Thanks to everybody for the kind words. We just got back in from Sturgis and, as you can imagine, are working hard to catch up. We have much more to share but here are some of the brief answers to your questions:
1.) Sturgis Update-- The Sturgis event was not the official re-launch of the company. We had appointments and test-rides set with key dealers, vendors, and media that filled the week. Overall the event was a huge success and I am happy to report the meetings went great as every dealer we met with committed to carry the brand. It was an honor to meet up with the Big Dog Biker members and give you a sneak peek at what we are working on. Thanks to those that waited on me to get there. I have been working the rallies for Big Dog over 10 years and they are always chaotic logistically-speaking. Big shout out and thanks to MastiffDave for helping me make it
finally happen this year.
2.) Website/Marketing/Etc-- The new Big Dog website was supposed to launch before I left for Sturgis but it is behind-schedule. The Kansas Motorcycle Works page is operating but will be replaced by the new Big Dog Site. This is the reason we have not invested any money into the KMW site recently. I have been battling the cyber-squatters for Bigdogmotorcycles.com and bdm.com domains for many months now. We are in-process of a federal lawsuit against the cyber-squatters and it just takes a lot of time and money. I have come to the understanding that this is pretty standard when a company's assets are frozen in litigation during a foreclosure like Big Dog's. In the meantime, I have another URL we will be using. I will keep you posted with those details.
3.) Price-- The target retail price for the 2016 K-9 is between $32,900 and 33,900. Please remember that the K-9 retailed for $29,900 in 2006 when Big Dog was building 5000 motorcycles per year. Given it is 9 model-years later and we are producing in much smaller quantities with more expensive components, I think we are doing a great job of keeping the price down. We are doing this by managing our overhead very closely and simplifying some manufacturing processes.
4.) Primary--The primary and starter configuration is no longer the proprietary design as used by Big Dog from 2005-20011. The new primary utilizes the time-tested softail-style configuration for ease serviceability, replacement parts, customization, etc.
5.) Struts--The struts will come with the sissy bar mounts already installed.
6.) EHC--The electrical system will function exactly as before except we are using the R.I.P configuration instead of an EHC.
7.) Models--We are only building K9s right now. We have plans to build other models in the future but the K9 is what the dealers and customers are asking for the most.
8.) Reunion--I definitely want to help with the BDB reunion and think Wichita would be a great place to at least stop at
. I will volunteer and contribute what I can to make this event awesome. I have some cool Wichita ideas to run by everybody when the time is right.
9.) Groundpounder EFI-- I'm sorry if I didn't get back to you. I try very hard to prevent anything from falling through the cracks but it appears I dropped the ball on this one. I'm sorry brother. If you still need help with your EHC or S&S fuel injection module, I would be happy to help you. You can even send it here and we can do the work and send it back to you.
10.) Thank you to those few in-the-know that kept your promise to keep the relaunch confidential until Sturgis. Not a single one of you mentioned anything to anybody that I knew about. I know who each of you are and appreciate you keeping your word.
11.) Final thoughts-- The full story of "how we got here" will be disclosed with the launch of the new website. The short version is me and my team of employees believe so much in Big Dog Motorcycles that we are pouring everything we have into it. We picked up the ball and ran with it and it has been a very long and difficult journey. I am not capitalized like the former Big Dog Manufacturing company and, therefore, can't be everything for everybody as Big Dog once tried to be. My approach is, in many ways, how Sheldon started this whole thing so many years ago except now we have the benefit of 25 years experience in the industry. If history holds true, I anticipate our relaunch will come under some criticism. I appreciate and am thankful to those that stand behind and support us in this endeavor. To the naysayers, I say contribute something constructive or nothing at all. Hell, I am even open to bringing on the right partners if they can help me grow the business better than I can do on my own. The mission is the continuation of the greatest motorcycles on the road. Long Live Big Dog!
