Where's the Berg Racers?

EuroEnduro · Apr 17, 2005

I just watched the Texas GNCC race on OLN tv. We all agree that the Berg is the fastest, lightest four stroke out there. My question is why arent they pushing their product by signing up some world class racers?

EuroEnduro

berger · Apr 17, 2005

It's not in the budget.......thats assuming there is a budget. My theory is that they cant make enough bikes to offset the cost of advertising and sponsorship. Let's face it. They are going to sell every bike they produce. Why bother spending money on sponsorship. I think the number of bikes they can produce is still limited. KTM has no real intensions of competing with itself, that would not serve their best interest.... It would be like putting a KTM forum on this site....Ahhhh..... but I digress :wink:
The bottom line is that there still must be some profit to be had building Bergs. I would rather them take their profit and keep the marque going as oppossed to heavily promoting the brand and loosing profit. We all know what will happen when that day comes.

bergy · Apr 18, 2005

To put forth an effort like that would very expensive and at that level who could Husaberg get to ride their bikes to a top 5 placement? Sure TV coverage is good but I think a good regional rider on a Berg would cost less and be more effective. Put the bike out there where it can be seen up close and even test ridden will sell bikes, the more you sell the more $$$ you have for national team later. All this "proffesional GNCC team" stuff bothers me, bikes behind ribbons, semi trucks, autograph signing! Give me a break, at the Alligator enduro, and Cherokee National we camped across from Lafferty, Hawkins and all these guys, no ribbons, no marked off pits, they hang out like the rest of us. That has always been a benefit to offroad racing, you get to ride with the elite, not just stand beside the track and watch.

EuroEnduro · Apr 18, 2005

I have been informed that its looking better in the future for Husaberg to have their top riders in these events. I guess it is a matter of budget. Maybe with the positive press the Husabergs have been getting lately they can increase revenue. Looking forward to the day too see Bergs on the podiums.

EuroEnduro

PowerFiend · Apr 18, 2005

Personally, I think it would benefit Husaberg to offer some contingency for racers. If no one places then the money just gets rolled over to the next year, but if they do it is good for the bikes image and is thus good cheap advertising. After all, many of the fast guys have gotten used to sponsors/contingency paying for race costs and will tend to go where the money is.

I would think the key areas of interest for Husaberg to put up contingency would be SuperMoto (AMA specifically due to National TV coverage) and select offroad/enduro series. Trying to compete with the big 5 money machines in Motocross would be futile.

Heck, even if they only offer "Husaberg Bucks" (Prize value is redeemable in Husaberg parts/bikes) it would be something and keep the cash flow back into the Husaberg feeding chain.

bergy · Apr 18, 2005

Let's take a look at KTM, they have never offered a contingency program but the woods are full of them now. I can remember back in the eighty's when they were the odd ball of bikes, except for a few at the enduros, that's where one of the "local" AA enduro riders let me and some of my buddies ride one. Within the next year we were all riding KTM's, because we got to ride a bike that won an overall. What did that cost KTM? Not much. While we all know how good a Berg is, if the general public doesn't see one at local events chances are they will buy what they do see. Magazine coverage is good, but I still remember when Cannondale won "BIKE OF THE YEAR"!!

Supermototeam · Apr 18, 2005

Contingency

PowerFiend said:
Personally, I think it would benefit Husaberg to offer some contingency for racers. If no one places then the money just gets rolled over to the next year

One factor that I was unaware of prior to working in the motorcycle industry is that all (to my knowledge) sanctioniong bodies charge an "administration fee" to "manage" contingency funds. In the case of AMA Pro Racing, it's approximately 30% of the fund. That's A LOT of money. And the only "rolling over" that I am aware of is when they roll you over to get at your (the manufacturer's) wallet after you pass out

The AMA charges the admin fee up front, regardless of what fees are paid out. In other words, if we offered a $100K contingency fund, they would want $30K up front. OUCH.

Cheers,

Brett Saunders

UnkleMoose · Apr 18, 2005

I think the local series & contengencies is the way to go, look at Husky (yes they have more money behind them) they offer the husky bucks. Why do Husaberg Bucks and offer to say MRANN, MRAN, AMA-D36 or 37 or others, the WORCS, NETRA, SETRA just my 2 cents, don't support the big series but support the local racers thats where the bikes will be sold, the HUSKY Bucks is one reason why I switched bikes (yes I know BMG could not afford to support anybody and appreciate all that BMG has done for Husaberg) even knowing I could never do good enough to get the b ucks, but they were giving back. Why are seeing more Suzuki's in local HS, CC, Enduros is because of the contengecies they are giving.

Kraig

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Where's the Berg Racers?

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