Other Bikes » Motus and Alta Motors both shut down operations

R1200RS + R1250RS Forum � RS Lounge Area � Other Bikes � Motus and Alta Motors both shut down operations

Topic settings

Jump to forum

RS-Forum New Member Introductions Forum operation, design and help guest area My ride tour reports in planning training and coaching 1200 RS technology General topics Exhausts and Engine Tyres, Brakes and Suspension Tuning and modding Electronics Warranty stuff 1250 RS technology General topics Exhausts and Engine Tyres, Brakes and Suspension Tuning and modding Electronics Warranty stuff RS equipment Navigation accessories clothing and helmet What have you done to bike Knowledge Base Knowledge Base - how it works Knowledge Base Meeting Thread RS worldwide regions Africa Asia Australia Canada Europe Europe UK Middle East South America USA Midwest USA Northeast USA Southeast USA Southwest USA West RS Lounge Area Off Topic Other Bikes buy and sell forum rules

#1 | Motus and Alta Motors both shut down operations datum

Wed Oct 24, 2018 4:38 pm

According to an article in Motorcycle Consumer News (page 9, November issue), Motus has had to cease their operations after the company's financial backers pulled out, apparently looking for a more profitable place to invest their funds. :(

This is the same thing that just happened to the electric motorcycle company, Alta Motors (located in Brisbane, CA), last month, when their big financial backer, Harley-Davidson, pulled the plug on their investment in the company after having invested in Alta Motors earlier in the year. This investment resulted in the company upping production and cutting retail prices, which in hindsight, was apparently not a good business plan.

Current motorcycle collection: 2002 Yamaha FZ1; 2005 Triumph Bonneville T-100; 2011 Royal Enfield Bullet 500; 2009 BMW F650GS; 2016 BMW R1200RS; 2011 Zero S 16.6 kWh

reply

#2 | RE: Motus and Alta Motors both shut down operations datum

Mon Nov 12, 2018 12:24 am

Today I saw a Motus MST. I really like the creative engineering that went into this bike. Kind of pricey, but I find it technically very interesting, but I will let you be the judge regarding the looks. (At least it isn't brown.) Photos attached.

Richard230 has attached images to this post

No rights to view attachments. Only file names are shown. Register now!
001.JPG 002.JPG 003.JPG 004.JPG 005.JPG 006.JPG 007.JPG 008.JPG

001.JPG

002.JPG

003.JPG

004.JPG

005.JPG

006.JPG

007.JPG

008.JPG

Current motorcycle collection: 2002 Yamaha FZ1; 2005 Triumph Bonneville T-100; 2011 Royal Enfield Bullet 500; 2009 BMW F650GS; 2016 BMW R1200RS; 2011 Zero S 16.6 kWh

reply

#3 | RE: Motus and Alta Motors both shut down operations datum

Mon Nov 12, 2018 12:47 am

I note they do not give the weight on their "full spec" pdf

Google says 585lb wet, so just another, far too heavy touring bike. Just as well buy a K1600GTL with shaft drive and have $6000 to pay for trips away. No choice in Europe anyway, as it is not homologated.

Grumpy Goat likes the post

reply

#4 | RE: Motus and Alta Motors both shut down operations datum

Tue Nov 13, 2018 3:23 am (Last edited: Tue Nov 13, 2018 3:24 am)

Zitat von Richard230 im Beitrag #2
Today I saw a Motus MST. I really like the creative engineering that went into this bike. Kind of pricey, but I find it technically very interesting, but I will let you be the judge regarding the looks. (At least it isn't brown.) Photos attached.

Gateway BMW was a regional Motus dealer. I tried very hard to justify buying this American-made muscle bike for touring, but, as pointed out in the previous forum, twice the price and more weight than the better equipped RS.... They died from inability to put what was needed into an American bike for <$50,000. The ~$40,000 price tag was for a product of compromise that the tag made in America couldn't sell - especially sitting anywhere near the RS and RR.

�A good man always knows his limitations.�

reply

#5 | RE: Motus and Alta Motors both shut down operations datum

Tue Nov 13, 2018 3:58 am

Great shame Motus failed. It was a genuine attempt to make a practical heavy weight tourer. A 1600, 2 valve push rod motor sounds very crude, but in the real world it would have had torque and enough power. Think of it as a Honda CX 500 x 3!
I think it will gain in value over time, like the GTS Yamaha.

I would like to apologize to anyone I have NOT offended. Please be patient. I will get to you shortly.

these members like the post: duccrazydave and Richard230

reply

Here comes the 2019 BMW S1000RR � � R1200GS vs R1250GS test