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Midual Resurfaces in Carmel With Unique Flat Twin Design

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Way back in 1999, we wrote about the unique Midual flat twin placed lengthwise in a motorcycle design that appeared headed for production. In 1999, French brothers Olivier and Francois Midy relied on English designer Glynn Kerr for their simple presentation of a 900 cc motorcycle.

While the old Midual never quite made it into production, the new bike (pictured here), featuring additional bore and stroke for a 1036 cc displacement, is planned to be available for purchase by 35 discerning, and wealthy customers at a price approaching $200,000 per unit.

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Called the Midual Type 1, the machine has a bespoke look and top notch components from Olhins and Brembo, among others.

The finish of the machine is gorgeous, and the design attractive, to our eyes. Some things seem rather impractical, however, including placement of the numerous gauges on the tank where they should be quite difficult to examine while riding.

Midual claims that the unusual engine design, placed lengthwise in the frame and angled downward at 25 °, puts out 106 hp and 74 foot/pounds of torque. Cylinders are a modern DOHC, four-valve design. Midual claims the unique engine layout contributes to a “low center of gravity and low longitudinal inertia”, allowing for “extraordinary handling and maneuverability”.

While we would rather just look at the photos, you can find more technical details at Midual.com.

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105 Comments

  1. kjazz says:

    I especially like the way the gauges are practically unreadable (safely) unless stopped. And totally unreadable if using a tank bag. Plus…. exhaust gases love corners….. whatever.

  2. Skif says:

    Gentlemen, it is a high honor for me to introduce to you the Marquis de Steampunk, all of France salutes you.

  3. Al Pinaweiss says:

    amazing.

    what is even more intriguing, actually
    (looking at the engine layout), is the open
    possibility that they’ll soon make a Misingle
    thumper, with the rear cylinder cut-off, and the
    front one inclined downwards like on the Midual.

    now that would be a nice lightweight thumper,
    with an extremely low CoG (and perhaps a tad
    more accessible mortgage pricetag).

    Al Pinaweiss

  4. Phil says:

    Love it!! Not another V twin!! hope it will not follow the Voxan destiny!! And yes! only creative people as French can have done this!!

  5. rg500g says:

    In the words of the late, great American auteur, Dr. Hunter S. Thompson, “savage and unnatural”. Only the French would have such arrogance as to price that vehicle at $200K. I do admire unmitigated gall though.

  6. Eric says:

    Perhaps they should have sold the design to someone else to build…Buell for example.

  7. Mr.Mike says:

    There are plenty of people that will not even blink at the price. They want something unique and fashionable that they can stow in the garage of their superyacht to pull out and cruise the streets of Monaco when they visit for a few weeks. These are the people that pre-order the latest special edition carbon skinned Lamborghini, Ferrari, or Bugatti just to one-up their friends. I’m sure Midual will sell enough. If you want one of your own just poke around in the dark back corners of the garages in Kuwait or Saudi Arabia in a few years, where you’re sure to find one or two low mileage examples, abandoned for the next fashion statement.

  8. Doug says:

    coolest bike since the Horex. I’ll take one of each.

  9. Frank says:

    Unique and stylish engineering and design. Thanks for the effort to bring us all something new and different to look at in the realm of motorcycles as functional art.

    Hey Red, I have the solution to your quandary:
    First, forget about paying off the mortgage, or putting your kids through college. Here’s what you do:

    a. Have the kids take out a fat student loan. If they don’t have strong enough credit, you co-sing for them. It won’t make any difference with my plan.

    b. After they graduate, have them move to Belize, use that education to get a good job and a nice place, and skip out on the student loan like most everyone else does.

    c. Next, you sell the house, and you and the wife move to Beliize and move in with them. You supported them for 18-20 years, now it’s their turn!

    d. Oh, and don’t forget to take the Midual. From what it looks like, there should be a lot of good riding days for you down there.

    Good Luck and enjoy!

    • Dave says:

      There are almost no paved roads in Belize. A KLR 650 would be good there, though. With the ~195k you saved you could live comfortably for a decade and not have to make your kids exiles from their home country.

  10. Jive monkey says:

    200k….. How many will they let me order

  11. haven’t seen a better integrated radiator on any other bike. Cool frame.

    For me, this bike needs modern, dark rims and less shine on the body work. Love the motor even if it is in a mild state of tune.

    • Norm G. says:

      re: “For me, this bike needs modern, dark rims and less shine on the body work.”

      in the works. it’ll be the less expensive Midual “dark”. 50% off.

  12. MrD says:

    This is a sharp looking unique bike that could really shine and be a riot to ride in the right environment…just like the grom. With that being said, for 200k you better give me something WAY over the top. Perhaps 600hp or unlimited mileage warranty with tires, gas and everything included, or does it come with a French mechanic waiting for you in your garage for post ride service?

