Road Dirt Review: Janus Motorcycles- From Production to Street
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- Опубліковано 19 чер 2023
- #motorcycle #motorbike #motorcyclereview
We spend a few days with the great team at @janusmotorcycles in Goshen, Indiana, a small company hand-building small displacement, vintage-looking motorcycles.
These motorbikes look 100 years old, and the Janus folks build them with a 100 year old model- fabricating most of their own parts, collaborating directly in the build with their customers, then providing personalized service after the sale.
We take you on a walking tour through the process of building a Janus Motorcycle!
For our story with photos, check it out here:
roaddirt.tv/janus-motorcycles...
Check out the Janus Moto lineup:
janusmotorcycles.com/
Rob's Riding Gear:
REV'IT! Restless Jacket
REV'IT! Davis TF Jeans
REV'IT! Safeway 2 Belt
Bell Qualifier Helmet
SA1NT Leather Gloves
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All hand built from scratch... Each nut ... Each component.. hand checked and scrutinized... Put together with love and precision.!! That's how a motorcycle should be born, ideally !! Cheers.. ❤
Old school-feeling motorcycles, truly built the old school way.
Except for the chi-com made engines.
I am a H-D fan , and rider of 27 + years , yet I love classic styling , and the old world hand made idea of things . I think Royal Enfield is doing it correctly , oldest cycle company , great marketing , and such a good vibe going on . All things considered , I believe I need to come see this place myself , I need to look , kick tires , and check out these babies for myself , I'm close , in Kentucky , but at 5ft , 2in myself , I may not be tall enough for the saddle , I sure hope so , I absolutely love this look , and pure original design , i have nothing but a deep admiration for these awesome machines , Janus are fine looking , hand crafted machines . Thanks for sharing this story
If you get the chance, go make a visit and take a ride on one. It’s quite the experience.
Over priced bikes with a Chinese motor making enough horsepower to get you to 60 in 25 seconds why would you ever consider these bikes?
@@gabegillman2260 I kind of agree with you on the overpriced thing , I definitely agree with you on Chinese garbage , the plague of the industry is foreign junk . I do love the originality , and the look of the machines , a Honda powerplant would be acceptable , butnot a cheap chinese knock off , for a bike to be more than $3,500 at a 250 cc level is crazy . Good to see you stand up , and speak out , cheers
I have been running a Halcyon 250 for a couple of years. Great bike. Engine is, as advertised, unbreakable. It isn't just some cheap knockoff, and it's worth visiting the site for info on why and how it was chosen (and Richard, one of the founders, has videos on this too). I also just acquired a Royal Enfield, but the Janus is the really beautiful and fun bike. As far as price goes, it is all hand-assembled, with more US-made parts than most Harleys. As far as the price goes, take a Royal Enfield 350. You might see a "sale price" of 4,500 and say, "Wow, that looks good." In my case, one dealership then said the out-the-door price actually would be between 8 and 9K! I declined that deal. (And the first service of a Royal Enfield from a dealer is nearly $700. I do all the service, easily, on the Janus, with complete transparency from the company.) When I bought my Janus, on the other hand, no hidden fees--all direct from the manufacturer.
@@sluf1963
@@jeffkaron2962 I dont live but 3 hours away from the facility where Janus are made , I do want to go have a look-see , maybe pop on one for a spin , I will give them a fair shake , I do all my own work , modifications , welding , everything , always have . Cheers .
Absolutely wonderful craftsmanship. Riders and people
Must realize how special these motorcycles are. Enough quibbling on the engines. This company has to get certification for their bikes which is no easy task. Beautiful motorcycles and a wonderful company. An AMERICAN company. God speed boys. Nice job! I’m saving for one.
Very cool material. Thanks very much for showing the production from the very start. I hope to bring this bike one day into Europe.
Our pleasure!
Those are super cool bikes.... Rustic, Robust, Simplistic... & Retro to the bone... Would love to have a couple of these beauties in my garage.... 🤘👌🤘👌🤩
Agreed!
Overpriced, under performing bling.
Quote from a Janus owner:
Forrestbedford5603
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.
