Motus merged threadfest

[Lannis]

Unlike any of the other bikes you can buy, that all benefit from changes in suspension, seats, handlebars/risers, exhaust, etc., there is nothing on the Motus that needs to be changed. 

Good enthusiastic review, and if a Motus ever comes within a day's riding range, I'll get a test ride on it and see what it does.

One thing, though ... even if everything is "top drawer", even the genii at Motus don't know what's comfortable to me and Fay when it comes to seats.   Seating, regardless of the quality of materials, is WAY too personal a thing to think that "one size, shape, material, and hardness" fits everyone.   

No matter what bike I get, I budget another $700 for a seat - not "just because" I have to be different, but because the chances are so slim that a "universal" seat is optimal for us ....

Lannis

[Arizona Wayne]

This is the reason I don't test ride a new vehicle unless I'm really serious about maybe buying 1.  For once you ride/drive the thing you might find yourself get an irresistible desire to own the thing, whether you really need it or not.   

[Lannis]

This is the reason I don't test ride a new vehicle unless I'm really serious about maybe buying 1.  For once you ride/drive the thing you might find yourself get an irresistible desire to own the thing, whether you really need it or not.   

That's true.    If I found it to be "irresistible" it sure would be a lot of trouble.   I'd have sell all my other bikes to get up the money to pay for one Motus.

Not saying it wouldn't be worth it, and it might really be a good thing to do.   But it would be a lot of trouble!

Lannis

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

THAT'S no comfort ... !   

Lannis

That feller can bolt a pair of free Touratech bars on a BMW like nobody's business!

[davevv]

Good enthusiastic review, and if a Motus ever comes within a day's riding range, I'll get a test ride on it and see what it does.

One thing, though ... even if everything is "top drawer", even the genii at Motus don't know what's comfortable to me and Fay when it comes to seats.   Seating, regardless of the quality of materials, is WAY too personal a thing to think that "one size, shape, material, and hardness" fits everyone.   

No matter what bike I get, I budget another $700 for a seat - not "just because" I have to be different, but because the chances are so slim that a "universal" seat is optimal for us ....

Lannis

The seat is a premium Sargent (lower and/or heated are options) and true, you may not like it, but there are darned few bikes in the world that come from the factory with better.  The handlebars are fully adjustable (up and down, front to back, and pullback angle) made by Helibars.  The windscreen is also adjustable and their screen/fairing combination provided the quietest ride I've ever experienced.  Suspension is adjustable, as are the levers. So yes, no manufacturer knows what's comfortable for you, but there's a much better than average chance that the Motus, as delivered, can be tweaked to work for anyone that tries it.  But there are always exceptions and that's why I said "if you replace/modify anything on it you are probably going backwards". 

[Lannis]

The seat is a premium Sargent (lower and/or heated are options) and true, you may not like it, but there are darned few bikes in the world that come from the factory with better.  The handlebars are fully adjustable (up and down, front to back, and pullback angle) made by Helibars.  The windscreen is also adjustable and their screen/fairing combination provided the quietest ride I've ever experienced.  Suspension is adjustable, as are the levers. So yes, no manufacturer knows what's comfortable for you, but there's a much better than average chance that the Motus, as delivered, can be tweaked to work for anyone that tries it.  But there are always exceptions and that's why I said "if you replace/modify anything on it you are probably going backwards".

Agreed.   Sounds like they've covered everything that CAN be covered ....

Although any big roadburner I get has GOT to be two-up capable.   The Sargent seat on this bike looks like it has a big deep lovely wide seat for the driver, and (as usual) a little itty bitty pillion pad for the passenger.    That, and the seat-to-passenger-peg distance, would make it or break it with Fay.   The passenger pegs could be moved down a bit with a couple of fabricated adapters, I'm sure, and Russell will probably make a reasonable passenger seat.

Also I don't see a GVWR on any of the specs.    If it's not 440 pounds payload or higher, it's a non-starter for us.   The Stelvio meets all these requirements for us, and it's a pretty high hurdle (so to speak) for a bike to meet ....

Lannis

[T-3Dave]

Yes, talked to Lee about his dad. Lee said he is still riding his California which has Carrillo rods,etc.etc.  ;D

And we talked about his dad's land speed bike, a Guzzi engine that sounds like no other Guzzi I have ever heard and Sidney still has the bike.

