I think it has more to do with not doing business the BMW way. A mom and pop operation must use flooring, commit to bike orders regardless of what the consumer is buying, in other words increase overhead and make prices higher for the consumer. George like to pay with cash for everything and doesn't really like credit. Have you tried to call him up and order something with a credit card ? Maybe think about it a little.
I would guess the flooring thing could be their #1 gripe. He said he went through that in the past and the paperwork couldn't keep up with the sales....he was selling 200-250 bikes a year. I've seen/heard George's list of complaints and it's pretty compelling. One BMW executive told him he didn't care if George sold ANY bikes, as long as he kept doing what he did and what he does is unique so I'd say this is more in limbo than a done deal. The Beta sign is in the window And they seem happy to have him and he'll do for them what he has done for Husky. The Husky sign is still there and there's even an old Yamaha rubber floor mat in front to wipe your feet on.
It occurred to me that it might be nice to compile a list of Georges input... I will attempt to do that, at least privately for my own uses.
Where did the Uptite Kudos go? I was looking for them and can't find them anymore. Like banished or something????
Yeah and flood them with email telling them how happy we are this happened, now we can get a cool Beta next time around.....
You know, the Beta is a sweet bike, and still having a carburetor has big advantages over the EFI bikes. I am still pissed about being drug home by a KTM even if all it was, was a cracked fuse you could not see. I hope George and Uptite Beta the best also Coffee but is there not a Kudos column he was listed in?
Strangely he is not... http://www.cafehusky.com/forums/usa.53/ I think it was overlooked by us- because it would seem he didn't really need KUDOS cause he's so well known as the husky guru and enthusiast... Good Luck George!
IMO, You guys need to let go of your issues with the Kymco built motors. They are doing as good or better at building these than was ever done in Varese. The most advanced bleeding edge state of the art motorcycle assembly lines are in SouthEast Asia. I simply haven't seen any of the assembly issues with the new 449/511 engines that we ALWAYS see with the Italian built motors(small extra parts in the oil or on the drain plug magnet, improperly torqued fasteners, all kinds of assembly sealant in the screens etc., etc., etc.) . If there was, there would be threads full of chatter about it. The Italians are great at designing a great looking bike; not so good at assembling them in production runs. Over the last 30 years, the Asians have built factory assembly into an art form. I suggest looking at the positive side of this- you and the rest of us actually benefit from this decision by BMW to use Kymco.
having owned both versions for some time now I have to completely agree. The Kymco 511 motor is as solid as anything I have owned from husky and better than several. Tight and leak free, nothing came loose. Great motor. It is a global world, get used to it. Go look at your "American" car and see where half of it is built.
Last sentence: we are benifiting from George of Uptite not being a husky dealer? What the hell are you smoking? And I am not jabbing you, just that statement. Regardless of the Chinese motor. BMW/HNA decided as well as George to move on. Stale Mate.
Yeah, but where are they built? Many of the Japanese and Korean cars are actually built in the US or Canada (or even Mexico) now.
Ahhh now I think I found the thread you were talking about- wansn't in the Dealer kudos forum- it was just a thread in the General Forum... http://www.cafehusky.com/threads/up-tite-husqvarna-santa-ana.3239/ Give it a few more years and everything will be "cheaper" to make in the US (for other countries) since the dollar will be worthless and our inflation will be so high.... Then we can "buy American" proudly (kinda). Sorry for my synicism.
