Motorcycles have lengthy been a budget technique to go quick, however in right this moment’s world of extra and insane tech, the idea of a motorbike with a six-figure MSRP is outdated information. Consider the Ducati Superleggera V4, Honda RC213V-S, Mike Hailwood NCR MH TT and quite a few others. Across the vast majority of these machines, novelty and trickle-down race know-how abound. But nowadays we’re seeing a brand new way to construct a motorbike worthy of $100k. These three contemporary six-figure choices from Praga, Arch and Aston Martin & Brough Superior vouch for a brand new boutique bike expertise, boasting exclusivity, picture and ranging ranges of know-how.
Which begs the query: which (if any) of those rides is price punching a six-figure ticket?
Praga ZS 800 Everything outdated is new once more, and within the case of a sultry, record-setting 500 cc twin-cam from the Nineteen Thirties, historical past was price repeating for Czech Republic-based Praga. In the wake of Praga’s new high-tech Bohemia supercar, the corporate additionally unveiled the brand new ZS 800 as a limited-edition bobber filled with unique supplies and trick engineering, all wrapped up in an evocative bundle.
The value of entry? $92,000.
There’s a skinny line when mixing nostalgia and fashionable know-how, and the crew at Praga have accomplished an amazing job at creating a contemporary bobber that hasn’t forgotten its roots. In spirit, the ZS 800 is a contemporary interpretation of the primary bike to put on the Prada badge — the storied BD 500. Praga had been constructing vehicles and parts in Prague since 1907. But in 1929, the corporate bought ČKD’s motorbike enterprise, and together with it got here the work of a shiny younger designer named Jaroslav František Koch.
Koch had designed a superb 500cc twin overhead cam, single-cylinder bike again at ČKD, and Praga readily rebranded it because the Praga BD 500. The 15 hp single allowed the BD 500 to succeed in 65 mph, and Koch himself set a document on the bike by touring from Rome to Prague in 35 hours and 40 minutes.
Fast ahead almost 100 years, and Praga is again to constructing vehicles, this time the high-tech Bohemia supercar. While he wasn’t engaged on the Bohemia, engineer Jan Žuži dabbled with the idea of a contemporary ode to the BD 500, and someplace alongside the best way, the upper ups at Praga acquired on board with the challenge. No stranger to 2 wheels, we are able to see Žuži and his fellow designers threw all of Praga’s technical sources into the challenge, and spiritual utility of carbon fiber, titanium and CNC-machined chromoly instantly means that this bike is greater than only a throwback.
Remember once we stated the Praga ZS 800 hasn’t forgotten its roots? The ZS 800 is predicated on a inflexible body, so there’s no rear suspension apart from the Öhlins shock beneath the seat. It additionally makes use of a girder-style entrance fork, drum brakes and an air-cooled Kawasaki parallel-twin, sourced from the W800 mannequin.
But dig a bit deeper and the tech hits you want a velocity bump at 60. The body and girder fork are chromoly metal, and loaded with stunning CNC-cut joints. Like the saddle, the fork is suspended by an Öhlins shock with a titanium spring, and the entire piece is alloy artwork by itself.
The gas tank was crafted from solid carbon fiber, however that’s considerably of an phantasm, because the precise gas tank seems to be a CNC-cut aluminum part, used as a structural a part of the chassis. The carbon tank covers praise carbon fender struts and the chain guard, however most notably, the wheels.
While they emulate an old-school wire, the wheels are additionally constructed from solid carbon fiber, laced with tensioned carbon spokes — speak about making an announcement. Trick machined covers direct air throughout the hydraulic drums, and vintage-looking, 18-inch Dunlop rubber completes the look.
Under the saddle, a Kawasaki-sourced 800 cc air-cooled twin provides 50 hp to a five-speed transmission. Praga cites that the Kawasaki’s bevel-gear cam drive pays tribute to the interval, and it’s definitely essentially the most approachable engine on our $100k checklist, however evidently underpowered amongst its friends. Its revealed dry weight of 313 lbs makes it the lightest, nonetheless, and weight distribution is claimed to be 50/50.
