| Author | Message | ||
     Garyt |
Great news ... https://www.erikbuellracing.com/wp-content/uploads /2016/02/PressRelease01292016.jpg http://www.noozlee.com/post/5/ | ||
| Etennuly |
So if I am reading it correctly Erik and his team will be at the helm with new corporate owners? I hope so, and hope that all goes well. And again, I would like to thank them for designing building the fine XB platform bikes that I still enjoy so much. | ||
| Hughlysses |
Check the "EBR and Buell in the News" sub-forum for more info on this. What's known is that Liquid Assets Partners (LAP) bought the remaining pieces of EBR at the auction last month. Normally, LAP liquidates companies they buy (sell off all the pieces), but they say they would like for EBR to remain intact and resume producing motorcycles and they are willing to work to find the right buyer and help them pull this off. I've seen mixed signals. Erik says they are "planning" to resume production building 2016 models starting next month. Some people here say "planning" doesn't mean they'll actually begin building motorcycles unless a buyer is lined up. Others say it looks like LAP is going to let EBR start building motorcycles next month while a new buyer is lined up. I guess we find out what happens next month. We know there were a bunch of EBR bikes (supposedly 350 or so) sitting in the factory when it was closed. Some bikes were complete while others were nearly complete. A crew of a few people could finish those nearly complete bikes pretty easily. Oh yea, EBR will be at the Chicago International Motorcycle show this coming weekend. Apparently EBR paid for the booth before they closed and LAP figured this was a good opportunity to market the bikes and the company. | ||
| Crempel |
Here we go again.....The only way this will work is if a big player (perhaps like Polaris/Victory) would see fit to acquire EBR as their performance arm. Just another attempt at an under-capitalized independent venture is futile. IMHO. After this many failed attempts, no motorcycle buyer in their right mind would be willing to part with the kind of money that the new bikes are on the "hope" that the company will be there in 5 years. I know I sure wouldn't. I can also use the responses or lack thereof to this thread as a pretty good gauge. This website should be preachin' to the choir, but in 3 days, barely a reaction. Yeah, I know it's winter, but still. I think a lot of former choir members have resigned themselves to the facts as they appear. I know back a few years when Indian was changing owners every 2 weeks, I grew tired of even reading about it in the magazines. I would be willing to bet that this is also happening outside of our choir room. Fewer and fewer people could give a sheet. If Polaris suddenly came on board, I would regain my interest, but I have no reason to believe they do. | ||
| Motorbike |
Crempel, I agree 100%. I learned a lesson when I purchased my 08 XB12XT right after Buell was shut down. Everyone was saying not to worry as H-D would supply parts for 7 years minimum and that seemed like a long time, especially since I have never owned any bike more than 4 years. Well, that 7 years has already come. This leaves me in a dilemma because I really like this bike and have no intentions of getting rid of it, at least until I can no longer get parts. With all that said, I guess I will never buy another vehicle from a company that is no longer in existence. Lesson learned. Even if I could afford it, I would never consider an EBR bike now and I have sympathy for those who currently own one. Very unlikely to ever become a collector's item either, in my opinion of course. | ||
| Froggy |
You clearly didn't see the many other threads regarding this, including the one in the News section with 156 posts on it http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/253 912/777226.html?1455054358 Motorbike, I have an 1190SX, and it is a fantastic motorcycle. No need to feel sympathy, I will keep enjoying riding mine, hopefully I'll do a trackday or two on it this season as its been a while since I've done one. The parts distribution system for it is better in my experience than Harley's. Most EBR parts are handled by Parts Unlimited, they seem to get stuff to my EBR dealer faster than my Buell dealer gets stuff for my Ulysses. | ||
| Ourdee |
If I had the funds, I'd buy one today. I have to fix a coolant leak and the electric windows on my liberty right now. Then plan on trading it in on an old Sprinter. Priorities bite. Collectors item? If this world sticks around they surely will be. I keep thinking there is another smaller machine getting ready or already ready for release. How would you react to a 250cc machine that could keep up with everything under 1000cc. Most of us aren't posting because it would seam like a repost. Come to HC2016 and we will go peek in the windows at EBR, maybe see the old man himself. | ||
| Hughlysses |
^ Erik will be at the EBR booth at the Chicago IMS tonight if you want to see him sooner than that. | ||
| Ourdee |
I can wait.  | ||
| Hughlysses |
Erik was there. According to "Chicago" on the BuellXB forum, the EBR guys said EBR motorcycle production WILL resume next month.  | ||
| Ourdee |
 | ||
| Crempel |
Froggy, you're right, I did not see the other threads. But I don't think that has changed my thoughts at all. Buell/EBR is viewed as being an uncertain entity, at best, by the general populace of the motorcycling world, much like Indian was until the Polaris takeover. We on this forum, are absolutely the choir, but many of our members have decided to move on. Ourdee says he would buy one, but a manufacturer needs oodles of people clamoring to buy their stuff, not just a few die hard fans. As to your statement about the parts availability on your EBR, I cannot see how you can have so much confidence that it will remain good for any significant period of time. Parts Unlimited certainly doesn't manufacture the parts, so if EBR doesn't make it back, where do you think they will come from? I can't envision an aftermarket manufacturer having much interest in starting up production since the sales volume would be too low. What am I missing here? I have never even seen an EBR in person, never mind ridden one, but I have no doubt it is an excellent motorcycle. Unfortunately, in the world of business, a good product is no guarantee of success. I am