Wildguzzi.com
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Arizona Wayne on April 15, 2015, 02:22:57 PM
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....Erik Buell Racing has filed for bankruptcy. www.roadracingworld .com :'( I thought Hero Indus. in India was backing them now.
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Wow. I swear they just had a demo day at Riders Hill.
-AJ
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That's pretty sad.. I kept thinking they would build a thumper ADV bike to kill all KLR craving I might have.
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Sounds like EBR backer, HERO, has pulled the plug.
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Dang . Pegram was running world Superbike this season on an EBR. That was a quick fail.
I always thought that Rotax/Can Am was the best fit for him.
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Thats too bad. I have a lot of respect for Mr. Buell.
Sam Walton failed a few times, also. Left Florida under a dark cloud before he got it right in Arkansas.
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Sad news.
http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/news/erik-buell-racing-receivership-bankruptcy/
I guess Hero turned out to be not so much.
I rode the 1190SX at the 2014 AIME. It's a nice bike, but a bit crude for $19,000. It looks like the market agreed. Add to that the lack of success in WSBK, and Hero must have gotten cold feet. Too bad. I didn't think there was anything wrong with either the EBR street bikes or their race bikes that they couldn't fix.
The above article mentions the prospect that someone might bid for ownership of the business, but without either Hero's financing or Erik Buell himself guiding it, what would they be buying?
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Sad to hear, but not surprising. Seems like they got all intoxicated with Hero's and the EB-5 foreign "investors" money and let costs get out of control. The new EBR bikes haven't been selling well, so ultimately the party had to end. Sounds like Hero's lawyers figured out how to make EBR "severable" so they can stiff the creditors and go on their merry way.
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heavy disappointment to hear this.
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It would be interesting to see why Hero dropped the hammer on them. I wonder if EB was taking advantage of them, without giving them the reason to put up with it.
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Now that I recall the arrangement that EBR made with Hero, wasn't Buell going to market Hero motorcycles in North America? I always thought that part of the deal was more valuable to Hero than EBR's street bike manufacturing, or the race team. Maybe Hero decided to go it alone in this market, or find another partner, or maybe they decided not to sell their bikes here.
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I'd read this in several places in the last few days and this morning my mate and I went into the big Honda dealership in Townsville to kill a bit of time and they also were/are an EBR dealer. Had one on the floor, interesting looking bike, what I could see of it.
Anyway the sales-creature came over and started spruiking it to me and I said "Pity they've gone into receivership innit?". First of all he started waffling on about Harley and I had to explain, no, I meant that the deal with Hero had fallen through and the company was being wound up. He knew nothing about it and told me I was wrong.
No skin off my nose but I thought it quite funny.
Pete
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The sports bike market isn't what it was especially in Europe even Ducati have become more broad based in their model range. Sports bikes have become smaller over the years so much so that anyone bigger than a jockey can't fit on them plus the average riding age is 45+, so it doesn't bode well for a firm only selling sports bikes.
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Innovative, and the one or two I rode (Firebolt/Uly) were great fun, but all were crude, most were ugly, and they haven't done well in racing at all.
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The sports bike market isn't what it was especially in Europe even Ducati have become more broad based in their model range. Sports bikes have become smaller over the years so much so that anyone bigger than a jockey can't fit on them plus the average riding age is 45+, so it doesn't bode well for a firm only selling sports bikes.
And this comment crosses over to one of the tangents of the Triumph thread - i.e. why Triumph is so successful (diversity), though my thought being that more of the credit goes to the Classics/Cruisers (at least in the US).
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Aaron , those were completely different bikes than what EBR was building , and they did have some racing success in the US . Really , I think what this proves is the motorbike business is difficult . With the exception of Victory/Indian that are completely owned by Polaris , the only truly successful start up has been Triumph
funded basically by one very wealthy person who was willing to lose money for years . Yes , Hero is a large concern , mostly because Honda put their money and resources behind them .
