Questions for Brett Saunders...

TM Enduro,

I think you missed my point. I'm not suggesting that BMG designs or makes parts under the GasGas label. They could simply have one guy make some phone calls to the "popular" aftermarket brands. With some friendly conversations and offering support (such as providing dimensions) will go a long, long way. The aftermarket companies will be very pleased that a manufacturer approaches them with this dimensional assistance. No aftermarket company wants to purchase or borrow bikes to get basic dimensions. With GasGas/BMG making the first initiative, a stronger aftermarket will build naturally.

For example, I work for a company that makes automotive suspension products for both OE and aftermarket. A battle we always face is getting "good" dimensions on vehicles to retrofit our products or tougher yet on upcoming vehicles. If an OEM called us up and offered the correct dimensions for their suspension, it would make our aftermarket products must easier to implement. Most of the time, we resort to taking crude measurements and tweaking things to fit.
 
I agree with TM, though I see a need for aftermarket GG items to become easier to purchase. When it comes to priority, I think BMG has to put their first efforts into building up dealer support and get customer's jazzed about GG bikes. KTM's Demo days are a very effective way to sell dirt bikes. I'd like to see GG do the same thing before the whole market is tied up in a bright orange bow, and TM, Beta, Sherco, GG, Husaberg, etc. are left to fight over the fringe customers who want something different.

A hardparts catalog would make a great 2nd or 3rd year project, but just a reminder that GGMA couldn't get 2006 bikes to dealers. Yes, it was that bad. Let BMG start with the basics - new bikes and parts, dealer information and support, and then...
 
MattR said:
TM Enduro,
I think you missed my point. I'm not suggesting that BMG designs or makes parts under the GasGas label. They could simply have one guy make some phone calls to the "popular" aftermarket brands. With some friendly conversations and offering support (such as providing dimensions) will go a long, long way. The aftermarket companies will be very pleased that a manufacturer approaches them with this dimensional assistance. No aftermarket company wants to purchase or borrow bikes to get basic dimensions. With GasGas/BMG making the first initiative, a stronger aftermarket will build naturally.
Click to expand...

I stand corrected. I can see BMG "helping out" an enthusiast dealer with Demo / test mule bikes in exchange for getting key aftermarket parts made to enhance the quality of fit and purpose. I can't see them going out and getting OEM replacement parts (most folks seem to like much of the stock stuff, like messico pipes), but guards, precut backgrounds, and seat foam seem like good ideas.
 
Hawkeye said:
When it comes to priority, I think BMG has to put their first efforts into building up dealer support and get customer's jazzed about GG bikes.
Click to expand...


We're on the same page.
Our primary concern is to establish a solid network of enthusiast dealers who can support the product that's out there, in addition to growing the market.
I prefer to focus on realistic and reachable goals that allow us to build a group of dealers who we can depend on. That's the importer/distributor's role.
 
Hi Brett,
I have been told by a few ex-GasGas dealers that they stopped carrying the brand for mainly 1 reason. They gotta pay for the bike up-front. It's way easier to floor 10 (free for 6 months) KTMs than 1 GasGas. Then you the insecurity in distribution. Why would a dealer sign up for that?

I also want to know if the parts prices will go back down. Part of the reason I enjoyed owning and riding GasGas bikes is that parts were generally less expensive than KTM and the big 4. Go back and look at the head-to head articles in the magazines and you will see the parts price comparison.
 
Loosenut said:
Hi Brett,
I have been told by a few ex-GasGas dealers that they stopped carrying the brand for mainly 1 reason. They gotta pay for the bike up-front. It's way easier to floor 10 (free for 6 months) KTMs than 1 GasGas.
Click to expand...

We're well established with GE, and we offer lots of flooring options to the dealer. And of course, we keep bikes in stock (we're shipping units now).

Regarding parts prices going down - does the price for anything ever go down ? As the dollar continues to weaken against the euro, the likelihood of parts prices declining is doubtful.
 
fattfreddie said:
We're well established with GE, and we offer lots of flooring options to the dealer. And of course, we keep bikes in stock (we're shipping units now).

Regarding parts prices going down - does the price for anything ever go down ? As the dollar continues to weaken against the euro, the likelihood of parts prices declining is doubtful.
Click to expand...

Just to quantify how weak the dollar is, here is a track of the euro versus the dollar for the last five years - dropped from approx 1.15 euros to the dollar to approx .75 euros to the dollar. 35% drop in the dollar. :eek:

http://finance.yahoo.com/currency/convert?from=USD&to=EUR&amt=1&t=5y

jeff
 
GasGasMan - Bob worked at a gasgas dealership up in the NE...

