Why Big Dog?
- Thread starter Tim
- Start date
ajo771
Active Member
I had sold my Yamaha Maxium to get a Harley but then started a family. You know the story. Me and the wife had always talked about getting a bike after the kids went off to college and we could enjoy it together. We bought 4 quads so we could enjoy together as a family (son started riding at age 4). I use to race trikes as a kid and we really got into ATVing. Then I started a ATV customizing and rental business called American ATV. I first seen Big Dogs when I was opening up American ATV accounts with the distributors. Big Dog was soliciting new dealers. I considered it (I should have buy in was only 100K in the beginning). But I was an off roader. This was a 10 year time frame.
Fast forward another 5 years. I was hosting Friday night poker for a couple of years when one of my friends (Nick) showed up with a new HD. Nick use to watch me race and had no problem letting me take it for a spin. It was fun, but I just didnt want to spend the money on a HD. A few weeks later I am filling up the work truck at a gas station and up pulls a new Mustang. Sounded sweet. So I said I think I'm going to get one (must be mid life crisis). Go to my sons football game that Saturday morning and tell the other Dads I'm going to get a Mustang. And they had all just watched Wildhogs, and said lets all go get bikes and we'll be the Marilla Wildhogs. So I found a used Fatboy online at Rochester Thunder. When I went to look at the fatboy, it looked like a Kawasaki next to the customs (this was Monday). Tuesday I went back ad test rode the Chopper. Wife said to get it but I could tell she was having a problem with the price so I backed off. Wednesday she tells me she racked up $20K on the credit cards she was hiding from me, and that I should really get the bike. Now I'm sick to my stomach and said no. Thursday, now I'm pissed. I called the dealer and told him to prep the bike. On day 5, Friday (laborday weekend) a co-worker gets killed on the job when a chop saw kicks back and cuts his throat open. Died on the spot. Called the dealer told him I what had happened and I wasnt coming in. I toss and turn all night Friday, when its you time its your time it doesnt matter if your on a bike or at work. Wife tells me she doesnt want me to wait another 10 years to wait for a bike, only to never have the chance. I'm getting ready to call the dealer, when they called me up and asked if they knocked $1500 off the asking price I'd make the deal. I said Done. Picked it up in about 2 hours after the call and rode it to my sons football game (1 week after the the guys all said they were getting bikes). I was the only one who actually go any kind of motorcycle. They all had their excusses - wife, college, money, etc... To this day I am the only one who has gotten one. I ride alone 90% of the time (my tortured soul time), and ride with my friend Nick, who re-ignited the motorcycle passion within me, the other 10%. Id ride with Nick more but he is a bar hopper, and I like the long rides. It took me 5 days from first looking at a Big Dog to owning a Big Dog.
I have no other hobbies, I work doubles 5 days a week and 1 weekend a month. So being able to come home open the garage door and ride has its appeal. I like the Chopper so much I am looking at getting a second custom. The big question now is weather I'll get a second bike or a helicopter. I've been test riding bikes this week, and went to the airport to look into helicopter lessons today. (I spend 15-18 hours a week commuting back and forth to work, a helicopter could easily cut that in half).
Long winded but here you answer:
Looks, fit and finish, and dealer are why I choose BDM.
Fast forward another 5 years. I was hosting Friday night poker for a couple of years when one of my friends (Nick) showed up with a new HD. Nick use to watch me race and had no problem letting me take it for a spin. It was fun, but I just didnt want to spend the money on a HD. A few weeks later I am filling up the work truck at a gas station and up pulls a new Mustang. Sounded sweet. So I said I think I'm going to get one (must be mid life crisis). Go to my sons football game that Saturday morning and tell the other Dads I'm going to get a Mustang. And they had all just watched Wildhogs, and said lets all go get bikes and we'll be the Marilla Wildhogs. So I found a used Fatboy online at Rochester Thunder. When I went to look at the fatboy, it looked like a Kawasaki next to the customs (this was Monday). Tuesday I went back ad test rode the Chopper. Wife said to get it but I could tell she was having a problem with the price so I backed off. Wednesday she tells me she racked up $20K on the credit cards she was hiding from me, and that I should really get the bike. Now I'm sick to my stomach and said no. Thursday, now I'm pissed. I called the dealer and told him to prep the bike. On day 5, Friday (laborday weekend) a co-worker gets killed on the job when a chop saw kicks back and cuts his throat open. Died on the spot. Called the dealer told him I what had happened and I wasnt coming in. I toss and turn all night Friday, when its you time its your time it doesnt matter if your on a bike or at work. Wife tells me she doesnt want me to wait another 10 years to wait for a bike, only to never have the chance. I'm getting ready to call the dealer, when they called me up and asked if they knocked $1500 off the asking price I'd make the deal. I said Done. Picked it up in about 2 hours after the call and rode it to my sons football game (1 week after the the guys all said they were getting bikes). I was the only one who actually go any kind of motorcycle. They all had their excusses - wife, college, money, etc... To this day I am the only one who has gotten one. I ride alone 90% of the time (my tortured soul time), and ride with my friend Nick, who re-ignited the motorcycle passion within me, the other 10%. Id ride with Nick more but he is a bar hopper, and I like the long rides. It took me 5 days from first looking at a Big Dog to owning a Big Dog.
