Motorcycle Dome 1s | First trip review

news7g01/31/2023

7 6 minutes read

1s . dome motorcycle — Image courtesy of Arch Motorcycle

Pragmatic riders can mock a motorcycle like the new Arch Motorcycle 1s. After all, there are several sport cruisers on the market that offer better value. A Ducati Diavel V4 is a worthy machine, as is Triumph’s giant Rocket 3 R. Harley-Davidson’s Sportster S is equally appealing.

But none of these capable bikes can match the luminous 1, a super-premium roadster from the company founded by superstar actor Keanu Reeves and longtime bike builder Gard Hollinger .

arch motorcycle hand-crafted limited-edition bikes featuring exquisitely detailed elements such as CNC machined aluminum frames and lightweight carbon fiber components surrounding a massive cooling V-Twin engine by air from S&S Cycle.

Arch’s first model, the KRGT-1, was a performance cruiser launched in 2015 and I was one of the lucky few to test drive it. More recently, I found myself in the hills of Malibu, California, on a model 1s “sport cruiser”.

“Going into a fork,” Reeves told me before our trip, “the input is thought. Turn around, look where you’re going and you don’t push the bike but let it react and you feel it move. You are extremely confident to rely on, to rely on, to rely on.

And Reeves doesn’t just blow smoke. The new 1s easily exceed performance expectations for a bike with a 2.0-liter V-Twin whizzing between your feet and a rear tire the size of a road roller. The whole machine is magnificent and the 1s deliver on the promise of its sky-high price tag.

How much is Arch Motorcycle 1s?!

There’s an old saying, “If you have to ask, you can’t buy it.”

Yes, you are looking at a motorcycle with an eye-catching retail price of $128,000 – enough to buy one Diavel V4one rocket 3 rand a Sports WILL and still have nearly enough left over to buy one each for friends. A high price tag demands incredible attention to detail and premium components, and the 1s deliver. Huge blocks of aluminum have been smoothed with a computer-controlled milling machine to create intricate frame parts, side swingarms and rounded tails.

Indeed, every component is beautiful – from the extremely lightweight BST carbon fiber wheels to the premium Öhlins suspension to the intricate carbon fiber vents that allow induction to suck down air and double the fuel tank. Every part on the 1s deserves second and third styling, so it’s easy to see how quickly its construction costs add up.

The Winged One of Buck

Take off:

I previously drove with Reeves at the KRGT-1 premiere in 2015 and his personality is almost the opposite of what one might expect from a longtime celebrity. He’s humble and down-to-earth. Most importantly, he just loves riding motorbikes. On a race day several years ago, I watched him take part in more sessions than any other driver at the event. His passion for motorcycles is undeniable.

Reeves told me: “I think maybe the core of it is just enjoying riding motorcycles and loving the aesthetics of motorcycles. “I like the way they look, the way they feel, the way they smell.”

Preparing for our trip, the guy formerly known as Neo from The matrix the movies are on KRGT-1. Gard sat in the red and black 1, while I sat in the black and yellow. Customers can order any paint color they want.

“I think it’s a really nice and unique looking motorcycle,” said Reeves.

Great Adventures of Keanu and Kev

The trio of 124ci S&S engines kick off and rumble the air-cooled V-Twin through a carbon fiber muffler. The engines are just as burly, but they’ve also been significantly tweaked. Throttle response is predictable, and the hydraulic clutch delivers fairly light traction. The gearshift is nicer than most large-inch V-Twins.

As a sport cruiser, the driver is placed in a forward leaning position with a relatively high footrest, but this position is not nearly as folded as a real sportbike. At 31.5 inches, the seat is 3.7 inches taller than the KRGT-1. The engine’s proprietary downdraft induction keeps the midsection narrow, unobstructed by a side air intake that takes up space for the right foot.

“It was still really comfortable,” Reeves recalls, “but you’re not in the car, you’re in it. I think of it almost like riding a horse, like the way your feet are underneath you on a horse – it’s kind of hip-ankle-shoulder relationship, with the torso leaning slightly more forward. So you’re feeling really balanced on the bike.”

Impressive power is always at hand, with a torque curve so large that it feels like a powerful electric motor alongside the rumbling vibrations emanating from a monstrous 1,016cc pair of cylinders. Ride quality from the fully adjustable Ohlins suspension is excellent, as is the response and power from the ISR brakes with Bosch ABS.

Instrumentation is offered through the AiM Sports TFT gauge package, and the car features adaptive LED headlights, LED front turn indicators at the end of the bar, and cove-type reflective LED taillights. The only element that doesn’t scream high-end is the common switchgear on the bars.

The 1s are surprisingly nimble when it comes to carving corners for a 600 lb machine with a 65.4-inch wheelbase and 9.4-inch-wide rear tires. Yellow-accented 1s turn out to be significantly sharper in response than red 1s due to the customizable settings available on the platform. The red one also has a shorter seat with a stop that’s perfect for my diminutive build.

The sturdy chassis of the 1s produces extremely deep lean angles, but the cornering ground clearance is plentiful. I tried to touch the side kicks while exploring the bike’s capabilities, but other journalists have reported no issues with gaps during their ride. Reeves notes that people 1 prefer to be guided rather than dealt with.

“We are developing the KRGT-1,” he says, “taking this leap in seconds and trying to maintain the journey – the feeling of confidence, the responsiveness, the authenticity – combining with extraordinary components and finishes. To me, these are the best motorcycles ever driven.”

bring it home

I can only show you the door. You are the one who has to step through it. – Form, Matrix

Appreciating a six-figure motorcycle is annoying. Price automatically removes practicality from the buying equation, as there are so many attractive and capable motorcycles out there for a fraction of the price. It was beyond the reach of ordinary people, so it was human nature to want to criticize it.

But to see it through the eyes of a wealthy motorcycle enthusiast who already has a collection of motocross toys, the slim and stylish 1s offer a unique riding experience that comes with a statement. engaging storyline.

What do all the powerful men want? More power. – The Prophet, The matrix is reloaded

Racers who appreciate a thumping air-cooled V-Twin engine and plenty of cash won’t think that’s as unrealistic as most of us. There’s really nothing else like it in production. It will look great parked next to your Harley CVO Road Glide, Corvette Z06 and P-51 Mustang.

“Sometimes I close the garage door and just stand there after a ride and stare at the artwork,” says Reeves cheerfully. “It was like, ‘Oh my gosh, that’s beautiful.’”

You take the blue pill, the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill, you stay in Wonderland, and I’ll show you how deep the rabbit hole is. – Form, Matrix

Arch Motorcycle 1s Specifications

Cost: $128,000
Website: ArchMotorcycle.com
Engine type: Air-cooled, 45 degree horizontal V-Twin, double cam push rod with 2 valves per cylinder.
move: 124ci (2,032cc)
Diameter x stroke of piston: 4.125 x 4,625 inches (104.8 x 117.5 mm)
horse power: 93.5 hp @ 5,200 rpm (requested at the rear wheel)
torque: 115.3 lb-ft @ 3,200 rpm (requested at rear wheel)
Transmission process: 6-speed wet clutch, hydraulic drive
Ultimate driving: Chain
The standard long: 65.4 inches
Rake / Trail: 25.2 degrees/4.0 inches.
Seat height: 31.5 inches
Wet weight: 600 lb (claimed)
Fuel quantity: 4.5 girls.