Boss Hawg
Feb 17th, 2010 at 8:31 am
Big Dog should do very well with this new chopper. Like it or not, Big Dog is a proven manufacturer with more custom motorcycles sold and on the road than any others that were or remain here today. You here should wish all the best to Sheldon & his Team with their new introduction and support the industry! To those of you licensed manufacturers posting that can do better, please by all means show us readers here what you have to offer for the price of this chopper.
As for Big Bear, please do not forget all the issues…failed deliveries when promised, dealers turning bikes back in, and most importantly the amputee’s lawsuit from the front fender mounting hardware failing, and additionally, the massive frame recall with the neck separating from the backbone/downtube that is now in excess of 1,100 frames and counting upward along with dealers having issues with the repair methods issued by Big Bear. I am wondering if he is thinking about going back to Australia…does anyone really know the truth
Advocate
Feb 17th, 2010 at 9:53 am
One thing I have discovered over the past few years of reading this blog, whenever something is said about Big Dog, the haters come out en mass.
Someone is always comparing Big Dog to AIH, well AIH is dead and gone or have you not read that. Big Dog to Big Bear, the number 1 Big Bear dealer in the country is in Midland, TX and he only sells 1 or 2 a month. They have frame issues and the dealer is directed to weld them. Big Dog had a frame issue and they took every single one back to the factory and I’m drawing from a very old memory here but I’m 99% sure they replaced every single one of them.
I have rode lots of Big Dogs at various different events and I can tell you they ride better and handle better than any other “production custom” on the road. They take the time to make sure the bike is as close to perfect as possible before ever letting the public see it. I got to see the new Chopper in person this past weekend in Indy and also got to see several Furby’s (Hell even S&S had a Furby in their booth). They are comparable bikes in pictures but when I actually got to look at them in person there was no comparison. The Furby is covered in lots of plastic and lots of chromed plastic. The wheels still had casting flash on them. The Big Dog looked as good as the rest of the bikes they had there.
Just like Boss Hawg said, if your so much better, bring it, release it and show us what you have. Can you build an American Made bike for $21k RETAIL using S&S, machined wheels – Not Cast like the Furby, real steel body work, not plastic like the Furby, Right Side Drive, not shaft like the Furby. Who really cares of they decided to go with a Road Max instead of a Baker for the transmission, AIH did it for years and it’s a good transmission. Go to your local V-Twin shop and ask the guys who make a living fixing bikes, a majority of them will tell you the Road Max is as good or better anyway. Granted, it’s made overseas but pound for pound, or dollar for dollar it’s minor in the grand scheme of things. The bike is still American Made by an American owned company employing Americans. Maybe not as many as before but they still have a payroll and they still have employees coming into work every day. Big Dog frames are made it Wichita, KS, the engines are made in Wisconsin, the wheels, struts, forward controls and most every other machined part are made in Newton, KS, the tins are made in Michigan, the bars are made in Minnesota. Seems pretty American Made to me. So Big Dog till has somewhere around 30 on the payroll full time and another 40 to 60 on furlough that they call in to make runs of bikes. But, they also affect and allow these other companies to employ some people that they may not otherwise have a need for. How many American jobs does that really work out to. I don’t know but I’m willing to bet its as many or more than Big Dog employs itself.
Yes, Sheldon did announce that he’s looking for an investor but so did GM, Chrysler and Harley Davidson. Unfortunately our current government believes in everything large and could care less about helping the small guy. It’s unfortunate because the majority of people in the country are employed by small business but that’s what we have. I would bet Sheldon is looking for capitol to take the company to the “next level” which requires a hell of a lot of cash.
Kudos Sheldon and Big Dog, there’s finally a brand new one I can afford. I’m going to put the HD up for sale and order one of these from my dealer.
Blondie
Feb 17th, 2010 at 10:10 am
My husband rides a Big Dog K-9. We ride everywhere and I love it. We have never had any problem with his Big Dog. We can ride 600 miles or more a day and never complain about our backs, butts, or anything else. I have rode on the back of other motorcycles and not been near as comfortable. The seat is big, soft, and very comfortable and the sissy bar lets me lean back and relax while we are riding. We have a t-bag that goes right over the sissy bar so we can go anywhere and have plenty of room to stuff shopping bags or clothes in case we don’t come home. When we stop for gas, people will come talk to him about his bike and crowd around it. I don’t see that happen very much with other bikes. Harley’s all look the same and the people that ride them are all dressed the same. I am not sure why people say the negative things they do about Big Dogs, it seems like they don’t have a clue about what they are talking about. I am assuming they have never even rode a Big Dog. I am glad my husband rides a Big Dog at least they are made in the United States. Plus, he looks great on a Big Dog. How many other women can actually say their husband looks sexy on his motorcycle?
just my opinion
Feb 17th, 2010 at 3:23 pm
Code:
gabehcuoD; We all might have our own ideas of American made, German, Japanese built bikes.. But would any of you buy a brand new car that looked just like the same car built ten years ago? NO WAYPerhaps you have not seen the new Camaro or the Mustangs they are styled after the cars of the 60s and selling faster than most dealers can get them. And the truth be told HD has been selling bikes that look the same for thirty years or more. Technology has improved but the bikes basically look the same. There is very little in styling that has not been used at some time in the past but that does not mean it will not sell. Chopper are a style that will not go away anytime soon. Sure they are not going to out sell the crotch rockets or even the HDs but there is definitely a market for these bikes and priced as they are they will sell very quick. This is a great looking chopper at a price that would be hard to build one at.
