Sittin on the MOTUS

[Yankee Dog]

The missus and I went to Vintage Motorcycle Festival at Barbers yesterday. The folks from Motus were there with a couple of bikes. They were pretty much undefended and lots of folks were taking a sit; myself and the missus included.







First impression was very very favorable. This thing feels light as a feather. The specs says 530 pounds; wet, dry I don't know. But it felt lighter than any bike I have sat on lately, except maybe my baby beemer (F650GS). The seat had a Sargent tag and was very narrow in the front. It looks a little strange, but I can tell you the most comfortable seat I have ever sat on is the tractor style seat on my Ural. This seat reminds a bit of that so I take it as a good thing. The missus was also favorably impresses with the rear seat accommodations.





The egos were very mildly aggressive. I had some very slight weight on my wrists but not much. As a comparison it was less aggressive than the new Triumph Sprint GT. Leg room was also better than the GT. Here is a view of the cockpit for those of you who care about such things.





Oh, one more thing, they took it out for a spin while I was there. This is what it sounds like.

[Papa Lazarou]

Sadly, page not found for the video. Looks a nice machine though.

[Yankee Dog]

Sadly, page not found for the video. Looks a nice machine though.

Yeah, I cant figure out why it is doing that. Try this direct link.

http://s13.photobucket.com/albums/a295/Yankeedog/?action=view¤t=100_7317.mp4

[1moreroad]

The egos were very mildly aggressive.

Probably because you sat on their bike without permission!

Thank you thank you.  I'll be here all night

[Yankee Dog]

Probably because you sat on their bike without permission!

Thank you thank you.  I'll be here all night

It wasnt my fault. It was sitting in the middle of the sidewalk and literally threw its self underneath me as I walked by.

[oldenslow]

I still think they need some type of shielding on those pipes.

[MGoBlue]

It's growing on me. I like it a lot but I know it will be priced waayyyy out of my reach.

[Yankee Dog]

I still think they need some type of shielding on those pipes.

by not covering the pipes the bike will run much cooler. I predict you will not hear heat complaints about this bike like you did about the early FJR and the ST1300 amoung others.  Besides, I like the look of the exposed head and pipes.

YMMV    .

[axelwik]

The audio on that video almost sounds like it has a dry clutch - a lot of clattering.

[Bender]

The audio on that video almost sounds like it has a dry clutch - a lot of clattering.

It's actually the transmission .... prototype parts.

[Hardware]

The fairing is uglier than a smacked pudding.

The cockpit looks pretty minimalist (and bodged together) for a sport-touring rig.

[oldenslow]

by not covering the pipes the bike will run much cooler. I predict you will not hear heat complaints about this bike like you did about the early FJR and the ST1300 amoung others.  Besides, I like the look of the exposed head and pipes.

YMMV    .

But the shielding could simply be half covers on the down pipes themselves.  It looks way too easy to accidently brush up against them.  

[satxbonneville]

The fairing is uglier than a smacked pudding.

Reminds me of this:

[Mr Sunshine]

Um the saddle and the triple/handlebars are ass ugly.  

[Orson]

ya buncha nancy girls  

all that matters is torque  

[veefer800canuck]

Yeah, the upper triple clamp/handlebar mounts look quite industrial.
Lotsa bolts, I assume it'll never fall off though.....

[Rincewind]

Nice reporting, Yankee Dog!  

What was your impression on the level of finish compared to Triumphs and BMW's?

I love the sound, I could deal with the looks, but the price will likely scare me off.

[Yankee Dog]

..................................
What was your impression on the level of finish compared to Triumphs and BMW's?
....................................... ......

I thought the fit and finish was as good as anything else out there. I saw nothing that jumped out at me and said cheap or half done. Although I have to admit I did not really inspect the welds. And also remember I once owned a Buell.  

I was most taken by the felt lightness of the thing, and what to me were excellent ergos. I also liked the looks. But like I said I once owned a Buell.

[mlinkibikr]

I wonder if all the bolts / joints are a prototype design that let's them adjust the reach / bend/ height ? I bet that gets cleaned up when they finalize on the ergos.

Hopefully.

[Rogue]

How much is that bike?

Does it need valve adjustments?  I'm thinking it does not since it's a pushrod designed by the same people who helped develop the Corvette LS engines.