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After reading both the July and October issues of Motorcyclist Magazine regarding the Motoczysz C1, I have a much better understanding of the mission. It seems that in the beginning, starting with one of the first headlines (from RRW): Chasing the MotoGP Dream, the MotoGP stage was set. I personally think that its good marketing to use the MotoGP platform to gain some attention, but great care has to be used with the likelihood of under-delivering. I covered that already here, so I won’t do it again.

It seems to me that the method of circulation increase for Motorcyclist is to start a controversy. This seems to be true for the Snell vs. DOT helmet testing and here with the Motoczysz C1 & its critique by James Parker. I found it very strange that Mr. Parker made his judgment based on drawings - he’s actually never seen the bike, but saw drawings from another motorcycle magazine article. A little strange if you ask me.

In this month’s, there is a rebuttal to Parker’s critique by the Motoczysz president Federico Cioni. I’m not going to put in what he wrote, but he also questions the analysis without seeing the bike. Funny thing is, there is then a rebuttal to the rebuttal authored up again by James Parker. In it, he states the same reasons and how he had to meet a deadline before he could schedule alook at the bike. I just hope the ‘rebutting’ is done.

Now that that’s over, here’s the interesting stuff: The Future.

In the July article, Csysz was quoted as saying the following:

“We now have funding in place up to and including the third and final round of investment, which will result in the C1 taking part in at least one shakedown race in ‘06, then a full season in 2007 - though whether in WSBK or AMA depends on homologation.”
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“I don’t think anyone has the ability to raise $100 million to start a motorcycle company in the US right now..(clip)…because of Excelsior and Indian, which left potential investors sour.”
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“So we’re going to use the revenue of the company to build slowly while staying out of debt. One year from now in ‘06, we’re going to manufacture 50 motorcycles as a first run, all racers like this one; I believe we have 50 buyers out there who are interested in spending $100k to buy a track-day bike or a collector’s item, or even one they can get a lisence tag for in Russia or Peru.”
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“Then in ‘07, we’ll manufacture the first 150 street versions, bringing the price down to somewhere between $55k and $65k each, building production up to 3000 bikes a year in ‘09.”
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“Following the C1 will be the C6, a 600cc four cylinder Supersport.”

So…they used the MotoGP as an advertising tool and gained some exposure on the parade laps at Laguna. Good tactic if you ask me. They are into slow growth and minimizing debt. Another good move. Finally, they are looking at running in a Superbike category with the main goal still being top-end streetbikes, NOT winning MotoGP.

Maybe the goals have changed from a reality check, but they have changed nonetheless. He’s no John Britten. He’s Michael Czysz and has yet to be tested. Before you condemn his machine, give it a chance. Heh - I know of a well-funded, top-selling, and high tech automotive company that has been working on a Super Car for many years now wothout a release.

Patience is a virtue.