Tandem Cycling - Heard of Motiv Duet?

What can anyone tell me about the Motiv Duet tandem? I see one on Ebay at a reasonable starting price (of course shipping kills any chance of a great deal):(

Ebay Link (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300016124022&sspagename=ADME:B:AAQ:US:1)

Don't know if it is worth the time/effort to try as I know a Kent DuelDrive from Wally World is only $260.

Before the flames start lapping at me... I am thinking of getting a second tandem for very occasional use and also to tear apart and reassemble to learn about bike mechanics without messing with my good bike. I know there are a bunch of single speed old 1930-1970 Schwinn/Montgomery Ward/Husky/Sears... tandems available cheaply even in my area, but I want a bike that has gears, modern brakes, etc. things I will be encountering on modern bikes for maintaining my own bikes.

Thanks in advance for your insight.

Hey I responded to your PM, but just saw this and thought I'd say that the ebay one is the exact model year and everything that I have. I'm happy with it, but I'm not a weight weenie and I have *gasp* Sora shifters on my road bike, so some people like to disregard my thought on these kinds of matters entirely ;)

You'd be better off buying a used tandem. Look for/at: Schwinn DuoSPort, Burley, Santana, Ibis, Co-Motion, Gottfried, Follis, Bike TwosDay (made by Bike Friday), Fuji, Trek . . . all these are multi-geared tandems and could serve you better than WallyWorld Kent, Motiv, Micargi etc.

You'd be better off buying a used tandem. Look for/at: Schwinn DuoSPort, Burley, Santana, Ibis, Co-Motion, Gottfried, Follis, Bike TwosDay (made by Bike Friday), Fuji, Trek . . . all these are multi-geared tandems and could serve you better than WallyWorld Kent, Motiv, Micargi etc.

I guess my problem is my impatience. Around where I live I just don't seem to see tandems for sale around here. Waiting for that "lucky break" just seems like forever.

My lack of funds then comes into play. Even looking for the low end of the tandem gene pool going the Ebay or other distance route adds $100 to the price just for shipping.

Maybe I just need to learn patience... and pick up a really cheap single at the Salvation Army or something. The basics of maintenance can be learned that way and I'll work on that patience thing.

You'd be better off buying a used tandem. Look for/at: Schwinn DuoSPort, Burley, Santana, Ibis, Co-Motion, Gottfried, Follis, Bike TwosDay (made by Bike Friday), Fuji, Trek . . . all these are multi-geared tandems and could serve you better than WallyWorld Kent, Motiv, Micargi etc.

Now I have to take a slight exception to this grouping. I realize that our Motiv is not a high end bike, and is definitely entry level, but I don't think it's in the same class as the others you mention. It's a Tange CrMo tube frame rather than high tensile, and has actual brand name componentry throughout (not JoyTech hubs and the like). I guess all I mean is don't insult my bike, I like it :D

The packing and shipping is going to kill you. I'd estimate it'll be around $200.00 from California to Iowa. That's a pretty big add-on to a bike in this price range.

No insult intended on your Motiv . . . If you're happy with it, that's great!
However Newbie was asking for 'free' advice and we responded.
Buy the best your wallet can can afford . . . and yeah, be patient!
For what it's worth, there are 'high end' tandems gathering dust in garages. It's not what you have in the garage that counts . . . how much do your ride (not what your ride!, is what really matters.
Pedal on TWOgether!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem