Janus - American (Mostly) Motorcycles.

[DuckRyder]

Originally Posted By: JetStar
These guys are local to me. They set up at a lot of the local bike events around this area, and have for a number of years. IIRC they just received their EPA cert this past winter so they can finally start selling bikes. A few of the bikes will go on rides with us, don't recall them ever not being able to finish the ride. I'm glad to see they don't just un-crate these from China. They are a little steep for a 250, but what other bike can you buy that looks like that, and has that much locally manufactured content? You can probably slit hairs on some of this stuff.

...


Cool, I would be interested to hear your impressions of the fit finish and workmanship the next time you are close to one. Particularly the Halcyon...

 

[Surestick]

Originally Posted By: DuckRyder
Originally Posted By: maxdustington
They look cheap. That tank is mega goofy, the heat shields on the scrambler look like something from an erector set and the engine is completely blacked out on a vintage-styled bike. $7k USD? Yawn.

They really should have made the models more distinct that just a different tank and seat.


That is about what I expected from this group.

If you think the only differences are the tank and seat, you didn’t look very close and you definitely didn’t read or watch much of the information I spoke about.


They're asking the same price as the new Husky Vitpilen/Svartpilen 401, They don't seem to be providing the same level of quality (chinese motors for one).

 

[DuckRyder]

Originally Posted By: Surestick
Originally Posted By: DuckRyder
Originally Posted By: maxdustington
They look cheap. That tank is mega goofy, the heat shields on the scrambler look like something from an erector set and the engine is completely blacked out on a vintage-styled bike. $7k USD? Yawn.

They really should have made the models more distinct that just a different tank and seat.


That is about what I expected from this group.

If you think the only differences are the tank and seat, you didn’t look very close and you definitely didn’t read or watch much of the information I spoke about.


They’re asking the same price as the new Husky Vitpilen/Svartpilen 401, They don't seem to be providing the same level of quality (chinese motors for one).


I doubt there is much cross over in that market... Those Husky are restyled KTM Duke 390’s at a premium too... So I could say - if we were talking about Husky - “They are asking $1000.00 more for some stylish plastic”

I’m curious how you know that they (Janus) don’t provide quality?

 

[Surestick]

Originally Posted By: DuckRyder
Originally Posted By: Surestick
Originally Posted By: DuckRyder
Originally Posted By: maxdustington
They look cheap. That tank is mega goofy, the heat shields on the scrambler look like something from an erector set and the engine is completely blacked out on a vintage-styled bike. $7k USD? Yawn.

They really should have made the models more distinct that just a different tank and seat.


That is about what I expected from this group.

If you think the only differences are the tank and seat, you didn’t look very close and you definitely didn’t read or watch much of the information I spoke about.


They’re asking the same price as the new Husky Vitpilen/Svartpilen 401, They don't seem to be providing the same level of quality (chinese motors for one).


I doubt there is much cross over in that market... Those Husky are restyled KTM Duke 390’s at a premium too... So I could say - if we were talking about Husky - “They are asking $1000.00 more for some stylish plastic”

I’m curious how you know that they (Janus) don’t provide quality?


Chinese engines aren't, at the moment, recognized for their durability.

My point was: If you can get a Husky (or Duke) with a proven, more powerful engine, and the rest of the bike made on a quality controlled assembly line by a reputable company with a solid warranty, why would I spend the same (or more) money on a Janus?

Sure, If you're in love with the looks, but I wouldn't call it a deal or get excited about the price.

 

[Lawn_Care]

Originally Posted By: Surestick
Chinese engines aren't, at the moment, recognized for their durability.


This ^^

With a better quality and more reliable (Japanese) power plant, their sales (Janus) would definitely increase.

 

[DuckRyder]

Originally Posted By: Surestick
Originally Posted By: DuckRyder
Originally Posted By: Surestick


They’re asking the same price as the new Husky Vitpilen/Svartpilen 401, They don't seem to be providing the same level of quality (chinese motors for one).


I doubt there is much cross over in that market... Those Husky are restyled KTM Duke 390’s at a premium too... So I could say - if we were talking about Husky - “They are asking $1000.00 more for some stylish plastic”

I’m curious how you know that they (Janus) don’t provide quality?


Chinese engines aren't, at the moment, recognized for their durability.

My point was: If you can get a Husky (or Duke) with a proven, more powerful engine, and the rest of the bike made on a quality controlled assembly line by a reputable company with a solid warranty, why would I spend the same (or more) money on a Janus?

Sure, If you're in love with the looks, but I wouldn't call it a deal or get excited about the price.


They are taking a fair amount of heat for the engine, they have explained the whys and I don’t think it is fair to say the engine is a low quality engine or that they are not providing quality. The Chinese are capable of producing quality so the engine may be quality. The fact that it is a Honda copy (probably infringes on IP) is my issue with it.

The why spend money on the Janus when you could get X could go on forever... I could make the same arguments between the Husky or Duke and a number of other things.

I did say up front if you were looking for cheap it wasn’t for you.



Originally Posted By: Lawn_Care
Originally Posted By: Surestick
Chinese engines aren't, at the moment, recognized for their durability.


This ^^

With a better quality and more reliable (Japanese) power plant, their sales (Janus) would definitely increase.


I do believe they would have an easier time selling them with a genuine Honda or better yet American made engine, if they could be sold for the same price, I doubt they could sell them for the same price though. It may have been harder to get them certified too...

Again, we don’t know that the engine is low quality or unreliable though so I don’t think that part is fair to say.

It is clearly a niche market, no doubt about that, and it is likely a smaller niche than even the Huskies... And don’t get me wrong, I like the Huskies and even the Duke in spite of it being manufactured in India. (Supposedly the Huskies are built in Austria).

 

[blupupher]

Originally Posted By: DuckRyder

They are taking a fair amount of heat for the engine, they have explained the whys and I don’t think it is fair to say the engine is a low quality engine or that they are not providing quality. The Chinese are capable of producing quality so the engine may be quality. The fact that it is a Honda copy (probably infringes on IP) is my issue with it.

The why spend money on the Janus when you could get X could go on forever... I could make the same arguments between the Husky or Duke and a number of other things.

I did say up front if you were looking for cheap it wasn’t for you.

I agree. There is a huge variation of quality coming from China, some of it can be pretty good.
There is a possibility is is a bolt for bolt copy of a Honda engine using quality parts and materials.
Who knows

And there lies the problem.

Originally Posted By: DuckRyder

I do believe they would have an easier time selling them with a genuine Honda or better yet American made engine, if they could be sold for the same price, I doubt they could sell them for the same price though. It may have been harder to get them certified too...

Again, we don’t know that the engine is low quality or unreliable though so I don’t think that part is fair to say.

It is clearly a niche market, no doubt about that, and it is likely a smaller niche than even the Huskies... And don’t get me wrong, I like the Huskies and even the Duke in spite of it being manufactured in India. (Supposedly the Huskies are built in Austria).


If they could have gotten a Honda or a made in US engine at their price point, they would have.
The are already pushing the price envelope (and possibly gone over it) with the Chonda engine, and going with Honda/US made would make it even higher.

As you said, this is a niche market. It is not a mass produced Grom, Ninja or Rebel, it is something that stands our from the crowd, and you are going to pay for that look.