You've been invited on a ride. You don't know the trail. You don't know
the people. You're not even sure where the ride is. Will it be a
hammerfest? Will they take you on the most technical ride you've ever done?
Who Cares! You're on a Moto-Lite. It's the bike you've been waiting for.
Submitted by
Rollo8000
a Weekend Warrior
from Littleton, CO
Date Reviewed: January 31, 2012
Strengths: Fox Racing Shocks, Overall control of the suspension, Light, Stiff, Horst Link
Weaknesses: This bike suffers from brake squat (opposite of brake jack). When braking in a rock garden, you can feel the suspension compress, then hesitate to decompress while the brake is active. This is partly due to the transfer of angular momentum from the tire into the suspension. Some argue that this gives more control for the bike, but it leaves it susceptible to bottoming out. Small bump performance is not spectacular. Also, the paint scratches easily.
Bottom Line:
The suspension is very controlled which is great on drops and providing an efficient ride, with good braking power. However, it suffers in the small bump performance category. It handles fine and is a blast to ride on single-track trail, and can take a beating more than its designed for.
Also a thing to note:
While this suspension offers great control and cornering, it is not the fastest suspension on the market, and if the trail has a lot of bumps close together, your booty will be feeling it after the ride. If you're looking for something quicker, then the Yeti 575 would be the better choice.
Similar Products Used: Yeti 575
Giant Reign
Specialized Stumpjumper FSR
Bike Setup: 2006 Fox Float 130mm travel
2006 Fox Float RP23
Avid BB7 Mechanical Disc brakes
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
belchew
a Cross Country Rider
from Huntsville, AL
Date Reviewed: October 19, 2011
Strengths: Light. Strong. Goes where it's pointed
Weaknesses: Apparently the seat stay. Nothing a welding shop can't fix though
Bottom Line:
Amazing bike that does more than I can. Got it for Less than the price of two tires. Probably upgrade the rear brake in the near future. Titus customer support is great always friendly.
Bike Setup: Monkey lite bars, x9 shifters. BB7 BB5 brakes.
King headset, talas fork, navgal crusader tires. Trek grips cannondale saddle. Xtr cranks and front x7 rear. Kmc chain.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
CrashT
a Cross Country Rider
from Missoula, MT
Date Reviewed: January 7, 2011
Strengths: This is for the ML2, the second-generation Motolite. Light for an aluminum frame, the large with the Fox RP23 weighs 6 lbs. Stiff, very well balanced, climbs like an XC bike but is great on the downhill. Well-built; lots of riding time, and the bearings and bushings are still tight. Ano frame resists scratches. And it was built in the US.
Weaknesses: Even after all this time I struggle to come up with any weaknesses.
Bottom Line:
I know Titus isn't selling the Motolite any longer; but I still had to write this review. This has been one great bike. It does buff trails, Sedona rocks, roots, whatever. Most of the trails around here are long climbs followed by long descents, and for that this bike with the TALAS fork is just excellent.
Similar Products Used: Rocky Mt. ETSX, Trek 6900, Kona Blast, others.
Bike Setup: Mavic Crossmax ST wheels, Fox TALAS RLC w/15mm axle, XT crank, FD. Other light parts. A little over 25 lbs.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
BMansfield
a Weekend Warrior
from Prescott
Date Reviewed: October 25, 2010
Strengths: Solid construction, nice lines, made in the USA
Weaknesses: Noisey alot of chain slap, put a bash guard on shorten the chain it will really quite the bike down. Horst suspension.
Bottom Line:
When I got this frame 3 years ago I thought now I can keep up with the guys I ride with on the downhills but I was still the slowest guy in the group so it must be me and I am just not a good rider. So I have tried also parts parts wider bars change the stem what ever but I am still the slowest guy in the group and I spent a lot of money on bike parts. So I have a nice MotoLite that I have had some good rides on but not the rides I thought I should be getting so after reading another article on Push Industries I decided to do it. Sent my RP2 in and a week and a half later got is back from Push followed the set up instructions and hit the trail. I LOVE PUSH INDUSTRIES AND MY MOTOLITE NOW it is a whole new bike and my GPS top speed proves it I have increased my downhill speeds so far 3.5 miles an hour faster. So a section I used to ride at 21 miles an hour now is at 24.5 miles an hour and the cornering is like on rails now it is a completely new bike. I an 155Lbs. with all my riding gear on so if anyone out there is around my weight or lighter (I cannot speak for heavy riders but the results should be the same) before you spend a lot money on parts have your shock Pushed RP2, RP3, or RP23 I cannot recomend it enough and how much it has improved my riding it is the best upgrade by far. For Climbing I would say a small improvement but on the downs, corners, and flowing singletrack sections oh my god it's good. For being the slowest rider in the group I consider myself lucky I get to ride with some guys from the A group and I am a C but now they don't have enough time to get off their bike and stretch at the bottom of the DH sections and I am even keeping some in my sights now. Get you shock Pushed.
