BDoc, all of those are valid points, but it fundamentally means you can't place that level of expectation on the manufacturer and the survival of the product depends on the dealer/aftermarket support.

It would of course be better if the manufacturers took a couple dollars from their huge wallets and put it into proper design and marketing of their products; but really they mostly only want to produce a) what they THINK the buyer wants, or b) whatever the buyer specs them to build. It's inherently short-sighted. And really, when you're the #1 exporter of motorcycles around the world, where's the incentive to compete with the dozens upon dozens of nearly identically spec'd badges out there? Can you imagine 50+ large motorcycle companies, just from China, all making 100% unique bikes in massive quantities? We don't even see that with the modern auto industry as a whole, much less from one country. As a consumer, I wonder if we could even process or evaluate that much variety and still lead something which looks like a life.

Relying on the dealers/aftermarket to do this keeps is deceptively challenging because they incur 100% of the marketing and support cost. This is one reason why many of the past start-ups have basically floundered from underestimating (or sometimes totally ignoring) the massive responsibility of PROPERLY branding any product AND supporting/developing it over decades.

Since these are not easily replaceable (or shippable) items, it means they need considerable support systems, supplies and processes. We still haven't gotten to the branding and outreach yet. Now you gotta have a killer website, sharp logo, graphic art support, video producers, copywriters and one different person to do each of these. Outside, you're trying to build credibility through media (new and old) , but are still selling to a tiny market which you believe has greater potential. Then this has to be done for several years before you'll make back your original investment, and this isn't even, paying yourself much, if anything.

Whatever happens with the RX-3, happens. Have no doubt though that what CSC, and any other importer faces in trying to get an inexpensive bike off the ground lacking real factory support is adventure in it's own right.

If you guys think riding in China is scary, try selling Chinese bikes in America!

CC