Absolutely beautiful bikes, will definitely own a 450 or Gryffin someday.
i am a really fun of old school bike, if i had this type of bike in the philippines, motor bike riders would definitely turn their attention to me, but that would be a dream come true. thanks for the info on the janus hlycon bikes. long live all of you gentleman at janus bike builders more power to all of you sir.
Couldn’t decide what color lot’s of cool colors From Olive Drab turquoise blue wowed love the retro ultra
Each one hand painted and pinstriped. Intimate craftsmanship.
Cool video ,cool bikes look like a lot of fun 🥰
They are indeed.
Wow, now I'm really interested after seeing them run. First saw them at a motorcycle show, but didn't get to see what they ran like. Very cool
Loud, clunky, vibrating,… we loved them! Old school feeling.
Overpriced, under performing bling.
Quote from a Janus owner:
Forrestbedford5603
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.
I got a Halcion 250 about a year ago. OD green, yellow primary and black secondary paint, everything brushed, not polished, dual mirrors and full set of bags. It's the epitome of ride a slow bike fast. It's not fast, tops out around 45mph, but it's springy and very responsive. Handles excellent. I like the fact that they'll fly you out and give you a tour as well as explain everything and help you pick the model and features that best suit you as well as make you a video photo album of your bike being made at each step. Another surprising and attractive feature is that they will help you with instruction on how to work on your bike yourself, even encourage it without it voiding your warranty. That is unheard of in this day and age. The bikes aren't for everyone. Like I mentioned, they're slow bikes you ride fast, the kind of bike for those that ride for the sheer pleasure and enjoyment of riding. Very much worth the price and the wait.
You captured it perfectly, @Gator-357.
Best to you, as you “ramble” with that Halcyon 250!
Interesting video. I'd love to test ride one of these sometime.
Ill be trying to ride my pan america out there this summer. My god do i want to own one of those halcyons.
They just debuted their new Gryffin 450. That looks sweet!
Hello, greetings from Thailand, we have a company out here called Stallions Motorcycles, looking at the engines used on the Janus, they appear to be the same as Stallions use, (imported from China I believe) prices for a Stallions motorcycle range from 69,800 Thai Baht, to 120,000 Thai Baht ( for the 400cc version )
Can't believe the lathe chuck key was left in the chuck!
Really wish you would address how the leading link front responds. How comfortable is the seating in all models. How reliable are those engines? How is the stearing?
Leading link front is well designed, and the response felt compliant but planted to me. Sprung seats were a bit unusual feeling, but very old school. Felt better on the Halcyon 450 than the H 250 obviously, as the 250 is a hard tail, while the 450 runs a dual shock underseat rig. The seat on the Gryffin is pretty plush, and is a good ride with their rear suspension on it.
Those engines, as we understand it, are quite bulletproof, being used in all kinds of applications the world over. I’m told they’re easy to work on too, if/when necessary. Steering is good, the 250 a bit more flickable than the 450 due to weight difference and the 450 having a longer rake.
Hope this helps,
I have a Halcyon 250 and the leading link front is very smooth and doesn't dive even when applying the brake hard enough to make the front tire howl. It's also one of my favorite bikes to ride twisties on because it's so light, nimble and tractable despite being a hardtail. The wide line seat is comfortable enough in stock form that I've done multiple +300 mile rides in the short time I've owned mine. I was so impressed with the seat's comfort that I will do a 3K mile tour out west in a month or so despite having heavy weight touring bikes in my stable. The CG250 motor has proven itself to be very reliable over the decades and there are aftermarket performance suppliers that offer cams and other parts so you can reliably double the horsepower and extend the powerband to 10.5K rpm so +80mph is attainable if desired. Devin Biek who was a Janus co-founder now runs Moto Cult and he offers performance parts and even shares results of dyno runs on his site motocultparts.com/. People race CG250 powered bikes in Brazil (search YT for "Gato" motorcycles), Malaysia, Pakistan and other parts of the world and the motor's simplicity and robust build is on par with old Briggs&Stratton and Tecumseh motors I grew up wrenching on as a kid back in the 60s and 70s. It's a marvelous motor.