Back on track with this thread please - back to questions for Brett Saunders of Barrett Marketing Group (our new U.S. GasGas importer!)

Question #1 : Do you have U.S. retail pricing information for 2007 gasgas models yet. And don't answer "yes" without telling us! ;-)

Question #2 : In past years, the bikes have come fitted with either a factory gasgas pipe or an FMF. Will you be supplying bikes with the factory pipe (more like a doma) or fmf fatty pipe?

Question #3 : Will the enduro models come fitted with the stock european silencer?

Question #4 : Will bikes come into the U.S. in "DE trim" by default - e.g. lighter kokusan 2k-2 ignition and without road legal wiring etc. Or will they come in "EC trim" with kokusan 2k-3 ignition and turn signal wiring, horn, etc in place?

Question #5 : For the U.S. market, will the bikes come with michelin enduro comp tires (isde ecology tires) or will they come with michelin s-12s?

Question #6 : The corporate literature quotes a weight drop in the '07 2 strokes and the 4 stroke. Both have redesigned sub-frame with elimination of the rear fender support and a lighter led taillight assy. Do you have any hard numbers for us?

Question #7 : What is the retail cost of upgrading to ohlins forks for 2007 models?

Question #8 : If the bikes are coming into country in "DE trim" (see question #4 above) - is it possible to special order them in "EC trim"? Is there a price difference between the two configurations?

Question #9 : When will BMG be ready to ship GasGas parts from their warehouse?

Question #10 : If a dealer doesn't have the bike I want in stock, how long, from the time I place my order, will it take for me to receive it?

Thanks in Advance,
Jeff
 
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Dealers have pricing. According to price sheet, bikes are EC with suspension options.
 
Someone should step up to the plate and release some info on when the 2007 bikes will be in the usa for sale...gas gas is losing at the moment on sales..i have three buddies who have purchased brand new 07 ktm bikes in the last 3 weeks who were very very interested in buying a gasser..they called dealers only to be told they did not know...what gives??i was even told by a long time gasgas racer that he thought the company was going under...i told him that was not so ...but its hard to explain to potential buyers what is actually going on when most dealers dont know..i got some advice for the new marketing group ..we americans love to buy new shiny things..we like to be the first on the block..we buy on impulse sometimes..other times we read bike mags ..and look for reviews..we work hard for our money and we play hard...i am convinced after owning several ktms,honda that gas gas is a great bike once you get it...if it were not for Mark and Steve at GO FASTERS i would have allready gone back to KTM..they are the best dealer i have ever delt with hands down!!! Mr saunders please please let the public know something...next year be the first to get the 2008 bikes out..get some major dirt bike mags to test ride em..get some new up and coming racers to ride your bikes..i am waving the gasgas flag as hard as i can..i let anyone ride my bike to try it out..i purchased oriol mena's 300 he raced at the WEC in canada just to own a piece of gasgas history..i sold my 2005 300 to my brother in law..he loves it. I love my gasser and i just wish other people had the chance to find out how great they are..i race in the sen A class in the Virginia hare scram series (VCHSS)IT IS THE THIRD LARGEST SERIES IN THE USA...gas gas is a series sponsor yet there is not a dealer in the state of virginia..maybe i can help with that..i hope to see some info soon so maybe at least one of my riding buddies will be on something other than a pumpkin...peace Ricky
 
I even told them to skip a year and be 6 months early instead of 6 months late because i was up against the same problem with bikes being so late. Hopefully after BMG gets going with this they can make things better. Just gotta let them have their chance, especially with the transition at the time of year that it happened.
 
Well, to my surprise I got the blessing to get an '07. So, now I'm very interested in price and availability, and when the new distributor will be fully operational and stocked with parts.
 
GGs biggest problem with getting the bikes out early is that the whole friggin country of Spain closes for the month of August!! Production ends July 31 and doesnt restart until Sept 1. This makes it tough to get bikes to the riders early.

As Gas Gas grows, they are going to have to get the bikes built earlier to get them in the owners garages before Labour Day.
 
ScottyR said:
GGs biggest problem with getting the bikes out early is that the whole friggin country of Spain closes for the month of August!! Production ends July 31 and doesnt restart until Sept 1. This makes it tough to get bikes to the riders early.

As Gas Gas grows, they are going to have to get the bikes built earlier to get them in the owners garages before Labour Day.
Click to expand...

I think I like the idea of a 'Labour Month' instead of a 'Labour Day'.
 
I've read that the GG bikes are very popular in France. They also have the hard parts catalog. Since they sell well in France, how have the French delt with this matter? I would think the ktm bikes would get to there markets first also. Or has GasGas made special efforts to have their bikes arrive at the same time or before the ktm's? I can just imagine that this is on the top priority list for BMG also.
 
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