Janus Halcyon 250 w/ MotoCult Stage 4- performance kit overview

[@UncleVoodoo]

* the forks are “leading link” and not “trailing link”, I had the verbiage reversed- my bad.

[@astro61362]

Congratulations on the new ride. Those bikes are really cool looking. I am rooting for this company to succeed.

[@UncleVoodoo]

I hope they stay on track and don't lose their way, Im glad they did their own thing and didn't try to resurrect some defunct brand name trying claim some sort of heritage or something.

[@johnlenart597]

When riding my GT the other day, I happened to think that I hadn't seen you in a while. Your presentation is second to none. Humorous but not over the top. Love that little bike, especially now that it'll get you up and down hilly roads. Looking forward to the next updates and add ons. 👍👍

[@UncleVoodoo]

I was actually going nuts not being able to get out and go somewhere for a video, I was working overtime and making the deal / travel arrangements to acquire this bike. Most of the videos about these bikes are like buyer testimonials and sales pitches, I'll be doing videos of what it's really like to own and live with one. Thanks for watching and stay tuned!

[@reggiepaulk]

I laughed out loud when you covered the “J.”

[@janusmotorcycles]

Thanks for visiting! What a great video.

[@UncleVoodoo]

Thanks for letting us poke around, sorry we were so pressed for time.

[@BigAl74-ww6ws]

What an absolute stunner😍Congrats on your new bike, Uncle! I thought you'd go for the Classic 350, but the Janus is simply beautiful! Wishing you many happy miles✌️

[@UncleVoodoo]

Thanks! The Classic 350 was close, I actually got this for less than what the Classic was going to cost me OTD with the Hitchcocks / Kent cam, pipe & filter setup. So for the same power and price I went with the (150lbs) lighter bike.

[@jaide1312]

What a beauty! It's such a shame the likes of Harley and Indian don't go back to this kind of 1920's style at all, I'd actually be interested in owning one if they did.

[@UncleVoodoo]

I think a lot of manufacturers get too focused on what they should come up with next.... when what they used to do was actually pretty good.

[@stevenguajardo6049]

This bike is hand made for the most part. It's a beautiful bike, and I think it's worth every penny.

[@edwardkaminsky8142]

Congratulations, Uncle! What an absolute show stopper you picked up there. That cream color with the panniers is sexy. I bet Jabo is excited and jealous. LOL. Looking forward to upcoming footage. 💪

[@UncleVoodoo]

Thanks! I was amazed at how well I liked the looks of basically every color combination I saw while I was there. Sadly my leather color is being phased out, which is a shame as it's the color I liked the most (the new reddish brown color is much more red than mine, you can see it at 13:50 in the video). Jobu cant wait to take it camping!

[@anthonyintrieri3329]

Cleaning my coffee from the phone after the pillion seat humor, too funny 😂. I freaked when the thumbnail popped up & you with the janus. Lovin' mine, sure you will to.glad the moto cult upgrade swayed you to it. Can't wait to get my upgrade 😃

[@UncleVoodoo]

Yep, me and Jobu joined the gang! I'll report on my thoughts about the upgrades once I get a couple oil changes through it. It is a bit odd riding a bike that looks the way does... but wants to be rev'd like a 2 stroke! lol

[@TwoWheelsBackroads]

Beautiful bike. Always been curious about this bike and can't wait to see your future adventures on it.

[@UncleVoodoo]

It's one of those things we keep hearing about... yet no one has one to actually be able to say what is what. Most of the videos come off like commercials or people justifying their purchase, so I'll be putting it to the test and documenting what it's really like to own and live with one.

[@TwoWheelsBackroads]

@@UncleVoodoo Agreed. No real life riders of the Janus on YT, I looked when I first heard about them which is why I never gave them any serious consideration for the price they’re asking.

[@0HARE]

Thanks for a thorough review of this interesting bike. I stumbled on to them a few years ago, and realized that they were a niche bike. Not for everyone, but, I’d sure have one, especially with all your upgrades. Looking forward to what you do with this one. Happy Trails!

[@UncleVoodoo]

I had watched them for years too, but no one seemed to have bought one and put it through its paces.. on KZbin anyways. So I'll be doing a lot of videos on what it's like to actually live with one.

