OT: Titan Motorcycles
 

A wealthy customer of mine is opening a shop to give his son something to run and learn business skills. Titan is I guess a Harley clone, he mentioned a trade deal on another boat. Is Titan respected in the world of Harleys and many clones?Should I get one or back away, haven't ridden in years but could be tempted.

Didn't you get a V-rod a few month's ago in trade? All that is going happen to your customer is his wallet is going to get smaller. Not that many people are buying custom bikes right now. Unless it's a Jesse James ( west coast copper) If the kid want's to do bike's he need's to sell at least 1 of the big names Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki,Suzuki. Or go with the HD and Buell line. Then sell the Custom stuff also but you aint going to make $$$ selling custom bike's unless you are building them too.

One last thing you can't learn much when you sell 12 bike's a year.

Lapse, the V-Rod deal fell thru,probrably better for me that it did. Sometimes guys with money do very little research,course they don't have to if profit isn't a factor. I think he wants to give his son something to work at,sounds like he needs to look a little closer at what he's getting into.

Fever Mike:

I agree with you except I think there is hope for Victory. The new Vegas is selling very well in my area. Time will tell ... but they are the only clone with a chance ... deep pockets help.

I was never a Harley fan until I took a 2001 Heritage softail classic in partial trade for my boat. With the new 88B motor and EFI it is a really nice bike. I'm selling it ... but enjoying it while I have it.

I don't know that it would be such a bad business. Just carry more than one line. Add American Iron Horse, Big Dogs, and take the used Harley's in on trade to sell. Offer top notch customer service, a good line of parts and accessories and I think it would be viable. You've also got the financing to sell, extended warranty plans, pre-paid service contracts.

Providing the kid's not a total idiot and his Dad's giving him the money to get started and get through the first year, I think he'll do allright.

Titan was bought out by Ultra cycles, another Harley clone "custom built bike company". They (Titan) used to be extremely high end bikes back in the mid to early 90's and were way expensive for the time. Jesse James, OCC, Bourget, Pag, and the rest of the High end custom manufactured bikes were not as popular and really can not be compared to manufactured aftermarket companies (now or then) due to the fact that they (West Coast, Orange County, Pag, Etc.) are actual custom one off builders. Ultra, then Titan, and some of the others are production bikes and are a fraction of the price.

I think your idea is a good one for your son. The companies that have been mentioned (Ultra/Titan, Big dog, American Iron horse etc.) have pre-built packages that wont take customizing by your son. Just slap them together and sell them. Have a good mechanic on hand and good customer service and I agree, have a couple of lines plus the used Harleys could prove to be a nice little business and be fun.

Titan
 

Well I enjoy my Titan, Had other Harleys before, this is much better.

does anyone on the board have a Jesse James? I so, post the pics!

How about the Tuttles on Discovery Channel, Paul Sr. and Paully Jr., of Orange County Choppers? They build some UNREAL CHIT!! I would give my... nevermind.

Jet Bike

OCC (Orange County Choppers) is the one and only bike I would get if I were in the market for a ONE of a KIND bike. I agree with the last post, they build some unreal stuff.

I have a little story about Jesse James. My friend wanted one and we rolled down to West Coast Choppers in Long Beach. We took my buddies brand new Lamborghini Diablo rolled up, parked right in front. Jesse James came out and started talking to my buddy about bikes. My buddy says, well, build me a bike. Jesse James says, leave 50K and be back in a year with another 50K to pick up your bike! My friend said, Ummmmm, no thanks. He went and bought an Orange County Choppers bike the next week and had it shipped out from New York. This was about 5 years ago before all the fame Jesse James or OCC had gotten. Now Jesse James wants 150k for a bike! :rolleyes: Whatever. Still sweet bikes though, and he is a cool guy really.

I couldn't agree more. But you posted a pic of a WCC.:confused:

The green bike is an OCC bike .

You're right. My bad.:o

Speaking od OCC Paul and Paul Jr were on Letterman last night and David Letterman rode the Fire truck bike.

I'm surpised at how many people love these OCC "Theme" bikes. I think every one so far is butt ugly. Don't get me wrong, the "Normal" bikes OCC build are sweet - it's just these TV bikes that I think are nasty.
Example - look at how they "Integrated" a piece of the WTC into the fire bike. Weld it to some diamond plate and stick it right in the middle of the tank. That must have taken weeks of thought and planning.

I know absolutely nothing about custom bikes. All of this is new info to me. I still want to see what a Jesse James bike looks like. Especially if they cost $150,000. What can you do to a bike that justifies that price? With boats you have motors, drives, hull, interior, paint, etc. Bikes have 2 tires, paint, and a seat. Are these custom bikes overpriced or are they worth it?

Just asking because I don't have the knowledge of that market.

In regards to justifying price, bikes like OCC's are works of art in their own right. It's not just a bike assembled out of parts. Much custom, one off fabrication. It's like the difference between a paint-by-number kit and a Picasso.

This is a "billet sled" we did early this spring, not my cup'o tea but the customer is alway's ummm, right
http://www.mcchoppers.com/project/ogre121/left.jpg
the pictures honestly don't do it justice, paint and 1 off goodies.
We have a cnc machine shop in house and like west coast suckers I mean choppers ($150,000!!!!) all wheels for full customs are one offs. check out the main page and our new projects, http://www.mcchoppers.com/index.shtml
If anyone needs parts e-mail w/part #'s and make a note on your e-mail C/O Petro Mike.

I've had a Titan for three years. Better than a Harley. I have a couple of Harleys too. Just rode a thousand miles through the Smokey Mountains this past weekend. My local Harley dealer just picked up the Titan line. Much faster, prettier and more fun than a Harley.