| Author | Message | ||
     Magpul |
September 30, 2014 –For immediate Release First 12 Ronin Motorcycles released for sale Denver, CO – After several years in development, Ronin Motor Works announced today that it is releasing the first 12 bikes of their limited run of 47 motorcycles via their website http://www.the47.com These limited production motorcycles are designed at the Ronin Motor Works factory in Denver, Colorado, using the latest in engineering software and design techniques. The Ronin motorcycles are produced to strict tolerances, and yet each motorcycle is crafted with honest, time-tested manufacturing principles. Each production Ronin features 11 cast aluminum parts, all poured and heat-treated within a short drive of the Ronin Motor Works factory. Castings are hand-sanded over countless hours before being painted and assembled onto bikes. Other components including the hand-stitched seat, carbon fiber air box cover and fenders, sheet metal parts, and wiring harness are all designed in-house and then sourced locally. The Ronin's design is as unique as its manufacturing process. The brake and clutch master cylinders and steering nacelle are all one integrated assembly ending with small bar end mirrors and LED turn signals. To achieve a light, clean aesthetic, cables, wiring, and fluid lines are routed inside the castings and under the air box cover and seat. Traditional motorcycle components are combined into unitized parts to save space and weight, such as the battery box that incorporates the rider’s foot pegs and the belt drive tensioner. Other advance design features of the Ronin Motorcycle include, RFID ignition key and solid-state rely module, custom-tuned ECU, high-efficiency stator and a newly designed high-flow exhaust system. A 30 second trailer has been released showing manufacturing, assembly, and test track footage of the motorcycles: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbJJpJUvXAlzTUJMGCc9X0g The first 12 bikes released will be in the classic Silver & Black color of the original Magpul concept bike. At $38,000 (USD) each, these bikes will be the most affordable of all the Ronin motorcycles released (and priced below the cost to produce them). The initial release of 12 will be followed by 10 all-black versions at an increased price. After that, there will be a release of 8, then 6, then 4, and then 2; each group will have different color schemes and features. The remaining 5 bikes will be one-off designs. Every bike is named after one of the 47 Ronin warriors from Japanese folklore, and each warrior's name is engraved on the bike and on the owner's toolkit.  http://www.the47.com | ||
| Brokengq |
WHAT | ||
| D_adams |
Sorry, I just don't see $38k there. For that kinda coin, I'd rather buy another RX and an SX. I thought they were pretty ugly the first time pics came out, nothing's really changed for me. | ||
| Magpul |
Because the design was originally a concept it was designed specifically to spark debate. People either love it or hate but enough people here loved it to make this limited production run. It is a dream to ride. One the cost front. The majority of the Ronin motorcycle was custom designed and manufactured just for this project. The original concept used more off the shelf parts and still cost about $100k to fabricate so the price for the initial units is very low. | ||
| Kesnei |
Very cool bikes. | ||
| Fresnobuell |
Interesting reading about the new and improved features....obviously much time, thought and money has been invested to create this bike. I would like to know more about the front suspension, if you have more information and/or pics you can post up. | ||
| Fresnobuell |
PS, have you submitted your press release to Roadracingworld.com? | ||
| Hatch_daddy |
Well, the tail section is nice. Like D Adams said though, 38Gs is a lot, enough for a couple high quality toys. | ||
| Brokengq |
See if I bought one I would want to ride it. But riding it would eventually break things. And considering what I just read I'm assuming no warranties. And if there is, what happens when it runs out? Where do I get parts for such a unique beast? Finding parts for my current 1125 can be a hassle and extremely expensive as it is. Considering the number of Ronin produced is less than 1% of the number of 1125r's produced I imagine it would be quite a bear, if not impossible. So IMHO its a $38,000 garage ornament. That being said, if it was a full production bike I would be all about it. I personally think it is awesome looking and probably quite a ride. (Message edited by brokenGQ on September 30, 2014) | ||
| Skntpig |
