In existence since 1929, the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este on Italy’s Lake Como is a competition defined by pure elegance. Just as important as the classic and antique cars—like the 1957 Alfa Romeo Giulietta SS Prototipo that won Best in Show—are the motorcycles.And this year, the Ducati Design Center claimed two awards with custom Scramblers. The big winner was a custom concept Café Racer that earned the “Motorcycle Design – Concept Bike and New Prototypes” category, along with the Villa Erba trophy (assigned for the first time this year), awarded by popular vote.Ducati Cafe Racer Concept
This concept Café Racer is high-lighted by an all-aluminum design, essentially styled superstructures that leave the original Scrambler mechanics in full view. The LED lights offer a freshly designed look, as do the “bobber” wire wheels, the low-slung exhaust and hand-stitched seat.Ducati also entered another concept bike inspired by the Scrambler Desert Sled, which took third place in the “Motorcycle Design – Concept Bike and New Prototypes” category.Andrea Ferraresi, Ducati Design Center Director, says: “I am exceedingly proud of such a successful achievement, above all because the other prototypes taking part in the competition were really beautiful. Amidst the many superb looking bikes across all the competition categories, people chose to award our Café Racer with the Villa Erba trophy.”Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled Concept The Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este has been held since 1929. It is the world’s most exclusive competition celebrating the design and style of vintage cars and motorcycles. In addition to categories for vehicles of yesteryear, the competition has a “Concept Cars and Prototypes” section to present a vision for vehicles of the future.
Our first segment introduces you to the new Arch 1s. This latest, slightly more sporting American V-twin, adds to the original KRGT1 coming from the boutique manufacturer based in Hawthorne, Southern California. Senior Editor Nic de Sena rode through Malibu with Gard Hollinger, who co-founded Arch Motorcycle with his friend, Keanu Reeves. The 1s is a unique ride for sure, and Nic explains what makes the bike really stand out.
For the entertaining story behind Arch Motorcycle from Gard Hollinger himself, you must listen to his podcast episode on Motos & Friends HERE
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The guest segment of Motos and Friends is brought to you by the faster and most technologically advanced, 2023 Suzuki Hayabusa—visit your local dealer or suzukicycles.com to learn more.
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In our second segment, Associate Editor Teejay Adams chats with multiple Emmy award-winning writer, Producer, Director, and actor, Thom Beers. the former Chairman & CEO of Fremantle Media North America, responsible for American Idol and America’s Got Talent.
Thom’s fertile imagination led to most of the really big reality TV shows such as ‘Deadliest Catch’ (now in its 17th season!), and many others. Of course for us in the motorcycle world, you’ll be interested to hear the genesis and story of how he started the first real fabrication reality show ‘Monster Garage’, that showcased Jesse James, and then how that led to ‘Biker Build Off’ and the ‘Zombie Choppers’ movie.
You’d imagine that most of Thom’s time is spent sitting behind a desk and on his phone. Not so. His intense stories of capturing much of the content for these shows make for some hair-raising listening.
