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.  

[Tyrroneous]

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.

Yup, handlebars are designed with adjustments for height and reach.  Hence all the bolts.  I don't care if it looks busy as long as I can raise the bars for highway comfort and lower them when I get to the mountains.  

Sadly, I won't be able to afford this bike anytime soon...  

[Rincewind]

From an additional angle...

[mlinkibikr]

Oh my. Yes, that cleaned up nicely.

[Rincewind]

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.  

1. The bike cost has not been released.  I would guess at least $18-$20k.  

2. The V4 uses hydraulic lifters, so no valve adjustments

[Orson]

I think they'll be doing good to get it near $25,000, but won't be surprised if it's closer to $30,000.

[Biking Sailor]

From an additional angle...

Yea, I'd ride that!  

[Liquidsilver]

From an additional angle...

 
It looks SOOOOO much better without the saddlebags!!  

[Snowbird]

I think the bike is awesome, just as it sits. What some of you are complaining about is due to its being a low volume production bike. As the company profits from sales, it can spend money to make the parts look like everyone else's. Then you can pine for the first models, you know.... the ones that were largely hand built.   

[JSharp]

From an additional angle...

If they end up costing $30K she better be included for the warranty period anyway...

[samael_6978]

If they end up costing $30K she better be included for the warranty period anyway...

+1
 

[Jason F.]

Yeah I sat on one of them at the Barber Festival as well. I predict something close to $27,000 to $28,000. I like it for the most part. I do not care for the narrow front seat section. I understand why they did it, i.e. short folks can flat foot it easier with the narrow stand over area. I am 6'2" with a slightly wide American @$$ so I would want more width and support under the front seat section. I have had no problem flat footing any bike I have thrown my leg over so maybe they will offer a FLAS option down the road (Fat Lazy American Seat).

They sound much better in person than they do in the video you posted. Your camera mic seemed to pick up a bit more of that mechanical clatter and not quite the fuller richer spectrum of sound. To me the exhaust note sounded much deeper, richer, and less mechanical than your video. Both bikes were still somewhat in test stages, the white bike in particular. That one was loaded with data acquisition boxes, thermocouples, sensors, and wires. I noticed thermocouples on at least the exhaust, the heads, the engine cases, and the transmission case area if I remember correctly.

[Yankee Dog]

.......................................
 I do not care for the narrow front seat section. ....................................... ..........

They sound much better in person than they do in the video you posted. ....................................... .....
.......

Dont knock the narrow front section on the seat until you try it. I find that shape very comfortable to ride. Many times the edge of the seat is where the hot spot develops on long rides. The narrow section will do away with this problem. If you have ever ridden any distance on a tractor style seat you will know what I mean.

I do agree with you on the sound comment. Sounded much better in person. but you have to use the tools you have at hand.

[Jason F.]

I have not done the tractor style seat, other than on a tractor. I have ridden some dual sport style bikes with narrow seat areas and found them great, when standing on the pegs.  

What can I say I have a big ass and long legs. 4000 miles in the last 30 days on my VFR with a corbin and I have had no seat issues. It is nice and wide even at the front and has lots of support.

[Castaway]

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

I've had the same concern. It seems it would be too easy to accidentally bump into them and get burned. On the other hand, I haven't seen it in person - maybe the pipes are closer to the motor than they appear.

I can appreciate the ability to adjust the handlebars; still, it's looking cluttered up there. Maybe that'll get cleaned up by the time the bike is on the floor.

[Rincewind]

As part of their NE tour they stopped at the NY Times today.   Look for an article soon.  

[Giaka]

If they end up costing $30K she better be included for the warranty period anyway...

Kind of a minimalist industrial looking machine for that much money. My bet is they will never make it if that's their target price. I mean come on, why would you pay $30k for that thing? Its cool yeah but meh..... Worth about $14k tops. In no way does it compare to a C14 so why should it cost more?

[JSharp]

Kind of a minimalist industrial looking machine for that much money. My bet is they will never make it if that's their target price. I mean come on, why would you pay $30k for that thing? Its cool yeah but meh..... Worth about $14k tops. In no way does it compare to a C14 so why should it cost more?

I don't think it's their target price so much as what it might end up costing since it's such a low volume operation. I don't see any way they'll get it under $20K but I could be wrong.

Objectively you're probably right. There's no way the thing is 'worth' more than about $15K-$20 when compared to some other bikes you can buy for that amount of $ But if you only need or want to sell a small number and you can find enough buyers that are willing to pay for the machine as it is then you have a workable plan.

I looked at the C-14 before I bought my Ninja. It's a really great bike. Tons of power, great fairing etc. But it just didn't fit me at all. Too large, too wide, too heavy. But if I could have gotten a bike similar to my Ninja or the Motus for say $5K, even $8K more I might just have done it.   I'd have given away a little in weight to get more protection and a little more comfort versus what I bought. Lots of maybe's in that statement though, I've yet to see one or ride one.

[Yankee Dog]

Kind of a minimalist industrial looking machine for that much money. My bet is they will never make it if that's their target price. I mean come on, why would you pay $30k for that thing? Its cool yeah but meh..... Worth about $14k tops. In no way does it compare to a C14 so why should it cost more?

Are you kidding, the MOTUS is only 530 pounds WET and feels lighter than that when you sit on it. The engine is 1600cc+.  No current sport touring pig can come close. The ergos are better in my opinion.  But yeah, yeah, yeah, I wont be able to afford one either.

[bomber]

I"m liking it -- it's different without going to Victory Vison lengths to be so, and the way it hangs together is good, IMO . . ..  

this bears watching, it does.

Thanks, Yankee

[02Tac]

I would love to have an American made ST machine, but I just can't see the need for that much motor.  Love to see that in a 750 version.

[Xanth]

I would love to have an American made ST machine, but I just can't see the need for that much motor.  Love to see that in a 750 version.

+1

I'd love to see something like that in the sub 800 range.

[Kraz]

Kind of a minimalist industrial looking machine for that much money. My bet is they will never make it if that's their target price. I mean come on, why would you pay $30k for that thing? Its cool yeah but meh..... Worth about $14k tops. In no way does it compare to a C14 so why should it cost more?

I'm guessing the adjustability, uniqueness/rarity, initial design/startup company situation, cost to produce a V4, direct injection, the awesome sound, weight (or lack thereof), fact that it's being designed stateside, and primo suspension and brakes might have something to do with it... in fact, it'll sell for so much (yet undetermined, so 30k could be way off) exactly because it doesn't compare to a C14, or anything else on the market for that matter.

With just a couple hundred a year projected sales, I'm thinking that if you're comparing this to a C14, you're not their target customer.

[Snowbird]

In no way does it compare to a C14 so why should it cost more?

...which largely explains why we've been offered the same old crap with few exceptions.

[Big D]

It doesn't compare with the C14, more like a touring oriented ZX-14. In fact it's lighter, and makes more torque, than my ZX-14. If I'm comfortable sitting on it, I could see this bike replacing my ZX in 2 or 3 years.