While Alabama-based Motus Motorcycles don’t have the same name recognition that bigger manufacturers possess, this small American moco founded in ’08 nonetheless makes some impressive top-shelf bikes. Their first bikes so far are the MST and MSTR, and luckily enough the example for sale today is the R-spec which is the elite version of an already stunning Sport-Tourer powered by a “liquid-cooled 1650cc “V4R Baby Block” powerplant with high lift cams and titanium valves squeezed into the machine’s advanced high-carbon 4130 chromoly frame. The entire bike is hand-built at their Alabama HQ where the engine was developed in-house.
Weighing only 140lbs, the 100ci V4 engine makes 180hp and a muscular 126ft-lbs of torque at around 6k-RPM which results in a top speed of over 190mphs making it the fastest American production motorcycle in addition to also holding speed records at the Bonneville salt flats. The six-speed sequential gear-box was also developed entirely in-house. Fully wet, the MSTR weighs in at around 580lbs.
Part of why this bike is so expensive is because it’s produced in small numbers and in addition to being assembled in Alabama, many of the parts sourced from
the US when possible. On top of that this is just a super premium motorcycle, fitted with the best components available. The development costs of the engine and tranny also cost a lot and small sales numbers mean high prices. The best reason (in my opinion) that the MST (and MST R) has such a substantial price tag is because part of the philosophy behind designing the bike was to deliver a factory machine that didn’t necessitate upgrading as it would include the best of the best in its stock form.
These aggressive tourers are fitted with Brembo M4 monoblock calipers, BST Black Diamond Carbon fiber wheels, and front (NIX30) and rear (TTX36) Öhlins suspension. The MSTR comes standard with removable 35L waterproof side-cases and a 30L top-case with an optional backrest. Fully adjustable Helibars and a four-position windscreen are also come standard. A “high-color LCD/TFT display” comes with “glove-friendly soft keys” while heated grips and seat, and powerful auxiliary/hazard lights come mounted low on the MST R. A 21-piece tool-kit also comes under the seat, a touch lost on many modern machines (or maybe just the ones I ride?).
Not only does this bike have just over 2k miles on the odo, but the R-spec MST normally retails at $36,975 which means you’d be getting the R for a Grand over the price of the base model. You can find this 2016 Carbon Black Metallic Motus MST R for sale here at Biggs Harley-Davidson in San Diego, California with a price of $31,988.