| Author | Message | ||
     Koz5150 |
I have read all of the reviews here about the homecoming and partially attended one event myself. It seems some people thought it was a bit boring, and I would have to agree. The people attending should be a bonus to make this event worth stopping by, not the main reason you go. Friends can get together anytime they want to. Here are some of the things I think would attract new people to a BRAG homecoming. 1. Coordinate the homecoming with the new model release What a better way to promote the company's new bikes then to have it surrounded by current riders and Buell enthusists. The event would offer these people the first chance to demo the new bikes and give feedback. These people would be able to offer instant views of the improvements from their own rides. Besides these are the people who are most interested in seeing the new stuff! They are also the people who are going to advertise it for you by word of mouth! 2. Offer real activities Self guided rides and meals are not activities. Things like skilled riding classes, maintnance/performance seminars, and demo rides of new models are worth attending. Why not ask local MSF instructors to conduct an advnaced class or a local Buell race team like Hoban Brothers to do a performance seminar. Keep the evening dinner talks as those are great social events and times to mingle. In addition to the daytime classes and seminars I would have one big event night (open to the public and all makes of bikes for an entry fee) to include the following... Dyno or Dyno drag competition - With awards for classes Skills riding competition - With awards Bike show Stunt group show (like Team Xtreme, Bubba Blackwell, Craig Jones or some other group riding Buell) Burnout pit - with new tires that could be purchased and mounted onsite if needed... Live music Onsite Buell oriented vendors - Dealers selling Buell merchandise and parts along with companies like American Sport Bike and other performance enhancement suppliers diplaying their products. I am sure a guy like Dave S. would love to set up a 20' x 10' tent of Buell merchandise (it would be more space then any Buell dealer has for stuff except maybe Hals). My schedule of events would read something like this Thursday Factory tour/sign-in Meet-n-Greet Dinner with speaker Friday - daytime Choice of all day Riding Skills Class all day Maintanance/Performance/Suspension Seminar scenic group ride with a stop for lunch at a pro Buell Dealership (Hals)led by road captains traveling through the backroads of Wisconsin. Friday - Evening Meet-n-Greet Dinner with speaker Saturday - daytime Battletrax different scenic group ride with a stop for lunch at a pro Buell Dealership (Appleton) led by road captains traveling through the backroads of Wisconsin. Saturday Afternoon/evening Big Event Night with activities listed above. Could be held at a small local airfield or other suitable location I think you could easily charge $200 - $300 for event like that and it wouldn't be boring! The key is to offer people something they can't get anywhere else. If any Buell executives would like to hire me to plan this for you, email me! Obviously all of the above is open to discussion, but that would be the start of my plan... | ||
| Rex |
we have had things similar to this in the past. I would send in to brag, mary, peggy, etc. for next years discussions....sounds good to me. rex some things done in the past. several years we were at hals..dyno competition with awards. show bikes, etc. drive in buell bike shows for each buell category special rides with prizes for doing the ride. vendors set up suspension settings being done in the parking lot. bubba blackwell was at the track doing things for us and the crowd. We had a tent dinner outside, with a huge bonfire, etc. This years was much better than the last couple of years. The excitement was back, almost like the 2000 one...... etc. | ||
| Jlnance |
If any Buell executives would like to hire me to plan this for you, email me! Actually they are looking for someone to fill that job. There is an ad for the position in the back of the last issue of Fuell. | ||
| Daves |
No matter what you plan some will think it's great, others will think it sucks. I like the seminar ideas, suspension set up,maint,riding skills would all be great ideas. I want to eat inside, last year in the tent there were too many unwelcome guests(bugs) trying to share my food. I'd like a trackday but I understand those that rode their bike from far away may not want to risk it. Vendors would be ok. I like going to the races and I think this years set up was the best yet! Thanks BRAG! Guest speakers, while Erik and Jon did a great job this year, maybe someone else next year, Court, Dave Gess,Jack Rhinehart, Reg Kittrelle other long time Buellers come to mind. Maybe a question/answer seminar with some Buell racers? Anyone know where John Mikosh(sp) and his bike Janice were? I hope they are both ok. Stunt team would be cool! Bike show would be good I had a great time and I am sorry for those that didn't. Good job Peggy and Mary, now the work begins to make next years even better! | ||
| BadS1 |
