Bigdog had another lay-off today

[airbrush-ed]

Lay-offs today @ BDM

Yep, they axed more people today. Some more of my good friends got it. Even some husband and wifes - both got it! 2 incomes gone.
They are now going down to 2 bikes a day.
I heard thru the grapevine that "if it doesn't turn around soon, we won't make it". This came from someone in higher management. It was said that 3 bikes a day (sold) would keep them afloat, but not profitable. Now they are going to 2 a day. They are hoping to be able to sell in Europe by november (I think), but this same upper management guy said they might not make it till then.
Sad times.
Even though I personally have NO loyalties to Bigdog anymore, I definately don't want to see them fold. They are the biggest manufacturer of high-end bike in the world. If they go out, what does that mean for the rest of the market as a whole?

 

[bdmridgeback]

:flag: :flag: :flag: :flag:



I hate to hear stuff like that about a company that has busted its ASS to get where it is! I know BDM has had issues, but they deserve to make it. And I know it is very difficult right now for the working man to get credit, But God Damn it, they deserve to be on top more than anyone in this market!!!!


If anyone is thinking of buying... and that cash is starting to burn in your pocket... Get your ass over to your dealer and stimulate a BDM salesman!!!

 

[airbrush-ed]

Yeah, but buy a solid-colored bike and let me paint it! Sorry, forgot to add that. LOL!
Hey, I got bills too!!!

 

[AeroBrad]

If anyone is thinking of buying... and that cash is starting to burn in your pocket... Get your ass over to your dealer and stimulate a BDM salesman!!!

I just took a Ridgeback off the floor of the Tampa dealership that had been inventory for over a year so I guess I did my part. :flag: Your are right... It's a tough time to be selling high end bikes and introducing an expensive new models like the Bulldog. Hopefully BD leadership will have the vision and confidence that the market will improve or that they can create efficiency within the company to stay profitable without going under.

 

[Baldielox]

I'm about to go for a wolf... I hope they pull through, I'm far less than thrilled with HD after how much it cost me to have an American V-twin that was just how I wanted it. BDM is my brand now.

- B

 

[TCALZ06]

I would think they could sell three bikes a day.

This does sound pretty bad if they are questioning if they can make it to Nov

 

[airbrush-ed]

They just bought back like 13 bikes from a dealer going belly up.
Here is the straight up fact: Sheldon needs to diversify, period.
When everybody was making money on bobbers, and we (BDM employees) urged him to put out an entry level bike like a bobber. He wouldn't listen.
When baggers became the hot ticket, we said let's build a bagger. He did actually listen, but it took forever to come out with one. And they're like 50 grand! Now that market is cooling off.
There are designers at BDM that have drawn up street-fighter type bikes, yet are still unmistakably Bigdog, and the brass won't even LOOK at them.
I personally drew up 3 new frame designs to be submited to "new product development", but couldn't get anyone to look at them because I was "just" an airbrush artist!
They basically have 4 or 5 flavors of the same bike. Diversify!
"Listen to your talented employees! Oh yeah, you've laid them all off."

 

[thumper29]

I feel what you are saying,

I think with the economy the way it is they should think about bringing the price down on some of the bike. Give people a chance to buy or want to buy their bikes.

 

[Raywood]

My wife has been in the market for a while now on a new Thunder Mountain Spitfire cause it feels good to her when she sits on it.
Last year they were $22,000 to $24,000. HD had 5 of them here and they are all gone now selling as low as $14,000 BUT without warranty cause Thunder Mountain is going under.
Hear (just rumors) that BBC is in the same boat.

Big Dog has got to survive cause they are the only ones left with this brand of bike and just like HD has survived many times (with Presidential help sometimes) Big Dog can too.

Obama announced today the Stimulus package was a success so we should be seeing improvements right? :loony:

Keeping my fingers crossed for BDM


:flag: :flag: :flag:

 

[Biker Babe]

This thread makes me feel like throwing up

 

[airbrush-ed]

You know how congress basically laughed at the car CEOs when they flew up to the hill? You know the million dollar management?
I don't see any government bailout for bigdog - a company that is owned by a guy basically born into millions. Owns a company in wichita, lives in malibu, with employees in the poor-house.
I hope they make it too, but things have got to change. What do I know, I'm "just" an airbrush artist!

