Motus MST-01 sportsbike design unveiled

Motus Motorcycles, a new startup motorcycle manufacturer based in the United States, has released a glimpse of the layout of its upcoming MST-01 bike and how things are coming together.

Motus says the MST-01 is a fresh take on the American motorcycle — a comfortable sportsbike designed for long distance canyon carving, solo or two-up. The Motus MST-01 is a clean sheet, next generation sport touring motorcycle being engineered for performance, comfort, and range. The Motus MST series is powered by proprietary, liquid-cooled V4 engines that feature proven durability and range extending technologies.

The MST-01 has a 1650 cc liquid-cooled V4 and has been designed by Katech (who developed the Chevrolet Corvette Z06’s 500-horsepower engine). Among other things, the Motus MST-01’s engine features gasoline direct injection (GDI) technology and high-speed digital fuel-injection, which is supposed to offer significant power and performance benefits over regular engines.

Photo: Motus MST-01 design illustration

The two-valve-per-cylinder V4 engine is expected to put out around 140 horsepower and possibly as much as 120 pound-feet of torque – both a whole load for a bike. The MST-01 will be the first production motorcycle to use direct injection, which is a technology we can bank on seeing in the motorcycle industry over the coming years.

The Motus frame and swingarm appear to be well designed and triangulated, and one would suspect that it will receive rave reviews for its rigidity and handling whenever the bike is actually let out for testing. It features a triangulated tubular steel chassis, chain drive, high-spec suspension and integrated luggage carrying capacity.

Motus had earlier announced their partnership with Pratt & Miller Engineering for development of the MST series of motorcycles. Pratt & Miller are a dominant force in four-wheeled 24-hour endurance racing, and their inclusion in the project surely means high technology and engineering along with efficient design.

The fledgling American company believes its MST-01 will be able to take on the big Honda VFR 1200F and, of course, other high-tech sports tourers from various Japanese and European companies.