Janus Motorcycles

Janus Motorcycles is an American motorcycle manufacturer based in Goshen, Indiana. Founded in 2011 by Richard Worsham and Devin Biek, the company developed from the founders' earlier work with vintage, pedal-type mopeds. Biek's Motion Left Mopeds business produced aftermarket performance parts for vintage two-stroke machines, while both founders repaired, restored, and tuned older mopeds. That experience exposed them to the appeal of lightweight, mechanically approachable two-wheelers and helped establish relationships with component suppliers in the Goshen area. Janus began delivering motorcycles in 2013. Its first production model, the Halcyon 50, was deliberately styled as a small motorcycle with visual references to early twentieth-century machines. The hard-tail design used a long, low fuel tank, a sprung seat, wide handlebars, and a six-speed gearbox. Its tubular steel frame was TIG-welded and drew on the geometry and appearance of the Norton Featherbed. The motorcycle used a water-cooled 50cc two-stroke engine derived from the Derbi Senda power plant, along with drum brakes and a combination of locally manufactured and externally sourced components. Janus reported a claimed output of 10 horsepower and a top speed of approximately 55 mph. Only 43 Halcyon 50 motorcycles were produced. The company expanded its range in 2015 with the Halcyon 250 and Phoenix 250, both using a 250cc four-stroke single-cylinder engine. The move away from the 50cc two-stroke platform was associated with the difficulty of satisfying modern emissions requirements with small two-stroke engines. The Halcyon 250 retained the brand's early-motorcycle styling, but introduced a redesigned frame, wheels, and hydraulic disc brakes. The Phoenix 250 used a sportier café-racer and grand-prix-inspired design, including a full-suspension chassis, a Dunstall-style fuel tank, knee cutouts, and a café-racer seat. Janus stated that the 250cc motorcycles could reach roughly 70 mph and achieve an EPA-calculated fuel economy of 77 miles per gallon. The Gryffin 250 followed as a scrambler-influenced model intended to cope with occasional dirt and gravel-road riding. The 250cc motorcycles shared a featherbed-style double-cradle frame and Janus-developed leading-link front suspension. Janus later introduced emissions-certified versions for the United States, announcing 49-state Environmental Protection Agency certification in January 2018 and California Air Resources Board certification in May 2018. In March 2021, Janus unveiled the Halcyon 450, a larger-displacement model that preserved the company's restrained, historically inspired design language. It uses a 445cc single-cylinder engine designed by SWM and manufactured in China under SWM supervision. The engine has electronic fuel injection, four-valve overhead-cam operation, and dual exhausts. Janus stated that the Halcyon 450 could reach approximately 90 mph. The first ten motorcycles were offered to existing Janus owners through an auction-style early-purchase process and received special First Edition equipment and identification. Janus has remained a small-scale manufacturer rather than a mass-market motorcycle company. Its products emphasize distinctive styling, low production volumes, relatively light and simple motorcycles, and a connection to vintage motorcycling culture. The Phoenix 250 was discontinued in 2022 after total production of 79 units. Source material also reported production of more than 900 Halcyon 250 motorcycles and 123 Gryffin 250 motorcycles by September 2022.

