DRINKING FUELOne sure fire way of constructing a very powerful, albeit inelegant motorcycle, is to squeeze a colossal 8.2-litre supercharged V8 monster truck engine into the frame. British engineer Nick Argyle created his monster by merging practicality, creativity, the chassis of a monster truck and a sprinkling of female influence.
A thirsty, ungainly beast, the Rapom V8 weighs in at 1,000lbs and runs on alcohol at four miles to the gallon. Nevertheless, this aberrant and wonderful creature is a fully functional, road registered and roadworthy powerful two-wheeled machine. He uses it to take 10-mile spins to his local drag strip.
Hailed as Britain's most powerful motorcycle, this mighty monster was on show at last weekend's MCN London Motorcycle Show.
LIVING A DREAMIf you ever imagined starring in a rock and roll video, cruising along an American highway on a motorcycle wearing skin-tight, sweat-soaked leathers, with your matted and mean rock star locks blowing in the wind, then you could be closer than you think to creating your own dream with a rock and roll motorcycle.
VH1 Classic has partnered with rock and roll bands Def Leppard and Journey to auction off a custom-made motorcycle. And, says Neal Schon of Journey: "The custom Journey/Def Leppard bike that Arlen Ness Motorcycles created is one bad-ass, wicked-mean bike with all the frills and best parts that money can buy. A lucky fan will own this bad boy in just a few weeks. Best of all, the money is going to the organisation Cure Autism Now."
Designed by Cory Ness of Arlen Ness Motorcycles, based in Dublin California, the bike is signed by each member of both bands. International bidders can bid on this one-of-a-kind custom-made machine until February 11th by visiting vh1auctions.com
According to Dublin-based Def Leppard frontman Joe Elliot: "This is not just a bike, but an absolute work of art. Some lucky person is going to own this bike and I will be forever jealous that it won't be me."
THE CRAIC IN MAYDate for your diary - Ireland Bike Week - the Craic and the Chrome will be taking place on May 23rd - 28th at the Gleneagle complex in Killarney. Organisers are expecting large numbers of bikers to roll in on two wheels from all over Europe, UK and Ireland.
According to the organiser Bernard O'Reilly: "Ireland Bike Week is a unique opportunity to promote Ireland and bring together motorcycle owners and enthusiasts from around Europe." The bike fest promises to be jam-packed with motorcycle-related events and activities, including daily ride-outs around Kerry, bike displays in Killarney, demo rides, children's activities as well as a trade-show and exhibition. For more information visit: irelandbikeweek.com