Big Bear Choppers “Bear Bones” New 2010 Model

cyrilhuzebearbonesbbcRethinking, revising and reinventing the custom factory chopper to continue to attract enthusiasts. A big challenge to all small manufacturers who learned at their expense during these last 4 years that semi-custom production bikes in the $35,000 to $45,000 range don’t sell very well anymore.

As I told you before all the industry rushing into the just under $20,000 market segment trying to push away critics by keeping on these new machines as many quality components as possible. “Bear Bones”, as its name suggest, is still a Big Bear Choppers but stripped from its well known brand name flashy appearance (going to black saves a lot of paint job money, less chrome too), easier to handle with a shorter wheelbase and less rake because, as many manufacturers just discovered, streets have corners and roads have turns. This new model, first introduced in Europe at the Austria Bike Week and now available in the US (did you notice a change of marketing strategy?), uses the polished proprietary 100 SMOOTH™ low vibration engine, a Baker® 6-speed overdrive transmission. Chassis  is large diameter with a drop seat of 19” off the ground, a manageable wheelbase with a conservative 34° neck rake, foot and hand controls reaching towards the rider for a comfortable position, patented unique fuel tank design, patented oil tank design holding 5 quarts, 250mm rear tire with a right side final drive. Custom, raw, comfortable, affordable & reliable were the objectives. Sales number here and abroad will tell us very soon if Big Bear Choppers succeeded to unfreeze the long chopper market.

32 Responses to “Big Bear Choppers “Bear Bones” New 2010 Model”


  1. 1 Woody Nov 25th, 2009 at 10:36 am

    Nice looking bike, should be a good litmus test on whether the “mainstream chopper” is dead.

  2. 2 maroco Nov 25th, 2009 at 10:46 am

    All I can say it´s great Bike, and the price are very atractive to.
    I which Beg Bear Choppers be sucecfull.
    All the best.

  3. 3 Venom Nov 25th, 2009 at 11:31 am

    Long live BBC. Wish them much success!

    -Venom

  4. 4 J Nov 25th, 2009 at 2:01 pm

    Looks like a smart move- good example on their own site, where the bagger version lists for $40K; So…… There’s REALLY $20K tied up in the fairing, bags, and some chassis mods? C’mon…

    Consumers aren’t stupid, unless they’re playing with home-equity bubble money. I like generic choppers just fine- as long as they’re priced to the market.

    Hmm- that bagger IS pretty cool tho….. Where’s that quickie loan paperwork…..

  5. 5 FREDP Nov 25th, 2009 at 5:17 pm

    Why is that rear strut have so many spacers on it? Is this frame adaptable for a wide tire kit? The website picture gives you a better look at it. I might see where a longer chain guard might make sense to bolt to it. Maybe D.O.T. Tailights bolt here? The ones on the rear fender are definitely not going to pass 50 state.
    Do they have a picture setup for 2 passengers.

  6. 6 golfish Nov 25th, 2009 at 8:03 pm

    I wish they had this around when I bought my kit back in 06.

    5 qt oil bag, Cyril, is that right?

  7. 7 Cyril Huze Nov 25th, 2009 at 8:10 pm

    Golfish. 5-quart oil tank. It’s what BBC states, also in their website.

  8. 8 golfish Nov 25th, 2009 at 8:30 pm

    got to love 5 qts of oil on a v-twin….I’m a owner and big fan of BBC. They throw one hec of a party up there every June.

  9. 9 Sniperman Nov 25th, 2009 at 8:48 pm

    This is obviously an act of desperation………….

    What I see here is a 20k bike that is not much different than their 30K bikes and it tells the consumer that BBC is willing to drop their pants and do whatever it takes to stay in business. In reality, they are competing against their own upper level and more expensive bikes by price dropping.

    However, the matte black color limits it’s mass appeal. It is a very limited styled bike and will only appeal to a certain buyer. Additionally, it is a one passenger bike. You can place a “lick and stick” on the rear fender and call it a two up, but half way through the ride you might loose the wife after a few small pot holes that you encounter.

    Theoretically, from what we see here, it is a much better buy (at least components wise) than a Sucker Punch or a Brass Balls for the same price. However, the “Bear Bones” is your typical “plain Jane” matte black chopper that lacks personality and it’s the same “cookie cutter” production chopper that we have seen in the industry for the past 10 years.

    And speaking of bones…….I seriously don’t think that they can compete against the Harley “Cross Bones” both in quality and styling……..and price most important….which is something that BBC is desperately after.

    It’s going to be very interesting to see the out come of this BBC experiment…..but my gut tells me that they bit off their own nose.

    Sniperman

  10. 10 Sheridan Nov 25th, 2009 at 10:12 pm

    Looks like good value to me and will allow a lot more buyers that want that “cookie cutter” production chopper to now buy in with a new bike rather than settling for second hand or none at all. Personally I like the flat black no chrome look, it looks like a bike you just ride and not try and just pose with.

