The world of luxury motorcycles has a rich history of high-end collaborations between motorcycle manufacturers and prestigious car brands. This tradition dates back to the early 20th century with Brough Superior, a British motorcycle manufacturer known for its luxurious and powerful bikes.
The Birth of a Luxury Motorcycle Brand
In 1923, journalist HD Teague described the Brough Superior SS80 as ‘The neatest-looking and most luxurious sporting machine offered to the public. The Rolls-Royce of motorcycles.’ This comparison was seized upon by George Brough, the company’s founder, and used in his marketing campaigns. Despite initial objections from Rolls-Royce, Brough was eventually given permission to use the comparison, which helped establish his brand as a maker of high-quality, luxury motorcycles.
Brough Superior’s most famous model, the SS100, was launched in 1925 and was capable of reaching high speeds. The bike was hand-built to individual customer specifications and featured a teardrop-shaped fuel tank. Notable owners included playwright George Bernard Shaw and actor-director Orson Welles.
Brough Superior’s Most Ardant Supporter
One of Brough Superior’s most famous fans was Colonel Thomas Edward Lawrence, also known as Lawrence of Arabia. He purchased one of the first SS100 models in 1925 and was waiting for his eighth model when he died in a motorcycle accident in 1935. This incident led to a long-term study by Lawrence’s neurosurgeon, Hugh Cairns, on the importance of wearing crash helmets.
Modern Luxury Motorcycle Collaborations
The legacy of Brough Superior continues today with various luxury motorcycle collaborations between motorcycle manufacturers and car brands. Some examples include:
- The Aston Martin and Brough Superior AMB 001, limited to 100 motorcycles, which combines Aston Martin design with Brough Superior craftsmanship.
- The Brabus x KTM partnership, which created the Brabus 1300 R, with only 50 models produced.
- The Ducati Diavel for Bentley, inspired by the exclusive Bentley Batur, with only 500 motorcycles produced.
- The Ducati Panigale V4 Lamborghini, based on the Panigale V4 S and featuring parts inspired by Lamborghini’s Revuelto supercar. At £67,000, it is currently the cheapest way to own a Lamborghini.
- The MV Agusta Dragster 800 RR Lewis Hamilton, a collaboration between MV Agusta and Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton, with 244 units produced.
These collaborations showcase the fusion of luxury car design and high-performance motorcycle engineering, resulting in exclusive and highly sought-after motorcycles.