Dave I spoke to Johnny Mikosh the week before the event.He said he wouldn't be there on 2 counts.... first one being that Janice blew her motor the day the pope died and he has bought property up North and is pretty busy trying to get it set up so he can one day soon live there permenently.Missed him though. | ||
| Mikej |
Any details on what happened to his engine? | ||
| Bomber |
as Dave said, one man's ceiling is another man's floor -- the timing of the event has traditionally be linked to the races at RA, which ain't a bad thing at all -- I'm thinkin that the factory folks are a bit busy to have homesoming and new modle lauches at the same time (let's see, do I go hang out with the Buellers or show the new scoot to the motorsickle mag editors) I like many of your ideas -- a number of them (rides et al) can be done without BRAG/HD input (long guided rides et al) . . . . volunteer next time, I'll follow YOU! ;-} | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
Thank you very much Koz. All excellent suggestions. I hope they adopt every one of them. If they did, I would haul my bike out from New York. If not, not. | ||
| Outrider |
Here's a thought... Get HDI/Buell to change it's dealer meeting and new product intro to before the Homecoming. I have always found it better to conduct and event with the attraction of something new to introduce than to not be able to tell the attendees what's going to be released in the next few months. That way we can all can get Erik's new Motorcycle and Accessory presentation like he did at the Buell 20th (my wife is still quoting him word for word concerning the XB12's and she was just my main squeeze back then), have the bikes there for a tire kicking session and perhaps have a demo ride session with them. Not to mention, introducing the new line at Road America would be something akin to Ducati historically doing a similar thing at Laguna Seca. Sounds like a Monumental task to me, eh...Mohammad? You know the old Mountain to Mohammed or Mohammed to the Mountain thing. LOL Not really monumental but will most certainly create a bit of pressure internally at Buell and the PowerTrain Plant the first year. After that, it will be business as usual. Then those Union folks could stand a fire lit under their butts occasionally. What are they going to do, Strike? Yeah, sure...where else are they going to find employment in Wisconsin. However, I am confident that it would increase both attendance and the level of excitement at the Homecoming as almost all of us are totally wrapped up in the new product development dream machine. Additionally, it would most likely get the new widget's (see I didn't reference Jon's products or units) on the dealers floor in time for the summer selling season! Win-Win Situation??? Quite possibly.  | ||
| CJXB |
I have read all of the reviews here about the homecoming and partially attended one event myself. I disagree the homecoming was boring, not at all, people are boring and/or bored or they are not !! How can someone who only partially attended one event agree it was boring ?? No matter whether the event was as it was or planned by anyone else, there are going to be whiners, you cannot please everyone !!  The main reason I went was to ride my bike with other Buellers and the races at Road America which in my opinion is “real activity”, I love the races, any race !! There was a battletrax and those that participated and like that kind of activity consider it a “real activity” as well.  There was live music on Friday night at the dinner, Sat if anyone was interested there was a festival not 15 minutes from the hotel with The Toys and Oil Can Harry all bands I’d consider live music, does it matter whether it was part of the event or not !!  I bought 3 different shirts at the company store at the Buell factory, and one at the store at the HD plant where we rode and toured the plant at Capital drive. I’ll agree there wasn’t a great selection at the West Bend dealer and that could be improved, but I didn’t waste time worrying about it !! As for scenic rides led by road captains, Jose took our group on some nice scenic routes and I thought he was an excellent road captain and pretty handy to have around if someone’s bike runs out of gas !!  I agree it would be nice coordinating it with the new model release, but it wasn’t. And burn out pits, who needs stinking burn out pits, there were plenty of burn outs and wheelies to see !! No matter how perfect someone might think their plan is someone is not going to like your idea and whine about your event, you can bet on it !! There will always be those people who don’t even attend an event and whine, those who go sitting around waiting to be entertained and are never going to be happy, and those few who make themselves happy and make their own fun no matter what event they attend !!  | ||
| Court |
As we say in the motorcycle business....I tide glad bearings. In fact, I bring you the snazziest news I've had the pleasure of delivering in 20 years of Buellin' and that is that never have we been so fortunate in having people, real people who have the authority, listen and respond to the needs and wants of owners. If you have not marked your "MUST DO" list with "Homecoming 2006" you have erred, please do so. Vickie and I will both be there next year (I grew weary of answering "where's Vickie?" all weekend) and if you miss it next year you will be unable to forgive yourself. I'm in the (learned from Bonneville) "wait 30 days, gather input, rest, recover and then attack" mode. The Buell horizon has never had a more brilliant glow. Just my thoughts..... Court (yes, my butt is MAJOR sore...I USED (operative word) to be able to do that, day after day. Yes, I will be riding again next year. | ||
