| Author | Message | ||
     Maddiemsu |
I emailed the actual owner of the RS and got a response. He had it listed on eBay at one point for $22,500 and he's in Michigan. He said that was his only time listing it and he hasn't done any classifieds ads with it. Trying to decide if I want an EBR problem in Montana  | ||
| Dave |
Regarding Bill Melvin, a discussion from the Facebook EBR 1190 Owners Group that I found enlightening & hopeful: Bill Melvin posted a photo of his 1190RX and commented about being in the market for a tricked out tuber. ---- Jef: You guys are being very zen polite to this guy. Sorry but your brand doesn't impress me at all. Erik Buell's does. You capitalize and cannibalize, then think you can sway with a few rebuilt bikes with retro design? how many of those 35yrs were you part of the R&D and sweat equity that kept the dream alive? You just a polished coin imitating the real flowing hair. Bill Melvin: Jef first off I’m a superfan of Erik Buell. We have worked together closely and got along very well. He is as amazing an everyone thinks. He cares deeply about this brand and everything created here, and he also cares about the fans & dealers. And so do I. This is a good chance to give a little info. To answer your question, 3 years. I have been involved, funded, and owned EBR for 3 years. And proudly so. You have to race to live another day. We didn’t crash in turn 2. I didn’t bankrupt it, didn’t leave my dealers screwed, and we paid for every part order to suppliers up front in cash, no terms. The company is financially solvent & has no payables due. Do you have any idea what the cost is to try to operate a factory set up for 10,000 units a year with the worlds greatest motorcycle engineers & team? It’s not cheap. The truly amazing & experienced employees get paid well as they should. We paid them. For the big factory our volume was not there and not getting nearly close enough. I’ve seen some people online run the sales/cost estimates & they were way way off. I’ve sat in all the meetings, listened in the R&D room, ran the R&D numbers, & went ahead to fund new development, it’s not cheap. I’ve funded going to IMS shows across the country, it’s not cheap. I’ve funded development trips for the team overseas, it’s not cheap. I had 100’s of sleepless & stressful nights with my nuts on the line trying to fund a turnaround to keep the big factory running. I think some people who have not been involved first hand have a distorted view of what it takes. When others have the money and vision to do better we are here to listen, but it takes deep pockets. Cash talks & BS walks. We have listened & had to tell some groups to walk. I made the tough calls when I had to so that we could continue to take care of all of our obligations to the people we were working with. No bankruptcy and no unpaid bills. We have tried and done our best, when no one else would try. It’s not perfect, it’s the real deal. We wish the best for every EBR owner and are very glad we can still provide parts and support. And we are still here, building America’s Superbike. We’ve made bikes all 3 of my years. As noted above, we are financially sound & looking at what improvements are realistic for 2019. A smaller operation, we can continue to look towards the future. Race to live another day. Ride to live another day. Jef: Appreciate the reply Bill Melvin. Not everyone would front up like that. I also know it was Hero and some other questionable decisions that drowned EBR, and really we are all just fanboys when you were in the trenches. But it still stings. Deep pockets...you reach in and we just whinge and moan. But it would go a long way for us to see these produced again competitively. Standing by... ---- DAve (Message edited by DAve on December 17, 2018) | ||
| Jaimec |
I suspect the new bikes are going to be out of my price range. What Court says above is also a HUGE consideration for me, as I am not mechanically inclined. | ||
| Crusty |
I'm as big a fan as anyone . . . but if you are in the "touring all over the place and back" like Crusty . . . the last thing you want is a bike without a support system. Unfortunately, I've come to the same conclusion. I was very much into Moto Guzzis, back in the '70s. In 1979, The U-joint broke up while I was traveling through Minneapolis. I had to leave the bike there for a month because the only Moto Guzzi dealer in the state didn't have the part in stock. I'm hoping and planning to ride to the Arctic Ocean. It really would suck to have my bike break and not be able to fix it somewhere above the Arctic Circle, or equally remote areas. | ||
| Mnscrounger |
On a ride like that Crusty, I would think support would be difficult regardless of the brand. Unless Briggs & Stratton, Tecumseh or Kholer made a motorcycle. | ||
| Court |