Good job Big Dog
Scott Meredith
Feb 18th, 2010 at 3:54 am
The only massive warehouse is at the corner of Douglas & Hydraulic in Wichita where I park my truck and unless they called back every employee and knocked out 25 or 30 bikes a day while I was gone to Indianapolis there are only about 60 bikes in the entire facility. I should know as I work in transportation for the company. Please stop by some time and ask for a tour then you can verify the fallacy of your statement.
1550tc:
A CCI kit for $19k in 2000-02 with a 200 tire(and a 96ci motor with a left side drive 5 speed transmission)? Your trying to slam Big Dog but it sounds like your only helping with the true value of a complete bike with a 250 rear tire, right side drive, 111 ci motor and 2 year warranty out the door for $21k. You buy the 200 tire, left side drive kit for $19k then the labor to assemble it, all the little stuff that you wind up having to buy locally then find a painter, go through the hassle of trying to register it, the added cost of insurance for a one-of-a-kind and no warranty on any of it. Why are we spending money on advertising when we have people like you who do such a great job for us. Thank You
Boss Hawg
Feb 18th, 2010 at 8:56 am
Scott…
Some folks here just do not know what the costs are nor understand how to run a viable and profitable business model. Just look how the industry has self-cleansed itself.
Let alone the facts that you bring to light regarding special construction motorcycles, engineering, research & development, warranty issues, product liability and extremely higher personal insurance premiums…2 to 3 to 4 times more than a reputable duly licensed manufacturers’ motorcycles insurance costs. Been there, done that and got the shirt.
Jeff Nicklus may even want to jump on this.
Boss Hawg
Blondie
Feb 18th, 2010 at 1:04 pm
1550tc -
I am not related to Sheldon Coleman, married to Sheldon Coleman, I did not marry into the family, and I do not work at the factory. We are very happy with our Big Dog and we are, like you said, one lucky couple!
Thank you.
DUANE
Feb 18th, 2010 at 3:18 pm
All you BIG DOG haters can just kiss my ass. I have been riding motorcycles since i was 6 years old and I am 46 now. I love my BIG DOG K9. I have rode it 1,200 miles in one day on 3 different occasions. BIG DOG builds a quality comfortable motorcycle and stands behind their product period.
OutThereSomewhere
Feb 19th, 2010 at 6:16 am
For those of you who are wanting to de-bunk Duane’s 1200 statement, you might want to go back and watch some old episodes of American Biker on Speed. They did a story on him and the rest of the group. One of the guys in that group did it on a Ridgeback. The made a 1 day, 1200 mile trip to Wichita for the Tornado Rally two years in a row then turned around two days later and went back. Or if the Duane posting on here is not the same one then there is another Big Dog owner named Duane on a K9 and Dana on a Ridgeback who did it.
DUANE
Feb 19th, 2010 at 12:56 pm
Hey out there somewhere. Thanks for backing me up, you are correct! The first time was on a Ridgeback. American thunder did have us on the show. They did get me and Dana mixed up but thats no big deal. Those rides created memories of a lifetime and yes… I DID BREAK THE SPEED LIMIT ALL DAY LONG. It was exactly 1,187 miles in 14 hours.
justsayin'
Feb 19th, 2010 at 1:01 pm
Good for you, Duane! That’s an Iron Butt, right there folks!
DUANE
Feb 19th, 2010 at 2:16 pm
Hey Buell 1, The point here is to clue in you haters about the rideability and quality of BIG DOG motrcycles, Not to talk about me. But I do have to say my wife thinks i am superman sometimes! This is the first time a guy has ever called me that… Thanks sweetheart you are the best
Buell 1
Feb 19th, 2010 at 3:22 pm
“Duane”
You are welcome on the complement. Averaging 85.7 miles per hour with gas stops is a great achievement.
You did look sun burnt when you arrived at the Tornado Rally. Map quest has Kingsport to Wichita at a little over 900 miles. Where did you go for the extra miles.
You have me wrong I support Big Dog, and I can guarantee you I have more miles documented on Big Dog Motorcycles than you do.
DUANE
Feb 19th, 2010 at 4:00 pm
I TOOK 11W TO 25E TO I-75 UP TO I-64 WEST ALL THE WAY TO ST. LOUIS, THEN WEST ON I-70 TO KANSAS CITY, 435 SOUTH TO I-35 ALL THE WAY TO EXIT 50 ONTO DOUGLASS AND IN TO THE FACTORY. I THINK IT IS LESS MILES TO GO I-40 SOUTH THRU MEMPHIS BUT IT TAKES LONGER AND THE INTERSTATE THRU ARKANSAS SUCKS. IT IS EXACTLY 1,187 MILES FROM MY HOUSE. I COULD NEVER MAKE THAT TRIP ON ANY HARLEY.
DUANE
Feb 19th, 2010 at 5:22 pm
it is 1,187 miles in my truck too, and my other truck, and my van. I have heard of some people with service issues. I know it is hard to get good service anywhere these days, Thankfully our local h-d dealership has terrible service. It is great for us. I don’t care what you ride if it is not serviced properly there will be problems. I am excited about the new chopper, looks like a right side drive improved 03 model for a killer price. i can’t wait to get some. Why in hell would somebody buy a screamin’ eagle anything when this can be had for 21k
bubba
Feb 21st, 2010 at 1:58 pm
i ride a bigdog and had 2 it is agreat bike, and as far as they stand behind them there great.
Bobbigdog
Apr 21st, 2010 at 2:39 pm
You bozo’s that are putting negative comments on here about the bike are clueless about the business world and how to save a company—Sheldon is doing exactly what is needed help bring the company back to where it should be–What’s wrong with it–111 inch, who offers that standard? Or, may be the six speed tranny? who offers that standard?
It looks good and I am sure it will have the same great standards Big Dog has always had—
Nice Job!!!!
