A little over four years ago, Motus first surfaced with a story right here on The Kneeslider, announcing the beginning of a brand new American motorcycle company. In the ensuing years, they’ve gone through the very long and difficult process of design and redesign, developing everything, quite literally, from scratch.
Then a couple of years ago, we showed you the roll out of the prototypes when first shown at Pratt and Miller Engineering. Lee and Brian were extremely proud of what they had, but it was only the beginning of the real testing and they’ve since ridden all around the country where many of you have had a chance to see their work up close, piling on the miles under all of the same conditions you and I will encounter on the roads of America. They learned a lot, took copious notes and changed the design to reflect that hard won knowledge.
Now, they’ve rolled out the production versions of both the Motus MST and MST-R which you see here. From a design beginning only in their mind’s eye almost five years ago, they’ve covered an immense distance, culminating in the final versions which will be coming to dealer showrooms around the country, it’s been a long road, but they made it.
Both the MST and MST-R come equipped with the 1650cc V4, 160 hp in the MST and 180 hp on tap in the MST-R. The engines are in a mild state of tune and the pushrod V4 is just waiting for some good old hot rodding which you can bet will be coming soon. Power is delivered through a 6 speed dual overdrive transmission. The MST has forged aluminum wheels while the MST-R comes with BST carbon fiber wheels. The instrument panel is color LCD. Both windscreen and handlebars are adjustable.
The bikes come with a 2 year, unlimited mileage warranty. There are already 16 dealers from Seattle to Miami with more coming on line. Shipments will begin this fall.
It’s great to see these bikes in production form and I wish them great success!
Link: Motus Motorcycles
David Duarte says
any idea what the MSRP is?
cycledave says
Being American, probably more than most could afford
Matt says
If I remember right, about $26K o $30K depending upon the model…
Paul Crowe says
That’s probably not far off, but when I previously asked Brian and Lee they said it depended on vendor costs, which depend on the quantities ordered and contracts negotiated, though, at this point, with dealers signing on, you would expect the price to be pretty close to nailed down.
Oberon says
It really gives you an idea of how far we have come in the last two decades when a 1650cc four putting out 180 hp is considered to be “…in a mild state of tune.”
Paul Crowe says
Yep, and that’s with a pushrod, overhead valve configuration. The whole bike is set up to deliver lots of torque and best performance in the 20 to 90 mph range where we really ride. That won’t impress the boy racers who want overhead cams and keep reciting the top speeds and horsepower numbers from the latest magazine articles, but it means a lot to the guy riding on the street.
On the other hand, Brian does say:
It’s aimed at the guy who wants to buy it and ride it, but there’s a lot of potential waiting for those who want more, … and there’s always guys who want more.
Richard Gozinya says
$31k for the MST, $37k for the MST-R.
Richard Gozinya says
For a bike that’s so expensive, it really doesn’t look it. Lots of little details. The luggage mounts, turn signals, mirrors and windscreen, they just look tacked on after the fact, not seamlessly integrated into the overall design. For a bike that costs over $30,000, it just looks like it shouldn’t cost that much. I know they’re just starting out, and economies of scale and all that. Still, these little details are going to hurt them.
Scott says
That was my first thought when I saw the prototype, but these look a lot cleaner to me. I’m not sure if it’s the improvements they’ve made or I’ve gotten used to it (probably a little of both).
These look a lot better to me, but there’s still some room for improvement. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but they look a littel ‘clunky’ – like maybe something that would come out of Eastern Europe – rather than the more polished, modern motorcycles we’re used to seeing.
But you’ve got to start somewhere and looks are secondary to mechnics/performance, so let’s see how those are.
jar says
I reallllllly hope these guys pull it off.
It is truly an accomplishment for them to have achieved production readiness for their vehicle. Companies who have “been there done that” struggle to introduce a model variant in the same time frame, let alone a clean sheet new ride.
I’m definitely a fan….
That said, price point is likely to be an issue – I’m glad they are offering a stout warranty, but +$30k is a pretty big nut, squarely in the BMW/HD camp. Not sure many HD guys would make the turn (ha), and the BMW crowd is pretty devoted to their brand.
