Switching Up The Marketing Strategy...

[Smitty901]

I certainly hope things go as you envision .... a while back I tried to help a fellow setup a big Harley that had (literally) fallen over on its side .... $2,900 in repairs but that's a different story .... almost instantly, my back let me know that lifting on that bike wasn't a good idea .... I've never messed with a side car, that should be interesting

Drop a 1100 lbs Harley a few laugh pick it up no one laughs. My sister at 5'3" 120 lbs can right a tipped bagger . Riding with a hack is not for everyone but beats the heck out of a trike IMO.

 

[Cache Man]

I had a friend that had a sidecar. It was like an extra saddle bag. He hurt his legs in an accident and he wasn't willing to give up his bike yet. He said that it was dangerous making right turns because the sidecar wanted to come off the ground in tight turns. Especially if no one was in the car. He said you have to be aware and slow down. Fast maneuvering to avoid a hazard was a hazard in its self!

 

[Rickb]

At 60 I still ride 20-60K a year average. No where near slowing down yet. Sense my ELIO has been delayed I will be trading off the 2013 RGU in August for another RGU. The day will come legs won't hold 1100 lbs touring bike up. I will find a work around to extend that a few more years. the back to a side car again to finish out this life.

If you have the love of riding in the open air as you grow older check out the Tilting Motor Works conversion for Harley's at about $10K. Stability of a three wheeler with the natural lean of the ride.

 

[JEBar]

Drop a 1100 lbs Harley a few laugh pick it up no one laughs. My sister at 5'3" 120 lbs can right a tipped bagger . Riding with a hack is not for everyone but beats the heck out of a trike IMO.

the only regular trike that I've seen that wasn't a bone shaker is a Stallion .... prior to learning about EM my goal was to buy a Stallion ===> link .... with 2 - 3 year old Stallions selling in the $30K range, my pocketbook was sure relieved at not having to move in that direction

 

[Cache Man]

If you have the love of riding in the open air as you grow older check out the Tilting Motor Works conversion for Harley's at about $10K. Stability of a three wheeler with the natural lean of the ride.
View attachment 4806

So this would make a nice dressed Harley well over $30k? I love bikes but there are some really nice things to consider buying for that price.

 

[Jeff Miller]

Drop a 1100 lbs Harley a few laugh pick it up no one laughs. My sister at 5'3" 120 lbs can right a tipped bagger . Riding with a hack is not for everyone but beats the heck out of a trike IMO.

Thanks for posting that video; it is amazing what can be done with a little knowledge and some proper training.

I already knew of this technique and have unfortunately had the opportunity to use it. This technique puts most of the effort into your legs instead of your back and allows you to lever the bike up instead of trying to lift it. The end result is that you use your stronger leg muscles without having to worry as much about straining your back.

The worst thing about picking up a dropped bike is the anxiety and adrenaline that comes from dropping it. If the rider and other helpful passer bys stop long enough to regain their composure they can avoid doing things that can end up hurting later.

 

[Rickb]

So this would make a nice dressed Harley well over $30k? I love bikes but there are some really nice things to consider buying for that price.

Any price on a cycle is too much for me. Well maybe $6800 for a three wheeler works.

I priced a HarleyTrike a few years ago and the cycle was $18K and the Harley Trike conversion kit installed was $18K so $36K total and no tilt, If one has the love, desire, and the money to keep on riding until the very end more power to them. It's nice to be aware of options.

I would pay an extra $10K for a tilting motorworks kit for the Elio if available. $16,800.

 

[Smitty901]

Wife and I got place you likely should not go on a touring bike. We have ended up in sand and 6 inch breaker rock. When the signs says 4 wheel drive only, they mean it. We know how to pick it up.
As for cost I don't keep track but about 29K in current touring bike worth every penny. The places it takes us. Behind the water fall

 

[JEBar]

remarkable picture

 

[carzes]

Motorcycle riders cover a large group of people, from those that just own one but don't really ride it, to those like us that ride 20-60K a year. Some ride little bikes to larger touring models some of us both. High performance machines to cruisers.
Not having an enclosed cab is why many of us ride. There is a percentage of us that will go for the ELIO just because we can. But it's appeal to rides will be some what limited. The buyers will likely be middle age for many reasons . Money the young seldom have much, Middle age rides tend to start having issues with knees and back have a harder time holding larger bikes up. Many of our friends started slowing down their riding from 55 years old and up.
Believe it or not riding in rain and colder weather is no a big issue for many of us, part of the enjoyment.
ELIO's best bet will be just what they market it as now, Lower cost, high mileage transportation. Then the look at what we can do with this thing crowd will build on that.
The ELIO would have been great with 3 children in college. We missed out on that option maybe it will be the biggest thing on campus in a few years.

OK. I really didn't realize that so many people enjoy being cold and wet. I never really liked it that much, but figured it's the price of the ride. I've been on plenty of trips that had freezing cold temps and torrential downpours, snow, hail, and everything else nature can throw at you, including the deer jumping out. Here in the great white north I don't see a lot of bikes out this time of year. I kinda figured a more practical, year-round version of a bike would appeal to lots of riders, but I guess that's just me then. This morning was -17 degrees so I won't be taking the bike to work, but I'll be looking for those 'dedicated' riders out there.