| Author | Message | ||
     Mikej |
Well, if you want to give a seminar on replacing a front engine mount/isolator I just happen to have a bike in need and a new mount. Name the time and place.  | ||
| CJXB |
No, I'm not missing Koz's point, suggestions are good but you can suggest without saying what's past sucks !! I like changes and I enjoyed this years event, so next year I'm looking forward to something different and will enjoy that too. But I prefer to keep things positive, make positive suggestions and leave off the negative comments, especially if you didn't even attend the event !! Sometimes it isn't what a person says, but how they say it that isn't always good !! Ok m2me, mr. word guy !!?  | ||
| Grndskpr |
If anyone is taking suggestions, I'd rather hear Erik and the Thunderbolts than Elton John I hate to say this, but i would rather hear Elton, erik is talented and all, but, lets just say i would rather hear Elton R | ||
| Impulse_101 |
Anyone but Elton John! It's almost as bad as Miller Brewery's big party this year, where they have BON JOVI as the headliner! Are all of the marketing execs in Milwaukee gay? (can I say that?) | ||
| Court |
Actually...back to the business at hand. I've got the music for next year covered. This year held all the hints needed. Talk to me boys and girls..... Court | ||
| José_quiñones |
If I was Buell I would not unveil the new models at the Homecoming in June or even at the Summer Dealer Meeting, but at the Laguna Seca MotoGP/AMA races in July. The world Motorcycle Press is already there, 90,000+ motorcyclists will be there, including BRAG members. Heck, get the AMA/FIM to let Buell take the new models out on a parade lap between races. Talk about Maximum exposure! It would have been nice to see the new models (BRAG had promised to, but plans changed after the Fuell magazine was printed), but I would rather show them off to 90,000+ than to 170 BRAG members. One thing Buell should do with those 170 BRAG members is market research. The homecoming event is a great place for Buell take customer surveys like they one they offered online. The employees do like to look at the bikes to see what we have done with them but a more formal written survey would be more effective I think. Offer door prizes or something to encourage participation. BRAG did their survey but it's more geared towards the event itself and how it can be improved (you did fill one of those didn't you Koz?)
I'm sorry, but Battletrax is a "real" activity. A Buell only MSF ERC class would be interesting, but you can do that at home. The Factory Tour/Tech Seminar are very "REAL" activities which were the highlight of the whole event for me. The Road America parade laps were very "REAL" activities, especially if you got to do them both Saturday and Sunday. (thanks CJ!) Performance seminars are cool, but would you really be surprised if they only talked about the stuff Buell wants to sell and nobody elses? Service seminars are a good idea, but I think this would cause problems with dealers (I learned how do do x at the Buell Homecoming this year, but something is wrong, could you fix it for me?) Some local available "event" opportunities were lost which could have been squeezed into the schedule. 1. A tour of the Buell factory is not really "complete" until you visit the Capitol Drive facility to see the engines assembled. It was only 25 miles south from West Bend! 2. The other thing that was going on relatively close was Uke's 75th anniversary party, which included the Bubba Blackwell Stunt show. Uke's was one of the two dealers we visted as part of last year's event. I would have scheduled Thursday as maybe ride from West Bend to Capitol Drive for a lunch/tour, then ride to East Troy for their tour and the tech seminar, followed by a ride over to Uke's to see the stunt show, then head back to West Bend for dinner. A bit of a long ride (almost 175 miles round trip) but it was doable assuming nobody broke down.... Some people did go to Capitol Drive on their own, everybody that I spoke with found it well worth the trip. Everything else you suggested sounds good and some were done this year (Battletrax/Dyno Runs at West Bend, Erik & Thunderbolts playing Friday Night. John Flickinger speaking to us on Thursday and participating and hanging out at the Battletrax on Friday) I have only attended the last two Homecomings, this year was better than last year. The $100 cost was a bargain, heck it was under what you would have paid for these things by yourself. If you added up the race/parade lap tickets, the hospitality tent with 3 TV's showing the live SpeedTV feed so we could watch the whole race, all the food, the Battletrax/Dyno & all the event trinkets, there's no way BRAG makes money on these events. One thing about Homecoming, at least for me, is that I consider it a "destination" rally as opposed to a "riding" rally. The point of Homecoming is to go to the Factory, everything else is icing on the cake. So for me getting there is not as important as being there. The local roads we found were better this year, especially the "rustic" ones. In contrast, past events like Deals Gap/Boone or the upcoming Maryland Rally is a "RIDING" rally were the whole point is to ride all day and just stop long enough to eat and sleep. I like "riding" rallies better. | ||
