I think rfishers point is that car guys don't always get what is really needed for a bike engine. Packaging and size are much more important on a bike.
I'm a little different in that I gravitate to bikes that are different particularly different power plants.
I prefer different engine configurations.
That's part of what attracted me to Buell. I also love Guzzis, Ducatis, and Triumphs.
I have zero interest in anything with an IL4 motor. They have as much character as a refrigerator.
Motus is attempting to create a touring motorcycle for people who love sport. It's a lighter, more powerful, better handling sport tourer than what is on the market currently. I see it slotting in for folks seeking the comfort of a tourer and the performance of a sport bike.
The engine is also designed to provide an experience that is unique. Motus could have used a "traditional" power plant, but then they would have been just one of any number of also rans.
I think rfishers point is that car guys don't always get what is really needed for a bike engine. Packaging and size are much more important on a bike.
Understood. I agree. It's part of my concern as well.
>>> It's a lighter, more powerful, better handling sport tourer than what is on the market currently.
More powerful maybe, but lighter and better handling than the BMW R1200GS, or the Ducati Multistrada?
The one thing I like most about the Motus concept is the direct injection, which from the article is one of two possible solutions for the production bike.
What the Motus folks are attempting is nothing short of Herculean.
What the Motus folks are attempting is nothing short of Herculean."
sounds like another motorcycle company i've read about lately.....
I think the bike looks nice Sounds great on the vids (would love to hear it in person) And it could be a huge hit. We'll see, Theres been a lot of good bikes made that never really 'made it' time will tell
More powerful maybe, but lighter and better handling than the BMW R1200GS, or the Ducati Multistrada?
I don't believe that either of those would be considered a "sport tourer". The GS (Gelande Sport--Offroad Sport in German) and Multistrada (Multi-roads in Italian) would be more of a "dual sport".
Compare with:
BMW K1300 Kawasaki Concourse Honda ST1300 Yamaha FJR Triumph Sprint
I don't believe the motor is a race Vette motor loped in half. This motor is less than 2000 cc, while a 346 ci Ccorvette V8 is almost 7000 cc. It may be similarly designed, but it's not the same.
"Can't put a belt on cause they said the size of it would of been too big."
Horse-Hooey.
My '90 FXR with a hot-rodded 113" S&S, makes 140hp/140tq. at the wheel, and I beat on it. Same stock-dimension belt [the good kevlar/aramid-fiber one] for past 5 years. Zero problems. 3 rear tires during that period.
I'm guessing that the real story here, the whole story, is a bunch of engineers with limited MC background and experience trying to design a power sports vehicle by committee.
I had the unique opportunity to not only look at a Motus at Daytona this year, but to sit on one.
At some point I want to add a sport tourer to my stable and I really like the motus in that unlike a Concours or whatever,I can sit and flat foot the bike.
The Chevy derived engine screams reliability and the hydraulic valvetrain means low cost maintenance (one of my most important criteria)...The bike looks good, the controls fall in a natural position.
I agree with Rfischer, my 2053cc Kawasaki has a final drive belt and works just fine. It's not much bigger, if any, than the one on the Buell. Just have to remember that this is a prototype. I like what I've seen so far and would like to see them pull it off. I also agree with Ft_bastard, the unique styling will pull in the unique buyers looking for that "something other than what's lined up at the curb". Reminds me of that line from Beetlejuice, "I myself am strange and unusual".
I, too, sat on it at LS, and it felt pretty good. After I put an additional 80K on my ST1100, I'll be looking for a replacement; this was definitely a contendah...
My bad I got my models and conversions mixed up. The size is still significantly smaller than 1/2 of most American V-8 lumps though, namely the Corvette motors the company usually works with.
I don't believe that either of those would be considered a "sport tourer". The GS (Gelande Sport--Offroad Sport in German) and Multistrada (Multi-roads in Italian) would be more of a "dual sport".
Compare with:
BMW K1300 Kawasaki Concourse Honda ST1300 Yamaha FJR Triumph Sprint
Okay, the BMW R1200G, not the "GS" version.
The Multistrada is a "dual sport"? I always thought that a "dual sport" was basically a dirt bike that had decent road going capability, or at a minimum a road bike that could also go off-road. I'd put the KLR 650 and the BMW1200GS in that category.
I don't see a valid comparison for any of the bikes you list to the motus except for the lone chain driven, more sport-oriented one, the Triumph Sprint. All of the others are more akin to behemoths of the touring world that their manufacturers have decided to badge as "sport tourers"; all have shaft drive. Really not much sporty about them other than their visual lines are sleeker than those of a Harley. The FJR comes closest to sporting.
When asked what they ultimately wanted this bike to be, both Case and Conn replied that the goal was to build a really fun sport-touring machine that leaned heavily toward the sporting side and away from the heavy, more touring-oriented offerings currently on the market. They wanted something lighter that offered good performance but with an upright and comfortable seating position. Case said he was inspired by early sport-tourers like Ducati’s ST4S. After riding the bike, I can say that Motus has easily achieved that balance. The multi-position-adjustable bars were set at a comfy level, and overall ergonomics were relaxed with just a hint of sportiness.
At the end of the day, I walked away impressed. I was very surprised at how good the bike was in its prototype state. If Motus is capable of making the necessary refinements and can get the MST-R to pass emissions requirements while maintaining even the current level of fuel mapping, this will be one hell of a fun motorcycle.
Sounds to me just like the market that the Multistrada and Triumph Sprint are in, also the 1125R fitted with a complete set of luggage.
