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.  

[Schneegz]

The first buyers of this company are going to be more investors than customers.  

Bingo.  The same is true of early adopters in general.  Just ask the people who bought the original Honda Insight, for example.  The difference is that Honda is an enormous, well-established international corporation.  Motus isn't, so they have to rely even more heavily on early adopters to put the the finishing touches their product.

This kind of thing puts me in a quandary.  I want very badly for Motus and EBR - among others - to succeed, but I don't have the disposable income to risk on such expensive, unproven products.  Those of you with more income - or fewer kids - need to step up to the plate!  

[Kraz]

I don't need GPS, ABS, ESA, traction control, or any of that.  

I also don't need a $30,000 motorcycle.

I hope they realize that I'm in the vast majority.

[Schneegz]

From Asphalt and Rubber:

Up-Close with the Motus MST at Alice’s Restaurant

Posted Tuesday, July 26th, 2011 @ 4:28 pm, by Jensen Beeler



Stopping on the way back from the US GP at Laguna Seca this weekend, the Asphalt & Rubber crew stopped by Alice’s Restaurant on Skyline to check-out the Motus MST & MST-R Prototypes. Making a cross-country trek on the bikes, Lee Conn and Brian Case have been gathering some development data while meeting with local dealers and potential customers. Hoping to produce somewhere between 200-300 motorcycle next year, Motus is looking for 25 or so quality dealers for its initial launch.

Read the rest at the link.

[veefer800canuck]

Very cool.

[cognosticator]

I will be going to Watkinsville, Ga this Saturday to see the Motus display  

I would buy one if I had the cashola

[Cheddarhead]

I like the ergos / fairing design...looks to offer good rider position / comfort and wind protection...but doesn't required 90 minutes of removing tupperware to gain access for most maintenance tasks.

Good Engineering / Industrial Design includes considerations of access / serviceability.

[bomber]

I readily admit I didn't think these guys would get anywhere near this far . . . . ..  .


I am very pleased, indeed, to have been wrong ;-}

[Dan K]

Nice end product.  Would love to throw a leg over one.

- Dan

[Kootenanny]

Looks good!  (Definitely not a Vision...)

[atadaskew]

The Motus looks very similar to the Guzzi Norge.
Except not as nice looking or finished.

The latest Norge 8V puts down about 105hp at the wheel, great ergos and luggage.  Also shaft drive and really easy maintenance.
Much cheaper too, with, and this may be the only time in the history of mankind that this can be said, a more extensive dealer network.

The Motus will make (maybe) another 20hp.  But when sport touring it's not going to matter.  

[Dan K]

I thought that motor on the Motus was making around 185hp?  Need to check...

- Dan

[Biking Sailor]

Much cheaper too, with, and this may be the only time in the history of mankind that this can be said, a more extensive dealer network.
  

 

[Kootenanny]

The Motus looks very similar to the Guzzi Norge.
Except not as nice looking or finished.

I really like the Norge, too.  Here's a Norge (belongs to our very own Thunderbox...)

[HipGnosis]

I thought that motor on the Motus was making around 185hp?  Need to check...

140

[tvpierce]

I like everything about the Motus except the chain drive.  It's not that I have a problem with chain drive as a rule, but if you're going to go to the trouble of mounting your engine longitudinally in the frame, then make it shaft drive.  If you're going to go with a chain drive, why mount your engine so the driveline had to take a 90 degree turn to drive the chain?  

IMHO  

[mlinkibikr]

Lovely looking bike - the headers are nicely done although I hope they don't throw too much heat back on the legs. Perhaps I'll get a chance to ride one someday - I hope! Also wonder what kind of tipover protection is offered to keep the headers from levering a big old crack in the motor ... off to go find some different views, maybe they don't stick out as far as they look.

Dave.

[JSharp]

It seems like your legs are going to cook from the cylinders and pipes being where they are.

[CosmicCowboy]

They're in my neck of the woods Friday. Can't wait to see one up close.

[nantahala]

The Motus guys (and girls) were at Laguna with Neale Bayly taking pics of the weekend.  Good looking bikes and really good folks.

[Mr Sunshine]

That's some serious rake on the bike.  Also those exhaust headers look lovely hot.  

[atadaskew]

Ok, I don't get it...

Can someone esplain to me what makes this bike special?
It's set up as a touring bike, but is chain drive and does not have spec luggage but uses GIVI stuff.

