Janus Halcyon 250

[Chocaholic]

Found a used 2021 a few hours away. Going to see it with trailer and a pocket full of cash on Sunday. Seems a unique, featherweight single would nicely fill a gap in my garage (Moto Guzzi California Vintage and an HD XR1200]. May be fun for country road riding. Anyone have one...or know anyone who does? Reviews are all glowing for the most part. Hand made in Goshen, Indiana...

https://www.janusmotorcycles.com/

[Chocaholic]

Here’s the one I’m going to see/buy:

[mgatepi]

I like the vintage look!!

[Sooner or later]

Thread from a month or so ago.

Another new to me motorcycle: 2018 Janus Halcyon

[herr_oberst]

Looks like someone lowered the seat into nutcracker position

[Chocaholic]

Originally Posted by Sooner or later

Thread from a month or so ago.

Another new to me motorcycle: 2018 Janus Halcyon

Good memory! Certainly better than mine.

[Steve Carlton]

I think they are amazing. I’d look at it as a coffee getter and major league conversation starter. I’d be concerned if there’s enough motor for country roads, even at a leisurely pace.

[HardDrive]

I have wondered about those. Could be fun for kicking around town. They certainly look nice. Asian sourced 250, so parts should easy to get.

[javadog]

I’ve never ridden a street 250 that had enough power to make any headway into a slight breeze, I can’t imagine having any fun on that.

[Chocaholic]

I had a 1954 BMW R25 with 11hp (also a 250 single). That bike was a blast to ride. Top speed was about 60 but comfortable cruising at 45 to 50. Very lightweight and nimble. Yes, a far different riding experience than larger bikes, but a different kind of fun. And being 60+ years old, I suspect the 2021 Halcyon will be smoother and more refined than the R25.

There’s an old saying...it’s more fun to drive a slow car fast, than a fast car fast. Hoping the same holds true here.

[Rot 911]

Yes as someone posted above, I own number 114. I really enjoy it for riding around town but you need to understand it’s limitations. The only real downside to it is if you ride down a road full of potholes it’s going to rattle your fillings out. Not sure it’s going to stay in the long-term fleet or end up being a toy for a year and then sold.

The one you’re going to look at has every option I think you can get on the bike. Including the extra padded seat!

[Evans, Marv]

Every one-lunger I've ever ridden has vibrated like hell. Is there something they're doing now days to improve on that?

[sc_rufctr]

Originally Posted by Chocaholic

Here’s the one I’m going to see/buy:

Wow. It looks spectacular!

[Chocaholic]

Thanks Peter...haven’t seen it in the flesh yet, but hoping the picture is accurate.

Ah...glad you showed up Kurt. Looking forward to some time in the fat-butt saddle indeed. Thankfully we are blessed with good roads here in the southeast where the ground almost never freezes and thaws. I’ve wondered about that hard tail but most reviews indicate the sprung seat does a surprisingly good job...at least on decent roads.

Watched the videos on maintenance items and can’t imagine an easier bike to maintain. I loved the R25 but the brakes were almost useless and the word rickety comes to mind. Both of my other bikes are 1100 cc’s and 1200 cc’s. And as you say...a year or two down the road, if the romance fades, there’s always CL and other bikes to pursue.

Short of any surprises on Sunday, I’ll post some impressions once I get it home and put on a few miles.

[mgatepi]

And the Pagsta! 100cc of looking like a dork going down the road!

[Yorkie]

Originally Posted by Evans, Marv

Every one-lunger I've ever ridden has vibrated like hell. Is there something they're doing now days to improve on that?

Balance shafts - they literally eliminate all of the vibrations by having a weight rotating in the opposite direction to the crank mass. My dirt bikes (DR-Z and XRs) are wonderfully smooth and by old Honda GB500TT was very nice at freeway speeds, if a little slow. It's been standard design practice since the 80s I think.

[Chocaholic]

Brief update. The Halcyon is in my garage. Put about 50 miles on it and completed the first service following the break-in period. Very simple to work on. Oil change and valve lash check.

Riding this bike is an entirely different experience than larger bikes. It is very light weight, nimble and spartan. Sort of harkens back to an earlier time. Surprisingly the generously sprung leather seat does an very nice job of ironing out the road imperfections from the hard tail frame. Front suspension is an Earls-style fork that also works well.

This is definitely a country road, relaxation device...and does it well. For freeways and pillion work, the larger Guzzi is the better choice. It’s going to be fun bonding with this machine. It oozes charm and seems to cause plenty of rubber-necking by passers-by. So far so good.

[Rot 911]

That is a nice looking bike! I’m going to get some Rocs risers for mine as that long gas tank has me leaning too far forward.

[Jeff Higgins]

That is just so darn cool, Mike. I wish I had room for another (I would have to cull the herd a bit to get something different), that would be towards the top of my list. That or the Royal Enfield Interceptor. As I age and my riding style matures with me, I am finding these kinds of bikes more and more attractive. Slowing down to smell the roses a bit. Anyway, have fun, and keep us up to date as you get to know one another.

[Geronimo '74]

I wish they would make the letter J more prominent.
Janus is not what I read at first glance..