Dusty
Oh, I know they are different, my "crude" comment was based on the EBR bikes I've seen up close. Ugly and crude.
I'm sure they are fun too, but there are a lot of very nice looking sport bikes that would be just as fun-and I didn't see EBR as good on price either.
So with a limited product range-sport bikes and derivitaves-that don't have a "wow" factor in the looks department (like MV) or real racing heritage (Ducati)-what did they have? Apparently the market agrees.
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I guess i'll be riding my Uly for a long time. I know Eric Buell is a die hard sport bike, racer guy, but the Uly was Buell's best seller, maybe he waited to long to bring out the long rumored AX being that adventure bikes seem to be a growing market and sport bikes are on the decline. It will be interesting to find out the true story.
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Living on the "cutting edge" seems to be the story of Buell's life. Not sure it's ever going to work in his favor. Price, market/audience for such things may not support his idealic designs.
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My local dealer has been giving large discounts on the new EBR bikes for a while, I figured must be collecting dust and not doing well, too bad but not a bike I would ever consider.
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They are really nice looking. Now I guess they will be a collectors item. Needed some big money behind them to push through the competion
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And this comment crosses over to one of the tangents of the Triumph thread - i.e. why Triumph is so successful (diversity), though my thought being that more of the credit goes to the Classics/Cruisers (at least in the US).
I certainly see a lot more of their Classic & Cruisers than their sport bikes on the road. This is proportionate to the number of cruisers I see vs. sport bikes I see on the roads. The US market is definitely majority cruisers.
If I'm not mistaken, Ducati is the only major mfg. selling in the US that doesn't offer traditional cruisers.
As for EBR's lack of success in selling their bikes here, given that Ducati are well established, and sell competitive models for similar money, I can see were it would be tough for EBR to compete.
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If I'm not mistaken, Ducati is the only major mfg. selling in the US that doesn't offer traditional cruisers.
Well, I wouldn't call anything BMW does "Cruiser" since the R1200C variants.
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Too much too soon. Very expensive & quirky small-niche bikes, WSBK aspirations ($$$$$$), and bikes like the new R1 and Ducati 1299... Odds weren't in Mr. Buell's favor.
Very sad, but we can just expect Motus to be next.
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Too much too soon. Very expensive & quirky small-niche bikes, WSBK asipirations ($$$$$$), and a bikes like the new R1 and Ducati 1299... Odds weren't in Mr. Buell's favor.
Very sad, but we can just expect Motus to be next.
Quite frankly I don't know why Motus is still alive. Great bike but too expensive for most potential customers. I believe they are finally shipping bikes to 100 or so waiting customers this year. Kind of like the reborn 961 Norton.
BTW, I met a new Norton owner @ the `14 Datil MGNOC New Mexico State Rally last August. It was BEAUTIFUL, but he was on his 2nd motor and when he started it up it was so quiet you couldn't even hear it running! He said he was getting different pipes for it.
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I believe they are finally shipping bikes to 100 or so waiting customers this year.
No. They're not.
they have a warehouse full of unassembled parts.
they still have no bikes for sale.
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Would you buy a leftover EBR?
Mike
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Would you buy a left over MZ 1000? Reviewed quite well, but a dead fish is dead, even if you pull it around on your line.
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Would you buy a leftover EBR?
Mike
After sale support? Parts? Service? NO. Will stay with Ducati and Piaggio - slow and painful as that may be sometimes...
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Well, I wouldn't call anything BMW does "Cruiser" since the R1200C variants.
Looks like I was mistaken ;-T
I, of course, know this. I must have been having a brain fart (heck, I own FOUR BMWs).
The do sell lots of GS's. The "ADV Touring" segment (which BMW started with the R80 G/S) is probably the second largest segment in the US.
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Looks like I was mistaken ;-T
I, of course, know this. I must have been having a brain fart (heck, I own FOUR BMWs).
