| Author | Message | ||
     Hughlysses |
January 2, 2015- Pop-up for special discounts on 1190RX and SX that ends 31 December 2014 still comes up. All data on motorcycles is for 2014 models. WSBK race team page still shows Aaron Yates and Geoff May. Maybe most of the engineers are working on something other than new EBR motorcycles, but they don't have a webmaster who could take a couple of hours out once a month to keep their webpage current?  | ||
| Xb9er |
I agree. I think their whole marketing plan lacks. Sometimes I wonder if the motorcycle business is just a side job and their main concern is being a 3rd party engineering firm. | ||
| Bob_thompson |
Because of their connection with Hero 49% of their work should be and probably is engineering for the largest investors, Hero. With that said we all know what kind of racer Erik has been and just how competitive he is. He, himself is probably more interested in the racing part of the business. Its in his DNA. Still they really should keep up their web page for our investment also. We DO buy the bikes, give encouragement and support. Bob | ||
| Snacktoast |
Geez, the sale according to the banner, expired 2 days ago. They were probably closed yesterday. If it were a month old, I'd understand your gripe. Maybe you can cut them just a touch of slack on this one. | ||
| Buelliedan |
Most of the EBR employees have been off since Dec 24th and they will return on Monday the 5th. One of the few times they are able to take off due to all the new things they are working on. Yes please cut them a little slack as it is a well deserved break for many of them. | ||
| Hughlysses |
I'm certainly glad for everybody at EBR to get a few days off at Christmas. I don't have a big grief with the banner, but shouldn't it have been fairly easy to set it up initially to stop displaying after a certain date? It's not really clear if there ARE 2015 EBR models, but I'd think anything built after ~October 2014 would be designated a 2015. We know they at least changed the clutch setup to reduce the lever effort. They also showed a new color combo (silver/gray with red wheels) at the AIMExpo. Wouldn't that be worth showing? The WSBK team changes were announced over a month ago. I don't think any changes have been made to that section of the page since the WSBK initial effort was announced. It's not like it would take a monumental effort to keep this stuff up (I've managed several webpages myself so I do have some idea of the effort). | ||
| Court |
No one at EBR has anything, other than contributing info, to do with the mechanics. | ||
| Hughlysses |
Well, the pop-up page seems to be gone; maybe somebody's paying attention? | ||
| 1313 |
Most of the EBR employees have been off since Dec 24th and they will return on Monday the 5th. The parking lot at EBR was quite packed this morning when I stopped by to attempt to chip in towards the Henry Duga memorial at Daytona. I'm not going to say everyone was there because: 1. I have no idea. 2. I couldn't get in - so apparently Donna has some well-deserved time off or maybe I was just there too early for reception. But there were quite a few vehicles in the parking lot - including a Firebolt. Looks like I'll just have to mail in my donation, although I really would've liked to see some more old friends while I'm in town for the holidays... But back to the real point of all this - is EBR a continuation of "Erik's Racing 'hobby'" or is it a real, live, world class motorcycle manufacturer? I know the above words appear to be harsh, but I am as pro-anything related to any of Erik Buell's creations as anyone can be, so this is not an attempt to bash EBR. Just me sounding off, proclaiming WTF (outside of me speaking to myself). Unfortunately, that seems to be a pattern... I understand that others can have a better approach at something, but I'm still waiting for the light bulb to light up in response to EBR's marketing plans... Maybe I should go back to being my normal, quiet self? 1313 | ||
| Xb9er |
I'm sure someone at EBR has the duty of monitoring and pushing new info to the web designer. Right? EBR may be the small guy in the big game, but they're in the big game. Buell usually had the next model year up in July...I think. I could have just made that up too, but I think they did. | ||
| Hughlysses |
Christopher- no, you remember that correctly. It was usually a Friday in July. On more than one occasion, I can remember sitting at the computer at ~6 AM hitting the refresh button repeatedly until the new stuff showed up. It just seems very peculiar that the descendant of the company that invented internet motorcycle marketing (based on what Court's posted here on several occasions) would be fairly lax about maintaining their website ~20 years later. | ||
| Court |
>>>but I'm still waiting for the light bulb to light up in response to EBR's marketing plans... Brankin . . . I'm with you. I think it's simply . . . in the midst of tremendous confusion of MANY, some motorcycle, projects going on of the right hand and the left hand not communicating very well. Buell has never done a website. The original one, that was one (I think the first) of the first for any wheeled vehicle in the world, was done by Brent Plumber. In fact, that's where those of us who started Badweb met . . . was on his discussion forum on Motorcycle.com Harley-Davidson handled the Buell website after taking it over in-house and did a fine job. We tried doing it ourselves when the "group of 5" was starting EBR but . . .about the time we started adding a store and so forth . . . it spun silly out of control and an outside firm (a damn good one) was called in. The first effort was a volunteer friend of one of Erik's kids who was pretty tough to find most the time. The