Exciting New Stage Of The Big Dog Motorcycles Story In Europe. Are You Serious?

I don’t know personally Jos Dewit, boss of of the Legend Motorcycle Group, a european distributor of motorcycles with warehousing based in Belgium. On June 6, 2010 he announced very proudly that his company was chosen by Big Dog Motorcycles to distribute 4 of their models through a network of dealers to be created on the old continent. Wrong decision as he should have known that Big Dog Motorcycles was already in big financial trouble, having no resources to continue building bikes, with the Wichita, KS company being forced in foreclosure by its bank just 10 months later. When I announced on April 4, 2011 that Big Dog Motorcycles was closing, 2 days later on April 6, 2011 Jos Dewitt mass emailed a letter to European media and dealers asking them not to believe my news! Very bad idea, because Big Dog Motorcycles officially closed the following day.  On April 8, 2011, Jos Dewitt went to my Blog to comment and made a series of crazy statements like “BDM has closed but created at the same time more responsibilities for the companies subsidiaries” (really?), “Big Dog Motorcycles Performance Parts will be the subsidiary of BDM” (False), “The plan for BDM is to restructure till the end of 2011, and to enter 2012 with the new structure in place” (Are you kidding?)

Today, Jos Dewit fired another email to European media and dealers where he announces that he is going to produce complete motorcycles bearing the Big Dog Motorcycles name and built with parts bought from BDM parts in Kansas. But only when his stock of Wichita made BDM motorcycles is depleted. And to get rid of them, he announces that, unfortunately, his company is forced to implement direct sales at competitive prices to end customers (?) while creating a new service network across Europe. He is “looking for partners with the required proven experience to share in this exciting new stage of Big Dog Motorcycles’ story.” Are you kidding Mr. Dewit? After the jump, his poorly written letter exactly as he wrote and just sent it.

“Following Big Dog Motorcycles’ foreclosure, we had to take necessary steps for the future. This includes creating a new concept and a new organization. We, now doing business as Big Dog Motorcycles Europe secured the opportunity and facilities to build or assemble complete motorcycles bearing Big Dog Motorcycles’ name when existing stocks are depleted, with all parts and the full range of accessories available from BDM Performance Products and approved suppliers, which will be manufactured to the same Type Approval Specification and available throughout the European Union.

Unfortunately we are forced to implement direct sales at competitive prices to end customers (?). while creating a new service network across Europe. Therefore we are looking for partners with the required proven experience to share in this exciting new stage of Big Dog Motorcycles story. Due to our previous relationship we kindly ask if you could be interested in our new setup. Don’t hesitate to contact us for further information. Kind regards” J. Dewit BDM Europe. Legend Motorcycle Group G.C.V. Ambachsstraat 1c. 2400 Mol Belgium

36 Responses to “Exciting New Stage Of The Big Dog Motorcycles Story In Europe. Are You Serious?”


  1. 1 Hamilton Jul 4th, 2011 at 12:56 pm

    This guy is a joke living in a fantasy world.

  2. 2 Joe Jul 4th, 2011 at 12:57 pm

    Big Dog Motorcycles is dead. RIP.

  3. 3 Brandon Jul 4th, 2011 at 1:02 pm

    Sheldon Coleman must have convinced him that he could make a fortune building Big Dog bikes in Europe. Ha, ha. Jos Dewitt seems to be jumping in all bad business plans. He can’t even sell the few bikes he has in stock?

  4. 4 dunlop Jul 4th, 2011 at 4:14 pm

    In my understanding it looks like the ideal bike

  5. 5 666 Jul 4th, 2011 at 5:22 pm

    geez some people just don’t know when its over!!!! Hey Jos ITS OVER MAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  6. 6 Toby Jul 4th, 2011 at 6:31 pm

    I’m betting that he ran the original letter through Google Translate from French to English and then tried to edit it using his minimal English skills. Object and verb are reversed in a few sentences, not to mention missing commas.

  7. 7 Glide33 Jul 4th, 2011 at 6:57 pm

    Dewit has no funding, just a warehouse, tried during the last few years to sell a few Harley clones imported from the USA. They all folded. He is not a manufacturer, must dream to be one and is testing to see if there would be a market for Big Dogs assembled in Europe. He should know there is none because it’s more than a year that he tries to sell without success (he admits it in his letter) a few he bought in the US. No dealers want them, less than ever without warranty. Nobody is going to take him seriously.