The do sell lots of GS's. The "ADV Touring" segment is probably the second largest segment in the US.
you need at least one Buell in that collection or maybe a Yamaha..
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you need at least one Buell in that collection or maybe a Yamaha..
I was seriously considering Kev M's Buell S3T. I've already had a Yamaha (RD350). I also seriously looked at the FZ07 and FZ09, but, liked the Ducati M796 a lot more.
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I was seriously considering Kev M's Buell S3T. I've already had a Yamaha (RD350). I also seriously looked at the FZ07 and FZ09, but, liked the Ducati M796 a lot more.
You should have snatched that... It was super clean.
I know, bad timing and all... But still.
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May I suggest a 2009 or 10 XB12X or XT.. Love mine equally to any Guzzi I've owned.. priced like used Guzzi's lower than the value you get. ugly in a serious kind of way.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y7/fotoguzzi/Buell/IMG_0899_zps1142e9ca.jpg)
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I also have an 09 Uly and can attest that Fotoguzzi's comments are true and accurate. Before I bought the Uly I had been lusting for a Griso. But when Harley pulled the plug on Buell they discounted the bikes so deep I couldn't resist. I've never ridden a Griso but I'm guessing the ride is pretty similar to the Uly. Mine's at 42K now and I see no reason it won't go to 100. Still have a Guzzi, and a Triumph Tiger, that get at least as much exercise as the Buell.
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If I'm not mistaken, Ducati is the only major mfg. selling in the US that doesn't offer traditional cruiser
They have one, the Diavel. The EBR looked cheaply put together up close. Plastic wasn`t even painted, just color impregnated like a plastic toy.
(http://s26.postimg.org/y78xkoaft/diavel.jpg)
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I also have an 09 Uly and can attest that Fotoguzzi's comments are true and accurate. Before I bought the Uly I had been lusting for a Griso. But when Harley pulled the plug on Buell they discounted the bikes so deep I couldn't resist. I've never ridden a Griso but I'm guessing the ride is pretty similar to the Uly. Mine's at 42K now and I see no reason it won't go to 100. Still have a Guzzi, and a Triumph Tiger, that get at least as much exercise as the Buell.
cept I'm pretty sure it has more and better suspension than a Griso. and the wheel base will tell the real story.
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They have one, the Diavel. The EBR looked cheaply put together up close. Plastic wasn`t even painted, just color impregnated like a plastic toy.
(http://s26.postimg.org/y78xkoaft/diavel.jpg)
The plastic on my Ducati Monster 796 is that way too :-(
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The Diavel isn't even close to being a "traditional cruiser".
A V-rod is closer, and that's not saying much...
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Buell's bikes just don't sell.
Very narrowly focused.
I hate it and wish they could have survived.
Anybody got a new Motus yet?
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I also have an 09 Uly and can attest that Fotoguzzi's comments are true and accurate. Before I bought the Uly I had been lusting for a Griso. But when Harley pulled the plug on Buell they discounted the bikes so deep I couldn't resist. I've never ridden a Griso but I'm guessing the ride is pretty similar to the Uly. Mine's at 42K now and I see no reason it won't go to 100. Still have a Guzzi, and a Triumph Tiger, that get at least as much exercise as the Buell.
Pretty much sums up my Buell experience also. Bought my 09 Uly XT when the news of HD pulling the plug on then hit the web. It is another on of my rare (only 1911 XT's built. ) but not collectable bikes in the garage. Lol
Oh well, I love the ride...tons of torque and a blast to ride! I'll keep it till I can't fix it any more and then hang it on the wall.
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Now this is getting interesting. Larry Pegram says Team Hero EBR WSB will keep on racing the rest of the season because they are getting their $ from Hero, not Erik. ??? www.motorcycledaily .com
Just read another interview in MCN and at this time Pegram really doesn't know what the future holds after these weekend races @ Assen.
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^^^ Well, that explains why EBR's web site is shut down, but Hero Racing's web site and Facebook page are still up.