[@IIshadowriderII]

Very nice video, first of all. I really appreciate the idea/motive behind Janus bikes. The uniqueness of the design/feel is unparalleled by anything else! That's obvious even by just looking at it! It all comes down to whether it's worth the price or not. To me it does. I wish them luck.

[@UncleVoodoo]

I showed a $13,500 150cc Vespa 946 in the video, the standard 150cc Vespa Primavera costs about $5800, so it doesn't make much "sense" to pay more than double for the 946... but I know someone who owns a 946 and he loves it. To him it was worth the price to have the one he really wanted. but then again riding a motorcycle isn't really a logical decision to begin with! lol

[@mikeberry2736]

Great bike, really like those Janus bikes for the same reason you bought yours …… looks stunning and back to basics. Unfortunately, I live in the UK and Janus don’t export to Europe, because we have strict rules on emissions and other ABS etc…and the restrictions are getting tighter. So, like you, I have bought a Royal Enfield Classic 500 to reduce the need for over the top electronics. Great videos, keep up the good work and enjoy your new bike. Cheers.

[@UncleVoodoo]

It's one of just a few bikes we can still get here with a carb and no ABS, the model I have will probably never be allowed to be exported legally.

[@stephenthompson6049]

Great video as always, what a seriously cool bike, so good to see a bike so individual and prepared to stand out from the crowd, enjoy sir. Very much like your channel, producing something interesting and original in a sea of generic channels

[@UncleVoodoo]

Thanks! This is my "grow old with it" bike, its so simple and lightweight that I'll probably never grow too old to ride it.

[@jameselliott5220]

Your bike looks great and I do love your videos. Great detail, to best I have seen.

[@MitchCrane]

Nice! I didn't know about Janus until you talked about them, and was lukewarm on the concept at first, but I'm warming up to it. Seems like a great company.

[@UncleVoodoo]

They kind of get dismissed as just some little company making a novelty item, but if you lift the bike's skirt and take a look beneath... there is actually a decent little bike there that's "made like they used to" (especially the 250 model).

[@S3Moto]

Love the new bike! The Janus factory is one of my planned destinations for 2025. No plan on buying one, just want to check it out.

[@nakedlakedip57]

Love the fall colours all around

[@UncleVoodoo]

It is pretty this time of year, too bad it starts getting cold at the same time!

[@anthonyintrieri3329]

Almost forgot, if you ever need a battery upgrade, i highly recommend anti- gravity lithium ion with the restart feature. The 1:29 1:29 1:37 1:39 original battery had bms issues, (2 battery's crapped out after 2months.) They since fixed the problem, but twice bitten once shy. With the AG, if you hit the kill switch and forget to turn off the key, the AG goes into sleep mode if it drops below 11 volts. Press the restart button, it wakes it up with juice for 5 start attempts. Much easier starting when it's cold.mine sat for 1month at 30 degree's, no tender. Turned the key, waited 10 seconds because the lithium battery needs a draw( headlight) to warm up the cells. It hesitated a second, then fired right up. 2 years now, no issues. Gotta love that. Size # is Atz-7.

[@UncleVoodoo]

@@anthonyintrieri3329 the battery was actually dead in mine when I showed up to look at it, MotoCult swapped it out with a new earthx battery.

[@timsatchell6713]

Fabulous little bike. I live in the flat lands along the German-Dutch border. 20hp is enough. Looks a blast.

[@UncleVoodoo]

I love the mountains where I live, it just makes my love for small bikes a bit tough at times!

[@bonnevillebagger9147]

The Sargent seat is a major upgrade. You’ll love it.

[@UncleVoodoo]

I got the wide line seat, actually it didn't occur to me to ask if they could do the Sargent in Redwood as it wasn't a listed option, only Oxblood.

[@UncleVoodoo]

ps. I was back in Indiana visiting family and I took my battery cover to Janus as I was told my leather color was Redwood but it looked more brown than red to me (I assumed it was faded a bit with age), turns out mine is Desert brown so we had to cancel and re order my seat and tool bag. Unfortunately they don't do the Sergent seat in that color either :(

[@bonnevillebagger9147]

@@UncleVoodoo that’s a major bummer. It might be worth having a mis matched seat.

