our BRAG group. It's worked out well for us as IaMike mentioned. The only catch was that when we had to submit a club photo, only Buells were lined up in front of all the members. As for the name change, the IOWA FARM MAFIA rides again!! Be afraid, be very afraid!!  | ||
| Csg_inc |
So what happens to a guy who lets say for discussion sake already has a HOG life membership and a fully paid up BRAG national membership good to say mid 2009? Will he get grandfathered into some "special" group and given the secret handshake OR What? | ||
| Hdbobwithabuell |
Csg_inc - Good point - Hopefully Loyal Brag members that are paid up will receive some $$$ in the form of a refund or ??? | ||
| Eboos |
Ha ha, I was just saying to the other guys in the sales department "Buell riders just don't do that. We don't just hang around in big groups and go to poker runs". | ||
| Tunes |
This sucks... | ||
| Csg_inc |
Eboos as for the poker runs.....well they are According to State gaming law ARS 13-3301, "Gambling" includes any act of risking or giving something of value for the opportunity to obtain a benefit from a game or contest of chance or skill or a future contingent event. A "raffle" involves the payment of money for the opportunity to benefit from a future contingent event and therefore illegal. So no more 50/50 raffles or poker runs that advertise a set price for the run. We have to protect Indian Gaming here | ||
| Bads1 |
It suck??? I don't think so. | ||
| Irideabuell |
That explains why I had to call BRAG directly in August when my current membership expired and I hadn't received a renewal kit. They took my money just the same when I called however. | ||
| Court |
This is good news. Expanded participation, expanded web presence and generally improved and updated everything. This even means that Reg and I can get in the events. . . . they may be sorry. Congratulations to the folks at Buell for listening to owners! I'm in. | ||
| Rich |
I like it. Getting Fuell will be nice, I've always enjoyed The Enthusiast. | ||
| Gomo |
This could work our for them, especially Dealers that are sponsors (and those not even sponsors or dealers). They can have a club under a different title, open to all Buell owners and riders of other makes without the need for people to be a member to an organization they rather not below to, or pay membership to. This was one item I heard from a couple of non Buell or HD riders, "why should I pay for a BRAG membership to join a club when I do not even own a Buell?" The point was valid. Sponsoring an open bike group may be a great way of getting riders of other makes into a dealership. Granted a majority of them may be loyal to the bike/manufacture they own, but 1 or 2 sales of a new H-D or Buell a year from the group would be worth the cost of paying the insurance for the club. They could even follow the same guidelines as BRAG or HOG, just leave the corporate names out of the plan. Hey, with some sportriders or metric's coming through a dealership, they may even sell a V-Rod or two! | ||
| Jlnance |
It's a good move. On the other hand, it would have been nice for this to have been discussed rather than announced. | ||
| Jackbequick |
Hey guys, wake up! You are arguing the merits of a troll. Didn't you notice the name on the "announcement"? It is "Flickinger". As in "flicking her through the corners", don't you get it? Own the curves, flick through the corners, etc. Sheesh! Jack | ||
| Bads1 |
Ummm Jack you do know that really is his name,LOL | ||
| Xbduck |
Gomo, I think you may need medical attention for that bump on your head! The HOG chapter at my local dealership has members that would just as soon knock your Buell over and pee on it as let you near THEIR club. I understand what your thinking though. If a good dealership was on the ball they would have a riding club that had everybody involved (no branding) they could increase their market just by having cold weather gear, or other necessary items for riding. Maybe those members don't buy the new bikes but used ones from guys who are drooling over the latest and greatest HD and can't buy it till the old bike is gone. | ||
| Gomo |
Gomo, I think you may need medical attention for that bump on your head! The HOG chapter at my local dealership has members that would just as soon knock your Buell over and pee on it as let you near THEIR club The swelling hasn't gone down in years - in my head---the one on my shoulders!! I have been a Director of a HOG chapter with a Buell (yes I do have H-D's as well) and yes about 99% of them do not get it why I ride my Buell, but I bought it for me not them. That's why I think a Dealership that's on the ball, as you described, could make a non make specific club a profitable idea for them. Even if they just sold additonal gear (real stuff - not just fashion). | ||
| Lost_in_ohio |
Makes ya wonder..... Everyone views it as a positive. If you read what they are saying......Brag is disbanding period. It saves Buell $$$$ and dealers a hassle. So basically all of the Brag chapters simple become Free standing Buell motor cycle clubs. I see little positive coming out of it. But it does clear up the question....."So what do I get for my membership dues?" |
