BDM Update

[K9Anniv]

Bog Dog Motorcycles Company. And Now? at Cyril Huze Blog ? Custom Motorcycle News

Guys & Gals, how much money can we scrape together? Looks like BDM is still seriously looking for investors to stay afloat. If anyone should 'share' in this company, it ought to be us (IMO). Unfortunately, unless there are others in here with deeper pockets than mine and willing to part with some serious $, we might not have a real shot at helping them out. :zzdisappointed::zzsorry:

 

[Stick]

If I had the venture capital I surely would invest in BDM!!!:up: I do believe they will survive, but it is going to be a rough ride, and they need to market still yet bikes more in the $20k range. Add a rigid/softtail bobber style to the line-up would maybe add a few sales??:flag:

 

[Splitlog]

Has anyone actually heard of an amount they want?

 

[TCALZ06]

I heard a interesting story in Laughlin. I was told that BDM had to buy back about 17million in inventory and that's where the problem is.

I have heard this same story from 2 other manufacturers who had this happen to them too.

when their dealers went under the manufacturers had to buy back the old inventory at the original market value due to a clause in the financing contract set up between the manufacturers and the dealers.

My guess is BDM needs about 35million to stay in business

 

[K9Anniv]

My guess is BDM needs about 35million to stay in business

Wow...well, give me a few minutes to get to an ATM.....:zzdisappointed::zzsorry:

 

[TCALZ06]

That is just a WAG on my part!!!!!!


The only thing positive is that I also heard from a manufacture chopper sales are up and the article you posted has a comment from strokers in TX kind of indicating the same.

I hope BDM makes it but I'm concerned that they are not at major events and just now released the cheaper chopper.

Saxon from AZ seams to have a pretty good mix of bikes to offer. They were in laughlin and had a couple bobbers that looked nice and while that isn't what I want they looked like nice bikes with decent parts

 

[K9Anniv]

I agree in hoping BDM survives and am also concerned about their absence at major events, but understand they're trying to cut costs. I'm also surprised they didn't jump on the "Bobber" bandwagon and come up with a <$20K bike sooner. The 'new' Chopper may be too little too late...time will tell.

 

[Biker Babe]

I'm also surprised they didn't jump on the "Bobber" bandwagon and come up with a <$20K bike sooner. The 'new' Chopper may be too little too late...time will tell.

I was hoping back when the 'Mutt' came out that it was going to be a bobber. Then they introduce the top of the line Bagger when the economy sucks.

 

[airbrush-ed]

Yeah, a bunch of us at BDM (before we all got laid-off that is) were scratching our collective heads on that one. No bobbers when bobbers got hot.? No baggers when baggers got hot.? Then let's release a bagger too late, and too exspensive.? And now a (potentially) cheaper model (that could possibly carry the company until the economy gets better) is out, but they won't push it at events and shows???

Now I know, ALOT of good peeps have been let go. Including some (not so good) know-it-all-upper-management! I mean really, they put a LAWYER in charge after Messer left!
They fired the paint shop manager with a lifetime of experience, and replaced him with a guy from Harley. Who didn't even know HOW to paint!!! Then they replaced him with the polish shop manager. Who ALSO did not know how to paint!
They're in bed with an awesome machine shop that makes all their billet. So why can't they make more option parts for the bikes? Like picking which wheels, grips, pegs, ect. Maybe even making parts to fit other kinds of bikes. Look at Eddie Trotta, his biggest seller is grips!
They had a paint shop complete with 5 booths, and a shit load of talented people. Yet they would turn their nose up at painting any outside jobs. Like other brands of bikes. Swift will paint just about anything you bring to them. They even frowned on doing matching helmets when requested by perspective buyers.
Their clothing line art was designed OUTSIDE when they had huge pools of talent INSIDE.
Their designers drew up AMAZING designs that will never see the light of day. Because they didn't fit the narrow vision of what BDM wanted to be known for...
Any of these things (or all) could have been utilized to bring cash into the company.
I may not have a degree, but I do know this:
Diversify what you can offer to the consumer
Give options
Use the talents and resources you have internally before outsourcing
Keep an open mind to unconventional possibilities

This is how I run MY business. But what do I know? I'm just a painter...

 

[barhopper]

Hindsight is 20-20. Its easy to rip a company anytime someone wants to. Especially disgruntled ex-employees. No company is perfect. I wish BDM nothing but good will and success in the future.

