Bikes have lengthy been a budget option to go quick, however in in the present day’s world of extra and insane tech, the idea of a motorbike with a six-figure MSRP is previous information. Contemplate the Ducati Superleggera V4, Honda RC213V-S, Mike Hailwood NCR MH TT and quite a few others. Throughout the vast majority of these machines, novelty and trickle-down race expertise abound. However as of late we’re seeing a brand new way to construct a bike 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 expertise.
Which begs the query: which (if any) of those rides is value punching a six-figure ticket?
Praga ZS 800 Every thing previous is new once more, and within the case of a sultry, record-setting 500 cc twin-cam from the Thirties, historical past was value repeating for Czech Republic-based Praga. Within the wake of Praga’s new high-tech Bohemia supercar, the corporate additionally unveiled the brand new ZS 800 as a limited-edition bobber full of 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 expertise, and the crew at Praga have achieved 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 cars and parts in Prague since 1907. However in 1929, the corporate bought ČKD’s motorbike enterprise, and together with it got here the work of a vivid 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 achieve 65 mph, and Koch himself set a file on the bike by touring from Rome to Prague in 35 hours and 40 minutes.
Quick ahead practically 100 years, and Praga is again to constructing vehicles, this time the high-tech Bohemia supercar. Whereas 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 received on board with the venture. No stranger to 2 wheels, we are able to see Žuži and his fellow designers threw all of Praga’s technical sources into the venture, and spiritual utility of carbon fiber, titanium and CNC-machined chromoly instantly means that this bike is greater than only a throwback.
Keep in mind once we stated the Praga ZS 800 hasn’t forgotten its roots? The ZS 800 relies on a inflexible body, so there’s no rear suspension aside from the Öhlins shock underneath 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.
However dig a bit deeper and the tech hits you want a pace bump at 60. The body and girder fork are chromoly metal, and loaded with lovely CNC-cut joints. Just 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 appears to be a CNC-cut aluminum element, 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.
Whereas they emulate an old-school wire, the wheels are additionally constructed from solid carbon fiber, laced with tensioned carbon spokes — speak about making a press release. Trick machined covers direct air throughout the hydraulic drums, and vintage-looking, 18-inch Dunlop rubber completes the look.
Underneath 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 probably the most approachable engine on our $100k listing, however for sure 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.
Simply 28 Praga ZS 800s shall be constructed, and also you’ll must shell out $92,000 to get one. For its half, we’ll admit that the ZS 800 is probably the most inexpensive bike on our listing, 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 bound to make a press release wherever it goes, and we’re keen to guess you gained’t discover one other one within the car parking zone.
Arch Bike 1s The game cruiser market is hotter than ever, with Indian, Buell and Harley Davidson unleashing extra aggressive bikes focused on the performance-minded lots. However California-based Arch Bikes takes its stab on the prime 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 verify for $128,000. So what do you get for the cash? Let’s dig in.
Arch Bike fashioned in 2011 as a considerably of a gathering of the minds, between famed actor and fanatic Keanu Reeves and bike builder Gard Hollinger. The 2 had met a number of years prior, when Reeves tasked Hollinger with constructing a totally customized Harley Davidson, with practically 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 efficiency cruiser” ever since. Their razor-sharp designs emphasize efficiency via mechanical simplicity, and probably the most trick uncooked supplies cash should purchase.
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 far 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 varied carbon fiber and aluminum bits, and facilitates extra aggressive ergonomics than the KRGT-1, as does the swap from ahead to mid-mounted controls.
Beneath the pores and skin, a metal mainframe helps the neck and air-cooled mill, whereas a billet-aluminum subframe helps the rear suspension. Absolutely-adjustable Öhlins suspension retains the bumps in verify, and ISR four- and six-piston brakes with customary ABS ought to present greater than sufficient braking for spirited driving.
Pondering 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 reviews 115 lb/ft from the two,032 cc v-twin, routed via a proprietary six-speed transmission to the 530 O-ring drive chain.
17-inch BST carbon fiber wheels are wrapped in Michelin Energy 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 positively the heaviest bike within the $100k membership by a big 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 key’s produced from billet aluminum, and prompts a full-color LCD sprint. Wish to make gas stops extra enjoyable? How about an unique billet aluminum gas cap that hinges up from the gas tank?
Additionally hidden within the carbon gas tank, is a singular induction system that funnels contemporary air via filters and down into the throttle physique. The kickstand, controls and the belt drive cowl are all produced from billet aluminum as nicely — all items of purposeful 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 staff, guaranteeing the seat and controls are arrange to your driving model.
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. Positive, the 1s may stand to lose just a few kilos for the worth, however on our listing, the Arch is probably 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 Professional A luxurious automaker groups up with a bike producer to construct a hypercar-inspired monitor bike. That sounds costly, and it’s.
However 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 Professional, restricted to simply 88 models.
If the Brough Superior title is unfamiliar, right here’s a fast refresher. Brough Superior was based in 1919, after George Brough left his father’s firm, Brough Bikes. Looking for 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. Additionally each completed bike was examined and personally licensed by Brough himself, and if the bike failed to fulfill his approval, it was despatched again to the manufacturing unit till it did. Brough Superior bikes have been thought of 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 throughout the conflict effort.
Quick-forward to 2008, and the Brough Superior title was acquired by fanatic Mark Upham, who met with French designer Thierry Henriette to design a brand new line of Brough Superior bikes. Manufacturing started in 2016 underneath Thierry’s possession, and several other high-end cruiser fashions have debuted since.
Whereas Brough Superior’s current choices have turn into more and more unique, the 2019 partnership with Aston Martin, and the ensuing AMB 001, is a big leap in efficiency for the marque. Taking inspiration from Aston Martin’s Valkyrie AMR Professional hybrid supercar (of which solely 25 are to be constructed), the AMB 001 Professional is the subsequent stage for the Aston and Brough Superior partnership, boasting new aero and a extra highly effective 997 cc v-twin.
Whereas the AMB 001 Professional appears rather a lot 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 Formulation One automobile by way of energy to weight. The center of the matter is a brand new turbocharged 997 cc DOHC v-twin, that’s CNC machined from a stable block of AL5000 aluminum.
Extra detailed specs on the engine are few, however we might assume a variable geometry turbocharger and intercooler have been used, as within the AMB 001. Energy is reported at 225 hp, delivered via 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, excluding new entrance aero. A carbon entrance spoiler is affixed to the physique, together with stabilizing wings to enhance downforce. Different 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 Professional, with out even concerning the opposite mechanicals. In broad strokes, the bike’s primarily based on a full CNC-machined aluminum chassis with the engine as a burdened member. A Fior-type fork is used up entrance, whereas the rear swingarm pivots from the engine circumstances — each produced from 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. Only 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 Professionals shall be constructed, and the worth hasn’t actually been revealed. Contemplating the 100 AMB 001s constructed bought out at $120,000 a chunk, count on to pay considerably extra for the Professional.
We will confidently assume that the AMB 001 Professional is the costliest bike on the listing, however then once more, it actually ought to be. Greenback for greenback, the Professional actually seems like a six-figure bike with six-figure expertise 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 manner, and all of it comes right down to what you need to present to your six-figure funding. Nostalgia, techy highway efficiency or the nth diploma of engineering attainable in a “manufacturing” bike.
In your cash, I’d purchase the Aston. For mine, I’d have the Arch.
