Dapper Scout – A lifestyle web magazine for men

It’s easy (and a common pastime of ours) to sit there and daydream about all the high-end vehicles we covet (almost all of which come with a price tag of over $100K).  Now, it becomes significantly more challenging when you try to figure out what would get your adrenaline flowing in the same manner for under $25K.  Our recommendation: subtract two wheels and a roof, and you’ve got the definitive answer in the Deus Ex Machina Grievous Angel (available from Deus for $23,000).  The Grievous Angel is but one (though our clear favorite) of many custom motorcycles that Deus designs and fabricates, inspiring the original motorcycling ethos of the founding partners (a group of Australian motorcycling enthusiasts) in those individuals that may never have even considered riding a motorcycle before.  Between the alloy bullet fairing in black, NitroHeads ducktail seat and the aggressive front headlight, the Grievous Angel is the perfect combination of beauty and beast, all stunningly packaged into one custom motorcycle.

D, Gear, Motorcycle

Sometimes the English language is simply inadequate.  There just aren’t enough ways to say the word “badass” and that leaves us at somewhat of a loss when looking at the Confederate B120 Wraith (price TBA).  Founded in 1991 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana by Matt Chambers, Confederate Motor Company does one thing, and does it exceptionally well: make motorcycles.  The B120 Wraith channels an ethos that’s simultaneously compelling and a bit abstruse, the end result of which is nonetheless powerful.  It celebrates the defiance of convention through a design process that embraces integrity and singularity from a holistic vantage point.  So whether you’re looking at the B120 Wraith from afar or down to its smallest detail, there’s not one part of this motorcycle that hasn’t been meticulously thought out.  From its aircraft grade aluminum swingarm to its 125 hp counter-balanced twin cam 45 degree radial twin engine or its Brembo brakes and carbon fiber wheels, the B120 Wraith is a mechanized rara avis (i.e. stunner).  And with only 25o Wraiths being produced, this highly limited edition motorcycle is one you won’t be seeing too much of (but when you do, you won’t likely forget its haunting image).

Gear, Motorcycle

What makes the Ducati Monster so iconic is a combination of performance and a stripped-down aggressive aesthetic.  It’s long been our favorite Ducati, and now there are 10 additional reasons to love the Monster even more.  With the introduction of Kit Monster Art (available at Ducati dealers starting from $699), Ducati gives Monster (696 and 1100) owners the ability to customize their bikes with an updated tank, mudguard, micro-bikini fairing and seat cover in any one of 10 new vibrant colors, including but not limited to, ‘Rosso GP’ red, ‘Arancione Scrambler’ orange to ‘Lilla Glamour’ lilac and ‘Oro Puro’ gold.  While we’re particularly fond of the ‘Verde Tricolore’ green, these colors will only be available for a limited time as Ducati will regularly update shades and graphics to promote the ongoing generation of new ideas and a fresh perspective.

Gear, Motorcycle

Designed with riders and their carbon footprint in mind, the Enertia Electric Motorcycle by Brammo (available from Brammo for $11,995) features a forged aluminum monocoque structure that’s stiff and yet incredibly light, enhancing maneuverability and the overall riding experience.  The Enertia is powered by six Lithium Phosphate battery modules whose state of the art technology ensures a significantly greater level of safety, reliability and longevity than most traditional Lithium-ion batteries.  And to power-up the batteries, just plug the Enertia into any wall outlet and it’ll be fully charged in just over three hours.  The Enertia is ideal as a commuting motorcycle and has a travel range of over 45 miles.  But with 100% of its torque available from 0 rpm, the Enertia can also take you from 0 to 30 mph in 3.8 seconds and tops out at over 50 mph.  Available in five colors (editor’s choice: White Noise), the Enertia displays narrow, yet well balanced proportions that are emphasized by its simple yet evocative design.  Ultimately, the Enertia is a motorcycle for riders with purist motorcycling values at heart, and also a legitimate concern in preserving the environment in which they ride today.

Gear, Going green, Motorcycle

The history of Ural goes back to when Russia was knows as the USSR and planning for WWII was underway.  Reverse-engineered from BMW R71 motorcycles, the original Ural motorcycles were designed to be durable and mobile over harsh and unpredictable terrain.  Today, Ural is one of the few manufacturers of sidecar motorcycles and the limited edition Ural Sahara (available at Ural dealers for $13,949) is an incredible example of the enduring nature of Russian design and engineering.  Inspired by the Sahara desert, the Ural Sahara features an OHV air-cooled, four-stroke, flat twin cylinder engine, twin KEIHIN L 22 AA carburetors and 19” chrome steel spoked wheels.  Additional specifications include an engageable sidecar drive shaft, main fairing for the driver, front sidecar bumper, gas canister, shovel, spotlight, luggage rack and spare tire.  And with its desert sand color and military-influenced design, the Ural Sahara has a retro-inspired aesthetic that remains timeless and works just as well whether you’re hitting the open road solo or taking a leisurely Sunday ride with your companion of choice in the sidecar.