I have no other hobbies, I work doubles 5 days a week and 1 weekend a month. So being able to come home open the garage door and ride has its appeal. I like the Chopper so much I am looking at getting a second custom. The big question now is weather I'll get a second bike or a helicopter. I've been test riding bikes this week, and went to the airport to look into helicopter lessons today. (I spend 15-18 hours a week commuting back and forth to work, a helicopter could easily cut that in half).
Long winded but here you answer:
Looks, fit and finish, and dealer are why I choose BDM.
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Front Runner
Active Member
I saw it.
I liked it.
I got approval from the Sergeant Major of Finance. (You married men know who I'm talking about.)
I bought it. :2thumbs:
I liked it.
I got approval from the Sergeant Major of Finance. (You married men know who I'm talking about.)
I bought it. :2thumbs:
scubaman15
Well-Known Member
Thats a good woman :up:Couldn't let Ray have all the fun....
Seriously, my neighboor owned the bike when it was black and from the moment I saw it, I knew it was for me and I would have one. When he decided to sell the bike while I was deployed, she bought it for me and the rest is history. :2thumbs: :2thumbs:
scubaman15
Well-Known Member
Have a friend who bought a custom rigid and it was cool but he was paying out the ass for Insurance ..and thought it was not worth it ..he complained about the harsh ride and he never rode very far ...I love to ride , anyway he sold the custom at at loss and I was still riding the Harley ..nice bike had some coin in it but still something missing . Was planning major engine work over the winter ..anyway going to every bike show and event I could find ..the buddy bought a Swift "Bar Chopper" 117 S&S Baker 6 very nice loved it but still At close to 40g Ithink he payed 37500.00 Pluss taxes anyway I knew I could find a better deal and did AT Myrtle two years ago at the Swift tent a 05 Bar Chopper 117 baker6 left hand drive chain drive for 26000.00 I called the bank and was very close to buying but at this point I had been reading about the right hand side drives and wanted that..so I would wait one more year ...well the next year at Myrtle I did not find the special "you know what i mean bike ..the kind of bike that just calls you" anyway I have been looking at Bigdogs and I loved the way they looked and shopped for them for a while but got sidetracked and let it die for a while ..till going to the dealer hear in Richmond and After seeing the one day price "once in a life time price " it was all I needed, it had it all ,Show Polished motor /Stainless cables/PM brakes/Right side drive /Baker6 I could not touch trying to build it for the price and it was sitting there calling me I knew I would buy it right then and there. And Did ...and love it !
Cobrafast1
Active Member
I looked at AIH, Bourget and Vengance along with the Big Dog. The Bourget was really a nice bike, but the cost was so high and I just could not justify it with all my other hobbies and toys.
The local Bourget dealer closed up and I thanked God I didn't buy then as the nearest place is Sarasota. I checked out AIH and I liked it, but the long gas tank was just not appealling. I liked the BDM Chopper as it was the styling. I found mine on the internet and dealed with the guy over about 4 months.
Then he was going through a bad divorce and needed cash I guess, so we came to terms. I think I got a great deal.
If I had to do it again? It would be a Big Dog Chopper again for sure. Maybe a different color. I love mine.
The local Bourget dealer closed up and I thanked God I didn't buy then as the nearest place is Sarasota. I checked out AIH and I liked it, but the long gas tank was just not appealling. I liked the BDM Chopper as it was the styling. I found mine on the internet and dealed with the guy over about 4 months.
Then he was going through a bad divorce and needed cash I guess, so we came to terms. I think I got a great deal.
If I had to do it again? It would be a Big Dog Chopper again for sure. Maybe a different color. I love mine.
surferdude
dry docked
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jwoolf
Well-Known Member
For me, Big Dog is in my opinion the best of the custom mfgrs. They stand behind their bikes and, they design well enough to have a streetable bike. You can get insurance on them and get them serviced.
I was looking at AIH but, the Big Dogs were far and above them in being a streetable bike with better service. It was an easy decision.
I was looking at AIH but, the Big Dogs were far and above them in being a streetable bike with better service. It was an easy decision.
dogvet
Banned
I was at the airport the other day and the Big Dog display is gone and a Victory display has taken its place.
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
Cuz
Member
Big Dog is the choice
The last bike I owned was a 2006 HD Deuce with a price tag of $ 22,000.
I put air ride on the bike $1500, Raked out front with raked trees $2000,
250 tire kit $3000, Custom twisted spoke rims $800, all new braided lines $500, and etc, etc, etc. When completed what did it look like. A Big Dog Mastiff. And I had around $13000 to $15,000 in it. It still did not have the styling a Big Dog has. Luckily one day I was going around a turn and did not have the bike raised hi enough and broke the side license plate off. I took it to the shop to have it all fixed and a guy was in looking for a new bike and spotted mine. SOLD to the high bidder. LOL.
