| Author |
Message |
    
Tpoppa
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 12, 2010 - 02:36 pm: | 
|
Honestly, I am less interested in funding and more interested in the method of distribution...IE the dealer network.
I'm sure mistakes of the previous dealer network won't be repeated. |
Dannybuell
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 12, 2010 - 02:41 pm: |
|
Buellerandy - the bullet holes were a veiled reference to a certain oil state ex-president and our current situation in the ME.
In 1963 the situation was the same, an oil state president in VN.
In America politics is the bridge that leads to financial success.
(Message edited by dannybuell on October 12, 2010) |
Buellerandy
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 12, 2010 - 04:17 pm: |
|
I was gonna ask yah about the holes lol. |
Nattyx1
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 12, 2010 - 04:42 pm: |
|
I think he'd be better off with some deep pocket individual who "gets" racing than a big corp like BRP etc.
People who come to mind include:
Roger Penske
Chip Ganassi
Michael Jordan |
Stirz007
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 12, 2010 - 05:30 pm: |
|
Natty MJ might be good call. Maybe he's looking for a better marriage than Suzuki. Hmmm. |
Froggy
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 12, 2010 - 06:09 pm: |
|
quote:Honestly, I am less interested in funding and more interested in the method of distribution...IE the dealer network.
Right from the horses mouth:
quote:“Distribution: I know people are interested in buying, but I’m not going to sell direct, I’m going to go with some body, but until I know what my final cost structure is, I can’t take orders. So it’s better for me not to talk too much about it, then I get deluged and with this little team I just can’t spend the time answering the phone. When it’s done it’ll really be done, it will really be legal, there will really be a dealer network.”
Good stuff  |
Reepicheep
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 12, 2010 - 06:09 pm: |
|
(off topic)
I've been slowly working my way through many many old podcasts Steve, and enjoying every one of them! Keep up the good work!
(on topic) |
Nattyx1
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 12, 2010 - 06:24 pm: |
|
on topic:
I suggested MJordan not because I think he's sick of Suzuki, but rather because I thought the idea of creating a fresh new thing and owning a chunk of it (as the $ behind the manufacturing/distribution, etc) might be appealing to the guy who already has a bit of everything. Same for those other guys.
Off Topic:
Reep: THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 |
Bott
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 12, 2010 - 06:49 pm: |
|
apple- The ibike  |
Dnlink
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 12, 2010 - 08:08 pm: |
|
Just read the Hell for Leather article that Froggy linked. Good to see him back but it looks like 99.995% of us have bought our last E.B. built bike. |
Court
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 12, 2010 - 09:28 pm: |
|
>>>Maybe he's looking for a better marriage than Suzuki.
Particularly after Suzuki bitch slapped MJ a couple years ago telling him "you don't have enough money to buy them" when he tried to buy the same parts the factory teams have.
>>>it looks like 99.995% of us have bought our last E.B. built bike.
That'd be an inaccurate statement. |
Kenm123t
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 12, 2010 - 10:06 pm: |
|
I ll buy one we have tubers to fuel framers. Lost a Fine S2t I ll have another. |
Stirz007
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 12, 2010 - 10:22 pm: |
|
Nat - my angle on the MJ deal is in line with Court. I think Erik Buell Racing would be happy to support/collaborate with someone like MJ (unlike Suzuki, who made it quite difficult for MJ until he made a stink about it - he, like EB, HAS the balls to to fight back).
I'd be a bit surprised if the EB/MJ conversation hasn't already happened - If not, someone on here (you know who you are) may have the stroke to float that idea out there to the relevant parties ??...I think that would be a mutually beneficial deal - but what do I know? |
Court
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 12, 2010 - 10:29 pm: |
|
Someday remind me to tell you what (at least now) is a hilarious story in that regard.
|
Twobuells
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 12, 2010 - 11:03 pm: |
|
|
Tpoppa
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 13, 2010 - 09:02 am: |
|
CAN AM, BRP would make the most sense, especially since they have the rights to the 1125 motor. Their dealer network would also be a good starting point for the 1190RS. However, the next higher volume/lower priced Erik Buell Racing machine really needs to be sold alongside Ducati, Triumph, Aprilia, etc. |
Court
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 13, 2010 - 09:55 am: |
|
Imagine that you knew nothing of Buell history and ONLY that Erik Buell was a talented engineer with a proven record of success and a ton of designs that had never seen the light of day.
