Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/365773
MIDUAL TYPE 1 FIRST RIDE P86 This is a work in progress and by the time the first customer bike is delivered early next year, this unique take on twin-cylinder mo- torcycling should more than live up to the high expectations of its demanding clientele. The Midual's beautifully up- holstered 31.8-inch high seat is a good place to spend a full day riding hard and fast through the picturesque French countryside, with the relatively low-set foot- pegs delivering a comfortable stance - although your knees are slightly more splayed than would be ideal, because of the need to find extra space in the mono- coque's fuel tank. The whole aura of the bike is incredibly exclusive and upmar- ket – fit and finish is superlative, with every single component from the monocoque frame down to the gearshift or handlebar con- trols exquisitely made and super- latively detailed. I never rode any- thing before that simply reeked of exclusivity as much as this bike does, even down to the hand- stitched tan leather side panels in the frame-cum-tank. But let me get my other com- plaint about the stance out of the way, because I didn't like the semi-cruiser-esque handlebar fit- ted to each bike, which was too wide and too flat. I'd like some- thing narrower that's more pulled back, so I don't have to lean as far forward with my arms out wide as I had to on each Midual. How- ever, that's a matter of personal choice, and with the handlebar manufacturer across the street, Midy can give each customer whatever he or she wants. The Midual has a completely unique engine character, with a syrupy, smooth power deliv- ery that's practically uncanny, because there is absolutely no vibration down low and in mid- range – as in none, zero, zilch, squat, niente. That's not to say it feels as characterless as an elec- tric motor, just ultra smooth – and the absolutely unique exhaust note that's the backbeat to your riding the Midual takes fine care of stirring the senses, as a sort of halfway blend between the off- beat lilt of a Ducati V-twin, and a BMW's droning imitation when pressed hard of a low flying pro- pellor aircraft. But the way it builds power smoothly yet strongly from not far off the 1300 rpm idle speed is both pleasurable and reward- ing, allowing you to cut down on gear-changing if you feel like it – you can ride through town at 30 mph in top gear, and the Midual will pull smoothly away with zero transmission snatch when you wind it open to head for the hills. Though 107 hp doesn't sound like a lot of power these days, it's how you deliver it that counts, and the Midual's extremely broad spread of torque makes this an enjoyable and satisfying bike to ride hard out in the real world. And the Walbro ECU is well mapped, with zero snatch off a closed throttle, just a smooth pickup that's in keeping with the bike's aspirations to be refined and classy, in keeping with its ap- pearance. But you don't cut down on changing gears because you have to, as the gearbox's shift action is excellent – light but positive, and for sure the best I ever encountered riding a Boxer twin. However, the clutch was very heavy on the brand-new show bike I rode, whereas on the prototype it had been accept- ably light – not a single-finger job, but no worse than a current wet-clutch Ducati, whereas the "I realized in 2007 when we first ran the engine on the dyno, and discovered much to our relief we had created something really valid, that I'd have to address a different sector of the market than conventional motorcycle companies." -Olivier Midy