Re: Motus Pricing - starting at $31k

[Rincewind]

Good luck to them, but that's a heck of a lot of money for a sport-touring bike that will see a lot of miles.  I thought they had said it would be priced reasonably - I guess it's reasonably priced if you compare it to a EBR bike or a Bimota.  

[bomber]

^ yessiree -- another indication as to why there are not more startup motorcycle manufacturers . . . .if you want to grow your money quickly, charging a "reasonable" price for a bike (in this case, I'd call somewhere between 12 and 18K reasonable) isn't gonna do it, so you put your money elsewhere.

Charging 31 large will, if your sales plans works, do the same thing, but I can't see them selling enough at that price point to keep the lights on for long.

I hope I'm wrong, as competition really DOES improve things . . . . .

[Rincewind]

With their big nationwide tours, as well as the drawn-out development, I was expecting that they would have gotten more than eight dealers to sign up.  

[R Doug]

That's exactly the discussion we had on The Pace last week. James and I were both thinking $22k - $25k (with options) would be the sweet spot, if still a little high.I'd have tried really hard to get one in a year or two at that price. At $30k and up, it's priced completely out of my want/willing-to-work-for range by a huge margin.

I wish them the best, though; I want to see an American bike company building something other than cruisers do well.  

I 100% agree and would have HIGHLY considered this bike in that range.  

$31k is waaaaayyyyyy too much money for a bike.  I could buy a Norge and a Griso and would still have money left over for a dirt bike.

You tell me, what would make for a better garage?  Those three bikes or one Motus?

[Orson]

I read somewhere that the new Horex will be sold for 23,000 euros.

[X1Glider]

I'm due a $1000 refund now.  I'm out.  This is THE bike I would love to own.  Ninja 1000 and FXDX would be gone.  I'd have gone to $20k + options, but no more.  Still compared to an EBR, this is a fantastic deal.  Hell, there are even more dealers already.

[X1Glider]

^ yessiree -- another indication as to why there are not more startup motorcycle manufacturers . . . .if you want to grow your money quickly, charging a "reasonable" price for a bike (in this case, I'd call somewhere between 12 and 18K reasonable) isn't gonna do it, so you put your money elsewhere.

Fischer had to potential to succeed.  Their bike was akin to a CRT in the consumer world.  Buy an already engineered and proven SV drivetrain and build a chassis for it.  Prices were reasonable too even with options maxed out.

I think the part of their plan that is problematic is that they are trying to earn enough profit off each bike they build this first year so that the bills can be paid down quicker.  Now, depending on their financial backing and the faith they have in Motus, I would have thought it would be wiser to build the bike for a much more reasonable price, have minimal profit or even break even.  They could build a bigger fan base this way, potentially being able to increase the number they build the next year, therefore increasing their buying power/gaining bulk discounts and slowly increasing their profits through higher build numbers.  Or lowering the price even more, gaining more customers in the process.

I started buying Buells in the early 90s.  They weren't cheap and they weren't necessarily very good.  But with each year, they built more and the price came down, and so on and so on...

There's some expensive items on there and I'm sure Ohlins TTX, OZ wheels and Brembo Monoblocks added $10k in retail price.

I hope their first year works out for them.  I really do.  Espeially for parts and service.  And if they are still around 5 years from now (bugs worked out and improvements made) and the bike being sold for no more than a comparable premium Euro model, I'll be interested again.

[X1Glider]

I'm really confused by all the comparisons to the Buell on this bike.  

Lemme help you.  It's another American manufacturer building a highly specialized bike that starts at $40k but has absolutely no dealer network and is in the same situation.... starting from scratch, trying to succeed with a dream.

[Dan K]

Wow.  I hate to say it, but if they don't drop the price, or offer a cheaper model without the fancy bits (Ohlins, Brembo, etc.), these guys won't be at it for much longer...they clearly had big investment money to be in 'development' for so long, and if they were able to wait this long to get to market, they should have no problem lowering the price which would delay paying down debt, but would most definitely increase revenues...

How much is the BMW k1600?  If the Motus costs more than that bike, they're toast for sure.

Hope I'm wrong.  Would love to see them make it.

-Dan

[veefer800canuck]

All those high end suspension bits don't grow on trees. I knew it would be priced as a boutique bike.

I don't think the economy is enough to sustain growth of those models at that price point, even though I understand they are wonderful motorcycles and well finished.

You're looking at a different buyer for an ST rig. Confederate sells very expensive butt jewellery to people who hardly ride them and keep them in their houses, as art, and occasionally take them out for a spin. ST riders ride all year, all weather, all surfaces. Think a very filthy MultiStrada, or V-Strom and you're there. Those people tend to see the bike as a tool and one they are going to buy, wear out, and replace. It's more about the journey and the road, the people, places and things along the way. A lot of ST riders also camp while riding and rough it a bit. Those people are not going to be wowed by a 35k price tag for something they are going to get very wet and very dirty and mile the hell out of it, and park at the KOA for the night.

In my humble opinion of course.  

[veefer800canuck]

How much is the BMW k1600?  If the Motus costs more than that bike, they're toast for sure.
-Dan

$20.900 for the GT and $23,200 for the GTL.

The MultiStrada "Pike's Peak" edition is 22 grand and comes with Brembos and Ohlins.
Panniers and topbox and heated grips, GPS, etc etc for the Ducati aint gonna run ya another 10-13k that's for sure!

[Dan K]

$20.900 for the GT and $23,200 for the GTL.