Moving forward, cost will be key. It’s chicken and egg – cost can’t come down without volume, can’t get volume without an enticing cost (which likely leaves little, if any, margin), so what’s a guy to do?
No easy answer to that one – but Motus has put themselves in a good initial position by offering a ride that is unique, seemingly well executed, and with a fair pedigree for an all new product and brand (via pushrod familiarity and Pratt and Miller halo).
Let’s hope there are enough folks popping at $30k+ that volume starts to climb, facilitating variants that are profitable at a retail closer to the $18-$20k – which is proally in the neighborhood of the current BOM cost of the bike today.
Perhaps one that doesn’t look quite so VFR-ish….but that’s just me : )
Good Luck Motus!!
Paul Crowe says
I’m guessing selling those engines to the track car, kit car, airplane and boat builders will bring in a stream of income on its own and help to keep the motorcycle side of the venture moving forward.
SausageCreature says
Any idea how the price and specs of the Motus engine compare to existing alternatives in those markets? Just curious, as I know next to nothing about it.
Kyle T says
Lots of people are going to disagree with me on this, as they have in the past; nonetheless:
There is zero evidence that the Motus V-4 is a better engine candidate for low-weight 4-wheel vehicles than any of the other commonly used options, and the cost is, at least for now, significantly higher.
Standard engine choices for vehicles in this market are Japanese-origin I4 automotive engines (Toyota, Honda, etc) and sportbike engines.
I am sure some people will nonetheless use them, but if I was building a small car and I did not have an unlimited budget, there is no reason I would consider one. Other engines, making similar power in a similar size, are available for much less money.
In the end, I think that a big reason the Motus is so expensive is because they choose to develop a brand new (commonality with V8s it was based on notwithstanding) V4 engine for this application. I see no reason to do this. V-twin and I-4 engines work really, really well in motorcycles. Some people buy products for the sake of being different, but I am not one of them.
Chris says
It is true that many of the arena’s where the motus is directed already have cheaper and lighter solutions, but the major incentive of the motus engine is it’s flexibility. A sport bike engine has excellent low weight and good power, but are often expected to last, in four wheeled applications, 12-15k miles. Small automotive engines weight far more and do not make as much power, but can reliably last hundreds of thousands or miles or hours. The motus is a flexible place in between; it’s light, powerful, compact, and reliable, albeit not to the degree of the other options mentioned. The key, though, is it’s in the middle, and can stretch both ways. I, for one, wish them good fortune.
SausageCreature says
But that doesn’t make any sense. Flexibility is of no benefit at all. If you’re building a particular application, you want the best solution you can afford. I doubt there are very many builders who would spend extra for a Motus engine, when cheaper and better solutions are readily available, based on the chance that they might be able to use the Motus engine in a different vehicle someday down the road.
Steve says
That V4 has so much potential, not only in the Motus bike but in four wheeled customs also. Wish I could afford one. Good luck Motus, I wish you the best.
Primer says
First, welcome back Paul! Hopefully things going well for you…
Second, I also hope this venture is successful. The money aspect is tough, but if they can supply enough engines for what should be healthy demand from the kit car, boat, etc. markets, that should hopefully allow for them to keep working on those economies of scale. Not to mention what some high-end custom motorcycle shops could do with one of those cool V-4s! Any word about Motus doing their own naked/cafe/sportbike?
Good luck to Motus!
Doctor Jelly says
The track car appears to be missing front calipers for those big honkin’ discs…
Jim Murphy says
That HP sounds very weak for that size motor; our 600cc bike motors come from the factory at 125hp. We use mostly GSXR’s in our SCCA Formula 600 cars – we are the best bang for the buck in road racing. We can rent you a F600 (see the website) and we race them not only in SCCA club races but in our money race series – http://www.theformula600challenge.com . Come check us out.
Miles says
Mild Tune! MILD!
Maybe it has a “car” style torque range? Maybe that is what some people want. 180HP stock in a bike isn’t peanuts.
Kyle T says
Everybody keeps talking about the “mild state of tune” that this engine is in, as though it’s going to make monster horsepower if it’s retuned. I do not, however, see any evidence to support this.
