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Alabama-based OEM entering third model year with growth BY LIZ KEENER SENIOR EDITOR When Lee Conn and Brian Case launched Motus Motorcycles, the duo decided to take things slow to assure they were doing every- thing right. But now Motus is in its third model year, and the brand is looking forward to growth in 2017. Motus Motorcycles was launched in Bir- mingham, Alabama, in 2008, with pre-pro- duction models touring the country in 2011. However, a production model wasn't sold until the 2015 model year. The 2017 models mark the company's third model year, and Motus is looking to add its first reps and quadruple its dealer network. The motorcycles are unique in that they're American-made sport touring bikes powered by a V4 engine built by Motus Motors. "We kind of walked into it pretty slow because we just wanted to prove out the quality and the business model," Conn told Powers- ports Business. "It's just kind of a walk-before- you-can-run thing, and so we kind of have reached the point, mostly through last year, where we said, 'Alright, we're hitting on all cylinders here. We know how to do this. The bikes work. The dealers are making money. Now is the time for us to expand.' So we've got this five-year plan, and it's a product plan with future models and those types of things." First on the docket is the addition of four sales reps. Motus announced in late December that John Alexander has been hired as the com- pany's Northeast sales manager. Alexander is a dealer development veteran who has worked for BRP, Triumph and Husqvarna. Now the company is looking for individuals to represent the Southeast, West Coast and Central U.S. With its first reps joining the company, Motus wants to grow its dealer network from 25 to 100 by the end of 2018. Currently about 25 dealers carry Motus Motorcycles in stores spread from Seattle to Miami — all of which connected to Motus via word of mouth. "It's a great opportunity for the right dealer, and if it's the right shop, it's a very appealing package. And a bunch of the dealers that are on board with us are well pleased with the decision to carry our brand," Conn reported. Motus bikes, it seems, move well in dealer- ships that carry European brands or Indian Motorcycles. "One of the interesting things about our dealers, and particularly some of the Euro dealers that we have … those guys have com- mented to us that they never had ever con- sidered an American brand before. It just wasn't the style of bike they loved or had a real interest in, so that's been a big coup for us to be the first American product in a premium European store. Our bikes, they're sport tour- ing bikes; they're high-performance bikes. They're much more tied to the European style of riding, but they have this undeniably American-made Motus building dealer base www.PowersportsBusiness.com MOTORCYCLE Powersports Business • May 1, 2017 • 25 See Motus, Page 29 The Motus MST and MSTR are powered by a V4 engine built by Motus Motors. 2017 is the third model year for Motus Motorcycles.