[@UncleVoodoo]

@ I can say that after a few hundred miles… the standard seat is pretty awful 😳

[@musicmaestro88]

Nice to meet cha Bimble. Ride safe bro!!! 🏍💨

[@UncleVoodoo]

Bimble is chomping at the bit for a spot of moto camping :)

[@peterrussell798]

They are beautiful bikes. Be interesting to see how feel you feel about the Halcyon 250 after you’ve had it for a year or two and the novelty has worn off. I can see how the Janus appeals to the mechanic in you. Congrats and hope you have miles of smiles. Bimble looks great against those fall colors in the trees. Two-gallon tank, hope you get 70-80 mpg. BTW, the cattle you were describing are called longhorns.

[@UncleVoodoo]

I kind of want to be done buying motorcycles, so I want this to be my "grow old with it" bike. I love my GT but at some point I know I'll ride it less and less as I age out but hopefully with the size and weight of the Janus I'll always be able to wheel it around, throw my decrepit leg over it and go for a ride.

[@peterrussell798]

@@UncleVoodoo A solid strategy. My days of riding my GSA are edging closer to the end, so for similar reasons as you I’ve been pondering a smaller bike. Leaning toward RE 350 Classic with tubeless tires or getting a Ural, which would be my third.

[@karsonbranham3900]

My H250 #854 “old Ironsides”, looks almost like yours, same motocult stage 4 plus engine and final drive upgrade. I put almost 5k miles on it last summer(2024] love the bike! I have the knobbiest, no fender rub issues. Also, the windshield option is great!

[@UncleVoodoo]

Mine is detuned just a little bit, so it's not quite as fast as the normal Stage 4+ bikes. I'll have to make a disclaimer when I do speed and fuel range test videos. I got it right as winter is setting in... bummer.

[@avoidhighways250]

Great video! I have a bike with the CG250 engine and like you, probably wouldn’t have bought it without the availability of the MotoCult kit.

[@UncleVoodoo]

Janus kind of dropped the ball by not having the Moto Cult stuff in house (like Screaming Eagle is to HD), but it benefits the consumers as it let's Devin offer more parts for just about everyone running this engine. A stock CG250 just wouldn't cut it where I live.

[@DS-gv5fs]

It's just a nice looking bike. Dig the vibe of the design. Bet it is fun as hell to ride.

[@UncleVoodoo]

It is a lot of fun, they didn't just make it look old... it's built old. There are like zero modern touches in the drive train- there isn't even any sort of Cush drive so when I said you feel EVERYTHING I meant it! I probably wouldn't have it as an only bike but its got its time and place.

[@pygarthehun9413]

Cool, man! Thanks for the info. Gotta get one!

[@UncleVoodoo]

I'll be documenting what it's like to live with one in upcoming videos, It's not a bike for the masses... but for the right owner(s) it's pretty ideal.

[@jakec2009]

I just did the valve job and first service. I noticed the bike ran significantly stronger after the initial break in and first service

[@UncleVoodoo]

I'm trying to take it easy with it for the first few oil changes/service. If it gets stronger I'll be really pleased. Im just wondering if I should try to purge the oil cooler when changing the oil? Ive never had one where the in/out were both on the top of the radiator before.

[@anthonyintrieri3329]

​​@@UncleVoodooprobably a good idea.because it doesn't hold much oil compared to a car, I would change it twice to " clean er out" I take a short ride, then change it again to get the break in oil out.

[@donaldsmith6826]

Agree with 99% of what you said. I have a highly modified 2021 model. Depending on your weight try 5" concentric seat springs, a real game changer compared to the 4" conical springs, almost a plush ride now and only $20 !!

[@UncleVoodoo]

I'm about 200lbs, where did you get the springs from?

[@donaldsmith6826]

@@UncleVoodoo Dennis Kirk has them in stock. The stock springs feel like having NO springs for me. At 200 lbs they MIGHT be too soft??? (I'm 160lbs) but for $20 worth a try!! Good luck.

[@PSBEadventures]

Pretty darn cool!!!