Can't believe you use the word craftsmanship when you put a Chinese engine in it. Terrible
It would be sweet if they had a chopper version of that with some monkey bars!!!
Great concept, reach back to the early to mid 20s.with a modern up grade. Capitalizing is just great. Build something and someone thinks they need this new toy that is different than most bikes on the market. The only concern with me is this Chinese copy of a Honda engine. But not built with the engendering that Honda has established over the last 50 plus years. My experience is anything manufactured by the Chinese government owned companies is it doesn’t seem to last long without having its flaws. However, I’m told there is a long warranty with some of the bikes. Ya might need that after paying up the big bucks that seems too be a bit overpriced for what ya get. Hope this company makes it. There is always these well off folks with deep pockets that will buy. Us middle in the road guys just can’t find the money too fork up $15,000 and change for a 450cc do-dad. When the competition is so much greater for a well known brand name. Good luck Janus, hope ya do well.
My initial concern is the weather proofing. The front shocks seem susceptable to water damage.
I think they’re sealed. The founder, Richard Worsham, rode one of the 250s across the country a few years back, never had any issues he couldn’t deal with easily.
@@roaddirttvyes, but seals wear, and then water can enter and rust the insides. Better to have seals on the bottom than top. Or put a boot over them.
I'm a fan of the basic idea of a simple maintainable motorcycle.
I have a Halcyon 250 with progressive spring shocks from IKON. Right through 2 Florida summers with heavy rain. Easy to rebuild if needed.
He road the model I own from San Francisco to New York. One owner road the same model from Arizona to Alaska and back (16-thousand-mile round trip!).@@roaddirttv
love the look....seems a lot is imported?
Engine & shocks are imported, pretty much everything else is hand built or locally manufactured.
I want to work there
Goshen is a cool little town to call home. Go get you a job with them!
They had a customer service position open a little while ago
Note you please try to steady your camera also pan slowly
What mpgs do you get?
They get about 60 mpg, if we remember correctly.
I grew up in Elkhart County and Goshen is the county seat.
What about the griffin?
There’s a brief segment on the Gryffin in the video.
Price no object, if you could have just one, which would it be and why? 😉
Of the Janus lineup? We’re still partial to the 450.
Honestly I love that kickstarter and fuel reserve switch on the 250.
At first the price on these ones seems like a stretch but if you put in the numbers that you keep from doing everything yourself seems very reasonable.
I love this because I see them like the little brothers of K. Reeves motorcycles.
BTW did you forgot to put the scrambler in the highest gear, seemed a little to loud compared to the first one you rode.
PS I noted afterwards the different placement of the pipe, I'm sure that's the reason it is louder.
Yeah, I had the chance to wind up the Scrambler in all gears, and you’re right, it’s definitely louder.
A "sale" price on another motorcycle recently was $4,500 but the out-the-door price was between 8 and 9K depending on accessories, a deal that I declined. When I did finally buy a Royal Enfield as my second bike, I found a number of items out of spec. The Janus, on the other hand, was all correctly torqued and such. And no hidden fees--right from the manufacturer to my door.
Forget Harley & Indian Janus
Y'all that are ripping on them about the Chinese engine, no one here in the states could build them a power plant that would hold up. You can blame our government for that and the organized crime of these union shops
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be nice to have had a less "dizzy" camera, had to stop looking.
We had “Image Stabilization” enabled, unsure why the camera was so “dizzy”. Our apologies.
Nice video. Please get a gimbal and use less panning.
Had one, but it broke on the trip.
It amazes me the money people will spend for a fashion statement
You should listen to the many owners--I am one. I commute on the bike, ride it nearly every day, have accumulated thousands of miles, do my own service and repairs easily. Many other similar stories.
@@jeffkaron2962 Years ago I bought an expensive bicycle. A bit of a fashion statement. Fact is I rode it alot, at first in order to justify cost. It's easier to ignore an cheap bike, besides, no one could see my nice bike if I wasn't riding it. Consequently I became a decent rider. I still have my bike, it still rides great. Enjoyment is most important factor. PS. It amazes me how people buy expensive pickup trucks for fashion.
