IIRA RALLY IV

[BOBCAT]

Hi Brothers and sisters,

Didn't know where would be a good place to post this so I picked here.

 

Just made it back home got a good nights sleep.My husband & I look like lobsters from the bright sunshine on the way home on Sunday

Who could ask for a better ride ? 80* Not a dark cloud the whole ride back. :-)

I don't know about the rest of you but I had a blast Hats off to Mike at Hunters Friend for putting on a great party.

I want to say we will be back for next year , as I had found out the rest of you will be there too. Fred went to make reservations and found out

ALL ROOMS were booked. That's okay we will find a room somewhere. <SOFT SMILE>

So Mike you can put us down for next year in attendence & if a room opens up you can put us in it.

 

We got there on Wensday night . Rode down from Kansas. The trip was great Fred & I had planned on getting there on Sunday

but things just didnt work out as planned It has been that way since the start of the year... Is it me or anyone else having that problem too?

Hoping that ABATE can get the laws on helmets stripped from your state.

 

 

I had rode my own this year! Yes... finally. I had found out I like the hills and the curves in motion but I Hate Stopping on a dammed hill going upwads.

We took off on Saturday to go to the bike shop in Hollister Fred had bought a really nice little windshield for my Piggy; it will be shipped home. But...

We rode through Branson .. I dont mind getting Lost in the country ... But in a town LOL That's bad... Finally found our way back missed the band but...

I was happy to see we found our room.

 

Falcon1 was our neighbor this year, & who could ask for a better neighbor. (HI Bro) He & his lovely lady Little Bit Made the party even better.

I now understand that women is the ones in control As explained by Falcon what a hoot!

The "Blackhawk" trike, wow what a machine. I climbed up in the drivers seat It is a very intimidating machine I promis you sitting up on that monster

ride with that much of an engine WHOA! WHATARUSH! Maybe next year I will get enough balls to ride it in the parking-lot. Hee hee Hide your bikes .

 

 

Got to see some really great motorcycles. Happy to meet new people & see old friends alike.

Homer had brought two bikes up both were awsome bikes. LUDI & DON I wish them well for their first year Anniversery.

Wow a year had passed already... <SHRUGGS> Time flies when your'e having fun.

 

I'd never thought I'd see the day where I'd see an indian with udders until I seen Fdgbtt's bike. DUDE... YOU IS ONE CRAZY MUTHA! <SNORK>

 

Atteneding the meeting with the stelican people, seem to had left me with a feeling of insecurity of the future of Indian Motorcycles. I understand their points made; but

all I can do is, sit back and pray. I wished they would had listened to the concerns of myself as well as other indian owners.<SIGH> All we can do is wait and see.

 

Well I had best get off this computer and get some brekfest .

 

RIDE SAFE Ya'll

[Hunters Friend]

Bless your heart, that was a nice write up.

 

Funny, when I was reading your post and you mentioned that we were already sold out for next year, I had no idea. Just did a quick look and sure enough, you were right!! We do still have some condos for next year but nothing here.

 

Will put you on the waiting list. Have 355 days to worry about that.

 

Glad you made it home safe.

 

Love and hugs, Mike and Handan

[fungus]

Damn...sold out already....wonder where I'll be staying then.....I liked being close and making the morning coffee....although that's damned hard on ya after only a couple of hours of sleep.....

[homer]

Bobcat, was sure great to me yall.. you've been thru alot and i'm glad you're riding... don't worry, i think our voices were heard loud and clear...and i think that smaller, less expensive, rubber mounted bike will be knocking at your door....it would be great to see you get the 1st one...maybe even name it the "bobcat"...and all would be right with the world...

eric

[BOBCAT]

Hey Mike I had a blast I can't wait til next year! Don't worry about the room. You know; that's why I like you so much Bro . You go out of your way to see to the comfort of others, a really gracious host .<SOFT SMILE> Ludi and Don want us to neighbor up with them ... so I told her sure thing; but I appreciate the thought.

