EBR no more

[oVTo]

The EBRs I liked, but was pretty unlikely to buy one. That field is too crowded with proven and great sportbikes for equal or less money.

The MOTUS, though, I'm excited about. I very much look forward to taking a testride on one of those when I can arrange it.
They've been moving slowly, and the timeline has slipped several times, but they are finally producing bikes, and getting production models out to the magazines and such.
I wish they had incorporated the CDI technology as originally planned, and shaft drive would have been nice for a sport-tourer. But it looks like a well-engineered and great bike.

The engine has some design features like a Chevy smallblock, and a company that has a history with those helped design it. But it isn't just half of a smallblock; it's a new design and shares no parts. For one thing, it's a different size -- the MOTUS "baby block" is a 1600cc V-4. If you doubled that to a V-8, it would be a bit less than 200ci -- a size that no Chevy smallblock ever was.

Yes, the MOTUS is expensive, but it seems well made and could end up being the best sport-tourer out there.
I'm keeping an eye on it, and might consider one if/when they do a second-gen model with CDI and/or shaft drive (the engine is already mounted longitudinally, so a shaft drive system would be not very hard for them to add).

A lot of cars are made in Alabama these days; I don't see that as a problem at all. Also, the area is a hotbed of expertise in hotrods, NASCAR and Sprint racing, and other such tech, some of which MOTUS used in their designs.

PhilB

MOTUS were at COTA last year. Probably this year too, but I didn't see them. They fired one up and it sounded great, but it also gave away it's Achilles' Heel - it would be a nice bike for riding November to March. Other than that, those cylinders are going to roast your legs like a Guzzi on steroids.

[xxaarraa]

A lot of cars are made in Alabama these days; I don't see that as a problem at all. Also, the area is a hotbed of expertise in hotrods, NASCAR and Sprint racing, and other such tech, some of which MOTUS used in their designs.

PhilB

I was just kidding about Alabama. Besides, "expertise in hotrods, NASCAR..." doesn't entirely inspire confidence in their ability to produce a sporty motorcycle. Hotrods and NASCAR aren't exactly the leading beacons of sophisticated product development.

[catch2otwo]

I was just kidding about Alabama. Besides, "expertise in hotrods, NASCAR..." doesn't entirely inspire confidence in their ability to produce a sporty motorcycle. Hotrods and NASCAR aren't exactly the leading beacons of sophisticated product development.

Know how I know you've never actually looked at a nascar race car?

[backinthesaddle]

Interesting on the nascar take. Joe Gibbs racing is also an mx team. They did a ton of stuff when James Stewart was on the team. The gas tank was a work of art as they tried to move his position on he bike. But they couldn't get it to work for him and he went to suz.

[PhilB]

There is a local business who is to be a MOTUS dealer. Rocket Moto | Motus Motorcycles
They say they will have bikes, and testrides available, in June.
I'll check it out then, for the actual reality of the bike.

PhilB

[xxaarraa]

Know how I know you've never actually looked at a nascar race car?

I'll admit, I haven't. I've been to two nascar races, realize it's much more inclusive than other motorsports and enjoyed the atmosphere. But I do think there is a lot about the Nascar stereotype that is true when it comes to technology.

Here's what I do know: they are (or were, till very recently) carbed. They have crappy brakes, very rudimentary aerodynamics and only turn left. Now, you don't need to be up close to them to interpret all the above to mean pretty mediocre technological prowess. You ever looked at an F3/F1 car up close?

Also, I know very little of Nascar technology filters down to street cars. I am pretty sure a "Toyota Camry" nascar has nothing to do with the real life Toyota Camry. So, Alabama might be great at making Nascars, but does that mean anything for a motorcycle maker?

[Chippertheripper]

You're right, the Camry versions are not similar. But you're way off with the rest of your logic.


Lifetimes of science and technology go in to turning left.

[number9]

I don't follow NASCAR, but it's not because of a lack of technology.

I'll admit, I haven't. I've been to two nascar races, realize it's much more inclusive than other motorsports and enjoyed the atmosphere. But I do think there is a lot about the Nascar stereotype that is true when it comes to technology.

