Power Kite Forum

VTT Buggies closing shop as a business

van - 4-3-2015 at 09:18 AM

It's been fun but as you have noticed, the kite buggy business is saturated. There are too many used buggies out there in the market for me to compete so I am no longer producing buggies on a regular basis.

I will continue to be in the sport , support all my existing customers/friends for parts and such but will not be building buggies on a regular basis. I will take on one or two buggies a year on my spare time if I have any. So if you ask me for a buggy, you will need to give me 6 months. I might have it done in 2 weeks but it will be understood that it can take up to 6 months. They will still have my VTT logo on it but it will not be built under VTT business .. just by Van.

I do have a large inventory of Seismic rims and tires that I need to liquidate. I also have some peter lynn XR+ parts.

I will continue to provide the XR+ upgrade kits ( rails & seat) .. it will be my only product line left under VTT.

See you guys around at the next buggy meet.

BeamerBob - 4-3-2015 at 10:31 AM

Van you've contributed a lot to the sport. I wish it could support more business for you. Thanks for all you've done.

mainekite2 - 4-3-2015 at 12:20 PM

Sorry to hear it Van, you make a great buggy!:(

utahtami - 4-3-2015 at 01:37 PM

Van, I hope you will at least make it to IBX. Your buggies rock!

Kober - 4-3-2015 at 02:24 PM

Wait ..... What is happening with VTT Trike ?
..... It was a pleasure to see and ride your creations . I am sure VTT name will be popping up on this forum for many more years as example of well build buggy made here in US .....

rocfighter - 4-3-2015 at 02:37 PM

Will your sister still be willing to make the occasional seat? I may want one soon for my V-Max. Sorry to see this end. But you need to do what is right for you. Don't worry about us. We'll (sniff) be OK (sniff sniff)!!

riffclown - 4-3-2015 at 04:48 PM

I'm truly sorry to hear that.. I've seen a few of your buggies up close and they are indeed top-notch..

3shot - 4-3-2015 at 05:15 PM

Love my version 2 Black Widow. A buggy masterpiece.

RedSky - 4-3-2015 at 05:20 PM

Shame. Your bugs were beautiful. There is not enough people seeking out these one of a kind hand built bugs. I'd have been proud to have owned one. :(

djinnzfree - 4-3-2015 at 05:31 PM

Oh! Take good time to ride and get new idea to built! :cool:

Bladerunner - 4-3-2015 at 05:35 PM

It's a shame that the sport doesn't seem to grow to a point that people can make the time pay off in a retail fashion.

Right when I started in this sport I heard the expression " to end up with a million dollars in this sport you only need to come in with 2 million". :crazy:

shehatesmyhobbies - 4-3-2015 at 06:59 PM

Van, known you for quite some time now, consider you one of the family. Sorry to hear that VTT is closing down, your buggies are great, tried to break a couple myself. I know you aren't out of it all the way, and I know we will see each other soon.

Ken you are right on there my friend, right on.

sand flea - 4-3-2015 at 07:50 PM

thanks Van


soliver - 5-3-2015 at 07:44 PM

Always loved working with you Van... Good luck and keep kiting!!!!

van - 5-3-2015 at 08:44 PM

VTT will be putting focus on motorized vehicles and electronics .. my other hobbies ... lol. I will still make the occasional buggy here and there. I just can't publicly offer buggies because the demand is just not there anymore. My current project is my VTT reverse trike and my Android based CNC controller ( soon to be on kickstarter). I need to put focus on these two project so have place all buggy builds on hold.

One of the main reason that I am having problem meeting schedule is because my sister has moved. She is in the DC area now. I don't have anyone helping me with the seats anymore. I can't build buggies and make seat at the same time .. just too much work since I only have time on the weekends. Still got my full time job which pays the bills.

Keep an eye out for my future projects. Start saving your lunch money.

Proletariat - 5-3-2015 at 11:45 PM

That's a bummer, Van, but I'm pretty psyched for you to be able to focus on your new projects. I love my VTT buggy, and I'd happily buy VTT-engineered-anything in the future. Let us know if/how we can help you build your business.

Glad I got mine. :)

RedSky - 6-3-2015 at 06:05 AM

Hey van, I was driving home on Thursday night and was thinking about your buggy building business. It got me thinking. Why don't you sell your bugs on ebay? Sure your bugs are made to order and you'll not actually have a bug for sale but you could explain in the description that you build custom bugs. I got the idea after looking at vw Beetle restorers on ebay.

I think this would help you, if not for buggy's then maybe for your up and coming projects.


kitemaker4 - 6-3-2015 at 07:53 AM

I can make buggy seats with my industrial sewing machine. I made one for me several years ago.

Susan (npw goddess)

Quote: Originally posted by rocfighter  
Will your sister still be willing to make the occasional seat? I may want one soon for my V-Max. Sorry to see this end. But you need to do what is right for you. Don't worry about us. We'll (sniff) be OK (sniff sniff)!!