The Midual Type 1: French Engineering Meets Motorcycle Artistry

In a world where motorcycle manufacturers chase horsepower figures and lap times, one French engineer dared to ask a different question: What if we approached motorcycles like fine art? Eleven years ago, French engineer Olivier Midy unveiled a new limited production motorcycle completely unlike anything ever built. Eventually, that prototype became the Midual Type 1.

It takes a rare commitment to invest thirty years of your life developing and building your own completely new vision of what a motorcycle should be, but Olivier Midy did, and the Midual is the result. What emerged from this three-decade journey isn’t just a motorcycle—it’s a rolling sculpture that happens to be one of the most exclusive and expensive motorcycles money can buy.

Engineering as Art

French engineer Olivier Midy has brought his dream bike to life, the transverse Boxer-engined monocoque-framed Midual Type 1. The Type 1 represents a completely different approach to motorcycle design, where every component serves both functional and aesthetic purposes.

Unlike most fiendishly expensive motorcycles (and even those just below the premier league, such as Bimota or Confederate) the Midual looks comfortable and easy to ride. It’s specifically pitched as a ‘luxury’ rather than performance bike, with the focus on build quality and exclusivity.

The Heart of the Beast

At the core of this French masterpiece lies a truly unique powerplant. The unique engine uses a 100mm x 60mm bore/stroke to yield 1036cc. Fed by two 54mm throttle bodies, Midual claims a crankshaft rating of 106 hp at 8200 rpm and 69 ft-lb of torque at 5500 rpm.

But it’s not just about the numbers—it’s about how this engine is integrated into the motorcycle. Unlike conventional motorcycles, the Type 1 features a longitudinally mounted 997cc flat-twin engine, an innovative design that contributes to its distinctive character. This engine layout provides a low center of gravity, enhancing stability and handling while giving the bike a unique, elegant profile.

The engine produces 107bhp at 7,800 rpm at the crank, with maximum torque of 72.3lb-ft at 6,000 rpm. While these figures might seem modest compared to modern superbikes, they perfectly suit the Type 1’s mission as a luxury touring machine rather than a track weapon.

Monocoque Mastery

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the Midual Type 1 is its revolutionary frame construction. An immensely stiff cast aluminium double-wall monocoque frame sourced from an 84kg raw casting which has been five-axis machined and manually polished down to the finished product weighing 24kg.

There’s an aluminum monocoque frame that also holds the fuel, and suspension is from Öhlins’ top shelf: 43 mm FGRT forks and a TTX 36 shock. This isn’t just clever engineering—it’s a work of art that happens to function as a motorcycle chassis.

Luxury Without Compromise

The Midual Type 1 doesn’t compromise on premium components. The Midual Type 1 makes 106hp and 74lbft, and uses Öhlins suspension, Brembo monobloc brakes and an aluminium monocoque chassis which doubles as the fuel tank. It weighs 239kg fuelled and comes in a choice of 25 colors.

Every component on the Type 1 has been carefully selected not just for performance, but for its contribution to the overall aesthetic and luxury experience. From the Öhlins suspension to the Brembo brakes, this is a motorcycle where no expense has been spared.

The Price of Perfection

With great exclusivity comes great expense. Obscure French brand Midual is back with its new Type 1 prototype featuring a transversely-mounted 1036cc boxer engine and a $187,000 price tag. At nearly $200,000, the Type 1 positions itself among the most expensive production motorcycles in the world.

But for that price, buyers aren’t just getting a motorcycle—they’re acquiring a piece of automotive art that represents one man’s uncompromising vision of what a luxury motorcycle should be.

Riding Experience: Form Meets Function

While the Type 1 might look like a museum piece, it’s designed to be ridden and enjoyed. The longitudinal boxer engine layout provides excellent balance and a low center of gravity, while the monocoque frame offers exceptional rigidity without unnecessary weight.

The riding position has been carefully crafted to provide comfort over long distances, befitting a machine designed for grand touring rather than canyon carving. This is a motorcycle for savoring the journey rather than setting lap records.

Limited Production, Unlimited Exclusivity

After its unveiling at Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, Midual, the french manufacturer of motorcycles, presented the Midual Type 1 in Europe. The Type 1’s debut at such a prestigious venue speaks to its positioning as much more than just another motorcycle—it’s a luxury object that happens to have two wheels.

Production numbers are intentionally limited, ensuring that Type 1 owners will rarely encounter another on the road. This exclusivity is part of the appeal for collectors who value rarity as much as craftsmanship.

The French Touch

It has a name: Midual, and its Type 1. A luxurious roadster like a Bugatti, with original and/or prestigious technical solutions. It’s no longer a motorcycle, a supercar or a show car; it’s refinement at its finest.

The comparison to Bugatti isn’t accidental—both brands represent the French approach to luxury automotive engineering, where artistry and technical innovation combine to create objects of desire that transcend their basic transportation function.

A Vision Realized

The Midual Type 1 represents something increasingly rare in the modern motorcycle world: a completely original vision executed without compromise. In an era of corporate committees and market research, Olivier Midy’s singular vision stands out like a work of art in a gallery of mass-produced prints.

Whether the Type 1 succeeds commercially is almost beside the point. Its true success lies in proving that there’s still room in the motorcycle world for genuine innovation, uncompromising craftsmanship, and the kind of audacious thinking that creates legends.

The Future of Luxury Motorcycles

As the motorcycle industry continues to evolve, the Midual Type 1 offers a glimpse into one possible future—a world where motorcycles aren’t just transportation or even sporting goods, but genuine luxury objects crafted with the same attention to detail as haute couture or fine jewelry.

For those fortunate enough to experience the Type 1, whether as owners or simply admirers, it serves as a reminder of what’s possible when engineering excellence meets artistic vision. In a world of increasing homogenization, the Midual Type 1 stands as a testament to the power of individual creativity and uncompromising execution.

The Midual Type 1 is available through select dealers worldwide, with production limited to ensure exclusivity. For more information about this extraordinary motorcycle, contact Midual directly or visit their website.

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