Slight thread highjack - Back in March of 2010 Sid was a guest at one of our vintage bike club meetings, he told a good story recounting the LSR on that Lemans.

Unfortunately for us he didn't bring the Lemans to the meeting!

We were standing outside around a fire pit, this one is a bit hazy because of the smoke from the fire.

[bad Chad]

Any WALKING DEAD fans in here?

Norman Reedus is touring WNC and ETN on a Motus,

From his Instagram last couple days....

https://instagram.com/p/6awXkyMcDb/

https://instagram.com/p/6a1ouBMcOh/

That's great!   I thought Motus was Dead, what a cool tie in!   He's great on the show by the way.

[travelingbyguzzi]

Agreed.   Sounds like they've covered everything that CAN be covered ....

Although any big roadburner I get has GOT to be two-up capable.   The Sargent seat on this bike looks like it has a big deep lovely wide seat for the driver, and (as usual) a little itty bitty pillion pad for the passenger.    That, and the seat-to-passenger-peg distance, would make it or break it with Fay.   The passenger pegs could be moved down a bit with a couple of fabricated adapters, I'm sure, and Russell will probably make a reasonable passenger seat.

Also I don't see a GVWR on any of the specs.    If it's not 440 pounds payload or higher, it's a non-starter for us.   The Stelvio meets all these requirements for us, and it's a pretty high hurdle (so to speak) for a bike to meet ....

Lannis

For once, Lannis and I agree. The manufactures do not give nearly enough attention to passenger accomodations. 2-up traveling is not common enough to make it worth the effort, I guess. This brings us back around to a custom seat.
I had better not bring home a bike that isn't passenger capable. A backrest of some sort is required. I don't like topboxes very much, and wouldn't have one just for the backrest.

Bill Lovelady                IS
Eskimo Spy 

[Lannis]

For once, Lannis and I agree. The manufactures do not give nearly enough attention to passenger accomodations. 2-up traveling is not common enough to make it worth the effort, I guess. This brings us back around to a custom seat.
I had better not bring home a bike that isn't passenger capable. A backrest of some sort is required. I don't like topboxes very much, and wouldn't have one just for the backrest.

Bill Lovelady                IS
Eskimo Spy

Bill -

Sometimes it's weird like that.   I agree with probably 95% of what YOU say, but you don't agree with much of what I say.   

There's a message in there somewhere but I'm not worrying about it.   I wonder if Russell has built a seat for a Motus yet ... ?

Lannis

[Arizona Wayne]

Every butt-back combo is different.  What works for yours may not work for others. 

[jas67]

Bill -

Sometimes it's weird like that.   I agree with probably 95% of what YOU say, but you don't agree with much of what I say.   

There's a message in there somewhere but I'm not worrying about it.   I wonder if Russell has built a seat for a Motus yet ... ?

Lannis

You can probably send them a stock one to build a custom for you.   Sargent does that.

I'd be cool if you could by just a seat pan from Motus to do that with.

[Lannis]

You can probably send them a stock one to build a custom for you.   Sargent does that.

I'd be cool if you could by just a seat pan from Motus to do that with.

Having a custom seat made out of your own seat pan is "convenient" until you maybe want to sell the bike, then you wish you hadn't.

When I had Rich Maund make me a seat for my Centauro, I bought two Centauro seats from Mark @ MGC and used one of them for the pan.   When I had Russell make my Stelvio seat, I had to use my original pan because it was hard to find Stelvio pans at the time.

It would be great if Motus (or any other maker) would provide seat pans for custom seats.   I'd almost rather buy a bike without a seat, since i know I'm going to have one made anyhow ....

Lannis

[youcanrunnaked]

It'll be the MV Agusta of touring bikes.

Actually, the Tourismo Veloce is the MV Agusta of touring bikes:


At $16,000 base, $18,000 with active suspension (add $1,300 for saddlebags), it looks like a bargain compared to the Motus. 

[canuguzzi]

The more I see pictures of the Motus the more it looks exactly what they are claiming, a car engine in a motorcycle. I can't get past that it looks like something someone slapped together in a garage no matter how high quality individual components are.