The LS family of engines, on which the Motus V4 is (presumably) based, have a lot of variants, but for example the variant in the C6R race cars (LS7R) is 7.0 liters and makes about 600 horsepower. That’s under 100 hp/liter. The Motus engine is already making more horsepower per liter than that (~110); by what standard is it in a “mild state of tune”? This is already pretty good for a pushrod vee engine with a modest bore:stroke ratio.
The bore:stroke ratio on the Motus is significantly smaller than that which is on the VFR800, as an example. The VFR made 110 hp out of 800ccs (~140 hp/liter), and that engine (and bike) are hardly in a “high state of tune.”
I’d love to be proven wrong, but I see zero evidence in any of the numerical specs for the engine, nor in comparisons to other engines, that would indicate that the Motus V4 is going to be capable of making any sort of astronomical horsepower. It will be capable of hp/liter numbers similar to other engines of its style and geometry, which are respectable but modest. It will be able to make decent power, probably more than a 1000cc sportbike engine, but mostly due to the fact that it is NEARLY TWICE AS LARGE. In the meantime, congratulation Motus, you have achieved power output similar to Honda economy cars of the early 2000s.
todd says
apparently there is room in the bores to take it out to 2,000 cc. It would stand to reason someone could easily get 220hp out of it at that point (~110 hp/liter). Maybe that’s what’s being suggested.
Then there’s forced induction.
-todd
rohorn says
Hp/liter? Who cares – that’s for the video game set to argue about.
Where people are getting excited wth this engine is about Hp/lb and Hp/external dimensions.
The experimental aviation sorts could care less about power/displacement. It is all about power/weight, spec fuel (I.e, lb of thrust per pound of fuel per hour), lack of vibration, compact dimensions, longevity (Which comes from low stress, i.e., low RPMs) etc…
Funny how that matters for motorcycles in the real world as well…
todd says
True, it is pushing out the traditional light motor, the Mazda 13B. At 1300cc, weighing in at 155 pounds, it’s producing 146hp and 133 ft-lb of torque, you only had to get used to the unusual exhaust note.
But I don’t know where Polaris is going with their Swissauto designed engines; 165 pounds, 200ish-plus horsepower…
http://thekneeslider.com/polaris-industries-and-swissauto-engines/
-todd
todd says
let us not forget the Hyabusa motor; 1300cc, 154 pounds, 173hp, 100 ft-lbs – stock. This place adds a little:
http://www.radicalperformanceengines.com/4-cylinder/
-todd
todd says
oh wait, the BMW 1000cc motor weighs 132 pounds and has 193hp! No wonder why Bimota wants it.
-todd
rohorn says
Todd,
Great engines and numbers – but not for applications where that unit transmission isn’t needed/in the way.
Speaking of light & powerful engines, the wankels made by Woelfle Engineering in Germany interest me an awful lot – but not much use for a sport-tourer.
Richard Gozinya says
Those GSX-R 600 motors you’re using make about 1/3 the torque of this bike’s engine, and are in a much, much higher state of tune. Very different engines, built for entirely different purposes.
rohorn says
So a strong 125hp is better than a weak 180hp?
Must. End, Reply. Now. Before. I. Get. In. Trouble. Again…
Paul Crowe says
For those of you who have forgotten and especially for those who have never heard this engine on the dyno, check it out. The run up at the end of the video says it all. Ain’t no 600 sounds like that! Gives me shivers up the back of my neck.
sfan says
I’ll never forget the sound of that engine. To me it is the heart of gold for Motus. To be a real motorcycle company, IMO you have to have your own engine. The KMV4 is an engine they can build a business around. The fact they are selling it stand-alone is brilliant. The fact it is designed for tuning and modification is brilliant. I wouldn’t be surprised to see, someday down the road, V2 and V6 variations. The MST is not I what I would be looking for but I am sure the selection will broaden.
Bob Nedoma says
Do those engines (600/125) have two year unlimited mileage warranty?
todd says
I sat on the blue one, these are nicely finished bikes in person. They do seem quite a bit large but they are touring bikes. The sound with the pipes off is truly impressive.
