A lot of reactions & interrogations from you when I published the “Kris Krome Rolling Piece Of Art” bike called “Reflextion”, 1st-place winner of the “Metric Class” at the last the Sturgis AMD World Championship Of Bike Building. Your questions were about the “Elastamerik” front end, and in a comment Kris explained to you that his custom was able to turn using articulating motion.
He believes so much in his system that he is right now preparing a 2010 very limited series of this type of bikes and is proud to report to me that 7-time NHRA Top Fuel champion Tony Schumacher will be receiving the first of this series.
You can see on the left Tony’s bike in progress front of Kris original prototype. The new bike is somewhat different but using the same stainless steel construction, articulating frame and of course the Elastamerick suspension. Tony’s motorcycle will be powered by a Crazy Horse Motorcycles V-Plus 100ci engine (Kris’s bike featured a Triumph T120 engine) and will showcase products from their newest sponsors, Custom Chrome and Odyssey Battery. Professionals will be able to look at the 2 bikes during the 2010 V-Twin Expo in Cincinnati in the Custom Chrome exhibit (booth #548). Kris Krome Cycles.
How close are you to having this full blown rider done? I am sure that Tony Schumacher and the rest of the DSR team can’t wait to see it. Should get a lot of attention for him wherever he goes.
Do you think you will post a video riding this one before the V-Twin, or wait to surprise everyone there?
This video of the “bike in action” was on U-Tube for a couple of days and the bike didn’t handle worth a crap. Kris could not ride the bike without his feet down. I say it needs Kris to go back to the drawing board and allow a real engineer to design the frame and steering before he puts the #1 Top Fuel Driver in the world on it.
Hmmm, lets see the handlebars are mounted rigid? the front end doesn’t move? But somehow it’s elastic in nature? the headlight points at the back of the tire? and the seat is at a 45 degree angle? theres no gas tank? this thing isn’t even made to ride. Its just made to shock and aw. this is the kind of bike that gives our real custom designers a bad rap. im all about form over function but this is useless. stick to designing chandeliers… BB
It is interesting to read comments from people who have obivously never designed a new product. A product is not designed on paper and built as the finished product without having prototypes.
It is also interesting reading negative comments from people who don’t understand how something works. The beauty in this design is that it is suppose to appear that the handle bars are rigid, but they are not. It might be better to educate yourself on things and ask questions before you assume that someone who is a designer would not have thought of something that you did such as, “… the handlebars are mounted rigid?”
I know it is hard for some people to have open minds and change how they think -that is why they don’t design a revolutionary new product themselves.
Great job of thinking outside of the box Kris!
He kept his feet on the ground? He removed the video after 2 days? Doesn’t sound like a successful prototype. So, how to explain that a racer ordered one?
I looked thru the available videos for the “riding” video but could not locate it. I did see the video of the steering “explanation” but noted the lack of shock absorption (the rubber only provided very limited rebound) and the 1 quart (or so ??) gas tank. While the bike is beautiful, I really feel that some really mimimal stricture for these types of bikes is needed. IE : 2 gallons of gas, ability to stand on its own, functional hi-lo-stop-rear lighting , ability to be started by the rider unassisted and actually ridden 5 miles under “real” conditions. The amca, for example, used to have a riding requirement for bikes to be judged and even Formula 1 has some limited requirement set. Whats next ? no wheels ?
Did you see the picture at the beginning of the blog? Did you read the blog?
It says “… on the left Tony’s bike is in progress front of Kris orginal prototype. The new bike is somewhat different but using the same stainless steel construction, articulating frame and of course the Elastamerick suspension. ”
Did you notice that Tony’s bike looks different?
Why are you so worried that it works?
How do you “explain that a racer ordered one?” Maybe because he knows something you don’t.
Can jj just admit he is kk as in kris krome
I saw one of these “Reflection Series” bikes at the World Championships of Custom Bike Building in Sturgis and thought to myself, “I’d love to see this trinkety, two-wheeled tea set roll down the road ten miles.” If Schumacher is indeed purchasing a more rideable (if there is such a thing) version of this “protoype” he must have a flair for danger and money to burn. Bad PR move trying to sell a concept before the actual product. Smoke and mirrrors to say the least.
Looks like a shiny low rider bicycle. Needs a chrome chain stearing wheel mounted in the middle of the bars, and a pull behind trailer with some big booming speakers, and would fit right in in So. Cal.
