Considering how much interest the ex military KTMs get I would have to say that yes there would be a market,how big a market is questionable but a lot of people would like a ready to go overlander/offroader.

__________________
Andy L

From the midnight sun to the silk & rhubarb roads, 2014
I am not an adventure rider, just a biker that has adventures.

I wouldn't sink too much money into this Ted.

Most serious over-landers prefer to do the work themselves and the amount of time a decent prep would take compared to what people will pay means you would end up paying your self about 30 pence per hour to do a decent job...

It only really amounts to bolting a few bits on and perhaps some simple wiring - whose gonna pay big bucks for that?

I posted my idea on your other thread Ted. Good idea. Great minds think alike!

Check out my comments about this: (my agent will be contacting you for my 5% fee!) See post 21.

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...4-2#post296272


I don't think pre made bikes would work. And would require a huge capital up front for you with no buy guarantee .... unless you got pre-orders.
But you could work with riders to help them find a suitable bike, then build to suit based on budget, requirements. You can make a bit on everything they order for the bike plus charge for custom work and set up. See my other post, details this. Good luck ... I think you are on the right track!

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.

I like that...


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

I pulled this post from another thread as I think it is on topic here and didn't wanna pull the other thread further off topic with my reply.


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)

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.

Totally agree, CCM seems an ideal candidate for light travel bikes.
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,

__________________
Maria

www.franglais-riders.com

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.

I have also long thought CCM should get into making adventure bikes ... they have used the DRZ400 engine and Rotax 650 engine in the past ... and they are both ideal for adventure bikes.

Shall we put together a petition to go to CCM?

__________________

hahahaha I don't think you have much to worry about !

Wouldnt be such a bad idea.. Even Triumph are on the scene now. They have 2 Adventure bikes on the way and to be unvailed in September/October.

OOOOOO how I would love Triumph to make a decent "PROPER" adventure bike. Exciting stuff.

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.