$1,600 Chopper: The Hardknock Bobber
Have you always had a hankering for the thrill of a riding an old-school chopper, but never had the financial wherewithal or daring to purchase the real thing? Well the Hardknock Company has heard your plight, and brought along this scooter/chopper hybrid that defies classification and convention.
The Hardknock Bobber is built to mimic the lines and style of a classic chopper, but can be purchased at a fraction of the cost. The primary cost-cutting factor at play here is the Bobber’s motor, in place of that lumbering V-Twin you’d expect to find in the frame, there’s a rather diminutive 110cc four-stroke engine. The scooter powerplant helps Hardknock sell this cool little bike for the extra-low price of $1599, and delivery is no extra charge.
(Click on the thumbnails below to launch a gallery of Bobber images or through the jump to read more, including Hardknock’s exclamatory press release.)
Granted, at less than $2K you will be expected to do a bit of the work yourself. The Bobber gets delivered in three boxes, but the company claims that it should only take around four hours for one person to assemble.
And what do you get for your small outlay of cash? Hardknock makes a big point of saying that there are no plastic parts on its baby; pointing instead to the chrome-plated frame, “jocky shifter,
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Comments
FPF422
I want it... I have no money... Anyone feeling generous?
Jeb
Is this cool? Or cheesy? Because I gotta tell you, I can't make a call on it right now.
detroit9000
"Our Bikes are as American as Chevrolet, Ford and Harley Davidson. Like these other companies we operate in a global economy and utilize multi-national suppliers for our components. However, the entire design and development of our creations, as well as final assembly is done in our facility."
Chevrolet, Ford and Harley hire AMERICAN ENGINEERS to design their engines, they don't just bolt in Chinese engines.
Anonymous
American Engineers? Try parts cast in China, assembled in Mexico. It is a world economy, don't let your prejudice show. They used to laugh at Japans' quality, now they eat our lunch. The UAW has destroyed American competitiveness.
rob38401
UAW ..BLAME THEM? ..LOL WHO YOU WORK FOR .....NO NAME...YOUR A REALMAN ???MORE LIKE DUMBASS ...MAKE A STATEMENT LIKE THAT THEN HIDE ...FU ....SMW LOCAL 177...
gavin
Wrong! it's the companies wanting to maximise shareholders ( and manager's ) profit. The unions had nothing to do with it. That is globalisation
gavin
quote
"Like these other companies we operate in a global economy and utilize multi-national suppliers for our components."
So it's foreign
Michael F
I would rather give her $1,600 to go to my high school reunion with me. I can only imagine the sound that thing makes, not quite lawnmower but not quite remote controlled airplane.
golden eagle
your a dumb ass who dont know what your talking about. they saound nothing like a lawnmower nor remote controlled airplane. a lot of the guys that own them also own other bikes like sports bikes and harleys and if you ask most of them they will tell you they have more fun on there knock then there bigger bikes.so ether go see one up close and take a ride or shut your mouth on stuff you know nothing about
Anonymous
a little sensitive arent we?
MGBYG
MILF Moped?
Aaron
It could be an interesting and potentially fun alternative to a conventional scooter, but I'd hate to have people think I was some sort of poser who only wished i could afford "the real thing." The chick gets away with it, but the dude in pic 7 just looks like a tool. You'd get more respect on a moped than with one of these things.
mbslrm
They both look cheap....
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Oldschool
This bike is a great starter bike or alternative to goofy looking mopeds. These bikes have old school style. We will have 200cc kits coming soon in about 6 weeks. It's all about riding. Doesn't matter what you ride. If your a real biker, you will ride anything just to ride.
will
interested in trying to market, how can someone become a sales rep.
subdoc
i have a new sportster and i;m ordering one................people shouldn't be pansies............a ride is a ride............they happen to make a nice looking one.........
jeremi
haha thats true i have been riding for 20 years and custom build bike and
thats true what ever it is riding is the best .
Lacey
haha i love the ford chevy harley comment.... a chevy is about as american as a fortune cookie these days. those AMERICAN ENGINEERS realize that asia has got this sh*t figured out :) i hope that doesnt offend, but its the truth... i want one of these little rice- rocket-sounding piecers.... theyre simple and cheap...
Anonymous
actually the fortune cookie was started by americans...
Anonymous
hahahaha fortune cookies came from north cali. tard.
Anger
Great little Bike. Where is your sense of adventure. I have owned 2 Harleys, Honda Goldwings and a custom Trike powered by a car engine. You know what I enjoy riding the most? When in the Carribean I rent 50cc scooters and have a blast riding at 40 mph. This little bike looks to be a fun machine especially if they go to the 200 cc engine.
