Big Bear Choppers, headquartered in San Bernardino, California, was founded by Kevin and Mona Alsop in 1998. The company is the sole manufacturer of Big Bear Chopper motorcycles. Each motorcycle is individually designed and built in house. Every detail, such as tanks, fenders, even foot controls is manufactured in their workshop.
Kevin Alsop realized the American dream with the formation of his company. His father was a professional racecar driver. Kevin learned as a young boy how go-karts and dirt bikes ran. He rode them through the Australian brush, where he grew up.
As an adult, Kevin acquired knowledge through the Harley chopper industry. He knew he wanted to build a motorcycle that would be artful, yet endure. His wife, Mona, added to the success of the company. With her good sense of business, she expanded the company’s market base to include women bikers.
In 2007, Kevin’s company grossed $25 million in sales. It had made 100 bikes in August of that year. A short 4 years later, the company closed its doors due to the poor economy in the U.S. It filed for bankruptcy.
Fortunately, a former customer, Simon Scott (who himself had ordered 20 bikes) bought the company. Simon owns a chopper company in Indonesia. He hired Kevin as general manager. The company’s future now looks bright and Kevin is optimistic.
The company has now widened its market by expanding internationally. It has dealers in the Ukraine, Switzerland, and Australia. In addition, at least for the present, they may have the run of the American market.
With the downturn of the economy, the production of choppers in the total American market went down. The total manufacturing of 15,000 bikes per year went down to about 6,000 per year. Many of these companies went out of business. That gives Big Bear Choppers a good share of the total market.
The motorcycle manufacturer has many innovative designs that are trademarked, including a low vibration engine. Vibrating has always been a problem with the design of most choppers. This company solved the problem by an engine that offers 112 lbs. of torque, and less vibration. The company also has a patented gas tank design.
What sets Big Bear Choppers apart from other motorcycle dealers is the fact that they make their own bikes. In addition, they sell parts (kits) to people who want to build their own motorcycles. They have a wide selection of headgear, as well as accessories for men, women and children. The customer also has the choice of many different models of motorcycles. These include:
- The Reaper
- Merc Softail
- Bear Bones
- The Rage
- The GTX Series
- The Athena Series
The Reaper was the company’s first complete manufactured motorcycle. Up until 2002, the company sold motorcycle kits for people to make their own motorcycles. This changed with the advent of The Reaper. Still on the market today, it is equipped with chrome foot and hand controls, and a chrome digital dash and exhaust.
The Merc Softail is a “cousin” to the Merc Rigid. The Softail has a springer in its rear suspension, making the bike more comfortable to ride. The Bear Bones model is for those who enjoy a more conservative ride. It has a shorter wheelbase, with only a 34” neck rake. It has a seat that is 19 inches from the ground.
The Rage is similar in technology to the Bear Bones model, but is unique in design. It has a more classic look. Both have the patented gas tank design. The GTX series has two models. Both offer the superior custom design, along with affordability.
The Athena series came about through a competition on the Discovery Channel. Big Bear Choppers was asked to compete in a bike build-off contest. They won, of course. The result was a bike offered to the public which is almost identical to the one on the television show. The one on the show served as a prototype.
Criss Angel is a magician of sorts and very popular on the Television show, MindFreak. In 2009, he asked Big Bear Choppers to make 3 custom bikes for his 5th season on the show. When he saw the first bike that the company had made, he compared it with the batmobile. The second bike was customized to fit into his show in Las Vegas, complete with paintings of the magician. The third one is for personal use and more conservative.
Big Bear Choppers– the Fun Company
Although fans love all the variety of motorcycles, they also love the thrill of the ride. Every year, the company sponsors the “Ride the Mountain” motorcycle run. The ride starts out in San Bernardino and takes the scenic route through the San Bernardino Mountains. It ends at the Snow Summit Mountain resort which is near Big Bear Lake.
Tradition has established the ride as a backdrop for bikers around the world to proudly show off their bikes. There is always a spirit of friendly competition among the bikers who have made their own choppers. Trophies (made in the Big Bear Choppers own shop) are awarded to the various winners of the ride.
The company furnishes entertainment each year in the form of a concert. In addition, the bike ride would not be complete without a barbeque. The “Ride the Mountain” ride has increased in numbers year by year. The ride has served as an outlet for motorcycle mechanics to share information and ideas.
The fact is, Big Bear Choppers serves as a refuge for people who want to build their own motorcycle. In addition, the company itself has many ready-to-ride bikes to choose from. The company has a trademarked low vibration engine and a patented gas tank design. These are standard features that fans of Big Bear Choppers have come to love and enjoy. Making choppers American style is what makes Big Bear Choppers so appealing to American bikers.
Big Bear Choppers 