Just 28 Praga ZS 800s might be constructed, and also you’ll should shell out $92,000 to get one. For its half, we’ll admit that the ZS 800 is essentially the most inexpensive bike on our checklist, and positively the best to hop on and experience — particularly for much less skilled pilots. If it’s nostalgia that journeys your set off, the Praga is certain to make an announcement wherever it goes, and we’re keen to guess you gained’t discover one other one within the parking zone.
Arch Motorcycle 1s The sport cruiser market is hotter than ever, with Indian, Buell and Harley Davidson unleashing extra aggressive bikes focused on the performance-minded lots. But California-based Arch Motorcycles takes its stab on the high 1% of the market with the brand new 124 ci S&S-powered Arch 1s.
The boutique expertise that begins lengthy earlier than the primary weld bead, and ends with you writing a examine for $128,000. So what do you get for the cash? Let’s dig in.
Arch Motorcycle shaped in 2011 as a considerably of a gathering of the minds, between famed actor and fanatic Keanu Reeves and bike builder Gard Hollinger. The two had met a number of years prior, when Reeves tasked Hollinger with constructing a totally customized Harley Davidson, with almost each facet of the bike reworked. Reeves was floored over the bike’s efficiency, and he finally satisfied Hollinger to enter enterprise collectively.
Since then, the duo has made a reputation for themselves perfecting what they name the “American performance cruiser” ever since. Their razor-sharp designs emphasize efficiency by means of mechanical simplicity, and essentially the most trick uncooked supplies cash should buy.
The new Arch 1s builds on the earlier KRGT-1 mannequin, with extra aggressive geometry and ergonomics, and the identical thundering S&S 124 ci v-twin. The entire bundle is way tighter than the KRGT-1, with a shorter wheelbase, extra aggressive rake and a chiseled new single-sided, billet-aluminum swing arm. The bodywork is made up from numerous carbon fiber and aluminum bits, and facilitates extra aggressive ergonomics than the KRGT-1, as does the change from ahead to mid-mounted controls.
Underneath the pores and skin, a metal mainframe helps the neck and air-cooled mill, whereas a billet-aluminum subframe helps the rear suspension. Fully-adjustable Öhlins suspension retains the bumps in examine, and ISR four- and six-piston brakes with commonplace ABS ought to present greater than enough braking for spirited driving.
Thinking again on the corporate’s earliest days, it comes as no shock to see an S&S-sourced, air-cooled v-twin between the body rails. The 124 ci, T124 engine was designed as a pleasant improve for 2007 to 2016 HD big-twin fashions, and Arch turns the warmth up a bit with a customized stainless exhaust and consumption system. Arch studies 115 lb/ft from the two,032 cc v-twin, routed by means of a proprietary six-speed transmission to the 530 O-ring drive chain.
17-inch BST carbon fiber wheels are wrapped in Michelin Power RS rubber, sized 120/70 and 240/45 respectively. Dry weight is available in at 563 lbs, roughly 30 lbs lighter than the KRGT-1, however undoubtedly the heaviest bike within the $100k membership by a major margin.
Naturally it takes greater than trick supplies and a torquey v-twin to command a six-figure price ticket, and the Arch 1s makes up the distinction with distinctive aptitude. The ignition secret is comprised of billet aluminum, and prompts a full-color LCD sprint. Want to make gas stops extra enjoyable? How about an unique billet aluminum gas cap that hinges up from the gas tank?
Also hidden within the carbon gas tank, is a novel induction system that funnels contemporary air by means of filters and down into the throttle physique. The kickstand, controls and the belt drive cowl are all comprised of billet aluminum as nicely — all items of useful artwork in their very own proper. Your funding within the Arch 1s additionally contains the chance to customise the looks and ergonomics of the bike with the design workforce, guaranteeing the seat and controls are arrange on your driving type.
The Arch 1s leads the category by way of a boutique shopping for expertise, and we’re down with the all-American efficiency cruiser picture. Sure, the 1s may stand to lose just a few kilos for the value, however on our checklist, the Arch is essentially the most rideable bike. Rideable as in, hop on and watch the odometer climb, and that’s what it’s about, proper?
Aston Martin & Brough Superior AMB 001 Pro A luxurious automaker groups up with a motorbike producer to construct a hypercar-inspired monitor bike. That sounds costly, and it’s.
