Been following these guys since they were on Jay Leno a couple years ago. Last summer I had the honor to stop by their factory, and I was very impressed with the build quality and the care that they put into making these things. I'm considering a 450 when they come out with the scrambler version of it.
Thanks, guys for the review. I'm 75 years old and getting too weak to hold up my Harleys and Indian touring bike. I would love one of these, but the price is really high. My Granson gave me a Honda Rebel 500 so even though it doesn't have the eye appeal, it is still a great bike and a hoot to ride. The important thing is I'm in the wind again.
Great review. Would suggest short segment with some basic specs, ie. Comments on acceleration, fuel range, sense of handling, etc. Thanks for the video!
The only thing I advise for new owners is that these bikes have tiny quirks that you will encounter and at first was not impressed that I had to fix a couple minor things like the petcock was leaking and had three replacements and switched out the hoses because the gas flow was not getting to the carb but almost a year later, after all the quirks, I would say its still worth the purchase just because I'm more retro style motorcyclist and this bike the 250 was perfect for me. If they ever go out of business I am going to drain the oil and gas and clean it yearly because the value of the motorcycle is going to be worth more of just rarity and if they become a bigger company, even better, the bike is under the first thousand made so a little more niche price for being somewhat rare. In conclusion, I bought my bike Imo the right time and its a good investment.
Janus has been around for years and I've only ever heard good things about them, simple bikes to maintain and repair and they stock all replacement parts so easy to fix too (not like similar vintage style brands like Royal Enfield where you wind up waiting months for the Indian factories to send anything you need).
A lot of people are buying bikes from factories with hundreds of employees who have been told they should hate the countries where their products are sold
I don’t understand this idea that it’s OK for the 250 to have inferior brakes because “you going to be going slower most of the time”. That’s nonsense - these bikes will be used in the same way, travelling the same roads at the same cruising speeds and the need to stop in an emergency will be identical. It’s penny pinching and dangerous penny pinching to deprive 250 owners of the better brakes and it needs to be called out for what it is.
These bikes are very light, less weight = less requirement for powerful brakes, in fact brakes that can overwhelm a chassis are potentially more of a hazard
Have they sorted out the wobble , saw a review and the guy had a wobble that he said one could get use to it ? I would not buy a new bike that has a wobble .
We didn't notice any wobbling on these. Although, they are small bikes and more susceptible to moving around with changing road conditions. Bumps and dips will effect the bike quite a bit. But nothing that we would consider out of the norm.
Aside from the imported engine neither of which are anything to complain about these are hand built American made bikes so is there anyone else doing this? No. That alone makes the price commensurate with the products and is the ONLY thing that keeps one out of my garage. Farmers don’t make a lot of extra for toys, is what it is.
@@F-tt3xv Janus literally has videos where they show the build process, you can see them bending the metal for the frames and shaping the fenders at their shop in Goshen.
It blows my mind. I can’t see the appeal at that cost, you could built a vintage bike from the ground up especially since DIY is a big selling point for the brand
99% of Harleys are show room queens. Harley riders wont put the hand out for another manufacture passing by. Only do it to the Harleys, cause i built my own. Harley 3x as much as Honda equal. & they are not American made any more. You get what you pay for. Janus only one to give you 4yr warranty
"Pseudo custom...?" Do you understand what "pseudo" means? As far as I understand the word "custom," these bikes ARE, in point of fact, custom bikes. Pseudo literally means false....quasi....a facade. How does that come into play at all? The fact that they are simple does not take away from the bikes also being custom.
@@charkswitlazers You would do well to check into how many big brand motorcycle engine/transmission are manufactured in China, KTM, BMW, Honda, Yamaha. I own 3 Chinese motorcycles, all have been trouble free. Times change, old opinions may no longer hold true. PS, your cell phone and tech toys are all made in China.
Only the engine is Chinese, everything else from the fenders and frame to seat and tank are American with some Australian parts like the brakes/speed/tach. You can easily find this information on their website, unlike other motorcycle companies they're very transparent about how their bikes are made.
I was fool enough to spend over 10K on the Janus 250. Worst purchase decision I've ever made. Frankly, Janus bikes are pure garbage. The selling point is the attractive, vintage look and the company's small town, made-in-America, persona. It's all phony. These videos are made by Janus employees or paid hacks. The bike can barely top 40mph. Dangerously slow. The gas tank holds less than 2 gallons. The lack of rear suspension makes the ride a torture. Nothing but repair after repair. I've bought a Royal Enfield 350 and It's a welcome pleasure. All I can do is park the Janus in my garage and let it rot. It's too much of a pain to try to sell it. And, I don't want to pass this crap on to some unsuspecting buyer. Don't even think of buying anything from Janus. Take my advice. I learned it the hard way.
Halcyon 289 owner here. I couldn’t disagree with you more. Nothing in my experience has been phony. Fun little bike. Cool people and attentive customer service.
Chinese parts claimed to be hand made american bike. You americans for sure have a different view of what quality is compared to EU………here would such crap not even sell.
Been following these guys since they were on Jay Leno a couple years ago. Last summer I had the honor to stop by their factory, and I was very impressed with the build quality and the care that they put into making these things. I'm considering a 450 when they come out with the scrambler version of it.
Can't decide between a 450 Halcyon or their Gryffin scrambler, absolutely love their spirit, simplicity, engineering and aesthetics.
Thanks, guys for the review. I'm 75 years old and getting too weak to hold up my Harleys and Indian touring bike. I would love one of these, but the price is really high. My Granson gave me a Honda Rebel 500 so even though it doesn't have the eye appeal, it is still a great bike and a hoot to ride. The important thing is I'm in the wind again.
These things are really cool! Not a bad price for a custom low production bike delivered to your doorstep!
Love my 250!
Great review. Would suggest short segment with some basic specs, ie. Comments on acceleration, fuel range, sense of handling, etc. Thanks for the video!
Works of art, rideable!
Headlights look too small, but that’s the only gripe. Look very cool.
The only thing I advise for new owners is that these bikes have tiny quirks that you will encounter and at first was not impressed that I had to fix a couple minor things like the petcock was leaking and had three replacements and switched out the hoses because the gas flow was not getting to the carb but almost a year later, after all the quirks, I would say its still worth the purchase just because I'm more retro style motorcyclist and this bike the 250 was perfect for me. If they ever go out of business I am going to drain the oil and gas and clean it yearly because the value of the motorcycle is going to be worth more of just rarity and if they become a bigger company, even better, the bike is under the first thousand made so a little more niche price for being somewhat rare. In conclusion, I bought my bike Imo the right time and its a good investment.
I raced a DKW with a leading link front end back in the early 70's. Lusted after a Penton but they were too pricey.
Thanks fellas, any word on reliability?
Janus has been around for years and I've only ever heard good things about them, simple bikes to maintain and repair and they stock all replacement parts so easy to fix too (not like similar vintage style brands like Royal Enfield where you wind up waiting months for the Indian factories to send anything you need).
Right on. Thanks
A lot of people are buying bikes from factories with hundreds of employees who have been told they should hate the countries where their products are sold
The 450 is EFI, not carb'd.
Love the bikes, the review was pretty pedestrian.
I don’t understand this idea that it’s OK for the 250 to have inferior brakes because “you going to be going slower most of the time”. That’s nonsense - these bikes will be used in the same way, travelling the same roads at the same cruising speeds and the need to stop in an emergency will be identical. It’s penny pinching and dangerous penny pinching to deprive 250 owners of the better brakes and it needs to be called out for what it is.
These bikes are very light, less weight = less requirement for powerful brakes, in fact brakes that can overwhelm a chassis are potentially more of a hazard
To be fair the 250 is a lighter bike
Should be easier to brake
Have they sorted out the wobble , saw a review and the guy had a wobble that he said one could get use to it ?
I would not buy a new bike that has a wobble .
We didn't notice any wobbling on these. Although, they are small bikes and more susceptible to moving around with changing road conditions. Bumps and dips will effect the bike quite a bit. But nothing that we would consider out of the norm.
