Bigdog had another lay-off today

[Dawgboy]

I wouldn't bet on BBC weathering this economic storm either. Don't they have some big lawsuits pending against them relating to frame defect issues?

I hope they ALL survive, but they're ALL going to have to quickly change their company business model dramatically in order to do so, sorry to say.

Survival of the fittest, as they say!

Some of these companies aren't going to survive. Those that do will be in a good position when the economy finally turns around.

 

[05ridgeback]

BDM will survive, but i think they should become a smaller company and give the customer more options. it would be nice to get your bike built how you want it. for instance i have powder coated cylinders and diamond cut , this would have cost alot less when the motor was initially being built, other things like fender options. there are alot more, but being a more custom company you will have more business IMO because the people that have the $$$ are the ones that will be buying

 

[Finn]

Where else can you get a chopper with a 300 rear that is not built in a basement. QUOTE]

Big Bear?
Bourget's have a 330.

 

[MN K9]

+1

+2

 

[barhopper]

OCC is the biggest piece of shit ever. I used to really like that show and I thought they were the greatest. Now that Paul SR. seems to be getting rid of his entire familiy, the ones who actually built that business, it is all going down hill. I would never buy a bike from a guy who fiired his own children, even if they are lazy screwups. They helped build that company and he is pushing them out to make an extra buck. I would rather buy a bike from a company that has a slight chance of closing its doors than from a guy who dicks over his own family. If he would screw his own son to make a buck he will definetly screw you.

Mikey is a nice guy, but worthless as a employee. Paul is good, but as you see, he thinks his shit don't stink. Always late, leaves early. Paul Sr has worked hard his whole life and got what he has because he did it. Period. I had to fire my own brother for the better of my company. It sucked. Still don't talk. TV only shows you what it wants and edits.

 

[barhopper]

Well let's see... My Wolf is 3 months old and I've replaced one so far and it seems to be a pretty frequent problem with others so I'd guess quite a few. Especially if everyones going through them at a rate of 4 a year! :lol: :lol:

I am on my original one. :2thumbs:

 

[busa03]

Everybody wants one. No one wants to pay for it. Trying to sell my second BDM Ridgeback, lots of tire kickers. Bought my first one a 04 when I 23, sold it and bought a 05 about a 1.5 year ago. I am now 26 drive a 1000 dollar ford contour and a bad ass chopper. See tons of nice cars everyday on the road that cost tons more then my bike but wouldnt trade the feel or the pride I get when riding.

I will do my part in keeping them afloat.

 

[MARV]

It's like I always say about starters. You can buy a plain jane black small block chevy starter for $15-25 but a starter for a bike is a couple of hundred? WTF

what i always hear you say is "whats for lunch"


as far as BDM going under things will be the same for me.

work on it myself. if its a proprietary part and i cant get it then change it out.

 

[Marco Polo]

BDM will survive, but i think they should become a smaller company and give the customer more options. it would be nice to get your bike built how you want it. for instance i have powder coated cylinders and diamond cut , this would have cost alot less when the motor was initially being built, other things like fender options. there are alot more, but being a more custom company you will have more business IMO because the people that have the $$$ are the ones that will be buying

Hmm... Kind of how Big Bear does? You can pick which wheels you want, motor, fenders, paint, etc etc.

But, yes, to answer the other question they are having a HUGE recall issue from a frame defect on older models and it's caused them to lose many customers AND dealers over how they handled it. I don't know of anyone actually suing them over it, just a lot of people wanting to that I've read. Basically they had a weak weld at the neck and a guy here in San Jose (who modified his frame) had his snap while riding down the freeway (wasn't hurt) and instead of recalling all the frames they paid dealers a tiny amount of money to weld on a support gusset. Needless to say nobody was happy that there wasn't enough money being paid to properly do it and replace the entire paint job.

Another way to look at it though is that at least BBC did something about their problem unlike BDM who seems to be shooting for one straight decade of bad EHCs before they do anything. When I checked into BBC the other thing I found was that the frame issue seemed to be the only ongoing complaint. Here... hell, it's one thing after another it seems.

I hope they both make it and hopefully if they do they'll be much more appreciative in the future of the people who bought their products and pulled them through. Now OCC on the other hand... they can go under for all I care. They make crap and have no qualms about doing so.

 

[BDWB]

Last time I was out in Washington - I rented a HD Street Glide for a short run with P8riot. For me there is no comparison in the experience of riding a BD - I hope BD stays alive because I want to buy another in a few years - they have continued to invest in new models, their website and their customers through one of the worst economies in history. They certainly have their faults but the positive far outweighs the negatives - for me.