 

[airbrush-ed]

Barhopper, I too wish them nothing but success.
I enjoyed my time there very much, and was saddened when it ended. I'm not trying to rip them as you say. It's just that their business has gone downhill, and there are numerous things that they could do or could have done to help their position.
I have NO dought BDM will be one of (if not THE strongest) the players in the game emerging from this crappy economy.
If the game as-a-whole can emerge.
No disrespect intended.

 

[Cruise-Mate]

BDM

FWIW, yes, BDM is in trouble, however, not as much by their own doing as by others. I have visited several shops (Big Dog Dealers) and it appears the demand is still there for the bikes but the banks aren't loaning money to buy them. And lets face it, how many people out there have $30K or so cash to put down on a motorcycle.

I've even heard stories of potential customers with credit scores in excess of 750 who couldn't get financing.

All this being said, why not try to help them out by not trying to save nickels and dimes on parts and accessories and, for now, give them as much business as you can. It will cost owners a little more for now, but hopefully will help BDM through tough times.

Most of you in the forums know who I am (Cruise-Mate) and whenever someone calls me to order a Cruise-Mate my first option is to refer them to the factory to buy their product. I give up a ton of profit by not selling direct (except via the website), yet am willing to do that if my small contribution can help a great motorcycle continue to be produced.:flag:

 

[KuruptedOne]

FWIW, yes, BDM is in trouble, however, not as much by their own doing as by others. I have visited several shops (Big Dog Dealers) and it appears the demand is still there for the bikes but the banks aren't loaning money to buy them. And lets face it, how many people out there have $30K or so cash to put down on a motorcycle.

I've even heard stories of potential customers with credit scores in excess of 750 who couldn't get financing.

All this being said, why not try to help them out by not trying to save nickels and dimes on parts and accessories and, for now, give them as much business as you can. It will cost owners a little more for now, but hopefully will help BDM through tough times.

Most of you in the forums know who I am (Cruise-Mate) and whenever someone calls me to order a Cruise-Mate my first option is to refer them to the factory to buy their product. I give up a ton of profit by not selling direct (except via the website), yet am willing to do that if my small contribution can help a great motorcycle continue to be produced.:flag:

:iagree:

 

[barhopper]

Barhopper, I too wish them nothing but success.
I enjoyed my time there very much, and was saddened when it ended. I'm not trying to rip them as you say. It's just that their business has gone downhill, and there are numerous things that they could do or could have done to help their position.
I have NO dought BDM will be one of (if not THE strongest) the players in the game emerging from this crappy economy.
If the game as-a-whole can emerge.
No disrespect intended.

No disrespect taken. My business is way down and it may be years or maybe never from what it was. I have to adapt to this economy. BDM needs to adapt also. Banks need to make money available to more folks to jumpstart the economy. It may be awhile till things really get going again. My belt is way tight.

 

[QHRCN]

wouldn't it be nice if they could get the same deal as the big 3

 

[airbrush-ed]

Adapt as needed to survive - that's all I was tryin' to say.
Everybody's belt is a little tighter these days. You have to be more creative to attact more buyers. You just can't say " this is our thing, we do it this way, and if you don't like it, you can go down the road". You have to say " is this what you're looking for? No, well maybe you'll like this other product I have..."

 

[V]

speaking of bailouts did Harley get one? Might be a stupid question but saw one of their ads sayin they had over a billion of their own money for financin. I find that hard to believe. Just askin.

 

[shovelcowboy]

speaking of bailouts did Harley get one? Might be a stupid question but saw one of their ads sayin they had over a billion of their own money for financin. I find that hard to believe. Just askin.

I think when there whole Harley strategy of "finance a harley for ANYONE" tanked during the financial crisis, Warren Buffet (with his deep pockets and eye for a bargain) loaned them a huge loan at high rates OR bought harley stock for a very low price. I've read where he really cleaned up by buying at the low of the market.

Shovelcowboy

 

[V]

I think when there whole Harley strategy of "finance a harley for ANYONE" tanked during the financial crisis, Warren Buffet (with his deep pockets and eye for a bargain) loaned them a huge loan at high rates OR bought harley stock for a very low price. I've read where he really cleaned up by buying at the low of the market.

Shovelcowboy

Yep forgot about him steppin up a while back. I wish he'd bring his ass over here and step up my little biz.

 

[shovelcowboy]

Yep forgot about him steppin up a while back. I wish he'd bring his ass over here and step up my little biz.

Yeh, too bad BDM didn't have the history and name marketability that the Motor Company has. Warren would have probably rescued them too (for a price).

Shovelcowboy