Announcing the Phoenix 450 Project

On our most recent Ramblestream, we took some time to introduce the Phoenix 450 project. It is still in its early stages, but we want to share our thinking and invite you into the process as it unfolds. We are excited to share the development and go-to-market process of the Phoenix 450 with you. This is one of the advantages of being a direct-to-rider company: we do not have a dealer network to shield from early iterations, so we can bring our community into the design conversation much sooner.

The Role of the Phoenix 450

The Phoenix will serve as the sportier counterpart in our 450 lineup. Where the Halcyon 450 emphasizes classic roadster qualities, and the Gryffin 450 offers a soft-tail scrambler character, the Phoenix will focus on agility, cornering, and a more engaged riding posture. It will build on what riders loved about the Phoenix 250—light weight, quick handling, and a “bottle rocket” feel—while adding the broader capabilities of the 450 platform.

We are not publishing a timeline at this point. Our design team is small and is engaged not only in new development but also in continual refinement of existing models and the daily work of maintaining production. What we can promise is that you will see the Phoenix 450 take shape step by step, with the inevitable trade-offs and refinements visible rather than hidden.

A First Piece: The Fuel Tank

One tangible element already under development is the new Phoenix 450 fuel tank. Compared to the 250 Phoenix tank, this design carries more presence and function:

• Capacity of approximately 3.25 gallons, an increase over the 250’s tank.

• A taller profile with more movement in the side lines and deeper knee scallops, giving the rider better ergonomics for control.

• Rounded rear edges where the tank meets the legs, improving comfort.

• An offset filler cap, both for functional reasons (fuel pump placement) and aesthetics.

This change reflects our ongoing effort to refine not just the look of the motorcycles but also the way the rider interacts with them.

Questions from Riders

Several questions from viewers helped frame the conversation around the Phoenix 450:

• Tires and suspension: The Phoenix will not move toward oversized tires. Instead, expect tire sizes in line with our current 450 models, with modern street tread chosen for grip and agility.

• Transmission: The 450 engine retains its five-speed gearbox; a six-speed is not planned.

• Riding posture: Clip-on handlebars, rearsets, and the possibility of a fairing are all under consideration. These would reinforce the café-leaning character of the model.

• Front suspension: We remain committed to the leading-link front end. However, the design team is exploring the possibility of tuning in a degree of dive, allowing for more nuanced trail braking without abandoning the stability benefits of our current design.

• Exhaust: Any new option must also satisfy EPA testing requirements, which adds complexity, but exhaust note is an important part of the rider’s experience.

• Wheels: Tubeless sport-bike style wheels are attractive in theory, but the practicalities of cost, manufacturing volume, and our preference for spoked wheels make them unlikely as a standard option. As always, individual owners are free to experiment with their own machines.

This is the stage we are in: defining the intent of the motorcycle, establishing first principles, and working carefully on its initial parts. The Phoenix 450 is not a departure from Janus so much as an extension of it—another way of expressing what a lightweight, hand-built American motorcycle can be.

Deposits for the Phoenix 450 are being accepted. There is no timeline for full production at the moment. We will publish a timeline when we have one. If you wish to be among the first, we recommend contacting us directly by phone or email.