A source on Badweather Bikers (who should know what he's talking about) posted this morning that he is expecting some "very interesting" news about EBR soon.
Fingers crossed.
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A source on Badweather Bikers (who should know what he's talking about) posted this morning that he is expecting some "very interesting" news about EBR soon.
Fingers crossed.
I find the lack of comment from Polaris interesting.
Imagine a hypothetical in which you're Polaris management, and you have zero interest in buying EBR.
You would obviously know these rumors are out there and becoming more and more talked about in the motorcycle enthusiast community. Unlike Hero, you understand the US motorcycle community and their knowledge of and interest in Erik Buell.
If I were in that position as Polaris management, the last thing I would want is to allow these rumors to spread only to ultimately let down the motorcycle community and (more importantly) my shareholders.
In that scenerio, I would draft a simple statement such as: "We at Polaris have nothing but admiration and respect for Erik Buell. However an aquisition such as that wouldn't fit our current strategies. We wish Mr. Buell and all the employees of EBR good fortune in finding some funding to get back up and running."
Under the scenario in which Polaris has zero interest, I think such a statement would be a logical step to prevent disappointment and bad PR when people find out the rumors were false.
Also, the more I think about it, even if Polaris has little or no interest in sport-bikes, given the current situation they need to seriously think about buying EBR. After a long stretch of Harley being the only game in town, Polaris is establishing themselves as a serious contender to be the technologically advanced US motorcycle manufacturer. EBR would help them solidify that. But perhaps more importantly, preventing EBR from getting back up and running under a different investor prevents a major challenger to their title as the up-and-coming innovative American motorcycle manufacturer. That alone may be worth the relatively small investment it would take to come out of this owning EBR and the future of American motorcycles.
On that last point, it's interesting to think about the context of "Project 156". That project clearly started before the EBR closing. Was it a direct response to EBR?
Consider Polaris has been going head-to-head fairly directly and successfully against Harley. Did somebody at Polaris say: "Hey guys, while we're busy drawing up battle lines against Harley, EBR is running around and completely flanking us on the sport-bike side."
Is it just coincidence that what Roland Sands is doing seems similar to how Erik Buell got started with Harley - modifying an existing engine radically different chassis to create a sport-bike? That may have been an attempt to follow in the footsteps of Erik Buell and create a bike that falls in between a cruiser and sportbike to begin the slow methodical process of eventually having a true sport bike.
If that was their intention and they did that in response to EBR, it would be interesting to consider their potential interest if EBR itself can now be either be theirs or someone else's.
Interesting thoughts. The plotting and politics of the possible Hero actions/motives are distasteful. The hypothetical of Victory following EB's playbook to engage him in the sporting market sounds possible. The dark thought that comes to me is with your last part.
"it would be interesting to consider their potential interest if EBR itself can now be either be theirs or someone else's."
It could be viewed as a windfall to their efforts if acquired with the intent to use designs of his to improve their effort. Or, it could turn bad if the intent becomes merely to deny any possible competitor buying the IP and making them disappear.
There's an "EBR Employees" Facebook page that they're using to share tips & leads for finding jobs. Someone posted a few weeks ago that Polaris was looking for Engineers. It's possible at least some key EBR people are already working for Victory. If they can get the IP and the people that developed it, that would be pretty attractive to them.
Has anybody been hearing any serious rumors anywhere? I realize that it's likely to be another month before the process can even start and any companies who may be seriously considering bidding won't want to publicly state that (and increase the perceived value and, therefore, increase the price they'll have to pay).
But while my rational side realizes that, my less rational side can't help going a little crazy waiting to hear some news.
So any vague whispers or hints from any sources?
Where's TMZ when you need them? :)
Earlier this month over on Badweb, a former Buell employee, long-time Buell insider, and personal friend of Erik's dropped a hint that he's expecting a very interesting announcement soon. That's the closest thing to anything official I've seen.
It has been confirmed by an EBR dealer that they have received NO correspondence from EBR or the receiver, not even a letter like owners received.
Thanks!
I did notice this exchange on Facebook from June 16:
- Chris Schreiber It is great to see Pat and his EBR wining races but, I would love to see the next post say " Hey we are happy to announce that our dealers can start selling their inventory again and order more EBRs to sell! Sitting with bikes on the floor not able to sell is killing me. I do not mean my company I mean I find it personally painfull
- EBR Working on making that post happen. It is painful for us too!!!!!!!
It may not offer any real information, but it does continue the general feeling that something is happening behind the scenes and there is hope.