Helping my friend out with his new "vintage-style" electric motorcycle company... - Page 2

flatbutt · 07-28-2023, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wayne 962

Here's his blurb I asked him to write up for us:

Close but:
I don't like the balloon tires. Those low bars would cripple me within a few miles. The front disc looks wimpy.

What's the weight? Power?

epbrown · 07-28-2023, 07:45 PM

I like the vintage aesthetic - it's what has me leaning towards the RGNT - but I didn't mind the LED headlight.

manbridge 74 · 07-28-2023, 07:49 PM

Rake?

Trail?

Wheelbase?

Weight distribution?

Suspension travel?

manbridge 74 · 08:04 PM

Don’t need big brake discs since the electric motor drag provides a lot of the stopping.

flatbutt · 07-29-2023, 04:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by manbridge 74

Don’t need big brake discs since the electric motor drag provides a lot of the stopping.

I hadn't thought of that.

1990C4S · 07-29-2023, 05:00 AM

Approximate price and other details are on the FAQ page.

https://oldsorenmotorcycleco.com/pages/faq

LWJ · 07-29-2023, 06:56 AM

I love that this has three modes and can be ridden without a MC endorsement.

I also love the styling it’s bold and makes a statement.

There are dozens (hundreds?) of people who ride ebikes around here that this seems a natural alternative as they are never pedaling. (Mine has pedals!)

I think the proof is in the ride and the price to consumer. The design works. If it is 15k, very few units sold. If you can get under 5k, I think it could do very well.

Me? I am dirt biking tomorrow. A smelly, loud, sometimes angry two stroke. Infinite torque and silence would be awesome in the woods. Just a thought.

Cool project. Good luck.

(After thought: here in the Portland metro area I had experience with two direct to consumer products that went absolutely nuts. Both used infomercials to sell. Not sure if this works with today’s consumer but 20 years ago it was ridiculously effective. )

herr_oberst · 07-29-2023, 07:10 AM

Pretty cool. I see a lot of 1970's enduro bike in the design.

kennybsanders · 07-29-2023, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by varmint

i'd be interested in this as a very stripped down platform that i could customize. good brakes and good suspension, but then let me decide if i want a cafe racer, board tracker, off road toy, etc.

I made the bike so it'll be easily customized. I'm actually very excited to see what customers do to the bike to make it their own.

kennybsanders · 07-29-2023, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by epbrown

I like the vintage aesthetic - it's what has me leaning towards the RGNT - but I didn't mind the LED headlight.

I love that quote. Something about the 1950's and cafe racers has an entire feeling in itself.

kennybsanders · 07-29-2023, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LWJ

I love that this has three modes and can be ridden without a MC endorsement.

I also love the styling it’s bold and makes a statement.

There are dozens (hundreds?) of people who ride ebikes around here that this seems a natural alternative as they are never pedaling. (Mine has pedals!)

I think the proof is in the ride and the price to consumer. The design works. If it is 15k, very few units sold. If you can get under 5k, I think it could do very well.

Me? I am dirt biking tomorrow. A smelly, loud, sometimes angry two stroke. Infinite torque and silence would be awesome in the woods. Just a thought.

Cool project. Good luck.

(After thought: here in the Portland metro area I had experience with two direct to consumer products that went absolutely nuts. Both used infomercials to sell. Not sure if this works with today’s consumer but 20 years ago it was ridiculously effective. )

Thank you. I'm looking to do a possible mid-drive later on for dirt riding. Vintage design of course.

Zeke · 11:15 AM

The silhouette of motor's fins as vent slots is a nice touch. I agree that the tires could go down one size as many of the older bikes I have seen at shows are not over-tired like that. But, Kenny may have gone through many sizes to find the scale that works best.

Overall, I think it's terrific.

kennybsanders · 07-29-2023, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by manbridge 74

Rake?

Trail?

Wheelbase?

Weight distribution?

Suspension travel?

The trail is 3.5 inches, The wheelbase is 51 inches, weight distribution feels a lot like a real motorcycle with a heavy battery in place of the engine area.
This motorcycle glides with little fight for balance.

kennybsanders · 07-29-2023, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flatbutt

Close but:
I don't like the balloon tires. Those low bars would cripple me within a few miles. The front disc looks wimpy.

What's the weight? Power?

Weight is right around 300lbs, power is 4,000w motor 72v 60ah battery.
As for the tires and the bars, they are easily changeable. I wanted to go for that classic 1950's cafe racer look. Not meant for cross country, but rather for around-town fun.

kennybsanders · 07-29-2023, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

Very cool looking. I'll bet an electric motorcycle is an interesting ride. The multiple modes is interesting. Do you lock out modes 2 and 3 at the factory or does the owner have control over mode selection?

Nope, modes 2 and 3 are just a flip of a switch and won't be locked out. The owner has full control.

kennybsanders · 07-29-2023, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by manbridge 74

What
Does
It
Weigh?

List price?

Warranty?

Weight is right around 300lbs, list price is $7,999, warranty is 1 year.

kennybsanders · 07-29-2023, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by john70t

As a potential customer I'd be interested in knowing about the parts and replacements (brakes/chain/shocks/batteries). Specifically if they are are common and easy to find in the future (i.e. the shocks are from a 2005 Honda part #x). Also as a branch service interchangeability with different other components for customization. Either bespoke built or a list of advice possibilities.

A small company might fold after a year but the need to maintain it will continue. Getting that out of the way would probably alleviate that nagging concern in the back of many minds. "Even if x happens, I can do y".

There are a ton of electric bikes and quite a few electric motos already out there with good specs. Most are very modern and ugly looking. The simple retro angle is what would set yours apart from the rest.

I built the bike to fit most universal parts so you will have no problem customizing it with different shocks, seats, headlights, etc. Pretty much every part on this bike will easily fit other generic parts. I made it this way so that customers can customize it, which I'm very excited to see what they do to make it their own.

kennybsanders · 07-29-2023, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norm K

Upon seeing the dead-space filler under the "tank" I was immediately reminded of the "engine" I had on my bike as a kid in the 60s.

The control unit is under the tank. That's where the true brain of the bike is. I use a Sabvoton controller.

epbrown · 07-29-2023, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LWJ

There are dozens (hundreds?) of people who ride ebikes around here that this seems a natural alternative as they are never pedaling. (Mine has pedals!)

I've seen videos on Youtube of law enforcement hassling people (usually teens) on e-bikes for not pedaling, claiming the bike is a motorcycle or scooter if it can move on just throttle. Seems to be an issue if you have the good fortune to live in a low-crime area where the cops have time on their hands. ;-)

kennybsanders · 07-29-2023, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norm K

My guess is most of the components you have questions about are off-the-shelf Alibaba type products Straight Outta China. The front brake, for example, looks a bit suspect for street use.

_

Sadly the design has been taken by other manufacturers in China after it went viral a few years back on TikTok. I had a buddy order one of the stolen designs from Alibaba and it goes about 10mph with a 7-mile range. Yikes.