Motus Motorcycles

[switchback]

Not sure if you noticed but there is a new American motorcycle in the works. No not another OCC or WCC. Anyway they are displayed in about every magazine this month. Their first bike will be a sport tourer. Looks like a blend of BMW, Ducati, and Moto Guzzi but definitely sounds like American muscle (Muscle car not Harley). Check out this short video. The sound will make you tingle a bit.

http://youtu.be/FhaRdPJI3sU

Something to do while we wait.

 

[pqsqac]

Nice bike but way too loud for me. I hope they make a go of it.

 

[Jakeboy]

Looks interesting. Lots of competition in the Sport Touring class, though. The chain drive may be a disadvantage against some of the others, though.

 

[Kevhunts]

They could have a serious winner if they can keep their prices inline with the japanese bikes.
If they price themselves like BMW and expect us to show our patriotism by paying any price in this economy, I think they'll be in for a rude awakening.
And for God's sake, lose those specimen jars! ???

 

[MotorcopBBQ]

I would take a short ride on one. Anything longer you would be deaf. Great sounding motor. Motoczysz is another great sounding bike.

 

[colorider]

Sounds great on the track, but would not want to listen to it on an all day sport-touring ride. Also, the chain drive would ruin it for me for any long distance sport-touring.

 

[Hoosier919]

I think this thing is awesome. The first thing I do on any bike is put on an aftermarket exhaust and open it up a little so the sound doesn't bother me at all. Don't you guys ride with ear plugs in anyway?

 

[Koinz]

looks like it handles kindof heavy into the turns. ???

 

[motocephalic]

looks like it handles kindof heavy into the turns. ???

,

thanks exactly what I was thinking, he barely made the turns, and if it was intentional, I can't see the logic. I personally love the bike, it's way too loud, but I can see that motor being put into a ADV class bike. Now you'd have my interest. I am glad to see American technology taking a turn for the better.

 

[colorider]

The first thing I do on any bike is put on an aftermarket exhaust and open it up a little so the sound doesn't bother me at all. Don't you guys ride with ear plugs in anyway?

But maybe that sound bothers others......... And yes, I ALWAYS wear earplugs - and the deafening sound of some of the aftermarket pipes on Harleys still hurts my ears!!!

 

[switchback]

Understand that this is a prototype. EPA regulations will muffle the bike for production. I like the idea of an American company building Sport Tourers and other rider friendly bikes. If they get a good dealer network going I would be glad to give the bike a go. In these times of recession I look forward to any innovation that has potential to rise to the top. Hope the company does well and the bike is a success.

 

[Hoosier919]

But maybe that sound bothers others......... And yes, I ALWAYS wear earplugs - and the deafening sound of some of the aftermarket pipes on Harleys still hurts my ears!!!

There is a massive difference between how this bike sounds and the completely open piped Harleys.

 

[colorider]

There is a massive difference between how this bike sounds and the completely open piped Harleys.

I agree totally. But even some of the aftermarket pipes (non-open piped) on ANY bike can be too loud.

 

[redneckK20]

,

thanks exactly what I was thinking, he barely made the turns, and if it was intentional, I can't see the logic. I personally love the bike, it's way too loud, but I can see that motor being put into a ADV class bike. Now you'd have my interest. I am glad to see American technology taking a turn for the better.

American technology= A copy of GM architecture for the pushrod V4. It's based off of the GM LS series engines (LS1, LS2, LS3, LS7, etc.), obviously cut on half and downsized. I sent a resume to them and will be talking to the president sometime next week, but I'm unsure of how stable the company will be. They build super sport bikes with sport touring ergonomics, and they start around $30k, which is far and above what most people will pay for a motorcycle, myself included. Not to say they're not droolworthy, but most people with $30k to invest will be getting a decked out Goldwing, a decked out bagger Harley, or a super exclusive Ducati.

 

[EricV]

Redneck - Check the date of the last post before you add a new one. This thread was over 2 years old. Good luck with the resume, you don't need employees if you don't build any bikes. No one has ever seen more than the two. I think they are DOA for many reasons.

 

[redneckK20]

I knew it was an older thread, I just didn't see the point of making a new thread about Motus if there was already one open.

 

[EricV]

I knew it was an older thread, I just didn't see the point of making a new thread about Motus if there was already one open.

Good point. I just don't see anything new. You said

They build super sport bikes with sport touring ergonomics

I think that also describes bikes like the FJR, C14 and perhaps a few others. I don't see people that really ride being willing to pony up the $30k+ for a Motus, and getting lower technology and limited dealer network to go with the high price tag. And I agree with your concern about the longevity. They are aiming at a narrow niche market in a difficult economy. Not to say that people that don't ride much can't afford expensive bike. They can, and will buy them, but you're not getting a big market share with the Motus focus and price point. They built the bikes they wanted, but have no desire to prove the bikes are really capable or can handle being ridden w/o issues.

 

[redneckK20]

Good point. I just don't see anything new. You said I think that also describes bikes like the FJR, C14 and perhaps a few others. I don't see people that really ride being willing to pony up the $30k+ for a Motus, and getting lower technology and limited dealer network to go with the high price tag. And I agree with your concern about the longevity. They are aiming at a narrow niche market in a difficult economy. Not to say that people that don't ride much can't afford expensive bike. They can, and will buy them, but you're not getting a big market share with the Motus focus and price point. They built the bikes they wanted, but have no desire to prove the bikes are really capable or can handle being ridden w/o issues.

They've got some test mules running around and they're trying to expand dealer markets at the moment. The longevity shouldn't be an issue considering the engine they're based on is famously reliable, but I do have have my doubts. I think they're trying to follow the Harley marketing of "Yea it may be old school but it's made in America so it's worth spending double the price.". The bikes sound amazing and handle well from everything that I've heard, but being double the price of it's nearest competitor gives me firm doubts in the lifeline. I should have called about the job today but I just moved to Texas to work at a dealership and I don't want to relocate again.