You goal is not to return to the faux security of simply where you were two years ago.
What would you do if you had the talent, vision, resources and could do ANYTHING?
Think big. |
Jdugger
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 13, 2010 - 10:07 am: |
|
> Think big.
Build a time machine, go back 40 years, and kick Wandell square in the nuts? |
Reepicheep
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 13, 2010 - 10:18 am: |
|
quote:Just read the Hell for Leather article that Froggy linked. Good to see him back but it looks like 99.995% of us have bought our last E.B. built bike.
I read that interview exactly the opposite way. You won't buy one next year unless you are really rich, or want to win AMA Superbike.
But everything else in the article seemed to point to racing being the crucible that helps you make incredible street bikes.
I fully expect that there will be a $10k to $12k Erik Buell Racing street bike waiting for me before I can wear out my Uly. |
Reepicheep
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 13, 2010 - 10:26 am: |
|
In terms of thinking big... I can buy a Saturn Vue with a Honda V6 motor. I can buy a PT Cruiser with a Saab powertrain.
Why couldn't we turn it around? Why couldn't Erik Buell Racing Racing be a "free agent" design and engineering firm, and have the actual bike manufactured under a mutually beneficial contract by BRP? Or anyone else?
And why on earth stand up your own parts distribution inventory and distribution system when companies like Dennis Kirk are just sitting out there with all your infrastructure built and all your problems solved?
I've had Kawaskis, Suzukis, Hondas, Yamahas, and Buells in pieces and spread through my garage at different times. I've been deep into the motor and chassis of all of them. It is amazing how much they are the same, not just the same footprint, but virtually the same parts.
Manufacturing is a commodity market now, and getting more so every day. So is retail and sales. Erik Buell Racing ought to be a design, engineering, and maybe project management company. |
Hootowl
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 13, 2010 - 10:33 am: |
|
"Build a time machine, go back 40 years, and kick Wandell square in the nuts?"
I'd go back and kick his father square in the nuts |
Dannybuell
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 13, 2010 - 11:00 am: |
|
Reepicheep On your 5 points:
1 Do they use the same parts or is wanting Saab to start making PT Cruiser's??
2 Design and Engineering only. +1
3 Outsourced Distribution. +1
4 similarities and common bits = outsourced Parts. +1
5 mfg commodity market. +1
All eb needs now is about 50 to 100 dealers and an equal or greater number of enthusiastic sales people? |
Jng1226
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 13, 2010 - 11:05 am: |
|
Manufacturing is a commodity market now, and getting more so every day. So is retail and sales. Erik Buell Racing ought to be a design, engineering, and maybe project management company.
Great points. Lotus was very successful at this for years before coming back out with innovative vehicles under their brand, and they still use Toyota engines in their entire lineup today. |
Court
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 13, 2010 - 01:11 pm: |
|
>>>I fully expect that there will be a $10k to $12k Erik Buell Racing street bike waiting for me before I can wear out my Uly.
You can neither drive a car nor a dream successfully looking in the rear view mirror.
Erik Buell is looking ahead . . . and like a pilot learns after his first botched landing . . . you don't look where you want the wheels to hit the runway . . you look at the far end . . . see the big picture.
To really understand where Erik, in my personal opinion, is heading . . . don't waste a lot of time rummaging around in the past. His goal is not to fight, sacrifice and bust his ass to get where he was 2 years ago.
He's got a chance to start with a perfectly clean slate, a stellar reputation and proven work product. Think about how things COULD be.
Harley-Davidson has a lot of patents for historical stuff. While some would be pleasant to have access to . . . . I'd wager their is not a piece their that would be a deal breaker if it were unavailable.