I did think their gearing was a bit strange; they said the motor will be spinning around 2500 RPM at 65 mph (or something like that) in 6th gear. That means it won’t accelerate any harder than a 800 that’s spinning 5000 RPM at 65. I guess with 160 HP on tap, there’s not much reason to use all those gears.
-todd
MrDude_1 says
Yeah, I want the engine… and a D4 or D1 palatov….
mark444 says
How much do the Boss Hoss bikes costs these days?? $30k….??? And how many have they sold at $30k ??? I really don’t think the Motus price tag will deter the “Demand”……..
Steve says
Good point!
c w j says
…wondering what The Man at EBR thinks…
(devising scheme to introduce Michael Elio to crazy idea for a performance tadpole)
jar says
In my experience, few kind words but for the man in the mirror….if the Motus carbon wheel by BST is lighter than the EBR cast spoked wheel (negating the entire purpose of the ZTL brake concept = lightest production wheel), one could likely expect he might even reduce himself to smoking pile of ash in a massive fit of rage induced apoplexy….if the BST setup was a more cost effective solution to boot…oh my….we’d likely have a substantial crater at the end of Buell Drive in East Troy.
rohorn says
BSTs aren’t much good when the racing rules don’t allow them – or any other carbon wheels – are they?
How about a few intelligent words for a change?
jar says
Didn’t think the discussion was regarding “racing”, “racing rules”, or racing wheels in particular??
“Apoplexy” seems like at least one reasonably intelligent word….
I apologize that my vocabulary fails to impress.
Further, I must have failed in communicating that my experience is EB has few kind words for competitive design/other manufacturers and my opinion that he may feel significant angst regarding another extremely light wheel/rotor package in the production market – the “wheel” example being an anecdotal point which went to support my initial supposition and generalized statement regarding Mr. Buell’s temperament (from my perspective, of course) regarding the “competition”. In this fashion, I had hoped to provide an on topic response to the initial question. Maybe get a few chuckles along the way….
I’d apologize for that shortcoming as well, but feel that’s likely more you than me….
rohorn says
EBR is building a superbike intended for RACING – Motus isn’t.
Your issues with Erik should remain between you and your mental health provider – not in a Motus discussion.
scott123007 says
LOL, Rohorn
c w j says
Right. So…
should anyone happen to come across any actual quotes by EB or reps for EBR, feel free to post here.
John Byrd says
I need one of these engines for my 48 Anglia ! I here-by volunteer to be a test bed for the company to help them out ! Neat stuff, guys, good luck, John
Paul Crowe says
This engine would sound right in a 48 Anglia, too. I really think this could be a great hot rod engine for a huge range of applications.
John Byrd says
Yeah, it would be great, especially considering mine’s still got the stock one that puts about 20 or 21 H P to the ground, ha ! Talk about gaining some “grunt” as the English say, and keeping the pure stock look, my 3 1/2 inch wide tires wouldn’t know what hit ’em ! I kept your earlier stories on this engine, as well as their site coverage, makes a bad case of “wants” for me !
Paul Crowe says
A pure stock 48 Anglia? I didn’t know there were any of those left. I was thinking more of those fire breathing gassers that used to haunt the drag strips in my younger years. If you’re still running 3 1/2 inch tires, you better get some spares, … and driveshafts.
John Byrd says
Ha !!! Yeah, I too thought all Anglias and Willys came with blown Hemi’s from the factory, so I HAD to have this one. Thanks so much for this site and all the features, you guys must have a ball doing this “job”. Ride on ! To keep this on a motorcycle related theme, I usually ride my little Honda Metropolitan here in Hawaii, hmmmm, wonder if that Motus would fit in there ? jb
Gary says
With a top speed of 50mph on H3? Do the other islands have any better?
John Byrd says
Gary, we do have some 55 mph limit areas here on the Big Island, but I think some of the guys possibly do a bit more between Kona Airport and Waikoloa some times though, nudge, nudge, wink wink…
Gary says
🙂
OMMAG says
It’s pretty good news …. I hope I’ll get the chance to ride one.