I then called my buddy who had my 04 Big Dog and told him to get it ready I was buying it back. Luckily he only put 200 miles on it since he bought it.
Happy ending to this story. Back home on a Big Dog
The last bike I owned was a 2006 HD Deuce with a price tag of $ 22,000.
I put air ride on the bike $1500, Raked out front with raked trees $2000,
250 tire kit $3000, Custom twisted spoke rims $800, all new braided lines $500, and etc, etc, etc. When completed what did it look like. A Big Dog Mastiff. And I had around $13000 to $15,000 in it. It still did not have the styling a Big Dog has. Luckily one day I was going around a turn and did not have the bike raised hi enough and broke the side license plate off. I took it to the shop to have it all fixed and a guy was in looking for a new bike and spotted mine. SOLD to the high bidder. LOL.
I then called my buddy who had my 04 Big Dog and told him to get it ready I was buying it back. Luckily he only put 200 miles on it since he bought it.
Happy ending to this story. Back home on a Big Dog
BigMack73
High-Tech RedNeck Rider
I test drove 8 other different manufacturers choppers before buying my Big Dog. Five of them were more expensive bikes, Arlen Ness, Bourget, OCC, Wild West included. I did not want to pay 10-15k (or more) for a bike that I could not ride very far. Several were same price or a little cheaper - Titan, Saxon, Ironhorse, and only the Titan Rubbermount (a much more expensive bike) had a comparable smooth ride like my Big Dog. Once I bought my Big Dog K-9 I sold my Honda Aspencade crusier, the Dog will do any 100 mile plus charity ride in comfort so why keep additional bikes and pay the extra insurance, when one beautiful bad-ass raked out bike (at a lower price) will do just fine!!!
Now I own just one bike... My Dog K-9.
Now I own just one bike... My Dog K-9.
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Bocephus05
Member
Always had dirtbikes as a kid or something with a motor.Stayed bruised up but somehow no broken bones (knock on wood).I was about 13 I guess and the neighbor had a honda 400 street bike he sat out in the yard with a 4 sale sign and the grand price of $100 lol.I swapped him 3 or 4 yard mowings for that ole thing and chopped the pipes off at the footpegs and have been hooked on street bikes ever since.I rember it shocking the chit out of me when I'd crank it lol.( My mom tried to make the guy come get it back, but he told her a deal's a deal lol)..Then I got into hot rodding trucks and chasing women in high school, couldnt really afford a bike until my senior year.Got me a gsxr 750 and got a lil to brave, layed it down a few times and had to sell it.Then I drove a friends custom deuce home from the bar (from inside the bar actually) and the bug bit me again. Found an 05 deuce and ragged on it for 2 yrs, then the 96" HD with the 200 rear tire led me to buy a 07 night train.Went to a few rallys and whatnot and it was just hard to find my bike on a crowded sidewalk..Checked into all the mods and conversions and it was gonna cost a boatload to get it how I wanted it. Cost 1000 bucks just to get it to fit me (I'm 6'7").I was working in Ft-Worth and stopped in the H-d shop to look around and they were a Big Dog dealer..The rest is history. I actually made a lil money trading the harley in by the time all the warranty and gap BS was refunded. Bought the 05 Ridgeback and on the way home the left rear blinker fell off lol but thats part of owning a rigid I guess.Havent had any other real problems with it, just the (normal) stuff.Just not enough time to ride:bang:
rainyknight
Member
Spent about six months looking and trying to decide. Rode a Wild West, an AIH, and a Victory, as well as the Bigdog Pitbull, Chopper and Ridgeback. Looked at Harley's as well, but nothing they have really does much for me anymore. Finally asked the mechanics at the shop which one they would go with just based on what they worked on. Hands down they all said they would choose a Bigdog. Just because of how the company handled warranty issues and the problems they were having with the other makes. That settled that part. Was sitting around bs'ing with the sales manager when the BDM truck pulled up and as soon as I saw my Ridgeback come off the truck I knew that was the one for me. I told them I wanted it before it was even off the liftgate. At this time nothing has made me regret that decision. I love the bike, the way it looks and the way it rides. So far the only issues I have ever had have been chrome related and BDM has gone above and beyond in taking care of me. IMHO there isn't a better production bike out there right now. Ok, i'm done on my soapbox now.
gooddoggie
Member
DITTO on all of the above positive comments. Love my chopper!!!!
Moespeeds
Well-Known Member
I did some research and found a great support network for the Big Dogs, (forums, dealers, etc.) easy to get parts (most of my bike is in the PM catalog), and found a great deal close by. I looked at Bourgets and AIH but there were no local dealers, and Bourget blows for getting parts and that jack drive is a train wreck.
bigdogairbrushartist
Member
I can tell you from personal everyday experience working at Big Dog for the last 4 and a half years that Big Dog does do right in warranty issues! Even if it costs them lots in the long run!