Bike Setup: Small frame, RP2 Pushed, 4" gravity dropper it's great, 130mm Fox Talas, XT brakes, Sram XO grip shifts, XO rear DR, XT front DR, Shimano XTR cranks and Mavic Crosstrail wheels
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Submitted by
Bossmachine
a Weekend Warrior
from Nampa Id
Date Reviewed: April 19, 2010
Strengths: Stiff frame even for a Clydesdale rider like myself. Handled Porcupine ridge in Moab like a champ! Fantastic climbing ability and the RP2 is great when switching to down hill. Very light for the type of bike. I enjoy the higher bottom bracket. This would probably not be a great bike for a shorter person because of the bottom bracket height, unless they adjust it down quite a bit in the smaller sizes. My Stumpjumper of the same frame size sits 2" lower than the Titus.
Weaknesses: The Frame is great! but the fork that came with the bike is lacking. The forks is a Rock shox tora 5" travel, this is screaming for a 6" travel fork. The bike shifts fantastic and is smooth and buttery on the drops.
Bottom Line:
Fantastic ride! I would not hesitate to buy this frame. Very strong and stable platform and feels fast.
Bike Setup: Rock shox Tora solo air, Mavic Cross Max, Sram X9, Truvative cranks and Magura Julie brakes.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Earthpig
a Cross Country Rider
from Boise, ID
Date Reviewed: March 29, 2010
Strengths: Climbs REALLY well for a 5" travel bike, but plenty plush on the DH - likely as a result of the RP23; stable geometry, anodized finish
Weaknesses: Rear cable routing is tricky, especially installing pre-bled hydraulic brakes - you have to disassemble the entire suspension linkage to install the rear brake
Bottom Line:
Bought a new 2009 frame from Jensonusa for the grand total of $999, which, in retrospect, was a very good deal for as nice as this bike rides. It climbs better than any 5" travel frame I've ever owned and perhaps even better than the Racer X. A lot of this has to be attributed to the RP23 shock - switch on the propedal (I have mine set to the "2" position) and away you go uphill, with enough cush to take the edge off. Switch it off at the top (and bump your fork travel out to 140mm if you have an adjustable travel fork) and bomb it downhill. It took me a few rides to get it dialed in just right, but now I love the thing. Geometry is spot on for a longer travel "XC" bike. Snappy and stable. FAR superior climbing and downhill manners than the Ventana El Ciclon. Perhaps the best "all around" frame I've ever owned. Looking forward to many more years of pleasure!
Strengths: This bike is strong and quiet. It has not let me down. If I can do the deed, it will deliver the goods. Where I ride, the terrain is quite varied and this bike lets me do things I just could not do on my old hardtail. My frame is black ano and seems bulletproof.
Weaknesses: Decals not paint and some have come off.
Bottom Line:
This bike is everything I could ever want in a bike. If you want to ride and get better, ride this bike. I just keep finding more reasons to get out and looking for more people to ride with because it's so much fun.
Similar Products Used: Rented a Gary Fisher 5" bike to do Downieville and was sold on fsb then started shopping and ended up with an ml.
Bike Setup: Bought the frame and Push tuned rp23 slightly used and built it up with edge carbon bars and seatpost. WTB Laser-v sl saddle, Rockshoc Recon 351 coil u-turn with med-stiff spring, Truvativ Noir cranks with BBG Bashguard and Crank Bros 2ti eggbeater pedals fitted with tichromo spindles(190lb rider weight), Sram hollowpin chain, Shimano xtr fr and rr derailleur, Shimano xtr cassette, Sram Gripshift attack shifters, Avid BB7 brakes with 185mm G2 rotors, WTB Laserdisc Trail rims with American Classic hubs and ti skewers, Kenda Small Block Eight rear and WTB Weirwolf race front tires with Stan's sealant, and Avid Ilink housing(black mixed with silver) for a bit of bling.
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Submitted by
e0772yaz
a Racer
from glendale, az usa
Date Reviewed: August 7, 2009
Strengths: titus motolite climbs great and decents is super smooth and has good control.. nice all-around bike with the right tire set-up you can ride anywhere.. with foxRP23 set up on rear suspension makes even better....
Weaknesses: paint coating could be better, i had some paint chips on the bottom bracket tube and some on the down tube in just a couple of months.. but then again i ride alot so i guess thats just what happens..
Bottom Line:
bottom line is it rides awsome with the right set-up and the right tires makes a huge differance...
Similar Products Used: felt virtue, santa cruz heckler, specialized stumpjumper.