Motus is not going to make it without some changes...really hope I'm wrong. For $10k less I can get proven bike with proven manufacturer with just as many fancy bits and pieces...can add another bike or two with the savings.  Too high.  Too short sighted.  Oh well.

_Dan

[jpaul]

I am a bit disappointed in the price, but not completely surprised.  I thought they would be doing good to bring it to market in the $25-30K range initially. I get the feeling that they're being a bit selective in choosing dealers, which could end up working for or against them. It's better, IMO, to have fewer dealers who are really able and willing to support the product, than to end up stuck with dealers who give the product a bad reputation because their interest in the customer ends when the check clears.

They plan on selling crated engines in addition to complete motorcycles; this could prove to be a key factor in their long term success. The engine would be a natural for application in some of the smaller auto racing classes. Not a lot of volume, but maybe enough to help amortize the manufacturing equipment.

[bomber]

Motus is not going to make it without some changes...really hope I'm wrong. For $10k less I can get proven bike with proven manufacturer with just as many fancy bits and pieces...can add another bike or two with the savings.  Too high.  Too short sighted.  Oh well.

_Dan

without enough dough cached to sustain operations for a couple of years, they GOTTA charge that much . . . witness the last few iterrations of Indian (pre-Polaris), and Henderson.

This is one of the reasons  why no new manufacturer has succeeded without deep pockets behind them . . . .

[Dan K]

without enough dough cached to sustain operations for a couple of years, they GOTTA charge that much . . . witness the last few iterrations of Indian (pre-Polaris), and Henderson.

This is one of the reasons  why no new manufacturer has succeeded without deep pockets behind them . . . .

They sure took their time to get the thing out.  Engine was done like, what, 2 years ago?  If they're running out of capital, shouldn't have taken their time.  Need to sell higher volume and get higher numbers of bikes out there as opposed to niche of $31k+ bikes.

REALLY want them to make it, really want to buy one and will if I win the lottery - but it's just too high a price.  Hey, anything's possible, but I just don't see it happening.

- Dan

[bomber]

They sure took their time to get the thing out.  Engine was done like, what, 2 years ago?  If they're running out of capital, shouldn't have taken their time.  Need to sell higher volume and get higher numbers of bikes out there as opposed to niche of $31k+ bikes.

EZ to say, tougher to do -- ground up design, fix the problems, beat on it to create bugs, fix them . . . . it all takes time, man -- creating stuff is not like creating software . . . . .

I'm betting this was ALWAYS gonna be a niche bike, but they were hoping more like HD pricing, not two-BMWs pricing ;-}

[Dan K]

EZ to say, tougher to do -- ground up design, fix the problems, beat on it to create bugs, fix them . . . . it all takes time, man -- creating stuff is not like creating software . . . . .

I'm betting this was ALWAYS gonna be a niche bike, but they were hoping more like HD pricing, not two-BMWs pricing ;-}

Not saying it's easy - just saying it doesn't look like they are taking a long term look at this bike.   Selling at a lower margin and slowing down return on investment would in my mind do more for the success of this bike than it's American made moniker and it's actual capabilities as a better than most bike.

Bikes are really good these days, and you can't expect to get away with high prices at high volumes like HD without having already built the mystique that seems to grab bikers from all walks of life.

Who knows.  Maybe they have the cash to weather the storm and figured this is where they WANT to be.  I'm speculating.  I was just really hoping this would be closer to affordable, as now, and I expect the same for many others, it won't be in my garage despite the fact that I was willing to figure out how to buy one one day.  Now it's out of reach.  

Significantly narrowed their customer base despite their wide fan base.  Bad idea in my book.

EVERYTHING I've said other than I won't be buying one is simplyopinion and speculation and I hope I'm wrong.

- Dan

[bomber]

Not saying it's easy - just saying it doesn't look like they are taking a long term look at this bike.   Selling at a lower margin and slowing down return on investment would in my mind do more for the success of this bike than it's American made moniker and it's actual capabilities as a better than most bike.

Dan I agree with your post -- I will simply add that I'm willing to bet that the money came from outside the company, and the owners of the money are much more concerned with recouping their investment and making a profit soon that they are making a motorcycle company.

Further, I'll bet a frosty beverage that the designers of the bike spent a lot of time trying to get cost OUT of it to allow a lower price point . . . .

Like you, I've got no dog in this hunt -- but I wish em well.

[atadaskew]

Let's cut to the chase.

The Motus is not a pretty bike.
And it needs to be gorgeous to sell at $35K.

Seriously just look at it.  if you did not know it was a Motus, nor who the mfg was, and was asked to guess the price..  Especially with bits like standard Givi luggage?
I'd say, not knowing the mfg, that I was looking at a $15K bike.  Tops.

[falcofred]

Let's cut to the chase.

The Motus is not a pretty bike.
And it needs to be gorgeous to sell at $35K.

+1, no one needs a bike, everyone wants a bike. You have to build bikes people want. For $35K, you have to build bikes people lust after. At that price you have to build bikes that the people who can afford it will buy it just to show it off. This bike is nothing to show off.

They have to charge a premiium for that hybrid rear sprocket with a lifetime warranty   Come on, hybrid sprocket, Ok, alumium carrier with a set of hardened steel teeth..........The chain is listed as good for 20,000 miles, I can believe that, but if you replace the chain and dont' replace the sprockets at 20,000 miles your dooming your new chain to a shorter life, that is just how it is.

Of course Honda is building bikes they feel people need, but no one wants and they're still in business