**ping**Michigan GG riders

You know... a lot of riders (and dads, too) think support comes to those who have reached a certain speed or won a certain number of trophies or championships. It comes down to how many motorcycles a rider can sell for the brand. That's it, plain and simple. Can you sell motorcycles for the brand who supports you? Some riders get this and some don't.
Two years ago I was at a rainy enduro on Sunday morning in my trailer trying to get dressed and a dad AND grandfather walked into my trailer to talk about support for their son/grandson. Now.....I may be 52 years old but I'm as serious about my racing as anyone else and I did not want to talk about support for this young man before the race. I wanted to get prepared for my race too. I saw them after the race and we had a good discussion about the son. A friend of mine who knew them told me the dad said I was short to them that morning but warmed up in the afternoon after I saw that the son beat Jeff Melik. Wow! I didn't even know that he had beaten Jeff but it wouldn't have mattered because this was Jeff's first race on a GG. I was nicer because it was a better time to talk. I can tell you that I decided then I would not help the kid because I could tell that they did not get it. The dad told me he wanted me to help his son become the best rider in the world. He NEVER mentioned helping me sell motorcycles. If I'm going to help anyone's son become the best and not care about motorcycle sales it would be my son, not his!
Honestly, the guys who help us sell more motorcycles than anyone are you guys on this forum. When you tell a friend how good the bike is or let them ride your bike, it prolly goes farther toward selling bikes for us than most support riders. I wish I could loan you all a motorcycle.....at least the ones in the US Sorry, Jakobi! :D
 
Well said Clay and very truthful I might add. The fast guys do bring attention to the bike but the bottom line is sales, especially when you are trying to get off the ground.
 
Clay said:
You know... a lot of riders (and dads, too) think support comes to those who have reached a certain speed or won a certain number of trophies or championships. It comes down to how many motorcycles a rider can sell for the brand. That's it, plain and simple. Can you sell motorcycles for the brand who supports you? Some riders get this and some don't.
Two years ago I was at a rainy enduro on Sunday morning in my trailer trying to get dressed and a dad AND grandfather walked into my trailer to talk about support for their son/grandson. Now.....I may be 52 years old but I'm as serious about my racing as anyone else and I did not want to talk about support for this young man before the race. I wanted to get prepared for my race too. I saw them after the race and we had a good discussion about the son. A friend of mine who knew them told me the dad said I was short to them that morning but warmed up in the afternoon after I saw that the son beat Jeff Melik. Wow! I didn't even know that he had beaten Jeff but it wouldn't have mattered because this was Jeff's first race on a GG. I was nicer because it was a better time to talk. I can tell you that I decided then I would not help the kid because I could tell that they did not get it. The dad told me he wanted me to help his son become the best rider in the world. He NEVER mentioned helping me sell motorcycles. If I'm going to help anyone's son become the best and not care about motorcycle sales it would be my son, not his!
Honestly, the guys who help us sell more motorcycles than anyone are you guys on this forum. When you tell a friend how good the bike is or let them ride your bike, it prolly goes farther toward selling bikes for us than most support riders. I wish I could loan you all a motorcycle.....at least the ones in the US Sorry, Jakobi! :D
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Well said Clay!

I wouldn't mind getting into some racing, and seeing what that country of yours is all about. I think I could sell the brand a bit too with the cheesey aussie accent and my boyish good looks! I think you should sign me up for 12 months and support me with a brand new 2013 model with all the pretty bits. You know I've become accustomed to the TTX front and back now too. :D :D :D

On a more serious note, its great to see you continuing to be up front and honest with everyone here and telling it as it is. I've seen this site alone grow since late 2010 when I bought my first gasser. I can only imagine sales have too! I'm impressed that you see the big picture. Racing gives the brand the exposure to the masses, and winning can influence a shallow persons purchase, but at the end of the day its the general market. The casual racers, and the trail riders that probably provide most of the turnover. If you can get the 2013's arriving when you said they should I can see it being a shithot year for GG.
 
Well hell Clay if that is the case I get a free bike.:D I have sold a few for you these past 2 years. The sad part is I was riding another brand and still giving kuddos to the brand!
 
After being involved in road racing for the last twelve years I can say that I have seen more mid-pack riders with good support programs than front runners. It's exactly like Clay says- Those who move product get more attention. As an example, a friend of mine is a slow racer. Very slow. But, he has created a package that is attractive enough to support his foray to the Isle of Man TT. That's some selling skills! I used to feel sorry for him, but his single goal was to qualify for the TT through the Manx GP and he pushed that single goal through every channel. he has oil sponsors, fuel, parts, clothing, you name it he has it. Again, those who support and promote the product, not just with stickers but through actual marketing processes, will gather more positive attention than some loud mouth who thinks they should be paid because they are fast.

That being said, I'll take the broken bike and fix it up properly. I'm a very personable person and will represent that product to the best of my ability. I might even wash it.
 
