Comments on: Spy Shots Of 2 New Viper Motorcycles

By: uncle vern

uncle vern — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 02:38:57 +0000

very good idea with baggers, we need more with a little more room

By: Doc Robinson

Doc Robinson — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 20:18:35 +0000

Re the new Vipers.
Hey Fred, love to ride/write about your new bikes.
Contact me through the mag at info@heavyduty.com.au

By: Art

Art — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 17:25:33 +0000

I think the new bike looks good Fred.

By: Fred Proctor

Fred Proctor — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 21:50:07 +0000

Doc, All of Viper’s patented designs were all done in house . What Viper realized in trying to build every component in house, it becomes an enormous undertaking in machinery , acquisition, stock and $$$ !
Viper has developed alliances with USA companies in producing some of our components in bringing the models up to a production level numbers. All are manufactured to our strict specifications. It would be unreasonable and financially irresponsible to our shareholders in storing blocks of aluminum and other raw materials, when we can use our vendors resources for that. We have begun to implement Just In Time Manufacturing practices in keeping costs low and vendors knowlegable in deliery times to production processes. WE assemble our components in house.
Viper Motorcycles use of so called kit catalog parts are negligable in production of our bikes. As we grow as a company, and can afford to design and replace those parts, through design and testing, we will.
As a side note, keep up the good work at the magazine. Got to find a way to get you on one of our bikes Doing any traveling, soon?

By: Doc Robinson

Doc Robinson — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 05:17:42 +0000

I’m a little confused. The Viper web site says, “Many of a Viper’s component parts are billet aluminum, machined in-house, using distinctive patented technology: Viper engines – 115 to 152 cubic inches, big bore/short stroke, Viper air-ride suspension, Viper Rigid Drive system.
Real custom – real reliability. We deliver engineering and design solutions that mass production would find impossible.”
But in the on-line financial journal Biospace, a Jan 2007 news release from Viper said, “Viper Motorcycle Company, a wholly owned subsidiary, has outsourced all manufacturing to strategic partners to lower the fixed costs of operations and implemented further cost savings, principally in a reduction of headcount, facility fixed costs and marketing programs”. Viper Motorcycle Founder and Managing Director John Silseth II stated, “All outsourced manufacturing is now in place as we have commenced production of all components for our Diablo and Diamondback models.
With much trumpet blowing about being “one of only 3 real American cruiser manufacturers’” the implication is that by designing and engineering parts themselves they are a cut above the rest. I’d like to know what percentage of their bikes Viper actually manufacture.

By: Donnie

Donnie — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 01:59:42 +0000

The bagger looks good, but the rigid is like so many choppers of these last 7 years. I don’t think you can sell a new model, whatever the other mechanical improvements, if it’s not packaged in a radically new design.