mikstr

look at the bikes it is meant to compete with, the Concours 14, the new VFR, the K1300GT, the FJR1300 none of them are anywhere near 500 lb wet (heck not sure if any of them are even under 500 lbs dry for that matter)...

autoteach

I know that reading is not our forte, but we can try. Go look on their site and you will see that they are hoping for a 500lb dry weight and that they are setting the bar at 140 hp, 120 lb-ft minimum output.

8541Hawk

And the rest of the proposed bike specs from their vague website ......
http://motusmotorcycles.com/mst-01.html

Chassis:
Chromoly tubular trellis spaceframe;
engine as stressed member

Front suspension:
43mm inverted telescopic forks, fully adjustable;
120mm travel

Rear suspension:
Twin spar chromoly swingarm;
fully adjustable pushrod monoshock with remote preload adjustment;
120mm travel

Brakes:
Dual 320mm floating discs;
dual 4-piston monoblock radial calipers;
single 2-piston rear caliper

Wheels:
17in x 3.5in front;
17in x 6in rear;
aluminum;
Michelin Road Pilot 2CT tires

Bodywork:
Composite

Dimensions:
Overall length 2130mm ( 84in)
Wheelbase 1473mm (58in)
Seat height 787mm (31in)
Rake 26º
Trail 108mm (4.25in)
Dry weight 227kg (500lbs) (est.)
Fuel capacity 22.7L (6gal)

Production date
2011

autoteach

they are telling quite a bit about something that isn't supposed to sell until next year (and it being the first year). I dont think they broke "cover" until May by what they showed for press releases.

Red_Liner740

umm pushrods? well guess we know this isnt going to be a screamer of an engine...

doesnt the V-Rod engine put out those sort of numbers?

autoteach

115-120 hp with 80 or so for tq. It won't be a screamer, but if you listen to the sound, and read what they have published thus far, they are aiming for a "american) sound. That being, a pushrod 350 sound. It does sound very much like an american v8, 90 degree v, the 75 degree crank, its all interesting.

st1300 - 112 hp stock, 120's easily with exhaust and k+n
http://www.cbxmanmotorcycles.com/CBX...ir-Filter.aspx

fjr1300- 140hp

bmw k1300gt- 160hp
http://www.cycleworld.com/article.as...article_id=920

concours 14- 150hp

vfr1200- 152hp


All in all, it will be competitive from the standpoint. If they made it similar in architecture to the small block chevy, than there are some possibilities.
similarities:
http://media.photobucket.com/image/c...9/heads014.jpg

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=...26tbs%3Disch:1

autoteach

Also, it appears to be open deck, which sucks, but it has a full girdled main (which you car guys understand). I am going to hang out on a limb and say that the crank is more substantial than most, and it beats a hardly hands down (shared journals, yes, but not homosexual rod-on-rod stuff)
http://www.indianpartseurope.com/xlrodkit.jpg

mikstr

My DT200 can probably beat a Hardley, hardly a measure of power there....

lazn

What I don't get is why they both spin the engine the wrong way and use a chain drive.. that means they have to turn the power 90 degrees in the transmission to run the chain losing power and still have all the hassle of a chain.

If you are going to put the engine in sideways (such that the gyroscopic force it generates is a hindrance and not a benefit to riding) at least use a shaft drive.

As it is now they have all the disadvantages of all 3 issues. (longitudinal engine, power having to change directions like a shaft, and high maintenance of a chain)

It's stupid x 3

drew_c14

I think you all are missing the point of the bike. It's supposed to be different for the sake of being different. They wanted an AMERICAN pushrod V8 style engine that motor heads could identify with, and hopefully use that as a selling point. Also remember that it's a sport touring bike, not a crotch rocket, so the loss in power by using the push rods and the engine facing the wrong way don't really matter. Those features are exactly what make it appealing. I think it may do alright at first as a niche bike. In the end though it will go the way of the Buell unless they have figured out marketing and sales. No dealership is going to be in a hurry to put them next the easy to sell Japanese bikes.

Tweety

Fact is that there are definete advantages to go along with the disadvantages of that engine placement... So it's no more a compromise this way than the way the engine been placed on for instance the VFR...

lazn

VFR spins the other way.. ST1300 is the same though.. In fact it just is a ST1300 in many ways..

Erik S.

Is anyone out there following this. Motus has made a tour, including a stop at the GP race in California.

