As I think any Cleveland CycleWerks bike would get quite a bit of attention (good and bad) at any bike night. I haven't seen a CCW in real life so I can't comment on it's quality, fit and finish or value, but at $3000, that's quite inexpensive for something unique. Unique can be a good thing or a bad thing and what I have seen of Chinese bikes, it usually is a bad thing. Chinese bikes just have the worst reputation for build quality and part quality but I'm hoping CCW is different as their attitude and style is quite different. CCW says the following about that:
About the 2013 Cleveland CycleWerks (CCW) Heist or "Tha Heist". It's not really my thing but it does look neat and thankfully CCW hasn't graphed on large engine covers just to make the engine look bigger than it really is. But overall, it does look quite spindly and sparce and I'd like to see a bit more body work "filler" on it. I've read it makes around 16hp, which for a 250cc is low but for city use shouldn't be an issue and should keep up with most traffic. I've read on their website that their "Ace" bike (same engine) can do wheelies. I think the Heist is one of those grown up "pocket bikes" for a short cruise around the city or just to have fun on. I doubt it would make many rider's only bike but it's fun, light, unqiue and cheap and will deliver great smiles per mile value.We are American, we build bikes using American parts, we also build bikes using Chinese parts and Chinese labor and if you do not like it, don’t buy our bikes, we are honest and forthright about our production, beliefes and values. We treat all of our people the way we want to be treated, this is the real American spirit.
So who knows, maybe CCW will turn out to be the KIA and Hyundai or even the Honda and Suzuki. It wasn't too long ago that KIA and Hyundai cars were horrible and before that Honda and Suzuki were in the same camp. It take about 25+ years for a country to really get it's act together and produce something of quality, maybe China will be that in the future for motocycles.
Till that time, at least in CCW we have another USA motorcycle company and that's a good thing.
Mike