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I think it'd be a great idea... pick up some DR's or DRZ's and do some home fabracation to strengthen the sub frame, build racks, setup suspension for a real life human, and fix known issues...
I'd love to do it on a one or two bike at a time buisness... I wouldn't expect an actual return on my time though... like say buy a DRZ for 2500 and sell it for a 1-2k profit (probably wouldn't spend more than 500 on parts after you get two or three done) for me the hobby of moding it would be enough... keep me busy doing the things I love, adding $ to the trip fund... I wouldn't do it on an order basis though... just build a bike put it up for sale, then once I get a buyer... then adjust the suspension and anything else they want. I love the idea... it's got me thinking.... LOL |
This is an area i have often though CCM should get into, given the sucess of the flat track dr400 based bikes for example.
Given their current business model seems largely based around specials using the 400 and previously the dr650 engine you'd think this was right down their street. Think about it, a chioce of 400 or 650 single, proper upgraded suspension, fractory (reliable) electrics, add in a purpose built subframe/luggage mount and then the usual bolt ons (tank, bash plate etc) with a quality build and robert is your mothers brother. The idea of buying a Ted prepped bike might have its attractions but there might be an oppertunity to link with someone like adventure spec to provide a complete package using their products as well as your own. |
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I think you can go two ways with this... You can keep it small (like I was thinking in my previous post) no more than a bike or two at a time, buy cheep, restore and build to a solid spec, offer it for sale at no more than 1-2k profit, once sold set the suspension to the rider and add any last min modifications custom to the new owner... Pros: - nice hobby that also adds money to the trip fund - not a whole lot of over head if your fabricating everything yourself. - could make decent $ if you really look for good prices.. - can take your time work at your pace - low bike cost should move them pretty easy Cons: - not gonna make you rich - easy to fall be hind because of above - not built from scratch for a customer so not exactly what customer wants every time. - need to be thrifty to keep prices low or you could try to tie in with a fab company that makes bolt on parts for the bike... like Adventure spec, and open your own shop. Do maintenance and fab on peoples bikes for them, help setup their bikes to their wants/needs, and offer "turn key" Overland bikes. Pros: - should be able to make a living - get your name out there a bit more - could be more adventuresome with the kitted bikes you offer - if done right and priced right, you'd have the market cornered for this (judging from ADVrider, a decent sized market when you include mods to riders existing bikes) cons: - with all the people wanting to "kit" their own bikes, you may not have time to build the "turn key" models - if you offer "turn key" models you'll need pre determined sizes, and options for pricing purposes. - due to the time requirements to build the bike, pulling you away from what would probably be paying your bills (aka the maintenance and parts selling) you'd have to charge labor which would drive the cost of the bike up. - demand for fabs and not turn key bikes could drive prices up and into the "over priced" as well as push your delivery times out to where only the Uber rich and patient are your customers |
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Yes I agree, with the US economy I think trying to open a shop like this wouldn't work out to well unless you did every thing right... and honestly... who does. Hopefully in a few years that will change. as you said, the market for WORLD traveling bikes isn't in the US. not for a big shop anyways. like you said... this is Harley World, land of Interstates and paved everything. were if people (like me) do not own another vehicle besides a motorcycle are basically considered insane.(quite rightly in my case:wacko:) I think if you tried, what will end up happening, is you'll end up doing a lot of maintenance and fabricating on bikes that will only ever see the interstate or an occasional holiday to Canada or Alaska. and you'd have to be based in a "hot spot" which means probably Seattle or *shudder* L.A. to make a decent living at it. ?c? |
There's definitely some people being taken for a ride by the folks at TT! I've seen a lot of 'fully prepped' Beemers that don't look like they're actually going anywhere. I think the market for 'ready to ride' overlanding bikes for clients that haven't done any proper research is tied up (I know, lets get a GS1150 adventure!). Once you are talking about people that have done the research all the factors already mentioned come into play and the business model for supply would shift from off-the-peg to tailored bikes. There might still be a gap for prepping other peoples bikes for them (wouldn't want someone else touhing my electrics or mechanics personally)?
My favourite overlanding item I have seen mis-sold is the sidestand switch protector plate in the TT catalogue. It features the words 'A broken sidestand switch will stop your engine running and end your trip, you need an [overpriced piece of pointless laser cut scrap]'. It's true that a broken sidestand switch WILL stop your engine running but you don't put your hand in your pocket, just cut the switch off!! |
Isn't this sorta service out there already? ...
.. E.G. http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/928560359_oK4Pi-O.jpg Overland-Solutions.com: Rally & Overland Fabrications . |
WOW !! Loads of brilliant ideas and input...