Engine numbers:
161 HP
122 lb/ft

Gasoline DIRECT INJECTION, first on a bike.

Dry weight is 530. Keep in mind it is a 100ci V-4 and has room for 6 gallons in the tank, plus the bags.

There is a "R" version which has Ohlins suspension and some other goodies.

A naked version has been made and there are videos of it on Youtube.

I've really been following them for about 1 month now.

Estimated price is around 20K. 500 initial build with plans for 1000/yr or more based on demand.

All American made. Pratt and Miller out of MI did the chassis and transmission. They have a background in American LeMans racing and NASCAR. Engine is by Katech, their background is much the same. Dual counter balancing shaft for the engine.

The transmission is a 6 speed, with a tall first, close ration 2, 3 and 4, with 5 and 6 being overdrives.

I want one.

Here are the links.

www.motusmotorcycles.com

https://www.facebook.com/#!/motusmotorcycles

2012 Motus MST-R | First Ride - Motorcyclist Magazine

divingindaytona

Also this article

Motus: In Person « MotorcycleDaily.com – Motorcycle News, Editorials, Product Reviews and Bike Reviews

dutchdude

I was reading about these in the mag a couple months back - that motor was basically a corvette motor cut in half and tweked to fit the bike. these guys are getting after it to be in production so soon. Wish them the best.
Now if Erik buell gets into production life would be sweet - american made sport bikes- F^&* Yeah

vetlad1954

Katech has been building Corvette C-5R and C-6R engines for a number of years. And can't help but notice similarities to Chevrolet V-8 engines.

geekonamotorcycle

Parent company Birmingham Motorcycle Company
Production 2012–
Engine 1,645 cc direct injection 2-valve longitudinal 90° pushrod V4
Bore / Stroke 86.5 × 70.0 mm (3.41 × 2.76 in)
Power 161 hp (120 kW) @ 7,800 rpm
Torque 165 N·m (122 lb·ft) @ 4,500 rpm
Transmission 6-speed, wet clutch, chain final drive
Frame type Steel trellis
Rake, Trail 26°, 108 mm
Wheelbase 58 inches (1,500 mm)
Weight 500 lb (230 kg) (dry)
550 lb (250 kg) (wet)
Fuel capacity 6 US gal (23 l; 5.0 imp gal)

geekonamotorcycle

See if you can spot a certain yellow thing the test rider people are on

Motus Up Close - YouTube

If thats what they consider another great bike to ride then I have high hopes for this motus.

Old Yeller

That's cuz they wanted the fastest bike they could find to compare to!

It's way cool to see a new manufacturer putting a product out for the public just like Buell did. For my money though, I'd go with a VFR1200. Lots more technology and refinement, and with the extra cash, you can do lots to make it what you want.

Erik S.

Old Yeller, I don't know about that. The VFR 1200 is only 1 year old, so refinement may not be applicable.

More technology, Pratt & Miller and Katech were involved, so there is plenty of technology there. Years of American LeMans racing, NASCAR and other racing series for both.

In the write ups and the videos, they left plenty of metal for the "consumer" to play with. A "bare" engine is how they described it.

Even with the extra cash, the VFR won't have the same type of power.

Just my opinion.

Old Yeller

yeah, I think it's a very cool bike, but at $20k, there aren't too many of us that will be able to afford to tinker. Plus I look at it as a sport-tour platform. I kind of compare it to the 1125R and CR that Buell put out before the demise. I got to ride one of those and it was da bomb! I gotta believe these bikes are just as appealing in their own way. but I also look at the VFR platform's refinement (in terms of Honda smoothness they are known for), and the tricks it brings to the table with the transmission. I'd personally go that direction if it was my money.

But I wouldn't mind swapping rides every once in a while with someone that went the Motis route.

geekonamotorcycle

Yah I heard they were using some new tech called pushrods, gonna revolutionize the industry. 1 thing is for sure though. It will make very fast left turns no matter what.

Erik S.

Wow, I see some sarcasm, and some ignorance.

New technology would be the Gasoline Direct Injection. First Motorcycle with it. Next sarcastic comment please.

As for the left turns, you obviously have not read anything about the companies. Since their primary interests are Corvette racing and American LeMans Racing Series. Right and left turns.

Not to mention, this sarcasm coming from the guy who has asked the most basic of questions.

geekonamotorcycle

Hey Hey now. I was just kidding.