 

[SKOOTER58]

All the custom bike, engine, and parts companies and need to get real. There just isn't that much in one of these bikes or their parts to justify the prices they charge. Take a S&S T124V engine for example. It cost over $10,000 for a 2 cylinder air cooled engine. Hell, you can buy a complete Edelbrock RPM small block Chevy engine with 435 H.P. for under $7000 and it's even chromed out and has polished aluminum heads and intake with a 800 CFM carb. I can buy four 20 inch aluminum wheels for a truck for less than one 20 inch aluminum wheel for a bike. It's unrealistic. I can buy a new Ford F150 Harley Davidson Edition pickup for about the same price as a new BDM Wolf or Bulldog Bagger. Just think about everything that goes into building a $40 to $50 grand car or truck then compare that to what goes into a bike. A little piece of shit plastic windshield for my HD Deluxe cost $375. I had a new windshield put in my Camaro for $150 installed! And, you can bet your sweet ass the union guy putting the left front hubcap on that Ford Focus is making double or more than a BDM employee. I think they all need to take a step back and get real. They're all putting themselfs out of business. Just my :zz2cents:

 

[Raywood]

All the custom bike, engine, and parts companies and need to get real. There just isn't that much in one of these bikes or their parts to justify the prices they charge. Take a S&S T124V engine for example. It cost over $10,000 for a 2 cylinder air cooled engine. Hell, you can buy a complete Edelbrock RPM small block Chevy engine with 435 H.P. for under $7000 and it's even chromed out and has polished aluminum heads and intake with a 800 CFM carb. I can buy four 20 inch aluminum wheels for a truck for less than one 20 inch aluminum wheel for a bike. It's unrealistic. I can buy a new Ford F150 Harley Davidson Edition pickup for about the same price as a new BDM Wolf or Bulldog Bagger. Just think about everything that goes into building a $40 to $50 grand car or truck then compare that to what goes into a bike. A little piece of shit plastic windshield for my HD Deluxe cost $375. I had a new windshield put in my Camaro for $150 installed! And, you can bet your sweet ass the union guy putting the left front hubcap on that Ford Focus is making double or more than a BDM employee. I think they all need to take a step back and get real. They're all putting themselfs out of business. Just my :zz2cents:

Hard to argue that! Why does a single motorcycle rear wheel cost $2000? And BDM has to pay these prices to S&S and Baker and all the other suppliers!

 

[airbrush-ed]

You'd be surprised at how much it costs Bigdog to make a bike. You'd throw up.

 

[Marco Polo]

This thread makes me feel like throwing up

Move over and share that bucket BB... I just spent $40K on their product because I bought into how BDM was going to stand behind it unlike any other company. Every since it was delivered there's been something going on that needs attention and after having it trailered to the closest dealer I've had to hear all kinds of crap about how the bad starter and other stuff they found might not be covered under warranty since I put a Braille battery in it. The dealer also feels the need to tell me how bad BDM products are which is why they don't stock or sell them and he expects them to go under soon as if it's a good thing. :bang: :bang: I swear at this point if I could get out of this and completely away from Big Dog I would...

 

[Bulldog03]

You'd be surprised at how much it costs Bigdog to make a bike. You'd throw up.

O.K. I'll ask How much does it cost Bigdog to make a bike new, out the factory

Better not say less than $15,000!!!!!

 

[Marco Polo]

O.K. I'll ask How much does it cost Bigdog to make a bike new, out the factory

Better not say less than $15,000!!!!!

It cost so much that if you get over $3K off from your dealer then they are no longer able to throw in a $20 t-shirt supposedly.

 

[Tomtang aka Reptilejim]

I can't believe that bdm is gettin ready to bail-out. This shit is too much. When ya spend alot of money for anything you expect a good product and good service. I hope there's other options for bdm except bailin'. I understand how you feel Marco.

 

[2004BC]

They just bought back like 13 bikes from a dealer going belly up.
Here is the straight up fact: Sheldon needs to diversify, period.
When everybody was making money on bobbers, and we (BDM employees) urged him to put out an entry level bike like a bobber. He wouldn't listen.
When baggers became the hot ticket, we said let's build a bagger. He did actually listen, but it took forever to come out with one. And they're like 50 grand! Now that market is cooling off.
There are designers at BDM that have drawn up street-fighter type bikes, yet are still unmistakably Bigdog, and the brass won't even LOOK at them.
I personally drew up 3 new frame designs to be submited to "new product development", but couldn't get anyone to look at them because I was "just" an airbrush artist!
They basically have 4 or 5 flavors of the same bike. Diversify!
"Listen to your talented employees! Oh yeah, you've laid them all off."

Same thing has happened at the company I work for. Everythings going south, suggested diversifying product lines, but instead they laid off hundreds of people including most of the sales force. Their official managerial response to the economic crisis? " We'll wait it out." BRILLIANT!!!!:bang: :bang: :bang:

 

[K9Anniv]

I'm about to go for a wolf... I hope they pull through, I'm far less than thrilled with HD after how much it cost me to have an American V-twin that was just how I wanted it. BDM is my brand now.

- B

Ditto for me. I just traded in 3 bikes - two 2003 H-D Screamin Eagles and one 2005 BDM Chopper - for my new K9 and some money back. I've officially switched brand loyalty 100% to Big Dog. After having a Harley in my garage for over 25 years, I got tired of the Harley "money-pit", and buying one of their cookie-cutter "Luggage-glides" didn't appeal to me. I hope and pray Big Dog hangs on and makes it through this.