Everyone will be going crazy as we wait for January 8th at Anaheim. Let's not forget the heroes and legends who have made Motocross and the Motocross business market so succesful.
Flying Machine Factory's Donnie Emler
WHAT GAVE YOU THE IDEA TO START YOUR COMPANY?
“Originally, I never really had the thought of starting a company. I grew up tinkering on motors from everything to lawn mowers to go karts. I started working on my bikes and friends’ bikes at the tracks, and it all kinda started from there. I had to grow up
really fast because it became the real deal.”
HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH THE NAME OF YOUR COMPANY?
“There was a movie that I thought had a cool name “The Fantastic Men and Their Flying Machines.” It had all these contraptions guys were working on, it was pretty cool.” So I called my company, Flying Machine Factory.
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST BIG BREAK WITH GETTING EXPOSURE?
“We won at Arroyo Cycle Park in 1973, which MXA dubbed the first 125 National. We beat all the factory guys—also, Marty Smith and the whole, complete Honda Factory team and the Elsinore 125.”
WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST INFLUENTIAL OR COOLEST PRODUCT THAT YOU HAVE PRODUCED?
“Our nickel-plated two-stroke pipe was the biggest influence on the company. Our MegaBomb 4-stroke header was the coolest. It has been one of the most copied headers in the world.”
WHAT IS THE SINGLE GREATEST THING THAT YOU HAVE LEARNED THROUGH YOUR YEARS OF BUSINESS?
“Pay cash and never owe the bank.”
WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT IN THE FUTURE?
“I expect a two-stroke comeback at some level because of cost, sound and maintenance.”
WHERE DO YOU TURN FOR ADVICE?
“I summon the pipe gods! Also, getting out and riding the trails as much as possible keeps my brain storming on new ideas.”
DO YOU HAVE ADVICE OR WORDS OF WISDOM TO THOSE WHO WISH TO START THEIR OWN COMPANY?
“A lot of hard work and keep the overhead low. Be a garage guy as long as possible, and never give up!”
WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED FROM YOUR CUSTOMER BASE?
“They are sincere and loyal to a great brand, thank you!”
(from MXA June 2009)
