| Author | Message | ||
     Chellem |
So, I thought yesterday at Millville was a great time. The demos looked like they were out a decent amount of time each run, and except for a little bit of unfortunateness with crashes, everyone got to do quite a few runs. So as a follow up, I was wondering how everyone would rate the experience? But not just from a success persective. If you imagine that the goal of Inside Pass is not just to get a bunch of Buellers together (although that's a big part), but also that we are hoping to get non-Buell riders, call them Future Buellers, out to the track and, more importantly, onto a Buell demo, then how do you think THAT went? I didn't see that many folks who weren't riding Buells already there. Given the restraints of time and space placed upon an event like this, how could we get some Non-Buellers involved, excited, and grow our ranks a bit? But still make sure there's room for those who already love and support Buells? These events are sellouts almost every time from what I understand. Some things I was mulling over while I was chasing my kids around: Have more people and split the sessions. We could double the amount of people if we have people go out every OTHER time instead of every time. Some of you looked pretty tired out by the end. Of course, then Buell would have to have something else going on to do while waiting around. Lunch was great, but there would, I would think, have to be SOMETHING else. Get the word out to those who did show up for the first time that there were Buell demos there and that they were there, ya know, to DEMO, so that people who weren't sure could get out there. Have some sort of "Bring your non-Buelling Friend to the Track" day? Use the buddy system? Maybe show your non-Buell registration and get some sort of goodie for coming down? Like a recruiting prize or something? I haven't really thought these through. So don't be too hard on me. But if anyone has any ideas I'd love to hear them! I'd even love to be able to pass some ideas on to Buell Marketing, who was at this event yesterday. Thanks to those who came out! And to those who didn't - hope to see you next time! ->ChelleM (PS if you're shy, you can PM me ideas.  ) | ||
| Sanchez |
I'd say there were as many or more non-Buellers than Buellers at the Inside Pass day I attended. Buell attracts track junkies of all kinds with the low price for the day as much as with the demo rides. | ||
| Brinnutz |
After I convinced my buddies (none of whom own a Buell, all jappers) that a $150 track day which includes riding on Buell's bikes was a helluva deal, they finally agreed to go to one with me next year most likely at Mid-Ohio. Maybe even Blackhawk if we can all afford it and the time off of work! | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
I would say that there were several more non-Buellers than Buellers at Barber. I think there are two benefits of the Inside Pass Track Days. The first is obvious, exposure to Buells in a hands on environment. The second is a little less obvious, exposure to Buellers and Buell "culture". I would say that there are a few folks who may only know one Buell owner or none at all. Buell people tend to seek out other Buellers in a way not completely replicated by other mainstream brands. Ducati maybe. I'm sure there is some brand loyalty and commraderie among Gixxer or R1 folks, but I'd bet they would be less likely to just walk up to another Gixxer owner and strike up a conversation. VFR people might. This could be a wild mischaracterization on my part. I think one of the things that attracts folks to Buell is the community. It's like being in a club. One of the best lines I've heard Barker came up with. At both the Nashville track day and at the KTM demos, when asked if there was a Buell special get together going on, Barker quips "No. They are just getting really popular." I laugh every time I see their expression. I believe that the club within a club is what attracts folks to Buell. First you are a member of the community of riders. Next you are a member of the community of Buellers. If you're really elite, you get a video made of you dancing to "Peanut Butter Jelly Time". | ||
| Jlnance |
ChelleM, I can only speak to the events that were held at VIR, as those were the only two I've been to. I had a little more time to wander around at the first Inside Pass I did, and I thought the marketing potential was brilliant. It was about 2/3 Buell people, which I thought was an ideal ratio. I am biased, but I think the Buell people are a fantastic bunch, and that ratio is about the right proportion to let newcomers feel what it is like, with out making them feel like odd balls. I think the appeal of Inside Pass is a pretty easy sell: Come do a trackday on someone elses bike, wear out someone elses tires, and burn someone elses gas. Borrow their leathers and eat their lunch while you are at it. I don't think the outsiders come to these events to check out Buells, I think they come because they are cheap. The marketing opportunity is that while they are out taking advantage of Buells marketing, they will discover they are having a lot of fun, and that the bike doesn't conform to the sterotypes they have always heard, and the people are cool. As to how to get the right number of outsiders there, I think that just requires a little footwork. I mean we are talking about an event with about 100 people and you want maybe 30 non-Buell people there. I would solicit an opportunity to speak to local sportbike groups and present it like this: - I'm from the Harley dealership and I know you're surprised to see me here. - We sell sportbikes too but we realize that it's a tough sell to get you all into a Harley dealership. - But we have this great promotion. - We are sponsoring a track day that only costs $150. - You can ride your own all you want. - But we will have the Buells there too. - If you ride the Buells, you won't have to use up your tires or gas. - It's perfectly fine to just come out and have a good time on the bikes. This isn't a sales event. I think the relationships that built would be priceless. | ||
| Ulynut |
Thats a great presentation. If you do split sessions, you can do a mini seminar type thing and demonstrate routine maintenance procedures, chassis setups, and the all important B.S. sessions. Advertise in the Harley dealerships too. Nobody I know who doesn't ride a Buell ever heard of Inside Pass. Most Harley riders I know haven't even heard of a track day. | ||
| Reepicheep |