| Daves |
"The 20th was great. I was there and enjoyed the dinner, and extended factory/barn tour. I also enjoyed the 80 bike group ride. The battletrax at Ukes was also cool." And this differed from this year? Oh, we didn't go to the barn and we didn't ride 15 miles as a group of 80 bikes(by the way, that ride sucked  ) Everyone is entitled to their opinion, I guess for me anyway it would mean a little more if you WERE ACTUALLY THERE FOR THE WHOLE EVENT! | ||
| CJXB |
you did fill one of those didn't you Koz?) I'm "guessing" no !! A bit of a long ride (almost 175 miles round trip) but it was doable assuming nobody broke down.... Or ran out of GAS !!!  | ||
| Josh_ |
>Give us something we can't get anywhere else (motorcycle related). Uhm, how about access to a motorcycle company founder for several days? The 2+hour "seminar" on Thursday alone was worth the price of admission. | ||
| Bomber |
Mike -- you got the number, bro ;-} | ||
| Ebear |
SPOT ON,JOSE..!!!...I fully agree!!!!  | ||
| Davegess |
To me the homecoming was as advertised. An event to see the factory, hear from Erik, hangout with Buell folks and go to the races. If you like riding events more than do Deal's Gap. I could not make Thursday and am really sorry I couldn't. Even though I can get a factory tour anytime I like and can pretty much talk with Erik for extended periods anytime I like his presentation was something special. Several hours of cutting edge motorcycle technolgy explained by the acknowledged master of the topic is very far up my coolness factor. If you had the opportunity to tour the Ducati factory and hear a detailed presentation by the guy who designs the bikes. Would you go? If you could have spent hours talking to Soichiro Honda about motorcycle design and racing would you have done it? If Aprilla invited you to the factory for lunch, a tour and several hours of access to the design team would you do it? Unless you are very well connected none of those things will happen. Buell Homecoming is a unique event. Someday soon it will become a very large gathering (picture the Honda Hoot)and will no longer be as cool. Figure it out, if a 1000 people show up how many minutes of Erik's time will you get? If 1000 people are milling about will you get to sit in the stands and watch a race with Erik? Enjoy it for what it is. I thought it was great, next year I will not miss the tour even if it means taking Thursday off work and having to then go into work on Friday. | ||
| Daves |
I'll be back next year and the next and the next and the next, you get the idea! | ||
| Smokedaddy |
I agree Dave, Hell, my boss never took me out to dinner or lunch for that matter, never got a bonus in any form in 35 years (even though I recouped millions in change orders over the years), never got a thank you once for anything (and I was the guy they called in to straighten the job out regardless of where it was located ... including overseas) and I could go on. The point being, it's nice to see someone really gives a flying fluck by putting on something like Homecoming. Regardless of how $crewed up the stealership(s) indeed are, homecoming is a super cool idea and very unique event in our society nowadays, exactly as you've outlined. Good call, -SD: | ||
| Gusmyster |
I can only say that my wife and I had a most excellent time! Thanx, Erik, Mary, Peggy, the factory workers, and everyone else who put their hard work in. Thanx to Norbert and Mike for their southern/buell hospitality. My wife went to the HD shop today and one of the girls from the Demo truck was there. Hard to believe she remembered Lydia!  g u s | ||
| Steve_mackay |
But I prefer to keep things positive Ummm... Only if you have your coffee 1st, CJ?  | ||
| CJXB |
Ummm no I'm positive all the time, because I am POSITIVELY grouchy until I've had my coffee in the morning !!  Poor Grape and Fiery, they were good to put up with me !! | ||
| Steve_mackay |
Grouchy? YOU? NO WAY!  | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
Court...bring in Ferris, AW Prior, yourself etc (or people of their ilk)... | ||
| Grndskpr |
If you like riding events more than do Deal's Gap. Did that with 3 other Buellers, made for a great week off, but i think next year i would do deals gap after homecoming, a little to tired to really enjoy the event I think Jose covered everything, i thought this years lay out at the track was better than last year, bike demos was a great idea, the only thing i would consider is allowing Buell specific vendors space not only to sell there wares, but show what can be done, both at the host hotel and the track, would show whats avaliable for the XB line and what can be done, and might even help people save on shipping if they bought stuff at the event, they would also have the rep there for added benifit for fitment, i think Al would be up for that, maybe even a few others How about allowing deals to set up small boths, so people can see there are still a few dealers who real sell buells and have the product on hand, think Dave might enjoy that, but it might take away from his get away, have to ask him How about a peoples choice award for best looking Buell, vote on what you like, an informall bike show if you will Not complaining, but i thought there used to be more Buell stickers and stuff floating around, free for the taking, stickers on toll boths always catch my eye I have said it before, the event is cheep, worth every penny, and fun, and if you want to ride, dont be afraid to open your mouth, theres always somebody from the area leaving for some part of the Kettle, just ask One thing might be name tags, so we can pick each other out, yea sounds dumb, but it might make it easier to spot locals or kinda locals who know the area again just thought, i had a good time, but was tired R | ||
