I'm not sure if it's smart business or over-reacting. Regardless, the Big 3 could take some hints as to how other companies control costs. Maybe sell a company jet or two?
All these companies are making matters worse. The economy is built on confidence. Stupid cuts like this only rattle consumers. There's no way in hell that the money this rally costs Honda to put on is gonna make or break them.
Doesn't make sense to scare your customers into not spending any money.
Perhaps they are not in as good a shape as you may expect, union or non union, they are a forign co and as I understand it Japan is in as bad or worse shape than we are.
so lets tell everyone that was going to come to town, spend money, stay a couple of nights, "dont come, we dont want your money" geez I wonder if Sturgis is next....
I live fifteen miles away. I would rather just send a check to a few of the vendors and hotel people than attend again. Last year the Buell test ride folks didn't even attend.
Me and buddy drove from New York to Tennessee to pick up a Pontiac 455 he won on Ebay. It was a non-stop trip, and when it was time to find a room for a couple hours of sleep, somewhere around this Honda Hoot hoopla is where we ended up trying to look. We must have stopped at over a dozen hotels, motels and inns, EVERYTHING was booked, lots FULL of Hondas.
I could care less if it gets cancelled. What a headache that was!
Sure you will... Lake George, NY the first week of June!
I do Americade every year, but the slow-riding Goldwings are the WOSRT part. I don't know why some of these even enjoy motorcycling at the pace they go, lol.
Xl1200r: Now you know how that Korean family in the microbus felt in South Dakota a few Augusts ago. I think they ended up sleeping in a parking lot somewhere in their bus...
Once upon a time, the Hoot offered demo rides from most of the major players- as of the most recent Hoot, the other guys were chased off for the most part- mebbe Triumph and Aprilia did demos, but that's about it.
It had been quite successful, well attended and well received by the city of Knoxville- but to me, since it moved from Asheville, it had become too homogenous.
Bottom line is that it has been a popular, successful and well-attended event, a thrifty way for many folks to take a vacation and get some great riding done. I think it's shortsighted and unfortunate for them to cancel the Hoot- sure, it costs $$$ for Honda (actually Honda Riders Club) to put it on, but it's kinda like cancelling Easter or Xmas because it costs money to do it.
Poor decision, IMHO.
(Message edited by 86129squids on December 22, 2008)
+1 Spidey. I doubt anything like that would spontaneously happen with a bunch of Honda riders- takes more kewlness in a bunch of nutty folks like us to do what you mentioned.
What you described points to a GLARINGLY idiotic, and reprehensible attitude in marketing at the Mothership towards Buell.
For the life of me I cannot understand why H-D won't embrace the history of Buell as its own. Why can't they talk it up, emphasize the fact that Erik worked for them as an engineer way back when, and build the image of Buell as the badass backroads brawling brudder that nobody knows about?
They are so paranoid about Buell cannibalizing the LEAST bit of market share away from the pitiable Sportsters that they have become blind and insular as to the marketing potential of these modern, marvelous machines with H-D DNA in their hearts.
I'm still chapped about this, ever since I posed the question to Flickinger last March. Mebbe the changing of the guard at the top of H-D (Zeimer leaving) will allow a more enlightened approach to this issue.
Yes. There was to be no 2007 Homecoming either to accrue funds for the 25th.
The folks at Buell listened and responded to owners ideas, wants and needs.
It's part of what makes it so darned special. Couple with the enthusiasm of Buell owners, since the day there were less than a dozen in the USA, it's always a fun time.
I am a member of the Honda Riders Group, wonder how they will explain this one away. The Hoot was a big event. You would think by now, they would have it offset with vendor money and fees from the attendees.....rex