I had Saab Sonnetts a few times, the Motus engine looks pretty much the same, that is to say it looks on a fork lift than a motorcycle, appearance wise. Put any Guzzi next to the Motus and which engine would you rather look at?

http://www.at-speed.com/old_version_July_2010/turn-in/soneat/galleries/07-10-07/IMG_4603.jpg

[bad Chad]

Am I following you guys right, about the pegs on a Scout being on the swing arm?    If that is so, I'm really surprised that the NHTSA would let that by.  From their perspective, I would think that would be a really safety concern?

[Aaron D.]

Hmm, thhis is the Motus thread, right?

Yes, passenger pegs on the Scout are on the swingarm. Up near the pivot. It was common not so long ago on smaller bikes to do that. Really shouldn't be a safety issue, but I can't see too many people using the Scout for two up for much more than a quick spin.

[oldbike54]

 So , has anyone actually purchased one of these things , the Motus that is .

 About the footpeg thing , if they are mounted at the front of the swinging arm , and the overall suspension travel is what , 2.5 inches , the pegs ain'tagonna move much 

  Dusty

[travelingbyguzzi]

I have a 6-year plan to aquire a Motus. of course, contingencies apply.

[Lannis]

I have a 6-year plan to aquire a Motus. of course, contingencies apply.

Mine's like a 3 year plan, haven't test-ridden one yet - that may cure me or doom me.   Have to sell about 4 bikes to get one, though .....

Don't even know why I want one ....

Lannis

[rocker59]

Am I following you guys right, about the pegs on a Scout being on the swing arm?    If that is so, I'm really surprised that the NHTSA would let that by.  From their perspective, I would think that would be a really safety concern?

One word:  Sportster.

Until fairly recently, Sportster passenger pegs were screwed into bosses which were welded to the swingarm.  I'm sure the K Model was the same.  So, for nearly 60-years K and XL model Harleys all had swingarm mounted passenger pegs.

[oldbike54]

One word:  Sportster.

Until fairly recently, Sportster passenger pegs were screwed into bosses which were welded to the swingarm.  I'm sure the K Model was the same.  So, for nearly 60-years K and XL model Harleys all had swingarm mounted passenger pegs.

 Heck , there was a Royal Enfield special (Yeah I know , all of the late English REs were kinda "special") commonly known as the Tangerine Dream that had passenger pegs mounted to the mufflers 

  Dusty

[Lannis]

 Heck , there was a Royal Enfield special (Yeah I know , all of the late English REs were kinda "special") commonly known as the Tangerine Dream that had passenger pegs mounted to the mufflers 

  Dusty

I've also seen Rickman kits for Triumph and BSA that had passenger pegs welded to the mufflers ..... More than one, so I don't think it was an "owner" mod  .....

Lannis

[oldbike54]

I've also seen Rickman kits for Triumph and BSA that had passenger pegs welded to the mufflers ..... More than one, so I don't think it was an "owner" mod  .....

Lannis

 Yeah , the Tangerine Dreams were Rickman specials . The story was that there were some odd number of 750 Interceptor motors (maybe 50?) sitting in crates bound for export . The original buyer reneged , and some small cottage concern bought the engines and built Rickman specials . I've only seen one in real life , so ugly they were attractive  Geez , why can I remember completely useless stuff like this , but not where my sanity is residing 

  Dusty

[jas67]

There was a Motus in attendance at the Ephrata First Sunday motorcycle breakfast yesterday.


I wasn't able to go, pic is from a friend's Facebook page.

I don't know if he was able to talk to the owner or not.

[Lannis]

There was a Motus in attendance at the Ephrata First Sunday motorcycle breakfast yesterday.


I wasn't able to go, pic is from a friend's Facebook page.

I don't know if he was able to talk to the owner or not.

That's good news.   First picture I've ever seen of one that looked like it belonged to a regular guy rather than to a dealer or magazine or as a test bike ... Maybe this one really is happening ....

Lannis

[Arizona Wayne]

Motus MCs................ ..above my pay grade.   

[rboe]

Oh crap, I'm getting ideas.....

[Lannis]

Motus MCs................ ..above my pay grade.   

Mine too.   UNLESS I sold three or four of what I've got ......

Lannis

[jas67]

I just noticed that it is the MST-R as in the even more expensive one!