| Author | Message | ||
     Mnscrounger |
While At the MPLS IMS over the weekend, I walked by a small 300CC bike, and because it was a brand I'd never heard of, that caught my attention. The banner was " MYK BYK" and the company was "47 Moto". In talking with the rep at the booth, it was an all-new US manufactured brand, in process of setting up a dealer network. The design was finalized late 2015, and production begun in 2016. The assembly line is in Hibbing MN, and they will be producing bikes very shortly. It was a cute little 300 CC single with a FI motor from Taiwan, but the assembly and workmanship looked pretty good. He admitted this display model was the prototype, and the frame was actually hand built here in the states. I presume the frames will be welded overseas in Asia somewhere, and imported as raw goods. The bike lines looked familiar to me, like an economized KTM Duke. He also mentioned other platforms, an adventure bike, and a 2 up touring bike in the works, ( presumably bigger than a 300), but had no details to offer. He was well aware of EBR’s difficulties of late, and we talked a bit about the difficulty of setting up a new dealer network. He’s pretty sure at his target price points, and almost no dealer requirement for demo models, or floor space, he will have an easier time. I have been all over their website since the show, and learned they are headquartered a stone’s throw from EBR in Mukwonago WI. I can’t help but wonder if some of the influence of these small bikes came from former EBR/Buell people, or even if it’s possible this is one of the stillborn designs Hero never paid for, and thus never owned. IF, ( and a big IF at that), the latter were true, it would nicely underscore Court's point that while EBR may not make motorcycles in the near future, their cutting edge engineering and designs will continue to find a place in the motorcycle industry under other brands, and that the company we know as EBR is actually just fine. I would love to get some inside scoop from more knowledgeable people, here is the website link. http://47moto.com/ | ||
| Hughlysses |
That's a nice-looking g bike:  | ||
| 1313 |
There's a Buell connection for sure but, unfortunately, I'm not sure just how deep. This project is the product of a former Buell Motorcycle Company employee. I don't believe there's any 'official' involvement by EBR, but I have been wrong before - and there are definitely times I don't mind being wrong... 1313 | ||
| Hughlysses |
From the "About" page:
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| Hughlysses |
A little more info from another source: http://www.idsaor.org/brief/theBrief160529.htm | ||
| Court |
Hahahahaha . . . .I'd say that having Mike Samarzja involved is most certainly a connection. Mike was one of the original Elves, went on to spend a career, following his tenure at Buell, involved in teaching design. About as smart and as nice a guy as you will ever meet. I may order one just for fun . . . . http://design-engine.com/47-moto-cafefighter-bring ing-together-quality-style-and-innovation/ By the way . . . . some of Mike's patents . . such as "Translucent Panels for a Motorcycle" may ring a bell with some of you. http://patents.justia.com/inventor/michael-samarzj a (Message edited by court on February 06, 2017) | ||
| Reepicheep |
Did you share an office with him in a trailer at some point Court? | ||
| Torquehd |
Some good lines and proportions. I'm sure it's structurally sound (he's an engineer, i'm not) but the image of the O intersecting upper and lower frame rails behind the steering stem bothers me. Inverted forks and a ZTL rotor setup would sure look good up front. I like the polished aluminum bodywork in the concept picture, would be interesting to see in person. | ||
| Mnscrounger |
I KNEW this group wouldn't let me down for inside info! Torquehd: I thought the same thing, (but I'm not an engineer either). I believe there is a single front down tube going to the motor, and that would make the case a stressed member. It should be plenty strong for a 300CC single. +1 on the ZTL too. | ||
| Court |
>>>but the image of the O intersecting upper and lower frame rails behind the steering stem bothers me. What until you hear the story of the genius of the S1 frame . . . . | ||
| Teeps |
