EBR closes its doors

[nzspokes]

Erik Buell Racing closes, files for receivership

http://www.jsonline.com/business/erik-buell-racing-closes-files-for-receivership-b99481936z1-299863281.html

[Laava]

That is poos. I guess when your cheapest bike is more expensive than everyone else....

[TheDemonLord]

Lol. Merkins can't build bikes.

[Shaun Harris]

Erik Buell Racing will cease production of its motorcycle line up and has filed for receivership, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has reported.
In a statement, company founder Erik Buell said, “The turn we recently took, after we thought we were moving forward, was unexpected. We thought we had secured funding, but in the end, we were not able to get the funding in place. Therefore we need to do the best we can under the circumstances for all parties in interest."
Those parties include the 126 employees as well as international distributers, dealers and customers.
EBR is now officially closed, with attorney Michael S. Polsky the court-appointed receiver at EBR’s request, and has filed for court protection from creditors.
"To say this setback is a disappointment does not begin to express what I feel right now," Buell said. "I am personally grateful for the support of our outstanding workers, customers and vendors. While this is a sad ending, I personally hope for a new and better beginning."
Erik Buell started Erik Buell Racing following the demise of the Buell brand, previously owned by Harley-Davidson until 2009, when H-D wound the company up. EBR had acquired backing form Hero MotoCorp, selling 49.2 percent of the business to the Indian powerhouse for $25m.
This season was to be Team Hero EBR’s second in the Superbike World Championship, with riders Niccolo Canepa and Larry Pegram sitting 24th and 22nd in the championship following the latest round at Aragon in Spain.

[MD]

Bugger. I thought he might have nailed it with the latest incarnations. The naked EBR looked good and had the performance numbers in it's favour.

[Mike.Gayner]

Imagine my enormous surprise.

[Shaun Harris]

I would Guess that his Chineses race team sponsor HERO will take it all over, and also guess that was the plan from the get go. I bet his personell pocket is a ok, Eric is a good bugger with a brain

[Grubber]

No surprises there!!

[haydes55]

So there are limited numbers of cool looking, different bikes out there, which won't be made again, nor will any other bikes carry the Buell badge (presumably)... Future classics.... The only thing missing is any racing championship or 'fastest bike' bragging rights.

[Tazz]

Already? Was one of the only 'interesting' American bike companies too.

[rastuscat]

He's an amazing inventor and engineer. It just doesn't make you a great businessman.

[steveyb]

Indian, not Chinese.

[Mike.Gayner]

So there are limited numbers of cool looking, different bikes out there, which won't be made again, nor will any other bikes carry the Buell badge (presumably)... Future classics.... The only thing missing is any racing championship or 'fastest bike' bragging rights.

They'll never be worth as much as they were when new.

[Shaun Harris]

Indian, not Chinese.




OOPS, near enough

[Edbear]

Very sad. I don't know what keeps going wrong with such enterprises, but the bikes and Eric deserve a fair go.

[EJK]

I wonder how many EBR 1190s were actually sold here in NZ, considering how much they are priced.


Very sad. I don't know what keeps going wrong with such enterprises, but the bikes and Eric deserve a fair go.

Obviously you haven't seen their retail prices.

[bluninja]

OOPS, near enough

Remind me never to get you to go and collect my beef vindaloo.....beef curry from the Chinese isn't near enough :rolleyes:

[jasonu]

I wonder how many EBR 1190s were actually sold here in NZ, considering how much they are priced.

My guess is none.

[Shaun Harris]

Remind me never to get you to go and collect my beef vindaloo.....beef curry from the Chinese isn't near enough :rolleyes:



haha yea so true

[Shaun Harris]

Very sad. I don't know what keeps going wrong with such enterprises, but the bikes and Eric deserve a fair go.


His road bikes are way way over priced man, that alone is a good start to a failure

[pritch]

OOPS, near enough

LOL in three words you just offended the two biggest populatons on the planet. Just as well they don't read KB? :devil2:

And bluninja, you've probably got a better chance of getting a beef curry from a Chinese hash foundry?

[steveyb]

My feeling, without having investigated too closely, is that they were trying to compete in a market segment that was too small to start with and already over subscribed with competition.
In the USA they buy Harleys and fast Jap bikes at reasonable prices.
Everywhere else people buy Ducati and Jap bikes.
The EBRs were ugly, under-performing in the segment and overpriced for the segment, therefore unlikely to compete.

[Edbear]

Yeah, I know they're not cheap, but then how has he priced them? Is it at the upper level deliberately or simply that he can't produce them cheaply enough by having a high percentage US component?

Harley's US % component is quite low by comparison.

[Shaun Harris]

Yeah, I know they're not cheap, but then how has he priced them? Is it at the upper level deliberately or simply that he can't produce them cheaply enough by having a high percentage US component?

Harley's US % component is quite low by comparison.



Upper level with the view to claiming many many many USA Buyers, but as said above, they are way over the top price wise in the first place in the USA market place compared to other proven brands.

[Ocean1]

He's an amazing inventor and engineer. It just doesn't make you a great businessman.

It's almost a handicap.

The prices here weren't too bad. Less than a Panagale, similar to a SDR, and off the floor competitive with both.

[Laava]

It's almost a handicap.

The prices here weren't too bad. Less than a Panagale, similar to a SDR, and off the floor competitive with both.

I recently rode the RX. It went like a raped ape! It was 31k and the SX was 28k.
Sad.

[Ocean1]

I recently rode the RX. It went like a raped ape! It was 31k and the SX was 28k.
Sad.

Aye, me also. Not that I was ever going to fit one, but I could easily have bought an SX.

They'd obviously gone after HP with the 1190, and it's a remarkable engine but I actually preferred the flexibility of the 1125. The SDR's 1290 is more like the 1125, writ larger.

It's also somewhat less cramped on me old knees and a little less manic in the steering.

[F5 Dave]

Shouldn't have stopped making 2 strokes. Heck maybe he should have tooled up again. That would be a Unique Selling Point. May have had to call some hits or paid out the emissions Nazis, but you know?