    I just wonder if BBC’s image has been forever tarnished with their frame recall issue and poor way they’ve handled that. There probably comes a point where if you lower the price enough, people look past your history and reputation…

  11. 11 MDK Nov 25th, 2009 at 11:12 pm

    I’ve always liked the BBC bikes and this is definetely one fine looking example of what I consider a real chopper not a RUB chopper.

  12. 12 jatinderpal Nov 26th, 2009 at 1:33 am

    Bike looks the same old thing.

  13. 13 nicker Nov 26th, 2009 at 1:47 am

    Regardless of style, paint, or features, as Cyril says, “…Sales number here and abroad will tell ….”
    The price-point positions it as a litmus test for the survival of the mass production choppers market.

    -nicker-

  14. 14 Ken Smarts Nov 26th, 2009 at 2:22 am

    All their bikes look gay.

  15. 15 Doc Robinson Nov 26th, 2009 at 7:43 am

    A great bike at a great price. Cool will never be dead and this bike is mega cool! To say it “looks the same old thing” is to display an ignorance of just how much of the Big Bear bike is exclusive to BBC. All bikes are the “same old thing” in that they all have a motor, a gearbox and two wheels, but there is a vast difference between one motorcycle and another. As for poor old Ken Smarts, if he can see “gay” in BBC bikes I suggest the problem lies within him, not in the most stylish range of choppers ever to be produced by a volume manufacturer. And one who never, ever rests on his laurels. Best of luck with this innovative approach to a tough market guys.

  16. 16 mikydwarf Nov 26th, 2009 at 8:00 am

    the bike still only cost them 5,880.00 to build so call me me when its 10 or 12 thou.

  17. 17 Shifter Nov 26th, 2009 at 8:23 am

    Mikydwarf. To make such a stupid statement shows that 1- you are not a pro. 2- that you never worked on your bike, if you have one. $5880 is even not the price of the parts. On a bike like that, BBC must net $1500 maxi, Go to another website, there are a lot of other online forums for people who know nothing about motorcycles but pretending they are bikers. LOL.

  18. 18 Freedomlaw Nov 26th, 2009 at 10:44 am

    Chiming in on Thanksgiving morning. I like the bike quite a bit. I have four bikes, and what I have learned is that I ride two of them (Harley touring) quite a bit, one (a custom bobber) some but not nearly as much and one (a 1999 Indian Chief) hardly ever. The reason: the joy of riding is different. My favorite right now is the Street Glide because I love music when I ride. What appeals to me about the Big Bear Chopper above is that to me it says: this bike is made to be ridden. I love Cyril’s bikes and someday want to own one. And if I do I will ride or trailer it to shows because I love the atmosphere of shows and the talent and so forth. But … I enjoy riding through Western Maryland, Pennsylvania (Gettysburg), and the eastern shores of Del, MD, and VA. And this bike looks like a real good day tripper bike to me. I wish BBC lots of luck. And Happy Thanksgiving everybody. I love this blog!

  19. 19 Boss Hawg Nov 26th, 2009 at 12:25 pm

    Based on the sales prices of BBC’s other model lineups, it is apparent that BBC has whored and screwed their own brand and buyer base when comparing the severe lower price differential to the other model line-ups and kit bikes.

    The after-thought is a recipe for disaster…What will this do to Kelly Blue Book and NADA Guides retail and trade-in values that the previous buyers have paid a premium for the kit bikes, BBC builds and , of course, other models, too, that are nearly identical when speced-out with the exception of an engine mod or paint ?

    If I were one BBC’s dealers, I would be thoroughly pissed, cancel my dealership agreement, drop the pricing on the floor models, clear the floor and bring in another manufacturer.

    Ask any successful manufacturer and/or retail business owner will tell you that BBC does not have a very astute business plan my mind and is desperately seeking to stay afloat based on this move. One would assume that it depends on how deep the pockets of BBC are now and how much BBC wants to lose if the Bear Bones does not stimulate additional buyers (of course it would never be me no matter what the sales price). If not, then you better smell the roses and be on the look-out for what is known as crash & burn soon….Remember the mass frame recall and the ongoing alleged product liability with the amputee in NY?

    To all you armchair coffee shop boys say what you wish…go eat some bird and watch some football. The cards will fall where they may and then see who has the poker face! Like anyone else in the business, I wish Kevin and Mona all the best with this attempt to stimulate their business…it is good for the industry as a whole.

    Happy Thanksgiving to Cyril, his loved ones and all the rest that read Cyril’s Blog.

    Boss Hawg

  20. 20 Jim C Nov 26th, 2009 at 1:45 pm

    I for one don’t want to see another fall by the wayside but the frame recall was and is bad for their rep. I would be pissed if I was a dealer for them. I would also be pissed if I was one of the guys who bought a kit from them. But thankfully,I am neither. I will say it would be a good bike to buy if you are a guy who likes to paint as this bike gives you a very good base from which to start. I like the black but would probably not leave it like that. Good luck to them but I will be surprised if they make it through the next couple of years.

