Death of the Custom bike market.....
#21
05-07-2010 | 10:28 AM
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
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From: Toronto Canada
one carb per cylinder ?
#22
05-07-2010 | 10:40 AM
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 455
Likes: 1
Motorcycles go through trends and styles just like everything else. If you are willing to invest in a custom bike you have to know that in a couple of years it will be out of style and worth very little. Right now the Sucker Punch Sally bikes and other bobbers are popular because you can get a new one for around $25,000, but what you are really getting is a Nightster with ape hangers and no suspension. Why anyone would pay for a custom bike is beyond me.
Last edited by BlackRob; 05-07-2010 at 10:43 AM.
#23
05-07-2010 | 10:49 AM
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: East TN
Interesting concept and a lotta work went into it. May not be your style of bike, but then semi-stock bikes with a handful of bolt-on stuff ain't other's style, either. SixSix said it - "countless hours" and "process" - if you can't appreciate that, or even understand it, then I feel sorry for you and your buttoned down life.
#24
05-07-2010 | 11:20 AM
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,071
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From: NEPA
I saw an 06 Bourget with 6k on it for $9000.00 OBO on Craigslist not to long ago, This was an $80,000 scooter new. I think people want something they can actually ride for a distance. I had a friend that had one and he would never ride it and he finally admitted that it was just not comfortable after about five miles, couple that with it always being broke down WTF is the point, it was pretty but totally worthless ride. He finally sold it at a huge loss and bought an Ultra, rides all the time now.
We have a "clan" of guys in my neighborhood that all have choppers and they fire em up once a week and ride up to Hooter's Bike night and stand around next to them for 6 hours and then they all fire them and ride two miles back home. They always crank them up a just rev the hell out of em' for like five minutes before they leave and everybody just laughs at em". They all have Daisy cutter's or similar exhaust and are just ear splitting and all of them have to recrank them like five times by the time they get to the light at the end of the lot. To Funny watching these clowns in action. They are always looking over their shoulders to see if everybody is watching them. They think we are all smiling in Awe. To funny.
We have a "clan" of guys in my neighborhood that all have choppers and they fire em up once a week and ride up to Hooter's Bike night and stand around next to them for 6 hours and then they all fire them and ride two miles back home. They always crank them up a just rev the hell out of em' for like five minutes before they leave and everybody just laughs at em". They all have Daisy cutter's or similar exhaust and are just ear splitting and all of them have to recrank them like five times by the time they get to the light at the end of the lot. To Funny watching these clowns in action. They are always looking over their shoulders to see if everybody is watching them. They think we are all smiling in Awe. To funny.
No matter where you go, you'll always have that group.
They waste more gas reving the bikes then they do riding
#25
05-07-2010 | 11:42 AM
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Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Texas! Ya mean there's someplace else?
Uh...sounds like SixSix built his own...and, I do understand/appreciate that. The guy in the ebay ad just plopped down over $80k for someone else to go thru the "process"...not 'zactly the same thing, and IMO just shows he had the ability to spend 80 grand...nuttin else to "understand".
#27
05-07-2010 | 01:23 PM
Road Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,223
Likes: 1
From: Birmingham, AL
I built my custom from the ground-up and have >$45K into it (plus countless hours), but I did it for the "process" as much as the end result. Based on how the market has turned (and I agree that it has), I wouldn't get nearly what I put into it. But, I can be proud of what I built and I learned a hell-of-a-lot along the way. I've got a bagger for long & comfy trip (and a cage if I want/need even more comfort), but it's nice to take out the custom for a short & fun ride to a show, an ice cream stand or just to tool-around a bit and turn some heads.
I think I'd be far less OK with the custom market situation if I simply plunked-down $40-80K and bought one.
I think I'd be far less OK with the custom market situation if I simply plunked-down $40-80K and bought one.
#29
05-07-2010 | 01:40 PM
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Joined: Mar 2008
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From: East TN
Just so we're clear, I actually like the bike...not something I'd buy, but I do like the style. That being said, him telling the builder he wants a blend of new and old...quite a common request these days...doesn't make him any more a part of the build process than me picking the paint and interior for my Silverado. The custom-bike-built-by-others fad is fading fast, and looks like this guy is gonna take a big hit. Ouch!
#30
05-07-2010 | 01:56 PM
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 11,066
Likes: 1,297
From: Texas! Ya mean there's someplace else?
Just so we're clear, I actually like the bike...not something I'd buy, but I do like the style. That being said, him telling the builder he wants a blend of new and old...quite a common request these days...doesn't make him any more a part of the build process than me picking the paint and interior for my Silverado. The custom-bike-built-by-others fad is fading fast, and looks like this guy is gonna take a big hit. Ouch!
