The story of the collaboration between actor Keanu Reeves and builder Gard Hollinger is much more than the one of a motorcycle enthusiast lending his famous name to a limited edition custom project built by a pro. As a matter of fact, in his life, Reeves has only owned 2 cars and always made motorcycles his main mode of transportation. To the point of buying a motorcycle wherever he is on a movie set and reselling it after the shoot ends. A true passion for motorcycling that led him to ride many brands and models. Well, a variety of riding experience and a number of traveled miles to know what he prefers and an enhanced appreciation for what makes a motorcycle great. A type of bike that he imagined and that one day he had the opportunity to discuss with very reputable custom builder and ex-racer Gard Hollinger. A versatile machine offering the modern – but retro influenced look – and the modern-day performance of a bike you could enjoy as much while cruising or attacking some twists. And it’s the way Arch Motorcycles was born…
The heart of the KRGT-1 (for Keanu Reeves GT-1) is a not exactly the traditional S&S Cycle 124″ 45-degree motor (2,032 cc) that you can buy from the Viola company. To resolve the issue of V-Twin side-mounted intakes laying in the way of the rider’s leg, Arch worked with the Wisconsin manufacturer to develop a Down Draft Induction System, positioning it between the billet aluminum fuel cells. This S&S/Artch motor is coupled with a special 6-speed Baker Drivetrain tranny with a compact high torque mainsheet and a Bandit primary system with a compact clutch basket.
For overall appearance, the duo explains that “the KRGT-1 brings the contours of the past into the present”, offering both a classic and modern design produced through state-of-the-art manufacturing techniques. Objective number one, a structure able to handle and endure high performance. Among the creative components, notice: 1- the functional oil pan/transmission mount and crossmember/battery tray. 2- the gas tank machined from 534 pounds of billet aluminum yielding two 9 pound fuel cells which are then custom finished and joined with the right cell interior, designed and reinforced to act as a structural chassis member. 3- the billet aluminum swingarm requiring over 17 hours of machining, with hidden behind a pocketing and wire channels reducing weight by 55%. 4- the reflective rear cowling with a multi-function LED’s taillight (dual rum & brake)
For the rest, quite rare to underscore it, Arch Motorcycles is fabricating in-house in Los Angeles close to 200 parts to complete each build. The obsession for finish and fit is quite evident if, like me, you had a chance to detail the bike up close. Many options, from accessories to paint job are available. And even more important, depending of how you like to ride, you can personalize and enhance your ownership experience choosing either a forward or mid-control setup. The KRGT-1 will set you back $75,000 (order accepted with a $15,000 deposit), a price largely justified for a limited production truly beautiful custom motorcycle who has already proven in riding tests its impressive real world performance. Arch Motorcycles.
ARCH KRGT-1 Specs
Engine. 124” S&S 45-degree downdraft fuel injected v-twin with a 200-mile range.
Transmission. 6-speed Drivetrain with custom high torque mainsheet
Primary. Bandit Dry Belt with compact clutch basket
Final Drive. Right side with 530 O-ring chain
Frame. Tube & billet with billet aluminum structural members
Front Suspension. Front end Ohlins inverted 43 mm fully adjustable
Rear Suspension. Race Tech Single shock fully adjustable
Wheels. BST Ultralight Carbon fiber. Front 3”X 19”; Rear: 8”X 18”
Tires. Front: 120/70ZR19, rear 240/40R18
Front Brake. 6-piston Dual ISR
Rear Brake. Dual ISR
Lightning. LED Headlamp, Motogadget bar end, LED front turn signals
Geometry. 68” RAKE: 30° TRAIL: 5.0”
Seat, 27.8”
Dry weight. 538 lbs
Fuel Capacity. 5 US Gallons
Range. 185-210 miles
wow, cool bike but for $75 K I’d buy/build a custom cruiser, a sport bike and a muscle car with money left over. ha, ha.
Ridiculously overpriced- not likely to be in business 18 months from now with this as their primary offering.
Wow! Beautiful bike! I’d love to have one for when I’m feeling like getting my torque horse power on but that price needs to drop to no more than $25k. Even then it will be a specific niche buyer who will spend that kind of money.
A lot of rich people will buy it simply because Keanu’s name is attached to it but after that; sales will go flat methinks – at least at that price.
I like it but not at that price. And why put forward controls on a Bike like that? Mid controls please.
All of a sudden Confederates seem like a bargain.
Thumbs up for the passion and execution fellas, but 75K seems like a lot of coin for a fairly simple bike.
I agree with you, Guy, superb engineering work but many styling and rideability shortcomings… The worst one being… forward controls 🙁 ?!…
Make a decision one way or the other. As is it, it doesn’t do much for me.
If it were me, I’d straighten the tank/seat line, (level) de-rake it a few degrees, and add rearsets. THEN I’d be interested.
You can get it with mid controls or rear sets, too.
Iam a fan of both of these guys and iam sure someone will buy these bikes how many who knows??
Why hollywod/lorenzo lamas and rock stars/steve tyler ect think they can be in the custom bike business is always ??? to me.
Nice mechanical ideas, but kinda goofy-looking which will diminish sales appeal to where it’ll be a hobby, not a business.
Ugly or Overpriced?
Both
This is a exciting, excellent riding motorcycle
Who manufactures the gear box ?