site is excellent now . . in terms of being on par with the "big boys" but I'd be willing to take that bet about someone, an EBR fluent person, being tasked with pushing info to the web team. Someone should be maintaining a calendar of upcoming dates and changes that need to roll out with dates and times assigned. In the past, folks have e-mailed me, I e-mailed the guy doing it and we did the band-aid thing early. I'm rooting . . like Brankin . . for the home team. But I think now that the focus has shifted toward Engineering (a change I would defend based on the financial reality and now, with folks coming from other firms, other places and so forth that it's tougher to carry on the old passion when the folks designing, engineering, building, marketing and shipping Buells owned and rode Buells. Hiring a marketing team from KTM brought experience but, and this is only a guess . . .perhaps not the passion that once lived in East Troy. The folks I talked to today were sorry they had to have their cars in that parking lot and that they didn't get the "we're taking some time off to relax" memo, I'm joining you Brankin . . . .. Here's hoping for a spectacular 2015. Court | ||
| Xb9er |
No doubt that the website is hands down beautiful and easy to use; however, I would really like to see the the 2015 colors up on the site with an archive page to prior years. WE know our EBR's well but someone new may not and they deserve the opportunity to get up to speed on what 2015 has to offer without having to reach out to a forum and data mine information. All of this is just my opinion. Marketing is what I study, so it's easy for me to see a "flaw" and want to correct it. I mean absolutely no harm or hostility. I'm always looking for ways to make things better, especially when it comes to subjects I love; marketing and American motorcycles. | ||
| Court |
By the way . .. there are some HILARIOUS stories about the first Buell Motorcycle Company website. It was an incredible website and, at the time the ONLY motorcycle company to have a website. Buell launched in October 1996, Harley-Davidson followed suite in February 1997 and just about a year later, to the day after Buell, Honda launched a website. The first 2 weeks of the Buell website were harrowing . . . owners, in fact anyone, had the ability to e-mail right into us. In addition when Buell rolled out a "owner discussion" area (it lived about 36 hours) and the Harley-Davidson folks figured owners could TALK BACK . . . . they nearly engorged the folks at Buell. About February 1997, I got called to a "secret" meeting held at an undisclosed site (held at http://www.iccmilwaukee.com/main.html) to discuss something that would be revolutionary. I sat in meetings, representing Buell, for a week. I then went back to the office (the famous tailer that refused to leave and possibly represents the longest East Troy building code violation in history) and spent 2 weeks prepping. Following that, I was on the road for a month . . a week at Daytona, a week doing testing at Willow Springs (which thrilled the HD folks when I showed up astride a Ducati on a magazine cover) and then I went to Boston to met with the fine folks of Cambridge Technologies (with whom I am still on touch) and we did an amazing thing over the course of 10 consecutive 20 hours days. That's right, we broke from 2am until 6am. Every night I corresponded with Erik and swapped faxes about what we were doing . . . if we pulled this off it would be revolutionary. It would change the way a vehicle manufacturer interfaced with it's customers. The final presentation was video taped when we rolled the work product out to a couple of select HD exec who'd flown in, as well as my own dealer Mike Patterson, who I flew in from Topeka (they were/are the world's most decorated HD dealership) for dealer perspective and credibility. The presentation was amazing. Rough behind the scenes, but amazing from the theatre seats. The night it was off to the Harvard Faculty Club for a formal dinner and to share the video with some colleagues. I got a little unwanted attention was select3ed from the crowd to dance with one of the Harvard Choraliers who came to entertain us. It was about a week later that I got the call . . "quick, get on a plane and get to San Francisco". I did. When I arrived I was told to go buy a white polo shirt, khaki slacks and black shoes . . .Dudley Perkins had a Buell waiting for my use. I was to collect it and be at the Cow Palace by 5:00pm. Woz (A Buell legend) picked me up at the hotel and drove me to Perkins. I got the red S1 and rode to the Cow Palace where I met the Security folks. I started to walk the bike through the catacombs under the Cow Palace and the guy said "might as well ride it" . . . walkabout a trip. While I was waiting I met Bill Gates. I was going to be doing a 5 minute speech, ahead of his. I was to ride the S1 onto the stage, dismount and speak for 5 minutes on Buell's leading technology. Gates was in a holding areas, a tent city set up just for him and his entourage. When we were introduced, I didn't miss the chance to say "Gates? . .that's familiar. Who do you work for?" I did my deal and Woz and I stood outside, following gates speech and explained Buell and the S1 to a lot of curious folks from around the world. Well. . . about the next week . . the shit hit the fan and HD nixed the entire program and destroyed everything. I had the foresight to keep all the files, faxes, correspondence, 2 of the 2' binder books and videos. This was the first time I'd ever seen HD squash something to keep Buell from having something that would make HD look "behind Buell". The idea behind the entire thing was that a much smaller Buell had a far great capacity to take some lumps