Horex VR6

[furious_blue_imp]

I didn't notice this bike mentioned on the forum yet (?).

Looks like it's a reality.
A curious triple overhead cam V6 (the middle cam is shared by all 6 cylinders, the outer cams are not shared and are used by single banks of 3).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIsFdidTboY

I wonder if it will make it to the U.S. (even if it did, I'm assuming it'd be for more $$$ than I'd want to pay).

[the Ferret]

They just filed bankruptcy


http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2014/09/h...in-europe/

[furious_blue_imp]

They just filed bankruptcy


http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2014/09/h...in-europe/

It was a good dream while it lasted !

[Henrik_imp]

It's sad to see all these small and sometimes quite brilliant motorcycle manufacturers not being able to make it. It cost a lot of money to develop and build these bikes, and it is simply impossible for them then to make the volumes that would allow them to make it. Horex obviously is one, but there are so many others like them that have tried and failed.

I have mentioned it before, but the Moto Morini is another typical example. Their engine is probably the greatest twin made, and is something that any true motorcycle enthusiast should experience. Most professionals that have tried it would agree, yet they went bankrupt a few years back. For now they are still alive, but for how long?

The problem is that bike prices have been pushes too far down, and the US market being one of the most important ones is most at fault. The prices bikes are sold at in the US are simply too low to sustain any sort of production for small scale producers. I remember speaking with one of the top people at Ducati a few years back when they brought out the 1098. In the US it was selling for basically half price of what it costs in Europe, and he explained to me that at that price they were losing money on every back. But this was simply a necessity in order to compete with the Japanese sports bikes, and make their place in the market. So, this loss was then being offset by the higher prices in Europe. I know this might seem unfair to a lot of you, but for any of these smaller bike companies to survive, the US market needs to accept that it costs a fair bit to build a proper bike. Consider that here in Europe we pay $16'000 for a CB1100.

I look at the posts on this board, and it is the same with most motorcycle forums in the US, after buying a bike for say $10'000, it is very common to spend at least another $5'000 over the next years buying aftermarket parts. If instead people would accept to pay $15'000 for the bike to start with and then accept it as it is, smaller companies would have more of a chance to survive.

However, at the end of the day it is the demand that decides. The reality though is that the way the demand is in the US today, none of these small bike manufacturers will be able to survive. It is what it is, and we buy what we want, but I find it a bit unfortunate.

[Randy B]

How about this question? What is the average salary in Europe? I know it will vary quite a bit from country to country, as it does here from state to state, but that plays a lot into what price can be asked for any item. If the people don't have the money to buy something, it doesn't matter if it's priced $100 over what they can afford, or $1,000,000 over what they can afford. If it's not sold then what does it matter?

[Henrik_imp]

Here is a map of average income across Europe:



So it varies between $2'500 and $5'000. The biggest motorcycle market in Europe is Spain that has an average monthly income of $2'000 an a CB1100 EX costs $17'500 there.

Also, ask yourself the question, how much in total with all the aftermarket stuff does an average buyer in the US spend on a bike?

[redbirds_imp]

The Japanese are not selling their bikes in the US at a loss or they would have left the market long ago. European bikes generally cost more I think because they come equipped with higher quality suspension and brake components and their manufacturing costs are higher because of labor and government regulations. The Japanese are moving some of their production to Thailand where labor costs are lower as is Triumph. Triumph has been very successful in the US and all the while keeping their costs in line with their Asian competition. BMW manages to increase sales in the US despite their premium price. Harley Davidsons are very costly bikes yet their sales out do all other brands in the US. Americans spend heavily on the after market for things that personalize their bikes for the most part, that having little to do with initial costs.

I've owned some European bikes over the years, BMW, Moto Guzzi and Triumph and enjoyed them all but have always felt that I got a better value for the money with the Japanese brands. Other than my BMW, the Euro brands tended to require more in the way of maintenance, parts were costly and reliability not quite as good. Of course this is only my experience and I'm sure others have had nothing but positive results with their European bikes.

[The Spaceman_imp]

Horex , Motus, etc. are building interesting bikes, but it's a tough sell at the prices they're asking. They've limited their market.

What Eric Buell EBR is doing is of much greater interest to me. Building a US super bike that competes both in performance and price...now that's cool. I just hope they turn their attention to a type of bike I'd like to ride.

[Elipten_imp]

It is business, hard to start a brand. Huge costs in development, marketing and support. I like the exotics, but I'm not spending huge money on a brand that may go out of business leaving me without parts. As I ride few miles, and hold my bikes forever, parts are a big thing to me in the future. It is pure business and I respect those trying but it wii be hard to break into the mass market. I suspect most people send little and ride the bikes near stock, while some spend the money you state to customize. Except for a seat and safety lights, my 2014 is stock.

Just saying. The Chinese will break into the US market one day when their products get better. I see the Chinese cars and motorcycles in Peru and even the Peruvians say they are not even close to Japanese quality, but ⅓ cheaper.

So small boutique shops are going to struggle.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Cormanus]

More expensive bikes, [url=http://motorbikewriter.com/midual-motorcycle-among-the-most-expensive/)]here.