http://www.motusmotorcycles.com

American start-up with a small block based, direct injected, pushrod OHV V4 co-developed with Katech.

Here's a good intro video:
[autostream]http://autostream.com/camaroz28/?page_type=firebirdplayerthumbnail&framepage=554&t ransactionid=1300580733-66229210237&posted_by=ImportedRoomate_camaroz28.co m[/autostream]

You can find the rest of their videos here:
http://www.youtube.com/motusmotorcyc.../4/2kooYoibfeA

 

The last I saw this engine, the price was crazy. Cool stuff though.

 

Just imagine that sound while riding that thing. Awesome.

 

Could you imagine that is say, a Lotus 7. Loads of fun.

 

Finally, an American motorcycle that is NOT the same old tired V-Twin!!!

 

Awesome

 

Wow

I've always wondered...why don't automakers put a V4 in small economy cars? One of the reason I hate most economy cars so much is having to drive around a buzzy inline 4. Most of them are so wheezy and anemic. But if they were made with a V4 and could have some kind of performance exhaust...that might not be a bad setup!

I guess Subaru kind of does with the 'Boxer' engine, but I'm guessing the sound would change with the v-shape versus the flat/opposed 4 which sounds like an old VW.

 

Where did you see a price?

 

I saw this elsewhere recently. Neat bike. I wonder how much it will be?

I love this video...

[autostream]http://autostream.com/camaroz28/?page_type=firebirdplayerthumbnail&framepage=564&t ransactionid=1300662841-67149162160&posted_by=JasonD_camaroz28.com[/autostream]

 

I believe it was on a Lotus forum for the Lotus 7. It's been awhile as they were more interested in the engine. I'll see if I can find it.

 

Sure that wasn't the Hartley V8?

http://www.h1v8.com/page/page/1562068.htm

 

No, it wasn't the Hartley but that is a bad **** motor.

I first saw this motor in September and that why I didn't remember the cost. Going back and finding my iformation, it seems that was just a thrown out number. It's been 6 months so my details weren't all that sharpe. Cool small engine. I understand why the Locost 7 guys like the motor.

 

That thing sounds wicked! I'd love put that motor into my 74 Midget. Would really turn some heads with a sound like that.

I have wondered why the big auto manufacturers haven't seemed to really try this. This engine is based off of LS7 and LLT from the Camaro and Cadillac CTS. It even uses some off the shelf parts from them.

 

It does sound pretty cool, Factory 5 has a neat M5 transaxkle that bolts up to LSx engines - kinda pricey at nearly 9k but this engine and that transaxle makes for some neat pipe dreams, especially since it appears Lotus is set to abandon the go-kart street car business in favor of larger and heavier cars.

 

theres been plenty of v4 motorcycles around before. Just a few examples:
Honda RC212V
Aprilia RSV4
Ducati Desmosedici
Yamaha VMAX

They arent car based motors I suppose though. They all have been mounted the other way too. I cant imagine it would be a good idea to mount it like the motus does though. The torque of the motor would be trying to tip the bike over I would think. Maybe thats not an issue.