A New American Motorcycle Engine Is Born. The Motus KMV4.

On June 22nd, 2010, I published an article about a company called Motus Motorcycles preparing the launch of an All American Sport Tourer. And for this, they had a new direct injected motorcycle engine called KMV4 prepared for them by Katech. The team (Brian Case and Lee Conn) are all excited to show it to you for the 1st time.

27 Responses to “A New American Motorcycle Engine Is Born. The Motus KMV4.”


  1. 1 ian Jul 2nd, 2010 at 12:57 pm

    very impressive stuff – good for them -I am tired of new being Electric!

  2. 2 A 1 CYCLES Jul 2nd, 2010 at 2:21 pm

    doesn anyone remeber the v twin based off of a small block chevy sawsalled at the front two cylinders? it ran a timing chain and the sbc water pump…kinda the same…but it looks engineered and it must perform modern small blocks can put out 600 hp easy with the correct cams and compression..i dont see why this cant make 150 hp and 120 ft. lbs of tourqe easy..very cool design, congrats for tackling such a huge undertaking at this time in america

  3. 3 Lyle Jul 2nd, 2010 at 3:11 pm

    Good looking engine and way way different than the “SuperVee” small block chevy based one mentioned by A1. This actually looks like it’s going somewhere. I could never figure out why the current US manufacturers never built a sport tourer. Hopefully the chassis will not bo too laydown like the some of the other sport tourers such as the Triumph Sprint. A good sport touring bike should allow 1000 mile days without getting all cramped up.

  4. 4 Night Train of Florida Full Throttle Mag Jul 2nd, 2010 at 6:51 pm

    just love the work you do Cyril!!!! Keep it up!

  5. 5 Dave Blevins Jul 2nd, 2010 at 7:06 pm

    That thing sounded really good, I am a die hard v-twin guy, but I could really get excited about this bike.
    Good luck, and can’t wait to see it in person one day.

  6. 6 maroco Jul 3rd, 2010 at 4:10 am

    I´m whidout words, great motor and bike design too.Good luck for the company, rith way to suceed.

  7. 7 Heavy Metal Jul 3rd, 2010 at 5:04 am

    Looks very well planned. With Katech onboard you are getting one of the most respected prototyper’s in the business. I like the way it all looks. My own instincts won’t allow me to fly or buy the “A” model.

  8. 8 Cadillac Joe D Jul 3rd, 2010 at 7:30 am

    The young fellow in the video with the glasses is named Brian Case. I have had the occassion to meet with him and talk about numerous industry related topics in the 5 years or so I have known him.
    He is a brilliant designer and in general a real sharp guy.
    I have every confidence if they have the proper funding, the right marketing and dealer development guy on board, AND get this line to a reasonable price point for this market, they will be successful. Good luck Brian and Motus!
    Joe D.

  9. 9 morriscustom Jul 3rd, 2010 at 9:28 am

    I was a little skeptical at first,but after watching this Im interested!!!!These guys might be on to something.I hate to be the glass half empty guy,but these are tough times to be starting a motorcycle company.I really hope they succeed!!!

  10. 10 krugger Jul 3rd, 2010 at 9:38 am

    That’s a good start…. well done!!

    I can’t wait to see the bike!

  11. 11 Gerry Jul 3rd, 2010 at 9:45 am

    Good luck Brian with this project . It is an awesome engine and would be a thrill to ride something with this engine for power. Will make an awesome touring bike.

  12. 12 freedomlaw Jul 3rd, 2010 at 10:16 am

    Congratulations on your ingenuity and drive. Fantastic. I signed up for email from the company. Someday I hope to be riding a motorcycle powered by this engine.

  13. 13 Vintage Bobbers Jul 3rd, 2010 at 7:46 pm

    Very Cool and Thank You For Doing This God Bless America!!!!

  14. 14 jatinder pal Jul 4th, 2010 at 2:16 am

    Lets see what will be the final outcome….good work though.

  15. 15 B'COOL Jul 4th, 2010 at 7:44 am

    very cool design and it sound’s awesome!

  16. 16 bikerspaceman Jul 4th, 2010 at 10:45 am

    Impressive!

  17. 17 mike Corbin Jul 5th, 2010 at 9:59 am

    Good clear thinking by young, courageous Americans..

  18. 18 Greg Westbury Jul 5th, 2010 at 1:24 pm

    That’s a bad little sucker! I want one to build a bike around!

  19. 19 willie Jul 5th, 2010 at 8:10 pm

    great job .hope to see them soon

  20. 20 NITROBIL Jul 6th, 2010 at 5:20 pm

    Why a push rod motor?

  21. 21 fuji Jul 6th, 2010 at 10:37 pm

    NITROBIL

    I agree with you but I like the engine for its simplistic value.
    It is intriguing to imagine what creative people / Aftermarket could do with this combination and American made.

    A motorcycle similar to this already exist in the first generation Honda ST 1100 manufactured through the 90’s and a revised fuel injected model in the ST 1300 model. Noted for there long distance trouble free riding.

  22. 22 hoyt Jul 7th, 2010 at 11:54 am

    Nitrobil – why not a pushrod motor when considering the other components to the engine?

  23. 23 NITROBIL Jul 7th, 2010 at 6:11 pm

    hoyt- Nitrobil – why not a pushrod motor when considering the other components to the engine?

    i was under the impression that we were starting with a clean sheet of paper. still doesn’t answer the question – WHY a push rod motor? i’m just curious i guess. maybe next in germany we will see old vw air cooled tooling brought back from the attic and make a v-4 with a new case and crank. i guess there is nothing wrong with this mini chevy. and maybe more important is the quality at Katech.

  24. 24 martin Twofeather Dec 26th, 2010 at 11:39 pm

    Excellent and can’t wait to see the finished bike…..

  25. 25 Joel Wilson Jan 6th, 2011 at 6:03 pm

    Sounds very mean but isn’t a cam driven system easier for repair and maintenance plus more efficient? Also liquid cooled is another system to deal with but I suppose an engine of this nature would require it.

  26. 26 Paul Graham Sep 25th, 2011 at 10:49 am

    Why on earth didn’t they make it a belt driven SOHC with hydraulic
    lifters ?? Why not a dry sump to provide positive lubrication ?
    They defeat themselves right out of the box.
    They have an advanced fuel system and primitive everything else.
    It could have beeen placed lower in the frame then. The valve clatter would not be there.
    The durability would be better. The revs and power could go through the roof.
    Good luck but it does cost 30 grand why skimp on design ? It is not an innovation.
    Half of a V8 ?
    They need to go check out what Ford and Dodge are building for V 8’s today and use half of one of those, not a 1970 design !!

  27. 27 drtilly Jan 2nd, 2012 at 5:00 am

    kind of seems like a waste of time with this thing there website says this thing is only pushing 161 bhp and 122ftlb of torque with a 1645cc displacement where the aprilias rsv4 v4 engine is only 999cc and is pushing 180bhp and 88ftlb of torque and the aprilia doesnt look all goofy i think they should have put a little more thought into this one i love the sound and the idea and im gald some americans are trying to come up with some bigger and better motorcycle engines than the typical v twin harleys and knock offs i think that for all that displacement seems like you should be getting a lot more horses for that i think if i had a the choice between this little mini half v8 engine and the aprilia id definatly go with that aprilia hands down id take more power from a smaller engine anyday

Comments are currently closed.
Cyril Huze