Why not post a video of the bike actuaaly being riden? That would resolve the question of whether it works or it doesn’t. Seems simple to me???????
Over & Out,
Jeff
Regardless of it’s actual functionality as a motorcycle, it makes a way-cool frame for showing off or displaying a beautiful engine.
-nicker-
Here we go again on this KRAP !!! Get a life and build real motorcycles and leave the artsy crafty stuff alone!! Do you have a real day job? IF you have such a brillant mind start a company and give people jobs and we’ll all be better off for it!!!!
The custom bike industry really needs to require that the cycle can actually function. Can you imagine airplane concepts that are unable to fly? Kris Krome has made a mockery out of the AMD’s. Just my opinion.
Anyone who would like to see Tonys bike
as it is being built, please feel free to go to
our Facebook, photos will be posted as the
motorcycle comes to life.
Thank you
Kris Krome
http://www.kriskrome.com
It seems this Bike turn better then the first one.I belive they change the place where the bike turn.
Exercise of style or not this bikes deserv credit, elastic suspension exist for many long time, but never used in bikes(I belive).To much time in History, people try new things and others call them
crazy but dont forget if anyone don´t try do difrent the world can´t develop.
What a bunch of jealous haters! Of all of you that have negative comments, how high have you placed in the world championship? Most of you are a bunch of arm chair builders that have never even seen the bike in person. The first bike was ride-able. It may have looked funny in the video because he had to get used to the balance of such a radical design. The bike was not built for touring, it was built to win a show (which it did). The next generation is being built to ride on the street. Modifications in this revolutionary design will make it handle easier for everyday riding. Don’t worry Kris, the fact that everyone is so opinionated about this bike means that you are on to something. Remember that they all laughed at the Wright brothers.
Hey Kris.
Good on you for bringing a little imagination back into the customs world.
Folks should take the time to think about some of the tech going into that ride.
Carry on and ignore the haters and dumb a***s.
I’m liking your choice of engines.
I know John White, and I have a Crazy Horse engine in my own ride.
They build a strong-just right for customs engine.
Lot of haters out there–lot of arm chair quarterbacks just making noise like arm chair quarter backs do.
Focus on your rides Kris Krome –let the bad BOYS continue to be bad while they dream of being able to do what you do every day.
I guess it possible to just change your name and write a positive comment about yourself,hey Kris or is it JJ ,maraco, shark??? Your design is not rideable. How got a blue ribbon for this, is a sham.
I find it interesting that Kris’s bikes have created so much controversy. Chicara’s bikes appear on here and there are the haters pretty much keep quiet, But post something about Kris and out come the keyboard commandos with their “expert” opinions.
Not referring to you Jeff.
BTW I love Chicaras bikes, they are things of beauty. Are they motorcycles? I don’t really care but I saw one ridden in Sturgis.
Why don’t these experts, post the web address for their websites, as they are such experts they must make be making their living in the m/c industry.
Wow, there is a lot of hatred there “Take a chance”. Your right, you can change your name to write a comment. Are you kris’ ex-wife? Remember that most shows are judged by the other builders. Become a world class builder, then you can have a vote.
What’s all this drama about? Are we talking about bikes here or not? I can’t even take this Kris Krome garbage seriously anymore. Either he’s just an innocent underdog or there are a lot of people who do not like this man. And I don’t really care what the real answer is.
Good remark JohAnn. But controversy is good. Nobody can judge till’ they see the bike being ridden. KK can thank Cyril for making his name known. Btw, what is his name? What’s the purpose of not using your real name when you are a custom builder?
Whether you deem this bike a work of art, a prototype, or a rideable motorcycle it is beautiful.
When I walked into the AMD show this year it was sitting almost front and center. Despite the overwhelming number of remarkable bikes at the show I returned several times to look at this one.
I for one appreciate the imagination and innovation in the industry. Every build doesn’t have to be riden to be appreciated. The same people that revile the extreme are the same ones that castigate builders that make cookie cutter customs. You just can’t please some people so don’t try. Just keep pushing the envelope.
I’m not sure what your ex wife has to do with this subject shark, but the point is a custom should be rideable.
In reading some of the comments herein it seems that most do not believe this motorcycle “works”. As I stated before, show the video that was promised with the first rant of this bike months ago and if it does in fact work that in and of itself will put the non-believers to sleep. If, however, the steering does not work then I think that is an issue that everyone in this industry should be concerned with IF the bike is intended to be ridden at all. A failure of engineering and possible harm that could come to any person riding the bike could give this industry yet another black eye at a time when that is the last thing we need as builders or as an industry.
