American Chopper Re-visited

[TechTMW]

I think the show is pure hollywood.

However.

Paul Senior has some Old School Choppers that are really something that I would like to ride.

http://www.orangecountychoppers.com/occ ... series.php

I would pay good money for bikes like the Sunshine bike, the series 5 or the old school corvette.

But, unfortunately, fame has got the best of these dudes, because no matter how nice the bike, they just aren't worth what they are asking for them !!! i could MAYBE see paying up to 20k for a bike like these ...

But you can see a sample of their pricing here - http://www.orangecountychoppers.com/occ ... orsale.php

The greeny old school. Beautiful bike, and I would love to have one like it ... And yeah , it's a limited edition (woooo.. whatever) But the price tag ... 55 grand. Are you stinking kidding me?!?!?!?

Another example here (Keep in mind this is a run of the mill occ chopper not a theme bike)
http://www.orangecountychoppers.com/occ ... orsale.php
$65,475.

Sorry OCC. Bikes like this are for yuppies and posers. If I want a bike like this, I'll make it myself. And i guarantee I'll come in under 20 grand. This is your bread and butter - convince a bunch of idiots to part with their money - no one's faulting you for that. But you sure as hell aren't marketing this stuff for REAL BIKERS (at least none that I know). So don't take yourselves too seriously.

And all you real bikers out there, don't take them too seriously either! Don't be seduced

And at any rate, the theme bikes and all those new "choppers" sleek LOOOOONG, wider than a winnebago, in my opinion, they are not bikes at all, they're stinkin $70,000 boat anchors. Make it OLD SCHOOL with an OLD SCHOOL price, and you'll have a fan (and customer) for life.

[moshee]

I like the Biker Buildoff (I think thats the name) series which showcases more builders and styles. That said, while some of the choppers built in various shows are absolutely gorgeous, I'd like to see a show that would concentrate on other forms of the motorcycle art.

Lets see, how about streetfighters, cafe racers, custom sportbikes, cruisers, touring bikes, et al. There is a lot more to the world of motorcycles than just v-twin choppers.

I'd like to see custom bikes where form follows function. So many of the choppers in the shows have this in reverse.
_________________
stock market for dummies

[jmillheiser]

A friend of mine met the Teutels at Sturgis. According to him they are nothing like they are on TV. A lot more laid back in person.

the one that gets me laughing is "Texas Hardtails". They at least have the disclaimer in the end credits stating that this show is "loosely" based on the lives of Rick Fairless and the employees of Strokers Dallas. That show is so far out there that I am rolling on the floor with laughter at it.

I do think Build or Bust is cool. I liked Southern Steel but dont know if its still on. Southern Steel was shot documentery style and was just about the shop and the bikes with none of the Gimmicks of American Chopper. I do remember one of the Projects on Southern Steel was a cafe racer built around a huge V-twin.

American hotrod is a joke. Boyd must really have too much spare time on his hands.

And of cousre Jesse James is always cool. They finally did an episode of monster garage where they built a bike. Jesse had an inner city high school shop class build a chopper as a class project.

[cb360]

TechBMW - you make some good points about the prices. None of those bikes look comfortable to me. And the tanks are so small you'd be hard-pressed to go 100 miles before filling up again. I doubt the theme bikes ever get ridden - they are on display somewhere or just travel to shows. And their production bikes are for wealthy weekend riders only. The only thing I'd say on their behalf is that they are very expensive to build too. I've seen some of their bikes where the wheels, chroming, and paint alone would run near $20k. And those motors cost thousands even without the custom carbs they use sometimes. I don't doubt there's a big markup anad cashing in on their fame but I'd bet a nickel that their cost of goods sold is 50% or better. I've looked around at other custom bikes on the web and I haven't seen a lot of deals out there. Anyway, I just enjoy watching the show. It's about motorcycles and they throw in some metal fab and welding so it's all good from where I'm sitting. I don't doubt their production bikes are way overpriced - they have a freakin' tv show on every week and probably can't make them fast enough. They probably think 'let's get it while we can, this won't last forever.'

[CentralOzzy]

It's the only Gig I know of where the owners of a business get Paid HUGE BUCKS just to GO TO WORK!! & build bikes that they sell for HUGE BUCKS!

Now that's the sweetest double wammy I have ever heard of!

I want a job like that....

[jmillheiser]

dont we wish we all could find a gig like that

[iwannadie]

TechBMW - you make some good points about the prices. None of those bikes look comfortable to me. And the tanks are so small you'd be hard-pressed to go 100 miles before filling up again. I doubt the theme bikes ever get ridden - they are on display somewhere or just travel to shows. And their production bikes are for wealthy weekend riders only. The only thing I'd say on their behalf is that they are very expensive to build too. I've seen some of their bikes where the wheels, chroming, and paint alone would run near $20k. And those motors cost thousands even without the custom carbs they use sometimes. I don't doubt there's a big markup anad cashing in on their fame but I'd bet a nickel that their cost of goods sold is 50% or better. I've looked around at other custom bikes on the web and I haven't seen a lot of deals out there. Anyway, I just enjoy watching the show. It's about motorcycles and they throw in some metal fab and welding so it's all good from where I'm sitting. I don't doubt their production bikes are way overpriced - they have a freakin' tv show on every week and probably can't make them fast enough. They probably think 'let's get it while we can, this won't last forever.'

the price doesnt really seem that high since i was recently looking at kit bikes, i saw alot that were going over 30k for some no name company with their logo painted all over it. another 20k or so to get the most popular 'chopper' brand name right now isnt that much of a price jump i guess. still way to much for what your getting but i dont think they are really goig price over board.

[cb360]

No doubt they are too expensive. All I'm saying is that their expenses on the bikes is quite high as well. I know what you mean, some of those kits seem just as outrageous.

[Mintbread]

Are the bikes they sell even close to being registered for road use? Instruments, indicators, volume, not to mention the amount of sharp stuff hanging off them. Here in Australia they wouldn't have a snowballs chance of being registered.

[iwannadie]

Are the bikes they sell even close to being registered for road use? Instruments, indicators, volume, not to mention the amount of sharp stuff hanging off them. Here in Australia they wouldn't have a snowballs chance of being registered.

i dont think they are intended to actually Ride, anyone thats going to drop that much on a bike wont likely risk it being scratched from riding it anyways.

something else i never understood, they usually go all out and put the biggest motor in the bike and go for so much power but then noone ever rides them so the motor might as well be an empty shell at that point if its not ever rode whats the point. should just treat it as a non functional model.