Posts
1343
Joined
3/21/2010
Location
MOTO, IL
US
Edited Date/Time
9/16/2014 5:20am
Just thought I'd share a short story of what it took to get the Lay Over Stand to market. First of all, I know many of you will probably say this is the dumbest thing ever thought of...yeah yeah yeah...I never claimed for this to be the solver of "World Peace", just thought this stand would make the task of laying a bike over easier, quicker, and safer/more stable.
The general idea of the stand had been in my mind for several years, just didn't know what to do about it. Through my years of riding/racing and having grown up with my dad racing regularly, I thought there had to be a better way to lay the bike over. Too many times have I had my bikes simply move on a regular stand (but not quite fall off), actually fall off the stand, scratch a fork tube, bend a lever, rip a grip, etc.
I am a 3-D product designer by trade so I began creating multiple different models and eventually came up with something that seemed would work....on the computer screen haha.
Soon after coming up with the concept and putting together 3-D models and 2-D build prints of the stand, I ended signing an agreement with Motorsport Products to produce and sell the stand.
We (myself and MP) had a couple initial prototype versions made....what a cool feeling that was to see an idea in your head really come to light (believe it or not, there was one of the first prototypes of these stands being used at A1 last year...2013). Here is a pic of me testing the stand out while in the middle of my CR 250 build :-)
After some testing and feedback, we made some improvements to the stand and had a 2nd round of prototype stands made (thinking these were the final product, we were able to get some "cool" ones made haha). Here is a pic of prototype #2 and me using it.
After several months of testing, we made some final small adjustments and went into "production" on the stands....below is a pic of a couple of the first actual production based stands.
Once they were In-Stock, the stands were set-up in Parts Unlimited and stocked in all their DC's. The stand also showed up on BTO Sports and Rocky Mountain which was VERY cool....to me anyways haha
Last but not least, finally hit the "big-time" (haha) last week when photo's showed up on Vital MX Pit Bits and RacerX (P/C GuyB-Vital & BDW-RX)
That's about it. This honestly isn't meant to be "spam" (feel free to delete thread auditors), just thought some of you might like to hear the story behind the product.
The general idea of the stand had been in my mind for several years, just didn't know what to do about it. Through my years of riding/racing and having grown up with my dad racing regularly, I thought there had to be a better way to lay the bike over. Too many times have I had my bikes simply move on a regular stand (but not quite fall off), actually fall off the stand, scratch a fork tube, bend a lever, rip a grip, etc.
I am a 3-D product designer by trade so I began creating multiple different models and eventually came up with something that seemed would work....on the computer screen haha.
Soon after coming up with the concept and putting together 3-D models and 2-D build prints of the stand, I ended signing an agreement with Motorsport Products to produce and sell the stand.
We (myself and MP) had a couple initial prototype versions made....what a cool feeling that was to see an idea in your head really come to light (believe it or not, there was one of the first prototypes of these stands being used at A1 last year...2013). Here is a pic of me testing the stand out while in the middle of my CR 250 build :-)
After some testing and feedback, we made some improvements to the stand and had a 2nd round of prototype stands made (thinking these were the final product, we were able to get some "cool" ones made haha). Here is a pic of prototype #2 and me using it.
After several months of testing, we made some final small adjustments and went into "production" on the stands....below is a pic of a couple of the first actual production based stands.
Once they were In-Stock, the stands were set-up in Parts Unlimited and stocked in all their DC's. The stand also showed up on BTO Sports and Rocky Mountain which was VERY cool....to me anyways haha
Last but not least, finally hit the "big-time" (haha) last week when photo's showed up on Vital MX Pit Bits and RacerX (P/C GuyB-Vital & BDW-RX)
That's about it. This honestly isn't meant to be "spam" (feel free to delete thread auditors), just thought some of you might like to hear the story behind the product.
I'm definitely going to buy one now!
Great idea and you've gotta be super pumped to see your product in the pro pits.
The Shop
Your a guy like all of us, your bike build speaks volumes, cool on you mate.
By the way, I owned a husky around the same time you had yours and I always was checking yours out because you had that thing dialed!
I have a question though. You did a good job of getting some nice high tier exposure with the Motosport team and I can see it very useful for a high profile team. But the market has to be the weekend warrior, largest population of consumer. Someone in this category would spend much of their "ride days" pitting out of lesser desirable places than a factory awning. What I am getting at is why did you not make it have a universal use? Was it not possible to put a peg in the side of it that would fit in the axle bolt so one could use it as a side stand? Maybe a shape on the height adjusting pin or a second pin for that use? That would make it a product that the weekend warrior could throw in the back of their pickup, grab it as a side stand and if they wanted to lay it down ( as the product is designed) they don't have to go back to the truck and grab this stand first. It is already there in use on the bike.
I realize this is quit possibly more of a shop use or pit awning item but it would be very handy in a "ride day" atmosphere. There is still a few of us that use a side stand or even a tie down hooked to my trailer or bed of truck to stand our bike up. I don't always like to grab the center stand and lift the bike up on it. When I am going on a weekend ride with friends, often times room is of the essence, meaning I don't have room for 3 stands in the back of my pickup.
I bet with your ingenuity, you could make it very universal. A post that would make it a center stand, a peg that would make it a side stand and the post that you currently have that would make it the only lay down stand on the market. Then I would only have one stand in my truck for everything. Just quickly configure it to how I want to use it. Just some food for thought. I like how you was able to hit your pricepoint with a quality look.
The price point I don't think is too terrible considering it is made of 100% Aluminum construction, uses all Stainless Steel hardware, and comes with a nylon drawstring carrying bag (for travel or storage).
Thanks!
P
Says none until 2/25....any chance of getting one sooner at that price point? If not, I'll just order it.
Pit Row
Good thing I went to college for business...without it, I couldn't have explained that (Sarcasm...)
With that said about RM, Parts Unlimited currently has stands IN-STOCK at their Distribution Centers SO anywhere that is a PU dealer can get you a stand ASAP. BTO Sports is a PU dealer therefore their website shows them IN-STOCK OR any of your local dealerships (that are PU dealers) can get you one within a couple of days.
Hope that helps!
I say this, as recently, Alpinestars gave the middle finger to P/U over their gear line. The first time I have seen a successful company do so.
I can say that they are selling well for how new it is. I think once the 2014 Parts Unlimited catalogue comes out (which the stand is in) it will really help boost sales. Maybe it's me and my wishful thinking but I tend to think this will be kind of like a snowball effect type of thing....the more that get out there, the more people will see them and their usefulness, the more people will go buy one for themselves.
Thanks!
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