MOTUS: New Sport Tourer to be built in Alabama

[kirb]

Originally Posted by GB

Lots of whining about the luggage...again.. now let's keep going around in circles and whine about the KTM 950/990 sourced headlight on $31,000 and $37,000 bikes....

To be fair, they sourced the euro version headlight....

[Mr. Canoehead]

Originally Posted by kirb

To be fair, they sourced the euro version headlight....

I doubt it. The Euro light wouldn't be DOT approved (or KTM would be using it).

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[DAKEZ]

http://www.motorcycleclassics.com/mo...otorcycle.aspx

"What price exclusivity? Expect to pay somewhere in the neighborhood of $115,000-$125,000"

[KMC1]

[10/10ths]

....the riding position combined with the V-4, make this a really desirable machine. If it had the original direct injection and ABS, it would be a no-brainer.

Without.....

I still can't get over how PERFECT the riding position was when I sat on one in Houston:


Motus by Shooter158, on Flickr

I have a 29 inseam and could flat foot that bike with Piloti driving shoes on.

[JerryH]

It does have a "built from pieces" hot rod look to it that is very attractive. Not smooth and seamless like the Japanese or BMW sport tourers. I don't see it being a boring bike, but oh that price. That price is way above many very capable machines from several different manufacturers that have proven reliability, an established dealer network, and local service and parts availability.

[GI_JO_NATHAN]

Can y'all quit quoting him, so he's easier to ignore.

[Sierra Thumper]

Originally Posted by DAKEZ

http://www.motorcycleclassics.com/mo...otorcycle.aspx

"What price exclusivity? Expect to pay somewhere in the neighborhood of $115,000-$125,000"

What a sad, sick joke 1970's power, weight, and handling levels for 125 grand....plus if the guy decides to dump the 10 bike project you're sol for parts. Is he mentally ill?

[Sierra Thumper]

Originally Posted by Moronic

Doubtless they chose off-the-shelf luggage partly for cost reasons but it also happens to fit very well with the theme of the bike.

If you scratch up or otherwise damage a bag, just go to Givi and pick up a new one. No need to go through the bike maker, wait weeks and pay double.

So much funny stuff in this thread. Most of it has been consumed with whining about the price of the bikes, but now the complaint is it doesn't have enough bling.

And then there's the really big complaint: too expensive, not enough bling - and you can't buy one yet!!!!

At this point I'll be suprised if one can ever be bought......they really seem to be dragging their feet on this bike, makes me wonder if there's problems behind the scenes.

[eatpasta]

Originally Posted by 10/10ths

....the riding position combined with the V-4, make this a really desirable machine. If it had the original direct injection and ABS, it would be a no-brainer.

Without.....

wait a sec - I thought that was the whole thing behind this bike?? When did the Direct injection and ABS get dropped? The ABS I kinda get but wasn't half the point of this bike that it was going to have a super modern American motor in it?

[rocker59]

Originally Posted by eatpasta

wasn't half the point of this bike that it was going to have a super modern American motor in it?

Define "Super Modern".

If pushrod V4 based on a Corvette's engine meets that criteria, then I guess they have it...

[Mr. Canoehead]

Originally Posted by rocker59

Define "Super Modern".

If pushrod V4 based on a Corvette's engine meets that criteria, then I guess they have it...

GM's V-8 engines can reasonable be called "super modern". They are competitive in every way (power to weight, BSFC, flexibility) to other "super modern" V-8 engines (Ford, Toyota, Nissan, Chrysler). Even BMW, Audi and Mercedes have little advantage unless you look at M, RS or AMG engines and those engines cost a lot more to manufacture and service.

Interesting article link comparing the GM V8 to the AMG V-8.

I'm not a GM guy, I'm a Ford guy, but the Ford OHC V8 engines have no advantage over the GM pushrod engines and they are much harder to service and package in the vehicle. I think it is funny that pushrods are such a hot point for people. 40 years ago, the lowly pushrod was a mark of shame but not today. BMW R-bikes had pushrods up to the camhead. Guzzi has always had pushrods.

I do think it is unfortunate that Motus dropped the DI system, though - GM's new V8's do have that, along with cylinder deactivation.

[Sierra Thumper]

Originally Posted by rocker59

Define "Super Modern".

If pushrod V4 based on a Corvette's engine meets that criteria, then I guess they have it...

The whole selling point for the Motus seems to be the engine, which is a sweet piece indeed
But why couldn't they base a much more cost effective bike around that same engine, bring the price down around 10 grand, and still have a VERY unique bike that piques everybodies interest, and that more folks could actually afford? If it was competitively priced with its competitition, it would sell like hotcakes based on its uniqueness alone.

[rocker59]

Originally Posted by Sierra Thumper

The whole selling point for the Motus seems to be the engine, which is a sweet piece indeed
But why couldn't they base a much more cost effective bike around that same engine, bring the price down around 10 grand, and still have a VERY unique bike that piques everybodies interest, and that more folks could actually afford? If it was competitively priced with its competitition, it would sell like hotcakes based on its uniqueness alone.

Something tells me the engine in the MOTUS would set you back ten grand. Plus.

[rocker59]

Originally Posted by Mr. Canoehead

GM's V-8 engines can reasonable be called "super modern". They are competitive in every way (power to weight, BSFC, flexibility) to other "super modern" V-8 engines (Ford, Toyota, Nissan, Chrysler). Even BMW, Audi and Mercedes have little advantage unless you look at M, RS or AMG engines and those engines cost a lot more to manufacture and service.

Interesting article link comparing the GM V8 to the AMG V-8.

I'm not a GM guy, I'm a Ford guy, but the Ford OHC V8 engines have no advantage over the GM pushrod engines and they are much harder to service and package in the vehicle. I think it is funny that pushrods are such a hot point for people. 40 years ago, the lowly pushrod was a mark of shame but not today. BMW R-bikes had pushrods up to the camhead. Guzzi has always had pushrods.

I do think it is unfortunate that Motus dropped the DI system, though - GM's new V8's do have that, along with cylinder deactivation.

I have three Guzzis and a V8 powered Chevrolet Suburban.