| Koz5150 |
The main reason I went was to ride my bike with other Buellers and the races at Road America which in my opinion is “real activity”, I love the races, any race !! There was a battletrax and those that participated and like that kind of activity consider it a “real activity” as well. The problem I have with that is that I already can do that, minus the courtesy tent. I just would like the event to be a real event. Make a statement with it. Give people something to go home with like hands on knowledge of their bike rather then a 64mb memory stick. The press release of the new models would look pretty darn cool 100+ current Buellers onsite with the reporters. Let the reports see how interested we really are in our bikes and the new models! Jose's ride probably was pretty cool, but if you didn't know about it... well I guess you didn't know... I would just like to see more options that we, as Buell riders, may not be able to experiance without a homecoming. p.s. CJ, don't hate me, I just want to see improvements! | ||
| Impulse_101 |
I might be in Alaska next year during homecoming, otherwise I will be there. I wasn't knocked out with the West Bend dealership, they were stand-offish at best, but that can be easily fixed. I'd also like to see some the Koz's suggestions taken to heart, particularly the riding seminars. Although it might be hard to get racers down to the homecoming to give talks just before the AMA races at RA. But... All b*tching and moaning aside I have to say that the $100 was well spent to get free food, race tickets and some of the best company you can ask for. It's not just Buell Motorcycle Company that makes these things special, it's the Buellers. I feel lucky to know many of you and I wouldn't have the privlege if it wasn't for this website and the BRAG events. JT | ||
| CJXB |
Jose's ride probably was pretty cool, but if you didn't know about it... well I guess you didn't know... You've gotta be part of the super secret group to get in on the good rides !!  You know I don't hate you koz, just gotta give you some crap and put my 2 cents in !!  | ||
| BadS1 |
This is what its all about.Meeting new people,matching faces with names and seeing friends you haven't seen in a year or more.Heres a pic of some or most of the BadWeb particapants.  | ||
| BadS1 |
Turn around and look at the camera CJ.lol | ||
| CJXB |
Yep, I think that would be me and Toni chatting instead of paying attention !!  | ||
| Impulse_101 |
Actually, I think that you and Toni were chatting with me or more than likely yelling at me.  JT | ||
| CJXB |
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| Bomber |
Koz -- while I agree that improvements can most definately be made, I point to the 20th Celebration as a great example of DIY event management -- tell ya what, you organize a ride or two, I'll do the same, and we'll have a huge improvement right there -- get a couple of the Tuber Owners to do Parking Lot field Expediant suspension setup and tips and tricks, and ya got some "events" btw, ya missed the flask-based events . . . . you may have enjoyed those ;-} (CJ told me I was enjoying them a little too much!) | ||
| Koz5150 |
This is what its all about.Meeting new people,matching faces with names and seeing friends you haven't seen in a year or more.Heres a pic of some or most of the BadWeb particapants. Again as stated above, this has nothing to do with a motorcycle event. Meeting people is great, but I want motorcycle stuff!!! If you just want to talk with people, go to Sturgis and drink beer. My vision is for something more along the lines of the Jeep Jamborees held every year all of over the US. They have trail riding, tech seminars, many different classes, and you really get to use your vehicle to do things you wouldn't get to do on the street. I don't think the $100 was a bad price, I would just rather pay $200-$300 for everything else. As far as seminar experts go, within Wisconsin you have both the Hals and Hoban Brothers shop. The 20th was great. I was there and enjoyed the dinner, and extended factory/barn tour. I also enjoyed the 80 bike group ride. The battletrax at Ukes was also cool. They had tons of old patches and other gear for sale I now wish I would have bought. | ||
| M2me |
I hear what Koz is saying. I don't know why the Homecoming has to be tied to the AMA races at Road America. Personally, I'm not all that interested in racing but even for those who are you know where Road America is. There is nothing stopping a group of Buellers from meeting up at RA. Who knows, I might even ride over there for the heck of it! Another problem with tying the Homecoming to the races is the timing. Right after Memorial Day weekend, first weekend in June. People have graduations, weddings, etc. at this time of year. Do it later in July or August when more people could make it. I also agree with the idea of more "real activities". Standing around in a parking lot waiting for dinner to begin is not exactly my favorite activity. But that's just me! I don't want to sound disgruntled because I'm not. BRAG does a great job with the Homecoming. I enjoyed the ride down there (the journey is as important as the destination), I enjoyed camping out, I enjoyed the dinners and Erik's band, I enjoyed riding in the Kettle Moraine area, I even enjoyed the time at Road America. If the 2006 Homecoming is exactly the same as 2005 I'll probably go. But there is always room for improvement! | ||