 

Homer You are too cool bro, Yeah I had been through hell & back but whoo hoo what a ride! LOL

Now as for a Bobcat Motorcycle Sorry to say this But Harley already had one but back in the 60's

the shitheads had discontinued it << GRRRRR>> I would had loved to had one myself it is a cute little bike.

 

I dunno I left that meeting with a sour taste in my mouth. I even discussed my feelings with the one redheaded

gal from Indian about it. I understand they want to be top of the line but I just hope history doesnt repeat itself again.

Indian needs IMPO an entry bike because there are more of us pubs<Poor Urban Biker> than the rubs <RICH urban Biker>

And after seeing BIG DOG lay off people because the motorcycles they offer is as well a non entry leval motorcycle. I just don't

want to see the same thing happen to my favorite ... as I said at the meeting;" Alot more people are riding motorcycles because of the cost of gas is going up."

It just seems to be the perfect opportunity for Indian to make a come back...

I don't see anyone like Paris Hilton rushing to buy an Indian because they can afford to drive the Lamborginis and the Mazeratiies (SP?)

That was the point I was tryin to make. I know I am opening a can of worms here by saying this but Not all Bikers or Motorcycle enthusist are rubs

The majority of us are pubs and it is not in the best interest of INDIAN, ie; Big Dog. If they want a line of production of Motorcycles; they need to meet the buyers budget.

IOWs How many Chevy & Fords do you see on the road compared to a Cadilac or Mercedes or Porsch? It just seems to me that Quantity should come hand in hand with

Quality. Not just one or the other ya know. But to be realistic here... Indian failed twice & I hope its not strike 3 & their out.

 

I have my Chief & I have my Scout as well as I have my Piggy So I am very happy with what I have.

[2blackbelts]

Actually, I discussed this same point over dinner.

 

At this time, the last thing a company needs to do is come out with another high priced, more or less custom bike. With only about 100 - 300 units being built the first year, that does qualify as a custom bike. Low volumn bike companies are laying people off left and right, and so called custom or chopper shops are closing down everyday. It's just too easy to go to HD and buy a new bike with warranty, six speed, and fuel injection for $12,795.

 

Prices are dropping like stones on used and new bikes as well. HD just reported a 6% decrease in 1st quarter sales, as did all of the big 4 Asian mfg.

 

Indian may come out with a great bike, but there may be limited interest at $25 - $30,000, unless of course they are targeting a select few to buy those 100 - 300 bikes. However, even at 300 bikes, and $25,000 a pop, they will only make a slight dent in the overall motorcycle buying picture.

 

If this is their game plan, then you can also forget about any support whats so ever from them regarding the Gilroy bikes.

 

Just my thoughts,

2 blackbelts

[Brock]

i thought the low production numbers were only for the first year or maybe two until they get the other things worked out and do a slow methodical phase implementation for other models?

 

why are you guys sounding like they will only be a niche custom bike company....where have you heard that info expressed. Was this discussed at IRIP... I was not there this year so have no first hand knowledge of what was stated.....sorry if this was already addressed.

 

I agree they need to have a lightweight lower priced bike for those that cant afford or safely ride the larger bikes like the Chief....but the Chief is what Indian is recognized for most readily...the flagship so to speak. They have to put out a Chief to validate their intent and future of Indian bikes in maintaining the tradition and increasing the quality. If it goes as I have heard they will indeed aim to reach a much wider market just the Chief is going to be their bread and butter the first quarter or two until the other gets moving.

[Last Resort]

They very specifically said they do not plan on being a low volume custom builder. They also said that the Chief will be the flag ship of the company.

 

They did say that the first year will see no more then 800 bikes built as they methodically ramp up production. Making sure that quality does not suffer because of quantity. They gave the example of how they relaunched CC by building one boat per week for the first few weeks and then increased that number as they felt comfortable that quality would not suffer.