Skizick says
My Hillman Husky would benefit from a little Motius Maximus I’m sure. How to fit one in an older Beemer. Do they sell a cad disk for the engineering type?
blackbird says
A Bug Eye Sprite is a natural transplant target.
Dano says
Scott, I think they have refined their proto types. These are a big improvement over the two that were campaigned two years ago.
Jar, as a H.D. Rider I think I could add one of these to the garage w/out feeling bad. This is a machine that has been needed to fill that V-4 void. We have V-twins, opposed twins, opposed 4’s, opposed 6’s, Guzzi V-2’s, inline 4’s, inline 6’s and I’m sure I missed something but the fact remains this is a great engine in a bike that displays shades of Yamaha (tank), Ducati (frame) and BMW (fairing). I like it!
Paul, I may have missed it but are there options like ABS, electronic rider control or keyless ignition being offered?
Paul Crowe says
The options are:
30 L top case w/rear deck
Mid and full tour windscreen
Dual rear Powerlet port
Heated seat
Heated grips
Premium Motus low seat by Sargent
anders says
That’s it, just leave out the Honda V4 Interceptor, and the Honda STs … V4 void indeed … :^D …
ACE
Steve says
And don’t forget Aprilia.
scott123007 says
And the V-Max…Duh!
Dano says
Like I said, I’m sure I’m missing a few or something.
Heck, I even owned a V-Max. But I’ve owned over 60 bikes in my 66 years (51 of them riding) and tend to forget them after I sell them.
cwj says
– just I-3s and singles 😉
Yeti2bikes says
I wonder if/when aftermarket performance parts will come to the market. Since the geometry of the motor is loosely based on half of a small block Chevy, it shouldn’t take long if the motor catches on in the racing scene.
I think that little V4 would look quite nice with a polished blower sitting on top.
Nicolas says
The front fairing seem a bit out of place on a bike of this pedigree … kinda 1990s Yamaha Diversion-ish … but as said previously, the beauty is the eye of the beerholder.
Congrats for making it happen, and good luck !
Oberon says
I wonder if someone could build a little bitty Rochester Quadrajet to go on top of that engine… 😀
B50 Jim says
Rochester, schmochester! How ’bout a cross ram with four SUs? Might as well make a British-looking engine that runs!
Paulinator says
and damage the front engine seal for full effect!!! U know…mark the territory.
scott123007 says
Forty something posts and no mention of its fatal flaw for its target market…chain drive. By and large, sport tourers hate chains. Christ, even Adventure riders are becoming chain crybabies.
Drive The Wheels Off says
“Fatal Flaw” ? I wouldn’t call it fatal. I ride a Guzzi V11 Sport & I can’t stand not being able to tap into one of the easiest & most profound improvements of all…investing in light weight wheels. Do you know how many quality, light weight wheels are available for shafties?
I think going with chain drive and light weight wheels was smart.
Brian – this is one reason why I inquired about buying the transmission at Laguna Seca…to see if it could be mated to a Guzzi. Thanks for the time at the race & great to see these in person.
scott123007 says
So, you ride a Guzzi and you’re worried about weight? Getting lighter wheels, does not a roadracer make, especially a V11.
Drive The Wheels Off says
Scott – Have you ridden a Guzzi on roads we care about most? Excuse me if you have, but it doesn’t sound like you have b/c there is nothing wrong with the motor for this purpose. Lopping off the subframe (and replace it with a mono seat unit) & light wheels is all the weight loss it needs. Lightening the motor parts is bigger money and messes with the legendary power delivery.
I didn’t mention anything about a road racer, but now that you mentioned it, search for articles on the Ghezzi-Brian Supertwin. That is a great street, road racer. Their bike has a steeper rake, minimal subframe, & lighter wheels. That is it. note: same motor was used but it actually uses the longer transmission than what was put into the V11s.
Todd – thanks but I knew about both of those sources. The spoke rims are great for another project. That leaves one option. How many does Motus and other chain bikes have available to choose?
Doug says
i.e. yes I’m looking at the weight b/c that type of weight loss is not only achievable but has the biggest improvement to performance in every aspect of riding, regardless if the starting point is a light, road racer or not.
