[iabob]

Meh. They might sell a few dozen, maybe a couple hundred, then file for bankruptcy again. I heard an interesting interview with Elon Musk and the biggest challenges to manufacturing new cars. His answers were that designing a car is easy. Engineering, prototyping, R&D...anyone with money can build a new car. What makes companies like Ford and Toyota so good at what they do is they are good at making car factories. Any one of us with a little financial backing can do what Big Dog does. But to sell a competitive cruiser for 10-15k we would need to be able to manufacture them efficiently, by the thousands. There’s a whole different level of expertise in manufacturing that Big Dog doesn’t have. In a few years that 35k dollar cruiser will be worth 5k cause Big Dog is bankrupt again.

 

[iabob]

I still haven't figured out the attraction to Motus. I hear lots of people say how badly they want one... don't know anyone who actually bought one.

I'd really like one. They're offering 4K off leftover 2017's putting them right in the mid-high 20's price range. Not far off from what we've spent on Kingpins. Only with Motus my expenditures would be what windshield or what trunk, it's already got the power, suspension, brakes, and seat stock. The only downside I see is it's really a 1-up touring bike. Since I already have that covered another Vision or a new Goldwing would be my 2-up choice. But I do still really like Motus. If my Pin got totaled that's probably what I would replace it with.

 

[iabob]

I usually clean with spray detailer and micro fiber rags. My Kingpin is almost always shiny. I love to ride and I love to drink beer. But I don't drink and ride, that's stupid. But drinking and cleaning is perfectly safe so I combine those two often.

 

[iabob]

Posting that pic reminds of something else I really love, that my Kingpin went from that last pic to this in under 30 minutes:

 

[iabob]

I wish Motus woulda made it.

 

[iabob]

Weren't they stupid pricey too?

Pricey yes, stupid pricey no. One thing with the Motus is it already came with premium components. No need to upgrade the seat, the suspension, the brakes or motor etc. They were high end but competitive to the BMW K1600GTL. What I think did them in goes back to my first post in this thread three years ago. They designed and built a great product. BMW designed and built a great product, and they can manufacture it to sell profitably at 25-30k. Motus (I suspect) wasn't making enough profit at 28-32k to keep going. Harley makes enough profit on CVO's. Indian apparently is selling their top end bikes in that price range too. It's not so much the price as it is the manufacturing proficiencies to do it efficiently enough to keep going.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to justify 30k motorcycles. What I wish had happened was for Motus to live to put that motor in a cheaper bike. I'm just saying it's not about making a great bike, it's about making a great bike factory. Why has Polarass made money as a motorcycle 'start up' (regardless of badge) when all other attempts have failed? See: Motus Buell Big Dog Renegade Exile OCC WCC Excelsior and on and on? Because Polarass knows manufacturing.