I don't see a "O" in the frame but two opposing arches. Has anyone bought a place in line for the first run? $100 (refundable) is all it takes... but, I'd like to see the final price or at lease a range. | ||
| Oddalloy |
If this is the same frame, it looks pretty stout to me for a 300cc class but I'm not an Engineer either.  | ||
| Mnscrounger |
That sure looks like the frame. Overall I thought it was a good looking bike, the only thing I can pick a nit about is the front fender lines don't make a clean arc in profile. They look to be the same radius to each other, but not on the same center point as each other, or as the wheel for that matter | ||
| Pwnzor |
I like it. I wonder how it stacks up to this?  | ||
| Torquehd |
That fender got me too, Mnscrounger. | ||
| Ratbuell |
Looks like it's 2 fenders. A front half that is taller than the fasteners that are between the forks, and a lower rear half that is tighter to the tire to help reduce road spray. | ||
| Hootowl |
Frame is similar, but not the same. | ||
| Fast1075 |
The baby Ninja will eat it for breakfast unless they are leaning REALLY hard on that single. | ||
| Hughlysses |
It'd be cool to slip the 300 Ninja or a slightly larger twin in that chassis. | ||
| Mnscrounger |
Hoot's right, there are differences between the frames that I see now. "It'd be cool to slip the 300 Ninja or a slightly larger twin in that chassis." 250/300 Ninjas are pretty affordable to begin with. Why spend all that time and money converting to get basically what you started with in the Ninja? It might be easier to just make a naked Ninja if that's what the look your after. | ||
| Bluzm2 |
I talked to Mike Samarzja and his daughter (Sarah if memory serves), they were really decent folks. I think he said they were going to be assembled in Hibbing, I didn't hear any mention about East Troy area. As I was walking by the booth I heard someone say "Hey, I like your jacket, I have one exactly like it and so does my Dad, come over here I want to introduce you to him." Great story, great people. Very enthused about the project. The bike is getting stupid high mileage, over 90 per gallon. It would make a great commuter bike.. Sign up for the mailing list, they will keep you up to date. BTW Court, he did mention your name and also Brankin. Neat folks.. I have a feeling I'll run into them again. Brad | ||
| Hughlysses |
They'll be at the Chicago IMS this weekend: http://us12.campaign-archive1.com/?u=d19f3e833d2a0 c2e62a85fa11&id=54c25a099b&e=9fdc32600f Cost of the bike is stated as $5795. | ||
| Teeps |
250CCs engine, price of $5795 cools my interest down to no thank you. | ||
| Reepicheep |
That's probably the death spiral we keep repeating. To build a bike that has reasonable suspension and brakes and reasonable fit and finish with OK materials is going to be $5k+ no matter what. And to convert a 250cc motor to a 500cc motor adds... $500 to the cost. And nobody will touch a 250cc $5000 bike when there is a $5500 500cc bike. And next thing you know, everything is a $9000 1000cc bike, and everyone says "why doesn't somebody make a cheap 250cc?". And the cycle repeats... | ||
| Court |
There ya have it . . . I may be interested . . . mostly based on sentimentality . . but sales, I'd guess, will have to be earned at that price point. | ||
| S1owner |
I looked at them at the mpls show. At 240 and 6ft I wont be looking at them. | ||
| Greg_e |
There is still rumor of introducing a tiered MC license with up to about a 250cc single's worth of power for the first tier. If that ever goes through, machines like this one will be fairly successful. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
I wouldn't mind a 250 if it weighed under 300 pounds wet. I borrowed my friend's ninjette to take to work and was completely unimpressed. Felt like a little fat boat. Made my KLR250 feel sporty. I fail to understand why people keep speaking so highly of them. | ||
| Hughlysses |
Someone should buy one and shoe-horn an 1190 engine in it. Hmmm, might be a good retirement project.  | ||
| 86129squids |
"Someone should buy one and shoe-horn an 1190 engine in it. Hmmm, might be a good retirement project." Some nut out here had listed a YSR50 with a CR125 motor crammed into it, about 2 years ago IIRC. DANG if I didn't wanna grab that thing! Whatever happened to Gshuette's YZF-RZ mutation? I've not got to see OR ride it yet... |
