Vento 400 Cafe GT – 348 Pound 400cc 3 Cylinder Urban Commuter from PTS Motors

[Schneegz]

From the Knesslider:

There’s a strong contingent of riders always asking the same questions, “Why build every new motorcycle with a big engine? Why not build something smaller, affordable and light that still looks cool? We want a real motorcycle, not a scooter.” OK, check out the Vento 400 Cafe GT from PTS Motors. If you think a light (348 pounds), nimble commuter with a 34 horsepower 400cc 3 cylinder engine and 5 speed transmission might be just the ticket, look no further, here it is.

Read the rest and see more pics at the link.

[Sport-Touring]

[Giaka]

Made in China, sold out of Australia. I sent an email asking about possible US market.

[paddy_crow]

To me, "Made in China," translates to, "Don't walk away. Run!"

[Rincewind]

Tasty!  Looks like the old Hawk GT's.  I'm not crazy about the spoked wheels, but if they don't require tubes then it would be ok.  

[motoracergabe]

^ reminds me of the Hawk too.
i like it. i bet it would be pretty cheap. looks like a good commuter bike to me.

[Giaka]

They reply to emails quickly.

"Hello Mike,

Yes we will sell this bike in US too later next year once market is better.

Regards,

Shankar"

[Fourstring]

Retail of $8k, I'm sure.  

[chornbe]

Meh...

SV650 > that

[Rincewind]

Retail of $8k, I'm sure.  

For a bike from China, it would have to be a Gold Wing knock-off to cost that much

[atadaskew]

I'd prefer a 400cc single from them first.  Simpler, easier to fix/maintain. Will let them 'prove' themselves.
Ya know, walk before you run...

[ConPilot1]

At least it's better than those stupid fuggin ugly Johnny Pag choppers........

do they make a stroker in that 3 cyl??

[Giaka]

I'd prefer a 400cc single from them first.  Simpler, easier to fix/maintain. Will let them 'prove' themselves.
Ya know, walk before you run...

Would be cool but I think a little triple would be a blast as well. To me the little Ninja 250 would have been the perfect bike with one more cylinder.  

Lets see this is a pretty basic bike, air cooled, minimal body work etc. I bet the MSRP will be close to the current Ninja 250.

[Justin]

OH NO... Just wait until Bogie see's this...

[HipGnosis]

They reply to emails quickly.

"Hello Mike,
Yes we will sell this bike in US too later next year once market is better.
Regards,
Shankar"

To me that reads; 'We'd luv to sell these to all you rich Americans, but we're currently to small to get USA emissions certified and establish a support network you folks will require.'

I'll keep an eye out for them...  I thought about getting a Nighthawk 450 I came across in CraigsList this week (real cheap too).

[ConPilot1]

To me that reads; 'We'd luv to sell these to all you rich Americans, but we're currently to small to get USA emissions certified and establish a support network you folks will require
out of old kids swingset tubes that we make the frames from.'

FTFY

and no doubt if i was going to spend 2500-3000 on a bike, man, you can do much better than that for the money.
lots of nice old proven Japanese bikes and even old BMW airheads out there for that cash.

[Zerosum]

and no doubt if i was going to spend 2500-3000 on a bike, man, you can do much better than that for the money.
lots of nice old proven Japanese bikes and even old BMW airheads out there for that cash.

Seriously.  If you're a used shopper, the market is teeming with tons super-reliable, "pre-depreciated" Japanese bikes for $3K or less.  Any new budget bike is going to have to compete with them.  Why buy a new Chinese bike with unproven materials, workmanship, and dealer support when you can easily find a nice condition, used SV650 (or whatever) for a comparable price?  Any knowlegable consumer will chose the later - the used Jap bike will most likely last longer and be more reliable.   I like to see competition, but that's what any new manufacturer is up against.

[ConPilot1]

Seriously.  If you're a used shopper, the market is teeming with tons super-reliable, "pre-depreciated" Japanese bikes for $3K or less.  Any new budget bike is going to have to compete with them.  Why buy a new Chinese bike with unproven materials, workmanship, and dealer support when you can easily find a nice condition, used SV650 (or whatever) for a comparable price?  Any knowlegable consumer will chose the later - the used Jap bike will most likely last longer and be more reliable.   I like to see competition, but that's what any new manufacturer is up against.

Sad thing is, if that were Italian with a 9 grand price tag we'd be sitting here going OOOOOOOOOO look at that......AHHHHHHHHHH that's nice.

[lizard]

I hope it's fuel injected. Carbs & air cooled = extremely lean mix from the factory and poor fueling from my experience. If it's Chinese, I bet it would be difficult to get parts for the carbs to fix that.

If the price was right, I might consider it. Reminds me of my B4 which I  .

[HipGnosis]

 if i was going to spend 2500-3000 on a bike, man, you can do much better than that for the money.
lots of nice old proven Japanese bikes and even old BMW airheads out there for that cash.

But VERY little in the 400 size and weight range, at least for street bikes.
There's a handful of 250s; Ninja, Rebel, GS..
The next step up (in popular, ie. readily available) is 600 sport bikes with sport ergos and peaky power bands.
And not everyone is comfortable with buying used.
I see a market for this and bikes like it.  
It's kinda like a Yaris.  I see more of them than classic cars on the road.

[Schneegz]

I've been toying with the idea of using parts of a Roland Sand's 450 super single kits to make a lightweight cafe racer, but that would be WAY more expensive.