Last week I was visiting my Triumph dealer, Team Power Center in Janesville WI., for my Bonneville's 500-mile service. This is a friendly, family-owned and operated dealership who carry Triumph, Royal Enfield, Massimo and, to my surprise, Motus. Motus is an upstart American manufacturer of the MST sport-tourer. The MST is a brawny, big-block, macho beast of a motorbike, proudly made in Birmingham, Alabama. It's powered by a V4 (of course), often referred to as half a Chevy small-block — a torquey, pushrod, 1650cc (101c.i.) lump of brute force putting out around 165 or 180 hp, depending on how much you're willing to spend. The cost of this kind of moto-exclusivity starts north of $30,000.
It was a slow day, and while chatting with Kristi, the prettiest customer service rep this side of the Mississippi, she off-handedly mentioned that they had a base MSR available for test rides. "Would you like to take it out?" Uh, yeah! Ten minutes later the bright red monster was idling in the parking lot like a restless panther just waiting to leap onto the road and go. The exhaust note from the V4's twin pipes was load, raspy and intoxicating. It sounded like an angry NASCAR motor when revved. After a quick familiarization with the typical control layout, I snicked it into first and headed north on U.S. 14.
By the time I hit third gear my impression was that one had to be considerate of the throttle — this thing could easily get away from you. The bike felt light-handling (though it's pretty flat terrain around Janesville), ready to lurch forward at the touch of the throttle, and I could tell that 100 mph would be attainable in only a few seconds of effort. I once had a Ducati 900SS and this bike actually felt like that...with about 50% more power. It wasn't happy below 3500 rpm but really woke up above that. Not a lot of revs available, but not at all necessary. The ergos were upright and very comfortable and the small fairing/windscreen did a surprisingly good job.
I was all grins when the kickstand went down. But I'm not Motus' buyer; if I'd had this bike 30 years ago I would not have survived the experience. But what a great, and unexpected, ride.
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