Singer Usher’s Birthday Gift

Singer/songwriter/dancer Usher, born October 14, 1978 (age 34) received from a friend (Rico) a custom motorcycle as a birthday present.

Named the Brawler GTC, the bike was built by Darwin Motorcycles.

It features a frame by Sam Willis, a powdercoated S&S engine, a Baker 6-speed tranny, Carbon wheels from Revolution manufacturing, ISR controls from LA Choppers, D&D Stainless steel pipes, etc.

33 Responses to “Singer Usher’s Birthday Gift”


  1. 1 Gary Oct 28th, 2012 at 7:28 am

    Usually, show biz black people.prefer to ride sport bikes.

  2. 2 T Oct 28th, 2012 at 8:30 am

    Makes me want to go out and get a pair of pink unlaced sneakers for my next ride

  3. 3 Boss Hawg Oct 28th, 2012 at 10:21 am

    Maybe Usher will attempt the I-285 Corridor ride with the boys.

  4. 4 Cantrell Oct 28th, 2012 at 10:31 am

    When I turned 34 I went to work as always. When I turned 66 I did the same. Who the hell is Usher and why hasn’t someone taught him how to tie his shoe laces?

    Cantrell

  5. 5 Rodent Oct 28th, 2012 at 11:32 am

    Ya can’t run a custom without “etc”, they are essential!

  6. 6 Blackmax Oct 28th, 2012 at 3:44 pm

    With the exception of the very few, like most celebs who get cycles,
    it’ll sit in his living room & collect dust .
    I bet he won;t even break it out for the “Love Ride’

  7. 7 Greeko Oct 28th, 2012 at 4:44 pm

    Doesn’t matter if he rides or not. More parts sold! Ha, ha.

  8. 8 izadore007 Oct 28th, 2012 at 5:38 pm

    Clearly a confederate has influenced this Bike. it does not really matter to “Usher” as he doesn’t know the difference between a Yamaha Warrior and a Fat Boy! If you asked Usher about what is a “Fat Boy” is he probably would say ” that’s what they called Biggie Smalls when he was alive”.

  9. 9 Vintage Twin Oct 28th, 2012 at 6:12 pm

    Anyone new to motorcycles should first take the “skateboard test”.

    If you’re unable to complete at least a 270-degree round-house turn (om a 360-degree

    attempt), in both clockwise and counter-clockwise rotations…… don’t ride a motorcycle.

  10. 10 18bravo Oct 28th, 2012 at 7:12 pm

    What a shame. Especially from a group of those supposedly in the industry. Eight dumbass comments, and not one mentions the fact that Dar builds some really nice bikes. This one is another. Nice job.

  11. 11 Doc Robinson Oct 29th, 2012 at 7:31 am

    Dar builds fantastic bikes. His placings in the AMD World Championships demonstrates that.

  12. 12 Oldude Oct 29th, 2012 at 8:13 am

    The pink sneakers are to support the Brest Cancer fight and guys it’s about the bike which is a great piece of work! If you are into shoes go hang out at the Shoe Connection!

  13. 13 Seven Oct 29th, 2012 at 9:32 am

    Usher rides a Ducati…. a simple google search provided that info.
    Nice build here… not my style personally but I can still appreciate it.

  14. 14 Mike Kiwi Tomas, Kiwi Indian Motorcycles Oct 29th, 2012 at 9:36 am

    Dar builds great bikes and is a super nice guy. His bike placings in the AMD world Champs reflects them as such.
    Good onya Dar for working hard and getting your bikes in different circles. Usher knows his bikes and will have a grand experience with yours.
    Mototcycles know no boundaries, race,religion, employment, etc. We are all brothers. Good onya Dar.

  15. 15 Marilyn Stemp Oct 29th, 2012 at 9:37 am

    Thank you18bravo, Doc, and Oldude. Finally some responses worth reading.

    Dar has given untold hours and dollars to veteran’s benefit organizations through Pros For Vets and Operation Recycle Gratitude. He builds well designed precision machines using American components here in the USA. Why judge him for finding a customer who appreciates the workmanship and can afford to pay him to build a beautiful functional bike? For those to whom income and expense is a foreign concept, it’s how companies stay in business,
    Let’s focus on the innovative American builder who’s bold enough to keep striving in difficult times. That’s what I intend to do when we feature this bike in IronWorks. And I’m proud to do so.

  16. 16 Smittydog Oct 29th, 2012 at 9:58 am

    Bravo! 18Bravo,well said.

  17. 17 MB-Roadie Oct 29th, 2012 at 10:36 am

    Whats with all the hate ? It’s a nice bike built by an awesome builder .
    Lighten up Guys ………………..

  18. 18 bobx Oct 29th, 2012 at 11:27 am

    damn.

    guy gets a motorcycle as a gift and everybody needs to rip him a new A hole.

    who gives a damn if his shoes are tied or if he’ll ride it.

    wtf?! you guys are that bored or its that important to post up shit like that?
    .

  19. 19 eBikerLeather Oct 29th, 2012 at 11:38 am

    Why do people pay attention to Usher so much. Focus on the bike, its hot, cool looking and amazing. Thanks for the great article.

  20. 20 McGillicutty Oct 29th, 2012 at 12:09 pm

    Okay Rednecks; let’s move along. Nothing here for you to see.
    The rest of us:
    Does Usher pay his bills? Yes! Enough said. I hope he buys 20 more like this one and if he wears fluorescent yellow sneakers, that’s cool by me. He’s an enthusiast like the rest of us..

