Motus Tour of the USA

[Schneegz]

Well, some of the USA.  

From The Kneeslider:

Motus American V4 Sport Tour Hits the Road
by Paul Crowe - "The Kneeslider" on 7/5/2011



What better way to test a brand new motorcycle than to ride it across the country in all kinds of weather and riding conditions? That's the idea behind the Motus American Sport Tour. From July 11th to July 30th, Motus will be on the road, riding the Motus MST and MST-R from Birmingham, Alabama to Laguna Seca and back, with visits to locations all along the way where you will be able to see the bikes up close.

More info - and a message from Motus - at the link.

One leg goes right through my area, I-70 through Kansas, so if they make a stop near me I'll try to join the party and post some pics.

[mugwump58]

More of the same from the other MCN

[Spanky]

I hope Motus does well. I am glad to see an American bike that is a sport tourer. That bike sounds nice from the few sound clips I have heard on the internet. What magazine will review it first I wonder....   so far.

[Kraz]

JIMP.

[mxvet57]

That's nice and all but us in the midwest and east coast won't have a chance to see it.

[Strog]

That's nice and all but us in the midwest and east coast won't have a chance to see it.

This seems promising:
"we will have several other legs of the tour to follow including one that will take us through the Midwest, one through the North East and likely several around the South."

[Kraz]

What magazine will review it first I wonder....  

They keep a tally of press for you to see - she's in a few mags, but I dont' think they've given her up for test rides yet.

http://motusmotorcycles.com/news.html

[Bender]

That's nice and all but us in the midwest and east coast won't have a chance to see it.

You'd shit if I got him to ride it to your house.... its a really cool bike.

[919]

This seems promising:
"we will have several other legs of the tour to follow including one that will take us through the Midwest, one through the North East and likely several around the South."

 .  Can't wait to check it out.

[Spanky]

They keep a tally of press for you to see - she's in a few mags, but I dont' think they've given her up for test rides yet.

http://motusmotorcycles.com/news.html

Thanks for the link Kraz - I appreciate it.

[ST for me!]

At least it's not a fucking harley...

[cognosticator]

I plan on going to the dealer in Watkinsville, GA on July 30th to check it out.  If I had the cash, I would buy one  

[Rodan]

It wasn't a big event by any standard, but it was nice to be able to check the bikes out in person and sit on and drool over them...  







Short guy on bike (~5'6") :


Tall guy on bike (6'+)


Nice data acquisition package


Both bikes had high end suspension, brakes and wheels. They said there will be a standard version and 'R' version with higher spec parts. No price yet on either...

I think what disappointed me most was the fact that they trailered them in on what is supposed to be their big 'sport touring test' of the prototypes...  

[ConPilot1]

hooboy....that looks frigging awesome and sweet and PRACTICAL.

It's about time again. Buell was the last American manufacturer to turn my head but this looks very very interesting.
I hope it's not carrying a 30,000 price tag.

[Orson]

Thanks for posting pictures  

I think what disappointed me most was the fact that they trailered them in on what is supposed to be their big 'sport touring test' of the prototypes...  

hmmm...the Kneeslider article did make it sound like they were riding to Laguna Seca  

maybe they wuz misinformed

[Croak]

Love the bar design...may not be the most aesthetically pleasing risers out there, but look at the adjust-ability.  

Also, don't think these are the bikes they've been riding around the country.  The touring model had red anodized forks, for instance.  I think they're still road-tripping on a different set of bikes.

[Castaway]

Couple of thoughts: It seems like accidentally bumping into the header pipes is a possibility ... ouch!  Interesting that they decided not to make the exhaust canisters more upswept since there's quite a bit of space between 'em and the luggage. It does provide for more passenger leg room. Being able to switch high/low like the Ducati st3 would be a nice feature.

[JSharp]

hooboy....that looks frigging awesome and sweet and PRACTICAL.

It's about time again. Buell was the last American manufacturer to turn my head but this looks very very interesting.
I hope it's not carrying a 30,000 price tag.

Given what other high end touring bikes cost $30K probably isn't far off.

[Rodan]

Given what other high end touring bikes cost $30K probably isn't far off.

The problem is the Motus is not going to compete with "high end" touring bikes... it lacks both the techno gadgetry and the history that draw buyers to BMW or Ducati.  From the looks of the prototypes, it's not even going to have ABS, much less traction control, cruise, NAV and all the other things buyers are going to expect (and competing bikes have) at $30k.

It seems to me they're going for a very basic, but visceral and very high performance, enthusiasts' bike.  I like that, but I think the price needs to reflect it if they are to succeed...

[919]

The problem is the Motus is not going to compete with "high end" touring bikes... it lacks both the techno gadgetry and the history that draw buyers to BMW or Ducati.  From the looks of the prototypes, it's not even going to have ABS, much less traction control, cruise, NAV and all the other things buyers are going to expect (and competing bikes have) at $30k.

It seems to me they're going for a very basic, but visceral and very high performance, enthusiasts' bike.  I like that, but I think the price needs to reflect it if they are to succeed...

I agree that they are not as tech heavy and it will be difficult to compete with the heavily farkled competition at the same price point; however it is very expensive to build a motorcycle, considerably more when you are not building high production.

The first couple years I would imagine these bikes being very expensive until Motus can prove it's viability in the market and reduce the cost of manufacturing a motorcycle by going to high production system.  

If they don't make money on the first small batch of bikes they build then they can't invest that money to increase a dealer network, marketing campaign, and high production system.  The first buyers of this company are going to be more investors than customers.  They will be paying a premium to get the first bikes produced and their contribution will help to grow the brand and ultimately lower the MSRP.