It would be a lot of work, but you could add "another track". Basically, set up a battletrax (tm) course in the parking lot. All first gear stuff. Novices would start there and get 1:1 coaching so they get head / body positioning down before adding speed on the "big course". It'd be a "run it, instant coaching feedback, run it again. If you are a good novice, you would just run it once, get some quick advice, and get back in line and wait. If you are a learning novice, you might get 3 runs back to back to work on some particular skill. Better training, tons of fun, makes more room on the track, and every venue no doubt has plenty of parking lot space. Insurance could be a headache... but it's a solvable problem. Intermediates would run it once each, timed, and get a coaching "work on this" checklist after each run. Advanced would just run for time. And maybe have a group of "coach hecklers" talking trash just for fun.  It would be a win / win / win way to get more track sessions out there, and I would definately pitch in another $60 or so for the chance to get 1:1 coach feedback at lower / controlled speeds. As for marketing value, no way to know for sure, but it has a LOT of potential. A buddy who bleeds Honda red goes with me to the Ohio inside pass events, and did it because its a cheap track day with a neat group of people. He brought a number of people from his CBR list. The first time he did it, Buells went from a joke in his mind to an interesting motorcycle he would never consider owning. After this last year, when he used an XT to outrun another good Honda rider on a CR (the guy on the CR actually lowsided trying to stay ahead), he came off the session saying "Now *that's* a Buell I could see myself owning". The magic had worn off the next day of course, and he was back to looking for backrests for his blackbird, but progress was definitely being made... | ||
| Chellem |
That battletrax idea is awesome. I had heard that they didn't do those anymore? Would be a great excuse to get it up and running again! so that's a combo of a Bring a non-bueller and the low cost of the event as marketing. Anyone got any awesome ideas as to where to actually advertise this event? Sport bike mags? Etc? Believe it or not, we don't get that many sport bike guys wandering into our Harley dealership.  *I* was thinking that a bigger Buell presence at regular track days - either by Buell corporate or local dealers - might increase visibility too. Kinda, going to them instead of trying to get them to come to us. But I don't know the logistics of something like that. Keep the ideas coming if ya got 'em!! Thanks! ->ChelleM | ||
| Jlnance |
Anyone got any awesome ideas as to where to actually advertise this event? I really think the most effective way to do this is with a personal presence. I mean you're looking for what, 30 people? That's a small enough number that you can actually go out to sportbike events and recruit them. It's also a small enough number that you want to make sure every one counts, and the best way to do that is with some sort of personal contact. | ||
| Hammeroid |
Yesterday was great. I thought there were a lot of ducati's there, more than usual. What if the demo bikes were on a different track. Or had 4 groups instead of three. Advanced, intermediate, novice and demo. The demo groups caused some chaos yesterday. | ||
| Chellem |
The demo groups caused some chaos yesterday. Maybe they could give the Demo folks a few laps to themselves before they start the others in, just to acclimate themselves a bit. That way they wouldn't have to do a whole separate class. I would think that part of the fun is passing a non-Buell bike on a Buell on the track. ->ChelleM | ||
| Sanchez |
> Anyone got any awesome ideas as to where to actually advertise this event? I find out about track days almost exclusively through local web forums. Engage the locals wherever you go, and you can drive sign ups through word of mouth. | ||
| Chellem |
OK. I have a confession to make. I don't know where sport bike riders go. I was raised as more of a Harley-type person. I grew up riding with my dad, who owned a little aftermarket harley shop in South Jersey. We hanged out in biker bars on Sundays and listened to the Shakes. Details aside, there were no sport bikes at these bars. And believe it or not, we didn't really talk about sport bikes. SO as a result, even though I love Buells and enjoy riding them now, I have absolutely no idea where to find a sport bike type guy or gal. I understand there's a sport bike night at a local hooters somewhere around here. That's about the extent of it. So when people say I should go to where sport bike people congregate, I just have no idea where that is. I have noticed, however, that it is not here at the dealership. Hmm. SO you crazy crotchrocket riders - what do YOU do for fun? ->ChelleM | ||
| Damnut |
I would check with local charity rides/runs and talk with sportbike riders there. Just a thought. | ||
| Slitherin |
I will say that I looked at it like just another track day outing. I was shocked at how many bike were available and if it wasn't for my fear of wrecking other peoples bikes I would have rode more of them. My main goal was to ride an 1125R. Even after signing up late (after the first session), there were still plenty of open spots for me to pick from. My buddy that was with me was also able to sign up for an 1125R for the same demo. We were both very impressed with the 1125. Very smooth, responsive, and balanced. It was better than expected and certainly nothing I would have been able to feel if I took one out on the street to demo. I don't care what type of sport bike that you demo, you can't (shouldn't) really demo it without making it perform. Sure you can feel the power on the street but any bike can go fast. It's not until you get the tires, suspension, and all the other components (including you mind) warmed up and functioning as intended. I know some other track day organizations that are running demo days for the sponsor of that club. I think that is great and so is the Inside Pass day. Now to just figure out where you can test a Gixxer, YZR, ZX, Buell, Duck, CBR, and whatever else at the same time. As far as sales, I came away with a "Would be nice to have some day" feeling. That was a huge step up from being worried that is was "glitch ridden" bike as described by many. I would not hesitate for a moment to own one if it was within my means. Speaking of, you running a sale on the white 1125 that had an off track adventure Sunday? | ||
| Xl1200r |
Splitting sessions for me would be a no no. I was tired by the end of the day, but it was because I was having fun. If I could only have half as many sessions on the track, I don't know that I'd feel totally satisfied. Setting up a Battletrax course would be cool, and the one-on-one coaching would be cooler, but I think you could throw the $150 price tag out the window. A second course to run and monitor, plus tha many more coaches sounds pricey. | ||
| Jlnance |
Chelle - Found this on google. Might nose around a bit: http://www.nysportbikeclub.com/ |
