Beautiful Janus Halcyon 450 - Let's Go for a Ride - Wahoo!

[@chicknman72]

I absolutely LOVE the looks of the Janus...they are what brought me through the doors of Royal Enfield 4 years ago. I was looking for a vintage bike at an affordable price. Janus was quite a bit outside my wheelhouse for what they were, but my local dealer had a beautiful Bullet 500 Trials on the floor for a great price. When I walked in....I LOVED the Bullet, but something else caught my eye, the 2021 Himalayan that was parked right next to it on the showroom floor.....LOL. That isn't a knock on Janus by any means....they are offering a limited, custom bike...hand built, and hand painted in the USA...the Chinese built motor didn't drive me away, but you aren't paying for the motor....you are paying for the craftsmanship/limited production/custom bike. It has its niche among people with money....and there's nothing wrong with that, I go with what I can afford, like Royal Enfield, and I have been looking hard at CF Moto. If I had money...I'd definitely throw money down on a Janus, a gorgeous bike for sure

[@forgottenmotorcycles]

I agree totally, Thanks!

[@user-cv9my1jq2r]

They are cool bikes.

[@forgottenmotorcycles]

Amazing bike!

[@lesvandermeulen784]

That has got to be the most retro bike, that is also modern that I've ever seen, very cool!

[@forgottenmotorcycles]

Loved everything about it!

[@stevenmiller184]

I have one. These are my observations of MY bike. The clutch is appallingly heavy making in town riding fatiguing. The shifting is predictable but neutral is elusive. It is very quick if you keep the revs up, I prefer the slower but more tractable power delivery of my RE 350. The exhaust note is modern and unimpressive. In general, the engine is my least favorite part of this bike. The EFI fuel delivery is irregular.. it tries to be eco-friendly read: lean. It makes for some surging. The brakes are extremely powerful. Probably the most comfortable seat I have ever ridden on. More vibes than my RE Classic 350 but far less than my RE Classic 500. They are unobtrusive. The overly fussy oil cooling, dry sump arrangement creates many opportunities for leaks and my garage floor is a testament to this. It is a light bike. It makes it quick but a bit "blowy" on the freeway. It feels like you are driving a chariot... The seat is far back and the handlebars sweep back to you.. it's a fun but unusual feeling.. It gives the bike a sense that it has a long wheelbase. To me it feels better suited for straight line riding than rapid twisties. It is a low bike, anyone could flat foot this thing. It has a two gallon fuel tank and the low fuel light comes on after you have burned 1.5 gallons.. The range is poor and I always carry an MSR bottle of fuel when I ride. The company is easily contacted and very responsive. Be prepared to do your own servicing and repair, it is a unique bike,.. there is only one dealer and they are in Indiana.

[@martinrice9190]

I was told that the motors are made in China. Not sure if that is correct but if so that's a deal breaker with me.

[@forgottenmotorcycles]

Yes, Chines motor. You should take one for a ride. Wahoo!

[@forgottenmotorcycles]

An interesting perspective for a real owner. I can appreciate what is good about this motorcycle and live with the rest. Would love to put a 1000 miles on one. Wahoo!

[@astro61362]

I really like the look of those Janus bikes. I want to tour their facility in Indiana one of these days.

[@forgottenmotorcycles]

I would love to visit their shop. Wahoo!

[@WOLFIE-96B-UK]

That is just awesome! If I could get one on this side of the pond I would!

[@ocapnamzug4504]

I know the feeling brother, if I could get a CCM on this side of the pond I would.

[@forgottenmotorcycles]

Wahoo!

[@forgottenmotorcycles]

She is a beauty!

[@wavshrdr8452]