@@jeffkaron2962 Overpriced, under performing bling.
Quote from a Janus owner:
Forrestbedford5603
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.
The engines are Chinese why not use a Chinese V twin from another Chinese co. Still cheap and you would sell lots of them also put rear shocks on it. Cut the price.
Read our story on them for a bit of insight-
roaddirt.tv/janus-motorcycles-the-past-meets-the-present/
Chinese engine. I’m all set with that. Would not have it in my garage.
How many of the tools in your garage were made in China? How many of your car/truck parts? Your household items?
That’s becoming an increasingly ridiculous argument.
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.
Do you mind sharing what problems you've had besides it not reaching above 40 MPH?
Did you not have access to the specs like fuel capacity or the type of suspension before your purchace?
It really won't go over 40 mph?
They need to ditch the chinese engines or cut the price of the bikes in half.
Agreed! The 450 Should online e $10K fully decked out, the 250 about 5-6 K decked out.
@@john1911ccw Yes that would be reasonable. Still a bit pricy even for a chinese engine.
You're all nuts. Do you realize how much labor goes into assembling them? Their facilities, utilities, tools, health+dental care .. it's not an easy business. I doubt they're getting rich.
@@chadkline4268 Yep its not easy but for the prices they charge you can pick from countless other bikes that do not have a made in china engine. Maybe even 2 or 3 of them. They need a different engine source. You can dress it up all you want and say its an american company all you want but when the most important part is a chinese knock off engine it loses most of its value.
@@plaid13
It depends on who is making them. China is getting a lot of experience with engines by now. BMW and KTM also have engines made in China. And it's a Honda design. Time will tell. If it's a crappy engine, they'll soon find out.
If you like paying a high price for a motorcycle with a Chinese motor, this bike is for you.
I just don't get it, too. I saw one here in Europe, an (road legal) one-off import, and they wanted more than 20.000 Euros for it. Crazy. A few months ago I sold a BSA B50; not mint, but really solid with a rebuilt engine, rebuilt brakes and a clean title; for half of that.
If you research the company they have said multiple times if a US business made small displacement motor they would use it, but you and I know there isn’t and if there was it would be be very expensive. Beside this bike isn’t marketed to you.
You're right. Janus could've used Japanese engines, which are reliable and bulletproof to justify their higher price.
Otherwise, a nice modern vintage.
Sourcing an engine from Japan would drive the cost up further. Plus any major Japanese bike maker will not sell to an outside manufacturer. @@premswarooppaul1109
@@chrisimperial6516 their ridiculous pricing should include a more robust and reliable engine.
Nothing but trash for a whole lot of cash 👎
Dont use words like cool, its got a Chinese engine, not even a Kickstarter 😮 it looks nice but the reality will be totally different. Not for everyday use.
Have you ridden one? Do you know anything at all about the company, how these are constructed? Ever talked with owners? Regardless of where they source some elements from that you might disapprove of, Janus is building a quality, old school looking and feeling motorcycle, and people who buy them love them. So we commend them.
@@roaddirttv don't need to ride one to know it will be under powered and over priced 5 minute talking point. You can get a 5 minute talking point by getting a street cred tattoo on your neck or face. These are for people with too much money and a need to draw attention to themselves. Very sad
@@justkidding9751 I’m afraid we’ll have to agree that we disagree then. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and opinion.
@@justkidding9751 you obviously don't know anything about these bikes or this company and have different requirments from a motorcycle. These bikes are more than a fashion statement and not for everybody. No, they're definately not fast but that's not the point of these bikes. These bikes are for those that want to ride for the ride, not speed.
@@Gator-357 any company that chooses to make motorcycles in a neche market and puts a Chinese engine on but wants to charge a premium for a 5 minute talking point is a company not worthy of a strong following in my opinion. You can buy a Chinese made Skyteam Ace which has a similar design of tank and a 125 engine for far less and you'll get the same reaction and 5 minute talking point.
These bikes are cool but that logo is awful. You can't tell me you don't see the word Anus.
Haha, can’t say anyone’s ever noted that, 🤣
Way overpriced rich man's 🧸🪀 toy.