Comments on: Time to Start a New Motorcycle Company http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2008/11/26/time-to-start-a-new-motorcycle-company/ Motorcycle News for Positive People Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:34:05 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: dave http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2008/11/26/time-to-start-a-new-motorcycle-company/comment-page-1/#comment-184702 dave Tue, 02 Dec 2008 17:13:51 +0000 http://thekneeslider.com/?p=3309#comment-184702 Oh, you gotta love some CCM's... BUT they're not available stateside. As far as Vento- They have other projects in the works, and are more interested in selling quads/cruisers at the moment. They are also a parts OEM supplier. The original idea for the 'modular' motorbike from Bienville was, of course, the Bienville Motorbike. I have since adjusted that idea to the 400 Triple design we did as a study for Vento. They were not interested, so with some design revisions, and some changes to major construction, the Cerberus 400 was born. Oops.. lettin' the cat out of the bag, here... At any rate, keep the convo going, I'm not here to make trouble with you guys, there is a reason I check Kneeslider everyday... -dave Oh, you gotta love some CCM’s… BUT they’re not available stateside.

As far as Vento- They have other projects in the works, and are more interested in selling quads/cruisers at the moment. They are also a parts OEM supplier.

The original idea for the ‘modular’ motorbike from Bienville was, of course, the Bienville Motorbike. I have since adjusted that idea to the 400 Triple design we did as a study for Vento. They were not interested, so with some design revisions, and some changes to major construction, the Cerberus 400 was born.

Oops.. lettin’ the cat out of the bag, here…

At any rate, keep the convo going, I’m not here to make trouble with you guys, there is a reason I check Kneeslider everyday…

-dave

]]> By: todd http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2008/11/26/time-to-start-a-new-motorcycle-company/comment-page-1/#comment-184528 todd Tue, 02 Dec 2008 05:19:05 +0000 http://thekneeslider.com/?p=3309#comment-184528 Of course, take a look around, someone might already be filling the niche you're after. In my case with the DRZ400 Cafe Racer - with a little modularity thrown in - CCM beat me to the punch: http://www.ccmmotorcyclesuk.com/bikes-main/models.html -todd Of course, take a look around, someone might already be filling the niche you’re after.

In my case with the DRZ400 Cafe Racer – with a little modularity thrown in – CCM beat me to the punch:
http://www.ccmmotorcyclesuk.com/bikes-main/models.html

-todd

]]> By: todd http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2008/11/26/time-to-start-a-new-motorcycle-company/comment-page-1/#comment-184523 todd Tue, 02 Dec 2008 05:06:53 +0000 http://thekneeslider.com/?p=3309#comment-184523 On the same page Dave, I envy your accomplishments. I've been hoping for a Vento 400cc roadster ever since I approached them with the idea four or five years ago. Did they give up on the project? Your modular concept is a great way forward, I wish you and J.T. the best of luck. -for those who don't remember: http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2006/11/03/bienville-studios-jt-nesbitt/ My original idea was to make cafe racer kits and conversions for DRZ400 singles when they first came out. Those are already street legal, and solid. It's not quite an original idea, Roland Sands has since jumped on the idea himself, albeit not a streetable version. Now I lack the time and the devotion (wife and kids are more important to me) so someone else might as well make a go of it. I wasn't quite as universally forward thinking in my approach as you but my goal was small: Build a bike I would want and then maybe someone else would want it too. Ultimately that is a great way to start a business in this global age. Find an underserved niche and fill it. -todd On the same page Dave, I envy your accomplishments. I’ve been hoping for a Vento 400cc roadster ever since I approached them with the idea four or five years ago. Did they give up on the project? Your modular concept is a great way forward, I wish you and J.T. the best of luck. -for those who don’t remember:
http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2006/11/03/bienville-studios-jt-nesbitt/

My original idea was to make cafe racer kits and conversions for DRZ400 singles when they first came out. Those are already street legal, and solid. It’s not quite an original idea, Roland Sands has since jumped on the idea himself, albeit not a streetable version. Now I lack the time and the devotion (wife and kids are more important to me) so someone else might as well make a go of it.