Great review and interesting to see your impressions. I just ordered one. I actually thought about it few years ago but a 250 wasn't enough for where I ride. Like many people this lead me to Royal Enfield. I ended up with a Conti 650 overall a fun bike but not quite what I was looking for so I sold it. I have a few other bikes so I could stand to have something that I'd call a bit more of a niche bike. So I started seriously looking again earlier this year. I was so close to pulling the trigger on the a 450 that I was about to send in a deposit and I ran across a deal on a Triumph Rocket 3 R that I could turn down. It was across town and I wouldn’t have to wait to have my bike built. Scooped up the Rocket, started modding it, got it to where I wanted it, and still seemed to need a Janus in my garage. Well apparently Janus the god intervened in my plan. Janus is the Greek god of many things. The month of January is named after him. Many things are attributed to him such as the god of beginnings, gates, transitions, time, duality, doorways, passages, frames, and endings. For me, the duality fits. The Rocket 3 and the Janus Halcyon couldn’t be more opposite in so many ways; 2.5 liters vs .44 liters, 3 cylinders vs 1, riders aids vs very old school, very complex vs simple, heavy vs almost featherweight. The Janus gives me that look and feel of a vintage bike without the hassle of maintaining one. I don’t care the motor is made in China. It is a clone of great Honda motor, just like the 250 they use. You probably can’t find a non-Chinese thing in your house anyway. They are seeping into cars and motorcycles as well. Would I choose a different powerplant if I were to do it, maybe but might drive the price up even more. It isn’t cheap but it is mostly hand made and all the options allows you to create something very bespoke. I already went the Royal Enfield route and it just didn’t scratch the itch I had. I have nothing against them; my Conti was a very good bike. I just wanted something more unique, basically a vintage resto-mod, and Janus has delivered on that. I anticipate the Janus will give me lots of smiles per miles, like my Rocket but in different ways. The only thing in life I am more passionate about than riding is my family and my wife might argue which is my higher priority. This year will mark my 60th year of riding. I started when I was knee high to a grass hopper as my grandpa would say. If you have a chance to check a Janus out in person, you might understand the appeal more. Ask about their Ambassador Program, where an owner in your area might be willing to show their bikes. @Fuzzy Biker - cool channel so decided to subscribe. Have a lot of family in your area. Let me know if you ever plan on selling your JPS Norton. That is one of the few bikes from my childhood that I really regret selling-that and the Dunstall Commando 810. All my friends were into Triumphs and BSAs, but I was a Norton fan, still to this day.

[@forgottenmotorcycles]

You will love the Janus 450, very special motorcycle. The JPS Norton is for sale and will be part of the BAXTER CYCLE auction August 24th...next week. More information at Vanderbrinkauctions.com . Would love to actually see a Dunstall 810...another unicorn motorcycle of my dreams. Wahoo!

[@ducati135]

I thought I was probably the only one who wants a triumph rocket and a Janus. Nice to know there’s others with similar outlooks.

[@motormikeb1047]

$15,000.oo Neat... quirky .... fun.... did I mention 15 grand 😎

[@forgottenmotorcycles]

Fun, for sure!

[@adampatterson707]

I can't understand why it won't run in the lower revs. The mapping for the fuel injection must be off. The XR400 that they made that engine out of is a tractor on the bottom end.

[@forgottenmotorcycles]

I'm not able to answer this question. I really did enjoy riding this bike as it is. Wahoo!

[@BrianCanSell]

The phone mount is made by Peak

[@forgottenmotorcycles]

Thank you!

[@thomasordal8229]

It needs a long stroke single for better slow speed handling. There are towns with very slow speed limits, and my experience its how slow you can go--biking for me is relaxing, speed is not important

[@forgottenmotorcycles]

It was a fun bike

[@motok8425]

Very cool, personally couldn’t justify the cost…

[@forgottenmotorcycles]

It's a really interesting machine!

[@ruahinesrider]

Wow Double Wahoo.

[@forgottenmotorcycles]

These bikes are a hoot!

[@42crazyguy]

Just feels so bizarre hearing a bike like that with an electric start. Would have loved a kickstart option.

[@forgottenmotorcycles]

That would be cool!

[@petersheppard6085]

Different, I suppose.....if you really want a "Flat Tanker" but actually want to use it....this is the bike for you...would have been better with a less revvy engine, though

[@forgottenmotorcycles]

It was an interesting motorcycle. Wahoo!

[@csorgb05]

While the Janus looks nice I just can't see dropping $14,000 for a 450cc bike, especially one with a Chinese made motor. Nostalgia only goes so far.

[@forgottenmotorcycles]

Really enjoyed the bike

[@dennisgauck7526]

The 450 engine is made in Italy , but the 250 is made in China.

[@MotoWorld777]

chinese motors?

[@ruahinesrider]

Honda motor but licensed to be built in China upto Honda's standards.

[@forgottenmotorcycles]

Owner was confident in the bike. Loads of fun to ride!

[@forgottenmotorcycles]

Yes

[@ruahinesrider]

@forgottenmotorcycles Got a be good if Honda signs off on the Chinese build quality of their Honda motors.Not just any company get that contract.Also other Japanese bikes 🏍 are made in other countries outside of Japan such as Thailand which has a massive custom motorcycle 🏍 scene & build quality is good.Honda,Kawasaki & Triumph are all made in Thailand & quality is awesome. I think Triumph still might make the Rocket 🚀 3 in UK 🇬🇧 but only that bike at Hinkley factory they still have.KTM License 2 of their motors to be built at CF Moto in China.

[@csorgb05]

If Harley was smart, they would design a modern bike like this, rather than trying to "modernize" the styling of their current bikes. If Harley offered a small displacement bike that mimicked the early Harley motorcycles they could invigorate the market. Maybe after they recover, if they recover, from this DEI mess a bike like this could save them.

[@forgottenmotorcycles]

That would be interesting!