as it learned this new discipline. It was made a mistake it was cheap and easy to correct. Screw up 100,000 Sportsters . . you got a problem. In fact, that's the reason the recalls, that some seem to think were such a big deal, were . . in fact . . not nearly the magnitude many impinge. The fill story of the recalls . . well, that's another story for another time. Anyway . . . as has been pointed out . . . . I am not a dealer (although 2 years before I went to work for Buell HD was flying me to all the dealer meetings, as well as flying me to Washington to represent HD at the NFL Players Association, also . .through a weird series of events, as Brankin may recall, I had a key to the factory) so I'll have to confess to not having the inside track and will defer to dealers. My version . . . . will likely be in the next book. Or perhaps a dealer will write the next book. :-)    | ||
| Xb9er |
It's amazing how HD had no issues about stifling Buell. Heaven forbid they want to make money. Love the shots of the old website and yes I set one as my desktop background. | ||
| Classax |
Well someone is listening, since the sale banner popup is gone. | ||
| Hughlysses |
Well someone is listening, since the sale banner popup is gone. It came down later in the same day as I started this thread. | ||
| Badgerbueller1125 |
This is worth a shot right? EBR/Agencys need an employee? I'm local and currently work at H-D corporate in their marketing dept. Send me a PM if you are looking for help. | ||
| Dualbuells |
Badger your most direct approach would be to go to the EBR web site; check out the "careers" section at the top header! Just sayin, better off there than this forum!  | ||
| Badgerbueller1125 |
I know I know. I'm not at all desperately looking for a job I was just throwing it out there. | ||
| Court |
The role that's presently crying out to be filled would be less technical and more practical. Corporations need to be mindful that the public facing website is their primary link to the world. Many buyers, myself included, never see Facebook (who'd membership is dropping like a rock) or Twitter. Ditto for commercial interests such as potential investors, vendors and business partners. Someone needs to scan ALL the pages daily asking is this information:
A stale website is worse than no website. The instant problem results from 2 things, those being resources (the current nearly 200 EBR employees are working their asses on other, many unrelated to anything you or I will ever see, projects) and knowledge (It has to be someone who knows the difference between and S1 and an M2. Be mindful that MOST the current EBR employees came from other companies and are less than fluent in speaking "Buell") They did a smart thing . . . .even if they did it way late . . when they finally bit the bullet and spent the big bucks to go back to the firm that HD had booted. Marc and his crew are amazing, artistic and fresh. They are to advertising what EBR is to motorcycles, it's a good marriage. But . . someone needs to play the role like the center in an NBA game . . constantly scanning the market, the products, the dealers, the events and the opportunities. A website is a place for sharing NEWS, not discussions. It should have great value. If I am a proactive buyer I should be able to quickly learn about the companies products, background, events, history and how to do business with the firm. If I am an owner, I should be able to, through a secure portal, see the complete history of my bike, have access to the most up-to--date copy of the Owner's Manual, Parts Manual and Service Manual and Wiring Diagrams for MY specific motorcycle. If I am an owner I should be able to order ANYTHING by going to the companies website, opening the catalog on it, clicking on it, paying for it and selecting a call or a text from the dealer when it arrives at the dealers. Events should reflect opportunities for me to interface with the company in the near, next 60 days, future. There should be details about races, how to get there, how to get tickets and if there will, or will not, be any organized opportunities for owners. Company media campaigns should be showcased and the information kept current There should always be something to look forward to. Ford doesn't give away any secrets but they always feature a "Future Products" area on their product website. Their logic, which seems sound, is that the information (say on the wildly new F150 or 2015 Mustang) is going to be leaked anyway . . why not use it to our benefit. If I were EBR I wouldn't feature any future products but I would go back to the once ever 6 weeks . . "a peek behind the curtain" to showcase an engineer, EBR employee or fascinating project. Trust me, if you saw what an EBR product/vendor support person does in a day (one of the folks like Dave Gess) you would be amazed beyond your wildest expectations. These things make incredibly interesting stories without spilling the beans on confidential plans . . . the key is to engage prospects and keep them engaged. I, like most of you, checked the EBR website daily. Then when I saw the "NEWS" was ordinarily outdated and stale, I pretty much check once a month or so. It's a big deal and, be it sooner or later, it'll be a key factor in the firms ability to attract future capital and move ahead. | ||
| Hughlysses |
A stale website is worse than no website. YES! Court- I really hope they're headed towards what you suggested above. | ||
| Hughlysses |
Well, a few things have been changed at EBR.com in the last couple of weeks. A new pop-up with the new 2015 sales promotion's been added ($4k off 2014 1190RX's and $2k off 2014 1190SX's), and more recently the race team section's been updated: http://www.erikbuellracing.com/race-team/ |
