Motus MST-01 sport tourer
An all-American motorcycle that isn't a cruiser or a chopper? Meet the MST-01, a powerful 1650cc V4-powered sport-tourer
Is the American answer to the Honda VFR1200F? We've reported on the Motus MST-01 before, in relation to the direct injected pushrod V4 engine pushrod V4 engine, and now the American-designed and built motorcycle has been shown for the first time.
The design of the motorcycle is best described as unique - it bears little resemblance to almost any other sports tourer out there, though there are shade of BMW and Ducati when viewed from some angles.
The trellis frame barely contains the 1650cc V4 engine, which is good for 161hp (118kW) at 7800rpm and 165Nm of torque at 4500rpm. Combined with an easily maintainable cassette type six-speed gearbox and chain final drive, the Motus MST-01 will be a rapid machine.
The KMV4 engine is essentially a scaled down version of a Corvette racing V8, with half as many cylinders, and the pushrod architecture was chosen to appeal to an American demographic. It also features a 22lt fuel tank for extended cruising.
Pratt & Miller was contracted to develop the bike's chro-moly steel space frame, and a tubular swingarm suspends the rear wheel.
The idea behind the design was to create something uniquely American that was comfortable but sporty enough for riders who cut their teeth on sports bikes. "The MST-01 is a fresh take on the American motorcycle - a comfortable sportbike designed for long distance canyon carving, solo or two-up," explained the company.
Kerb weight at the launch of the bike in the USA was not quoted but the 227kg figure has been bandied about in previous press releases from the company. Motus also took the wraps off an up-spec version of the MST-01, the R version, which gets improved chassis componetry, such as Brembo brakes and Ohlins suspension.
At this stage the big American sports-tourer is only being offered in its home country, and pricing has not yet been released. The chances of the MST-01 making its way to Australia via an official importer are, at this stage, slim.
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