  13. Bob L. says:

    Overall, a pretty nice profile. Obviously, great engineering and workmanship…that being said, something got lost in the design. It looks cobbled-together, somehow. Almost like they lost their way, between design and execution.
    My first thought? What a waste of time and money!

    • Norm G. says:

      re: “It looks cobbled-together, somehow. Almost like they lost their way, between design and execution.”

      click on the link for the old bike.

      • clasqm says:

        They should have stuck with the original design. it has an honesty of purpose about it.

        • Norm G. says:

          re: “honesty of purpose”

          that wouldn’t be a euphemism for “agricultural” would it…? I once worked for a farmer. he was a good man, he had that.

  14. Gronde says:

    My guess is that it won’t be as reliable as anything built by Honda. Reminds me of what John Travolta said in Grease….”what a hunk of junk!”.

  15. Mark says:

    I like it, however being fifty million shy of having fifty million in the bank, I won’t be splurging $200k on one!

  16. Gixxerusa says:

    I can picture that in the living room of a mansion, inside a glass dome with a waterfall in the background. Don’t forget the special LED lighting too.
    But that’s missing the point of having a motorcycle imho.

  17. farnsky says:

    For $200k, the right and left mirrors should match.

  18. Tom R says:

    Haven’t seen any comments yet about the small dealer network…

    • Jeremy in TX says:

      That’s because the owners can afford to FedEx it back to the factory for service.

  19. tuskerdu says:

    ridiculous

  20. MJD says:

    It’s a beautiful bike from the side, but to me it loses it’s appeal by the gauges on the tank. Suddenly the bike becomes more of a fashion statement than a motorcycle. Maybe that’s the point…

  21. Ricardo says:

    I will rather buy 1-Ducati superleggera, 1-Confederate motorcucle, 2- Ducati MH900 carbon and still have money left to go touring on a BMW GT1600…then I woke up and was still dirt poor.

  22. Mars says:

    I started off worrying about a motorcycle this expensive tipping over. I know – if you can afford it….

    But here’s the thing – why don’t manufacturers acknowledge the fundamental fact of motorcycling – they fall over sometimes?

    We get bikes that can cost thousands to repair from a low speed or stand still tipover.

    It _is_ possible to design and make a bike that won’t get all screwed up form the inevitable. I am not asking for crash-proofing. I am saying – make them more robust as far as the parts that touch the ground when one tips over.

    Return to actual article content now.

    Ugleeeee bike. No thanks.

  23. red says:

    hmmm… pay off the mortgage and kids college – or buy a motorcycle with this hypothetical $200k? Let’s ask the wife.

    seriously, it’s cool and all but that’s an obscene amount of money for it.

  24. Bart says:

    Reminds me of Bugatti Veryon sort of style (and price!).

    I’ll take 2 Superlegerras with $30,000 change left over for track days around the planet.

  25. Buzz says:

    It kind of reminds me of a fancier version of my old 2007 Ducati GT1000.

  26. Norm G. says:

    tell ya what, if the “Bros. Middy” can whip up something with this style around say a Morbidelli…? or Guzzi V8…? they could fetch a $1/4 million or more.

  27. Provologna says:

    Puke.

    Check graphs for wealth growth for the top .1%-.2%, and you’re looking at the target demographic for this bike. Greedy money-whores for whom no amount of wealth is enough, with more money than taste, and nothing better to do than to play, “Mine’s (wallet, or fill in the blank) bigger than yours.”

    Different = better? Not this time.

  28. Doug Miller says:

    I am hoping that one of the hinted at future evolutions of the Indian Scout will be presented along these lines.

  29. takehikes says:

    This proves once again (like most baggers) that just because you can doesn’t mean you should.

  30. Jay Mack says:

    Maybe an inverted V-twin makes sense after all.

  31. denny says:

    If there is BS of motorcycles, this is it. Decadently greasy and dysfunctional; yuck!

  32. David Duarte says:

    Very cool, but not $200,000 worth of cool.

  33. Dave says:

    Are they using some sort of stop valve to prevent oil from pooling in the front head?

    Seems like they could’ve achieved everything they wanted (perhaps more), style wise without the strange engine configuration.

    • todd says:

      It’s just like a BMW parked on its side stand. Probably modern, gapless oil rings help. But then, who said anyone was going to ride these very much?

    • Norm G. says:

      no worries, she’ll smoke like a Sopwith Camel at start up. some quantity (X) of oil’s always going to slip past those rings at cool down.