All of the weight mentioned above is at 3 of the 4 distant points of a cycle.
todd says
You’re in luck. A quick google search comes up with carbon fiber matrix wheels for the V11, http://alpinawheelsusa.com/
Also, Ghezzi-Brian has magnesium wheels, http://www.ghezzi-brian.com/tuning.htm
Nothing holding back you Guzzi now!
-todd
Paulinator says
Does anyone know the jobber engine’s dry weight? I’d be curious how it stacks up against other lightweights in the same hp and rpm class. I get the baby LS connection and North American muscle and all that, but the 60 degree V6 does a better job at turning volume into displacement. I personally would love to wrap a cruiser around the Trenton 3.8 (push-rods and 250+ ft-lbs of torque in a narrow package)…kinda like a Boss Hoss, but without the compensating.
todd says
it’s something like 150 lb with all the fuel management and ECU attached -sans gear box.
-todd
Paulinator says
Thx Todd.
Mike says
I think I would like this bike. But it`s sure to be too expensive for any average guy. Much is made of the fact that it`s American. I think the “buy American crowd” is content with their
H-D`s & to a much lesser extent Victories, & may embrace the new Indians..
I think for the most part those that appreciate this type of bike don`t really care where it`s made. I don`t think they will pay the premium over other makes that are in the same niche just `cos it`s made in the USA . The high dollar “ride American” crowd would rather buy a Confederate. Tho` Jay Leno would have to have one.
kevin says
This engine is begging for a more aggressive body. Think something along the lines of a Monster or the upcoming Superduke 1290 R. It’s nice though to have a U.S. manufacturer produce something other than control forward cruiser though it still needs more attitude.
Mark L. says
I have to take issue (laugh at) a few of the comments posted. 1st- there are no rules on the street. Mfgrs build 600’s &1000’s to meet race classes. The Motus was built to ride by actual customers on the street. 160hp or 180hp at a streetable motor speed over a broad road speed range is a lot of fun. Who gives a rats ass about hp per liter in the real world?
160hp in a 500lb bike that does not have to be thrashed to death to make that powder is amazingly fun to ride, and probably capable of at least triple the speed you can get away with on the street.
As a new manufacturer with an actual business plan, it would make zero sense to build another “UJM” spec bike. You wouldn’t be able to meet homogalmation requirements for any racing series, and you would spend staggering amounts of cash to try and compete with the hp/liter even on a streetbike. Think more than $10,000,000 to get in the same range hp range of a stock 1000 or 600cc UJM sport bike.
Makes a LOT more sense to build a bike that anyone can work on/modify and build to a performance spec (say 160hp) instead of a racetrack derived displacement target (say 1000cc) and then develop that 1000cc to make the same 160hp. Which one do you think makes more sense?
EBR sold 65 bikes last year at $40,000 a pop. I think 4 of them are racing. I would guess that the Motus plan is for probably that volume per month, if not more.
As an engineer that worked on the Roehr 1130/1250SC and past owner of a lot of amazing bikes, I can tell you which one makes more sense and is more fun to ride.
Mark L.
BCase says
Todd, you were at the booth in Laguna?? How did I miss you and why didn’t you say hi? You might have been able to twist my arm for a test ride! Not that we were giving any at Laguna, but I do believe you need to ride this bike to believe it. You bring your 800, heck, bring anything, I’ll be on the Motus of course.
Please go ride a demo when they arrive at dealers.
-Brian
todd says
Brian, I missed the Laguna event (family stuff) but did make it to your event up in SF the next weekend. I intended to say hi but you were pretty busy and about to do the video interview with Gabe Ets-Hokin (City Bike). I made sure to wear my Motus shirt – I didn’t think that I’d be asked so many questions about the bike though…
I did spend some time talking with your production manager, I’m sorry I never got his name.
Have fun at the Salts.
-todd
todd says
Oh, and to explain what I meant by the 800 thing;
My K75S (true king of speed…) spins 5000 RPM at 65 in 5th (top) gear. That means it’s about a 5.67:1 overall ratio. With its 50ish ft-lb of torque at 5000 RPM there’s 284 pounds of thrust at the rear wheel (50 x 5.67 and a 12″ rolling radius on the tire).