It also looks, well, kinda like a cross between an old Triumph Trophy 900/1200 and a Guzzui Norge.  It's NOT a looker..

So what does this have to offer that, for e.g., a Suzuki Bandit 1250 doesn't?
http://www.suzukicycles.com/Product%20Lines/Cycles/Products/GSX1250FA/2011/GSX1250FA.aspx?category=sportbike

http://www.suzukicycles.com/Product%20Lines/Cycles/Products/GSX1250FA/2011/GSX1250FA/Accessories.aspx

[Squidbuzz]

Made in the USA is one thing.

[HipGnosis]

Ok, I don't get it...
Can someone esplain to me what makes this bike special?
It's set up as a touring bike, but is chain drive and does not have spec luggage but uses GIVI stuff.

It is a (the first?) made-in-America sport-touring bike.
The engine is totally new.  It is (essentially) half a corvette engine (in smaller scale) with a very wide torgue curve (read very street-able), zero valve-train maint. (for let's say 150,000 miles) and direct fuel injection for substantial power, efficiency and emissions gains.  Google 'kmv4' for all the info you need.
The Givi bags and chain drive are on the demo bikes (aka beta's, not production).  Totally understandable and acceptable as they refine the BIKE as their first priority while they do a little promoting and marketing (and look for a dealer network).

[Blunder]

Made in the USA is one thing.

Jingoistic bullshit.

[FirstVtwin]

 and direct fuel injection for substantial power, efficiency and emissions gains.

After having owned a direct injection engine, I can warn you that it is NOT assured to be maintenance free.  There will be periodic intake valve cleanings needed, especially if it has PCV, which I am pretty sure is manditory now due to EPA.  I can promise you that a PCV re-route would be my first mod on any future engine I get with direct injection.

[atadaskew]

It is a (the first?) made-in-America sport-touring bike.
The engine is totally new.  It is (essentially) half a corvette engine (in smaller scale) with a very wide torgue curve (read very street-able), zero valve-train maint. (for let's say 150,000 miles) and direct fuel injection for substantial power, efficiency and emissions gains.  Google 'kmv4' for all the info you need.
The Givi bags and chain drive are on the demo bikes (aka beta's, not production).  Totally understandable and acceptable as they refine the BIKE as their first priority while they do a little promoting and marketing (and look for a dealer network).

Made in the USA is nice IF everything else is equal to the competition.

Maintenance free valves is nice, but DI has proven to be maintencance extensive due to carbon build up plus does this use High pressure fuel pumps for the DI?  Those are expensive and fragile in some auto applications.
140hp is not a big deal.
Chain drive is for this type of bike.

If this bike enters the market looking as it does, with very similar specs, it will be a failure.

[still kickin]

Do you think it will be close to 20K???

[Sophicide]

I'm not crazy about the lower part of the fairing. It just ends... I'm also disappointed that they tossed on some TwoBros and called it a day... Hopefully that will change.

But it looks cool otherwise. Big, big motor. I wonder what the MPGs will be...

[Squidbuzz]

At this stage of the game, I like it.  Good to see someone brave enough to hang it out there and see if it works.  Even if the cycle doesn't make it, I think the motor will live on in many different applications.  The raw sound of the engine on the YouTube videos sold me.   Way cool.

Yeah chain drive sucks, maybe DI will be a pain, but I'm still going to check it out if they should roll through my area.

[Big D]

Can someone esplain to me what makes this bike special?

A 1600 cc V4 in a sub 600# bike.

It should make well over 100 ft-lbs at almost any rpm. That kind of torque in a light-ST type package could be a real kick, at least for those of us who enjoy having excessive amounts of power in our rides.

[mike in oregon]

  Jingoism is defined in the Oxford English Dictionary as extreme patriotism in the form of aggressive foreign policy.[1] In practice, it is a country's advocation of the use of threats or actual force against other countries in order to safeguard what it perceives as its national interests. Colloquially, it refers to excessive bias in judging one's own country as superior to others – an extreme type of nationalism.

I don't agree that having pride in something made in the country I live in is Jingoism.  I actively seek out stuff made here because we have great environmental production standards and better living wages and labor practices than other places (China, for example).    Additionally I find much of the stuff manufactured here to be terrific quality-tools and such.

I'm proud that a team of folks from the USA has come together to make a unique and cool (IMO) bike and make a go of it.  I'm rooting for them.  Is the bike perfect in every way and will it make everyone happy?  Nope.

