If I was making a motorcycle company yes I would choose a small displacement 90° twin and not try to compete in a tough market, I would try to be different. I’d consider an electric bike too, something that is in that grey area between bicycle and motorcycle (I’m making one right now).

I get why they are doing it and I would not follow that road. I am not saying they are doing it wrong. They are not. I would build something a little different if I could. Their formula for fun is not wrong. I see no benefit to trying to compete against them and Chinese bikes when I could try something else that might stand out.

This is all revolving around your hypothetical question of what I would build personally. I’m sure some people would build singles if they had their choice to build a moto. The reasons and benefits of such a choice are obvious.

I think a twin could be fine for a prototype and first model with intentions of a versatile line up to follow. A single would be as well. A twin is what I would build if I had the opportunity but I get why others would do something different. There isn’t a wrong answer. Every engine design has its advantages and disadvantages it comes down to how much you think you can justify the advantages relative to the challenges they create.

Who is this new stickman you speak of? I am not all of a sudden a fan of 90° twins this has been a love affair spanning years. Did I not mention I would find a v twin Janus irresistible?

quote:

Originally posted by BigSwede:
I have always had a thing for inline fours

#metoo

That glorious flat plane crank howl gets my heart racing.

quote:

Originally posted by BigSwede:
I have always had a thing for inline fours

For me, the MC22 CBR250RR would do it.
0-60 may only be 6 seconds, but that 18-19k redline that you can enjoy without being in prison/death speeds would be plenty for me.

Kawi has the ZX25 in Asian markets, but I don't think they have any plans to bring it here.

Slow car fast > fast car slow ethos for me.

P250UAS,

These guys are importing incredible bikes and can locate specific models for their clients

Yes. I also believe riding a slow bike fast is more fun than riding a fast bike slow.

I especially enjoy my two 400cc in-line fours. You can ride them and have a load of fun without nearly as much risk to your life or driver’s license.

I have a street legal two stroke 50cc dual sport with a sky high redline yes 50cc and it’s a damn hoot. It is technically a scooter...the law has since changed and it’s 6-speed transmission would probably make it fall into the motorcycle category if it were made today.

I basically have to take it up to the redline in the first 3-4 gears to get up to the speed limit when I leave my neighborhood.

One of the bikes I owned was this MaximX, 700cc inline four. It had a sweet spot at about 7-8000 rpm's that it felt like a turbo kicking in. I almost slid off the seat the first time I experienced it. This thing seemingly had no redline





I miss that bike


The scared old man in me wants a boring bike but I know I would grow to hate a bike that wasn't fun

quote:

Originally posted by stickman428:
If I was making a motorcycle company yes I would choose a small displacement 90° twin and not try to compete in a tough market, I would try to be different.....

....I would build something a little different if I could. Their formula for fun is not wrong. I see no benefit to trying to compete against them and Chinese bikes when I could try something else that might stand out.

This is all revolving around your hypothetical question of what I would build personally.

I think a twin could be fine for a prototype and first model with intentions of a versatile line up to follow. A single would be as well. A twin is what I would build if I had the opportunity but I get why others would do something different. There isn’t a wrong answer. Every engine design has its advantages and disadvantages it comes down to how much you think you can justify the advantages relative to the challenges they create.

Who is this new stickman you speak of?

quote:

Originally posted by ridewv:
The new "Stickman" will have a 250cc V-twin.... interesting.

Not who, what. It's the name of the all new motorcycle company and the bike will be the Stickman "V250".

quote:

Originally posted by BigSwede:
I have always had a thing for inline fours

quote:

#metoo

That glorious flat plane crank howl gets my heart racing.

I like in-line 4's as well, heck I like them ALL! Which is my problem, or one of them.

quote:

Originally posted by stickman428:
P250UAS,

These guys are importing incredible bikes and can locate specific models for their clients

Yes. I also believe riding a slow bike fast is more fun than riding a fast bike slow.

I especially enjoy my two 400cc in-line fours. You can ride them and have a load of fun without nearly as much risk to your life or driver’s license.

I have a street legal two stroke 50cc dual sport with a sky high redline yes 50cc and it’s a damn hoot. It is technically a scooter...the law has since changed and it’s 6-speed transmission would probably make it fall into the motorcycle category if it were made today.

I basically have to take it up to the redline in the first 3-4 gears to get up to the speed limit when I leave my neighborhood.

I've seen a few of those import companies, just not in the cards right now & MC22s keep going up in price.

Best case, I'm 10 years from having another bike in the garage.
Hopefully the Rotus is done well before then.

quote:

Depicted as having two faces.

In some sources he's depicted as having two heads - thus my question about twins.

quote:

Originally posted by ridewv:
What engine configuration would you use?

I'm a nut for the mighty Rotax, myself. Having said that, a simple in-line four between 300ccs and 400ccs would be my answer. The Japanese have been making those things for decades, so there must be a relatively affordable way to make a reliable engine of that kind.

They don't make them like they used to.

Of all the motorcycles that I have owned, my first BMW was my favorite.

Bought it new in 1960, got change back from $1,000.

Oh V-tail that is beautiful!

I am hoping my son and I will restore my R100RS together.

We watched Hitting The Apex this past weekend and he uttered words I have been waiting a looooooooooooooooong time to hear, “hey dad can we ride dirt bikes together soon?”.

It was a good moment and the first time he has shown an interest in the motorbikes.

Not to go OT, but if anybody can recommend a way to improve the brakes on an R90/6, please holler. Finally got the damned engine running smooth and a new wiring harness to go with it.

Still regret missing out on V-Tail's K75S & R65.

Timing & funding just didn't intersect at the right time to make it work.

quote:

Originally posted by P250UA5:
$15k for a done up Janus 450. Makes it a tough sell.
You could get on almost any Bonneville for that & have double the displacement (or more), FI, etc.

I don't see the attraction...



I apologize.

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:
They don't make them like they used to.

Of all the motorcycles that I have owned, my first BMW was my favorite.

No they sure don't V-Tail. To me it's not just the high quality opposed engine and driveshaft but look at how they made it functional and comfortable to ride and live with, with the bar/seat/peg triangle. It has a FLAT seat which enables one to sit comfortably and also shift position, real fenders to help keep road spray off both the bike and rider, center stand, long and low exhaust (down where it should be located) making it easy to mount panniers close and low. And back then BMW utilized true craftsmanship and hand assembly from welding to paint.
My first BMW was a 1976 R/75 and had not all, but many of those attributes as well.

https://www.wndu.com/2022/02/0...-indiana-tournament/


Some more local news on the Janus.