Gear, Motorcycle

There’s an austere and subtly covert sensibility emanating from the Harley-Davidson Iron 883 (available from Harley-Davidson starting at $7,999), and this effect is particularly pronounced in the Black Denim paint scheme where the Iron 883’s compact form feels even more streamlined in this blacked-out presentation.  While an air-cooled and rubber-mounted 883cc Evolution engine delivers a fluid, yet dynamic riding experience, an abundance of design details accentuate the suggestion of how much power this motorcycle is capable of unleashing.  A straight-cut, short exhaust with dual mufflers, low front and rear suspension, front fork gaiters, drag-style handlebars, a chopped rear fender, and a side-mounted license plate all contribute to the overall low-profile, old school aesthetic we love about the Iron 883.

Gear, Motorcycle

Any man that has had encephalograms taken for six cranial traumatisms without any long-term side effects, is in our opinions somewhat of an authoritative figure on the merits of protective head gear and just a bit of an all around badass.  With an intense passion for the world of mechanical sports and a full-tilt temperament (see encephalograms), Jérôme Coste set out to create a brand of motorcycle helmet after becoming inspired from a Japanese motorcycling magazine that highlighted the ability of Tokyo biker gangs to blend street culture with a vintage motorcycling spirit.  Constructed out of carbon fiber to guarantee exceptional strength while remaining incredibly light, the Ruby Pavillon Motorcycle Helmets (available at Les Ateliers Ruby starting at $965) embody Jérôme Coste’s dual vision of technology and design, beautifully merging into one singular object that blurs the edges of art and product design.  You can also “build” your choice of helmet by selecting from a myriad of colors, trims and other options, so that each Pavillon is customized to fit your personality.  And whether it’s the Nappa lambskin lining, the chrome-plated trim or the rear fin, every detail of the Ruby Pavillon helmet (editor’s choice: the Concorde) embodies elements of both vintage design and modern engineering that separates this helmet from a field crowded with the average and uninspired.

Gear, Motorcycle

The Zero Motorcycles Zero MX (available at Zero Motorcycles starting at $8,250) gives you a whole new reason to go green this summer.  The Zero MX is a completely electric, dirt-riding, jump-taking, trick-landing motorcycle.  With a proprietary lithium ion power pack and custom suspension system, the Zero MX produces zero emissions and offers the most torque and acceleration in its class.  So pat yourself on the back for taking that first step toward environmental consciousness and brace yourself against the bike’s sculpted aircraft grade aluminum frame as you fly effortlessly through the air, leaving behind nothing but a trail of dirt and debris.

Street riding more your thing?  Check out:
The Mission One Electric Motorbike

Adventure, Gear, Going green, Motorcycle, Outdoors

There aren’t enough words to describe our enthusiasm for the motorcycles coming out of a quondam welding factory in downtown L.A. now serving as the headquarters for Ian Barry and Amaryllis Knight’s Falcon Motorcycles.  Using original parts fabricated from raw blocks of reclaimed metal, rare vintage parts, and derelict motorcycles from various British marques such as Triumph, Norton and Velocette (among many others), Falcon Motorcycles designs and builds singularly stunning motorcycles that detonate the line between customized vehicles and one-of-a-kind pieces of mobile art.  By taking components from the old and seamlessly integrating them with newly sculpted pieces, Falcon Motorcycles elevates the art of refurbishing and re-engineering to heights that transcend what others in their field call customization.  The result is a motorcycle that’s fresh and yet timeless, a combination seldom achieved with such seeming ease.  The reality is that no detail is overlooked or any expense spared in ensuring that each Falcon motorcycle represents the immaculate vision of aesthetic brilliance and precision performance predetermined for each motorcycle even before it comes to fruition.  From their current in-process collection of ten unique motorcycles (contact Falcon Motorcycles for availability and pricing), the Bullet is the re-imagination of a motorcycle that began life as a 1950 pre-unit Triumph Thunderbird.  It’s only the first of many Falcons that will indelibly permeate the consciousness of motorcycle aficionados everywhere and we simply can’t wait for what’s coming next.

Gear, Motorcycle, Vintage

Bold, evocative and inimitable, the Triumph Scrambler Motorcycle (available at Triumph dealers for $8,499) is impossible to miss.  With its high-swept chromed side pipes with retro-styled silencers and heat shields, the Triumph Scrambler maintains the classic details inspired by its 60’s styling heritage, while the air-cooled, 865cc parallel twin cylinder engine provides excellent midrange torque while you smoothly accelerate through its five gears.  And with two new paint colors (editor’s choice: matte khaki green), the Triumph Scrambler continues to serve as the ideal homage to the Triumph off-road sports motorcycles of the 1960s and the iconic men who rode them.

Gear, Motorcycle, Vintage