| Author | Message | ||
     Hughlysses |
I'm really hoping this is some of that "fake" news we've heard so much about recently, but I suspect it isn't:
Source: http://www.aimag.com/american-iron-news-ebr-to-shu t-down/   | ||
| Crusty |
NO!!! | ||
| Hughlysses |
Main thread on this topic on the quick board: http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/406 2/800661.html?1485474244 | ||
| Sprintst |
Welp, I drove to a dealership weeks ago with cash and a trailer and tried to buy an EBR Dealer was fixated on what he had into it, not what it was worth, so I left empty handed Afterwards, I realized that I simply didn't trust the future of EBR, and felt Liquid Asset Partners was just clearing out work in progress, then would sell things off So I bought a new Aprilia RSV4 RF. It's an awesome bike, with a sketchy dealer network, but it backed by a large healthy company Looks like I chose right Very sad news for the dream, and probably the end of the road (Message edited by sprintst on January 26, 2017) | ||
| 1313 |
So as to not post something that doesn't meet the standards of conduct of BadWeB, I will say the following. My sentiments are best summarized by a song from Psychostick entitled NSFW. It's definitely not safe for work. You'll have to Google it for yourself if you are so inclined... 1313 | ||
| Crusty |
Brankin; that nails it. | ||
| Upthemaiden |
What the s**t?! (are we allowed to swear on here?) The guy just can't win. I know he's determined, but I don't really know how you an come back at this point. It was hard enough for dealers to get committed after the previous shut downs, and this one barely lasted long enough for us to tell people "he's gonna stick it out this time!". I feel like the best move for Erik is to try and get an engineering job at an already existing motorcycle company, and focus on trying to get some of his ideas out to the world that way, because it looks like having his own motorcycle company just isn't in the cards. Wish I had some fun money laying around so I could try to grab a half priced 1190 when they get liquidated like last time, but I'll just have to put it on my list of hopeful craigslist finds down the road. Until then, I'm hanging onto my S1 for dear life. | ||
| Blakeaspencer |
I think ducati has some new openings for engineering related jobs. Some of their people left for yamaha so maybe he can get a job there. Just not harley again | ||
| Ffbuell1 |
How about Polaris industries under the Indian brand ,then they (Indian) can really stick it to Harley,since they already have a new flat track bike developed and a great team in place, why not develop a sport line up? | ||
| Mnscrounger |
Unless LAP is interested in selling the company whole to Polaris for little more (or a little less) than their investment, I don't see how that would work. Polaris just axed Victory in an effort to save money during a down sales year. Admittedly the Victory bikes competed somewhat with their flagship Indian brand, and as Hughlysses pointed out in another thread, they were likely looking at a major retool of their air cooled motor to meet tightening emissions. I'd be hopeful, but doubt their interested. I doubt the profit margins are big enough on sport bikes because the buyers are usually younger and have less money that the big twin buyers. the build cost might be similar, but you get more money out of a giant cruiser. OTOH, sport bikes are an all new market for Polaris, if they were interested in pursuing it. EBR models, under an Indian badge, would be a near race ready platform, and turn key consumer model for very little relative investment. Sales would likely not be huge, but EBR has limited production capacity. If they supported the product at boutique bike volume, it would at least bring in a different demographic to the showrooms. And if the product catches on they have the pockets and capability to scale it up. | ||
| Classax |
First of all I wish the internet writers would take a junior high school reading comprehension class. The company is not closed(yet, although the floating hand is definitely heading towards the wall) it is halting production, just like Bimota, MV, Suzuki, HD and Moto Guzzi all did either partially or completely or periods during the last three years. IF you can't sell the bikes you made then why make more? I love the 1190 but it's clear the market either wants way more power and electronics or way less power and electronics. | ||
| Jaimec |
Actually, I think the market would like more dealerships and some security knowing that their bikes won't be orphaned in less than a few years. Sadly, that IS the reputation they've earned, whether deserved or not.  I know I would never buy a bike unless there was a dealership close at hand. I can't imagine I'm all that unusual. The main reason I got rid of my 1125R was that my local dealer dropped the brand BEFORE Harley axed it so they were unable to get parts for me anymore. The next closest dealership to me was both inconvenient and nowhere NEAR as good as my previous one. Others suggested dealerships in New Jersey and Connecticut, but when I have to start thinking about buying a trailer and paying tolls just to get my bike serviced it's time to look at another brand. The only thing that has stopped me from adding a Ural to my garage is that the closest dealership is too far away and involves tolls too. | ||