I wasn’t quite as universally forward thinking in my approach as you but my goal was small: Build a bike I would want and then maybe someone else would want it too. Ultimately that is a great way to start a business in this global age. Find an underserved niche and fill it.

-todd

]]> By: dave http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2008/11/26/time-to-start-a-new-motorcycle-company/comment-page-1/#comment-184483 dave Tue, 02 Dec 2008 02:37:09 +0000 http://thekneeslider.com/?p=3309#comment-184483 @ todd: Trust me; This is not just some 'random-idea' that just recently popped into my head. This has been an ongoing project for almost 3 years. The ins/outs of regulation, and certification I understand. Possibly better than you, as I've had to deal with these things first-hand with another company. Hence the decision to use already-available manufactured components when/if possible. Take the engine, for example: It is already being used in an unrelated vehicle, and has over 5 years of development behind it. Not to mention CARB/EPA certs, that were done by the MFG. Brakes/suspension componentry: Existing parts already in service on SEVERAL other motorcycles. Exhaust/Emissions: Again, already in use on SIMILAR motorcycles. Yes, once the bike goes into production, it will have to get several certs itself, but the hard/expensive work is done. Using your imagination, and the ability to integrate existing components seems to be rare... besides, once it hits production status, it won't be much of an issue, as far as start-up costs. Until then, small-batch "pre-production" prototypes will be running around doing "product research". -dave @ todd:
Trust me; This is not just some ‘random-idea’ that just recently popped into my head. This has been an ongoing project for almost 3 years. The ins/outs of regulation, and certification I understand. Possibly better than you, as I’ve had to deal with these things first-hand with another company. Hence the decision to use already-available manufactured components when/if possible. Take the engine, for example: It is already being used in an unrelated vehicle, and has over 5 years of development behind it. Not to mention CARB/EPA certs, that were done by the MFG.
Brakes/suspension componentry: Existing parts already in service on SEVERAL other motorcycles. Exhaust/Emissions: Again, already in use on SIMILAR motorcycles. Yes, once the bike goes into production, it will have to get several certs itself, but the hard/expensive work is done. Using your imagination, and the ability to integrate existing components seems to be rare… besides, once it hits production status, it won’t be much of an issue, as far as start-up costs. Until then, small-batch “pre-production” prototypes will be running around doing “product research”.

-dave

]]> By: Kurtdesign http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2008/11/26/time-to-start-a-new-motorcycle-company/comment-page-1/#comment-184481 Kurtdesign Tue, 02 Dec 2008 02:29:08 +0000 http://thekneeslider.com/?p=3309#comment-184481 All very good ideas above. Most everyone here has probably ridden a hundred bikes like me. I am becoming disenchanted with the 3 hp and 2 pound difference between each year of VTXYZFSVGSXRR1CBRZX etc. I want a fun bike (not necessarily long distance) that I don't have to look over my shoulder for the police all the time. How about not trying to make a "new bike" per se but completely "redoing an old bike" (modern powerplant, but completely updated with off the shelf chassis components, etc.)? Goal: fun bike with 60-70 hp on-demand "all the time", 300 pounds max wet weight, sticky low profile tires, single seater. With <300 pounds, a lot of women may show up in the sport. FYI: the reason I ask is that my company is building 2 different prototypes with same engine but different looks. Should be driving one on the street about Christmas 08. Mostly for my own curiousity, but I think there are others interested in the idea. All very good ideas above. Most everyone here has probably ridden a hundred bikes like me. I am becoming disenchanted with the 3 hp and 2 pound difference between each year of VTXYZFSVGSXRR1CBRZX etc. I want a fun bike (not necessarily long distance) that I don’t have to look over my shoulder for the police all the time.

How about not trying to make a “new bike” per se but completely “redoing an old bike” (modern powerplant, but completely updated with off the shelf chassis components, etc.)? Goal: fun bike with 60-70 hp on-demand “all the time”, 300 pounds max wet weight, sticky low profile tires, single seater. With <300 pounds, a lot of women may show up in the sport.

FYI: the reason I ask is that my company is building 2 different prototypes with same engine but different looks. Should be driving one on the street about Christmas 08. Mostly for my own curiousity, but I think there are others interested in the idea.

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