The problem of gaining Berg converts...

Good Education

I'd like you guys to know that this thread is providing me with a lot of valuable information, and I thank you.

Last night, Josh Barrett and I were at Jimmy Lewis' house (He's the editor of Dirt Rider magazine), and Jimmy told us that the final evaluation of the Dirt Rider 24 Hour Enduro Test will be based on the test riders' opinions. This kind of startled me, as I was hoping that it would be more of a race. I know how to win a race. I don't know how to influence seven test riders' opinions. But I think that this speaks directly to what we're talking about here.

In any case, I think that everyone here has the best interest of our brand, and the -resale- value of our brand, at heart. Thanks a lot for your support.

Best regards,

Brett Saunders

A bit more on the magazine tests............. But first a disclaimer, this is my opinion based on 24 years of dirt bike riding experience.

I do believe beyond the shadow of a doubt that magazine test articles are based on the amount of schmoozing certain manufacturers do. Secondly, only the biggest manf's have the buget's to pay the top riders to rider their bikes. And you can bet that the bikes ridden by the top riders for the most part are very different in set up than what the bike was delivered with. Look at RC for example, in addition to running very different suspension set up's, he also was running a super secret SHOWA steering damper. Funny, I don't recall seeing that mentioned in any of Honda's add's. Again, it's all about how much money is being spent on advertising and networking.

My point here is aside from one Dirt Bike magazine that I read, all the rest talks about what is "normal" for dirt bikes. Meaning, what the jap bikes have going on. I mean really, is it that big a deal to have a left hand kick starter??? And then there is all this broo ha ha about a "european feel" Personally, I like the european feel, as I am 6'1" tall, with my height evened out between my legs and torso. I am NOT 5'8" tall with most of height in my torso. Point here is, does the bike work good if you adapt your riding style a bit.

Anyhow, as was mentioned earlier in this thread, when "other" manf's bring out their bikes for the magazines to test it's with full support to cater to the testers wants and needs.

Don't think the mag's are biased??? Have you ever seen a shoot out with different suspension tuners??? I wonder why? I'll tell you, b/c some little guy who works out a little shop probably will know what's going on more than these big shops that do volume work. Further, to conduct such a shoot out, the suspensions should be droppped off at the shop's by someone not known to the industry, with the same instructions give to each suspension shop. Then bring said suspensions out to the track for the test riders to test with no identifying marks on the suspensions what so ever, and let each tester evalutate each suspension set. Ahhh I digress.....

The best thing that can happen for the Huaberg in the 24 hour test is that it has no failures of any kind, and that secondly several of the testers like it.

And to address what a previous post said about the CRF450 sucking up a bunch of sand. That was b/c the Honda's had a bad sealing ring on their air boxes. Of cours PC and others offered fixes of billet nature, and the corresponding price tag. Point is, why didn't honda immediately recall all the bikes with a fix ready???? Husaberg on the other hand, when problem is known to exist fixes it at their cost. Shoot there was a post on the District 37 message board the other day about a couple of YZF 450 owners who had been riding in the sand, and had found sand in their oil filters!!!! That b/c they vent their crankcase directly to the atmosphere, and since they have a crankcase scavenging system which pulls vacuum, it just sucks up whatever passes by that vent.

Hello friends,
Once upon a time my friend and colleague Eric Gorr published a bi monthly "tell it like it is, no BS" technical magazine. Said publication was a financial disaster. Why you ask?

Simple,
"You can't handle the truth!"

Seriously,
Deep pocket manufacturers will not purchase a full page glossy in a magazine that will not hype their product.

With all due respect, for those of you whom honestly believe the brunt of OEM 24 hour test equipment to be stock you are sadly mistaken. I have often been on the inside looking out. As a matter of fact and on more than one occasion I have been compensated to, shall we say, enhance the "stock" product.

As acting crew chief of a Honda / CG 12 hour modified event I recall the ATK camp experiencing clutch and starting issues. To the best of my recollection no mention was ever made regarding such. For what it may be worth and if indeed memory serves ATK was an active advertising client at the time. 8O


Remember,
One rarely bites the hand that feeds.

Sincerely,
Dale

Ps
The 24 hour used to allow for on demand adjustment and repairs.



http://www.eric-gorr.com/

road test

Hi Brett,

I think you have nailed it with the comment "I don't know how to influence seven riders"because that is precisely what you have to work on if the outcome of this 24 hr test is going to be a success for Husaberg.I feel you would be wise to spend as much time learning the styles and preferences of the testers as prepping the machine.

...nsman

Sorry,
Repeat.

Hi Dale,

I am not suggesting that the machine should be anything than the best it can be.I am saying that it is important to fully understand all the testing parameters and BMG should deal with it as best they can....nsman

After the test all bikes should be impounded and inspected by a third party. All cheaters should be exposed (I know I'm DREAMING), and most importantly a claiming rule should be in effect.

Does anyone remember when John Roeder claimed Marty Tripes 1978 RC250 for $3500?

nsman said:

Hi Dale,

I am not suggesting that the machine should be anything than the best it can be.I am saying that it is important to fully understand all the testing parameters and BMG should deal with it as best they can....nsman

Click to expand...

Hi Nsman,
No worries as I fully understand and appreciate your point.

In my humble opinion entering an event with an as received mass produced piece of equipment is akin to driving over broken glass. Often one will not receive a puncture from said glass, however, the likelihood is indeed greater than if one had looked ahead to remove the potential hazard.

You can rest assured that the big five have been sweeping up glass.

Respectfully,
Dale

Dale

Funny you should mention Eric Gorr and his "tell it like it is, no BS" writings. A magazine had his article on how and why you should rebuild the modern 4 stroke engine. I could not believe they actually printed the intervals of piston and brg replacement. They mentioned something like 20 service life intervals for 250f piston assy's!!! How is the average consumer going to percieve this? "20 hrs and then I have to replace the piston? NOT!!! While true, most readers will refuse to agree and consequently adhere to such instructions. Disaster will strike and chaos will reign as the bike will be labelled unreliable. But in fact the bike is simply a state of the art engine with defined service intervals.

Sad fact, but a majority of people love to act with the jerk of the knee rather with a grain of common sense and repect.

my 2 cs

Fryguy

this is just an observation from my shop regarding interest in the purchase of a husaberg.we have sold 14 new or late model used husabergs in the last 4 months.no one has called back upset over anything.i dont recall any warranty claims except for the exhaust pipe rubbing.70% of the buyers were buying their first ever berg.seems to me that progress is being made and interest is groing regarding the brand .it is definately better than at times in the past when i was affraid to buy one or sell one.dan :!:

I have no idea of what kind of numbers make a Motorcycle Dealership run but 14 Bergs in four months seems pretty good. If the word gets out maybe a few aftermarket manufacturers will take notice. We may be able to arm wrestle Dale into offering a few more products and services available to the general public. I can see him cringing as I type this but hey if it will finance the apparant first love of building one offs and R&D work why not? Do I hear jetting kit anyone?

i know dale is working on jetting these as joe usa is testing a kit and it sounds like is ready for blast off!!!