Take the Motus, if it’s spinning 2500 RPM at 65 in top gear it has something close to a 2.84 overal gear ratio. If it’s producing a whopping 100 ft-lb of torque at 2500 RPM then there’s 284 pounds of thrust at the rear wheel (100 x 2.84).
There, both bikes have the same power in top gear at the same speeds. Now consider my K75S weighs 500lb riding down the road whereas the Motus is 550 and I have a fighting chance of pulling away from you!
-todd
Oberon says
Either motor would be a considerable step up from the 16-valve OHV 1600cc in my Hyundai Accent. That model year only delivered 110 hp though, truly, more power is just a few minor mods away.
todd says
Not bad considering the 1600 (pushrods) in VW beetles was about half that. That’s why I’ve been building a 2175cc motor!
-todd
Oberon says
I’m afraid you’ll likely have to go to water cooling to get the kind of output per liter that Motus is getting. The most recent Subaru boxers might do the job…
Tin Man says
Sorry but it looks like another plastic bannana to me… With the new Indian due out in a week take a guess where the Big Money buy American crowd will go., Yep, The Money will go to the machine that looks like a Motorcycle. Who in their right mind thinks 180 HP is not enough for a street legal bike??
Hooligan says
As opposed to the new Indians that are twice as ugly as sin, weigh a ton and won’t corner. Having seen the photo’s of these Indians I canot believe any one in their right mind would make bikes this stupid looking and horrible. Only in America.
todd says
sin is supposed to be attractive, otherwise no one would be doing it 😉
Paulinator says
The “faux” fins on the Indian’s fake flathead stopped me cold. I’m pretty sure they learned that trick from China, though, so u can’t faily blame Americans only.
Hooligan says
I hadn’t even got to the fake fins . It was everything else that screamed ugly, very loudly.
bart65 says
i’m glad we have new engine builders like Motus in the usa. i’m not a engine specialist, I’m sure the Motus engine is wonderful for highway work/touring especially. I come from a time when 60-80 hp in a 750-900 was considered a big bike…now they’re apparently ‘girl’s bikes’, lol.
Can’t imagine what 180hp in a bike is like but doubt very much I need that much…I’m buying a new Indian. Can’t imagine I’ll be wishing for more power what with its broad low torque curve of 115 lbs. It’s a bike that’s built for highway big distance comfort. I personally love the finning on the top cover, it promotes heat loss and looks like a motorcycle engine rather than a motor one uses to drive an industrial washing machine (which 90% of bikes look like these days, more’s the pity). To me, the aesthetics of a pretty and exposed engine in a motorcycle is one of it’s most important features/considerations.
Can’t say that the Motus bike is a head turner, it looks pretty much like an amalgam of most modern bikes today (ie: plastic clad, no classic or organic lines etc.). There is nothing uglier in my opinion than modern motorcycles, they all ape that Moto GP look; they’re garish and remind me of Sea Doos on two wheels.
Best of luck to Motus though.
B50 Jim says
Marketing! Sell it as “The American motorcycle that doesn’t look like another American motorcycle!” And make sure potential buyers get a chance to hear that marvelous engine run. That will go halfway to closing the deal.
“Only” 150 hp in basic tune? Remember when 100 was the Holy Grail? I think 150 (or 180) with a powerband wide as the Mississippi will satisfy 99% of riders. Being able to ride around town all day and then and onto the highway (at extralegal speeds) using only two gears has an appeal all its own.
Tin Man says
Using only 2 gears has no appeal to me, I like to use an engine and I find an over powered bike on the street BORING. The look of American Motorcycles is envied and copied the world over…As far as satisfying 99% of riders goes, I think that Bikes with over 150 HP make up maybe 2% of the market. I agree that the Motus engine looks and sounds good, but I think a more conventional body would by more successfull and I think you will see it in the future as this start up struggles for sales.