[Hunters Friend]

Actually, that was the general feeling overall from all of us in attendance that Stellican would not pursue a low cost motorcycle. Something to the effect of "If you want an affordable Indian, they are out there to be had right now"

 

Bobcat's question preceded my question and we both got the same answer in a manner of speaking. Mine was more along the lines of the sportster. I actually wanted to know if they were looking to make something smaller for the fairer sex to ride and enjoy. My example was the Sportster. Julius answered my question with a "Let's be serious here, Harley made the Sportster for a low end, entry model motorcycle and that is not something that we are interested in at this time" response.

 

I was not looking for cost as I was so much looking for size. BC's was cost related but the questions related to each other.

 

BTW the number was 800 bikes, not 300.

 

Also, most if not all dealerships initially will be east coast. No prerequisite for the new dealers to service the older (Gilroy) bikes, but they felt such business practice would be foolhardy at best.

Edited May 23, 2007 by Hunters Friend

[Last Resort]

that is not something that we are interested in at this time

Thanks for being sure to add that all important line.

 

As I said the have a 3, 5 and 10 year plan.

 

He also pointed out that the Drifter was available when all of us bought our Indians and we choose to buy Indian over Kawasaki. No one here would be happy if they were selling 250,000 Chiefs every year.

[Injun Pete]

No one here would be happy if they were selling 250,000 Chiefs every year.

 

 

[homer]

let's not get too shortsighted here...they painted a broader picture if you listened. in my personal discussions as well as in the meeting they mentioned women riders and the need to get more involved. this would lend to make me believe a lighter, smaller bike is in the works...as well as differenty types/styles of bikes as the technology there develops...the resume of the one engineer should bode well for the "sportsteresque" bike fans...and remember, they have 1 engine rt now....i don't see them cramming a PP in a sportster...things will have to develop further.

 

the vision as i heard it was for the chief now--a premium, high quality bike priced at whatever it is (within reason of course, which is prolly $25-$30k)...then, the scout, and then the ???..limitless potential. we aren't talking next year, but 2, 5, 7 yrs, etc....slow, methodical ramp up. they have the pockets to float the company for this time, and are more focused on getting it right, than rushing to produce crappy, affordable bikes--like gilroy did.

 

I hope and believe eventually there will be bikes for all lines of consumer, and hopefully they will see the benefit of finding more support for the gilroy customer base in the form of "indian" branded parts to build loyalty. not critical (but mechanically inferior) parts, but things that are known to be correct and the vendors are making but not stamping...easy enuff to license them.

 

then they will get kiwi and starklite in the fold, and all will be right with the world...

 

eric

[BOBCAT]

Brock wrote;

why are you guys sounding like they will only be a niche custom bike company....where have you heard that info expressed. Was this discussed at IRIP... I was not there this year so have no first hand knowledge of what was stated.....sorry if this was already addressed.

 

Hi Brock I missed ya at this years rally Indian had sent 3 people to the rally.

 

 

Mike Wrote :

Julius answered my question with a; "Let's be serious here, Harley made the Sportster for a low end, entry model motorcycle and that is not something that we are interested in at this time" response.

 

HAHAHAHA Harley -Davidsons #1 Motorcycle a Low entry ... What kind of BS is that?<Scrathing my head> The Sportster is *not* what I would consider an entry bike. It just goes to show me the mentality that we are talking about. The Sportster is celebrating the 50th anniversery this year. That is why I bought Piggy

Pardon my pun but they dont have a fucking clue. I dont think a Sportster is a entry bike anyone who says it is has been eating some kind of chemical to alter the brain.

<Shaking my head with disbelief>Alot of people call it a girls bike. Not true! Instead it is a race bike. That is why it is called **SPORTSTER** & with 50 years of just making that modle alone... come on.

 

Last Resort Wrote

They gave the example of how they relaunched CC by building one boat per week for the first few weeks and then increased that number as they felt comfortable that quality would not suffer

 

Hi Mike Yes I agree to that But we are talking about Motorcycles not boats sweetheart. A boat is more/less a luxery item. as to where a Motorcycle is a form of transpo. I don't drive automobiles because of my heart condition; just motorcycles. My heart acts up I can get off the road quicker and easier on a bike. If I fall down I am the only one who gets hurt.

 

Homer Wrote :

the vision as i heard it was for the chief now--a premium, high quality bike priced at whatever it is (within reason of course, which is prolly $25-$30k)...then, the scout, and then the ???..limitless potential. we aren't talking next year, but 2, 5, 7 yrs, etc....slow, methodical ramp up. they have the pockets to float the company for this time, and are more focused on getting it right, than rushing to produce crappy, affordable bikes--like gilroy did.

 

At 25 -30 K the bike best have a vibrider in both driver and passenger seat too! LOL But I think the market would be better off with an affordable motorcycle instead of the high $$$$ Bike that will spend the majority of its life in a garage under a cover.

Gilroy did fuck up bigtime but Gilroy did not have the workers it needed to correctly produce a motorcycle , as well as a budget that can be produced. The vision was correct but on their budget they did what they could.

One thing also; Fred as well as myself are worried about ... They also mentioned getting the feedback ... our concerns are what if they sold it to Joe blow over there in Holllywood who bought the bike as a status symbol. It gets put in the garage they would never get the proper feedback needed to produce the quality motorcycle needed to continue the name. Indian would think; Hmmmmm no problems here, and it could be worse than a honda but they would never know. But what they need is riders who knows about motorcycles but the majority of these people can not afford the bikes to do so.

 

It just seems like to me the targeted market are those who rides as a hobby and not as a way of life.

[Brock]

I think he meant entry level as far as price for the sportster...you can get an 883 for $6700 bucks out the door.....the only ones that call a sportster a girls bike have not raced one set up correctly or realized most of the old choppers and stuff were from that frame. Secondly, I think motorcycles are a luxury item for MOST OWNERS just like boats. If they were not then why is HD making billions of dollars off of people that buy their bikes and put every bell and whistle and chrome piece HD sells on them...only to trailer them to bike week...line up at the spray wash each morning and each afternoon....and put a total of 25 miles on their bikes until the next rally or HOG sponsored Poker Run? Because they are luxury items not intended to be rode every day for transportation.....it is for status and to be able to put the sticker on their truck window and say they have a Harley. Hell I know guys that told me right away...I RIDE A HARLEY. After 5 years I have yet to see them ride their bike more than one time over that period...but they take it to the shop every 6 months for fluid changes....wash it a few times....and ride it around neighborhood after they wash and wax it in their shorts and flip flops.......but that is it. LMAO

 

The ones that actually ride at least 50% of the time are few and far between......hell I dont ride that much at all and still am over 25,000 miles now on my bike after 4 years.....that is only 6000 per year average even though I put 10k on her the first year. If I rode every day to work it would be about 20k per year.

 

way i see it.....if you love Indians you will find a way to afford whatever you want. Like I mentioned a couple weeks ago with a guy at a bike shop that rides a TRIBUTE bike....drifter. He has the front fender light, the Indian decals on tanks, even just spent big money on the typical two tone black and red paint scheme. He always says he could not afford an Indian....then I countered in front of his friends it was a bullshit answer with the money he has spent on building his motor and tranny for performance....adding apes....adding gangster whitewalls...twisted 80 spoke wheels front and back....custom paint.....Indian decal stickers.....front fender warbonnet light.....LED lighting under fenders, frame, engine and even those fancy LED plug cables that light according to the bikes spark pattern. I told him I paid $18,000 for my Chief and he has likely spent more on his than I have on mine all together......so if he really wanted an Indian he could have one....he is just justifying his wannabe Indian instead of putting his money where his mouth is.

 

Hell, I love 63 split window corvettes.....old Austin Healeys.....Triumph TR-4a......427 Cobras......Norton and Triumph vintage bikes......big Polaris ATVs........and would love to have either the new Camaro or Challenger coming out in 2008..........but I cant afford them and it is not practical for me to have a bike and a truck and then all these others so I have to either be happy with what I already have or can afford.......or live a miserable existence always wanting something else.