Edman said:
What, a free shirt!
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I have prolly given out 50 shirts to GG owners at races. If you're at a National Enduro look me up and I will give you a GG shirt or hat. You have to be at a race.....I ain't shipping them! ;)
 
Clay said:
Didn't I give you a t-shirt?
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Ummm...no sir you did not. You only gave me a hard time about busting your #@!$! about Girards bike. Wait I take that back you gave me a free hot dog at the LA national.;)

So is there a tall seat being made for the 12's? I am a phone call away from calling Rich to get me one on order.:D
 
I'm still doing my best out here in California. I spend hours every time I go riding or racing educating people about the bike that I feel is the best off road bike made and I've owned a few of them. The dealer issue out here is a real problem though but I've been assured by Clay that it's being worked on. It just makes me sick to see all the orange bikes at the races when the gassers are at least on par and in many ways better.

Just got the old bike crated for delivery to a new owner so I'm hoping I win the raffle for the new 250 and get to continue carrying the torch. On a good day I'm a top 10 northern California enduro rider. Keeping my fingers crossed. Come on raffle bike!!!!
 
I was joking about the shirt! I would buy one. I'm just glad to have a new 300. Bad thing is I have been too busy to enjoy it!
 
Boomhauer said:
Ummm...no sir you did not. You only gave me a hard time about busting your #@!$! about Girards bike. Wait I take that back you gave me a free hot dog at the LA national.;)

So is there a tall seat being made for the 12's? I am a phone call away from calling Rich to get me one on order.:D
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Are you sure? Did I give Girard one? Sorry!
Mike Gillespie from Mike's Cycle in Baton Rogue did the hotdogs.
 
Aaron Wegner had a support ride with GasGasOffroad, to which I added set-up and support services, facilitated repairs, and provided technical guidance.

The Wegner's and I agreed to a support framework which included (in part) an amicable split "pre-nup". Perhaps they have chosen not to abide by our agreement, but I will.

The facts however, are as Clay has stated them - Aaron missed one points-paying race (which could have been a throw-away as allowed by our District) after he fell and his subframe was grenaded by another rider.

The transmission failure could have occurred on any bike and was a result of a thrown chain in a mud hole - you can only imagine what nasty things can happen when a 300 is wound out and then the chain comes comes a sudden stop against the cases. I pushed to make the repairs happen, including driving to pick the bike up, pulling the engine, splitting the cases, and ordering the parts within a six-hour period. The parts (between GoFasters and my shop) were in stock and available, but payment was not made.

Clay's support of Aaron Wegner was appreciated by myself and I believe the other GasGas dealers in Michigan because it provided exposure to the brand, but I can't say that it led directly to a single sale. It's unfortunate that some people think racing should be free (mostly for them) and that an importer or dealer should give them an all-expenses-paid ride - that's just not the way the world works.
 
I have to disagree that the primary responsibilty for a support rider is to sell motorcycles. The rider's "job" is to race to the best of their ability and represent their sponsors in a positive way. I agree the goal is to help sell more motorcycles/product but that "job" belongs to the dealers/distributors.

Now, having said that, I know that my son and I are partially responsible for at least 4 new Gassers being sold since we came to the brand in 2011.
 
mcnut said:
I have to disagree that the primary responsibilty for a support rider is to sell motorcycles. The rider's "job" is to race to the best of their ability and represent their sponsors in a positive way. I agree the goal is to help sell more motorcycles/product but that "job" belongs to the dealers/distributors.

Now, having said that, I know that my son and I are partially responsible for at least 4 new Gassers being sold since we came to the brand in 2011.
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I agree. I'm even looking at the husky tc449 because of what Grafunder is doing out west on it. I realize the best riders are going to win on any bike that holds together but seeing our brand up front at the races gets people who don't even know what a gasgas or a husky or a tm looking.
 
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mcnut said:
I have to disagree that the primary responsibilty for a support rider is to sell motorcycles. The rider's "job" is to race to the best of their ability and represent their sponsors in a positive way. I agree the goal is to help sell more motorcycles/product but that "job" belongs to the dealers/distributors.

Now, having said that, I know that my son and I are partially responsible for at least 4 new Gassers being sold since we came to the brand in 2011.
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Then why was Suzuki's MX market share dropping while RC was winning championships on their bike?
 
wheelie said:
I have a friend that was on Team Green in early 2000-2001 for GNCC's running 250A class. He was one step away from running with the pro's (and was fast enough to do it).
He had twin bikes (practice & race). The race was provided by Kaw and the practice (I don't know for sure) but was from dad/or discounted from Kaw.

When guys/kids get that good & dads are involved things get complicated. It isn't about the racing anymore (you know just hanging with the family, being with your buds, riding for fun, not a care in the world, just want to do your best, etc).
It seems the pressure is turned up to "preform" and it changes the person. It isn't a sport anymore, its a job. It can go good or it can go bad. If it goes bad (have bad results, bad presence,etc) its over. You usually don't get another shot. If it goes good the sky is the limit within reason.
I've seen some deals go bad and it really (in my eyes) hurts the racer himself. I hope the best for Aaron, but don't feel to bad for him. i just feel bad for the whole situation as it affects gasgas and possible future help to other up & coming racers that may "want" support from GG.

PS...I will race the bike also & pay for the fixes....lol
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My theory: Anything you do, no matter how much you enjoy it, becomes a total hassle when it becomes what you do to make your $. then it's not a hobby, it's a job.
 
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