Moto-Brian

It was cool to meet a few of you out there this past weekend! It was a success on our end of things in terms of what we at KTM felt was a target number of riders... However, I am bummed that only two OR riders were there. Maybe there were more, but I only met a couple and one was just there to get a set of take offs from me. In any case, our next event is at Crow Canyon on November 6th and 7th. It is a HUGE event that has other OEMs attending. So, I will post some info on that soon for everyone to get prepared. We also have an ATV event at Crow on the 16th and 17th of October...

Justin- Dub is a great guy. Legit, level headed person that is somewhat of out of the "norm" when it comes to being a retail buyer. He is educated, knows a good number of people and is probably a savvy shopper. All those things combined essentially means that he is going to investigate what he buys, research the average costs of a similar item and go to task with the shop he buys from. That means that a dealer needs to have the ducks in a row, of sorts. The issue is that prices are what leads customers to the door. I understand that the idea that you all dyno bikes and make sure they run is a cool option to provide - especially if there is no test ride until AFTER the paperwork. Educated and on the ball customers are going to shy away from not being able to test ride a bike. Now, if you can allow the dyno run to be done in front of a customer, that may reduce the apprehension. Also, understand that stating you cook hot dogs and are part of many events for OR while cool and generous, isn't a reason to buy. If I am spending under $500, maybe. But if I am plopping down $4k for something, I don't care about hot dogs. I want to be able to be treated great by getting test rides, getting knowledgeable sales staff, by getting treated properly. I've bought some parts when I was in a pinch from you guys as you are so very close. They were OK priced and not really exceptional and I didn't get anything off for being an OR member... However, at times, we all understand that the time it takes to research a part and wait and even spend time driving to get it, etc., getting it locally at a higher price is not such a bad deal and is essentially saving time for me - which is like saving money. Just understand that if someone chimes in and states that $4k for a bike w/o gauges, fairings, etc and will cost them a good bit to get back to street condition, it is a heads up to do some checking and to do some investigating as to what it will take to get it done. Honda parts on Ebay and other avenues for getting such items are higher than average due to the lower number of owners. Compared to a GSXR, a set of gauges are more money as there are fewer to choose from... Just remember that sponsors care about customers - if not, they will loose business and not be around very long. Pedophiles give free candy to kids - doesn't mean they are doing a great job on the follow up... Know what I mean? Sponsors try to do their customers right. Some do more in terms of being around at events, etc. That's fine and that's noble. But, saying things like free test rides at used bike dealers is probably not being done correctly is an opinion... Most people that buy from dealers, go to established OEM dealers selling used bikes. At those shops, a LOT will allow test rides. Customers that claim they do not are most likely not probable customers or are window shopping... We never got to signing paperwork first and test rides after... We'd grab maybe a fully refundable deposit and if the test ride was a failure, we refunded... But, nobody is doing it that way as you describe. The issue on your end is most likely due to the fact that the bike does not have a rebuildable title. It is a liability on your end to allow a person to ride a bike with a salvage title due to the fact that if something went wrong, it would be tough for an insurer to support or back. Now, if they were clean titles and non rebuildables, it would be different. Just say that as opposed to claiming other used bike dealers are doing illegal things... Sounds bad on your end... Anyways, if someone wants this thing and there is a smoking deal, talk to Justin. Give him a chance. After all, my feelings on supporting local shops is that if we do not, they will go away. We cannot afford a shop like this to go away. It is a great avenue for parts and such for our bikes and as I stated, I have used them in the past and will do so in the future. Just don't get so upset that on a public forum, people chime in with comment as to price... It is normal and how you react can be a deciding factor to some potential customers...

I don't believe they do it there at all. I think they are an official Ohlins service center at the track. However, I suspect that they might do in house stuff at certain times when Robert comes down...

Not sure how it is treating anyone like shit to comment on the price for a bike w/o much of anything on it. If he is willing to deal, that's a different story. I suppose the VFR thread was treating them like shit, also? Come on, man...

Reuben Frankenfield at 35 Motorsports. Sponsor on here. He's out of Indy... Two others if you wish to send outside Reuben? Mike at Thermosman or Robert out of Spiegler... Both Ohlins specific, but Reuben has as much info as they have - Mike may have a bit more, but he usually doesn't touch anything anymore and has his staff do it - he's too busy with AMA stuff...

And after that, probably will handle like one!

Seriously? You are looking to save money on a $15-$20 piece? Ok, you can save $3 driving to KY to a shop there... Any shop is going to have a tube. Chen Shing are the most common or IRC, etc... Michelin Tubes are awesome, but not worth the price as they pinch as easily as the rest do it seems.

Wanna sell a set? Gotta meet to drop plastic off anyways... How much?

Got any take offs? I don't have an SV hookup...

Paul - how's Thursday lookin? I may not be able to ride Friday or Saturday... Best bet would be Friday if not Thursday...

Kinda pricey considering not much there... Plus, these are a dime a dozen. Any Honda dealer has one in stock...

Ok, here's a deal that may fit someone and their friends... My buddy has 7 fronts and 8 rears of these. He wants them out of the garage so, he is asking $800 for the whole lot. You could buy these and sell them on Ebay or similar for $125-$150 a set. That means, you'd only need to sell 5 sets to break even and have two sets for yourself. If anyone is really interested or has an offer, PM me and I will get you his contact info and you all can hash it out...

Well, Cannondale has shit components... Plus, the Trek and CD are hardtails... I'd prefer the Giant, I guess... The forks are Darts and the rear shock is probably a Rock Shox labeled as a Giant... In any case, the brakes are better and the SRAM stuff seems to be better. I'd pick the Giant... Ever thought used? For $600, you can get a far better machine...

Any during the week stuff? I just needs some bolts for the sprockets... I am hoping to get some tires from an SV guy, also...

Were you the rider that crashed at the bottom of 9? Second right hander after the back straight and before the left under the bridge?

Next one is October 4th and 5th... That's a Mon/Tues... I sense a severe cough and fever coming...

Happens in two days! Weather is going to be GREAT and perfect to ride dirt! Come on out!

Come ride the RC8s at Mid-Ohio on October 5th. I think they are sold out on the 4th from what I was reported. I do know there are spots for the 5th for sure... $275 and all you do is bring gear and you ride!

You wanting to buy a mountain bike? I have two I would sell.... One is a 26" Chumba and the other a 29" Gary Fisher hardtail. Both are high end so, nothing near the budget conscious 4500, etc... But, would make a smoking deal on either...

Can't this saturday - you need to come to Briar and ride the new 2011 MX bikes. We will have the semi out there and you get to ride them all! Maybe the following Saturday? I need to hook up with you on painting the RC8R plastic, too. How's during the week for CRP, also?

Again, 50 made world wide. 25 were to come into the US, but we only got 18. 7 stayed in Canada... Trust me. I know. Akra replicas were the same thing, but we got more than 25 here in the States...

18 in the US, actually and 1 Media bike... Total 19...

Jeff- The Red Bull has a full ti Akra system, a club race kit (head gaskets, air filter, block off plates, etc). Total in addition to the R asking price is $4k... The pipe alone is $3500... It isn't stickers...

We might enter the endurance... I MIGHT race twins class, also...

Not worth $15k. You can buy a brand new out of the crate 2010 for $16,500. I know plenty of dealers that would sell one for $15 if not cheaper...