As to the chain drive:  I have no issue with it.  I have commuted for the last 12 years in Western Oregon year 'round where it rains for 6 months out of the year. 10 minutes a day on a center stand or rear-stand and a wipe with kerosene and spray with chain lube and good to go.
As the famous saying goes-take what I've said you like and leave the rest.

[Blunder]

It's an American Hesketh and it will fail.

[st2sam]

 I find much of the stuff manufactured here to be terrific quality-tools and such.
I'm proud that a team of folks from the USA has come together to make a unique and cool (IMO) bike and make a go of it.  I'm rooting for them.  Is the bike perfect in every way and will it make everyone happy?  Nope.
As to the chain drive:  I have no issue with it.  I have commuted for the last 12 years in Western Oregon year 'round where it rains for 6 months out of the year. 10 minutes a day on a center stand or rear-stand and a wipe with kerosene and spray with chain lube and good to go.

I'm with you Mike 100%.
So far so good, a great effort and a sport-touring based effort to boot!

[Rincewind]

It is a (the first?) made-in-America sport-touring bike.

Certainly not the first!  Cue Buell S3T....



I would like some faux cooling fins on the Motus engine - it looks unfinished.  

[atadaskew]

A 1600 cc V4 in a sub 600# bike.

It should make well over 100 ft-lbs at almost any rpm. That kind of torque in a light-ST type package could be a real kick, at least for those of us who enjoy having excessive amounts of power in our rides.

Hopefully you are correct.

[Kraz]

They were saying 122 ft-lbs of torque and 160hp peak.

Sounds great, stock sargent seat, stock givi's and good brakes and suspension?  

What's not to love?





...Price.  That's my only barrier really.

Maintenance should be simple.  V-4, but you can basically do an engine rebuild w/o even taking off a fairing.  They were also talking about putting maintenance info online and YouTube everything you need.

[CosmicCowboy]

I wonder what the MPGs will be...

They said they've been averaging in the mid 30's, up to about 40 while they're experimenting with maps.

And as a testament to the comfort of the bikes, they were in Denver yesterday, Nashville today, and still in good moods.

[Blunder]

And as a testament to the comfort of the bikes, they were in Denver yesterday, Nashville today, and still in good moods.

Are they actually riding the bike to all these places or do they have a hauler?

[CosmicCowboy]

Are they actually riding the bike to all these places or do they have a hauler?

Riding. The two founders are riding, and another of their crew has a chase vehicle.

[atadaskew]

Riding. The two founders are riding, and another of their crew has a chase vehicle.

THAT is cool.

[miles]

THAT is cool.

No, that's hot.  Cooked, roasted-leg type hot.

[veefer800canuck]

I figure they are going to have to lose the Brembos and Ohlins to make the thing affordable to the masses.

[Schneegz]

From Motorcycle Daily:

Motus: In Person



The average age of the American motorcyclist is creeping ever upwards, and because of that, our needs are changing. We still appreciate good handling and lots of power, but we want our bikes to be all-day rideable.

So did the brains behind Motus Motorcycles, Lee Conn and Brian Case. They wanted to build an all-day comfortable sport-tourer that could, in the parlance of their Alabama home, haul ass. You’ve seen the press-kit photos of the resulting product, but you can make anything look good in a photography studio, right? What’s the bike like up close?

I heard the Motus and its creators would be riding through my Bay Area backyard on the Monday after the Laguna Seca MotoGP round. Right on time, as we were eating ice cream on the porch at Alice’s Restaurant in Sky Londa, we heard the barely muffled roar of V-Four motorcycles.

For those who are worried about the build quality and/or appearance of the bikes...

The current bikes are third generation, built to test components and gather data—the fourth-gen examples will be for homologation and certification, and the fifth (or fifth and a half) gens will go to the 25 dealers Motus hopes will be offering its products. They say it will happen next year, and from what I saw, there’s little reason to doubt their word.

That’s because these were some pretty well-developed prototypes. Some of the 1000-odd bits needed to make one of these are still clearly one-off items, like the body panels and tanks, but I saw plenty of items that looked much like what you find on a mass-produced bike, like the brakes, instruments, suspension and even footpegs.

And for those who are worried about performance...