It would be awesome if Enfield release a bike with exactly this look with their 350cc engine.
Now this would be cool!!
My 250 is simple and sweet
Aside from the imported engine neither of which are anything to complain about these are hand built American made bikes so is there anyone else doing this? No. That alone makes the price commensurate with the products and is the ONLY thing that keeps one out of my garage. Farmers don’t make a lot of extra for toys, is what it is.
Hand built American bike…….😂😂
@@F-tt3xv Janus literally has videos where they show the build process, you can see them bending the metal for the frames and shaping the fenders at their shop in Goshen.
Howdy
il faut importer ces motos en France.
Expensive fashion statements. Judged as functional motorcycles, there are far better machines to be had for a fraction of the cost
It blows my mind. I can’t see the appeal at that cost, you could built a vintage bike from the ground up especially since DIY is a big selling point for the brand
99% of Harleys are show room queens. Harley riders wont put the hand out for another manufacture passing by. Only do it to the Harleys, cause i built my own. Harley 3x as much as Honda equal. & they are not American made any more. You get what you pay for. Janus only one to give you 4yr warranty
"Pseudo custom...?" Do you understand what "pseudo" means? As far as I understand the word "custom," these bikes ARE, in point of fact, custom bikes. Pseudo literally means false....quasi....a facade. How does that come into play at all? The fact that they are simple does not take away from the bikes also being custom.
Hard to swallow $15000.00 for a 450cc bike
As cool as these look there is no way I'd pay the asking price. Too little for too much.
You pay more for American labor. Thats why there is so much slave labor imports in this country
Yes, well, the engines are made in China. For 15 grand, I want a Japanese motor.
I think these engines were originally designed by Honda and was used all around the world.
If not a Japanese engine at least an engine made in a friendly country such as India or Thailand.
Even Japanese motorcycle companies contract Chinese factories to produce their engines, like Yamaha.
I can't get over the Chinese engines.
Chinese engines are some of the most reliable in the world.
@@kevinnielsen1356 HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
@@charkswitlazers jokes on you. Reminds me of retro grouchs in the late 60's and thier attitudes towards Japanese motorcycles.
@@kevinnielsen1356 it's really nothing like that. "Made in China" has never screamed reliability, ever. Nice try.
@@charkswitlazers You would do well to check into how many big brand motorcycle engine/transmission are manufactured in China, KTM, BMW, Honda, Yamaha. I own 3 Chinese motorcycles, all have been trouble free. Times change, old opinions may no longer hold true. PS, your cell phone and tech toys are all made in China.
Janus: Chinese made to 95%……..zero vintage feelings.
Only the engine is Chinese, everything else from the fenders and frame to seat and tank are American with some Australian parts like the brakes/speed/tach. You can easily find this information on their website, unlike other motorcycle companies they're very transparent about how their bikes are made.
if they made a 750. lol
Then they would be just like Honda or triumph. Light weight low displacement, makes them unique.
I was fool enough to spend over 10K on the Janus 250. Worst purchase decision I've ever made. Frankly, Janus bikes are pure garbage. The selling point is the attractive, vintage look and the company's small town, made-in-America, persona. It's all phony. These videos are made by Janus employees or paid hacks. The bike can barely top 40mph. Dangerously slow. The gas tank holds less than 2 gallons. The lack of rear suspension makes the ride a torture. Nothing but repair after repair. I've bought a Royal Enfield 350 and It's a welcome pleasure. All I can do is park the Janus in my garage and let it rot. It's too much of a pain to try to sell it. And, I don't want to pass this crap on to some unsuspecting buyer. Don't even think of buying anything from Janus. Take my advice. I learned it the hard way.
Halcyon 289 owner here. I couldn’t disagree with you more. Nothing in my experience has been phony. Fun little bike. Cool people and attentive customer service.
Chinese parts claimed to be hand made american bike. You americans for sure have a different view of what quality is compared to EU………here would such crap not even sell.
Found the RE bot, RE sucks.