  34. John F says:

    The actual Cathcart review at cycle News:

    http://cyclenews.uberflip.com/t/24308

  35. John F says:

    Alan Cathcart has actually ridden the bike and has written an extensive review of it on Cycle News this week. He noticed a particular problem with vibration.

    BTW Do people realize that Cycle News is now downloadable for free?

    http://www.cyclenews.com/

  36. Auphliam says:

    From a “Machine as Art” perspective, I think its beautiful. The aluminum work on the tank, radiator cowl, tail piece…tasteful and elegant. The leather work and gauges harken back to great old Euro luxury sports cars. Even has a kind of classic Chris-Craft look to it. It looks like a near perfect blend of modern and antique.

    And for those doubting whether they could sell enough of these…take a trip down to the harbor of any trendy American coastal city and gaze upon the Billions of dollars of fiberglass ego floating around out there. There certainly is no shortage of “I have the most and I want you to know it”.

  37. NMR says:

    $200K may seem like there’s a lot of profit in the selling price, but actually it’s selling the names of buyers to con men that’ll bring in the big bucks.

  38. Tom Shields says:

    As P.T. Barnum said…..

  39. skybullet says:

    OK, I’ll go against the grain, I like it. No, I don’t have $200K to blow, but the look is solid and I like nakeds. Let’s hope the big mfg’s will offer functional, clean bikes and get away from over styled plastic transformer, space ship, different just to be different looks.

    • dino says:

      +1
      Basically, this is a $200,000 piece of art you can sit on (or basically a disposable bike if you actually ride it, because where would you ever get parts for frame or drivetrain). But like you said, I like it. It has a nice look. Basic but unique, polished and clean functionality (except for the gauge cluster on the tank which looks nice, but is basically useless while riding). It would be nice to see more choices like this, or the CB1100, and a few less Nakeds with great functionality, but they are styled like a Hornet with Hemorroid issues.

      • Norm G. says:

        re: “except for the gauge cluster on the tank which looks nice, but is basically useless while riding”

        don’t suppose it’s much different than looking down at the maps/GPS screen stuffed in the pocket on top of me tank bag. while i do it, that’s not to be confused with being a “good idea”. I do like the Bugatti-moto/aviator/chronograph/Rocketeer connotations. it’s all rather “Howard Hughesy”. is that a word…?

  40. Stratkat says:

    i ll give anyone credit for designing and making a motorcycle, or most things for that matter.
    but you just cant manufacture style, you either have it or you do not!

  41. brian says:

    Exclusive. Unique. Expensive. Terrible.

  42. PN says:

    The world needs a bespoke motorcycle?

    • Blackcayman says:

      Survey say…Yes.

      We will see if they need “this” one. For reference, see Confederate Motorcycles, they make 100K+ bikes and they are still pumping them out years later.

      Obviously, for some, dropping $200K is like spending 10,000 (or even waaaay less)and they don’t want to ride an R 1200 – they are super unique and special (because of their success and wealth) they want a bike that is also special and super unique.

  43. the spaceman says:

    The article fails to mention that each bike purchased includes a GE all-immersible pop-up toaster.

  44. Norm G. says:

    re: “Some things seem rather impractical”

    yeah, the PRICE…!!!

  45. Norm G. says:

    it’s a shame. cut down that front fender, fix the exhausts, and “fancify” the swingarm and this bike has enough style and novelty to it that I’m 99% positive it would sell. I get it, it’s the Breitling/Patek Phillipe of motorcycles and looks better than the Horex. right then, $75k.

    problem is even with the staggering wealth sitting hoarded and trapped out of general circulation in the bank accounts belonging to the “robber barons” of modern day…? I still don’t see a context under which you could move a single one of these at $200 grand…? not even the oil sheik context.

  46. Tank says:

    That rear cylinder would give off way too much heat to ride in summer, at least here in S. Texas. That type of motor might work in a scooter where the rider is shielded from engine heat. The coolest (temperature wise) bike I ever had was a 400 Burgman.

  47. Tom R says:

    Can’t wait for the Adventure version.

  48. Rokster says:

    Those flaccid exhausts are probably the least attractive things ever put on a bike.

  49. Ha ha ha, fat guy model for all them lobster and filet eatin’ fellas. His boots don’t match his jacket (figger’ they prolly match his satchel). As for that there mo-sheen… Two-hunnerd thousand of them fun tickets bought me a load of tires, track time, booze, hotel rooms, hookers and blow. But when yer boner is tiny, you gotta make up fer it some awheres I reckon. Hell, a Vincent Black Lightnin’ ain’t that much mush an’ my ol’ lady jes’ gushes over em’. Yech!

  50. joe b says:

    Hideous. These people are detached from the real world.