But within the case of the Aston Martin & Brough Superior AMB 001, these two historic English names appear to have introduced out the very best in one another with the limited-edition, 180 hp AMB 001, unveiled in 2019. With all 100 limited-edition bikes bought, the duo has now upped the ante with the brand new 225 hp AMB 001 Pro, restricted to simply 88 items.
If the Brough Superior identify is unfamiliar, right here’s a fast refresher. Brough Superior was based in 1919, after George Brough left his father’s firm, Brough Motorcycles. Seeking to maximise high quality, every Brough Superior product was allegedly assembled twice.
After preliminary meeting, the bike was torn again down for the required paint and plating work. Also each completed bike was examined and personally licensed by Brough himself, and if the bike failed to satisfy his approval, it was despatched again to the manufacturing facility till it did. Brough Superior bikes had been thought-about the Rolls-Royce of the bike world earlier than manufacturing resulted in 1940, when the ability was retooled to construct crankshafts for Rolls-Royce Merlin engines through the conflict effort.
Fast-forward to 2008, and the Brough Superior identify was acquired by fanatic Mark Upham, who met with French designer Thierry Henriette to design a brand new line of Brough Superior bikes. Production started in 2016 beneath Thierry’s possession, and several other high-end cruiser fashions have debuted since.
While Brough Superior’s current choices have turn out to be more and more unique, the 2019 partnership with Aston Martin, and the ensuing AMB 001, is a major leap in efficiency for the marque. Taking inspiration from Aston Martin’s Valkyrie AMR Pro hybrid supercar (of which solely 25 are to be constructed), the AMB 001 Pro is the following stage for the Aston and Brough Superior partnership, boasting new aero and a extra highly effective 997 cc v-twin.
While the AMB 001 Pro seems quite a bit like its predecessor, efficiency is claimed to be a brand new excessive, given a 25% improve in energy that places it on par with a Formula One automobile by way of energy to weight. The coronary heart of the matter is a brand new turbocharged 997 cc DOHC v-twin, that’s CNC machined from a stable block of AL5000 aluminum.
More detailed specs on the engine are few, however we might assume a variable geometry turbocharger and intercooler had been used, as within the AMB 001. Power is reported at 225 hp, delivered by means of a six-speed transmission with a slipper clutch, and dry weight is listed at 386 lbs.
The (presumably) all carbon fiber bodywork is similar to the AMB 001, except new entrance aero. A carbon entrance spoiler is affixed to the physique, together with stabilizing wings to enhance downforce. Other aero options alongside the physique are stated to create a tunnel impact, directing air across the rider, together with a rear fin to enhance stability.
Aston and Brough Superior additionally wax poetically about how skinny (in microns) the badging is on the bike. I suppose there’s a stage of efficiency the place that’s related, however I query it right here.
There’s clearly loads to speak about with the AMB 001 Pro, with out even pertaining to the opposite mechanicals. In broad strokes, the bike’s primarily based on a full CNC-machined aluminum chassis with the engine as a careworn member. A Fior-type fork is used up entrance, whereas the rear swingarm pivots from the engine circumstances — each comprised of CNC-cut aluminum with adjustable mono-shocks.
Michelin monitor slicks wrap the 17-inch carbon fiber wheels, with the rear being a stable carbon disc. A pair of radial four-piston brakes and a single two-piston rear present clamping drive. Just one livery is obtainable, denoted as Aston Martin Verdant Jade, with matte-finish carbon fiber and Cerakote mechanicals.
Billed as an much more unique experience than the earlier AMB 001, it ought to come as no shock that simply 88 AMB 001 Pros might be constructed, and the value hasn’t actually been revealed. Considering the 100 AMB 001s constructed bought out at $120,000 a chunk, anticipate to pay considerably extra for the Pro.
We can confidently assume that the AMB 001 Pro is the costliest bike on the checklist, however then once more, it actually needs to be. Dollar for greenback, the Pro actually seems like a six-figure bike with six-figure know-how and picture. The draw back, after all, is that it’s constructed for the monitor solely.
All three of those boutique bikes are an unique expertise in their very own approach, and all of it comes all the way down to what you wish to present on your six-figure funding. Nostalgia, techy street efficiency or the nth diploma of engineering attainable in a “production” bike.
For your cash, I’d purchase the Aston. For mine, I’d have the Arch.
Source: www.bikeexif.com