Crusty . . there are some GREAT bikes that would excel at that type of trip. There is also a wealth of information . . . I've got an entire case of books . . . about anything ever published (the publishers used to send them when I was writing) about those type of trips. There is a huge body of knowledge out there and you likely know more about motorcycle traveling than 99% of the world. One of my first rules of motorcycle travel . . . from my days doing long range test riding . . .is a rule I stole from USMC armed combat . . . "don't make yourself manage anything you don't need to". If you are going to climb a mirror. . . don't soak it in oil first. Look for things like the KLR . . . or whatever the current iteration is . . . that have proven themselves over the years. Look for online parts ordering, delivery (perhaps to remote locations and GMD (general mail delivery) and with excellent service manuals. In fact . . before I bought the bike . . . I'd break it a few times. Yep . . . I'd pick 3 random places along my intended route and simulate a breakdown . . I'd try ordering a part on line to be shipped to me . . and I'd start calling to see who where I could get service. Comes from the time I spent doing Logistics with The White House and having things like backup motorcade routes and operating rooms on standby . . . I like to "know before I go". I entertain myself sometimes by looking back at my old Secret Service trip notebooks and the amount of detail that went into planning in the days before electronic and cellphone communications. I still have blank seating diagrams for Air Force One and Marine One. Plan the trip . . . and craft the bike accordingly. But . . as much as I love Buells and EBR . . . taking an expensive, purpose built sportbike with pretty much zero support system is an invitation for a nightmare. | ||
| Crusty |
There are many bikes that would be better for the trip north. But, Like Frank Sinatra, I want to do it my way. I want to ride a Roadster. I'll have to ride slower, and I'm thinking that I'll be changing tires in a couple of places along the way, but it's not like attempting to cross the Darien Gap. I have always preferred a V Twin for a motorcycle powerplant. I've ridden a few hundred thousand miles on Moto Guzzis and well over a half million miles on Harleys and Buells. I have had a few fours during my riding career, but I never really could bond with them. A large displacement single would be a smarter choice for the trip, but it wouldn't feel right. Motorcycles are not rational vehicles. They are emotional and sensory in nature. The motorcycle that will meet my wants and needs right now is a Roadster that I build to my specification. I would use my present mount, but I have never really trusted it since the engine died. I've heard that there were several bikes with issues similar to the one that left me on the side of the Interstate. The one thing they had in common was the year built. When I replaced the dead engine, I bought a 2005 engine from a bone yard. It may last for another quarter million miles, but I'll always have that niggling doubt in my mind. Supposedly, the MoFoCo has improved the design of the crankshaft assembly and the engines are as reliable as they should be. As much as I would like to have an 1190 SX, I also use my bike as daily transportation. Having to wait for parts while the bike sits idle would not be acceptable. An SX would have to be an occasional ride; a toy, if you will. Right now, I can't afford a toy. I honestly believe that I can ride a properly set up Roadster to Tuktoyaktuk, then over the Top of the World Highway to Chicken, Alaska and home. I promise, I'll take pictures and post them on this forum. | ||
| Hughlysses |
There's no doubt any Harley built within the last ~20 years would have vastly better support than any EBR, Erik Buell Racing, or likely any Buell, even when they were in full swing. OTOH, I look at how Crusty handled his relatively recent catastrophic failure of his Sportster. Did he go to the nearest dealer for support? No, he worked with guys on Badweb, trucked his bike hundreds of miles back home, and carried it to his local independent mechanic. If that's how you'll do things, an EBR would probably be just as good as a Harley. I suppose a lot of us are always thinking "It'd be nice to have dealer support on the road" but in reality a lot of us do what Crusty did when problems strike. | ||
| Mnscrounger |
Crusty, Given Indian is looking to push the image of the the FTR as a brute, a lifelong Harley/Buell rider taking a trip like this on an FTR would make a great marketing campaign if they wanted to capitalize on it. If low budget and simplicity is a factor, while not your preferred V-twin, Royal Enfield could go along way to boost their durability image in North America with a stunt like that too. Have you thought about asking for any specific manufacturer support for your adventure? Heck one of the vapid cable networks or internet channels looking for content might be willing to help sponsor an adventure like yours. If the yahoos from Duck Dynasty are marketable, so is your affable, but quirky character. The biggest downside would be tolerating a film crew while your "doing what bears do" in the woods. | ||
| Jaimec |
I know Crusty is into Harleys but I think if I were to attempt a trip like that, a BMW Airhead would be my mount of choice. The Airhead BMW Club is quite extensive and their members are all over the place. The bike is proven reliable and reliable as a rock, and as simple as a stone axe mechanically. Based on my recent experiences, I wouldn't trust ANY BMW made after 2000 to last more than a few years at most. Once the warranty has expired, expect frequent and EXPEN$IVE repairs. | ||
| Court |