  51. xlayn says:

    Hipssssteeerrrrr, even more than in the bmw R nineT or harley 750 videos… open face helmet, big moustache, old skinny leather jacket, yellow glasses, googles over the helmet (not on your eyes), wood and a galore of gauges… cause… everybody love gauges…

    it should also be air cooled so you can have the best of both worlds… a cylinder that can be destroyed by a stone on the road plus the other one roasting itself under your buttock

  52. Motorhead says:

    Jay Leno, are you reading this? Your name is on one of these babies….

    • Norm G. says:

      whoa, just got a text from Jay (rarely ever hear from the dude), he says for that price it better have 4 wheels and 12 cylinders.

  53. Windy says:

    It looks better than BMWs Concept twin !

  54. Butch says:

    Looking at this thing makes me want to go out to the garage and fire up my ole’ CL 450 with slightly baffled straight pipes and terrorize some of the other senior citizens in my neighborhood.

  55. Butch says:

    Makes me want to go out to the garage and fire up my ole’ CL 450 with slightly baffled straight pipes and terrorize some senior citizens in my neighborhood.
    Only I’m one of them . . . . . . . . . .

  56. Bob says:

    If I wait till next year, I bet I’ll be able to get one for $190,000.
    I like the engine configuration, because if you gave 10,000 monkeys 10,000 years on a cad-cam, they wouldn’t have come up with this one. I do think it is a beautful work of art.

  57. MGNorge says:

    If nothing else it’s unique. Would love to ride one just to see what they have wrought.

  58. Ron says:

    Maybe they’ll come out with a bargain version for $180k, or an upgraded model for $300k?

  59. Ron says:

    This bike screams idiot for anyone forking over $200k for it.

  60. James Buchanan says:

    I used the ‘Ctrl-scroll’ feature of my computer to zoom into the bottom shot of the bloke taking a corner expecting to see at least one of those gauges revealing telemetry for the on-board teleportation coordinates but alas, to no avail. As such, I believe I’ll be retaining the next $200K I make for something other than this Orwellian oddity.
    Oly & Frank otta’ back to the drawing board ifn’ ya’ know what I’m sayin.

  61. Norm G. says:

    Freaky.

  62. Michael H says:

    And this is cool because why? I mean if you are all hot for boxer engines, you could by a BMW, a few Subarus, and a Piper Cub all for well under the $200K asked for this thingamajig.

  63. motogrin says:

    The answer to a question no one asked. Looks heavy, too. Plus those angled cans are fugly.

  64. Colors says:

    I’m sure my unborn grandchildren will give this machine a disinterested glance upon seeing one in a museum.

  65. Hot Dog says:

    If I was weally weally wich, I’d have one of these wasklely wabbits. I ain’t and I don’t, so I won’t. All I am is scooter trash, this is rich boy’s jewelry and it’s way past my pay grade.

  66. mickey says:

    Looks like an updated Douglas

  67. Tank says:

    I’d buy one, but my mobile home doesn’t have a garage.

  68. Jeremy in TX says:

    Interesting, but even if I had a $200,000 bill burning a whole in my pocket, this is not what I would spend it on. Is anyone besides Jay Leno going to buy one of these? Even the small sales target of 35 units seems like an ambitious goal at this price point. It is unique for sure and will be a collector’s item, but I am not sure it will appreciate much in value despite that.

  69. Jdilpkle says:

    ha ha ha – you are kidding, right?

    • Jdilpkle says:

      I’m just living in a different universe. I guess I’ll go out and rail some apexes on my $4K Buell.

  70. t says:

    “Some things seem rather impractical, however, including placement of the numerous gauges on the tank where they should be quite difficult to examine while riding.”

    That’s comical. It’s a freaking $200,000 bike! – Where on earth does practical come into the equation?! 😉

  71. Tank says:

    $20,000 is just for the gauges.

  72. Glen says:

    beautiful yes. out of touch yes. but in this world of our’s, it might not be too dificult to find 35 people with $200k to burn.

  73. Bob says:

    Definitely beautiful and amazing, but I would not want to be lubing the chain and tightening the spokes of a $200,000 motorcycle that lacks a center stand. For the cost, it should be shaft driven, with a center stand and some gorgeous cast wheels.

    • Blackcayman says:

      for me, the absence of a tank seams and a proper beak render this design useless. Besides, where is the automatic chain oiler? Where can I strap down my milk crate?

      Good Godfrey…..this bike is overpriced by $193,005.00

      I must have a 100% Complete “Utilitarian” machine with absolutely no soul

      • Blackcayman says:

        nothing bu the sound of crickets on this one…

        Do I need to add #hyperbole #sarcasm

        its a shame when that much creativity goes to waste

    • Buzz says:

      If you could afford to buy this, YOU would not be doing any lubing or tightening.

      Your servant jogging alongside you would be.

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