Janus, the Roman God of Transitions, symbolizes looking to the past and the future. It is a fitting name for Janus Motorcycles, a company building ultra-high quality modern motorcycles with classic styling from the 1920s and 1930s.
You may remember a couple of years ago I rode northern Baja with the Janus guys. It was a great ride (any ride in Baja is) and the Janus is a great motorcycle…a gem of a bike handcrafted in Goshen, Indiana. I had a wonderful time and I loved riding the Janus Gryffin.
Well, those boys in Goshen don’t sit still. The bike I rode was powered by a 250cc CG Honda clone engine and it was a hoot, but the Goshen guys had bigger plans. Janus announced today that they are introducing a new Halcyon with a 450cc engine. I’ll let the press release below, the Janus videos, and the brochure do the talking. Watch both videos; you’ll enjoy them.
Janus Motorcycles Releases New Halcyon 450 Model
Goshen, Indiana (March 8, 2021) — After 18 months of confidential development, Janus Motorcycles of Goshen, Indiana is unveiling their newest model, the Halcyon 450. Building off the best of what they offered in their 250 line, the Halcyon 450 features a higher top speed, a rear suspension, performance brakes, and several new hand-crafted details.
“Our 250 series owners love the light weight, hand-built features, and classic lines of the 250 series. With the Halcyon 450, we’ve worked to refine those features while improving the top speed and ride comfort. We’re extremely proud of the result,” says General Manager Grant Longenbaugh.
The Halcyon 450 features an SWM 445cc single-cylinder four valve engine with EFI, Brembo brakes, Sargent seat, and a new proprietary cantilever rear suspension.
Production is slated to begin in early June, with several units completed weekly.
Co-founder Richard Worsham says, “Like the 250, the 450 is a manifestation of what we believe is the spirit of motorcycling: the connection between the rider, machine, and landscape.” “We’re very excited to share that spirit with more and more riders,” he continued.
Janus Motorcycles uses a network of craftsmen in the Northern Indiana area (many of whom are Amish) to manufacture nearly all of their body work including the frame, fuel tanks, leather storage, and stainless steel exhausts. They are made to order and can be personalized with various paint, pinstripe, and finish options.
Janus was recently featured on Jay Leno’s Garage and the New York Times.
The 2021 Halcyon 450 starts at $13,500, and customers may reserve their bike with a deposit.
There you have it, folks. I like this new Halcyon, and the spec that stands out for me is the weight: Just 360 lbs! Watch the ExNotes blog; we’ll have more info on Janus and the new 450 in future posts.
If you would like to read about our Janus Baja ride on the 250cc Gryffin and Halcyon motorcycles, you can do so here!
For more info on Janus Motorcycles, click here.
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Some wag will complain it’s not a 650…and then say a used Sportster is a better deal.
Already happened. One guy on FB said you could buy a DRZ for a lot less. I’m picturing somebody trying to decide, “should I get the DRZ, or a Halcyon 450?” If ignorance is bliss, there are a lot of happy people in the world.
A Janus 450 and a DRZ Suzuki are almost duplicates. I can see why there is confusion.
Good point.
Question? Where is the motor scoured? Inquiring minds want to know. SWM who are those guys?
Terry, I think they discuss SWM in the second video. In any event, if it’s not answered in the video, you would get a better answer asking Janus directly.
Thanks! I like everything but the price, but then again I would be be buying and FULL custom bike for $14K not a bad deal.
I had no idea Janus made such nice bikes. No idea at all.
I’ve heard of them but I had assumed they were designed in the US then entirely built in China with lots of problems down the road. But no, … this is a well built motorcycle.
The deal killer for me would be tubed tires. I don’t like spoked wheels but if they are tubeless I would overlook the spokes.
360 pounds. I want one.
Yep. I know the feeling.