Motone USA

[Charp]

Has anyone purchased anything from this site: Motone Customs - USA - Quality Custom Parts for Triumph Bonneville and HD

I'm not having a good experience with them. At first, I reached out via the contact form and got a quick response, which was awesome, but I had a follow up question and was told I'd get an answer by the next day. It actually took 8 days and multiple requests to get that response. I wasn't happy about that, but placed an order just the same. Turns out I could not use the product so I reach out again to ask for an RMA number (per the site policy on returns). It has now been nearly 3 weeks and I've not received any sort of response to multiple messages. At this point, I have to assume the person I was dealing with (listed as the own) is willfully ignoring me and has no intention of honoring their return policy.

 

[Vector]

Sadly typical.

 

[sikatri]

That’s sad. I’ve actually bought many products from them and have not had any issues that I recall. If I had any they were taken care of. Don’t know what to say other than try getting a hold of the person again. I don’t think it’s a huge company.

 

[CarlS]

I have purchased from them with no problems.

 

[CarlS]

I don't what you are looking for; but I try to use the following two vendors:

https://newbonneville.com
https://www.bellacorse.com

 

[sikatri]

I don't what you are looking for; but I try to use the following two vendors:

https://newbonneville.com
https://www.bellacorse.com

I’ve used both of these as well and have had no issues that were not immediately fixed. I ordered a product from newbonneville and it was packaged with the wrong fasteners. I contacted them and was immediately sent new fasteners. I’d happily order from these two as well.
It’s important to remember some of these companies are not huge, so I don’t expect no mistakes ever. I do expect a response.

 

[sikatri]

To the OP, I’m curious about the purchase, was it the wrong part or why do you want to return it? You had a question from the vendor, how did they respond even if it took awhile? How model specific was it?

 

[CarlS]

Both of these have been around since the new Bonneville came out. I have met and ridden with both of these owners. Good guys.

 

[Charp]

To the OP, I’m curious about the purchase, was it the wrong part or why do you want to return it? You had a question from the vendor, how did they respond even if it took awhile? How model specific was it?

I asked if their up and over risers would would with the stock cables on my bike. The response was yes, but when I started the install, there was nowhere near sufficient slack - especially the brake line. In hindsight, I should have checked before purchasing, but the owner said it would work and I did find a video from British Customs that installed their risers on a Street Twin and there was plenty of slack. I did ask if there was a trick to the installation, but Motone USA has not responded to any of my messages.

 

[sikatri]

This may not be suitable for your model, but looking into long length cables for high handle bars may be your best option.
https://shop.triumphmotorcycles.com/controls/id-A9630253/Cable_Kit_High_BarsI’m guessing you had an ergonomic reason to want the risers. I’ve run into a few mods where the products didn’t fully include all necessary mods. Likely because there are slight differences between variants even within the same model line. Don’t know exactly which model you’re working with.

 

[Charp]

This may not be suitable for your model, but looking into long length cables for high handle bars may be your best option.
https://shop.triumphmotorcycles.com/controls/id-A9630253/Cable_Kit_High_BarsI’m guessing you had an ergonomic reason to want the risers. I’ve run into a few mods where the products didn’t fully include all necessary mods. Likely because there are slight differences between variants even within the same model line. Don’t know exactly which model you’re working with.

Thanks, but I was not going to do anything if it required changing out cables. The ergonomics are pretty good for me, so I was only willing to make the change if it could be done easily. For a marginal gain it just not worth the effort and additional costs.

 

[sikatri]

I’m curious about how you tried the install, what did you remove when you tried to install the kit? I’m guessing you disconnected everything and installed the lift and tried to reconnect the cables. Or?

 

[Charp]

Basically, you just remove the top clamp on the handlebars, move them out of the way, and then remove the rest of the stock clamps. From there, you bolt on the new risers and reinstall the handlebars, but it was clear after removing the top clamp that there was barely any slack to move the handle bars around. If there was sufficient slack, there would be no need to disconnect any cables. It looked like the clutch cable was going to be an issue as well, but the front brake line was so tight that it didn't matter what was going on with the other cables.

This video shows the install for a different product, but on a Street Twin (same model as mine but newer). Check out how much slack there is with all the cables around 2:35 in the video:
View: https://youtu.be/O_7jOTlW1bI?si=RFonnbidRvVCLdJq


I also watched this video from Stuart Fillingham where he installed the same risers I purchased but on Bobber:
View: https://youtu.be/v_MhXZJoJa4?si=rSqQtc8dSGxw-6o9


Following Stuart's hint, I move the tank to get access better access to the cables in order to get more slack, but there was none to be had.

 

[sikatri]

What year is your street twin and are the cables original and in the original configuration? If that kit was intended for your motorcycle and should work on the stock then something needs to be adjusted in the setup.

 

[Charp]

What year is your street twin and are the cables original and in the original configuration? If that kit was intended for your motorcycle and should work on the stock then something needs to be adjusted in the setup.

It's a 2019 and all the cables are original. I did ask Montone if they knew of any tricks to getting more slack, but that was just one of the many messages they've ignored. From what I can see, there's just no slack to be had on the brake line. My bike did have a recall that had do with the cables potentially getting pinched, so there's a chance that the fix used up the slack that might have been there when the bike was new. In any event, I'm pretty confident that it's not going to work, which is why I wanted to return them.

 

[sikatri]

It's a 2019 and all the cables are original. I did ask Montone if they knew of any tricks to getting more slack, but that was just one of the many messages they've ignored. From what I can see, there's just no slack to be had on the brake line. My bike did have a recall that had do with the cables potentially getting pinched, so there's a chance that the fix used up the slack that might have been there when the bike was new. In any event, I'm pretty confident that it's not going to work, which is why I wanted to return them.

That sounds plausible. Well, I thought perhaps there might be away to figure out if there was something in the install process, but it sounds like the cables are just not long enough. I did some mods on my Thruxton that made my cabling a bit snug and I’m thinking my next set of cables will be a bit longer. I found one set that says it 4” longer than stock. You may indeed be at the return if possible. I did look at the return policy and it had some time restrictions, like 30 days from receipt. I’m understanding you were well under that when you contacted Motone. There’s not much else you can do except call and send emails reminding them you need a number for the return. Good luck, be persistent but polite and you should get results.

 

[sikatri]

The second video system moved the bars not only up, but toward the rider. I can definitely see if that is the system and it’s already tight with the stock cables it’s likely not going to work. It appears your motorcycle was setup a bit tight, perhaps not all units had the same length cables for some reason.

 

[Charp]

That sounds plausible. Well, I thought perhaps there might be away to figure out if there was something in the install process, but it sounds like the cables are just not long enough. I did some mods on my Thruxton that made my cabling a bit snug and I’m thinking my next set of cables will be a bit longer. I found one set that says it 4” longer than stock. You may indeed be at the return if possible. I did look at the return policy and it had some time restrictions, like 30 days from receipt. I’m understanding you were well under that when you contacted Motone. There’s not much else you can do except call and send emails reminding them you need a number for the return. Good luck, be persistent but polite and you should get results.

Persistent is no problem. Polite is getting tougher.

 

[sikatri]

Persistent is no problem. Polite is getting tougher.

I know, I have to fight that one at times. The automated systems on credit cards, banks and other such drive me up a wall. LoL.

 

[CarlS]

I know, I have to fight that one at times. The automated systems on credit cards, banks and other such drive me up a wall. LoL.

I can relate to both of you! Just remember, you catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar!