“This is not the typical American motorcycle” is the opening phrase of this video on the new Motus MTS-01 touring bike. We’re inclined to believe them as this is unlike most US-style bikes you’ll see, and here the guys from Motus Motorcycles give us a run-down of what the new machine is all about from test rides conducted by journalists.

Apart from the design and ride feel of the new Motus, which is described as having great control and responsiveness at the front end, the MTS-01 sports tourer has the most amazing sound. That comes from a V4 engine derived from a car’s V8 unit. The engine unit heads are placed in a Moto Guzzi-style position, but the aspiration happens higher up just like in a car. The 1650cc unit gets 161 hp and a full 165 Nm of torque.

That to us sounds like European sports style and American innovation put together. And we like what we hear. Interestingly though, for such a raw-sounding machine one comment is that it’s quite a refined bike. The naked sports-tourer design is obviously a personal thing, and we’re guessing you can take those saddle bags off for more dynamic riding, although these guys seem to get around fast enough as it is.

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Motorcycling in America has always seemed like a twilight zone if looked at from European eyes. Harley Davidson is the flag bearer of American motorcycle design - a kind of antithesis to the European sports bike focus. But new American bike brand Motus Motorcycles is breaking the US bike-building mould and is manufacturing with a new design in mind.

Currently in its final stages of development is a new engine unit borrowed from Corvette Racing fame - Katech and Pratt and Miller. While the engine, called the KMV4, has its roots in American muscle cars, it will be used for an exciting new entry in sports tourers for the US market.

We’ll spare you the comparisons with Corvette, not being experts ourselves, and say that the engine is designed with two valves per cylinder, activated by pushrods and a camshaft situated deep inside in the aluminium engine unit. The cylinders have a 90-degree V formation, but many other components of the unit come from General Motors, as well. More details and video after the jump.

Motus Motorcycles Corvette engine sports tourer

Continue reading: New American brand Motus Motorcycles uses Corvette engine on its bikes

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