 

[barhopper]

:iagree:

 

[KnotSo]

unlike BDM who seems to be shooting for one straight decade of bad EHCs before they do anything

And yet, in the overall scheme of things, there were actually very few ehc problem bikes.

Personally, i like the idea that with a glance I can tell exactly where the problem is on a bike.

we have an F-550 that has 14,000 miles on it, and I have had to replace the computer twice now.

BDM has stepped up and replaced the majority of the true ehc's even when years out of warranty, as they do with many things on these bikes.

BDM is probably the only company out there that has incredible service after the sale, after the regular warranty runs out, and even for the second and third owners. Yes, there are some true complaints, but the majority of BDM owners simply love their bikes, and many have had no issues or very small problems not worth mentioning.

BDM has sold about 27000 bikes, do you know how many have had ehc issues? Your statement makes it seem like all the ehc's were bad for 10 years straight, do you really believe this to be a true statement? I would be curious to see where you are getting your facts from. Or are you just reading this forum and drawing a conclusion.

If your conclusions are from reading about issues here, please keep in mind we want ppl to first use the SEARCH feature, and if they still need help, then give us a rundown of the issue with all details of the what, when, where and what they have tried to do to fix it. Many so called issues blamed on the ehc can be accuratly placed to other items, (IE: battery). Yet, some feel the need to get on this forum and pop off about this crap or that crap without actually knowing what they speak of. There are over 2700 members on this forum, so if there were truely a lot of ehc issues, these ppl would be jumping on the bandwagan and spouting off that they too have had issues, yet they are not, so a conclusion can be drawn from the silence also.

Let me know what facts you drew your statement from.

thanks

 

[brandedcalf]

,

 

[dingo]

One of the real problems for BDM is at the dealer / financing level.

I had a long conversation with a dealer last week who said that he has buyers coming in to the store who are ready to pull the trigger but can't get financing because the lenders (and the dealer has over 15 lenders they deal with regularly) wont touch them without at least 30% down and a 750 minimum credit score which is deal breaker for the majority of their potential sales.

 

[fmschatz]

Hope BD does not go under. I have had three BD's since 05. The 05 had one EhC to go out. The06 K-9was great with no problems. My Wolf had a small oil leak which S&S and BD took care immediately and have experienced no other problems. I have noting but good service from my dealer and from the factory.
In selling anythig these days, especially a high ticket iten, the credit markets are frozen at this point. Need a high credit score and plenty of down payment. Dealers can sell bikes if there was financing. Let's hope Sheldon can ride it out until the markets turn around. He can use some of the money he got when Coleman was sold to Sunbeam.

I agree they need a less expensive entry bike and different models to atract some of the other riders that doesn't want to put $ 30,000 in a bike

 

[sinbad767]

I ordered my Mastiff last month (still waiting). My dealer (Strokers, Dallas) has sold 4 Mastiffs in the last few weeks and that's only the ones I know of. I hope BD makes it too. There are still allot of people out in this economony that have lots of money and are still spending.

 

[Finn]

what i always hear you say is "whats for lunch"
.

Ahhh, you're a funny fuck aren't you.

I always know what's for lunch...fish tacos.:2thumbs:

By the way, how was all the rain up in Laconia?

 

[Raywood]

Latest news

This is about all I could find on this latest round of lay-0ffs.

Today Wednesday July 2nd, Big Dog Motorcycles laid off over 20 employees. The company is blaming the economy, practically the shrinking of consumer discretionary spending and the lack of retail financing available. Laid-off workers received a severance package. Big Dog Motorcycles, like many other manufacturers, is focusing its efforts to exporting to Canada, Europe, Asia and Australia. Last September Big Dog already laid-off 49 employees. Big Dog Motorcycles.

Article taken from Cyril Huze Blog - Cyril Huze Blog
URL to article: New Wave Of Layoffs At Big Dog Motorcycles at Cyril Huze Blog

 

[Marco Polo]

The service manager at my dealer (Arlen Ness) seems to think it's not long now before they fold. He told me several times how tight him and Sheldon are and how they have dinner all the time and stuff so you'd think he'd know but I'll believe it when I see it.

 

[Tomtang aka Reptilejim]

BDm going under

I love my ridgeback, as a matter of fact I had to save my ass off to purchase the motherf*&^%$. I was tired of the regular shit. I hope that the company can stay afloat. Everyone is laying off. That high ass credit score that banks and loan companies want really sucks. Several of my friends had to give their harleys back to the dealer because of layoffs. It's really bad out here. You have to be tough mentally for this type of shit.