Here's what I do know: they are (or were, till very recently) carbed. They have crappy brakes, very rudimentary aerodynamics and only turn left. Now, you don't need to be up close to them to interpret all the above to mean pretty mediocre technological prowess. You ever looked at an F3/F1 car up close?

Also, I know very little of Nascar technology filters down to street cars. I am pretty sure a "Toyota Camry" nascar has nothing to do with the real life Toyota Camry. So, Alabama might be great at making Nascars, but does that mean anything for a motorcycle maker?

You know NASCAR has road courses too right?

In 2014 they made 850hp (!!!) spinning a 358cid/5.8L V8 to about 9500 rpm (!!!) for a couple hours at a time. Yeah, they have carbs, but they're still making huge HP without forced induction or alcohol. As for brakes:



This year they make a little less power because there's a 9000rpm rev limit I think. They're down to about 725-750

[catch2otwo]

I'll admit, I haven't. I've been to two nascar races, realize it's much more inclusive than other motorsports and enjoyed the atmosphere. But I do think there is a lot about the Nascar stereotype that is true when it comes to technology.

Here's what I do know: they are (or were, till very recently) carbed. They have crappy brakes, very rudimentary aerodynamics and only turn left. Now, you don't need to be up close to them to interpret all the above to mean pretty mediocre technological prowess. You ever looked at an F3/F1 car up close?

Also, I know very little of Nascar technology filters down to street cars. I am pretty sure a "Toyota Camry" nascar has nothing to do with the real life Toyota Camry. So, Alabama might be great at making Nascars, but does that mean anything for a motorcycle maker?

No to make this a nascar discussion butttt

- Carbs: It boils down to air and fuel. What you learn from carbs is perfect harmony of fuel and air. Thats 2/3 of the equation of any internal combustion engine, carbs, fi, etc. Yes its "old tech", but these carbs aren't exactly from your grandpas station wagon.

- Brakes: While they aren't mashing brakes all the time, look at the pic above...then look at any GT spec race car, similar?

- Aero: Regulations to keep the playing field level... Every race series has these rules. Tight aero rules forces better development to overcome challenges to gain advantages in other areas. Which in turn leads to? Bingo! - new tech!!!

- The whole left turn thing - Yes they only turn left for the most part, but its just as hard to make a car turn left as it is to make a car turn both way in a competition setting.

I think nascar is kind of decieving. Its a sport that has a very grass roots history and its not very exciting at face value. But to say they dont have much in terms of tech is kind of silly. Thats like saying nothing goes into a flat track bike at a pro level. No they might not be ferraris, but they are def not stock cars of yester year.


Side note: Who knew, talking about nascar tech is more fun than talking about EBR

[cdovego]

Back on topic, I'm buying a Buell in honor of EBR going belly up. A real ugly one, too.

[Chippertheripper]

They're all sort of ugly. I love me an xb though.

[typeone]

Back on topic, I'm buying a Buell in honor of EBR going belly up. A real ugly one, too.

which one? i hope to be reunited with my XB some day

[cdovego]

[McBiggity]

1125?
Street version or the CR?

[cdovego]

1125?
Street version or the CR?

[McBiggity]

Nice

[cdovego]

No power whatsoever, says 140hp on paper - my butt says 110 at most. Boo, I really wanted to love it.

[scottieducati]

They come w/ any kind of restriction in stock trim? Sounds pretty weak to me for a 1200cc bike....

[cdovego]

They come w/ any kind of restriction in stock trim? Sounds pretty weak to me for a 1200cc bike....

I'm not sure. I agree on it being weak for the cc(s). Brakes were great and the slipper works well.

[loudbeard]

There's something to be said for a functioning clutch...

[cdovego]

There's something to be said for a functioning clutch...

GSXR clutch works, we're good to go.

[OreoGaborio]

The 1125 is gettin choked like a bitch that didn't pay in time by the intake & exhaust. Open er up. Let it breath.

Still may not become the bike you were hoping, but if you were hoping for more, well.... It's a Buell.

[motoarch]

Buell 1125CR and Ducati Streetfighter - International Hooligans | Sport Rider
You might find this article interesting.

[Chippertheripper]

They don't call them big, heavy, and slow for no reason...

[cdovego]

It's a *little* big, lighter than expected and not terribly slow - it actually made me want to ride a 1190 to see what the latest iteration deilvers.