Hand-made and featuring 150 newly designed and manufactured components
Words by Mitch Boehm
Photos Courtesy of ARCH Motorcycles
ARCH Motorcycle, that unique, boutique-brand collaboration between actor Keanu Reeves and Gard Hollinger, announced a revised version of its KRGT-1 in late October, and as you’d expect it’s once again a helluva thing to take in.
Based on the motorcycle “that set the bar in the performance cruiser category,” according to press materials, the new-for-2020 KRGT-1 features over 20 major changes involving more than 150 newly designed and manufactured components. These include redesigned bodywork, upgraded suspension, ergonomic enhancements, updated braking components and safety features.
“The KRGT-1 was originally designed to push the boundaries of what an American V-twin motorcycle could offer,” says ARCH co-founder Hollinger. “Our new KRGT-1 stays true to the original objective while further developing and refining the motorcycle’s design and performance elements to enhance the overall riding experience.”
Powering this truly bad-ass twin is the EPA/CARB-certified, 124 cubic-inch S&S/ARCH engine that uses an in-house-designed downdraft system and proprietary K&N air filter for induction and an ARCH-built, 2-into-1 stainless steel header and Yoshimura carbon fiber muffler for exhaust. As you’d expect, the KRGT-1’s 2032cc vee pumps out truly eye-watering low-end and midrange grunt the instant you crack the throttle.
Harnessing all the power is a heavily revised chassis that features a new, race-inspired alloy swingarm, a larger-diameter 48mm Öhlins fork, new billet alloy triple clamps and a unique-to-ARCH Öhlins shock that’s, of course, fully adjustable. There are also radial brakes with six-piston calipers and two-channel Bosch ABS to slow things down without overt fuss. Updated bodywork includes a redesigned fuel tank, tail section and seat, along with a reshaped front cowl (with a new dash panel), and there’s also updated hand and foot controls.
“The new KRGT-1 delivers on ARCH Motorcycle’s ambition,” says ARCH co-founder Reeves. “It’s a beautiful and extraordinary machine that handles like no other motorcycle. Through the curves, down the straights, planted, confident, comfortable; it’s an unsurpassed riding experience. The focus on fit and finish, the detail, the execution, the exceptional quality and how the bike is made all define ARCH.”
This sort of exclusive, hand-made exotica comes with a price, of course, and this one’s nearly 80 grand. Still, you are definitely not gonna see another one of these at your local bike hangout. And for some that’s well worth the cost of entry.
For more information tap into archmotorcycle.com.