| Awprior |
I'm in! Powerpoint presentation is ready and waiting. Ferris, You up for a trip next year? Meet ya where we left off last summer.  | ||
| Coolice |
Homecoming's are great and to BRAG and the Factory folks-THANKS! How about next year sign up for CLASS school at Road America to get out and really ride. (We may need a Daves portable tire changing rig tho cause Reg wants good tires, so Sunday nite would be tire night! Altho if ya don't burn em off so much.....I couldn't resist Dave!) | ||
| Outrider |
Roger...Interesting to read your words. You and Mennis sure did look whooped at the homecoming after the Deals Gap Ride. Most certainly not your usual verbally profound selves. | ||
| Firemanjim |
Count me in.I will be there!!! | ||
| Koz5150 |
Well... I can see some people didn't like my suggestions. As a Buell rider I noticed alot of "justifying everything related to Buell" additude. I'm sorry, but Battletrax is a "real" activity. Yes it is. and it was last year, the year before, and is everytime a dealer holds one localy, for free... Uhm, how about access to a motorcycle company founder for several days? The 2+hour "seminar" on Thursday alone was worth the price of admission. Again, did all of that 2 years ago at the 20th. And this differed from this year? Oh, we didn't go to the barn and we didn't ride 15 miles as a group of 80 bikes(by the way, that ride sucked) Everyone is entitled to their opinion, I guess for me anyway it would mean a little more if you WERE ACTUALLY THERE FOR THE WHOLE EVENT! My point exactly, SSDY Same Stuff Different Year. I think it is tough for local people to get as excited since all of the stuff is so close to us anyway. I started this post in hopes of having a better event next year. I never said at anytime that this year sucked, I just stated that I thought a 4 day event could offer a bit more. If you are a race fan, it is worth $100 right there. But if you are not, ther was nothing different this year from years past. I am reposting my opening statement just to remind people that I am much more interested in making the even better as opposed to downplaying this years event. Don't be a hater. I have read all of the reviews here about the homecoming and partially attended one event myself. It seems some people thought it was a bit boring, and I would have to agree. The people attending should be a bonus to make this event worth stopping by, not the main reason you go. Friends can get together anytime they want to. Here are some of the things I think would attract new people to a BRAG homecoming. | ||
| BadS1 |
Koz speaking of events....are you interesting in coming down for my build-off and show at my bar this year as a vendor,August 21st??? | ||
| Rex |
I agree with the above.. I have only missed one homecoming, I believe and that was the year you guys went over and saw the barn. I liked this year, I thought it was very positive. I agree, going to the factory and seeing all of you guys is homecoming....any thing else is gravy and fun. Loved the erik seminar and the band. rex | ||
| BadS1 |
The year we went to the barn was the 20th.Organized right here on the badweb...very grass roots.Brag had not much involvement at all. | ||
| Court |
>>>>tough for local people to get as excited Next year will be "off the charts", don't even think about missing it. It'll be the first long ride on my new Buell XXXXXX. Be there or be square. Court | ||
| Daves |
Koz, I agree that going to the factory every year isn't as exciting for those of us that have been there several times but for the newer Buellers it probably is? I was kidding you a little when I said the 80 bike ride sucked and that you weren't there for the whole event. Sometimes that stuff doesn't come thru well in type. I thought you'd know I was just bustin on ya. I am all for making Homecoming better and different. I think trips to the hut and garage shop would be cool for a lot of people. Rides are always good. Tech seminars would be great. For me, it is more about seeing old friends and meeting new ones than anything else. It's the one time per year I get to see them. For first timers it is probably more about about going to the factory, meeting Erik for the first time, making new friends and so on. Everyone should keep tossing out ideas. Even those that weren't there, maybe their ideas will get them there next year! One thing I would like to see is to have the info out earlier, with times, ride routes and other details. |