Crusty: I could not agree more with what you are planning and would go Roadster all the way. I'd be looking at Harley-Davidson . . . there's just something there that you'll miss if you don't. And, the ability to get parts and to do what you did when the engine went poo-poo is about 243X greater on a HD than the EBR. I suspect I've earned my way into the "motorcycles are not rational" by purchasing 3 Sportsters in the same day and then coming back the next week and buying a 1977 XLCR and a 1983 XR-1000 at the same time. It's a sickness . . . a wonderful sickness . . . hahahaha . . I say as I sit here looking at what is becoming a house transformed into a guitar case. >>> if they wanted to capitalize on it. That's a commonly held belief and but trying to get someone to do it is another thing. The downside to any manufacturer is FAR greater than any imaginable upside. By the way . . the trip sounds frickin' awesome >>> if they wanted to capitalize on it. | ||
| Shoggin |
Man that trip sounds awesome. I wouldn't consider it on my SX simply because 185hp and a thin seat are unnecessary. The fun you could have would be outweighed by the pain in your taint. Besides the 1190's were never made for that purpose. I would do it on my STT with zero hesitation. Last trip was this August and the entire west coastline (and then some) from LA to St Helens. 3.5 weeks, 2400 miles. Granted it's not in desolate kidnapping country but empty enough. The XB platform is so simple a few spares, a hammer, and some knowledge will get you home.Always. FYI I'm a big guy and I even feel that same about a carbed (pre-'09-ish) sportster. You are ebay away from whatever parts you may need. The KLR is a good suggestion because Fred Flintstone can fix it, and has the parts in his stone wheeled truck, but you'll have to plan extra days for high altitude 35mph max, haha The key is to KNOW the bike you take, regardless of brand. Otherwise you're at the mercy of strangers in your wallet. Oh, and you should read "Two wheels through terror" right before you go  I met Glen, who is an admittedly poor author, but the story is well worth the read. | ||
| Johndd |
2018 build on EBR Facebook page: “Vin 0001 for 2018. More special builds planned for 2019.” | ||
| Hughlysses |
Here’s a pic:  | ||
| Ahampton128 |
So much MUR'CA! Glad they're building something at least, even if I'll never afford one. | ||
| Court |
It's be much more "assemble" ..than "build". A liquidator's hail mary. | ||
| 1313 |
Yeah, but... Those flashy paint jobs...  | ||
| Jon |
Dave, I really appreciate your post. | ||
| Jon |
Crusty I could not agree more with your post. Well said. Motorcycles are not rational. It's all about joy and and massive ________. | ||
| Jon |
I don't think sniffing at the new owners is helpful to anybody. | ||
| Hughlysses |
New post from EBR Motorcycles on Facebook this morning:
Pics of the red, white & blue starred bike shown above and a red, black & white bike numbered 6 are included. | ||
| Court |
SPAM | ||
| Court |
Endorsing and sponsoring "stunts" . . . . as much as folks think "gosh, it'd be great if they sponsored me" . . . is precisely what most firms run from. The "upside" is iffy at best and the "downside" potential is HUGE. For a perfect example . . . go back and look what happened when Buell sponsored Famed Rider Fran Crane in the 1997 Iron Butt. | ||
| Crusty |
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| Deanh8 |
Court "Endorsing and sponsoring "stunts" . . . . as much as folks think "gosh, it'd be great if they sponsored me" . . . is precisely what most firms run from. " Yamaha seems to be doing this big time, Their rider (josh herrin) has been posting TONS of street videos, yamaha even reposts them. The last MotoAmerican race, Josh Herrin did a stand up wheelie all the way down Highway 37 on the way to the track(illegally), posted the video, yamaha reposted the video and he ended up getting on the podium that weekend. Its weird to me that Yamaha is supporting this, and Josh doesnt get in trouble, and its somehow all just "OK" I think mfgs are starting to realize the influence popular social media followers have on the younger crowd Yamaha gave him this bike to make videos with. all the videos show illegal stuff, yamaha keeps reposting it, no one cases. Its all "OK" and the videos are super popular. https://www.instagram.com/p/Bc2SQneFl56/ https://www.instagram.com/p/BqVjQ9pB133/ https://www.instagram.com/p/Bp4YffNBmmt/ https://www.instagram.com/p/BmLd9yshpMF/ https://www.instagram.com/p/Bj2iKCCF-Yi/ | ||
| Crusty |
Nobody is going to pay me to ride to the Arctic Ocean. Harley isn't, Indian isn't and EBR isn't. Nor will anybody else. When I go, it will be on the bike of my choosing and I'll be doing it on my own nickel. I won't be stunting or doing anything to endanger others. The most illegal thing I do may be exceeding the speed limit. And I doubt I'll be doing anything to influence the younger crowd. (Message edited by Crusty on January 16, 2019) | ||
| Mnscrounger |
funny, "Vanessaputri"'s words are EXACTLY the same as mine from a few weeks ago on this very thread. Damning evidence of a spambot? | ||
| Stevel |
Crusty, Good on you, but do understand that your trip still has commercial value. Take lots of pictures on the way and auction the trip off to the highest bidder on your return. In that way your trip will not be marginalized by contractual conditions. |