| Johndd |
OEM certified repair shops could be an option. Don't make small businesses make a huge commitment up front. | ||
| 89rs1200 |
I have three S3T with a total of over 250K miles on them. Was hoping he would build a replacement for the S3T. I am not alone in this because others on BadWeb have also asked for and S3T replacement. Aghhhh! What a year already! Trump, and now this and it is only January. | ||
| Blackm2 |
All of it hearsay BS until it comes from the source. | ||
| Williamscottrobertson |
I just sold my 2012 ural gear up. In 14 they came out with EFI and three wheel disc brakes. The thing was a bitch to drive, 25 mpg, 65mph top speed (down hill, unloaded), had a tendency to rust, and just didn't keep up on group rides with two wheelers(right hand turns you have to slow). I loved the bike for the convenience of a trunk and the woman liked the ride. Luckily I didn't have the problems others have (nearest dealer is 2 hrs away) and the maintenance was super easy on the airhead. It just needs 1000cc for the slab and to pull hills. Hate this for Erik. I'm still contemplating an EBR one day. | ||
| Fmaxwell |
It's in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. I'd say that's as close to proof as one could get short of Erik Buell personally telling you. I agree with Sprintst's belief that "Liquid Asset Partners was just clearing out work in progress, then would sell things off." Call me a skeptic, but I was suspicious of LAP from the beginning and I said so, writing almost exactly a year ago: "This is not good. Liquid Asset told the receiver what he needed to hear in order to approve the sale. Now Liquid Asset will pretend to be seeking out investors for just long enough to say that they tried. ... Liquid Asset Partners is a liquidator. I can find no evidence that they have ever partnered with anyone to revive any business whose assets they bought at auction. Ever. They sell the physical property, patents, and trademarks and then move on. Hoping for them to revive EBR is like hoping that a vulture circling over a dying man will fly away to summon help." LAP got pressured by the receiver into playing motorcycle manufacturer for a while, finishing bikes for with the parts already in the inventory, but the end result was still the same. They bought the assets of a company at auction and then sold the assets off for a profit. Under LAP's ownership, EBR offered nothing new -- no sport touring bike, adventure bike, middleweight bike, or electric bike. LAP slashed the MSRP of the 1190RX and 1190SX to the point where there was no hope of profitable production with new parts (as opposed to what LAP acquired in the auction). The announced-but-never-sold "Black Lighting" was priced the same way. And they seemed to have no replacement in the pipeline for which they could set a new, sustainable price. It really sucks to see it end this way, but I think that this is the real end. Thanks to Erik and the entire team at both Buell and EBR for making some great bikes that put some big smiles on the faces of a lot of riders. | ||
| Two_seasons |
Never have I had a love for any other bike since I first threw a leg over an Erik Buell creation. Thank you to all the folks that made BMC and EBR motorcycles. They truly do talk to us!  | ||
| Mog |
As if an XB9S, merely a brief side step folks. Buell applies the brakes before the turn, with power added at the apex out. Keep the faith.  | ||
| Submax |
Video tribute to EBR from 650ib. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tubAa1qxF18&list=T LGGc7EnDje79UoyODAxMjAxNw | ||
| Bluzm2 |
Brankin, NAILED IT! I'd not heard that one but it is quite accurate. | ||
| Jon |
Aside from not being able to buy a brand new Buell in the future, nothing changes for the Buell enthusiast. | ||
| Theshinenz |
I just want to hear if they will be supplying parts or not... | ||
| Ljm |
Parts. I just want parts, and a statement about what they are doing. | ||
| Hughlysses |
EBR's website has nothing to indicate the pending shutdown. Hell, maybe you still can order a 2017 EBR. If they have parts lying around, I imagine they just as soon assemble them into complete bikes. | ||
| Javaman21011 |
If LAP "sell the physical property, patents, and trademarks and then move on." Does that mean Erik wouldn't be able to continue developing improvements to his next ideas, because someone else would own the patents to his designs? | ||
| Hughlysses |
Just posted to EBR's Facebook page by Dan Hurda:
 | ||
| Court |
If it's from Dan Hurda . . . you can take it to the bank. If I were an EBR owner . . . I'd be sleeping fine right now. This is great to hear. Court | ||
| Airbozo |
So they become a parts and warranty house now with no manufacturing? Not sure I see the difference between "ceasing manufacturing" and the company closing. Seems like semantics to keep potential buyers interested. | ||
| Court |
Well . . . . if I were the current owner of a vehicle that had no other source of parts support (like GM parts might fit a Buick or Oldsmobile) I'd sure welcome the news that even the the company was ceasing production that parts and service would still be available to support my motorcycle. |
