VStrom Backrest Interest? / Need Opinions/Advice - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

Pirate · 03-05-2005, 11:38 AM

First time here.. Excuse the moment of potential capitalism. I own and operate Pirates' Lair @ www.PiratesLair.net While we specialize in BMW and MV Agusta accessories, I get calls on a weekly basis from V Strom people asking if we'd build a backrest for this bike. Until yesterday, I'd never even seen one. The first few requests I got, I kinda blew them off, but in the last year the numbers of requests are increasing so I thought I'd simply address the masses and get YOUR opinions.

Here's the deal... Yes.. I can do one.. it is figured out in my head. Like our Honda ST1300 Stealth at http://piratesk12site.net/ST13Stealth.htm , our V Strom rack would simply replace that rubber piece and our backrest would slide on and off the bike just like our Honda version. However.. there are a few issues of which I'd need answers before going forward. Keep in mind.. if I were to take on the project, I'd NOT have production pieces for at least 6-7 months.. That's a minimum time line in virtually all cases.

Also.. there's another consideration.. The delivered price would be about $330.US..the same price as both our BMW backrests and our Honda backrest. No way I could produce and sell them cheaper. While the BMW guys don't bat an eye at the cost, the Honda people are always %%%%%ing. Do YOU think YOU, the Suzuki people, would be OK with final cost of $330? and do you think there would be a market for a VStrom Backrest? As it cant be done for cheaper (at least by me).. do you think this is reasonable for the V Strom accessories market? Be honest. I'd hate to invest the better part of a year to create a thing of beauty only to have them sit on a shelf due to the price... Opinions?

Thanks in advance..and again.. sorry for the semi-commercial intrusion. It's the ONLY way for a small vendor such as myself to find out such things and make things happen.

Any and all opionons welcome. Please forward them directly to pirate@acelink.net