Janus Motorcycles emerged from the vintage-moped community in northern Indiana. Richard Worsham and Devin Biek founded the company in 2011 after working with older pedal-type mopeds. Biek's Motion Left Mopeds business manufactured performance parts for vintage two-stroke mopeds, and the founders' repair and restoration work gave them practical experience with lightweight engines, chassis, and small-volume component sourcing. Their relationships with local vendors became part of the foundation for Janus's manufacturing approach. The company's first motorcycle was the Halcyon 50, delivered beginning in 2013. It was designed as a modern small motorcycle with a strong visual connection to early motorcycles. The machine had a rigid double-cradle tubular-steel frame, a low elongated tank, sprung seating, wide handlebars, and a six-speed transmission. Its frame styling was influenced by the Norton Featherbed, while its 50cc water-cooled two-stroke engine was based on the Derbi Senda engine. Janus claimed 10 horsepower and a top speed near 55 mph. The Halcyon 50 used drum brakes and was produced in very limited numbers, with total production reported at 43 units. Emissions requirements made continued use of the original two-stroke engine difficult. Janus therefore moved to a 250cc four-stroke single-cylinder engine supplied from China. In 2015, it launched the Halcyon 250 and Phoenix 250. The Halcyon 250 was a substantially revised successor to the Halcyon 50, with a new frame, wheels, and hydraulic disc brakes while retaining a 1920s- and 1930s-influenced appearance. The Phoenix 250 took a more sporting direction, with full suspension, grand-prix and café-racer references, a long Dunstall-style tank with knee slots, and a café-racer seat. The two 250cc motorcycles shared a featherbed-style double-cradle frame and Janus's proprietary leading-link front suspension. The company stated that the motorcycles produced 14 horsepower at 7,000 rpm, generated 11.6 foot-pounds of torque at 5,500 rpm, and could reach about 70 mph. Claimed curb weights were approximately 260 pounds for the Halcyon and 265 pounds for the Phoenix, while claimed EPA fuel economy was 77 mpg. Janus added the Gryffin 250 in April 2017 and released it in 2018. The model used the same basic 250cc power plant but was styled as a scrambler and intended for occasional travel on unpaved roads. Janus subsequently announced regulatory milestones for the model range, including 49-state EPA certification in January 2018 and California ARB certification in May 2018. The next major expansion was the Halcyon 450, unveiled in March 2021 and publicly released on March 8 of that year. It uses a 445cc SWM-designed single-cylinder engine manufactured in China under SWM supervision. The engine includes electronic fuel injection, four valves operated by an overhead camshaft, and dual exhausts. Janus stated a top speed of approximately 90 mph. The first ten examples were offered to current Janus owners through an auction process and received First Edition details such as stamped and engraved serial identification, signed and numbered accessories, saddlebags, upgraded trim, and additional mirrors and pinstriping. In August 2022, Janus announced the discontinuation of the Phoenix 250. Total Phoenix production was reported at 79 units. By September 2022, reported production exceeded 900 Halcyon 250 motorcycles, while Gryffin 250 production stood at 123 units and was increasing. These figures illustrate Janus's deliberately limited production scale. Rather than competing primarily through volume, the company has differentiated itself through small-displacement motorcycles, vintage-inspired design, low weight, and a close association with the enthusiast and custom-motorcycle communities.

• 2022

  Phoenix 250 discontinued

  [1]Janus Motorcyclesen.wikipedia.org

  Janus announced that Phoenix 250 production had ended after 79 units.

• 2021

  Halcyon 450 released

  [1]Janus Motorcyclesen.wikipedia.org

  Janus unveiled and publicly released the 445cc Halcyon 450, including a limited First Edition offering.

• 2018

  U.S. emissions certifications announced

  [1]Janus Motorcyclesen.wikipedia.org

  Janus announced 49-state EPA certification in January and California ARB certification in May.

• 2017

  Gryffin 250 introduced

  [1]Janus Motorcyclesen.wikipedia.org

  Janus announced the Gryffin 250, a scrambler-influenced model for occasional off-pavement use.

• 2015

  Halcyon 250 and Phoenix 250 introduced

  [1]Janus Motorcyclesen.wikipedia.org

  Janus launched two 250cc four-stroke motorcycles, broadening its range beyond the Halcyon 50.

• 2013

  Halcyon 50 deliveries begin

  [1]Janus Motorcyclesen.wikipedia.org

  Janus began delivering its first motorcycle, the 50cc two-stroke Halcyon 50.

• 2011

  Company founded

  [1]Janus Motorcyclesen.wikipedia.org

  Richard Worsham and Devin Biek founded Janus Motorcycles in Goshen, Indiana, building on their work with vintage mopeds.

A small American motorcycle maker focused on handcrafted-feeling, low-volume motorcycles with early-motorcycle and café-racer influences, simple riding character, and distinctive styling.

