Why are MC wheels so expensive?
#21
I've seen tubeless spoke ( looking) wheels and have considered them as they are so fine looking and old school. I just remember adjusting the spokes on my bicycles as a kid and how the wheel would wobble when I stode the bike on it's seat and would spin the wheels. For that reason plus overall strength I like the solid mag wheels on a heavy cruiser.
Fine looking bike BTW; that color is awesome !
Fine looking bike BTW; that color is awesome !
#22
Any part has to be mocked up and tested, commonly called R&D and then if all is ok after all the testing and certifications are obtained then they project costs to manufacture and distribute versus revenue received. Only 1 wheel sold(Front and rear are different even when the same size) usually per item R&D'd per bike, 4 wheels per car sold to split the costs, you do the math.
#23
Tubeless Spokes...
Thanks! HD calls it Scarlet Red. I heard bad stories of flats with tubed tires... air releases quickly, cant fix on road to get home ect. Just looked at some wheels after my last post on this thread and these guys weren't kidding! Holy Crap! Pricey bastards! Do you have a link to those "tubeless spoke ( looking) wheels"? I am curious as to the pricing. Being a bit new to biking and not knowledgeable enough, I might have chosen a different model because of the wheels... or am I over reacting?
#25
It's all about initial costs and production numbers.
As an example, with made up numbers;
Initial costs (design, tooling, etc.) - $10,000
Manufacturing cost - $100
(plus you need to build some profit into that, but lets ignore that part for now)
If you sell just one, the selling price would need to be $10,100
If you sell 10,000 units, your initial cost goes down to $1 per unit - you could sell them for $101. If you sell a million units, your initial cost become an insignificant part of the price.
Motorcycle parts are pretty much always limited production. The market just isn't that big. Many parts only fit one bike, and in some cases, only for a year or maybe a couple of years.
The market for car parts is considerably larger than the bike market. Something like wheels might fit a large number of different models over a long period of model years. The production numbers for those wheels could easily be in the tens of thousands.
It's not some motorcycle industry conspiracy to rob you of your cash. These manufacturers are not getting rich off us. It's just how things work.
As an example, with made up numbers;
Initial costs (design, tooling, etc.) - $10,000
Manufacturing cost - $100
(plus you need to build some profit into that, but lets ignore that part for now)
If you sell just one, the selling price would need to be $10,100
If you sell 10,000 units, your initial cost goes down to $1 per unit - you could sell them for $101. If you sell a million units, your initial cost become an insignificant part of the price.
Motorcycle parts are pretty much always limited production. The market just isn't that big. Many parts only fit one bike, and in some cases, only for a year or maybe a couple of years.
The market for car parts is considerably larger than the bike market. Something like wheels might fit a large number of different models over a long period of model years. The production numbers for those wheels could easily be in the tens of thousands.
It's not some motorcycle industry conspiracy to rob you of your cash. These manufacturers are not getting rich off us. It's just how things work.
#27
Makes cents...no dollars!
It's all about initial costs and production numbers.
As an example, with made up numbers;
Initial costs (design, tooling, etc.) - $10,000
Manufacturing cost - $100
(plus you need to build some profit into that, but lets ignore that part for now)
If you sell just one, the selling price would need to be $10,100
If you sell 10,000 units, your initial cost goes down to $1 per unit - you could sell them for $101. If you sell a million units, your initial cost become an insignificant part of the price.
Motorcycle parts are pretty much always limited production. The market just isn't that big. Many parts only fit one bike, and in some cases, only for a year or maybe a couple of years.
The market for car parts is considerably larger than the bike market. Something like wheels might fit a large number of different models over a long period of model years. The production numbers for those wheels could easily be in the tens of thousands.
It's not some motorcycle industry conspiracy to rob you of your cash. These manufacturers are not getting rich off us. It's just how things work.
As an example, with made up numbers;
Initial costs (design, tooling, etc.) - $10,000
Manufacturing cost - $100
(plus you need to build some profit into that, but lets ignore that part for now)
If you sell just one, the selling price would need to be $10,100
If you sell 10,000 units, your initial cost goes down to $1 per unit - you could sell them for $101. If you sell a million units, your initial cost become an insignificant part of the price.
Motorcycle parts are pretty much always limited production. The market just isn't that big. Many parts only fit one bike, and in some cases, only for a year or maybe a couple of years.
The market for car parts is considerably larger than the bike market. Something like wheels might fit a large number of different models over a long period of model years. The production numbers for those wheels could easily be in the tens of thousands.
It's not some motorcycle industry conspiracy to rob you of your cash. These manufacturers are not getting rich off us. It's just how things work.
#29
I am assuming your response is to my question of over reacting. First set of wheels in '68?? Man.... I thought I was getting old!
#30
Absolutely, liability! I've purhased many wheels for various vehicles over the past 30 years and the one thing I observed with motorcycle wheels was the quality factor.
My other 'illness' is constructing and flying giant-scale R/C airplanes. What do you think about spending $250.00 for one 6" B-17 'scale' wheel?
Foolish? Possibly, but's again, it's what the market bears.
My other 'illness' is constructing and flying giant-scale R/C airplanes. What do you think about spending $250.00 for one 6" B-17 'scale' wheel?
Foolish? Possibly, but's again, it's what the market bears.