The way members of the motorcycle industry functions and survive during any extended economic downturn – when a company does survive – is through continual evolution and always remaining flexible. New British manufacturer MO2OR exemplifies this approach and is now in the process of bending everything we believe in terms of a production motorcycle.
MO2OR Listens
New to the industry, the small U.K. marque MO2OR has no reservations about treading a new path of entry into producing motorcycles designed for the passionate rider. More directly, the company is soliciting the motorcycle riding public to help lead the specification and design of the bikes they will eventually produce. It is not the exact reverse of a major brand, but it does advance the case of a "rider's motorcycle" like only has been done with custom machines and extreme limited editions – both of which are normally unfathomably costly.
The initial production bike will be crowdsourced and sold everywhere possible (read: where it meets legal requirements), but it may never be totally finished. MO2OR wants to set themselves apart here by paying very close attention to what the people who own, ride, and sometimes race their motorcycles have to say about the bike and to let those people be the inspiration for achieving the design for a "dream motorcycle."
MO2OR Makeup
MO2OR is made up of "...a small group of passionate bikers, who feel the current range of motorbikes lack customer input and are developed purely for profit." The ringleader and founder is Englishman Steve Pritchard, a marketing veteran of Ford Motor, Mazda and Triumph Motorcycles.
A passionate rider, Pritchard surveyed the industry landscape and saw a definite need for a bike designed to a rider's specification without limiting performance or capability in the name of a profit margin. MO2OR was born
For what there is of the company online, there remains some mystery, but there are no secrets among those who sign on. MO2OR runs a fully transparent system, responds quickly to questions and comments, and constantly endeavors to earn the trust of those involved in the project. It is a small operation, so the system is quick to respond and fast with decisions. The question does remain as to whether that will be good or bad in this new world of the modern motorcycle industry.
MO2OR Progress
MO2OR asked their membership – all volunteer – to create a set of specifications for this first bike; this first stage, the "dream spec," is now done. 700 submissions and 3,500 site visits brought them to three finalists for the eventual production model. The "design competition phase" is now in full swing, and members are tasked with submitting a design for one or all three specifications. From the resulting submissions, social media's reaction to them will decide for MO2OR which one will begin prototyping...and eventually be produced.
Will this effort succeed in bringing a unique and interesting motorcycle to an adoring group of dedicated acolytes? Will they get past the prototype and eventually produce a limited edition, bespoke piece of machinery desired by riders worldwide – and sold at a reasonable price? Or, will the idea collapse under the weight of the many treacherous pitfalls involved in crowdsourcing anything – too many cooks, and all that? Will Steve Pritchard have the leadership necessary to guide the MO2OR members down a path which will bring success to both the idea and the company as well as please riders?
In every case, when a new company comes into an industry - no matter the industry and with no regard for funding, support or even a wonderful idea – those and similar questions will apply.
Every business experiences risk and uncertainty in the beginning, even the ones which become the most successful. MO2OR is no different, and they are trying something radically new in the motorcycle industry, at least as far as an affordable custom motorcycle designed by and built for riders, which brings with it more variables.
However, the beginning also holds opportunity and possibility...and MO2OR has the excitement and participation that many parts of the industry would envy in this time of reduced consumer spending. MO2OR is a promising new concept which will be most intriguing to watch, and hopefully ride!
Check them out at www.mo2or.com