• Small-displacement vintage-inspired motorcycle · 2013

  Halcyon 50

  Janus's first production motorcycle, the Halcyon 50 used a rigid, TIG-welded tubular-steel frame influenced by the Norton Featherbed. It combined a long, low tank, sprung seat, broad handlebars, a six-speed gearbox, and front and rear drum brakes with a water-cooled 50cc two-stroke engine based on the Derbi Senda unit. Janus claimed 10 horsepower and a top speed of about 55 mph. Production was highly limited, totaling 43 motorcycles.

• Vintage-inspired standard motorcycle · 2015

  Halcyon 250

  The Halcyon 250 updated the original Halcyon concept around a 250cc four-stroke single-cylinder engine. It retained the brand's references to motorcycles from the 1920s and 1930s while adding a redesigned frame and wheels and hydraulic disc brakes. The model shares Janus's featherbed-style double-cradle frame and leading-link front suspension with the Phoenix and Gryffin 250. Reported production exceeded 900 units by September 2022.

• Café-racer-style motorcycle · 2015

  Phoenix 250

  The Phoenix 250 was Janus's sport-oriented 250cc model. Its design used grand-prix and café-racer cues, including full suspension, a long Dunstall-style fuel tank with knee slots, and a café-racer seat. It shared the 250cc power plant, double-cradle frame architecture, and leading-link front suspension used by the other 250 models. Janus discontinued the Phoenix in 2022 after reported production of 79 motorcycles.

• Scrambler-style motorcycle · 2017

  Gryffin 250

  The Gryffin 250 uses the same basic 250cc four-stroke engine as the Halcyon 250 and Phoenix 250 but applies it to a scrambler-oriented design. Janus developed the model for riders who wanted a lightweight road motorcycle capable of handling occasional dirt and gravel roads. It shares the featherbed-style frame and leading-link front suspension used across the 250cc family. Reported production reached 123 units by September 2022.

• Mid-displacement vintage-inspired motorcycle · 2021

  Halcyon 450

  The Halcyon 450 extends Janus's signature styling into a larger-displacement motorcycle. It uses a 445cc single-cylinder engine designed by SWM and manufactured in China under SWM supervision. The engine has electronic fuel injection, four-valve overhead-cam operation, and dual exhausts. Janus stated that the motorcycle could reach about 90 mph. The First Edition batch included serial-numbered and signed details, saddlebags, upgraded tank treatment, additional trim, a second mirror, and pinstriping.

• 2022

  Discontinuation of the Phoenix 250Generation change

  Background

  The Phoenix 250 had been produced in limited numbers as Janus's sportier 250cc offering.

  Action taken

  Janus announced in August that the Phoenix 250 would no longer be produced.

  Aftermath

  Reported cumulative production ended at 79 motorcycles, leaving the Halcyon and Gryffin families as the documented continuing 250cc lines.

  Source

• 2021

  Launch of the Halcyon 450 First EditionProduct launch

  Background

  Janus sought to extend its vintage-inspired design language into a larger-displacement motorcycle.

  Action taken

  The company offered the first ten Halcyon 450 motorcycles to existing Janus owners through an auction-style process before the public release.

  Aftermath

  The initial motorcycles received numbered and signed First Edition details and additional equipment.

  Source

• 2018

  Emissions certification for the U.S. marketOther

  Background

  U.S. and California emissions rules were an important constraint on small motorcycle power-train choices.

  Action taken

  Janus announced 49-state EPA certification in January and California ARB certification in May.

  Aftermath

  The certifications enabled the certified models to be marketed for road use across the relevant U.S. jurisdictions.

  Source

• 2015

  Shift from the 50cc two-stroke platform to 250cc four-stroke motorcyclesStrategy

  Background

  The company faced difficulty meeting pollution requirements with the original small two-stroke engine.

  Action taken

  Janus introduced the Halcyon 250 and Phoenix 250 using an imported 250cc four-stroke single-cylinder engine.

  Aftermath

  The change expanded the product range and supported later EPA and California emissions certifications for the model family.

  Source

1. 1Janus Motorcyclesen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Janus Motorcycles official websitejanusmotorcycles.com