A picture is coming together about the latest rides from America’s newest two-wheeled manufacturer with Motus motorcycles making headlines over its entry model.
Earlier this week the founders of Motus (which means motion in Latin) introduced the MST-01 and MST-R, two 1,650 cc sport-touring machines scheduled to enter low-volume production later this year. Both Lee Conn and Brian Case are avid riders who came together to develop sport-touring bikes that are designed, engineered and built in the United States but pay no homage to the century-old format of Harley and Indian models.
Although Motus are based in Birmingham Alabama, the event to unveil their motorcycles was held in Detroit at the headquarters of Pratt & Miller, an automotive engineering firm famous for having built General Motors’ factory Corvette racers.
Pratt & Miller was chosen by the Motus founders to lead the bike’s engineering, development, testing and validation work. Indeed, the motorcycle’s powerhouse is an all-new V-4 engine based on the famous Chevrolet Corvette V-8. Mounted longitudinally and sitting forward in the chassis, the V4 engine is tipped slightly toward the fork, positioned for optimum for balance and handling. The engine was designed and is being tested by Katech.
The engine and gearbox will only take 200 pounds of the motorcycle’s total 520 pound weight, and features a 6-speed cassette-type gearbox.
Performance is key as is riding comfort, both targeting the bikers they feel will buy the expected few hundred motorcycles manufactured each year.
“Our first prospective customer is like me, an aging sport-bike rider who loves the performance but can no longer endure the cramped riding position, particularly on long-distance rides,” said Lee Conn, co-founder of Motus, “The second prospective customer has owned American V-twins and appreciates comfort, but is seeking higher performance.”
The design was born from hours of discussions with veteran sport and sport-touring riders, who tend to favor BMWs, Honda STs, Aprilias and Ducatis.
“We designed our motorcycle from the ground up to provide all-day riding comfort with hot-rod performance,” Conn said noting the pair decided against going the route of another air-cooled V-twin.
Considered the base model, the MST-01 features standard 43-millimeter Marzocchi fork and Hayes brakes. The R model features premium running gear, including an Ohlins fork and top-of-the-line Brembo brakes.
Carbon fiber is used in the fairing, fuel tank, seat unit and front fender to help keep the weight down. The trellis frame, a type long favored by Ducati, is fabricated in chrome-moly tubing by Pratt & Miller. The bike’s 17-inch forged aluminum wheels are sourced from the Italian supplier Marchesini and wear Michelin’s new Pilot 3 radial tires.
Both come standard with direct fuel injection, a feature that bolsters performance and fuel efficiency, still relatively new in automobiles and a motorcycle-industry first from Motus.
Everything fits easily within the motorcycle’s 58-inch wheelbase which features a seat height of 31.5 inches.
Specifications
Dimensions
Overall length 2130mm ( 84in)
Wheelbase 1473mm (58in)
Seat height 787mm (31in)
Rake 26º
Trail 108mm (4.25in)
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
Dry weight 227kg (500lbs) (est.)
Fuel capacity 22.7L (6gal)
Pricing hasn’t been set yet, pending final specification. Conn says it won’t be cheap, but he hopes to keep it within reach of motivated enthusiasts—presumably, well south of $30,000 for the base model.
And riders will finally have a chance to see the MST-01 and MST-R up close and in-person as the founders of Motus make a stop at Daytona Bike Week before taking a cross-country ride with Pratt & Miller engineers to evaluate the final prototypes, visit prospective dealers and proudly show off their new take on the American motorcycle.
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