[@UncleVoodoo]

Thanks. I'm being a bit of a guinea pig with this one, they've been around for a while now but no one seems to have bought one and sussed out whether they're worth a darn or not. So we'll be finding out.

[@KrakensGarageandAdventures]

Congratulations, Tom! What a beauty, and im looking forward to your adventures on it. What's Jobu's thoughts on it? 🤔😂

[@UncleVoodoo]

@@KrakensGarageandAdventures Jobu is still hung up on me mentioning a Kardashian butt 😝

[@UncleVoodoo]

We should do a 946 and Janus ride!

[@MostlyInteresting]

I am fixing up a 80s Honda Rebel for the same light bike reasons. But it's a 450 twin. 😅

[@UncleVoodoo]

I love me a little bike!

[@MostlyInteresting]

@@UncleVoodoo Well not to little... No 50cc scooters please. Now a 400 or like a 650 Bergman might be interesting. :)

[@rajaakashkumar7099]

Congratulations 🎉🎉 for this bike you can certainly keep this bike for grandchildren and show how cool it is but how much did you pay ? In a video you showed all add to 10k . Take care 🙏 ride safe

[@UncleVoodoo]

Being able to buy it used I saved quite a bit of money, I paid $6000 for the bike and all upgrades. I actually got the prototype center stand for free as the production model is now in production and they had no more use for the prototype.!

[@stephenmundane]

Bargain! You go your own way -- hope you get lots of miles and smiles.

[@packgrog]

Thanks for sharing! I've always loved the look of these things, but the price DEFINITELY scares me off. Given also that most of the price is for aesthetics, it also discourages me because I'm not gentle with my equipment. My 2003 Sportster is pretty dirty and some annoying surface rust in the remaining chrome. I also was just in an accident on Oct 6 where an SUV turned into my path when I was doing roughly 45mph, but thankfully all the functional and nice aesthetic parts were protected by my bags, crash guard, and back rest/sissy bar, so they aren't having to total it out. The same crash with one of those Janus beauties would have destroyed it. Also, I fear the shape of the closer part of that tank being an angle rather than a swept curve looks my a persistent danger to one's happy bits or even femoral artery if one were to get launched forward from the bike in a crash, which makes me a little uncomfortable just looking at it. But even with all of that, I love the IDEA of the Janus bikes, especially with that stage 4 kit making it a little more usable on highways and hills. I do think that I'd be better served by something less expensive and more easily repaired/replaced like on of those new Honda Rebels or the Yamaha V-Star 250 (or if my hip would cooperate, a similar Standard style bike), but the craftsmanship of that Janus is so damn nice.

[@UncleVoodoo]

The price is definitely up there. I couldn't swing it if I had to purchase one new, I saved a ton of money by finding a slightly used one. I don't like that edge of the tank either, the new wider seat I have ordered actually fills that space- I have no idea why it doesn't come with that wider seat as standard.

[@Sr.D]

It's not much more money than a classic 350 really, it's a stunning looking bike, i hope they someday comes to Europe

[@UncleVoodoo]

They'll never pass EU emissions, but yes if I bought the Classic 350 and did the full cam upgrade they'd cost the same amount.

[@bkmaw]

Damm you ! That’s the exact bike I would have bought. Very nice

[@UncleVoodoo]

It wasn't my first choice of colors but it almost doesn't matter as I pretty much liked every color combination I saw. This was Jobu's favorite though!

[@Semtekk57]

Love it! I am curious about the Stage 4 kit. What more can you tell us? Where do I get it for my H250?

[@UncleVoodoo]

@@Semtekk57 click the “Moto Cult” link in the description box 👍 its the Stage 4 Plus kit.

[@UncleVoodoo]

@@Semtekk57 sorry for the short reply- Im at work. I can’t say much about the kit as mine is still being broken in so I haven’t pushed it. So far it’s maintaining speed limit on all the hilly 55mph roads Ive tried.

[@Semtekk57]

Thank you for the reply. I'm understanding the 500 mi break in period so no reviews til then. I am curious who installed your kit? I'm in CA so there may be a problem carb wise for me here.