It doesn't explain anything else, though, including why Hero would keep pouring money into an orphaned racing program. This was supposed to be a developmental year for the race team. What, exactly, are they now "developing?"
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^^^ Well, that explains why EBR's web site is shut down, but Hero Racing's web site and Facebook page are still up.
It doesn't explain anything else, though, including why Hero would keep pouring money into an orphaned racing program. This was supposed to be a developmental year for the race team. What, exactly, are they now "developing?"
I noticed the WSB EBR bike has dual front disc brakes instead of the solo setup.
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On EBR Facebook…
Thank you for the supportive posts, texts, and e-mails since the announcement that EBR has ceased operations. This is a difficult time, and your comments mean a great deal to me personally and also to the EBR team that has done such amazing work over the past few, intense years.
No doubt, it was an incredible ride, feeling like the longest qualifying lap ever. And, then, just when we knew we were about to set an all-time record, we tossed it in the last corner…
Keeping with racing analogies, now we need to get back on the track and look ahead remembering all the things we were doing right around so many turns.
Unfortunately, in the end, we tried to do too much with too little funding, but it doesn't diminish the accomplishments. We introduced the world class American super bikes of 1190RS, 1190RX and 1190SX, while at the same time doing revolutionary work for Hero on the HX250R, Leap, SimplEcity, iON, RnT and many others, plus concepts never publicly seen. It was great EBR innovation and design, and introduced new technology to Hero and its suppliers to provide a real kick start for them. But in the end all of this simply overwhelmed us, and for that we are sorry and saddened.
I want you to know that looking ahead my focus is 100% on helping the receiver best maximize the value from EBR to benefit all, and I will make every possible effort to get the new organization to where it can support the dealers and customers first, and then help find investment to get back to full throttle.
Thank you for your support, it means a great deal. Please stay tuned - I cannot predict the future, but always believe the best is yet to come.
Erik
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In a different time I owned and rode the first Buell Blast sold in Seattle before testing riding and buying a new '03 XB9S "Lightning" in December of 2002. The Buells put FUN back into motorcycling for me. I met Erik Buell and enjoyed listening to his passion about motorcycles. I got ticked off when he "cubed" the Blasts in an effort to distance himself from such a non-sportbike, which I happened to love. I also got ticked off when HD killed Buell and set Erik free.
I wish him well in the future.
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The plot thickens:
http://www.roadracingworld.com/news/hero-motocorp-ltd-trouble-in-india/
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The plot thickens:
http://www.roadracingworld.com/news/hero-motocorp-ltd-trouble-in-india/
wow, that's interesting, thanks for posting!
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Wow.
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That's really crappy. >:(
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If it's true that Hero treats their business partners like this, then I wonder how good they'll be at honoring any warranty claims?
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EBR's other financial nemesis?: http://gearheadgrrrl.com/2015/04/27/was-ebr-eb-5d/
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He was unable to make it alone, he was unable to make it with H-D, and now a failure with Hero.
His enthusiasm for racing seems not to translate into business ability.
Perhaps he'll have a reunion tour with the Thunderbirds and cut a new album..... :o
Paul
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The plot thickens:
http://www.roadracingworld.com/news/hero-motocorp-ltd-trouble-in-india/
typical hardball big business practice. dangle the carrot, take it away, take what's left for pennies.
reminds of that movie, Horrible Bosses Two. And Sears Roebuck, Wall Mart, etc.
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typical hardball big business practice.
Yep, nothing new there. They don't teach ethics in Business 101 any more. Ed the Rocket Scientist survived (barely) a similar takeover deal by another company using the same techniques..
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EBR's other financial nemesis?: http://gearheadgrrrl.com/2015/04/27/was-ebr-eb-5d/
very interesting. This mentions EB-5 program. A foreigner "invests" $1M in the USA and gets a Green Cards for the family. This could be an invitation for corruption. ???
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You can't blame him for Harley, they didn't know how to sell a bike that wasn't focused on image.