Mini llc
Amen, Oldschool. Especially considering the ease of customization, the gas mileage, and the inexpensive maintenance as opposed to a "bigger" motorcycle, this looks like an awesome alternative to my car the higher the price of gas goes. Sign me up!
sergio
your all stupid as fu@#$..... this things fucking awesome!!! and a hell of alot more cool that a stupid moped!!!! who ever thinks youll get any kind of repect when on a moped is the real tool lol lol lol so fuck what people think!!!! and get you one of this cool lil toys... and for 80 miles a gallon who wouldnt want one!!!!!!
Anonymous
intelligent sales pitch................i'm sure the company appreiates all the f words..............hope that isn't representative of them.......
Anonymous
are they hard to register in california
sleven kolevera
Ok, so i was just at a local shop here in tarpon springs fl, they had a fully stock out of the box hardnock assembled in the showroom along with various other full size bikes. i am always a skeptic since theres so much crap being sold and passed off as the real thing these days. after a friend and i both sat on the bike and checked it out i decided to ask some questions. turned out that the bike was owned by one of the mechanics at the motorcycle shop. he had nothing terrible to say besides some minor derogitory things about the foot control assembly. He was cool enough to take the bike outside and start it up for us.
So here it is, the bike is defenitly small, however the mechanic was also about 300lbs and about six foot four. once he started the bike i was shocked at the sound that came out of that little engine. it doesnt sound queer at all, i stand around five seven and weigh 140lbs needless to say the bike was comfortable to me and my friend, who is similar weight and height. the bike gets 110 miles to the tank or 70+ to the gal. i wont bullsh*t ya its not a regular motorcycle. but for the price and possibly some extra money for personalizing the bike its a great buy, the bike is capable of doing 60+ with the mechanic on it, i am around half his weight so i would imagine some one my size could do at least 65. with a longer pipe the bike sounds like a mustang im not a ford fan but you cant deny the sound of a mustang exhaust.
So in my opinion i say this little bike is an awesome deal, oh and for those of you that dont know they do make clip on passanger seats that are universal fit for any cruiser bike, and yes this bike can ride two. and still do 60 and because its under 150cc you dont need a lisence or helmet. it gets great gas mileage and looks great. if your a fl resident you can get this bike registered cheap, with no rider classes needed. all i can say is if you havent ridden one or even sat on one of these little bikes dont talk shit, no ones claiming this is a fair match to a v-twin harley, however in 1953 110cc is what they had in the old honda bobbers, this bike is no different just a replica of an old design. i dont care what hardknock says its not there design but im glad they brought it back. and with the fucked up gas prices and economy you cant go wrong here. besides if you care that much about what every ones gonna think your either 12, a closet case homo, or just plain retarded and have probly missed out on a lot of cool shit in life.
Niko
First and foremost, the comments made by the last peson are not entirely correct. Florida law states you do not need a license endorsment only if it is under 50cc not 150. As of July 1, 2008 it is now required that every person looking to get the endorsment must take the begginer riders course first, you can no longer go to DMV and get the learners permit. I have personally seen and ridden the Hardknocks and found it most enjoyable. I am most interested in their new 200cc version as I have yet to see this model. Overall these are a great commuter bike with classic style , excellent fuel economy and low cost. I have looked at numerous brands of cheap chopper styles including the Johnny Pag, Rhino and other in the 200cc to 250cc and although good bikes in their own rite, they are twice the cost plus some over the Hardknock. I work for a Florida dealer and in todays market, with fuel consistantly on the rise customers are continueing to look for smaller more efficient forms of transportation in the bike market. To anybody interested in the Hardknock you will be impressed with this bike. I myself am looking to get the 200cc version.
Anonymous
can the 200cc bikes be registered in california????
Anonymous
If you buy one, get it from a dealer, don't deal with the company. The owner, Kelly is a jerk-off and they don't support their customers. I found one already assembled 2 hours away from me, canceled my order with the company after 6 weeks of BS and bought it. It's a great little ride and a real head turner. I juts shudder to think what will happen if I should need parts for it. Hope I can go through the bike shop and not have to call Kikker myself, They suck!