  8. 8 Trent Jul 4th, 2011 at 7:16 pm

    Not going to happen. RIP Big Dog. There is an online Big DogOwners forum with complaints about what appears defective parts sold by BDM parts. Better buy from eBay or directly from the manufacturers.

  9. 9 Manhattan Choppers Jul 5th, 2011 at 12:07 am

    After building all those bikes he can hire Casey Anthony as Marketing/Brand Strategies manager.

  10. 10 sedo Jul 5th, 2011 at 4:32 am

    nice bike

  11. 11 Zdravko Butinar Jul 5th, 2011 at 7:07 am

    Are existing stocks depleted ?
    Who can predict the future ? Sky high prices in EU is the killer for all or most of the companys involved in the motorcycle bisinis.
    On the end … I will have one NEW; I wish all the best to Mr.Dewit.

  12. 12 Zdravko Butinar Jul 5th, 2011 at 7:30 am

    Those who appeared on the EU market with the same prices as in the USA will win …

  13. 13 BikerMarc Jul 5th, 2011 at 9:36 am

    The motorcycle business is tough. It’ tougher if you’re stupid.

  14. 14 Zdravko Butinar Jul 5th, 2011 at 9:59 am

    Dear Marc,

    I totally agree with your statement … but also no one has any rights
    to say that Mr.Dewit is stupid or tat he collapse already in his start and that BDM is a bad product.
    I personali like the coment … living in a fantasy world.
    Go Dewid …live in a fantasy word … I will help you in BDME ….

  15. 15 Kozmoto Jul 5th, 2011 at 11:09 am

    All said and done… In my opinion, the BDM Wolf was hands down the coolest manufactured chopper ever made. The beautiful 121ci X-Wedge was ferocious (1976cc) . Visionary design completely ahead of it time with its big 23 “ front tire and small 220 rear. I would love to see that reincarnated.

  16. 16 ragingbull Jul 5th, 2011 at 12:50 pm

    They’re Coming To Take Him Away Ha-Ha
    Remember when you ran away and I got on my knees and begged you not to
    leave because I’d go berserk?? Well…
    You left me anyhow and then the days got worse and worse and now you see
    I’ve gone completely out of my mind.. And..
    They’re coming to take me away, ha-haaa!!
    They’re coming to take me away, ho-ho, hee-hee, ha-haaa
    To the funny farm. Where life is beautiful all the time and I’ll be
    happy to see those nice young men in their clean white coats and they’re
    coming to take me away, ha-haaa!!!!!

  17. 17 1550tc Jul 5th, 2011 at 1:13 pm

    The motorcycle business is tough. It’ tougher if you’re stupid

    nah everyone has a double as no one could be this stupid by themselves

  18. 18 Big Deal Jul 5th, 2011 at 1:26 pm

    Seems like Jos Dewit flew over the cuckoo’s nest!

  19. 19 Northeast Beast Jul 5th, 2011 at 2:46 pm

    Looks like Sheldon Coleman ripped him off big time. Selling a company that was already going down. Does anyone really think that Sheldon didn’t know he was going into forclosure when he was selling those bikes to the Europeans? He should probably be investigated for Securities fraud. I’m sure several laws were broken in the last few months that Big Dog Motorcycles was open. In fact, I pretty much guarantee it.

    Now he is starting up “BDM Performance Parts”??? Give me a break! I guess he’s not done trying to rip everyone off. The parts that he is selling are parts that he was tired of giving away thru warranty. Now he wants people to pay for them. The reason that he is opening BDM Performance Products is because he knows the parts on all the Big Dogs that he sold are junk and people will have to get their parts from someone.

    He should probably be in jail after this is all over.

    I hope people are on to him by now.

    The Beast

  20. 20 Zdravko Butinar Jul 5th, 2011 at 2:49 pm

    At this moment I am ready to pull out 30,000 USA$ strait from my pocket for one K-9/Pitbul ot Mastiff
    What about you( boys) lords? Alles dreht sich um Geld … MY DEAR CYRIL …

  21. 21 1550tc Jul 5th, 2011 at 4:36 pm

    ZB

    HERE dude, spend all your Geld and happy riding and doing lots of repairs

    http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Big-Dog-2007-BIGDOG-MASTIFF-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem27bc4c6690QQitemZ170662848144QQptZUSQ5fmotorcycles#ht_500wt_1182

    30k should get you 2-3 of them as that will give you your own parts department which you will need!!!

