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/625324
VOL. 53 ISSUE 1 JANUARY 12, 2016 P89 visual design statement. The Motus really stands out in ap- pearance with the red rocker covers on the MST-R's V4 motor represent- ing engineering eye candy for those seeking a break from convention. But that's nothing to what happens when you thumb the starter button, and the Murphy ECU's excellent cold start mapping helps the engine instantly catch alight, and settle to a high 1500- rpm idle. It's the entry ticket to a con- certo from one of the most absolutely unique engine notes in modern-day motorcycling. Sometimes the lilting burble from the twin exhausts makes the Motus KMV4 engine sound like half-a-Chevy-V8, other times there's a fruitier crack more like twin twins, as in double Ducatis—but first, last and always it's totally distinctive, and extremely entertaining when heard from the hot seat. TOP SHELF, PLEASE This innovative power- plant is housed with a 15º forward inclination in a 4130 chrome-moly tubular-steel trellis-style spaceframe conceived by Brian Case. The fully adjustable 43mm Öhlins NIX30 upside down fork on both versions is set at a 26º rake with 108mm of trail, delivering a 158-inch wheelbase. This is matched on the MST-R to a fully adjust- able Öhlins TTX36 shock, while the MST carries a Progressive Suspension monoshock adjust- able for rebound damping only, each with a progressive rate rocker-arm link, and an eas- ily accessible remote preload adjuster for the spring—a key feature for convenience in tailor- ing the suspension for luggage and/or a passenger. There's a choice of seat heights, with a 32.5-inch high default version or a lower 31.5-inch extra cost option. The MST-R comes as standard with BST carbon fiber wheels fitted with twin 320mm front Braking discs gripped by radially mounted four-piston Brembo Monobloc calipers, and a 220mm rear with twin-piston caliper (the MST has hardly less snazzy OZ Racing forged alumi- num wheels, and conventional Brembo two-piece calipers working the same discs). Each version comes shod with Pirelli Angel GT tires, with the rear one measuring a meaty 190/70-55, a further statement of the fact that the Motus MST is tailored towards the sporting side of the sport tourer divide. As mile-eating motorcyclists themselves, Case and Conn haven't forgotten that their cus- tomers will need extra power for all the equipment they're likely to carry over the long rides which the touring side of the Motus equation will engender—plug-in GPS units, heated grips, phone chargers, etc. "We knew we wanted an extensive charging system to be able to power all the electrical add-ons our customers will want to have," says Case. "So we've incorporated a 720W alterna- tor powering a 60amp charging system, and we're confident that with three separate power ports the MST has plenty of capacity for plug-in accessories." Equipped with carbon-fiber bodywork and wheels, the MST- R weighs 565 pounds with a full 5.5 U.S. gallon fuel tank, with a 52/48% static forward bias (580 lb. for the MST). The MST-R fea- tures the same engine platform as the MST, but with a high-lift cam for more duration, revised engine mapping and a 400 rpm higher rev limiter than the MST's 8200 rpm redline, thanks to which it delivers 180 bhp at 7800 rpm at the crankshaft (165 bhp on the MST) with 126 lb-ft of torque at 5000 rpm (123 lb-ft). Prices start at $30,975 for the MST, running to $36,975 for the MST-R, plus tax, with a choice of three different colors for each model, and including a two-year unlimited mileage warranty. Case came up with the design of the Motus' 4130 chrome- moly tubular-steel trellis-style spaceframe. BLIP THE THROTTLE IN NEUTRAL, AND THE MOTUS WILL INDEED ROCK FROM SIDE TO SIDE LIKE YOU'D NORMALLY GET WITH A LENGTHWAYS CRANK—BUT ONLY UNTIL YOU SELECT A GEAR. THEN, JUST HOLD THE CLUTCH LEVER IN, EVEN SITTING AT REST, AND THE SWAYING STOPS!