Orange County Choppers introduced their new SR Cruiser at the recent V-Twin Expo and it looks like a nicely done full size bagger. Powered by the S&S X-Wedge engine, it meets all appropriate emission regulations and the SR Cruiser probably provides everything someone looking for a bike like this requires.
What’s interesting is OCC’s move to this type of bike in the first place. While they also introduced a more traditional chopper style custom, called Sweet Amber, the bagger may be a nod to a soft market for chopper style bikes in general. If this bike is successful, you can expect OCC to produce more models designed to cover a wider range of styles and potential customers and probably also reflects an effort to become a true motorcycle company instead of a specialty chopper builder. Seems like a smart move.
Link: OCC Motorcycles
hoyt says
“…reflects an effort to become a true motorcycle company instead of a specialty chopper builder. ”
Their shop/factory has some impressive tools and machinery to become so much more than the corporate trinkety bike builder.
This bagger could be the best “motorcycle” (italicized) to come from OCC
kneeslider says
If you can get past all of the nonsense they do for the TV audience and look at the bikes they actually build, they do good work. If you turn those skills toward bikes like this bagger and any number of other styles, they could take their name recognition and turn into a much bigger player than they already are. This will be worth watching.
Chappy says
Probably the best looking bike they have ever made.
I brought up in the American Ironhouse thread how I feel a lot of buyers are getting away from the long, completely impractical custom bikes and going back to factory Harleys and costomizing them because they are realizing the full on customs are not enjoyable to ride any distance and many have reliability issues.
I see this as OCC recognizing this trend and trying to capitalize on this with a bike, that al least in looks, comes off as a customized Harley bagger. Like the Kneedragger says it is a smart move for them to try to legitimize themselves and make bikes instead of oddities.
zipidachimp says
if these guys would spend some time looking around, they’d discover tons of bike styles that real people would buy from them. what about a streettracker , bobber, trike, . they are still hampered by high price in a soft economy.
todd says
I think “SR” stands for senior. This bike does not appeal to me the least bit or many other people in my age group I suspect. I think it’s just one more reflection of the escalating age of the average cruiser/chopper rider. It is good though to see the rediculous chopper trend fading into obscurity with the shift to more sensible / stock styling.
I agree with Zipidachimp. OCC should look around to find the growing trends in motorcycling, not just continue grasping at the dying ones.
-todd
Clive Makinson-Sanders says
I like motorcycles. Ridiculous or not. Big huge rake? Cool. Big huge back tires? cool. Maybe not practical, but if you want practical buy a camry.
I dont so much hate the motorcycles that are being made because they are disproportionate, i hate the people that think they can buy one and automatically be accepted into the “brotherhood” of motorcyclists.
I also hate the attitude that motorcycles should all be practical and realistic. What fun is that? Boiling your food is practical, but grilling it with a bunch of tasty herbs and spices is waaaaay more fun.
I like this bike. I have never liked a bagger before and ive never been a fan of OCC bikes, but i would ride this with my girl on the back without having to buy a membership to the good sam club. And no shes not 400 pounds of sh*t in a 150 pound leather vest.
steve says
I like it! Not the usual schlock chopper.
Looks like you could actually go somewhere in it to boot.
kneeslider says
Clive,
Boiling vs. grilling, … cool.
Tim says
In my “Art of the Bobber” book, there is a very cool orange bobber built by OCC. They also did one for (of all people…..!) Billy Joel with an Indian motor. So they know what is cool all right.
Presumably their customs are built to order, so you can’t blame them for building some land-barge if the guy with the coin says “Build this for me”….. its the way of business.
Redmarque says
Well done OCC!
finally unhitching the ‘chopper’ bandwagon
Diesel says
I think it all boils down to the fact that OCC has millions invested into that huge new facility, and they are going to need to build a variety of bikes in order to stay afloat.
PaulN says
That’s a big bike for sure! I especially like the front end, it looks very clean. One thing I thought was interesting is that there are floor boards so you can ride 2-up, but there is no pillion. Maybe it folds out like the Harley Rocker…or maybe she can just sit on the fender!
B. Case says
I believe the average “lifetime” sales amount for a Harley-Davidson is around $40,000. Meaning, Harley, with stock models ranging from $12k-$35k, expects on average $40,000 from your wallet over the lifetime of your purchase. That amount includes the bike purchase, service, parts & accessories. If they had hit you with a bill for $40k at the door to the showroom, well, there’d be a lot less of them on the road.
So, this fully custom OCC SR bagger really isn’t all that expensive at $30k. These guys have incredible brand exposure, even globally, and that ain’t easy to get. I think they’ll do well if they can last the slowdown and weak dollar. Then again, sales of luxury products rarely slowdown in recessions. I guess people figure there money is better spent on toys they can enjoy, rather than losing it on the stock market.
I’m curious how Vinnie and Cody’s new outfit will do.
Justin says
Does no one else think that their show makes chopper enthusiasts look foolish?
Jelle says
It looks nice enough, but anyone with a Corbin catalogue and a J&P Cycles catalogue could have put this bike together.
springer jim says
About time the crew started to build something a bit different than the stretched out bike they usually build. It’s a smart move in more than one way. Frist, if it is comfortable, it will be used more which ALSO translates to more BRAND EXPOSURE for them. as long as the price stays reachable they might just give Harley a run for the money in the cruiser/bagger department