[@UncleVoodoo]

@@Semtekk57 Devin Biek at Moto Cult did the install on mine. I'm not familiar with Ca regulations so I won't be any help there.

[@jamesonpace726]

Oh man, he's drunk the Kool Aid! Yaagh! Oh no, what shall we do? We could just Bimble, I guess....

[@UncleVoodoo]

Jobu keeps putting rum in my Kool Aid!

[@itsallabouttheridekeepingi4449]

I commented on your GT review “ was fantastic “ and said you should look at IKON suspension for the rear well that’s what front suspension the Janus Users . 👍, I own a Moto Guzzi V85tt , Honda CRF 300 rally for my off road and a Suzuki SV 650 , plus an old 1999 model Kawasaki 250 Super Shepa. I’m actually looking at getting the Himalayan 450 next year and like the look of the new Royal Enfield 650 Scrambler coming out as well ( that may replace my Moto Guzzi in a year or two ) Maybe get the 450 just to maintain Highway speed.

[@UncleVoodoo]

The IKONs on the Janus feel a little stiff, but I believe it's due the weight bias of the bike being more towards the rear and not loading up the shocks much under normal use.

[@89mightymax53]

Ahh yes, finally seeing someone kick start there bike!!

[@UncleVoodoo]

For me the electric start is my backup! :)

[@sunshadow8601]

PS: such a cool bike!!!

[@UncleVoodoo]

Thanks!

[@pinkiewerewolf]

Congratulations on grabbing a Janus! I wouldn't like the new gauges... doesn't fit the bikes at all. You got one of the good ones!

[@UncleVoodoo]

@@pinkiewerewolf yeah I think the new gauge clashes with the aesthetic of the bike, potential 450 owners are going to be really disappointed that twin clocks won’t be available anymore.

[@pinkiewerewolf]

@@UncleVoodoo Mums the word. 😉 That’s usually how great things go downhill.

[@zfunk123]

Very Cool

[@UncleVoodoo]

Jobu thought you were talking about him, I set him straight!

[@zfunk123]

@@UncleVoodoo Jobu is kinda ok too, I guess.

[@Fumanchuisnotdead]

Motor chino cinco velocidades?

[@theodavies8754]

My old Harley wouldn't get a second look in a modern showroom but out in the real world it's always the one people stop at. If they stay in the game and listen to what people like not want they say they want. Brough used Harley forks at the time and people just had to accept it.

[@MichaelM-q2q]

What does the bike sound like?

[@UncleVoodoo]

it sounds about like 1:57

[@MostlyInteresting]

My 800 V twin does not have enough power for my environment... 😆 And that's the story I am sticking too.

[@UncleVoodoo]

If your environment is I-81 or Rt-460... I agree!

[@MostlyInteresting]

@@UncleVoodoo yeah the folks here in Lynchburg drive like idiots where is 55 out on the four-lane boulevard here they'll be going 65. Which means that you have to accelerate rather hard down the ramp to synchronize your speed. And hope some chucklehead hasn't checked up in front of you in panic 😯

[@edjones2110]

Well , we have the new ( UNCLE JANUS ) channel . Uncle ..., were you implying that you may want to go camping with a Kardashian . Ooohh , i bet Jaboo would be all in on that one , 😅😂😂 . Enjoy the ride voodoo . You made a good choice . Im enjoying my new Himalayan 450 .

[@UncleVoodoo]

Jobu is out on the bike right now, he's trying to see how many bootys he can fit on the rack!

[@BladeRicsi]

This is a very nice bike. I live in the EFU (when i am angry say EFU to EU. Probably you know what the F-is). Here this kind of bike never will become road legal, witch is a shame, because this is cool.👍

[@UncleVoodoo]

Yeah this are only available in the US due to emissions regulations. The laws are weird as they are based on the bike's weight and not engine size. They cant sell this bike with a side car for example as it would make the bike too heavy to pass pollution standards... go figure.

[@hankiuyi]

Nicd bike.

[@UncleVoodoo]

Thanks!

[@robgerety]

Very cool. Not for me. But, very cool.

[@UncleVoodoo]

Thanks, it's a very niche bike and I really wouldn't recommend it to most people. Its very agricultural feeling and not "sophisticated" in any way.