If however, on the other hand, this bike is intended to be displayed as a piece of art by Schumacher that is another story all together. I have built 4 bikes for a neurologist here in Houston who displays the bikes as “Art Pieces” in his home and office. These bikes were built with the “Art Piece” theme in mind …. Hell the internals in the engine and transmission are nowhere to be found. Likewise the bikes, in some cases, were built purely with the Art theme in mind with absolutely no regard to engineering function or safety. No harm – no foul.
In short I believe this bike designed and built by Kris is a beautiful display of what we as artists are capable of and I am sure anyone would be proud to own it. Keep up the good work Kris.
Over & Out,
Jeff
You are right “take a chance”, a custom should be rideable.
But the point you are missing is that this is not just adding stuff to the existing motorcyle design that has been around since the beginning. Kris has for the first time changed the very core of the bike. Most other customs would be rideable because they are not changing the basic structure – with the exception of those ridiculously low choppers that have zero ground clearance and display stands welded right to the frame. (I have seen plenty how those in shows – rideable , Ha!)
Innovation is not adding more chrome, paint jobs , ect. It is actually changing the very sole of a product as Kris has done. This design has made the biggest manufacturers of motorcyles and parts to stand up and take notice. Believe me my writing this in defense of Kris is not need. The people who are in this industry- unlike the detractors in these comments have already taken notice and want to be part of what Kris is doing. They understand the concept of prototype development and so can you now by watching the building of the rider for Tony on Kris’ Facebook.
Frist thing everyone should understand
is that Tony is not getting the bike that was
built for the AMD championships,
So I am having a hard time understanding
why this is the bike you are all talking about
As I stated everyone is welcome to see the
bike being built for Tony on our face book
I will post photos daily of the progress
Also as stated above the bike will be on display
at the V-Twin expo in feb. For all of you to
see. And anyone who knows Tony Schumacher
knows he will ride this bike hard and fast
just like he races.
And yes there will be much viedo of it in action
Thank you all
for your comments
keep them coming
Kris Krome
http://www.kriskrome.com
landfill
Well Kris Krome If you gave me one of these bikes I would strip it down and take all the useable parts off and shitcan the rest of it. Then I could maybe sell off the (KROME) parts like the shiney engine and brakes and tranny and some fool would surely want those funky wheels.
Shark, The wright bros were trying to invent the wheel (so to speak) airplane acutally. This is absolutely something totally different. Just look where we have gone with the airplane.Where in the hell do you think this is leading us? Maybe he’ll put wings on them next and we’ll have flying motorcycles!!!!! Although I am a drag racing fan if tony schumacher is having something like this built he has way to much of the sponsor’s money to diddle around with!!! Plus he’s probably on a Nitro high or something!!!
Over and Over; David
If any of you out there didn’t understand about the sponsor’s money. THAT MEANS YOUR TAX WORK. Who the hell do you thinks pays for the ARMY !!!!! WE DO !!!!
Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwwwwnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn
Yawns at the “keyboard commandos”.
Boss Hawg
Love the bike Kris. What does a bike like that go for (david has me wondering)? Please put up a video of the prototype. There seems to be a lot of disputes about the fact that the bike is rideable. The look of the bike while standing is amazing and I’d love to see it in action. And I’m confused about Tony not getting the bike from the AMDs. What will the differences be? I read above that the stainless steel and suspension will be the same along with the articulating frame. If the bike is in fact not rideable, what are the improvements going to include. Like you said, I’m sure Tony will want to ride this bike.
Kris,
Tony’s bike looks good! Keep thinking outside the box it’s what fuels this industry. Let me know if you want to run some internal brake wheels on a future project. I’ll hook you up! can’t wait to see the bike in Cinci.
there was a video after sturgis of the kk amd bike. was, as in past tense.
the vid got slammed by this site’s bloggers.kk’s feet dragging, barely balanced, at walking speeds in a parking lot.
it did satisfy the amd though as to it’s ‘ridability’.
the vid has since disappeared from youtube.
coincidence? you be the judge.
if there is nothing to hide from this engineering masterpiece, please repost the original video.
Wow!!!! Lots of opinions out there. The good thing is, everyone is allowed to have one. Great job “Kris Krome”! Keep up the good work. There is a reason you have been recongnized in the industry! 🙂
Let them keep talkin, its making you famous!!!! Hahahaha
What ever else these scooters are, they are first and foremost an instance of ” Art.”
