Movie stars and motorcycles are no strangers. From Tom Cruise to Mickey Rourke, many of the silver screen elites are also bike enthusiasts. But some go beyond just riding other people’s handiwork. Known for his star-making role in the successful Matrix movie franchise, Keanu Reeves has often pursued interests outside of the Hollywood arena. During the 1990’s the enigmatic actor played bass guitar in a band called Dogstar and today, though he still takes on acting roles, Reeves has returned to one of his early passions, motorcycles.
Along with partner Gard Hollinger, Reeves is ramping up production on a motorcycle manufacturing company called Arch Motorcycles. Founded in 2011, the company specializes in custom-made bikes that target the higher end of the motorcycle world. Custom Arch motorcycles start at $78,000 but are well worth the price as each features a combination of elegant design, handcrafted workmanship and superior power and handling.
Reeves recently told CNBC, “For me, riding is a kind of freedom. Just the sound, the feeling of it. The connection to the road, to riding, to the environment, to the journey”.
An avid rider since the age of 22, Reeves, now 51, is well known for riding bikes to the movie set he is working on. However, it was in 2006 when the idea of starting his own motorcycle company started to kick in. Reeves took one of his Harley-Davidson’s to Hollinger, a well-known Los Angeles chopper expert, simply to customize the seat. Instead, Hollinger designed a custom-made bike just for Reeves.
By 2010, the duo had a working prototype and with a little convincing from Reeves, Hollinger agreed to go into business under the title of Arch Motorcycle Company. To date, the company has produced only one model, the KRGT-1, but Reeves expects more models to launch in the near future. But for now, the KRGT-1 is more than enough for most riders.
Featuring a V-Twin, 2032 cc engine made with S&S Cycle, the bike can deliver 122 horsepower and reach speeds of 130 miles per hour. Not bad for a motorcycle weighing in at 538 lbs. Early reviews of the bike hail it as having the power and performance of a sport bike, but the comfort of a cruiser.
Since each bike is custom made, Reeves and Hollinger plan to keep production small, focusing on manufacturing no more than 20-30 per year to start. Neither is in it for the money; Reeves has made a small fortune in acting and Hollinger has been a sought after mechanic and bike designer for decades. Rather, they want Arch to become the type of bike avid riders collect and bring out on special occasions, like a classic car.
To learn more, visit: https://www.archmotorcycle.com/