 

If you traded your other three bikes in I bet you could get whatever they put out if it was rubber mounted and lightweight for you... we can ALWAY find a way if we really want something.

[badndn]

the sportster, while none of us know what HD's purpose of the bike really is.... is usually an entry level bike. i think that is their intent. get as many as you can following the harley god as early and as cheaply as possible. sooner or later most want more and buy a bigger, better bike. i know i did. nothing wrong with this marketing ploy. indian just can't afford to do it initially. nobody can. stop the BS about catering to the rich and ignoring the "real" biker. bikers come in every size, shape, color AND income bracket. they need a high profit, low volume money maker to get the ship past the reef. i wasn't there but i would bet money that is what they were trying to tell you guys...just maybe not in those words. it is about profit and staying in business. it isn't about catering to a certain group. you couldn't if you tried. you do that (stay in business) by building a quality bike that has a competive price for the level of quality it brings to the table. anything less than that and you are yesterdays news.

Edited May 24, 2007 by badndn

[Brock]

depending on how good it might be and how they do things....RHB might be replaced with RHB II (the evil sister) muahahahahahaha

[MOE]

i don't get what bobcat is saying here. when was an indian chief sold new ever cheap.my 01 centineal was 25,995 now that was 01, figure inflation and what are you looking at in 08. that does not include the EFI and quality upgrades. i would guess the new fully equipped chief to come in at 35-40 grand

[Last Resort]

I could never afford a new Indian built by Gilroy. Why would I care if I could afford a new one from Kings Mountain?

 

You can always find someone doing a fire sale. It's just timing and being flexible on the bike color etc.

[badndn]

i don't get what bobcat is saying here. when was an indian chief sold new ever cheap.my 01 centineal was 25,995 now that was 01, figure inflation and what are you looking at in 08. that does not include the EFI and quality upgrades. i would guess the new fully equipped chief to come in at 35-40 grand

 

 

mine was a little over 22,000 with a couple of add-ons.

[homer]

and I was told Gilroy lost money on every chief sold...and they were going DOWN on price by $1k for '04..they were losing $1M/week...go figure...

eric

[charger]

26 Gs otd...........

[MOE]

and I was told Gilroy lost money on every chief sold...and they were going DOWN on price by $1k for '04..they were losing $1M/week...go figure...

eric

yeah they were instead of fixing the flaws in the pp they just kept replacing a bad motor with yet another bad motor, now thats hard to understand

[Last Resort]

yeah they were instead of fixing the flaws in the pp they just kept replacing a bad motor with yet another bad motor, now thats hard to understand

Kinda helps you understand why Kings Mountain is not using the Gilroy leftovers

[Pop]

Gilroy leftovers... my bike is full of Gilroy leftovers. They have been massaged by the hands of a master. I guess KM's junk is Malfa's diamond inna rough. I'm here to tell ya, if you stand up a '08 KM Chief and a '02 Malfa rebuilt soup to nuts and they both the same money, make mine the Gilroy.

 

Anyways, there's a case to be made for not throwing the baby out with the bathwater. In my racket we do it both ways. We gut a building and shitcan millions of dollars worth of barely used equipment and build out entirely new and shiny. On the other hand, we sometimes take the existing facility, ditch the unadaptable and modify the serviceable.

 

The latter is harder to engineer but the former is more expensive. In the end, both methods work. Looks to me like KM is going with the latter method. I wouldn't be surprised that when the rubber hits the road, a KM Chief and a Gilroy Chief broke down into piles of component parts will be damn hard to tell one pile from the other.

 

I don't give a damn what they make as long as it's short on speeches and long on product. Hell, I didn't make it to the Stellican speechifyin on accounta the sun was shining and I found a tar road that went to Okiehomie. Call Pop crazy, but I went to Branson to ride Indians. I talk about 'em on the internets.

[homer]

pop you crazy...

eric