Raffle Bike-A Necessity?

[touringman]

Over the last several years, I've thought about the continuing need and rational for the raffle bike tradition? I've wondered several things: Who chooses the bike, at times the bike chosen doesn't reflect a "sport touring" image, a bike like the Beemer Rich won might have appealed to me, but Iwould not have relished the extra costs associated with making a "sport tourer" out of it knowing I'd also have to pay income taxes on it. If I'm going to do that, I'd prefer to buy whatever bike I've been salivating over at the time (changes regularly!).  I suspect many of these raffle bikes are or traded in short order, and at a discount price. There was a 1000CC Honda given away a few years ago that I'm thinking might appeal to just a very limited portion of our membership. I was very pleased with the FJR I won in ‘08, particularly because it was all dressed up, and ready to dance. There is also the question of financial feasibility. I will be shocked if this years auction ended up in the black.

Is there another option that would be generally more appealing to most of the members. Many times I buy tickets just because it helps the organization. I realize we can't give a cash prize, but what about a given amount towards the purchase of your choice of several specifically priced models at a multi line metric dealer? The certificate would have to be used for the purchase of a bike. I don't know whats doable, but I'm interested in finding out. Please add to this with your knowledge or speculations. Forgive me, but I'm on vacation, and my mind is roaming!!:-) Syd

[Patmo]

Roaming?     Don't you mean it went out for a walk and never came back?         


Sorry, Syd.....I just couldn't resist.


But I do like your idea, at least enough to say that it should be looked at and given serious consideration. 

[STLTHMSTA]

Heresy, simply heresy!!!  Geez, why don't we change the name of the club for gosh sakes??!!  :^)  JUST KIDDING!! See the emogy.  Syd, you may have opened a bag of worms here. The raffle has been a big part of STAR and while it has it's pros and cons, it's the most exciting part of the evening. I sight exhibit A (winner present at time of drawing) as the biggest reason. Thanks Rich.
However, I see your point, who wants a stinky ol' bike from XYZ manufacturer. If you got to choose that might be another animal altogether. I have a little experience in that area, I had a choice when I won at the Honda Homecoming. That hadn't done it since, though.
Let the mail flow. 
When you say you're on vacation, you mean without a bike?     [size=78%]TM[/size]

[ipnman]

Over the last several years, I've thought about the continuing need and rational for the raffle bike tradition? I've wondered several things: Who chooses the bike, at times the bike chosen doesn't reflect a "sport touring" image, a bike like the Beemer Rich won might have appealed to me, but Iwould not have relished the extra costs associated with making a "sport tourer" out of it knowing I'd also have to pay income taxes on it. If I'm going to do that, I'd prefer to buy whatever bike I've been salivating over at the time (changes regularly!).  I suspect many of these raffle bikes are or traded in short order, and at a discount price. There was a 1000CC Honda given away a few years ago that I'm thinking might appeal to just a very limited portion of our membership. I was very pleased with the FJR I won in ‘08, particularly because it was all dressed up, and ready to dance. There is also the question of financial feasibility. I will be shocked if this years auction ended up in the black.

Is there another option that would be generally more appealing to most of the members. Many times I buy tickets just because it helps the organization. I realize we can't give a cash prize, but what about a given amount towards the purchase of your choice of several specifically priced models at a multi line metric dealer? The certificate would have to be used for the purchase of a bike. I don't know whats doable, but I'm interested in finding out. Please add to this with your knowledge or speculations. Forgive me, but I'm on vacation, and my mind is roaming!!:-) Syd

Syd,
EC has been choosing the bike since I became president. I'm looking at a Honda Africa Twin for 2017, since it was well received at STAR 16. I do like your idea of a certificate, but I'll need to check with Tim Macy on IRS regulations. As always thanks for your feedback and ideas.

Regards
Dennis

[touringman]

Pat, at my age, any age related memory quips are not funny!!   Tom, thanks for your comments, and l know tradition is strong. Hate to rock the boat, but hey, it's what I do! :-) Thank you for your reply Denis, and that is one bike I can see as receiving universal acceptance! Syd:-)

[boatanchor]

Pat, at my age, any age related memory quips are not funny!!  

Syd, you're not getting older you're getting better....

[Brick]

A simple option negotiated with the bike raffle dealer to allow bike substitutes and perhaps even a cash payout once said dealer takes some profit. Just a thought.
Also if negotiating with Honda the way the club used to with Honda... It was a bit different. Honda America would take an actual bike of our choice and set it aside in the warehouse. When the winner was notified that exact bike was shipped to the winners dealer of choice.

I don't like the idea of a cash payout. We are a motorcycle club... If you work with a local dealer ask for options. When I did this I was told by one dealer that if you want options you can't have a bike at your event to show AND available of the winners bike of choice can not be guaranteed at the time of the drawing. Also color choice would be on as available basis too.

Just some facts.


Let's Ride!
Brick

[stevegrab]

Ok Syd said "we cannot do a cash prize" and I'll ask why?  If we are going to consider changes to include more flexibility for the winner why not consider that?

I know I heard one time talking to a member of the EC (or maybe it was raffle bike bill) that "The bike wasn't the only choice, they could negotiate with the dealer for another model."  That did not seem to be public knowledge (not in STAReview or part of the raffle info) which it should be, and can help sales.

As for which bike is chosen, there have been many I would not own. Inlcuding the ST1300, the proposed Africa Twin, and probably more. Just not my kind of bike, I'll buy tickets but if I win I'll be looking to sell/trade it.  I'll still be happy I win, because even if I have to modify a bike to make it do what I want, it is still going to cost less than a new bike. Or I'll sell it if its not close enough and go another way.

I did hear that we were upsdide down (in the red) on the raffle bikes this year. Not sure by how much, or if doing the Gromm in addition to the BMW had an affect (hard to say because the Gromm may have added ticket sales).

I personally like the raffle bike, and it makes for some cool times like this past STAR. But I do not think it is an essential part of the club, if we no longer had them STAR would still be very special. And the club may alleviate possible financial issues.

[HawkGTRider]

...a bike like the Beemer Rich won might have appealed to me, but Iwould not have relished the extra costs associated with making a "sport tourer" out of it knowing I'd also have to pay income taxes on it.

Syd...Since you've apparently won one of the raffle bikes, you've experienced that you aren't getting a free bike...just a cheaper than usual bike. As the old saying goes "There's no such thing as a free lunch." A number of the winners over the years have sold the raffle bike to another individual, traded it for something they really wanted, sold it back to the dealer, etc. They've pocketed some cash from their transaction, so it's not like they walked away with nothing even if they did as you say you've done and just purchased raffle tickets to support the effort. If we aren't going to have a bike, it's really nothing more than a club 50/50 with a different ratio.

I probably wouldn't participate in a club 99/1 (or whatever), but I will participate as long as there's a bike to be won. If it's something that I truly have no interest, I may purchase a couple of tickets. If it's a model in which I DO have an interest, then I'll purchase more tickets.

[Doug Just Doug]

The short answer to the original question (is a raffle bike a necessity?) is: Absolutely!  Why? 'Cuz I haven't won one yet.  :^)

[touringman]

I agree with Doug and others that a raffle bike is a real stimulation to buy tickets and be involved. Winning the FJR was a true highlight in my life. If I were less picky, or just younger, I could still be happily riding it around the country. My main focus in asking the original question is to try to find a way to make the raffle more marketable, with attractive options for more of the membership. A voucher with pre drawing values placed on several different bikes would seem to be more attractive to a broader portion of the membership to me. It should be worth the effort to find out what the options are.Syd😊