Paulinator says
Tin Man, that`s what i was thinking…everybody the world over wants to be just like u 🙂
I rode a 150 hp Ducati MultiStrada a few months ago. It was a big up from my ubiquitous Chinese POS scooter. I found it took my full attention to keep from throttle-wheeling into harms way.
rohorn says
I’m guessing the good people at Motus are aware that the grossly overweight/low performance American bike market is a LOT larger – there are obviously a lot more low performance minded/grossly overweight customers out there. Although I’ve never met Brian and company, I’m guessing they just don’t graze with that flock.
But you know what sells even better? Toilets! And I can see why! They are almost as slow as the stereotypical American styled motorcycle, usually transported in the back of a truck, and have shiny chrome handles! They even sound about the same when being used! Who needs the crap scared out of them with a “plastic bannana” when you can just sit down and take a nice rumbly dump? What better to sit on while “reading” Easyriders with one hand? Is there a better friend for the hipster who’s had 8 too many PBRs? Yeah, motorcycles are stupid – toilets are where the action is!
Maybe Paul will start a website called ThePlunger.com or something for all the grumpy low performance sorts to, uh, unload on…
The Throne Rider says
What to do about feet forward though ?
The Hammock Rider says
Well, “TheAssSlider” just doesn’t lend a flattering tone, does it…
PS: Apologies to Paul, Brian, and the rest of those doing the good work.
bart65 says
Rohorm, yeah and those kinda bikes clash with your Moto Gp style duds and Star Trek booties, plus it’s really hard to go ‘stunting’ on H-Ds and Indians with your skate boarding buds.
rohorn says
There is only one troll on the entire internet that uses the term “Star Trek booties”, whines about “washing machine” motors, and thinks that motorcycles should be just like you: Old, slow, and DULL.
Shame about your bitterness….(You know the rest of that line, Barney…)
Bart says
Yeah, and driving a late model Corvette in only 2 gears is “boooring” too, ha!
I wanna see a heads-up comparo of this bike with the new Triumph Trophy SE, one of the best modern sport touring bikes I’ve ridden of late; I think they are both winners.
Tin Man says
Yes even Ferrari markets an automatic these days. That may be just as nice as using 2 gears to motor around town. I still prefer to be involved in my riding, and, as its been said a thousand times, Its more entertaining to run a Slow Bike Fast than a Fast Bike Slow. Its all up to the individual but its hard to beat the fun of one of my RD 350s around town, I guess cruising down the X way at extra legal speeds all day might be fun also. But to each his own.
gary says
The 2012 zx14r is basically 200 hp & cost $13,000 , Motus smotus!!!!!!!!!!!!
scott123007 says
Gary,
You are confusing everyone with your logic.
Buell Ducley says
So how many 2012 zx14r motorcycles were purchased for sport touring?
Kyle T says
First of all, when people are talking about “mild state of tune” and how much “potential” this engine has, hp/liter is VERY pertinent. We can easily look around and get a sense for what the maximum achievable power would be for this engine based on specific output.
Second of all, you make a bunch of comments about power/weight and power/dimension. Do you not understand that these two things are very closely related to hp/displacement? Small displacement = light, small displacement = small size.
Mike says
Dropping one of those Mighty Motus mills into a flat fender jeep would wake it right up. Come to think of it it would be a nice replacement for any 4 cylinder or 2.8 V6 in any Jeep, Should also be cats a@@ in a Suzuki Samurai and a sand rail too.
Lemme know if you need a proof of concept beta tester ; )
todd says
not so fast. even the single barrel 2.5-four AMC motor is making about 30% more power at the lower RPMs. You’d want to go with something even lower than a 4.88 or keep tire sizes less than 30″ to keep the engine spinning high enough to even compare with the original motor.
The Motus engine is pretty sweet but because of its small displacement (automotive perspective) you’ll want to keep the revs up to make use of waht power it has.
-todd
Paulinator says
I loooooove my little 2.5l Jeep. Over 180K on the clock and I don’t have to add oil between changes. (I wanna see a Busa do that). I have decided that the perfect engine swap will be the…drum roll…Chrysler (Trenton)3.8 v6, with a minimal weight and physical size, yielding over 250 ft-lbs of grunt.