Motorcycle specifications Motus MST-01 2012 Sewn mouth stitch

when we think of Grand Touring motorcycles and Americans, we quickly imagine road-going liners such as a Harley Electra Glide, a Victory Vision Tour or the Japanese counterpart, the Goldwing. Over-sized, heavy, imposing, majestic machines, just the way Uncle Sam likes them.

But that's not exactly how the young Motus manufacturer thinks. Don't look any further than Thierry Beccaro... A brand-new company born in Alabama, which in a very short space of time has managed to develop a Sport-GT with its own engine. And it's not just for show: the bike is on the road and could be on the market by the end of 2011. Surprising, but what stronghold is it defending in a category where experience plays a huge part in a machine's skills?

A motorcycle is first and foremost a love affair. And on this point, Motus seems to have lost the directory of design companies. Without being mean, the MST-01 is unrivalled in its blandness. A pasta dish without butter, cheese or cooking would provoke more enthusiasm. With its shape, proportions and silhouette, this bike seems to play on several categories: Honda CBF 1000 looks, a typical Pan-European engine, a VFR 1200 as direct competitor, and a vague similarity with the late Buell S3T. If looking at this Sport-GT doesn't lift the heart, its engine manages to provoke much more fizz.

A big, cavernous, grognard V4. A mechanism at the antipodes of the American motorcycling religion, which usually swears by the air-cooled twin. And yet, it smells like America when the pistons start firing. Under the throttle, this 1654 cm3 block, christened KMW4, grunts and vociferates like a good old Muscle-car V8 . In fact, it's said that this engine drew its inspiration from the Chevrolet Corvette.
Not very pretty to look at, the MST-01's engine stands out not only for its voice, but also for its technology. Tumbled valve timing, direct injection and a power output that would send shivers down the spines of many a Japanese and European GT: 161 hp at just under 8,000 rpm. Torque: almost 17 mkg at 4,500 rpm. These figures rival those of the 6-cylinder BMW K 1600 GT / GTL. Of course, the behavior and melody of the German and American models are very different.

The chassis' technical solutions are more classic, yet more European. A tubular trellis frame supports the engine and an inverted telehydraulic fork fitted with radial brake calipers. Final drive is by chain, sending mixed power through a 6-speed gearbox: the last 2 are 'overdrive' type, to calm engine speed and fuel consumption. One of Motus' tricks of the trade is to offer a very reasonable weight of 227 kgs; compared to a GTR 1400 or FJR 1300, the MST is a featherweight.
The carbon fairing explains part of this minimal weight. The protection offered by the fairing and luggage space should be in the mid-range, close to the performance of a Triumph Sprint GT.
This MST will also be available in a Premium version, with Öhlins suspension and Brembo brakes. The price remains unknown for the moment, but we'll be sure to keep an eye on this model, which took a record amount of time to get off the ground, and which is sure to surprise us very quickly.

M.B - Manufacturer's photos