Art is one individual’s expression of taste and perspective. The evaluation of any instance of Art is purely subjective.
The professional Art Critic is a person who gets paid to “formulate” an opinion….. expressly for those too lame or timid to come up with their own opinion.
One can Love, Hate, or be totally Ambivalent to Art, it’s a matter of individual taste. Hence there is no right or wrong in individual opinion.
The only objective evaluations one could raise would be over execution in terms of technical merit, such as welding, paint, or functionality.
To me the pieces are appealing for their simplicity and clean lines.
I see-em both simply as art, where functionality is not relevant.
And so, the comment castigating those who don’t like these pieces make little sense. Everyone is free to Love or Hate a piece of art as they see it. To me, all the comments posted (both pro and con) are interesting…………. that is except the stupid ramblings about “Haters”……..
-nicker-
Its entertaining reading all the comments. There was a man once who drove a front engine dragster. He wanted to move the engine behind him for safety reasons, but every time he would try this the car was hard to steer. IT took some INNOVATIONS and a lot of hard work, some incredible engineering,and some thick skin to get through all the naysayers. Every weekend I thank God for men like Big Daddy Don Garlits. Could you imagine owning any one of those cars. Heck even the early models are in museums somewhere and priceless. Funny thing is he just had to slow the steering down a bunch. Wonder if they had blogs back then, and what people might have said.
Schumacher,
Exactly what is being said herein was said about Garlits and his rear engine dragster. Even NHRA had their doubts about his new design …… so nothing has changed much ….only different products.
Nicker,
The term “haters” is generally used by people who: are 16 years old or younger, people lacking a credible argument and/or someone who is off their medication. A “hater” user is also known to use the term “ I am going to tell my mommie!”.
Over & Out,
Jeff
Aww Jeff, “haters” are an integral part of the daily process. I still have “haters” after 40 years in this business. “That fork is so long, you can’t ride those bikes”, “That looks okay, but, you can’t ride it anywhere”, etc. etc. Everyone usually compares something outside the box to what they have. “My bikes handle easier than stock bikes, ask someone who has one”, is what I tell people. Do they do it —- no! They just continue to hate! You need “haters”, they’re a constant source of inspiration for those of us who do things.
Glad you feel that way Tony because you may have just blown a whole lot of money.
Sugar-B & Jeff,
Good points, especially the Big Daddy analogy.
Ya, everybody hates something…… it’s part of what makes us human….. 🙂
And so, Bitching about that fact is a moronic waste of time.
-nicker-
Im gonna create a bike thats just a motor with a seat mounted on top with just a single uni-cycle wheel beneath it and call it ART! then defend it. btw, don’t take it so personnal, especially if you’re not even the guy that came up with it. I design for a living and ride and build bikes as a hobby. I get criticism daily, it comes with the line of work, its subjective in nature. I’m just expressing my opinion based on my frame of reference, and anyways some people believe bikes are made to be rode not displayed. If you’re not gonna ride it then you might as well be designing yard art. BB
What I love about ranting is how oblivious the ranters are to the facts of the subject.
BB – you took someone elses comment about Tony’s bike just being a piece of art and believed it. And David, you obviously live in a compound with guns, waiting for the federals to come and try to take your land.
Kris never called his motorcycle a piece of art – the person who wrote the blog did.
Yes the bikes do look great, but Kris is building a “rider” for Tony. Why does Kris need to prove to YOU that the bike works? You are even not getting one. If you say you wouldn’t want one, why do you comment about it. Is that all you do, go from one product to another that you hate and make negative comments about it?
I had a young 20+ year old kid tell me one time when we were having a discussion about new inventions, “I don’t see how we can have any more new investions, everything I can think of has already be made.” Some people can look at a blue print and see what the finished product looks like, others can’t even imagine it until they “see it working,” I would say the ranters in this blog must fall into the later.
If you employ a little bit of logic, you should ask yourself, “why would anyone spend that much time and money building something that doesn’t work?” It is amazing how you think you know more having never seen the bike other than in the picture than Kris who designed and built it and Tony who stood there next to Kris and learned how it works. You sure don’t give much credit to the all time champion NHRA Top Fuel drag racer to think that he would not understand whether the bike will work or not. I was at a race in Charlotte and saw the bike myself. I didn’t think it would work either until I saw Kris demonstrate how the bike turns. Everyone including me, thought the frame was rigid until Kris turned the handle bars. You should have seen the shock in the peoples faces, including myself when we learned how it worked. By the way one of the top motorcycle drag racers was also there sitting on the bike and he thought it was absolutely amazing. But I guess the ranters know more than him also.
