Blog.GuidoEbert.com: Recent Comments

Comment on United Motors Goes Out of Business

Erin — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 18:35:32 GMT

I would be willing to put money on the fact that part of their downfall came from their poor quality products and their horrific service. My husband and I are in pocession of a Matrix that doesn't run, is under warrenty, and we're still paying for.

The short version of our story: We bought the Matrix as my husband's primary transportation for his short commute to and from work. The scooter was never in perfect working condition for more than a month or two at a time since the day we bought it (new, mind you). Every time we filed a warrenty claim, it sat at the dealer for around a month, with around two months being our record. Issues were anything from a body piece falling off to a major mechanical problem. In January, the engine siezed, we took it to the dealer with several claims on warrenty, only to have it sit there for a month before the dealer called and told us to come get it because UM had "vanished". Mind you, this was the only dealer left in the area and was an hour away. When we purchased the Matrix, there were three dealers in the area. Gee, I wonder why they stoped selling UM products?

Every time we took it to the dealer, they had at leats 2 other Matrixs' sitting waiting for parts, as well. So, am I surprised they went under? Not at all. And I'd love if they'd take away the piece of junk sitting in our garage that my husband now has to pay out of pocket to fix.

Comment on Langston Fans Not to Worry

Morgan Williams — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 17:52:47 GMT

Hate to heard things like this, but sure glad to hear he's going to pull through.

Comment on Can-Am Sponsors GNCC for Another 3 Years

Carey — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 19:34:08 GMT

Guido.

You need some paid ads on this and your blog.

Response: It's true. Numerous firms have asked to advertise. I'm meeting with a web developer on Monday. Changes underway.

Comment on A Sales Downturn - My Opinion

John Siebenthaler — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 20:51:08 GMT

There's that certainly, but how about this? Forty years ago the interstates were still new, wide open and an adventure in riding. Today, they're falling apart, crammed toe to heel and side to side, and less adventure than survival.

Then, Florida summers still had a cache of orange blossom in the morning and showers in the afternoon. Now, wall-to-wall pavement you could fry eggs on, trapped in traffic that creeps along while you amuse yourself wondering how long it takes antifreeze overflow to cook off the asphalt.

My point: perhaps there's another metric. Then, point a to b was all about the experience. Today it's more likely an ordeal commuters would rather avoid by whatever means possible.

Like opting for a value priced 4-wheeler equipped with a/c, sat radio, lumbar support, 100K drive train coverage, a comfortable suspension and maybe GPS to kill time in waiting for the lights to change on the way to work.

My generation rode to the expanded promise of Honda's nicest people, when things were a lot simpler. Today it's more Xbox derivative, I think, and the riding equals freedom message doesn't quite make the grade these days.

Comment on 2-Wheeler Sales in the U.S. Fell 40% in ’09; ATVs Down 29%

MRP — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 20:19:01 GMT

Guido,

You know this is wrong, none of the Chinese companies are on there. Where is Kymco, Genuine, SYM, etc.... Jonway alone sold 40,000 units in 2008. Wheres the estimate for the Asian peeps?

RESPONSE: I'd include those numbers if they were made available. As you know, they are not. So, yeah, the numbers I provided are simply representative of the 13 manufacturers named.

Comment on Dreams of Road-Going 125s

Carey — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 15:55:18 GMT

Consumers have responded reasonably well to the 250s. We need to attract new riders into the sport and these are good products to draw new people into motorcycling -- so they can trade up later.

Good original article, Guido! Missed you at Indy.

Comment on Dreams of Road-Going 125s

Joel — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 19:19:55 GMT

We imported a few of the MH Motorcycles back in 2003-2005 at the time we had some MH RX 50cc and 125cc 2T they were amazing using the Am6 engine. Same as the Derbi Am6 and Aprilia Am6. Cycle Imports at the time had the Metra Kit as well, but the market was a rollercoaster since it was never embraced by the US dealers.
Due to the EPA issues and the high cost of the Euro we stopped importing them at once point it became a money loosing operation for any importer. Even Cosmo had the Reiju line at one point.

Despite having a following much like the NSR / YSR fan base the 2t 50cc / 125cc Minarelli bikes couldnt reach mass appeal due to the prices ( Between $3200 - $3600 for a 50cc ) Times have changed and the market needs an intro bike for new riders.

Kymco has a great bike, they have the dealer network and financing so theres a good chance they can pull it off better than many of these smaller brands.

The Quanon is a fun bike and we appreciate the plug for the TK Exhaust line its a fantastic looking piece.

Comment on Dreams of Road-Going 125s

Robin — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 00:40:11 GMT

I have always wanted a Mito since the first time I saw them at the EICMA show! Too bad Harley couldn't have made that portion of the deal work as its new entry level line-up.

Comment on Is Dealer Expo Worth the Expense in 2010?

Jason — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 18:53:06 GMT

for those of us who didn't make it to the show, could you do a blog about the new products that debuted this year? We usually attend just to see the new stuff...thanks man!

Comment on Off-Road.com Sold, Despite Editor's Claims

LIsa — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 23:46:33 GMT

Glad to see that VerticalScope saved the site.... i'm sure they heard the news, and went in and bought it! Good for them it is a fantastic site.