Jeaux
I have to say, I have ridden two of the 110cc bobbers and found them both enjoyable, however with the 15 tooth sprocket and the mini-ape bars it was a little quirky to ride. One had the 16 tooth sprocket on it and vibrated less, but the damn mini-apes made it handle kinda weird. I have ordered my own but it is the 125cc with the 16 tooth sprocket and the drag bars. I'm hoping that will make all the difference in the world for my 30 mile commute to work every day. Oh, and as for the comment about a real biker not being caught on one; I have been riding for about 30 years and currently own a HD Nightster and a HD Street Bob. I plan to garage them in order to enjoy the awesome gas mileage this little baby offers.
Jax Beach BUm
I have the 110cc with a 17 tooth sprocket....upgraded CDI and 26mm carb upgrade as well and I have over 1,000 miles on mine. I love it. The only thing I wish is that it had more power....I'm 180lbs and have a hard time getting it over 50mph on flat ground and if there's a headwind I have a hard time getting it over 45mph.....I think the carb might be running a little lean which may be causing my problem though....
I definitely recommend the 17 tooth sprocket if your going to buy one....or maybe going for the 200cc......personally I think I'm going to eventually upgrade to a 200cc or maybe the johnny pag barhog 300cc bobber they're coming out with soon.....it just seems a little overpriced at 4,599 for the barhog when you can get the 200cc hardknock for about 2,500 fully loaded with all options.
Anonymous
kelly at kikker is a pain in the a$$
DO NOT BUY FROM THEM
Anonymous
I second that! Kelly I guess is swamped with business and dicks people around. If you have the patience for it go ahead, but the johnny pag is a full size bike compared to the kikker which is 3/4 size. My opinion is the johnny Pag barhog is the better buy.
Southpaw
Interesting point, but you might also compare the Johnny Pag Barhog to a Unicorn, because they both DON'T EXIST!
Anonymous
hey, shithead -
http://www.johnnypag.com/motorcycles/bobber/index.php
while the unicorn never existed, the barhog should be on the streets soon. just sayin.
hmpknkr
i love to hear people cry about kelly , hahahahahaha its about the ride, not the dude, the hardknock rocks , get it an figure it out ,love it , or just bitch about one dude, when there are thousands of people that are happy with there rides... to knock or not to knock , is that your question..
kelly rules, he dont put up with shit, hahahahaha keep crying you bitches an the ones that are riding enjoy...knock on
Anonymous
The owner is the worse dealer ever cant even get orders right always incomplete and never has the bikes on hand.
JamesJohanson
The bike is not bad for the price. You expect cheaper components on a bike that's this price but can upgrade those and make it your own. A good starter Bobber for those that don't have the skills to turn something of smiliar cost into a creation of their own. For the money you can build many great bikes up and truly have built it yourself, not just put the parts together.
Warlok-Rebel Familia CC
i got my bike i ride it and your on the net complaining about it. my balls are right here when ya'll wanna suck em!
Anonymous
Great Bike
Anonymous
Mature, well articulated come back there, you little brother help you come up with that one? Comments like that make us owners look bad.
kman666
I own a 200cc Knock and couldn't be happier.I woldn't care to pay five figures for a a name, witch is all your really doing when you buy a $30,000 bike.
Knockin's about bein' biker, really bein' biker. It's DYI custom culture at it's best, doin' your own build, doin your own paint, leather, fabricating, monkey wrenchin' and most of all doin' your own thing.
So all you week end warriors, with bikes you too scared of scratchin' up to actually ride to the show can go ride off a cliff.
Knocks rock! And the fact that you hob nobin' biker wanna be fkrs are talkin' bad about us and dissin our rides just proves it.
IndianR
Thise are cool bikes and worthy of some respect. Those with
negative comments don't have one, or they would change their
tune. Thousands of owners love these bikes, just go to the
forum and you will see.
YO!
Yeap, cause nothing negative ever gets deleted over there now.
Crazy V8
Owing a knock is not a "life style" it's a small displacement scooter with Big boy looks, to top it all off the leader of that batch isn't very honest.
Ask around about getting titles or MSOs.... you'll find the truth.
Anonymous
so, what, harley davidsons ARE a lifestyle? same thing, just a bigger price tag. like the harley company is honest. they sell an all american motorcycle with parts made from china and thier newest hotness, the v-rod is GERMAN. yup, there's a porche engine in there.
hahaaha.
riding a bike every day is a lifestyle, weekenders just buy ass-jewelry. same bikes, different reasons. just sayin.
Andre_Brasil
Make your own bike and be truly a bike builder.
kman666
I got my MSO, no problems. And Texas' title office already has Kikker 5150 listed as a legit company. Just get it street legal and your good to go.