I have been in business – not the motorcycle business – for 20+ years. What I have learned that most people have in common boils down to two things: fear and greed. More specifically people fear the unknown – or what they don’t understand in this case. And secondly they want more for themselves. This blog hits both for the ranters, they don’t have the mental capcity to understand it and are fearful and further they are greedy knowing they didn’t come up with it and are not going to get any benefit from it. Or, you are simply in the business and feel threatened.
What ever the motivation of the ranters- it sure has been fun reading. Reading your rants is just like watching that reality show “The Worlds Dumbest Criminals.” It certainly gives me a great laugh.
Dear think it through,
It doesn’t matter if Kris didn’t call his bike a piece of art. If it doesn’t work, and it’s not art, what is it? My old refrigerator doesn’t work and it’s not art so I think it might fall into the same category as this bike.
Kris DOES need to prove to everyone that the bike is rideable otherwise the only explanation people will have is that it’s art. He says Tony’s bike WILL be rideable. The prototype does not work and he’s got too much “fear and greed” (your words) to show that. Why the fear? If it’s a prototype and everyone’s interested in seeing it work, why doesn’t he show it and show the problems and his thought on improving it? Or is that where his dad comes in?
Hey Sammer,
I guess when Tony rides his bike he will prove it.
Maybe you can ride with him on your refrigerator.
It’s funny,
Those that comment on something they know little, or nothing about, are the ones that are the loudest.
Again this proves one simple thing,
“Those that can, do, Those that can’t, will always talk shit.”
Steve Carr
Just saw this bike at the Birch Run Expo Center. What a joke! The guys dad was talking it up like crazy claiming that they have ridden it at full speeds and says it corners like a dream then, he went on to compare himself to the Wright brothers. Seriously? The Wright brothers? They build an airplane when no one else had an airplane. This guy just made a stupid bike that steers differently than others.
I just saw both bikes at the Birch Run Show this weekend. The Champion bike was truly amazing. Mr. Shumachers bike was not finished, but just as impressive. As for the articulating frame. That isn’t really new. There are bicycles in production today that use the same concept. The rider is, of course, the engine and is located close to the ground. He is mounted in the same position as the motors on Kris’ bikes. The Shumacher bike is very much the same as the Sturgis Show Champion. It has a larger gas tank and provisions for a more comfortable seat. It is a ‘rider’. I was pleased to see a V Twin being used as the power plant for the new bikes. Having seen the machines I will be paying more attention in the coming months as the labours of Kris Krome come to fruition. Kudos Mr. Krome.
I got to see both bikes at the V-Twin Expo in Cincinnati this past weekend. Both are beautiful motorcycles.Not every bike is built to be ridden. Not every car built is driveable. Think about the concept cars shown over the years. It appeared Tony’s bike would be quite functional and fast. Time will tell. Builders who push the envelope should be allowed to work on the vision and bring new concepts to fruition. Kris took the time to speak to anyone who wanted to ask about the bike. While these concepts are not for everyday riders, many of the ideas will find their way to the mainstream if they prove to be functional and useful. Kris, thanks for taking to time to speak to a new guy at the Expo. Push the bar higher!
p.s. Why worry about Kris’ real name? That is what he uses, many others do the same. Would you go to the movies to see Norma Jean Baker? No? How about Marilyn Monroe? One and the same.
Hey Chris I am a bike builder and i think you have done a great job with the bike. You are an innovator and have great fab skills. Don’ pay attention to what others say a lot of it’s jealousy. You should be proud of your win at the world championships. Keep designing what you love and screw the rest.
Chris Sullivan
sorry I spelled your name wrong it’s and honest mistake. Im so used to seeing it the other way
KUDOS TO KRIS KROME & THE RUNNERS UP
BUT………I see all the draconions didn’t mention “out of the box ” ingenuity coceptual fabrication principles applied to their respective work. More couch potatoes getting off on the mindless drivel of the OCC crap. If any of ya could hit a nail with a hammer and miss your thumb I would be amazed. I guess we should have left 2 cans and a string alone as well. THIS mentallity is why we have the dumbing -down of AMERICA !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!