Bike Setup: x.o and xtr drive train, fox vanilla rlc front fork and RP23 rear shock. carbon bar and seat post. sdg seat. race face atlas cranks and hope mono6 brakes with dt swiss wheels 240hubs.. tires are always differant from maxxis to swabble and kendas, realy depends on where i ride at.
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Submitted by
henjared
a Cross Country Rider
from Boise
Date Reviewed: July 15, 2009
Strengths: Well, after a while on the bike I have changed my mind. At first I loved it. But know I have had time to get it on many trails. I have to say it does climb really well, but on the rockey downs it sucks. I have a lot of money in this bike and I am going to lose a lot when it sells. But I hope it sells fast becuse I want a new bike A.S.A.P.
The bike ramps up in the rocks and I have spent plenty of time playing with the shock, nothing can fix this. I guess that is what I get for getting a bike with a 20 year old F.S.R. suspention on it. Know that I work at a bike shope I get to take out different demo bikes all the time, and their are so many bikes that can climb better and go down hill better. the real downer of this bike is at 27.5lbs built up with a good spek list is that is had the geomeitry of a cross country bike. I I wanted that I would of bough the racer X. For the 27.5 lbs I can run a bike that has 6in of travel with a much newer suspention desing on it. The worst thing to happen to Titus was for the founder Chris Cocalus to sell it. But I guess that is why Pivot is doing so well with the new D.W. link suspention desing.
So long storie short Titus make a bike with somting new on it. Not a 20 year old desing.
And yes I know I cant spell. But I shure ass hell can ride.
Weaknesses: Suspension desing ramps up in the rocks. The 5in feels like a bad 4in.
Bottom Line:
Bottom line it is the last Titus I buy, unless they change the suspention they are using.
Similar Products Used: Titus Loco-Moto single pivot.
Bike Setup: Fox Talas fork, Race Face crak, xo drive train and shifters. Mavick Cross Mas S.L. wheel set, and avid Juicy 7 disc.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
770nbp
a Cross Country Rider
from Atlanta
Date Reviewed: April 17, 2009
Strengths: Horst link rear, forgiving geometry, stable feel at speed and in the ruff chatter, decent weight, "do it all" rig, climbs pretty well, decends very well, maneuverable for 5 incher, super fun bike to ride and confidence inspiring.
Weaknesses: cables cut the paint after 1 ride (thin paint). square hits on the rear end effect the suspension negatively (can come to dead stop).
Bottom Line:
I wanted a do anything bike that wasnt going to break the bank. Had most of the build kit allready so I was shopping frame only. Tried several bikes as demos and through my riding buddies. I have also owned all the bikes I listed above except for the Pivot Mach V (did demo it). I found the Racer X and the Moto Lite to be the most fun, stable and confidence inspiring rides. I guess I'm just a Horst Link guy.
Similar Products Used: Racer X 100, Ventana Saltamontes, Santa Cruz Blur, Specialized Epic, Pivot Mach IV, Pivot Mach V
Bike Setup: Fox Vanilla 140 RLC Fork, XTR 960 Crank, Chris King/Sun Rhynolite Wheelset, King Headset, X-9 Shifters and Derailuers, Thomson Stem and Seat Post, 1 inch Monkey Lite Riser Bar, Fox RP2 Rear Shock
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Jared
a Cross Country Rider
from Boise, Idaho, U.S.A.
Date Reviewed: March 27, 2009
Strengths: This one of the best trail bikes I have been on. It feel great on the up's and downs
Weaknesses: A little heavy but hey it is a trail bike
Bottom Line:
Bottom line, my Titus befor this had 20,000 miles on it I bought it 2002 it was the best bike I had untill I rode the Moto lite, I did have a Blure in between the 2 and this bike is way better. It clims better and with 5in of travil it goes down hill way better.
Bike Setup: Fox Talis fok, Race Face evolve crak, Mavic Cross Max SL Wheels, Tomson stem and seat post, Sram X.0 Drive train.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
elbikobandito
a Weekend Warrior
from Lehigh Valley PA
Date Reviewed: March 10, 2009
Strengths: Light, Durable, Fun
Weaknesses: Paint Job could have a little mor Bling!
Bottom Line:
I have owned and ridden alot of bikes (I get a new one every year...my wife hates it!). Anyhow, this is by far the best all-around bike I've ever owned. It climbs well (even I can climb & I weigh in at over 200lbs.)It goes downhill like crazy, and it doesn't blink at the technical stuff. Were I ride in PA there are lots of rocks (big ones, little ones...even medium ones). The bike's suspension is so balanced that stuff I used to steer around and take the easy line, I now go right up the gut. I love this bike! If you are going to own just one bike (Wow, how silly does that sound?!?)...this is it!
Similar Products Used: Cannondale, Giant Trance, Specialized Stumpy
Bike Setup: X.9 all around, Fox Talas/RP2, Mavic Wheels
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
washpark
a Cross Country Rider
from Park City, UT, USA
Date Reviewed: February 25, 2009
Strengths: Handles great on tight single track, rough rocky trails, and slick rock. Easy setup. Build, set sag, ride.
