Arch Motorcycle was formed in 2011 by talented actor and motorcycle enthusiast, Keanu Reeves, and his buddy, Gard Hollinger, just south of Los Angeles, California. The company creates custom-fitted “performance cruiser” motorcycles tailored to each individual owner, and only produces 50-100 models each year, as each bike is made by hand and to order. These bikes don’t come cheap, with a starting price tag of $78K. However, the company has a bit of an interesting backstory, as Reeves didn’t originally set out to start his own company.
Backstory
Keanu Reeves learned to ride a motorcycle in Germany when filming in Munich over 35 years ago. He was instantly hooked the moment he sat in the seat. When he returned to LA, he quickly bought his first motorcycle, a Kawasaki 600 Enduro. Over the years, Reeves became an avid collector of motorcycles, including a Norton Commando 850 MK II Roadster (his second bike), which Reeves still owns.
Fast forward to 2007 - Reeves reached out to renowned motorcycle builder, Gard Hollinger, to do a few minor customizations on his 2005 Harley Davidson Dyna. Hollinger originally told Reeves he wasn’t interested, as he hadn’t done that type of work in years. However, after he had realized Reeves’ passion for motorcycles, the duo hit it off, and Hollinger agreed to do the work. Their relationship developed into a friendship and the minor customizations turned into a fully-customized motorcycle. After the 4.5 year Dyna project was complete, the friendship turned into a partnership for their business adventure, and the bike became the original prototype for Arch Motorcycles.
Arch Motorcycles
Keanu decided on the name, “Arch”, because he liked the shape of it, and an arch denotes strength and is architectural, and is part of a bridge.
Each of the three Arch models, the ARCH KRGT-1, the ARCH 1s, and the ARCH Method 143, are built through a collaborative process bespoke to each owner. Each client is a part of the creative process from start to finish and works closely with the design team to co-design their Arch Motorcycle, much like the process of buying a fitted suit. Arch even utilizes VR technology as a part of this process, so clients can visualize their bike throughout each stage of the build.
In addition to their bespoke motorcycle, Arch owners also gain access to concierge-style customer support, as well as admittance to ARCH owner’s events, which are executed in partnership with the Michelin Guide.
If you are an ARCH KRGT-1 owner, you will also receive a personalized Owner’s Case containing an ID plate showing the date of manufacture, serial number, and the owner’s name, encased in a billet aluminum holder. It also contains an owner’s book, documenting the creation process of that exact motorcycle, along with a master key, a special tool kit, and an upholstered panel.
Available Arch Models
Arch motorcycles are currently offered in 3 different models: the ARCH KRGT-1, the ARCH 1s, and the ARCH Method 143 (the rarest of the Arch motorcycle models). Here is a little bit about each model:
ARCH KRGT-1 - The Performance Cruiser
The Arch KRGT-1 is based on the original prototype created by Reeves & Hollinger. It contains an S&S Cycle T124 45-degree downdraft fuel-injected V-Twin engine and a proprietary six-speed drivetrain with a compact high-torque mainshaft and compact dry clutch. The chassis is a tubular steel frame with a CNC-machined aluminum subframe and fuel cells. The bike features Michelin Commander II tires along with an Arch/Öhlins suspension system and forward foot controls. This model is also CARB/EPA compliant and comes standard equipped with ABS on 2020 and later models.
Read more in-depth about the Arch KRGT-1 on the Arch Motorcycles website.
ARCH 1s - Sport Forward
The Arch 1s is more of a sport-influenced bike with a more aggressive riding position, contributing to harder cornering abilities and smoother transitions. Just like the KRGT-1, the 1s is built with an S&S Cycle T124 45-degree downdraft fuel-injected V-Twin engine and a proprietary six-speed drivetrain with a compact high-torque mainshaft and compact dry clutch. The chassis is a tubular steel frame with a CNC-machined aluminum subframe and a single-sided swingarm. The bike features Michelin Power RS front and rear tires with an Arch/Öhlins suspension system and mid-mounted foot controls. This model is also CARB/EPA compliant and comes standard equipped with ABS on 2021 and later 1s models.
Read more in-depth about the Arch 1s on the Arch Motorcycles website.
ARCH Method 143 - Limited Production
The Arch Method 143 is designed to “push the limits of what could be achieved in motorcycle design” and is a sportier, radical, more forward-thinking update to the 1s, complete with a much larger engine. This model will have a very limited production run of just 23 units, available worldwide, each meticulously hand-assembled by Arch staff, featuring top-of-the-line carbon fiber, aluminum, and fine leather. It will be the first American production motorcycle that utilizes a carbon fiber mono-cell chassis. Through an intense investment in r&d and rigorous design and engineering, this matchless chassis provides incomparable rigidity, weight reduction, and handling.
Read more in-depth about the Arch Method 143 on the Arch Motorcycles website.
If you’re excited about Arch but aren’t quite ready to pull the trigger on the $78k price tag for a bike, you could always buy one of the brand’s t-shirts, zip hoodies, or hats instead.
Check out the Arch Motorcycle website, as well as their Facebook page, Instagram page, and YouTube channel if you would like to learn more!
Image credit: Arch Motorcycle