These are exciting times and the time to do something historic and excellent.
Big companies. like red heads, sometimes make better friends than bedmates. |
Dannybuell
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 13, 2010 - 04:09 pm: |
|
Court: Can't designs be 'improved on' and or vary to some degree to avoid IP and patent issues? |
Jdugger
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 13, 2010 - 04:35 pm: |
|
The technicalities of patent infringement are realistically unimportant.
Here's how IP works:
As long as the patent and the accused infringer are within a country mile or so of each other, it's whoever can sustain litigation the longest that wins.
Seriously. You can design a product specifically around patents to no infringe, but if it's in the same space, if the patent owner has the means to litigate, you better have more money and much better lawyers than they do, because you are about to be shut down and run out of business. |
Dannybuell
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 13, 2010 - 05:43 pm: |
|
Jdugger - I thought so. A new design to avoid HD and any other patent holders would then be the most probable direction. |
Reepicheep
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 13, 2010 - 06:37 pm: |
|
I spend a lot of time with corporate lawyers, and there is another big element in play, and that is public relations and discovery.
My guess is, at this moment, that most HD lawyers would rather put their hand in a blender than be in some huge court fight with Erik Buell over a patent that he got for the company, and wants to license, but that he won't give him rights to use. It would bring far too light in an area where they look far too stupid.
And in terms of discovery, there are more than likely other bodies buried in that dark corner that they REALLY don't want lights shone on...
My guess is that they will work it out. |
Snackbar64
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 13, 2010 - 07:47 pm: |
|
He is still using the 1125 for his benefit now with Erik Buell Racing. Why would Harley even allow that much if they are not in agreement with him going off on his own? Why did Harley even allow the development of variations if that bike which he is currently selling to privateer racers? Just curious. |
Twobuells
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 13, 2010 - 08:21 pm: |
|
My opinion BRP has a lot of the same goals and design principles as Erik Buell Racing. BRP goals are to build the most powerful best handling ATV’s, Snowmobiles, and watercraft in every class. Can-am is sure winning a lot of races and championships. My Can-am ATV has a BRP Logo on the Front and Back. It’s the parent Company of Can-am. Can-am dominated Motocross for a few years in the 1970’s. Can-am is dominating ATV racing now. I’d like to see Erik Buell Racing designed Can-am Road Race bikes compete in the AMA/DMR Classes. Also Erik Buell Racing designed dirt bikes racing in Supercross, Motocross and kick HD’s ass in Dirt Track Racing.
For the Street:
Race bike for the Street (1190RS) for the horsepower junkies
Naked Streetfighter and Sport touring version of the 1190
Adventure bike for the Adventure bike riders
Motocross Racer
A Dirt Track Racer
A Dual sport version of the MX Racer
I can dream.... |
1125rcya
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 13, 2010 - 09:06 pm: |
|
I like the Michael Jordan ideal... American funding of an American dream, and M.J. wouldn't be so adamant on his thought and concept of this machine...It would be like Erik Go' s Wild! |
Betzy
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 13, 2010 - 10:01 pm: |
|
“I can’t quit, I feel that it’s important. Every little story like this is important for our country right now. You’ve got to be hopeful and work really, really, really had. There’s no easy road anymore. But so what? Working hard is OK. I’m excited.”
Direct quote from Article, read it!!!
Me too Erik!
Good words Court, I'm on the same page. |
Court
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 13, 2010 - 10:43 pm: |
|
It'll all work out fine . . .Erik, unlike Court sometimes, is smart enough not to engage a mega-corp with hundreds of lawyers in a legal battle.
I suspect things will work out nicely. |
Pizzaboy
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 13, 2010 - 11:29 pm: |
|
I always enjoy your positive out look and delightful point of view, court! While others are like chicken little saying the sky is falling and come up with spectacular theories, you are calm, collected and controllably excited about what will happen in the future!
Thanks, court!
I still hope to meet both you and Erik one day! |
|
