- Limited to five units worldwide
- Longitudinally mounted 1,036 cc boxer twin-cylinder engine
- Aluminum monocoque frame weighing 24 kilograms
- Completely polished surfaces after several hundred hours of work
French manufacturer Midual has opened a new chapter in its exclusive motorcycle production at the Retromobile exhibition in Paris. With the Francaise, the company presents a café racer that combines technical sophistication with distinctive national pride. It is based on the recently introduced Type 1 Series 3, which is already positioned in the upper segment of the luxury motorcycle market with a price tag of €186,000 (approximately £156,000 or around $195,000).
Price level in the supercar segment
Although Midual has not yet announced an official price for the Francaise, industry observers suggest a possible price tag of around €300,000 (approximately £260,000 or US$315,000). This estimate is based on the Quintessence, which was introduced in 2025 and offered at exactly this price. With only three units produced, that model was even more exclusive than the new Francaise. At the estimated price, the Francaise is in the same price segment as supercars such as the Ferrari Amalfi.
Café racer with a French soul
The Francaise differs from its sister, the Type 1 Series 3, in several characteristic features. The handlebar position has been slightly changed, giving a more sporty seating position. Above the round headlight is now a small windshield, which gives the motorcycle a typical café racer profile. Aerodynamic spoilers, to which the turn signals are attached, complement the front end.
The color scheme is unmistakably French: the French tricolor adorns the sides of the tank, while the saddle is finished in a bold sky blue. Velvet leather knee pads also bear the French flag, and blue inlays run through the elaborately designed dashboard with its numerous round instruments. The rear remains slim and minimalist, similar to the Series 3, while the exhaust system adopts the clean, sculptural design of the base version.
Polish instead of chrome
The surface treatment of the Francaise is particularly striking. Instead of chrome plating, Midual uses fully polished components. This approach requires several hundred hours of work per motorcycle and gives the machine a unique shine. High-quality details catch the eye in the cockpit: the bridges on the handlebars are elaborately crafted, the Öhlins fork relies on proven premium technology, and the speedometer focuses on the essentials. A remarkable detail: apart from the clutch cable and brake line, Midual has managed to conceal all cables and lines.
Longitudinal engine: unique technical feature
The technical heart of the Francaise is a 1,036 cc boxer engine installed longitudinally. This arrangement is unique worldwide: the cylinders do not protrude from the side of the motorcycle, but the pistons move back and forth in the direction of travel. This unconventional design clearly sets Midual apart from established manufacturers.
The performance data is comparatively moderate at 100 hp and 93.5 Newton meters. Modern super sports bikes offer significantly higher values, but the Francaise takes a different approach. The motorcycle is not intended as a tool for lap times, but as a mechanical work of art in which exclusivity and craftsmanship perfection are paramount. Measured by price per horsepower, the Francaise is likely to be one of the most expensive motorcycles in the world.
Aluminum monocoque as load-bearing structure
The frame of the Francaise is based on an aluminum monocoque construction that also serves as fairing and fuel tank. Once completed, this structure weighs 24 kilograms. The manufacturing process is unusual: the aluminum is cast in a solid sand mold weighing 1.7 tons. The raw casting then undergoes intensive machining, making each model in the small series unique.
No modern assistance systems
The Francaise does without driving modes, traction control, smartphone connectivity, or ABS. Midual describes it as a motorcycle that transcends fashion trends and everyday usage scenarios in order to achieve technical perfection. This purist approach underscores its character as a collector’s item and a moving sculpture.
Road legal despite collector status
Despite its status as a work of art, the Francaise is road legal. Whether the five owners will actually drive their bikes on public roads on a regular basis remains to be seen. The extreme exclusivity and high price suggest that the motorcycles are more likely to end up in collections than be seen on public roads.
After its premiere at Retromobile in Paris, the Francaise will be presented at the 2-Wheel Show in Lyon later this month. This will give interested parties one of the few opportunities to see one of the five models up close.
Passion before purchasing power
Midual makes it clear that the Francaise is not just a question of available capital. The manufacturer emphasizes that passion for the object must be the primary consideration. Nevertheless, a correspondingly large bank account remains a prerequisite for securing one of the five planned places.
With the Francaise, Midual is underlining its position as a manufacturer of motorcycles that are somewhere between precision machines and rolling sculptures. The combination of national pride, unconventional engineering and extreme rarity consolidates the French manufacturer’s reputation in the ultra-exclusive segment of the motorcycle market.
What this means for me as a motorcyclist
The Midual Francaise is aimed at a very specific target group that has little in common with the average motorcyclist. Anyone looking for a sports bike suitable for everyday use, a touring companion, or a powerful super sports bike will not find what they are looking for in this model. The Francaise is a rolling work of art and collector’s item for wealthy enthusiasts who value absolute exclusivity and craftsmanship perfection. With only five units produced worldwide, the likelihood of encountering one of these motorcycles on the road is negligible. The estimated price of around €300,000 puts the Francaise in the same league as supercars, while its performance data is comparatively modest. For the vast majority of motorcyclists, this unique French model remains a fascinating object of contemplation that shows the limits of what is possible in exclusive motorcycle construction – but without any practical relevance for their own vehicle purchase.
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