That commitment to performance has paid off. Conn claims his laptimes on the MST are the same as on his CBR600 trackbike at the Barber Motorsports complex where they do much of their testing and development. But he wants economy, too; Lee says the benchmark is 50 mpg, which would give the bike a 300-mile maximum range. The standard MST weighs in at 530 pounds wet, and with a claimed 161 horsepower (and 122 ft.-lbs. of torque at 4500 rpm) it should go fast—really fast.

There's more at the link.  And here are two video clips linked in the article.

[roadrunner]

really hope they make more than 500 a year a keep the price around 20k.  At 30k it will be nothing more than a dream.

[miles]

really hope they make more than 500 a year a keep the price around 20k.  At 30k it will be nothing more than a dream.

500 bikes a year divided by 25 dealers equals 20 bikes per dealership.  That seems like quite a stretch.

[zenwhipper]

The Motus guys (and girls) were at Laguna with Neale Bayly taking pics of the weekend.  Good looking bikes and really good folks.

Durn thing looks like an old flathead. Is it an overhead cam?

Scott

[nantahala]

Nope.  Pushrods with hydraulic lifters.  It's a half of a 'standard' V8.  There were probably some automotive engineers sitting around with nothing to do so it was relatively pretty easy/inexpensive to make the baby block based on historical V8 engine design. And as others have said, there are lots of other applications for a baby block engine like this.

Matt

[BentAero]

The guys at Pratt-Miller designed the engine:

http://prattmiller.com/motorsports/

From their website;

"The Pratt & Miller team has played a key role in eight consecutive GT1 manufacturer and team championships for Chevrolet and Corvette Racing in the American Le Mans Series. With design, fabrication, and trackside support provided by Pratt & Miller, the Corvette factory team has scored 72 victories in 102 races, including an overall win in the 2001 Daytona 24-hour race and five GT titles in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Pratt & Miller implemented Cadillac’s factory race program in the SCCA World Challenge GT that delivered manufacturers’ and drivers’ championships and changed the public’s perceptions of GM’s premium brand. Pratt & Miller-built Pontiacs have earned team, manufacturers’ and drivers’ championships in the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series, while privateer teams using Pratt & Miller-prepared vehicles have won races and championships across Europe. "

[Mr Sunshine]

Why does this crappy bike keep getting threads? It really isn't special at all.  It has many issues with it actually.

[Croak]

People were asking the same thing about the MTS1200 last year.  

[Orson]

"crappy bikes" with their rough hewn, unfinished quality will always have an advantage over highly refined vehicles due to their character.

It's just something you need to deal with if you ride a souless machine.

 

[FirstVtwin]

"crappy bikes" with their rough hewn, unfinished quality will always have an advantage over highly refined vehicles due to their character.

It's just something you need to deal with if you ride a souless machine.

 

I will second that...I just wish my d@mn speedometer would work...

[atadaskew]

I figure they are going to have to lose the Brembos and Ohlins to make the thing affordable to the masses.

Well, since that stuff came standard on my Ducati St4S, I see no reason for downgrading to this Motus.

[HipGnosis]

P-M engineered the engine that the Motus engine was based on, not the Motus KMV4 engine;

To develop the engine, Motus worked with Michigan-based Katech Engines. Katech has an extensive history developing engines for Trans-Am, NASCAR and American LeMans racing.

“Katech is thrilled to finally announce our involvement with Motus,” says Fritz Kayl, co-founder of Katech. “The KMV4 is an exciting project that fits well within our capabilities and experience. We incorporated technology from our race programs to increase durability, performance, and efficiency. We are ahead of schedule and are refining the KMV4 into the most reliable motorcycle engine made.”

[TheWarrior17]

Ah yeah, thats right, Katech built them. Either way though, a 1650cc V4? Half of a V8? P-M or Kateck, don't matter to me.  

I'm just glad its a V4, aren't enough of those IMO.

[919]

Riding. The two founders are riding, and another of their crew has a chase vehicle.

serious respect points if that is true.  I would love to see this company do well.   I feel the more motorcycle companies work in the U.S. (not just American bikes but foreign factories on U.S. soil) the better it is for the motorcycling community.  What better way to make our passion and preferred method of transportation more visible and viable in our society than having the industry pump money into our economy?

[Rincewind]

Motus Tour is now due to come to the Northeast, October 8th thru the 15th.

http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2011/09/30/motus-sport-tour-heads-to-the-northeast-usa/

Locally they are coming to Fast by Ferracci in Philly.  I wonder if FBF will become a dealer?