[@geraldscott4302]

I am 65, with severe arthritis and a lot of orthopedic issues, and I am downsizing my bikes. I was seriously considering getting one of these, but I found out I could not get it with an unpainted engine and wheels. No way I would ever buy a bike with a black engine and wheels. Just downright UGLY. I have a bought new 2016 Honda Rebel 250, it has a bright polished aluminum engine and chrome wheels. It also has polished aluminum and chrome forks. Real vintage motorcycles were NOT all black. I also have a 2007 Royal Enfield iron barrel 500 Bullet, a 2002 H-D Sportster 1200, and a 1079 Vespa P200E. I think Janus would be able to sell quite a few more bikes if they would just get rid of most of that black. Just plain unpainted aluminum would look so much better

[@UncleVoodoo]

My RE Continental GT already has plenty of shiny bits for me to look after, I wanted the blacked out engine / wheels for this bike so they'd be in stark contrast with each other.

[@mikein60fps30]

Best of luck on your choices, any 2 wheels are all good👍/ only 3.5% of The population in the US have motorcycles registered/so we are rare. Hmm not shure where your getting your information from concerning black vs polished engines. All you have to do is do a quick google search on 1920's moto vintage pictures and a majority of the engines are black. The whole its gota be chrome "pretty" (shiny aka like a diamond) is a more recent thing. Why you would want a black bike/engine?. Try living near the ocean, yeh you will get wrecked, i had a cruiser back in the day "all chromed out" what a nightmare, you will spend more time polishing and cleaning then riding!. East coast,up north with snow and salty roads? yep black, black all the way. Moral of the story; chrome and salt/salty air no bueno, just saying.🙏 Lovin the bike, looks great Unclevoodoo. -Cheers

[@LiamE69]

You really need to rename this bike Hugh. Hugh Janus.

[@UncleVoodoo]

I was going to, but it turns that's the name of one of Jobu's relatives.

[@CaptainRon1913]

How can a Continental 650 ever be "too much for the task"?.. More times than not, it's not enough for the task.

[@UncleVoodoo]

That would be times like a quick run to the corner store, post office or whatnot where I don't need a 450lb 650cc machine to do 20mph, or when I don't want to tippy toe a cafe racer down gravel roads heading to my favorite camping spots when putting along on a little bike is the better choice.

[@peteduch2151]

People would call it a marmite bike you really like it or hate it

[@UncleVoodoo]

It's definitely not for everyone, it's got a marmite ride as well.

[@sunshadow8601]

FIRST!

[@djdj500dr]

Are these Chinese engines?

[@UncleVoodoo]

Yes, and the video was also shot on a Chinese camera... but "Chinese engine" is actually such broad statement that it almost has no meaning since they are not all created equal. Everything hinges on the spec level ordered from the manufacturer. iPhones and Teslas are made in China, but so are cheap crap versions of those products as well. The Chinese just make things to what quality level the purchaser orders. The bikes and engines you see on Amazon for example are of lower quality spec even if they are called the same thing.

[@anthonyintrieri3329]

​@@UncleVoodoowell said.

[@richierich9916]

So we've jumped the shark. It was good while it lasted. This is just a commercial.

[@UncleVoodoo]

Dang, I wish Id've gotten paid!

[@anthonyintrieri3329]

Seemed like a an owner's review/ impression of the bike to me, and a damn good at that. Uncle voodoo tells it like it is, no BS.

[@richierich9916]

@@anthonyintrieri3329 I like his review of his Continental GT because he points out several places where the manufacturer cheaped out. You don’t often see that kind of honesty. Maybe he will do the same for this bike eventually. I’m just skeptical because I see so many channels start off wholesome and then they suddenly begin hawking products. My son is in this business, and he is often tempted to sell out. I think Uncle Vodoo is a good guy. A great content creator needs great followers that challenge them, that remind them why we are here. Many of us don’t want to see someone who just acquires new products. Look at this community-it is full of content creators who have been taken over by manufacturers as advertisers. It’s revolting. I know I’m just a voice in the wilderness, but if this guy is as good as I think he is, he will appreciate that I stepped up to say this :-)