Weaknesses: Graphics on rear triangle don't match front.
Bottom Line:
Very pleased with new ride. Looked at Turner, Intense, Ventana, Santa Cruz, and Yeti. Bought because of deal, MTBR ratings and comments, and friend's 2007.
Similar Products Used: Rocky Mountain Element Race, Specialized
Bike Setup: Reba, Fox RP23 shock, Thomson Post and Stem, Mavic Crosstrails, XT 770 Shifter/Brake, XT Shadow rear derailleur, XT front, XT cranks, SRAM chain and cassette, Panracer FireXCPro UST 2.1, Shimano 959 pedals
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Submitted by
pitsqrd
a Weekend Warrior
from San Diego
Date Reviewed: February 18, 2009
Strengths: Responsiveness, lightweight, excellent travel and balance (once you get the suspension dialed in, comfortable.
Weaknesses: Not really a weakness but suspension setup is important to experience full potential of the bike. Knowing your preferences and riding style helps simplify set up.
Bottom Line:
Coming off the BLUR from a few years ago, I did not realize how good a full suspension could be. I liked the BLUR but for what I paid for all the light components and bling, I could not keep the rear tire from slipping or front end from becoming too light on climbs no matter what I did. Perhaps the bike size was not correct, but it just was not as confidence inspriing as the Titus ML.
The ML seems to be a much more capable mount, it handles high speed descents and slow climbs better. It does not feel twichey but is not slow to respond either. After I achieved the suspension set up I wanted, the bike is very predictable, stable and let's me go way faster than I probably should be going.
I bought this bike after lots of email and discussion with BikerBob. If you have not spoken with BikerBob and are considering a Titus or not settled on a particular bike, do yourself a favor and call him. Read all other reviews related to Titus and BikerBob and if not convinced by all the good feedback, just call him to find out for yourself. I wont overstate the fair deal I received from Bob, but I have not seen a better value for the configuration I purchased in any store or online site.
Similar Products Used: Fisher Hoo Koo e Koo, Marin Team Ti hard tail, Santa Cruz Blur
Bike Setup: MLII Lrg, Revelation 426 Dual Air 140, Ritchey cockpit and stem, TruVativ Stylo, Juicy Elixer, XT/819 wheels, Candy pedals, Nevegal tires
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Submitted by
cupton
a Weekend Warrior
from Missouri
Date Reviewed: January 7, 2009
Strengths: Compliant suspension, handling, workmenship, carbon stays and rocker
Weaknesses: Couldn't get the RP23 to dial in. Changed to a DHX 5.0 coil and all is well.
Bottom Line:
At first I did not like this bike. I could not seem to get the RP23 dialed in. When I set proper sag the suspension felt harsh, if I ran excessive sag I bottomed out. I asked Titus for a suggested rear coil shock and spring weight and all they would say was the frame was designed around the RP23 and would not suggest a coil over. I was ready to sell it. But I bought a DHX 5.0 and what a difference it made. Titus you are making a mistake by steering people away from this setup.
This is a super fun bike. It climbs well and goes downhill over the roughest stuff with ease. And corners great at high speed. I run a 2-step Lyrik on it when I get out to more DH trails but usually I run a Pike. Both forks feel right at home on the front end. Mine has the carbon stays and rocker, which make me nervous. But they have held up well. I ride mostly aggressive trail and some XC with this bike, keeping under 3 foot drops and it does great. I use my Versus for bigger stuff.
It's hard to explain, but on the uphills and the flats this bike feels like a XC rig, but once it is pointed downhill it just soaks up about anything in it's way. It's just a freak'n fun bike.
Once I put the DHX on this bike I can not say one bad thing about it. Do yourself a favor and buy one..
Similar Products Used: Intense Tracer, Lenz Lumberjack, Versus Blitz 1, Versus Blitz 2.
Bike Setup: Switch beteewn a RS Lyrik and Pike, Evolve DH crankset 26/36, DHX 5.0 coil, Straitline pedals, Ti bar end caps and bashring, Mavic SX 20mm front and ST rear wheel, XO shifters and rear D, Juicy 7 brakes, Syncros stem and carbon bar, King headset
I've heard that there was once available a 5.9" travel kit for the moto-lite. Does anybody know anything about this? Were people running it breaking frames from the extra stress? Read More »
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Anyone have experience with Tioga's new Psycho Genius tires on a Moto Lite? I've read nothing but good reviews so far about the tire. I'm especially wondering about rear clearance Read More »
I have a 2007 Moto-lite size large that I was stupid enough to run over the rear with my truck. The rear triangle is bent approximately 1" toward the chaninring side and the front Read More »
