American-V Blog

In the absence of an official statement from Sheldon Coleman, CEO of Big Dog Motorcycles, we can only take the comments of Mike Simmons, President of Big Dog Performance Products, at face value, when he says in a piece published by Powersports Business on April 7th:

Big Dog Motorcycles was foreclosed upon on Wednesday afternoon, and the company has closed. 

Big Dog Motorcycles, LLC has been foreclosed on, its assets seized, and it is no more. The custom motorcycle OEM has struggled to survive for about the last 18 months. Its primary lending institution had worked with the company to help keep its doors open, but ultimately decided to go forward with a foreclosure. There’s been a variety of factors that have caused a lot of companies to go out of business the last two years, mostly dealing with the economy,” Simmons said. He added that retail lending availability was a big factor in Big Dog Motorcycles’ demise. Dealers and customers will feel an effect of the closure, above and beyond the supply of bikes. There is no longer a manufacturing company to supply dealers with motorcycles. There are no warranties”
 
However, in the wake of the closure, another company has been formed. Motorcycles Enterprises LLC, doing business as BDM Performance Products, will sell parts and accessories for existing Big Dog Motorcycles, and other models’ products will be added in the future. We plan on offering parts and accessories for other American V-twins. Clothing and other apparel will likely be available in the future as well. I will act as president of Wichita, Kan.-based BDM Performance Products, and its 20 employees are all former Big Dog Employees. Initial news about Big Dog Motorcycles’ closure and about the new company will be delivered to dealers through phone calls. Later, dealers will likely receive e-mail and direct mail communication about the change.”

The vultures are circling already, accusing BDM of failing to move with the times, but at the end of the day time ran out for a company that was moving into Europe where the motorcycle market has remained strong, and introducing new models that took it to different price points and into new markets.

Having been impressed by the build, material, finish and ride quality of the three EU Homologated models I rode just a fortnight ago, I'm doubly disappointed, but I'm also more hopeful than many that the work undertaken in creating a premium line of custom motorcycles will not be wasted.

We believe that there are complete motorcycles among the inventory purchased by BDM Performance Products and that these will be available at a bargain price, which BDM's European distribution arm has been trying to secure. BDM EU are currently suggesting that they will be able to meet the warranties on these bikes, and with S&S engines and Baker Drivelines the mechanicals are covered, while BDM Performance Products, it is hoped, will be able to supply any other parts required.

As soon as the dust settles and any final decisions are made - or lists of available bikes made public - we'll let you know.

Our thoughts are with all those businesses and staff affected by this news.