WHAT GOES INTO DEVELOPING A PRODUCT LIKE THE MOTOPRESSOR MINIPUMP
We often get asked how we bring a product like the Motopressor Mini Pump to market. Here’s an inside look at the journey from idea to finished product.
It All Starts With an Idea
Most of our products are born out of necessity—either on the road ourselves or through conversations with other riders. It usually begins with a thought: “Wouldn’t it be great to have something that could do this?”
From there, we test the idea with riders, gather feedback, and evaluate whether it’s worth pursuing. If it looks promising, we move on to what we call “the process.”
Defining the Product
The first step is making a wish list of features. Since we already had a Mini Pump on the market, customer feedback gave us a clear starting point. For the updated pump, the must-have features were:
- Compact and lightweight
- Portable and easy to use
- Capable of inflating up to 130 PSI
- Ability to set and store 3 pressure presets
- Automatic shutoff at target pressure
- CANBUS fuse (replacing the old-style fuse)
- Built-in reverse polarity protection
- Storage bag for pump and accessories
Once we had the feature list, we researched the market—what’s already available, who’s selling it, what price points exist, and how we could differentiate. If the idea still stacked up, we moved into design.
Design & Development
We began with simple sketches, technical specifications, and target costings. This formed the project document presented to the factory.
The factory then returned detailed technical drawings and specifications, which we refined until everything was approved.
From there, things got more serious:
Technical Drawings & PCB Design – The factory created engineering drawings and a custom PCB for the pump, with our input.
3D Prototypes – A 3D CAD file (STL) was generated, followed by a printed prototype. We tested this extensively—67 individual tests for the Mini Pump.
Iterations – Feedback led to adjustments in both hardware and software, sometimes requiring additional prototypes until performance met spec.
Tooling & Pre-Production
Once the design was locked in, the factory produced molds for the housing, buttons, and front panel. This stage is costly and marks a significant financial commitment.
During molding, trial parts are made, tested, and refined until perfect. After this, a pre-production sample is built and sent to us for testing. This sample becomes our benchmark.
Packaging & Manuals
With the product nearly complete, we shift focus to packaging and instructions. Using the pre-production sample, we stage photos and prepare content, which is laid out on the factory’s knife drawing template.
A graphic designer finalizes the artwork for both the packaging and instruction manual. Once approved, samples are printed and sent for final sign-off.
Production & Quality Control
Full-scale production begins while packaging is being completed. Before shipping, we hire an independent QC company to randomly test cartons of finished goods. Approved samples are then airfreighted to us for promotions, distributor briefings, and media releases.
Meanwhile, our freight forwarder handles the logistics—booking space, paperwork, duties, and shipping. Sometimes delays happen (ships get diverted, adding weeks to delivery), but that’s all part of the process.
Preparing for Launch
While waiting for the shipment, we get ready to launch by:
- Writing ads and media releases
- Assembling press packs
- Briefing distributors and sales teams
- Updating our website and marketing channels
Once the shipment lands in Australia, the goods are cleared, collected, and delivered to our warehouse in Dunoon.
Product Launch & Beyond
With stock in hand, we officially launch the product with targeted promotions, distribute review units, and monitor customer feedback closely.
Bringing a product to market is no small task—typically three to six months from concept to delivery, though it often takes longer. And while there’s no guarantee of success, the reward comes in seeing our products in action—whether it’s on a YouTube channel or on the side of a road helping a rider.
On average, it takes about three years for a new product to truly establish itself. For us, the effort is always worth it.