| CJXB |
If you just want to talk with people, go to Sturgis and drink beer. Not my kind of people !!  Koz, you weren't even there !?? I'm telling you all that may make "you" happy, but there will still be complainers and those who are unhappy, even if they didn't attend the event they will complain !! CJ  | ||
| Eor |
If anyone is taking suggestions, I'd rather hear Erik and the Thunderbolts than Elton John. | ||
| M2me |
CJ, I think you're missing Koz's point. There is a monthly gathering of motorcycles just five blocks from where I live. Hanging out in the parking lot, BSing, etc. and I almost never go to that. It's that what the Buell Homecoming should be? Can't there be more "real activities"? I see your point that any event is what you make of it but why are you so vitriol towards change of any kind? I'm just kidding, CJ! You're a super nice person! I've just wanted to use the word "vitriol" lately for some reason. Now I've finally done it! | ||
| Court |
Cool....keep talking....I'm writing.....my calendar's marked for next year....make sure your's is. | ||
| Koz5150 |
Considering the only event that actually involved skilled riding was the battle trax, will leave the event off my calander for next year if it is the same setup. BUELL MANAGEMENT, please check out how an event like the Jeep Jamboree is run and take notes! I would still stop by to say hi, like I did this year, but if posed with the choice of a track day for $135 or the BRAG evet for $100, I will do the track day again next year. I think people will pay more money to get more from the event. You just have to offer something interesting. Give us something we can't get anywhere else (motorcycle related). The coolest thing about the 20th was the tour of the original "Buell factory". The history lesson was pretty cool. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Court... Building something would be cool as well, given the warped nature of the average Bueller. Just brainstorming here.... but here are some thoughts... 1) Partner with an elve and work some of the line. 2) Test mule teardown and rebuild (even if classroom type format, but there has gotta be a real bike there somewhere). 3) Live bike hopup, with test rides after the fact on the bike just hopped up. 4) Junkyard wars / battlebots type contests. Could not be that elaborate, but could be a lot of fun. Even if each team has to pay $50 for a "contest kit" that includes an radio controlled car, chainsaw, whatever  . Better yet, make the rules say "it has to be built with stuff from the local wal mart". 5) Stories from the road... bring in Ferris, AW Prior, yourself etc (or people of their ilk), set up an laptop projector in a comfortable room, and have them give trip reports. Have a bunch scheduled. 6) Anyone ever tried to talk Steve A into coming? I would *LOVE* to hear him give a talk. About anything. Other journalists would be fine as well, so long as they actually knew what the hell they were talking about. John Burns and Kevin Cameron spring to mind. (Message edited by reepicheep on June 08, 2005) | ||
| Mikej |
"If you just want to talk with people, go to Sturgis and drink beer. " Funny, if I ever get to Sturgis during the bike event it will be to see the bikes, not to talk to people. Jeep Jamborees are cool though. I probably should have never sold my CJ2A. But then there's no Rubicon here in Wisc (the trail, not the city ) so it would have just rusted into nothing. "If anyone is taking suggestions, I'd rather hear Erik and the Thunderbolts than Elton John." I hear that. During the HD 100th I sat outside the fence looking at the lake from the park while listening to Steppenwolf, had a much better time than most who were inside the fence on the final night. "1) Partner with an elve and work some of the line. " I'll go one better than that, how about building your own bike? 5 people get to win a contest and build their own bike as it goes down the assembly line. Has anything like that ever been done before? "Cool....keep talking....I'm writing.....my calendar's marked for next year....make sure your's is." Speaking of penciling in the calender, has the 2006 date been set yet????? | ||
| Bomber |
OK, since no one else will bite (figuratively speaking), I'll step up and volenteer to lead some local (Holy Hill, Kettle), or not so local (Wildcat Mtn, PdC) rides . . . and, although I'm far from the most talented fabricator and modifier on the board, I'll also give a presentation on "This Old Buell," how to mod, hack, and otherwise abuse a perfectly innocent motorcyle to the point where it fit no one on the planet but me . . . . . I'm thinkin it'll be a whole lot easier if we don't just lob grenades over the cube walls and wait for others to do it for us, but show the willingness to rollour own to an extent |
