01-10-2017, 03:49 AM
Yes, entertaining thread.
I guess it morphed into Motus because Motus is an expensive version of what Victory could have produced, so it makes sense that the conversation kind of went that way. Not a problem, we can easily discuss both.
Yea the chain drive on the Motus is questionable, not because it's a horrible way to power a motorcycle, because a chain has it's advantages (weight, cost, cost to replace, ability to alter gear ratios), but for a bike that is supposed to be a big time mile eater, a chain that wears out every 20,000 miles or so (Motus warranties the chain for 20K) is a weak link (pun intended). I mean, a lot of dedicated sport tourers ride more than 20K a year. I know several that ride over 40,000 miles a year. Then again you won't have reputed final drive failures like BMW that cost $2K apiece to fix, (and I read about one guy had had 3 failures). On the other hand you could have a good one like on the FJR or ST 1300's which will run 100's of thousands of miles on 5.2 oz of 80 weight oil changed once a year. I have been on the ST forum for 8 years and can't recall a rear end failure. A couple of universal joint failures but no rear end failures. Not saying there haven't been any, but certainly rare, rare, rare, and there are forum members who have racked up 200-300 thousand miles on their ST's. Not a common issue with Gold Wings either, and you know how many of those guys rack up big miles. In 100,000 miles (if they only lasted 20,000) you'd have to replace 5 sets of chains and sprockets vs less than 32 oz of oil, and have to replace a set of chains and sprockets before every riding season.
Motus does have some good points with their hydraulic valves (are you listening HONDA?) they use hydraulic valves on a 165 hp motorcycle that revs to 9K, and a spin on oil filter to facilitate maintenance.
From what I have read, complaints on the Motus circulate around what it doesn't have... like ABS, TC, ride modes, std heated grips, lack of dealer network, and an unknown reliability record on what is certainly a premium priced motorcycle.. I have heard complaints of an "agricultural" transmission, but don't know if that was just with early ones or common to all.
I think with Motus you just can't use the same measuring stick as you do with other motorcycles. You are paying for low volume motorcycle, hand built, using premium parts like Brembos and Ohlins and a certain exclusivity.
I guess it morphed into Motus because Motus is an expensive version of what Victory could have produced, so it makes sense that the conversation kind of went that way. Not a problem, we can easily discuss both.
Yea the chain drive on the Motus is questionable, not because it's a horrible way to power a motorcycle, because a chain has it's advantages (weight, cost, cost to replace, ability to alter gear ratios), but for a bike that is supposed to be a big time mile eater, a chain that wears out every 20,000 miles or so (Motus warranties the chain for 20K) is a weak link (pun intended). I mean, a lot of dedicated sport tourers ride more than 20K a year. I know several that ride over 40,000 miles a year. Then again you won't have reputed final drive failures like BMW that cost $2K apiece to fix, (and I read about one guy had had 3 failures). On the other hand you could have a good one like on the FJR or ST 1300's which will run 100's of thousands of miles on 5.2 oz of 80 weight oil changed once a year. I have been on the ST forum for 8 years and can't recall a rear end failure. A couple of universal joint failures but no rear end failures. Not saying there haven't been any, but certainly rare, rare, rare, and there are forum members who have racked up 200-300 thousand miles on their ST's. Not a common issue with Gold Wings either, and you know how many of those guys rack up big miles. In 100,000 miles (if they only lasted 20,000) you'd have to replace 5 sets of chains and sprockets vs less than 32 oz of oil, and have to replace a set of chains and sprockets before every riding season.
Motus does have some good points with their hydraulic valves (are you listening HONDA?) they use hydraulic valves on a 165 hp motorcycle that revs to 9K, and a spin on oil filter to facilitate maintenance.
From what I have read, complaints on the Motus circulate around what it doesn't have... like ABS, TC, ride modes, std heated grips, lack of dealer network, and an unknown reliability record on what is certainly a premium priced motorcycle.. I have heard complaints of an "agricultural" transmission, but don't know if that was just with early ones or common to all.
I think with Motus you just can't use the same measuring stick as you do with other motorcycles. You are paying for low volume motorcycle, hand built, using premium parts like Brembos and Ohlins and a certain exclusivity.