Getting Nervous!

[K9Anniv]

I for one am getting pretty nervous about the future of our favorite motorcycle company, Big Dog. anic2:

All the layoffs/furloughs in Wichita, the articles about a possible sale, no corp. website update yet showing 2010 models (assuming there will even be any) and rumors in general are causing me heartburn, to say the least.:bang:

Does anyone have direct connections with Coleman or other big-wigs out there to see what, if anything, we could do on this forum to help them?
This "wait 'n' see" stuff is for the birds!

 

[2004BC]

 

[warpdriver1]

I also have concerns as I am looking forward to purchasing a K9 or Bulldog Bagger in the New Year.

 

[K9Anniv]

I guess everyone else in this Forum is taking the ol' "head in the sand" approach, hoping it'll all go away and be better??

I wish I could share that 'Pollyanna' philosophy :zwhistle:, but my 'Nervous Nelly' nature won't let me.:willy_nilly:anic2:

We're surely a large enough constituency of Big Dog Enthusiasts in this Forum to warrant some direct dialog with Sheldon Coleman and get the inside 'skinny' on what's happening, wouldn't you think? I'd just like to know what's going down before it hits the street. I think we deserve that much from BDM.

 

[vej]

someone posted the article from Coleman and then immediately got blasted..... maybe everyone's just a little leary of what they say. I'm with you, I'd love to know whats going on.

Truth is all of the basics we can do ourselves, it's just when you get into more "Big Dog" unique items that we'll need help. But even for that stuff there are fabricators out there that will and are more than willing to help us.

 

[gixxbynite]

unfortunately, i dont see it surviving. the guy already said he did not have enough money to continue to run the company and has enough inventory to fill what small orders they have with the current warehouse stock. which is why he needs investors or to sale. on a good note. at least it has lasted this long. which to my knowlege is the only company in this market still standing aside from big bear choppers& Bourget bike works.so thats impressive and says a lot about the product. however the TREND has died down. and now the starbucks posers are looking for the next bandwagon to ride on. so the only ones left to purchase these bikes are the people that are truly interested in them for personal reasons, and not because of a trend to look cool. sad to say, with a smaller demand and simply no money available from the banks to lend for toys.. i just dont see the market for such. the custom chopper companys were founded during a boom in the industry. and thanks to shows on the discovery channel, they hit a major growth stage. but that has died. banks being the pieces of shhhh.. that they are. wont lend money to the same taxpayers that bailed them out for purchases like 30k motorcycles , that truly honestly dont hold their value that well. and those that have the cash and dont need financing, are not dropping it on toys, they are grabbing inventory homes, and other cheap investments. that will give good return in the later years. so IMO the demise of the company cannot be avoided. the survival of any business thrives off of sales, and there are not enough, nor will there be enough to sustain the size of the company and its payroll to justify the required investment capitol needed to survive. once again. hats off to them for lasting this long. i hope they can make it work. i am in the market for a new mastiff but the 19-22k I am looking to spend will not help save the company.

 

[Coolbreeze]

Guys, I feel ya. I depend on BD to make a living. Been a BD Tech for 8 years. But have worked for 2 shops that went under..... They tell you nothing till the doors close. Unless your prepared to pony up 7 figures, Sheldon probably is not going to share too much. I speeak with Big Dog about every week in some way, and I know as much as you do.

 

[Coolbreeze]

Lucky for me Big Dog put enough on the road that Hopefully I can keep some kind of work going. We'll see what happens.

 

[gixxbynite]

yeah that sucks considering you work there. i hope the best for you. typically companies always hide the truth, but draw the outline for you to see the writing on the wall. and either you see it or pretend not to see it..i expierenced the same thing in 2007 as what you are going through with a medical compressor company i was employed at for 10 years. good luck to you and the remaining staff

 

[gixxbynite]

well on a positive note, the issues with the company is not stopping people as myself and others from purchasing new bikes. i see the issues the company is having from this site and on the news. and that is not stopping me from buying a new mastiff,once i find the deal i am looking for. so i am sure there are others like me. and thats a testament to the bikes that are made there.

 

[TheDeadOne]

Well I for one hope that nothing bad will happen to BDM!

But "if" for some reason they do shut down forever. Look at it this way....We'll all have a "vintage custom" motorcycle that will increase in value every year!

I know it's a hard idea, just to put in a silver lining on things. But we all know that this economy is the worst thing to be seen since the depression. And just like the depression, these times will also be put in the history books.

I wish there were something better we could all say about the times of today, but we can't. We just have to go through it the best that we can and hope for the best. Including the best for BDM!

 

[K9Anniv]

I even wonder if Sheldon still has the passion for the company to pare it down to a handful of his best people to crank out a few dozen bikes a year just to keep the lights on? I don't know his debt ratio or how solvent the company is, but if sales cannot match expense, then it's a losing proposition and I doubt he's willing to subsidize it out of his own pocket for too long. Who can blame him?

 

[Coolbreeze]

Thanks, gixxbynite, Its guys like you that will keep me wrenchen. Not sure wer your located but Librty big Dog in Akron Ohio is ready to deal. There nervous too.
330-535-9900 ask for Al

 

[gixxbynite]

Well I for one hope that nothing bad will happen to BDM!

But "if" for some reason they do shut down forever. Look at it this way....We'll all have a "vintage custom" motorcycle that will increase in value every year!

I know it's a hard idea, just to put in a silver lining on things. But we all know that this economy is the worst thing to be seen since the depression. And just like the depression, these times will also be put in the history books.

I wish there were something better we could all say about the times of today, but we can't. We just have to go through it the best that we can and hope for the best. Including the best for BDM!

thats how i look at it. it just makes the bikes more valuable and rare. and if you look at the way there are made. its a great platform for even more customization if a person wants. there are plenty of parts out there even if there is no company. just grab your tool box and use your imagination. you already have a good foundation.:up:

 

[gixxbynite]

i am in charlotte nc. the dealer we had here was extreme motorcycles. it was in salisbury nc. 20 minutes away. they went under and the dealership closed all of a sudden. i have 3 other dealers in a 2 hr radius to choose from charleston sc, raleigh nc, and there is also one in south carolina. so thats pretty good. the closing of the dealership i mentioned is what really made me take notice. they were a very large dealership which carried at one time 9 different brands of bikes, from custom choppers to jap bikes to powerboats. it was a real candy store. but now its gone.

 

[Coolbreeze]

Yea K9Anniv, Thats what I think might be an optoin. At dealer meetings everyone would mention.... You guys need to build a 19k-22k model. Sheldons responce every time is WE ARE A HIGH END MOTORCYCLES COMPANY. His passion is still strong.

 

[Coolbreeze]

Is Twin Specialties still kicken?

 

[gixxbynite]

yes twin specialities website has inventory on it. i have not been there. but they have a decent selection on their website. i went to the big dog website and just used the dealer locater from zip code 28269 and it shows me the dealers that are left.

 

[TheDeadOne]

As far as I know they still are.

 

[K9Anniv]

thats how i look at it. it just makes the bikes more valuable and rare. and if you look at the way there are made. its a great platform for even more customization if a person wants. there are plenty of parts out there even if there is no company. just grab your tool box and use your imagination. you already have a good foundation.:up:

I agree, even though it would be sad to imagine no new 'Dogs or accessories introduced each year. Now I have a feel for what Indian owners and enthusiasts went through in 1953! I just hope Big Dog AND S&S can persevere!