Something Old, Something New: Pebble Beach to include motorcycles for the first time
For the first time in its nearly 60-year history, this year's Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance will feature classic motorcycles alongside the drool-worthy classic cars on display at the hallowed 18th hole fairway. Kicking off what is expected to be an annual focus on different countries and eras, this year's display will highlight classic British bikes built until 1959.
Included among the entry list of classic Triumphs, Nortons, Velocettes, BSAs, Brough Superiors and Ariels will be a pair of Vincents that are legendary among vintage motorbike enthusiasts. "Gunga Din" was a 1947 factory demonstration prototype that became one of the most indomitable racing bikes of its time, while the "Bathing Suit Bike" (pictured above) got its name when rider Rolland "Rollie" Free rode it - lying down like Superman to reduce drag - to a 150mph Bonneville land speed record in 1948 wearing nothing but a speedo, cap and a pair of sneakers.
Organizers say the introduction of the new category comes in response to increased interest towards bike collecting and the vital role which many early motorcycles played in the development of the automobile. Sounds good to us...we'll be on hand to check them out and bring you the best this August from Monterey, California.
[Source: Octane]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Alex 2:36PM (4/17/2009)
150mph in a bathing suit. Absolutely insane.
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dukeisduke 2:54PM (4/17/2009)
Now that's how to ride a motorcycle. Damn.
bigford87129 2:39PM (4/17/2009)
Pardon the pun: Riding a motorcycle like that takes balls of steel.
Good to see the motorcycle community getting its recognition. Most of the early era motorcycles are just as much pieces of art as there automobile counterparts.
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bigford87129 2:43PM (4/17/2009)
typo *their
IOMTT 2:42PM (4/17/2009)
The Vincent V-twin...your superbike of long ago. Who said no one knew anything about aerodynamics then?!
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UCJR 3:07PM (4/17/2009)
A lot of speed-demon personal watercraft riders ride like that during speed runs. It's called the 'Superman' position.
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Shipey 4:19PM (4/17/2009)
Yeah, but when you fall on water the salt doesn't rip your skin off.
PumaGTO 7:27PM (4/17/2009)
@ bigford87129
It greatly depends on how fast you´re going... But anyway, I got your point. The Old Scool of automobilism realy had some suicidal tendencies...
Chiefstang 5:21PM (4/17/2009)
Nothing like losing all of your skin and rubbing salt in the wound at the same time!
(Wincing)
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Mike 8:50PM (4/17/2009)
Yeah, when they say "response to increased interest" they mean jump on the band wagon of Legend of the Motorcycle Concours. Sandra Kasky has adamantly said no to motorcycles at Pebble Beach for the last decade until she saw that someone proved there was genuine, international interest and now she wants a piece of the pie. Who are they kidding? I'm all for bikes getting their due but bikes at the Pebble car show will still be a third wheel. - Mike L.
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