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[HoodRichOG]

Well it's nice to see the bike even runs. We still don't have any good video or feedback.


So if they are delivering the production motorcycle now I assume they are shipping a dozen of these a day?

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[ultrarnr]

HoodRichOG,   You would think they would be and Strikes would be getting delivered everyday. Doesn't seem to be the case though. The Chinese  factories are going to be producing completed bikes on a daily basis. Lightning has no dealers and there is no indication that they have a stock of bikes ready for immediate sale. So where is the output of those Chinese factories going? Is Lightning simply a designer for motorcycles that are for the Chinese market and that is where the output of those factories are going?  Based on very limited marketing in the US it doesn't seem Lightning wants to sell motorcycles in the US market. But maybe the Chinese market is easier and more lucrative? Just speculating here.

[HoodRichOG]

There doesn't seem to be a Chinese language lightning site so I don't see how that would make sense.

Are we sure that Chinese factory photo isn't Photoshop?

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[alko]

HoodRichOG,   You would think they would be and Strikes would be getting delivered everyday. Doesn't seem to be the case though. The Chinese  factories are going to be producing completed bikes on a daily basis. Lightning has no dealers and there is no indication that they have a stock of bikes ready for immediate sale. So where is the output of those Chinese factories going? Is Lightning simply a designer for motorcycles that are for the Chinese market and that is where the output of those factories are going?  Based on very limited marketing in the US it doesn't seem Lightning wants to sell motorcycles in the US market. But maybe the Chinese market is easier and more lucrative? Just speculating here.

They are only manufacturing the parts in China. Assembly takes place in California.

[MVetter]

They are only manufacturing the parts in China. Assembly takes place in California.

I wonder if they are, though. Is it not feasible they're entirely pre-built and now they can't afford the tariffs?

[Richard230]

They are only manufacturing the parts in China. Assembly takes place in California.

I wonder if they are, though. Is it not feasible they're entirely pre-built and now they can't afford the tariffs?

That is my thought, also.  But who knows for sure?  Not me.   

[wavelet]

HoodRichOG,   You would think they would be and Strikes would be getting delivered everyday. Doesn't seem to be the case though. The Chinese  factories are going to be producing completed bikes on a daily basis. Lightning has no dealers and there is no indication that they have a stock of bikes ready for immediate sale. So where is the output of those Chinese factories going? Is Lightning simply a designer for motorcycles that are for the Chinese market and that is where the output of those factories are going?  Based on very limited marketing in the US it doesn't seem Lightning wants to sell motorcycles in the US market. But maybe the Chinese market is easier and more lucrative? Just speculating here.

There are virtually no motorcycles in China, imported or local, larger than the equivalent of 300cc standard ICE bikes, and the ones that exist are mostly for police  or the military.
There's essentially no local market there for anything like a developed-country middleweight ICE sportbike, let alone anything larger, or expensive BEV versions.

[Richard230]

I just watched three videos by a fellow who purchased a $1500 Chinese electric motorcycle. The manufacturer claimed that it had a top speed of 70 mph, but when the fellow rode his it could only hit 34 mph.  He imported it directly from China and had to pay a $400 tariff, along with a bunch of other fees that added over $1000 to the price.  He said that he had an appointment with the DMV to get the bike registered in California, where he lives.  Boy, is he going to have fun that day.     And then he will have to purchase insurance.  Good luck with that, too.    

It is a nice looking sportbike, which is driven by a hub motor and a couple of small batteries.  The fellow took the bike apart and the components looked Micky Mouse to me, as you might expect at that price. Well, you know what they say. You get what you pay for. I have restrained myself from posting a link to his three YouTube videos (so far) as I doubt you want to see the insides of a cheap Chinese electric motorcycle. 

[NEW2elec]

LOL Richard no need to post them I saw them too. 
A simple China electric motorcycle search pulls up some interesting videos for sure.

[HoodRichOG]

So have they delivered Strike #2, or has "mass production" stopped at one delivery?

[mistasam]

So have they delivered Strike #2, or has "mass production" stopped at one delivery?

It seems the one they delivered wasn't the final product (10kWh battery, no DC charging), and will be upgraded as soon as they sort out the US/China importing issues.  I'm assuming they want to wait before selling any more.

[HoodRichOG]

What importing issues?

Importing from China to USA should be a piece of cake... it's not like they are the first to do it.

[mistasam]

*shrugs

They said Trump's new tariff (as of a few months ago) made it more difficult to get their batteries.

[HoodRichOG]

That doesn't make any sense.

But ok.

If in doubt, blame the government!

[wavelet]

That doesn't make any sense.

But ok.

If in doubt, blame the government!

"more difficult" most likely as in higher BoM costs. Being a startup with no appreciable  revenue (that I've seen), they have to be cash strapped.
Their investment to date has been mostly angel money, to the tune of $2M-$4M, depending on source. I've seen no indication they have a large strategic investor.

That's not a lot of money for series production, and few suppliers will give a startup any significant credit to buy components.
Recall it took Zero a few years before the Tier1 motorcycle suppliers were willing to sell to them at all.