  22. 22 Zdravko Butinar Jul 5th, 2011 at 6:27 pm

    Mr. XXX …1550 I assume that you are very intelligent.
    From my heart I thank you for your clever advice.
    Here DUDE for you … I think that the best thing you can do after a crappy day is to hear this song…after that, nothing would matter anymore.

    All Things Must Pass
    http://www.youtube.com
    The Beatles Song: “All Things Must Pass” From: “Jamming With Heather”
    Enjoy.

  23. 23 Warrior Poet Jul 5th, 2011 at 6:30 pm

    Wow. The good will toward a fellow industry member is almost palpable on this site, isn’t it?
    I wish Mr. DeWit all the best in his venture.

    As for criticizing his syntax: Pot? Kettle?

  24. 24 Gas Man Jul 5th, 2011 at 8:13 pm

    Lost in translation?? LOL

  25. 25 666 Jul 5th, 2011 at 8:37 pm

    Where the heck is Parts Guy ? Why is he not defending the great bdm coleman ?? I still smell a rat!!!!!!!

  26. 26 doc Jul 5th, 2011 at 8:58 pm

    BDME,BDMPP really? Almost as good as BDM to kick around.

  27. 27 BigAlyts Jul 5th, 2011 at 9:09 pm

    THE BEST WAY TO MAKE A MILLION DOLLARS IN THE MOTORCYCLE BUSINESS WITH “BIG DOG”, IS START WITH 2 MILLION DOLLARS……………And GET OUT WHEN YOU HAVE `1 MILLION, LEFT. FYI, CYRIL IS THE “TMZ” OF THE MOTORCYCLE BIZ, AND YOU “EURO DOODZ” NEED TO HEED WHAT CYRIL SAYS!!

  28. 28 Boss Hawg Jul 5th, 2011 at 10:30 pm

    Such broad statements should be improved upon.

    Go figure!

    Boss Hawg

  29. 29 bshirk Jul 6th, 2011 at 9:14 am

    @ Northeast beast. Coleman did not sell BD to Dewitt all he sold him was a product not a company.
    As far as security fraud, how can that be????? No securities involved.
    Maybe you should read a little closer befor responding.
    B

  30. 30 blackbird Jul 6th, 2011 at 5:19 pm

    Jos and his business partner were very successful business men before they decided to represent Big Dog Motorcycles in Europe. They are making an omelet rather than complaining about broken eggs. Should the market for beautiful custom V-Twins make a comeback, Sheldon is well positioned to support that demand. In the interim, I suspect there are many bikes out there in the dealer network available to Jos if he actually has market demand for the product. In a very tough economy, I hope Jos and Sheldon are able to hang in there and come out on top in the end.

  31. 31 David Wesley Jul 7th, 2011 at 9:49 pm

    I believe the last batch (40+) bank owned big dog inventory were bought by a custom bike shop on the east coast for a single lot price. Some floor model bikes owned by the dealers are around but their not giving them away and they will be sold off soon enough.

  32. 32 Northeast Beast Jul 8th, 2011 at 12:08 pm

    bshirk,

    I do realize that he did not sell the company to DeWitt. Sorry if I confused you. But not disclosing pertainent information about the product that he is selling to the people that he is trying to get investment money from is fraud. Trying to sell security without full disclosure is “Securities Fraud”
    Why don’t you ask a Ex Big Dog employee about the Chopper recall from 2004. Maybe they will fill you in on the latest.

    The Beast

  33. 33 bshirk Jul 9th, 2011 at 5:32 pm

    Northeast beast,

    I am well aware the previous and current situation since my Son and one of my Daughters were looong term BD employees. I am not sticking up for anyone but the world has always been
    “Caveat Emptor”. You must do your own due diligence. Jos Dewit has only himself to blame.

  34. 34 Buck Private Jul 10th, 2011 at 8:18 am

    ,When Bert Baker claims he’s backing BD tranny warranties and doesn’t, it’s ok……What’s wrong with this picture?

  35. 35 SJB Jul 13th, 2011 at 7:38 pm

    I can promise you that Sheldon Coleman knew the company was going under when he started trying to sell everything overseas!

  36. 36 Clay Nov 23rd, 2011 at 1:03 pm

    They built great, fast, reliable bikes, and beautiful too. I’ve owned two of them and wouldn’t trade them for anything else in the market. Now, I’ve got a collector item. LOVE IT!

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Cyril Huze