I was going to post this in the M/C thread, but I don't know how many people visit that thread. This is an upstart motorcycle company that manufactures their bikes (Chinese engine) and some parts. They are assembled in the US of A, like HD. What I like is that they are not imitating HD, but they are their own company with their own designs. Cleveland CycleWerks - Bikes I was looking at them from a KISS standpoint- the engine is a simple 250cc OHV (pushrods and tappets- no OHC to deal with) motor. It is user serviceable and repairable with standard tools, and comes with a repair manual for such tasks. The bikes themselves are rather inexpensive, and are supposedly easy to modify. Yes, it is only a 250, and probably only gets 25hp, but what does the average 4 stroke dual-sport get? This isn't the type of bike that you're going to just go and cruise the highway with. I was mostly thinking about the Misfit, and if you put a pair of 80/20 road/dirt tires on it and a good set of saddlebags, it would make a nice BOM. Modify the electrical system with a kill switch for ALL the lights, buy an extra engine, chain, break pads, and wheel bearings, get rid of the chrome, and you would be on good footing. If you look at their lineup of bikes offered, they are going to be coming out with a dual-purpose bike that would be better yet, called the Hooligun. I bet it will cost a little more than the $3100 price tag of the Misfit.
Another off shore thumper that might be better is the Royal Enfield, now produced in India. Welcome to Royal Enfield Motorcycles | Motorcycle India I emailed back and forth with a Brit living in India and he was happier with the bike than he was with the gas in india. I sold my last 700cc twin Indian/Royal Enfield a while back. Good bikes when made in England and a solid design now up dated with electronics. Long gone are the LUCAS Prince of Darkness electrical system of old. Many models and being well received in India and being imported into the US. They were making a diesel powered bike but do not export it. Color choices in Camo.
Those Royal Enfield's look amazing, but I bet they cost a pretty penny. The idea of a diesel bike is fantastic.
Better quality/reliability than a used Jap bike? Hi everyone. First time poster from Michigan here. Love the forum. On the subject of inexpensive motorcycles, I'm not sure the Chinese have reached the big leagues yet in terms of quality and reliability. I know CCW's bikes are assembled here, but I'm guessing that in addition to the engine, some other components are also sourced from China. The styling is interesting though. As far as their dual-sport goes, I'm betting a late-model, used Jap bike would be a better buy, both in terms of performance and reliability. Just three days ago I bought this '04 Kawasaki KLR250, with 1100 miles on it. It's spotless, it runs/rides perfectly so far, and it cost me $2150. My other dual-sport, an '03 KLR250 turned over 26,000 miles just this evening, and it's still running strong. I bought it used a couple of years ago for $1250, and I've yet to make a single repair to it.
[Brokor Those Royal Enfield's look amazing, but I bet they cost a pretty penny. The idea of a diesel bike is fantastic." The Royals were less than 4k. Like diesel do you. Kawa and others have been pushing this for some time. This one was priced at $10K, able to run with the tanks and other Mil Vehicles. DieselBike.net - Military Production Diesel Motorcycles
Oldie but Goodie Here's my '03 KLR. Never had a single problem with it. Starts in one kick. (OK, sorry for the thread-jack. I'm done now )
Military KLR's Not sure, but I think that bike was based on the Kawasaki KLR650. I know the Marines also used the KLR250 for a few years. There's a few guys on a KLR forum that I frequent, who've bought former Marine KLR 250's and are restoring them.
I ride a KLR650 Dual Sport and so does Seawolf, they are great bikes that you can ride down the highway all day long at 80 mph and turn off onto a goat path.
Those CCW bikes look nice but the pricing is low enough to kinda scare ya away... I want one of these myself but I'm gonna assume finding parts is a sumbish in the event you break something. http://www.imz-ural.com/2012-ural-gear-up/ Ural factory motorcycles Discovery Channel - YouTube
GB - thanks for the link. Symba imports bikes (Taiwan) like the old Hoonda Cub - only better They can carry your BOB They make other models All of their bike are low volume displacement bikes...and at very attractive price points.
Have not seen a Triumph 650 in ages. Are they still made? Never had one but they used to be the standard till Harley's took over.
Triumph is back in a big way. The usual twins, now all start at 850 cc. The also have croutch rockets and a huge, 3 ltr I think it is, cruiser. Later.
