I was forced to travel to Wichita on company business this week (do you buy that?). 
Naturally, I had to check up on the factory while I was there. Here's the storefront, right down town.
They do have some nice window displays. Here's a real clean looking 2007 Pitbull. Now, everybody sing along - "How MUCH is that DOG-EEE, in the Windooooow" :lol:
Here's a night shot looking into the window of their showroom. They are starting a lineup of historically significant bikes. On the left is the #1 limited edition K-9. Next to that is their 20,000th bike, the K-9 that inspired the paint job for the P8RIOT Puppy. The middle flag bike is their 10,000th bike, and to the right is the 5,000th. The black bike with orange flames is their first chopper.
Inside they have a few 2008's on display. Here is a nice Ridgeback.
The new Ridgebacks do have a BIG 330 rear tire. People who have ridden it say it handles virtually the same as the 300 series bikes. The tire's cross section shape does have a little more oval to it, so it leans left and right just fine.
They also had a cute little Mutt on display:
They had quite a few Mastiffs around. Here's a particularly nice one.
I got another chance to thank the young man who painted my bike - his nickname is "Juice." On his work table, behind his elbow, you can see he is painting another full flag bike - but he was quick to say mine will always be unique. :up: The guy on my right is Matt, the sales rep who went to bat for me on a coupla issues - both great guys. Generally, these people only hear feedback about the problems - if you ever get a chance, tell them how much you appreciate their products and support.
Matt took me across the street to the distribution warehouse, in search of one of the new Pitbulls. On the way, we bumped into Frank, one of their test riders. He says lots of people volunteer for his job, but Wichita winters can take some of the fun out of it.
The Big Dog truck was out in the parking lot, refilling for delivery. Wouldn't it be great to have that thing pull up in your neighborhood and offload your next new scooter? :2thumbs:
The warehouse was not as packed with bikes as I have previously seen - Matt said business was good, implying that they had shipped a lot of them out. There still was an impressive group on the floor - I'd be proud to ride any one of them.
Here's a whole row of 2008 Ridgebacks. Barry (who has a 2005 Ridgeback) wanted me to get some shots for him. Barry's starting to sound like Bubblehead did - "Well, maybe I'll save up for a new 2008." Yeah, right - he's visiting Wichita next week himself. I'm betting he'll have a new scooter in a week or two.
Like I said, any one would do. Personally, I've always liked the "Burnin' Bens" paint scheme.
Here's a custom paint job on a K-9 going to the owner of a basketball team. That's a golden basketball and hoop on the gas tank - I presume painted in team colors.
By the way, I never did get to see the new Pitbull. Actually, the night I arrived, I peered into the window and they had a beautiful blue one sitting in the showroom. I considered getting out my camera and taking a shot through the window, but figured I could see it up close the next day. By then they had rolled it away and disassembled it for repainting - bummer. That's going to be a popular design when they finally get them rolling off the production line.
Don't ever pass through Wichita without checking out the factory and meeting some of the great folks there. I always enjoy it.
Naturally, I had to check up on the factory while I was there. Here's the storefront, right down town.
They do have some nice window displays. Here's a real clean looking 2007 Pitbull. Now, everybody sing along - "How MUCH is that DOG-EEE, in the Windooooow" :lol:
Here's a night shot looking into the window of their showroom. They are starting a lineup of historically significant bikes. On the left is the #1 limited edition K-9. Next to that is their 20,000th bike, the K-9 that inspired the paint job for the P8RIOT Puppy. The middle flag bike is their 10,000th bike, and to the right is the 5,000th. The black bike with orange flames is their first chopper.
Inside they have a few 2008's on display. Here is a nice Ridgeback.
The new Ridgebacks do have a BIG 330 rear tire. People who have ridden it say it handles virtually the same as the 300 series bikes. The tire's cross section shape does have a little more oval to it, so it leans left and right just fine.
They also had a cute little Mutt on display:
They had quite a few Mastiffs around. Here's a particularly nice one.
I got another chance to thank the young man who painted my bike - his nickname is "Juice." On his work table, behind his elbow, you can see he is painting another full flag bike - but he was quick to say mine will always be unique. :up: The guy on my right is Matt, the sales rep who went to bat for me on a coupla issues - both great guys. Generally, these people only hear feedback about the problems - if you ever get a chance, tell them how much you appreciate their products and support.
Matt took me across the street to the distribution warehouse, in search of one of the new Pitbulls. On the way, we bumped into Frank, one of their test riders. He says lots of people volunteer for his job, but Wichita winters can take some of the fun out of it.
The Big Dog truck was out in the parking lot, refilling for delivery. Wouldn't it be great to have that thing pull up in your neighborhood and offload your next new scooter? :2thumbs:
The warehouse was not as packed with bikes as I have previously seen - Matt said business was good, implying that they had shipped a lot of them out. There still was an impressive group on the floor - I'd be proud to ride any one of them.
Here's a whole row of 2008 Ridgebacks. Barry (who has a 2005 Ridgeback) wanted me to get some shots for him. Barry's starting to sound like Bubblehead did - "Well, maybe I'll save up for a new 2008." Yeah, right - he's visiting Wichita next week himself. I'm betting he'll have a new scooter in a week or two.
Like I said, any one would do. Personally, I've always liked the "Burnin' Bens" paint scheme.
Here's a custom paint job on a K-9 going to the owner of a basketball team. That's a golden basketball and hoop on the gas tank - I presume painted in team colors.
By the way, I never did get to see the new Pitbull. Actually, the night I arrived, I peered into the window and they had a beautiful blue one sitting in the showroom. I considered getting out my camera and taking a shot through the window, but figured I could see it up close the next day. By then they had rolled it away and disassembled it for repainting - bummer. That's going to be a popular design when they finally get them rolling off the production line.
Don't ever pass through Wichita without checking out the factory and meeting some of the great folks there. I always enjoy it.
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