Janus Motorcycles merged threadfest .

[kenvil1]

I don't believe I've come across the Janus brand before. Does anyone here know anything about their motorcycles or own one? They seem quaint, to say the least.

https://www.janusmotorcycles.com/halcyon-250-motorcycle

[AJ Huff]

That's pretty sweet!

-AJ

[JACoH]

Yet another Chinese bike, anyone with enough money can get anything made over there. Nice retro styling that would cause a lot of second glances as it rode by.

[Lannis]

Probably a real thing.  It could probably be built at a price that would allow the MSRP.

Looks interesting to people interested in old motorcycles.

Extremely limited market, so I don't predict success for it.

Lannis

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Yet another Chinese bike, anyone with enough money can get anything made over there. Nice retro styling that would cause a lot of second glances as it rode by.

IIRC, only the engine is Chinese. And that could be the Zongshen unit, same as in the CSC TT250: http://www.cscmotorcycles.com/CSC-TT250-2018-p/ztt250-2018.htm

[Tusayan]

It's fairly obvious the engine is Chinese.  As for the rest, the website says:

"All fabricated parts of our motorcycles are made within about 20 miles of our facility, with specialty cast parts such as the engine & brakes sourced from the best suppliers we could find for our purposes"

I think this is just a few guys hand building bikes, and they're pretty attractive.  To me, street legal registration would be the issue.   

[arveno]

I do not like the name... JANUS ...!! LoL

I apologize but that is funny... 

[twodogs]

They are legit, seen 1 at Davenport swap meet.

[bigbikerrick]

Too expensive for what you get, IMHO. Check the prices of their "gear" ...a denim tool roll for $95. ! The design of the halcyon, and the cafe is attractive, but I think these bikes will have a very limited appeal. Once you get to the $7000. price point, you have alot of very capable and proven machines to choose from, that will compete with these.
I seriously doubt this company will still exist 5-10 years down the road.
I do see a future in lightweight electric bikes that look cool, can be pluggedinto any 110 outlet to charge, and can be used for commuting cheaply, and for college students to zip around campus on.
Rick.

[Groover]

The Janus Joplun sounds really good 

[twowheeladdict]

If I was retired and just wanted another bike to ride down to local coffee house, etc.  I could see owning one of these. 

If my wife would let me park it in the sunroom, I would buy one now.   

[ITSec]

It's fairly obvious the engine is Chinese.  As for the rest, the website says:

"All fabricated parts of our motorcycles are made within about 20 miles of our facility, with specialty cast parts such as the engine & brakes sourced from the best suppliers we could find for our purposes"

I think this is just a few guys hand building bikes, and they're pretty attractive.  To me, street legal registration would be the issue.

Well, if the engine, intake and exhaust are already in use in another certified motorcycle they may be piggybacking on that certification.

The price is on the high side, but this is a more attractive execution than some others we've seen.

[gvw]

I do not like the name... JANUS ...!! LoL

I apologize but that is funny... 

I have a prohibition on employees wearing former employers names on their clothing.  One of them used to work for another company called Janus and wore their jacket from time to time.  After the first time he wore it, a quick unpick removed the 'J" from the embroidery and for the next 3 months, everytime he wore that jacket, I never said anything as he presented with the last 4 letters only on his sleeve to the merriment of all others.  There is always one and some a#*hat eventually pointed it out to him and spoiled the fun.

I can see that happening to these bikes.

[Shorty]

Nice funmobile, but I'd sooner have a Yamaha mill in it.

[oldbike54]

The Janus Joplun sounds really good 

 Oh ... that's good 

 Dusty

[Tusayan]

I'm waiting for somebody with experience to highlight the merits of the German Schempp-Hirth Janus sailplane...



 

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Nice funmobile, but I'd sooner have a Yamaha mill in it.

It's sort of a Honda engine - a development of the Honda CG200 unit.

[rodekyll]

$7k for a strippy 250cc bike with a proven flexi-flier frame, pit bike brakes, and literally no suspension.  Yeah, that'll sell well.

[Bonaventure]

$7k for a strippy 250cc bike with a proven flexi-flier frame, pit bike brakes, and literally no suspension.  Yeah, that'll sell well.

+1 a very niche market of enthusiasts of motorized bicycles that look more bicycle than what we have come to know motorcycles to be in the past century.  And I think the Chinese engine may put a damper on drawing the niche enthusiasts who like this type of bike. 

[kenvil1]

a very niche market of enthusiasts of motorized bicycles

Ridley makes a proper motorized bicycle.

http://www.ridleymotorcycle.com/motorbike/

[bad Chad]

Charlie is right about the engine.  It is the exact same motor as is in my ZongShen, right down to the 229cc!

Although CSC who markets the TT250 really 229cc, (a very well made motorcycle, I'v ridden mine for a year now with zero issue, and on a calm day in the flats it will hit an indicated 68mph!) can be had for under $2500 delivered to your door with gas in the motor.  Just hit the starter and go, that's what I did.  True the TT250 looks like a conventional modern dirt bike, mono shock, braided steel lines to disk brakes and so one, but it's thousands less than a Janus.

[Murray]

I'm waiting for somebody with experience to highlight the merits of the German Schempp-Hirth Janus sailplane...

The merits of the Janus is, there are other twin seat sailplanes.

[DaSwami]

No thanks, I'll stick with my TU250X.......for a lot less $$$$

[MMRanch]

I had a China 4 wheeler with that same motor on it ... transmission was 4 forward and one reverse , but still same motor .   It was bullet-proof , but not very powerful .   I suspect 15HP with good low end power and smooth 7000 ish  upper  RPM.   

The 4 wheeler had chain drive size 428 that didn't stay on the sprockets very good so I switched it over to a farm chain size 50 (530 for you motorcycle guys) , then t stayed on good .   I found a great deal on a Honda 350 Rancher that replaced it.

 DaSwami

I like the TU250 too
is it better than the old 250 Rebel was ?

 

 

[Pop]

Kenvil said it all, Ridley does make a decent motorbike. Saw two at Laconia, they were freezing fast. Don't know how much they are, but the Janus ,albeit sharp, is too pricey. Not unlike those Harley Davidsons. I don't see them lasting another 100 years.
No, the real thing is if one idiot with too much money buys one, then another will and so on. Still, don't see a long term outfit.
Pop

[sidecarnutz]

I'll stick with my old RE Bullet 500 Deluxe.

[ohiorider]

I'll stick with my old RE Bullet 500 Deluxe.

I was thinking the same thing.  Some of the Bullets are beautiful singles that are retro by nature. 

[oldbike54]

 Isn't Ridley out of business ?

 Dusty

[Huzo]

I'm waiting for somebody with experience to highlight the merits of the German Schempp-Hirth Janus sailplane...

The all flying tailplane version was a bit of a surprise in a spin
but other than that they are lovely jiggers.

[Huzo]

The merits of the Janus is, there are other twin seat sailplanes.

????