But then he came into the shop and explained to me what he was looking for in the experience and what he wanted to see a motorcycle to do.” To Hollinger, the idea felt like something to explore. “Because that kind of work wasn’t of interest to me. “Keanu was looking to customize a motorcycle with a big sissy bar and king and queen throne seat - and I said no,” laughs Hollinger. In short time, Hollinger became known in the custom motorcycle word for pristine design and precise engineering, a reputation that drew Reeves in to his shop for the first time in 2007. His fervor for design and engineering led him to a job in Los Angeles as mechanic and fabricator, experience that would culminate in the launch of his own custom Harley-Davidson business. Reeves’s business partner and riding pal, Hollinger, is also a lifelong motorcyclist, who took to racing and motocross as a teenager. Related: Is the Harley-Davidson LiveWire an Electric Motorcycle Game Changer? As you might guess, Reeves also recently rode a motorcycle during the filming of the latest installment of the John Wick film series. He first rode a bike on-screen in My Own Private Idaho and then again in Chain Reaction. “Yeah, yeah, I’ve ridden in some of those movies,” he says with a smile. Over the years, Reeves has accumulated a notable collection of bikes, including a number of Nortons and Suzukis, a 1974 BMW 750, a Kawasaki KZ 900, a 1984 Harley Shovelhead, a Moto Guzzi racer and the 2004 Ducati 998 that was part of the chase scene from The Matrix Reloaded.īut has our boy actually ridden in his films, or was it all movie magic and stunt riders? Upon his return to the U.S., he bought the same model motorcycle and began his lifelong addiction to a two-wheeled flirt with death. Reeves first took an interest in riding motorcycles at age 22 while filming a movie in Munich, Germany, after an encounter with a woman riding a Kawasaki 600 Enduro. Keanu Reeves and Gard Hollinger build bespoke bikes made from materials like aircraft-grade billet aluminum and the best carbon fiber in the world. Over the course of our afternoon, it becomes quite evident that the John Wick star isn’t simply playing with motorcycles here, he’s a lifelong rider and enthusiast who has dedicated decades of attention to the finer details of a motorcycle’s inner workings and handling on the road. Because of the new controls, the bike has more refined contact, allowing you to trail brake with just one finger.” You can go deeper into a corner and you can brake later. This iteration of the bike feels like you can push it a little bit more than you could with the first version. “When you want to go left, it’s more of a thought than an action. Reeves points out that everything on the KRGT-1 was designed so that you can ride more aggressively with less effort. “There’s something very beautiful about when a set comes together and I see that same kind of beautiful craftsmanship in the way these bikes come together - the creation of the aluminum components, assembly of specialized parts, all the hand-wiring, and ultimately, the thoughtfulness that’s put into everything.” “To me, it reminds me of when I’m on the set and I watch all the grips, and electrical workers set the lights, stands and cabling,” says Reeves. Gard Hollinger and Keanu Reeves (Eric Hendrikx for InsideHook) But before our ride, we kick the tires and chat about the utter magic that happens when an ambitious vision and capable design chops come together in perfect harmony. Reeves is elated about the newest reveal and enthusiastic for the ride we are about to embark on along the Angeles Crest Highway on these new bikes. “This refinement is sophisticated,” Reeves tells InsideHook, as we look over the latest iteration of the KRGT-1. Founded in 2011 by Reeves and master craftsman and bike designer Gard Hollinger, Arch creates bespoke, ultra-high-end performance motorcycles, including their new benchmark performance cruiser, the KRGT-1 (“Keanu Reeves GT, model 1”). And his company, Arch Motorcycle, is a first-class, legitimate, badass manufacturer based in Los Angeles. ![]() The enigmatic dreamboat and action hero is a pure renegade when you put him on two wheels. ![]() As if we didn’t already find our coveted Hollywood star to be among the most excellent men on the face of the earth, Keanu can fucking ride. And before you ask, no, this just isn’t the case of an opulent movie star sticking his name on a brand outside of the entertainment industry in exchange for more wealth or unwarranted street cred. The answer, if you couldn’t gather from the Speed reference, is Keanu Reeves. Pop quiz, hotshot: What celebrity co-owns a motorcycle company that designs and builds bespoke bikes made from materials like aircraft-grade billet aluminum and the toughest carbon fiber in the world?
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