a fan of Erik's bikes, and I hope that somehow he gets another shot. But every time there is a bit of excitement followed by a fizzle, the chances of pulling it off decrease. The press release states that "Liquid Asset Partners is actively reviewing options for a qualified individual or company to acquire or finance the motorcycle business and take it to the next level." That sounds like a long way from a long term plan or commitment to me. However, people who run these venture capital type companies generally don't get to where they are in life/business by being the dumbest people in the room. What I see here is a company who realizes that an operating company will be easier to sell than a dormant/dead one. And they're almost certainly right about that. My guess is that they have a plan in mind and maybe a potential buyer. These types of people don't like to take long shot risks. They wouldn't be doing it if they thought their chances of ROI were slim. In the end, none of us know what will happen, but all of us can hope for the best. As of this point, I personally would not have enough confidence to show it with my wallet. YMMV Go to LiquidAP.com and tell me what your confidence level is. Seriously. Thus endenth the Monday rant. Amen. (Message edited by crempel on February 15, 2016) | ||
| Hughlysses |
Here's some very interesting info from the show posted by "Solar Flare" to the EBR 1190 Owner's Facebook group. He spoke with Ed Laben, Director of Sourcing for EBR at EBR's booth at the Chicago IMS. The following info is paraphrased from Solar Flare's posts: - Limited production of the SX and RX will begin in March. - EBR will not honor warranties for the existing motorcycles. He said the current parts inventory has been discounted to accommodate those affected with issues. He apologized for this and stated it was out of his control. They will offer free tech support for any owner that is having issues. - As of now, there are no plans on the table for new models. They want to limit production to build capital, then designs for new models will begin. - They are resuming production of modified stators for the 1125 models. - "The next 18 to 24 months for EBR will be very exciting, and very sexy!!" - Anyone interested in being a dealer can contact EBR. They have some dealers who won't be selling for them anymore after what happened. But, they have a bunch of new dealers interested in selling EBRs. Only about a dozen will be Harley Davidson dealerships. The others will be Ducati, BMW dealerships, and various sportbike dealerships. - We should be very surprised by the new MSRP for the new bikes. - Liquid Asset Partners is committed to one thing. That is investing in EBR and producing new and innovative machines. He said that LAP is excited about being a part of the revival of the company. He said that by the company being operational, functional, and making profits, will put the company into a better position financially. This will make the company more appealing to a buyer who is interested in keeping the company moving forward long term. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
The part about EBR not honoring warranties for existing bikes is pretty low and an apology is no solace to those affected. | ||
| Hughlysses |
The part about EBR not honoring warranties for existing bikes is pretty low and an apology is no solace to those affected. As much as it sucks for some owners, this is a new company with no legal ties to the old one. LAP is under no obligation to honor warranties for a company which no longer exists. | ||
| Court |
>>>>As much as it sucks for some owners, this is a new company with no legal ties to the old one. LAP is under no obligation to honor warranties for a company which no longer exists. That is precisely correct. Fact of the matter is that no one, at either LAP (who owns EBR) or EBR (at present a collection of LAP employees) could honor warranties of the defunct entity even if they wanted to. Again . . . I'd suggest that I have a hard time seeing Erik Buell turning his back on folks regardless of what the black and white of the matter is. | ||
| Crempel |
They can absolutely honor the warranties if they want to. All they have to do is send out parts and pay someone to put them in. They are not OBLIGATED to under the conditions of the bankruptcy, but they could so choose. Providing free tech support is a small form of this. As I stated above, look at LAPs website and you'll see what kind of company they are. They are not a motorcycle company and have no interest in the motorcycle business (by their own admission on their website) other than if they can make money off it. Not that there's anything wrong with that. All motorcycle companies are in business to make money. These guys are asset liquidators. They will find a path to make money and take it, regardless of what that means for the company, its customers, its suppliers, or its employees. Most likely to end up in the hands of someone who has just enough money to say "look at me, I own a motorcycle company". 9 months later, death by under-capitalization. I agree that I don't think that Erik is "that kind of guy" either, but of all the people involved in this, his hands are tied the tightest. By no means will he be running the company as long as LAP has a dog in the fight. I have dealt with these types of companies before, and they often do a remarkable job of making you think that they are on your side and really want you to succeed. Then poof!! They will say exactly what we all want to hear for a while, but let's see where the promises and hype all leads. Again, I hope I'm completely wrong about all of this, but if it walks like a duck,.......... (Message edited by crempel on February 15, 2016) | ||
| Tempest766 |
I think it's time for EB to just give it up. Perhaps a great engineer, but clearly not real good at keeping a business venture running...and next time I spend big bucks for a bike I want to know that its care and feeding will be well guaranteed for its lifetime. The above comments in no way reflect my feelings about actually riding a uly. It's still a sweet ride. | ||
| Ourdee |
I know a guy that gets back up when knocked down. I'd rather deal with that kind of character. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Ourdee, thanks for the video. That song is really good when you see the words Erik's singing. |
