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[NEW2elec]

Damon posted on their FB page asking for interest in the possibility of leasing a motorcycle.
So far it was a pretty mixed response with some being die hard own it only and some others admitting they get new bikes often anyway no need to own.

I've never leased a vehicle myself but some of you may have a better idea of the pros and cons that go into it.

[JaimeC]

For an electric motorcycle that might not be a bad idea.  Once the lease is over, you don't have to worry about how much longer the battery is going to last and how much it'll cost to replace... it'll be someone else's problem.  I think leasing is a better idea for electric vehicles than ICE right now for that reason alone.  Especially for something as expensive as one of Damon's bikes.  Something as relatively inexpensive as my S, not a problem... I'll own it outright.

[Electric Cowboy]

This is so stupid. Have they even begun researching how selling motorcycles works and how difficult it is to find financing companies? Have they worked out a floor plan even?

This question itself, when you understand even the tiniest basic parts of motorcycle financing, is indicative that the person asking the question has not done their due diligence and is asking dumb questions out their ass. Motorcycle leasing is a terrible idea.

[Crissa]

This is so stupid.
...and how difficult it is to find financing companies?
Motorcycle leasing is a terrible idea.

This statements contradict each other.

-Crissa

[princec]

Leasing, in the form of the PCP, has taken off massive in the UK over the last 20 years and is now, I think, the normal way to "buy" a motorcycle here, on account of them being so expensive these days. I myself won't touch a lease again - there are so many gotchas and hidden considerations and ways to be done over it's not funny.

Cas

[NEW2elec]

Yeah I've seen so many rider review videos on gas bikes where they talk about only owning a bike for a couple years and then trading it in.
That's not really my approach but if your not going to keep it 5-10 years it may be a good way to go.  If they keep the gotchas out.

Princec that's interesting that it's a well established practice in the UK.

Brandon, from what I've seen and heard their business model is pretty simple.  Just like Tesla.
The way Tesla sells cars, they want to sell bikes the same way. The way Tesla services cars, they want to service bikes the same way.
The way Tesla resells their cars when they come off lease and make a profit twice.  That's what they are looking into.

They may try or they may not.  We'll see but, that's why they are looking to take a consensus opinion of what people think.

When your making a whole new motorcycle you might as well keep thinking outside the box.

[Electric Cowboy]

Interesting and cool the UK has made it reasonable to do. Here in the US it is a big liability to do this sort of activity for the companies. So it is almost never done. You know us Americans.

[princec]

The fundamental difference though is that "P" in the PCP agreement... it's "personal", so companies aren't doing leasing in this way, it's only private consumers. Then again there's really not a lot of call for commercial use of motorcycles here anyway, they're essentially seen as toys by the govt. and population at large, which explains why they're so pointlessly expensive, complicated, and fast these days and all the riders are over 50. This may change over the next decade.

Cas

[Fran K]

Damon posted on their FB page asking for interest in the possibility of leasing a motorcycle.
So far it was a pretty mixed response with some being die hard own it only and some others admitting they get new bikes often anyway no need to own.

I've never leased a vehicle myself but some of you may have a better idea of the pros and cons that go into it.

I went to facebook and here is all that is used to start the discussion.  At least the way it appears to me.
"Have you ever leased a vehicle before? Would you ever consider leasing a motorcycle?
Share your experience and let us know why in the comments!"

I never leased a vehicle however when I special ordered a pick up with a $1000 deposit rest due at pick up, come pick up they put me in a little room with a guy proposing for me to lease it instead.  It did seem attractive the way it was presented but one thing for sure was they would get a whole lot of personal information on me with no guararantee of actually ever leasing to me.  Some third party entity to make such decision if I recall correctly.  Whether it was really seperate from the Manufacturer, who knows.  There is value to the information about folks that might want to obtain one of these things.

If you can claim it is some business expense and understand the tax structure of your environment ... is this the kind of person who is intrested in these things?

[NEW2elec]

A small update to this point.
Along with the extra model variants Damon has started to give some details about their "subscription" option.

At this time a:
1.  Premier model which will cost $39,995 with a subscription option of $530 a month.

2.  The HS model which runs $24,995 or the subscription price of $331 a month.

3.  The SX model with a sale price of $19,995 or subscription price of $286 a month.

4.  The SE model with the sale price of $16,995 or subscription fee of  $199 a month.

The Damon website also has this disclaimer:
*Subscription plans available on all Hypersport models at time of sale.
Choose from 24, 36 or 48 month plans on any Hypersport. See Terms and Conditions.

End statement.

At this time I don't see the full terms for the subscription laid out yet, but I'll add them as they come.

To me it gives you the option of just dating and not having to get married long term.   

[Richard230]

Is a "subscription" another name for a lease, or is it something different? And if a subscription is really a lease, why not call it what it is.  Unless there is some legal or financial reason not to do so. 

[NEW2elec]

Car companies have started to use the term and for them I've heard it mean different things.
Some companies were going to offer a car subscription and you could exchange like a hatchback for an SUV if you needed one for the weekend.

For Damon at this time I'd say it's just like a regular type lease.
If other details emerge I pass them along.

[DeSelbyofDalkey]

I hate to be negative, but the quasi-lease idea further makes me suspicious of the whole Damon thing. I really, really want to believe they will deliver the bikes they describe, but ask any Lightning "depositeer" what it is like to place money on hopes for an electric bike.

I am on the Damon mailing list and recently completed their survey. It seems to me they are trying to get word out via social media more than produce bikes to test ride. It smells too much like efforts to get funds rather than sell bikes.

[NEW2elec]

I put my deposit down as I feel they seem like a very enthusiastic and qualified team over at Damon.
While there is no sure thing in life and every startup has it's challenges, I think it's a product people are excited for and want. 
To me that's the foundation for a good company.

As I've said before Damon is certainly taking a page out of Tesla's play book.  No need for an ad budget if you can put out the product through cost free means.

The podcast thread I posted in this section with Damon's COO, talks about how they feel they several companies are wanting to back them and they now feel they have the luxury of looking for the best offer.
We'll see what the future brings.

Did you sign up for a test ride as well?

[shayan]

Good to know about the subscription model! They are not the firs in the world to do this for electric bikes though. Checkout: https://www.revoltmotors.com/
They have 2 models at Rupee 2999 and Rupee 3999 /mo (~$55) and this bike has been a decent hit in India. And it is indeed based on the Super Soco