By no means do I think i'm the first person to of thought of this or even to of tried it.. I think im going to give this a go when I return from Africa. Starting with a smaller, cheap but low mileage bike and prep it with the essenstials, fabricating what I can myself and then go for a resale. I'm not looking to make a living out of it, more of a weekend hobby, travel fund booster. I don't have the money to invest into making this a full time business venture. I've spent years working on bikes and got all my quals so i'm confident in that respect. My metal fabrication work is still amaturish but im working on that and intending to do some schooling. I've build my own racks on my DRZ and they work great. I might just start trying to make luggage and accessories for the popular but no out of manufacture bikes. Dommies, XT , Africa Twins.. etc etc I also want to learn wheel building... People who can do that, earn loads of cash on the side. I'm lucky as I have a huge double garage workshop full of tools/equipment at my mums house. Rent free :) I could do a 9-5 job or even work part time and try this venture on the side with little risk. As for overland solutions, I think hes very talented but hugely expensive and industrial. I remember trying to call him about 15 times a couple of years ago and still didnt get any reply. Iv seen some of his racks. They are heavier than the bikes. Well, lets see what happens in the spring. |
Team Adventure!
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The 450DS in particular with a seat of 80/83cm (apparently!) and 128kg seems totally ideal. Tank fuel of 12l is too small so that bike would need some prep up: bigger fuel tank, bash plate, maybe reinforce the subframe (Depending on how much lugagge it could take) .... This bike could be the ideal mid-weight bike for overland travellers under 6 foot tall and not blinded by BMW fashion! Unless it needs ferquent servicing? Hey Ted let's discuss when you're down in London! Cheers, |
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That's true - certainly about the weight of the racks! I bought the second hand ex Chris Scott rack that Andy Pattrick was selling here a few weeks ago and I was staggered at the weight of it. The rack alone weighed close to what I would hope to get my entire luggage weight down to! Just bolting it to my XR600 will overstress the subframe. It also cost somewhere around £1000 to build, most of which was (I suspect) his time. When I built my CCM rack it took me over 30hrs work (and that was the fifth or sixth rack I've made) but because I didn't charge myself I regarded it as cheap. How are you going to factor that in? Putting many evenings work into prepping a bike, building one-off bespoke parts etc isn't going to seem like a great idea when the new owner rides off on it and you work out that your profit margin per hour is less than minimum wage. Now wheel building, that's different. I'll sign up for the TedCo wheelbuilding masterclass.:smartass::smartass: I've got four that need doing at the moment. |
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CCM certainly were aware of the overlanding market some years ago when I was building my 604 based bike. It was discussed at length on the owners group website, somewhere the factory contributed to occasionally. Whether the knowledge gained from their Paris-Dakar experience ten years ago was enough to make them run a mile who knows but a lot of their stuff had the makings of a good overlanding bike. It was just the lack of add ons like tanks where they fell short. I was on the point of giving up with mine and buying an XT before I managed to get one of the ex P-D 23L tanks second hand. None of the other tanks I could find would fit. Most everything else I've had to make or adapt. http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r.../_DSC1187b.jpg |
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Hey Ted - whatever happens I wish you good luck.
Me and the missus discussed this almost endlessly for nine months (how to make money out of out passion) - and we both came to the same conclusion. You can't make money, or even break even, about something that you are so closely involved in unless: either: a- you are a heartless ballbreaker b - you have a great innovative idea. Otherwise we figure, all thats going to happen is you will break your ass for an ideal. Saying that - we've got no further, but remember lots of people who have set off chase a dream, and only the crazy-loons find it! Good luck man :) |
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I enjoy working on bikes and making things.. As long as I don't lose money (which I don't think I will), Ill give it ago. Free time is something I usually have plenty of as i'm always saving for travel and can't afford to go out hahahaha ! |
Hey Ted,
How about a more 'holistic' approach? With your experience you could have a sort of 'Adventure Motorcycling Consultancy'. You could offer advice on getting paperwork etc. sorted, getting a bike prepped, ancilliary equipment, sourcing that equipment, fitting that equipment, and even, at the top end, buying and preparing a bike for someone. The latter could be done in conference with the customer, so even though you would be prepping the bike for them, they would feel like they were having some kind of input. I think a lot of people love the idea of an independent trip but are intimidated by the amount of preperation - and yet don't want to go on a package tour on a rented bike. The heavier your involvement in the work, the more of a fee you charge. You could offer a basic introductory "What's your plan?" meeting for free and go from there... Maybe a daft idea, but there you go... :) |
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doing a bike or two at a time... selling them AFTER you've done the work... chances are you'll at least be able to break even $ wise... but, especially when working on the same bike as you own, you'll have gained knowledge about the bike. in the end... you've got a hobby that you love in tinkering with bikes, and one that my just kick a bit of cash to your travel pot. (but doubtfully will pay for it all) I have a friend who's selling a DRZ for dirt cheap.. I may try this method out on a bike to see how it goes... :eek2: |
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