You would want it to be a good ride cause it aint pretty in my eyes.
There are allot of people that read this site that could do allot with 75K
Sounds like it would be a GREAT bike for the right person with the funds….
Especially that engine !!!
But for $75 k, I can buy that new 2017 Indian Roadmaster with all of the toys (Cams, exhaust, etc)
Take it to either Dirty Bird or Azzkikr & have it tricked out & still have $$ to take home !!!
Thanks for the view Gard & Keanu, but too rich for my blood !!!!
Didnt know it was possible to screw up so many things on one bike. God its awful.
I think Ecosse Heretic ran an ad that said something along the lines of,
FOR THE SAME MONEY YOU CAN BUY A PORSCHE – BUT SO CAN EVERYONE ELSE.
If it gives you sticker-shock then you are not its target market.
Speaking E.H. – this looks a ton better and does not cost all that much more. It also looks more sensible than any Confederate ever did.
It probably costs them ~ 40k to build; $75k is what you would expect. Plus not many rednecks will come to spoil the Owners Group ‘BBQ and coke thang, sniff, sniff…
I agree with some of the comments. I can see some possible changes to make the bike look even better. For instance, a newer gas tank design could be made to flow into seat more. The billet aluminum side plates could have 3 – 4 inches taken out of them to drop the seat down. Multiple exhaust pipe styles could be optional. Lastly, a custom plate could be machined so that the license plate can be mounted directly under the rear seat much like Moto Trio.
For those who think this is overpriced, move along. They’ll sell every single bike they can make.
There’s a reason it’s ‘limited-production’. Capitalism, supply and demand. Make one-of-a-kind products, make them exceptionally well, and sell them at premium prices. KR is not out to make money building bikes, he wants to create a bike that looks and performs the way he wants it to. And if you want one, pony up!….if you can. 😉
Sport bike? This is a sport bike in the same way a Cadillac Escalade is a sports car.
So basically, a big V-Twin sport bike built with a lot of cool parts..Id like to run it through the mountains for a day or 2 as I’m sure it’ll rip it up..but 75K ? Ouch…
Guys and gals, this is not a production bike. I saw it a the Quail this year and it is impressive looking in person. I didn’t talk to Keanu, but I listened to him talk to other people, bikers, and he’s serious. Very serious and really knowledgeable. This is not a CVO bike from the Motor Company it is truly a cross between a useable sportbike and a cruiser, but with mega collectability. It’s like a Shelby Cobra from the day, where my CVO Dyna is like a Shelby GT500. BTW, I’m saving up for one, but I’ll keep my Dyna because, she’s a beauty and I love her.
As for the $75K? My buddy just spent $115K on a Porsche Boxster Spyder and I can assure you, this bike is even more special than that car. I’m out.
lots of custom pieces put together this bike, but the rubber tires are… common.
Modern performance, predictable like a sport bike and stump pulling v-twin performance.75K isn’t heavy for bespoke bike, and Gard is well respected for executing results. Keanu knows bikes more than most, humble cat with huge passion for purity, so expect more value than the $$$$. Beside, you’ll have more fun on this than some mutant bagger with a 30″ front wheel and overloaded with gold leaf candy paint. Form over substance here, I want want one but they are beyond my budget…….
Ugly and expensive. But I say the same about basically every car built in the last 30yrs.lol It’s just not my thing I guess.
You can purchase 2 motus bikes for that price…they manufacture their own motor.
Based on some comments being rich means having poor taste in style and design
Wow,Wow, Wow and Wow again. That is 4 wow’s for all the movie Stars that have went into the motorcycle Building Business. This time it looks like Keanu is a Manufacturer. That is a serious commitment and it looks like a very serious Motorcycle. I think he is building a much more practical bike than a Confederate. I believe this is a Seriously built Bike for Movie Stars and wealthy Bike Collectors that want to ride to Cafe events at the Local Coffee house and Wine Tasting Events. This looks like a Brad Pitt, Jay Leno & maybe even a Norman Reedus Rider. I am convinced that a Ducati Diavel will run with and stay in the twisties every inch of the Ride. The new 2016 Diavel is a real winner for $22K.
Gotta be at least 5-years ago now, but played hooky on a Monday and hit up the local Malibu Canyon roads since I knew it would be nice and quiet out. I pulled over to take a break at a turnout and not too long after, a guy on a modern-Triumph Bonneville did too. It turned out to be Keanu Reeves, he just bought the bike and was out and about on it.
I was genuinely interested in his bike more than anything else and we shot-the-shit for awhile. Gotta say, what a super cool and super grounded guy. I approached him as a motorcyclist and not a fan and I think he really appreciated that.
Anyways, I wish him well on his project. I think it looks rad and tastefully done, mixing both performance and practicality. I would ride with him anytime, not because he is some famous movie star but he seems like a really good dude who really like motorcycles.
Hot rod bike . exciting mechanical function ! outstanding detail, fit and finish I’m sure we could all go out and buy two of these or one of those and one of those but so can anyone else ! Nice job guy’s ! And for those of you who think they can build a custom of this caliber for less No you can’t !
What… Sport-bike with foot-forward controls….???
Designed to impress break-in-bikers….???
Sorry, Credibility=0
-nicker-
ugly Sport Bike with a lot of good usable parts (like the old Beull)
Now that is like able in a lot of ways,good job