LocostUSA.com

Got this in my email. Nothing on their website.

I just want to smack their webmaster and PR person for inconsistencies like that.





More info on facebook, however.
http://www.facebook.com/motusmotorcycle ... dium=email


from http://hellforleathermagazine.com/2011/ ... us-mst-01/


Saw something earlier today about forced induction and dry sump available eventually. Still quoting that 130lb figure for the engine.

Still hopeful but skeptical this isn't going to turn out to be vaporware, unobtainium or sheer marketing.

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JSullivan

I bet the Motus engine is in the 130 lb range. The bike is only 520 lbs. Pratt Miller is a top notch race and engineering shop. I have been there and toured the shop for engineering support work. We supply the back seat panels for their Vettes. But I will say that the motor is not going to be cheap. The air wrench and socket to take off the lug nuts on the racing Corvettes cost more then my Locost. They are only a few miles from either my house or office. When I grow up I want to work there.
Dave W

Which makes me marvel at how much attention this thread's getting, but it's okay to dream.

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Midlana book: Build this mid-engine Locost!, http://midlana.com/stuff/book/
Kimini book: Designing mid-engine cars using FWD drivetrains
Both available from https://www.lulu.com/

That's because every once in a while someone from the HiCostUSA Forum slips in here to tease us.

Tom

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Sometimes, I'm as confused as a baby in a topless bar.

My short term memory is absolutely horrible and so is my short term memory.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sG16m2e4O6I

I'm just going to quote this....

I saw a vid the other day of them rolling out the bike with the engine in it and there's a vid on youtube of the bike on a dyno.

from their latest emails...(jumping around, not quoting the whole thing)

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JSullivan

Cool, how'd I miss this awesome slapdown? Since I'm the only one who considers it too expensive, I look forward to seeing it used by everyone else, assuming that they're real patient - in addition to being much richer than I. For technical merit, I doubt the 130 lb engine weight if that's proported to be a complete engine.

_________________
Midlana book: Build this mid-engine Locost!, http://midlana.com/stuff/book/
Kimini book: Designing mid-engine cars using FWD drivetrains
Both available from https://www.lulu.com/

Thanks for sharing the little update! Regardless of how much more unobtainably expensive this engine will apparently be than a fully built turbo K-Series, I am certainly looking forward to any additional technical data and pricing to becoming available regarding this engine...Even if ultimately for no other reason than to simply learn more about something new going on in the automotive world and being able to have rational discussions about such things with other likewise open-minded enthusiasts.

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-Justin

"Orville Wright did not have a pilots license." - Gordon MacKenzie

I'll freely admit to being enamored with this engine. But still.



People discuss other crate engines, or doing full+forced induction rebuilds. I don't get why this is one magically off-limits. Hayabusa engines aren't cheap either.



Why? It's already on the heavy side for a bike engine, and it isn't loaded down with either technology or a transmission. Okay, sure. Maybe that weight is sans oil and coolant. Not a big deal, those volumes/weights are going to be pretty similar regardless of the engine.

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JSullivan

I agree that considering the weight of modern sport bike drivetrains, which include the 6-speed transmission, it is at least technically feasible for this engine to actually be in the ballpark of the claimed weight. However I also believe it to be pretty obvious given the context that the weight noted thus far is closer in form to a "long block" weight to us in the car world, as that is the easiest way to singularly address the weight between both motorcycle and automotive type installations...Which is absolutely nothing to scoff at, as that still makes it far and away one of the absolute lightest things around capable of providing a complete ultra-lightweight car with 160hp and 120ft-lb as shipped from the factory.

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-Justin

"Orville Wright did not have a pilots license." - Gordon MacKenzie

pushrods, double overhead cams, the technology is moving fast, or is it, double overhead cams have been used for almost 100 years in performance applications, all of the true advances in automotive engines have been in engine management.

ford produced a v4 engine back in the 60's which was also used in saabs.

things like variable cam timing, which again was in use in the 60's (cam-agogo) and i remember someone putting a big coil spring from an old window regulator in the middle of the cam sprocket so that as the torque increased the cam would retard against the spring, these are where development was going years ago.

electronics are the future, wether we like it or not, some day we will all have to be able to build a mega-squirt management system from parts of old t.v. sets.

this little engine is, and always will be something of a novalty and no more or less.
if you compare any motor cycle engine to a chevy small block, the amount of years and numbers produced, they would all be novalties.

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this story shall the good man teach his son,
and chrispin chrispian shall ne'er go by,
from this day to the end of the world.
but we in it shall be remembered.

The motor is nice but it would be very expensive. Sounds like they are still working out fueling and such according to the bike mags.
You could buy a new VFR1200 for less than the Motus engine. Probably a more reliable mill. ST1300 would work too. Motus engine would have more torque for sure. It's a cool engine but not Locost by any yardstick unless you drive Ferraris. And even then it's not cheap.

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Volvo 240/P1800 Based Locost
2004 Aprilia Mille Factory
1988 Volvo 240 5 Speed ( For Sale)
2002 Toyota Tacoma
1999 BMW M3

I really like it, but it doesn't seem any better than any other sportbike engine of similar (physical) size.

Yest and no. Traditional sport bike motors can work excellently if you are going to have it transversely mounted with a chain drive and don't need reverse. If one requires longitudinal mounting and/or a more traditional transmission, especially for use on the street, then this engine should have some distinct advantages even if substantially more expensive as well.

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-Justin

"Orville Wright did not have a pilots license." - Gordon MacKenzie

Once you're willing to spend 10's of thousands of dollars, a lot of options start to open up. You can make a lot of custom stuff for that.

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