If that's a fully-loaded wet sport-touring rig at 530# then that's phenomenal. 160 ponies and 120 lb/ft to move it along isn't shabby, either. I really hope this venture succeeds.
That's fantastic news. Hell if they end up having to make more than half their profits shipping bikes to the EU, UK and Australia, I wouldn't care as long as their production remained on US soil.
My only problem with this bike will be trying to figure out how I can get it registered in Canada. Worst case, we have family in the US, they may have to buy a bike and just lend it to me.
Because even then, most of us aren't buying those new. My one big harley I paid 15k for, and realized that was too much - used and/or 11k or under from now on for me. That means a 20k bike has a ways to go before I can afford it.
Then there's a few of us who like to buy new. I have always liked to buy new and then do the breakin the way I want to do it, and then I'm also the one whose done the maintenance etc. I don't mind the depreciation "hit" as I tend to keep things and not trade in or upgrade every 2-3 years, more like 6-8 for cars/trucks and 4-5 or longer for bikes. My wife on the other hand goes through bikes like I go through shirts. There's enough riders out there willing to buy new to sell out however many bikes they decide to make, IMO. That's good news for you second hand guys.
Confederate's been transformed into the sport touring market! I hope they keep the price below 40K. :eek1 Good to see Brian Case back in the industry.
Maybe this would be better as a separate poll thread, but I'm curious what people would be willing to pay for the MST-4. I know there are still many unknowns, but based on what you know now, if you were seriously considering this bike, what would you pay? If it is possible to set this up as a poll, would someone who knows how to do that put one together. Can't help but think this would be valuable to MOTUS.
1) I'm not in the market for a new bike, a recent house purchase with the associated repair bills rule out a new bike for a little while. 2) IF I had the means to buy a new bike, Motus would be #1 on my list. I'd be willing to fork out $25K for the base model. -- Mikko
In Australia, the Ohlins-version Ducati Multistrada 1200 is $29K RRP, the BMW R1200 RT about $30K if memory serves. If the base Motus came in around those figures, I would certainly be looking at it if considering one of those models. If $25K, it would be very attractive. I am partial to Ohlins kit and carbon fibre finishes, so if the R model were $30K that would be a strong draw also. At $35K it would be priced against the BMW 6. A lot of money for a motorbike, but the compensation would be the hope of low running costs over big distances. This is all very hypothetical tho, at this point. I am assuming brilliant ride and handling, great comfort, remarkable grunt, class-leading fuel economy, rock-solid reliability and delightful character. A lot to deliver, and history suggests not very likely. I wish them luck, tho.
I'm hoping that they hold the price of the base model down at $15,000 to $20,000, and the premium model at $5,000 higher. $15,000 to $20,000 is high when you consider the discounted price you would pay for a new ZX14 or VFR1200F, but the overall package of features and low running costs would justify that range. However, I expect the first bikes to go out $5,000 higher than the figures above.
For u.s. motorheads, there's not much better than a roller small block revving like a beast. There's something viscerally familiar about this motor because of it's similarity with the greatness of the pushrod v-8. Big cubes gets the torque, electronics deliver the economy, the design allows it to rev well (unlike another american pushrod motorcycle motor) and it should all be bombproof if done well. I love it and hope they have success.
I just got notice that they will be showing a Motus at our local bike hang out (a couple hours from me), at Alice's Restraunt. So Monday, I'm gonna ride down there, check it out, and cuss all the way home for having willingly taken on commute traffic all the way home..... Imagine, splitting lanes for 3 hours, jus' because I wanna check out a bike I want, but will never be able to afford.
They'll also be in Roseville and Laguna Seca if that's easier for you. I'll be there monday at Alices. -steve
Seems to be creeping up a bit. Specs at the bottom of their MST web page here now show 240kg (530lbs) dry, up from 227kg a while ago if I am looking at the same page. Meanwhile, their PDF datasheet here is still quoting 530lbs wet. Dry weight of 530 is nothing to be ashamed of for a bike in this class, but nonetheless is starting to get a bit porky.
Weight tends to creep up in testing as weak links are found and fixed. Nothing to be surprised about, it is a good sign that they are testing and improving, not using their customers for Guinea pigs (listening BMW?)
I saw the two prototypes at Alice's yesterday. Lee was saying that the silver model with side bags (top case wasn't on) weighed 530lbs fully fueled when they weighed it at the beginning of the trip. I think the white MST-R weighed about the same as it is rigged up with a lot of data logging gear. Impressive bike! It felt nice sitting on it. Lee ran it up and down in front of Alice's a few times for photo ops and it sounded great. I wish them well. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNgQZdJcBM4 -steve