  21. 21 155otc Nov 26th, 2009 at 3:17 pm

    mikydwarf

    the bike still only cost them 5,880.00 to build so call me me when its 10 or 12 thou

    Jeff give this mikydwarf a call and find out where he can get all these parts for $5880.

    mikydwarf WTF was in that turkey you prepared and have eaten?? Crack??

  22. 22 Jeff Nicklus Nov 26th, 2009 at 4:22 pm

    155otc,

    The only place he could find these parts for $5880 is from his buddies at the Midnight Bike Salvage Chop Shop. Have to love stupid friggin people!

    Over & Out,

    Jeff

  23. 23 155otc Nov 26th, 2009 at 5:20 pm

    Jeff

    Have to love stupid friggin people!

    love em or bicth slap them back into reality!!!

    yeah u hate to slam some body on here but man GET real……$15580, maybe he forgot the 1??

    Jeff is BBC even in business anymore?? personally i have no clue if that whole custom bike market or scene wil ever come back…….its a brutal non existant market right now!

  24. 24 Jeff Nicklus Nov 26th, 2009 at 5:52 pm

    155otc,

    I will buy the $15,580 figure … that would be in line.

    I have no clue about BBC …. I have little doubt they are still there and hungry like everyone else. The days of us (Desperado) doing our normal 300 bikes a year is long gone ….. if we top 50 for the 2010 model year I will be happy.

    This “Change” crap is killing all of us! Damn I can’t wait for November 2010!

    Over & Out,

    Jeff

  25. 25 1550tc Nov 26th, 2009 at 11:08 pm

    Jeff

    The days of us (Desperado) doing our normal 300 bikes a year is long gone

    Jeff at least your honest about the 300 or 25 a month most of these guys were so full of shit with their production numbers……jeff your still around think of the socal tv builders and what their doing now, guys like, hotch, exile, extreme frames ultra diamond vengence even our ole babe Michelle Smith…………speed should do a where are they now series, “desperate bike build offs”

  26. 26 nicker Dec 1st, 2009 at 10:59 pm

    RE:
    “…desperate bike build offs…”

    How about a “Budget Bike Build-off”
    and make it a Cafe Racer………. 🙂

    -nicker-

  27. 27 Frustrated BBC Owner Dec 3rd, 2009 at 2:16 pm

    As an owner of one of BBC’s POS bikes on the NHTSA recall list and am unable to find a BBC dealer anywhere within reasonable transport distance (more than 500 miles) that will do the recall I’m very pissed off at BBC and their whole handling of this issue! I now have a $30,000.00 bike that I can’t sell, ride or get fixed! Even if I could get the neck issue fixed there is ample evidence that suggests that many other welds on the frame are also faulty!
    I’m inclined to agree with Boss Hawg’s statements on the whole thing and would add that the suit back in NY with the amputee was settled for $1.5 million against BBC. I know of at least 3 other suits that are pending for varying issues including the one that started whole recall. Why anyone would even consider buying a BBC now is beyond me after seeing how they have treated their loyal customer base by basically throwing them under a bus!
    For you BBC well wishers I would like to point out some facts that may change your minds on supporting them. If any of you have followed the ongoing battle over at ClubChopper on the subject you might want to reread it from start to finish. The gentlemen who started the thread (I’ll use his handle initials) LL was almost immediately attacked by BBC and BBC tried to use him as a scapegoat for their screw up! BBC even sent all of us owner letters saying that LL was responsible for the failure and listed a bunch of BS reasons. Then when the NHTSA got involved things changed but BBC still to this day is denying (publically) that their welding was the cause even after admitting it in documents they sent to the NHTSA!
    One last thing, BBC did deliberately and willfully withhold the little fact that there was a neck failure BEFORE this LL had his in the first documents sent to the NHTSA! So the entire time that LL was getting blasted by BBC they never revealed that they already knew they had a weld problem and chose to do nothing about it until LL filed a complaint with the NHTSA and other owners pushed for a more exhaustive investigation. BBC put a lot of riders and other innocent people at risk just for the sake of money! If that’s the kind of company you want to support I’m glad you’re not on my team! If BBC does go under it will be a good thing for the semi-custom motorcycle market in my opinion!

  28. 28 Boss Hawg Dec 4th, 2009 at 7:44 am

    FrustratedBBC Owner……..Please call me at 912-996-0107, I would like to know more please.

    Boss Hawg

  29. 29 Frustrated BBC Owner Dec 6th, 2009 at 10:02 pm

    Hey Boss Hawg,

    I see from your area code that you’re in the Southern Georgia area, what’s the bast time to call you ? I’m in the Houston area.

  30. 30 Boss Hawg Dec 10th, 2009 at 11:57 am

    FrustratedBBC Owner….

    anytime…if no answer please leave a short VM and I will get right back to ya.

    Boss Hawg

  31. 31 pro88 Apr 14th, 2010 at 10:41 am

    Anyone who rags on a company for doing what it must to keep the lights on is a fool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BBC supplies many people with a job , something that is hard to come by these days. I myself salute them for a job well done. Boss Hawg=====GET A LIFE !

  32. 32 Shadow Sep 15th, 2010 at 12:54 pm

    any more info on liability cases

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Cyril Huze