  21. 21 spaz Oct 29th, 2012 at 12:34 pm

    Well-said Marylin, and Gary, nice racist comment, dumbass.

  22. 22 Scott Takes Oct 29th, 2012 at 2:26 pm

    Another hard working American Bike Builder sells a bike! And a high profile name rides a bike built by his hard working small American Bike Shop! I love this! These Brawlers are an excellent specimen of a builders love for the ride, and the American way. Usher could have had any bike he wanted. I am thrilled to see the Brawler was the obvious choice for him~!

  23. 23 Dar Holdsworth Oct 29th, 2012 at 4:58 pm

    Wow, I hit the road for a few days on my way to SEMA and check in to find a surprise post by Cyril with plenty of diverse comments. First I’d like to thank people for the kind & supportive comments. Now to give you more info about the bike & project. Usher is an avid rider. He predominantly likes Ducatis. His are cool and not overly blingged out. The request was for our Brawler GT because of its appearance, handling and neutral riding position. Cycle Source magazine tested our Brawler when it was launched and printed that it was one of the best handling bikes they had ever ridden. We took this one even further. The “C” designation is for carbon. The bike has a carbon tail section, side panels, wheels and even the custom steel tank is covered in carbon. The motor choice was an easy S&S 111″ for its even 4-1/8″bore & stroke. The shocks are triple adjustable Suspension Technologies piggy backs. The trees were custom machined. HixDesign killed the seat & more! There are more specs & a few photos on our site here http://www.brassballsbobbers.com/blog/index.php
    We will post detailed build photos later and we are thrilled to have this bike featured in an upcoming issue of IronWorks magazine where you can get the full story.
    FYI, Usher was very cool. And Adam Lavine liked the bike too. Bikes are a passion. Celebrate them in any form and those who ride & advocate motorcycling.
    All the best,
    Dar

  24. 24 Tim Davis Oct 29th, 2012 at 7:24 pm

    Nice sled Dar! Performance and HP to boot!

  25. 25 Scot Oct 29th, 2012 at 10:19 pm

    Don’t know who this Sam Willis guy is…

    Frame was built by Sam Wills, Racing Innovations, OKC.

  26. 26 ray c wheeler Oct 30th, 2012 at 3:24 am

    Clean machine……

    Good job to the Brass Balls Crew…….

  27. 27 Rollin Oct 30th, 2012 at 10:43 am

    Well said Dar, and a very nice bike !

  28. 28 MDSPHOTO Oct 30th, 2012 at 12:58 pm

    The previous CEO of my company lives in the same gated community as Usher and he has stated in the past he has seen Usher riding a chopper through out the community.

  29. 29 Woody Oct 30th, 2012 at 3:36 pm

    I’m stunned and saddened by all the negative tilt to what should be an upbeat story in a down economy. If he was white, female, tacked, and posing in a string bikini I doubt there would have been haters saying it was poor choice of riding gear. Ya can’t heal until you stop picking the scabs 🙁

  30. 30 Woody Oct 30th, 2012 at 3:42 pm

    I meant “stacked” not tacked. Anyway, I guess I’m most pissed because I remember some similar comments over a custom bike for Michael Jordan not all that long ago. Is the motorcycling community a haven for white morons? Thousands of folks read this blog, yet almost nobody is offended enough to speak up? Sigh.

  31. 31 Blackmax Oct 30th, 2012 at 7:45 pm

    Ok, enough!!
    My eariler post was NOT, repeat, NOT a shot at Dar or his creation(s).
    Anyone & I would hope whomever reads this blog would know about the quality of his work and being a stand up guy !!!!

    Usher may ride around his neighborhood / gated community
    (Something to be said about that too), but that is not participating in the lifestyle?
    Is he at Sturgis, ROT, Vegas or Laughlin, The Love Ride or anything that involves riders on the southwest or western reaches of the country.
    He could be a heck of a spokesman & bring a whole new demographic to motorcycling
    THAT would help everyone, small shops included.
    I was taught to ride “Old School” which is something a LOT people have forgotten.
    Riding a cycle is not a right, it’s a previlege & because you are fortuate enough to get to ride
    (whatever it is your are riding) You should be willing to give back to the sport and/or the community
    In whatever way you can.
    Black,white, red, purple, green & polka dotted, you do what you can to help the next man up …..
    You can have the best, most expensive cycle in the world, but it don’t mean crap
    if you don;t get out & ride it, hopefully sometimes for other reasons than selfish pleasure
    I remember the saying on a t-shirt :
    $10, 000.00 (or in this case $30, 40 or 50.000) does NOT make you a biker!
    Your Heart/Soul does !!!!!! Just sayin” !!!!!

  32. 32 Madddog Oct 30th, 2012 at 8:08 pm

    I like the bike a lot ! I don’t have a beef with Usher, I am wondering tho, is that James Brown standing to the left ?

  33. 33 Woody Oct 30th, 2012 at 10:59 pm

    Maybe he doesn’t wanna be a biker? I’ve been riding over 40 years now and I don’t wanna be a biker, I just like to ride. Role model, mentor, example, whatever? Sheesh, if we have to sign up for that everytime we get a new bike I guess I’ll have to get fitted for a golf cart 😉 Not directed at anyone in particular, but it’s almost like some folks can’t stand seeing him looking so happy?

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Cyril Huze