Brough Superior motorbike gets a Richard Mille makeover
Watchmaker Richard Mille collaborates on a limited-edition, skeletal, £170k-plus Brough Superior
Fior-type CNC-machined aluminium fork with double wishbone. Custom wheels are inspired by the gear movements of a high-end watch
Motorcycle of the month – BROUGH superior RMB01
Woooaah – what’s this?
This is the ultimate watch-turned superbike tie-in you never knew you needed. Unveiled at the recent Le Mans Classic, of which Richard Mille is a sponsor, the RMB01 is a 1000cc fusion between the worlds of fast bikes and high-end watches.
I don’t see the link…
Think intricate engineering and, of course, the watchmaker’s long association with the automotive world. The bike is achingly pretty, with a futuristic Tron vibe. Brough and RM’s designers have worked together to bring elements of watches that cost as much as houses into superbike design.
No clock… but the Richard Mille touch is instantly apparent.
It looks lightweight…
Richard Mille timepieces are famed for their skeletonised designs, and this motorcycle carries that theme with exposed engine casings, a CNC-machined aluminium frame and a forged-carbon exoskeleton. Particular detail is in the split-rim wheels, designed to mimic the complexity of a luxury mechanical watch, while the coloured highlights represent the jewels in high-end watchmaking.
So, it is a proper bike then?
Yes – the water-cooled 997cc DOHC V-twin four-stroke engine produces 130bhp in a bike weighing approximately 160kg to create a potent track bike. It also features Brough’s patented Fior-type fork double wishbones which, along with looking like a piece of art, separate the steering and braking to provide better stability. The whole thing is hand-made at Brough Superior’s Toulouse facility and there’s three colour options: Nocturnal Sapphire (dark blue), Selene (dark grey) and Pearl of Speed (white-ish grey with orange bits).
Note the blue hue – aka Nocturnal Sapphire
Toulouse – in France?
Erm, yes. The famous English bike brand loved by gentleman adventurer TE Lawrence has been French-owned since 2018 with a factory in south-west France.
OK, where do I get one?
You’ll be surprised to know it’s not readily available. Limited to just 150 units it can be pre-ordered (if you’re quick!) and is expected to cost north of £170,000, ironically less than most RM watches. Even more ironically, it doesn’t have a clock…