Bikes

Motus MST – Here Comes America’s Sport-Tourer

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After much waiting, Motus Motorcycles finally launched its MST sport-tourer to the public today. Unveiled at the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum in Motus’s hometown of Birmingham, Alabama, the American motorcycle manufacturer will head to Florida for the Progressive International Motorcycle Show on Thursday, March 10th for a more public showing.

Developed in conjunction with Pratt & Miller Engineering, the Motus MST features the KMV4 motor, a 1,645cc V4 push-rod style engine that include gasoline direct-injection technology (GDI). Power for the Motus MST prototype is said to be 161hp @ 7,800 rpm; 122 lbs•ft of torque @ 4,500 rpm, while the bike tips the scales around around 500 lbs dry. Motus will be riding the MST around the United States to show off their work, meet with supporters, and look for dealers interested in carrying the line.

“We are so proud to show the world the MST series,” said Motus President, Lee Conn. “We poured our hearts and souls into these motorcycles and hope that it shows in terms of the quality and character of the machines. The MST’s are exhilarating to ride- a very powerful experience unlike any other motorcycle I’ve ever ridden. There is usable power everywhere in rev-range, excellent feedback from the road, very responsive to inputs and….the sound of the KMV4 still gives me goose bumps every time one cranks.”

2011 seems to be the break-out year for the American sport motorcycle rebirth, as Motus is joined by Erik Buell Racing in announcing the release of a production sport motorcycle made in the USA. Like EBR, Motus has generated a lot of buzz about its project, and today we get to see the result of the company’s hard work.

We think you’ll either love or hate the Motus MST’s design, as there parts of the bike that strike us as being very elegant and others that appear more unpolished. The good news on that is because Motus will be proving the bike on a cross-country trek, stopping along the way to talk to motorcyclists, the opportunity for input on the bike’s design and features should be pretty high before it enters the market likely as 2012 model. We can’t wait to see the MST when it ventures out to San Francisco later this year.

Engine type: 1645cc (100ci) liquid-cooled 90º V4; dual OHV; pushrod; chain-driven single cam; hydraulic lifters

Performance: Minimum 140bhp @ 7800rpm; 162Nm (120lb-ft) @ 4500rpm; 8000rpm redline

Materials: 356-T6 cast aluminum block and heads; forged steel crank, cam, rods; forged aluminum pistons; linerless Nikasil bore

Firing order: 1 – 4 – 3 – 2

Ignition Sequence: TDC – 345º – 435º – 630º

Crankpin Offset: 75º

Minimum Octane: 87

Transmission: Motus 6-speed sequential gearbox; unit construction; wet multiplate clutch

Bore x Stroke: 86.5mm (3.41in) x 70.0mm (2.75in)

Compression: 11.5:1

Valves: Intake Ø44.5mm (1.75in); Exhaust Ø36.8mm (1.45in); stainless steel

Dimensions (engine): 610mm (24in) L x 492mm (19in) W x 508mm (20in) H

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

Overall length: 2130mm ( 84in)

Wheelbase: 1473mm (58in)

Seat height: 787mm (31in)

Rake: 26º

Trail: 108mm (4.25in)

Dry weight: 227kg (500lbs) (est.)

Fuel capacity: 22.7L (6gal)

Production date: 2011

Source: Motus

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