American Custom Choppers in India

AceCustomz · 6th February 2009, 21:35

www.acecustomz.com is looking for a partner to distribute our motorcycles in India. I've posted pictures to my gallery on BHP and you can also look at the gallery on our website. The bikes are fierce not only in appearance but push almost 100 bhp (95 but who's counting, right?) to the rear wheel!!!

You all seem to be very knowledgeable about the scene in India so would you please share with me:

1) What are your thoughts on bikes like these, will they go over in India?
2) Do you know any car or motorcycle dealers who would be interested in partnering with us?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts and feedback!

Jeff

kapiljolly79 · 7th February 2009, 10:56

Hey Ace. I went through your website. The bikes are neat and with the famous S&S drivertrains there is no doubt that these are highly reliable machines.

As for business in India, I am sure you will have no difficulty in finding a dealer but all this is subject to the kind of pricing, investments, duty structure and end Retail price to the customer that matters. Ofcourse, the custom motorcycle will not fetch you masses, but then at what cost will you get a distributor to support that? Low sales, high investments would require high returns on investments. So in a nutshell, what pricing are you looking at? What are the initial volumes? What plans do you have for after sales? I'm not asking for business details right here because there is a lot more than just this. However, if in a few words you could explain the above, yes, you will have people who will be interested as the word will get moving.

Also, I hope you know that the average Indian man is shorter than the average American and csutoms are long riding machines.

BaCkSeAtDrIVeR · 7th February 2009, 11:42

What about registration? It is not mandatory that the vehicle be tested at VRDE or somesuch establishment?

P180V1 · 7th February 2009, 15:13

The bikes are good no doubt, but what about their emission ? This aspect needs to be looked into, too.

CHEERS,
G D

speed0mania · 7th February 2009, 21:45

all of the above are very valid points! but the biggest restriction would be duties! thats what is still the reason harley hasn't entered the indian market, but been trying for quite a while.
Cost is the magic question here! Volumes is definately out of the question but you shall have to make an analysis towards what costs you are looking at as the number of true enthusiasts willing to sheel out enough cash would be quite low!
You must also understand that India might be the largest 2wheeler mkt but the point is 2wheelers are an economic way to get around here, not that there aren't enthusiasts but the percentage is very low, in other words most people ride 2wheelers as a compulsion and not by choice, so you're going to have a very very limited target market!

Best of luck!

ev1lsyk0 · 10th February 2009, 07:32

Extremely good looking bikes, yes, but it seems to me like you need a lot more ground clearance if you want to ride them in this country!

xxaarraa · 10th February 2009, 09:36

Your Web site is very low on technical information and high on bling bling. Contrary to popular opinion, the Indian vehicle buyer isn't dumb. Bringing first world junk to India will more often than not fail (anyone remember Montego, Peugeot?)

I don't see a single bike that has Ace stamped on the case. The pictures on your Website could very well be those of Victory concepts or any other American custom.
I couldn't find a lot of technical information on engine specs, final drive, FI, emissions. What is unique about your bike other than looks?
You seem to have used "American made" quite generously and having lived in America for a long long time, I can say that in the automotive industry, that's not a good thing. And people know it.
You may want to get a technical writer to go over your Web site. Some of the writing is a bit amateurish and if you expect people to spend millions of rupees (I am expecting your prices to be close to 10 lakh or above), they would pick up on that stuff.

Good luck, I would like to see you succeed.

6th February 2009, 21:35	#1
AceCustomz Newbie Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chicago Posts: 1 Thanked: 0 Times	American Custom Choppers in India www.acecustomz.com is looking for a partner to distribute our motorcycles in India. I've posted pictures to my gallery on BHP and you can also look at the gallery on our website. The bikes are fierce not only in appearance but push almost 100 bhp (95 but who's counting, right?) to the rear wheel!!! You all seem to be very knowledgeable about the scene in India so would you please share with me: 1) What are your thoughts on bikes like these, will they go over in India? 2) Do you know any car or motorcycle dealers who would be interested in partnering with us? Thanks in advance for your thoughts and feedback! Jeff
	() Thanks

7th February 2009, 10:56	#2
kapiljolly79 BHPian Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 185 Thanked: 69 Times	Ace Hey Ace. I went through your website. The bikes are neat and with the famous S&S drivertrains there is no doubt that these are highly reliable machines. As for business in India, I am sure you will have no difficulty in finding a dealer but all this is subject to the kind of pricing, investments, duty structure and end Retail price to the customer that matters. Ofcourse, the custom motorcycle will not fetch you masses, but then at what cost will you get a distributor to support that? Low sales, high investments would require high returns on investments. So in a nutshell, what pricing are you looking at? What are the initial volumes? What plans do you have for after sales? I'm not asking for business details right here because there is a lot more than just this. However, if in a few words you could explain the above, yes, you will have people who will be interested as the word will get moving. Also, I hope you know that the average Indian man is shorter than the average American and csutoms are long riding machines. Last edited by kapiljolly79 : 7th February 2009 at 10:59. Reason: Height!
	() Thanks

7th February 2009, 11:42	#3
BaCkSeAtDrIVeR BANNED Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Kochi Posts: 2,522 Thanked: 752 Times	What about registration? It is not mandatory that the vehicle be tested at VRDE or somesuch establishment?
	() Thanks

7th February 2009, 15:13	#4
P180V1 BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 143 Thanked: 4 Times	The bikes are good no doubt, but what about their emission ? This aspect needs to be looked into, too. CHEERS, G D
	() Thanks

7th February 2009, 21:45	#5
speed0mania BHPian Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: new delhi Posts: 463 Thanked: 7 Times View My Garage	all of the above are very valid points! but the biggest restriction would be duties! thats what is still the reason harley hasn't entered the indian market, but been trying for quite a while. Cost is the magic question here! Volumes is definately out of the question but you shall have to make an analysis towards what costs you are looking at as the number of true enthusiasts willing to sheel out enough cash would be quite low! You must also understand that India might be the largest 2wheeler mkt but the point is 2wheelers are an economic way to get around here, not that there aren't enthusiasts but the percentage is very low, in other words most people ride 2wheelers as a compulsion and not by choice, so you're going to have a very very limited target market! Best of luck!
	() Thanks

10th February 2009, 07:32	#6
ev1lsyk0 Newbie Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 13 Thanked: 0 Times	Extremely good looking bikes, yes, but it seems to me like you need a lot more ground clearance if you want to ride them in this country!
	() Thanks

10th February 2009, 09:36	#7
xxaarraa BHPian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Lot of places Posts: 140 Thanked: 5 Times	Your Web site is very low on technical information and high on bling bling. Contrary to popular opinion, the Indian vehicle buyer isn't dumb. Bringing first world junk to India will more often than not fail (anyone remember Montego, Peugeot?) I don't see a single bike that has Ace stamped on the case. The pictures on your Website could very well be those of Victory concepts or any other American custom. I couldn't find a lot of technical information on engine specs, final drive, FI, emissions. What is unique about your bike other than looks? You seem to have used "American made" quite generously and having lived in America for a long long time, I can say that in the automotive industry, that's not a good thing. And people know it. You may want to get a technical writer to go over your Web site. Some of the writing is a bit amateurish and if you expect people to spend millions of rupees (I am expecting your prices to be close to 10 lakh or above), they would pick up on that stuff. Good luck, I would like to see you succeed.
	() Thanks