Looks nice. Great platform to start with. I wish you luck but don't think you will produce many sales from posting here. Just throwing that out to you before you get bashed. Does it just look cool or perform some task better than a Buell 1125? How does it stack up to a 1190 plus $21,000 in the bank for spares or an extra bike? What's better? Top speed? 60 FT times? 1/4 mile? How about laps at Willow Springs? Stoppies...I bet it does nice stoppies. I see this isn't street legal in most states but it should qualify in unlimited superbike at most club races. I love the tail and wonder where that stuff goes after I went through the process of removing my frame for cams and shims. I would guess most of it is stuffed up in the front end. Good spot...unless that's OOOOHHH it's all unsprung...nevermind. Props to you for doing something different. I remember seeing the first pics of this years ago and thought it would turn heads. I bet you would have done better when the platform was current. We are all kinda in the same boat. I sincerely hope it sells well and I hope I see one in person. Too bad the 1125 wasn't released in 2003 and too bad yours isn't released until 2014. I hope I'm wrong but think its bad timing. Have you been to the local dealer lately to get spark plugs or a throttle cable?...it's special order. | ||
| Magpul |
I posted on this forum as this is where we originally discussed the concept bike five years ago. I thought you all would like to see what happened to the project. The Magpul Ronin was made as a design experiment to see what could be done with the 1125s frame, engine and swing arm. The original Ronin concept was the result. There was enough interest in the bike in 2010 to do a limited production run so a very small dedicated team was put together to develop a very small production run of just 47. It is a bike produced in such low numbers that it captures the rawness of a concept bike but with the reliability and usability of production item. The benefit to us is not in the sale of the bikes. It is the education in many new manufacturing methods and technology that will be invaluable for future product development in other areas. (Message edited by Magpul on October 01, 2014) (Message edited by Magpul on October 01, 2014) | ||
| Magpul |
The weight of the entire front end with radiator lights and overflow unit (that is all that is in the forks) is very close to the stock Buell weight. It steers very well and the bike handles like it was made for the system.  | ||
| Magpul |
Here is a pic of the inside of the fork and monoshock with the radiator removed  | ||
| Ljm |
That is very nice. It has really evolved since the original concept bike and the workmanship in developing the parts and the overall package is evident. Nicely done. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Neat design exercise! | ||
| Nuts4mc |
nice design and production execution... a) interesting to see BMW has gone back to conventional (upside down) forks on their new designs (probably cost related as they now share forks with their other models)... b) needs an air scoop for the front caliper c) would have liked to seen a rear radiator application ( Like a P-51) d) there's too much snow up there in the Rockies...you've been driving Jeeps for too long...the front grill looks like someone from Willys of Toledo designed it...you could do better | ||
| Dannybuell |
That last image explains it all. Beautiful implementation, front suspension servicing looks like a step forward, less weight and with a mono shock far less complex servicing. | ||
| Figorvonbuellingham |
Well done. I'm a big Ronin fan. I think they are awesome bikes. If I had a six figure income, I'd have two. | ||
| Rick_fears |
I am particularly interested in the airbox. Any more info on the system? | ||
| Fresnobuell |
Awesome. So I don't think shocks have as much range of motion as telescopic forks. What kind of challenges/solutions did you face trying to adapt a shock to the front end? | ||
| Torquehd |
Can't recall the correct term for that type of front suspension... it's not truly a telelever, is it? Anyone know how that type of frt suspension performs, vs conventional telescopic forks? | ||
| Redbat |
Very nice design and engineering changes. These things take time. The "lessons learned for future projects" makes sense as to why you decided to move forward and actually produce the machine. I love it. Very well executed. | ||
| Figorvonbuellingham |
Girder | ||
| Kenm123t |
The workman ship is beautiful What a design and materials exercise! So much more than building test block A wonderful way to change the out look of a engineer. | ||
| Magpul |
Got a video of the suspension working on the track uploaded tonight. http://youtu.be/3ZRjWK7GtEY?list=UUbJJpJUvXAlzTUJM GCc9X0g As for the airbox, there is a ALU plate just above the fuel frame with ram air intakes on either side of the bike. This ALU cast piece interfaces around the engine intakes and is also part of the sub frame assembly. An injection molded airbox picks the air up from the scoops and routes it up and down through a rectangular air filter into the engine. A carbon fiber cover goes over the whole unit. Air intake in increased over the stock unit and air is cooler as it is away from the engine heat. | ||
| Pariah |
Sorry for the late post... read up in Cycle World on Ronin and searched here to find this thread. I find the Ronin concept and design extremely compelling. The limited-edition run flies so beautifully in the face of mass production. And the narrative... holy smokes. Good on you guys! |
