BROUGH SUPERIOR, THE ENGLISH BRAND OF EXCEPTIONAL MOTORCYCLES
Exceptional motorcycles, Brough Superior bikes are ‘handcrafted’ and represent a clever blend of luxury, adventure and passion. Before becoming French, the motorcycle brand was English. It was the expert hands of French craftsmen that enabled the rebirth of the iconic British brand Brough Superior, founded in 1919 by the famous Dandy Racer George Brough. The English motorcycle brand immediately proved itself worthy of the avant-garde spirit of Nottingham, its birthplace. Ridden by great adventurers and record-breaking riders, Brough Superior motorcycles quickly achieved legendary status thanks to their unrivalled quality design.
THE BRITISH BRAND THAT BECAME LEGENDARY HAS MADE ITS MARK ON HISTORY
Forced to halt production of its exceptional motorcycles during the Second World War, the English motorcycle brand Brough Superior closed its doors for 75 years. During these decades of absence, the Brough Superior brand became legendary, and its motorcycles, highly sought after by collectors such as Steve McQueen and Jay Leno, reached the top of the auction sales charts for exceptional vehicles. The British brand of exceptional motorcycles has never ceased to thrill the hearts of enthusiasts of prestigious machines.
THE GEORGE BROUGH LEGACY, AN ABSOLUTE PASSION FOR EXCELLENCE
The path followed by George Brough throughout the history of the brand he created is clear: he wanted the best for his creations. From the outset, he thought big and dreamed of being the Rolls Royce of two wheels, whose reputation was already well established.
The first chapter of the Brough Superior story spans some twenty years, during which just over 3,000 machines were built.
Brough Superior has always enjoyed a special place in the motorcycle pantheon. Perhaps because of their nickname, ‘the Rolls Royce of motorcycles,’ but more certainly because of George Brough's personality. The man who defined himself as the designer, manufacturer and user of Brough Superior made his mark on his era thanks to his visionary gifts in advertising and marketing. His conviction that ‘only the best was acceptable’ and his ability to surround himself with the right people at the right time added to his legend. A skilled rider (he distinguished himself many times in competition), George Brough built the machines he wanted to ride, but he also knew how to attract potential buyers.
George Brough was a master at communicating with specialist magazines, leaking information about the development of new models and revealing all the details a few weeks before their launch. George Brough also understood that buyers of his marvellous machines wanted to be pampered. Potential customers were invited to visit the factory, have lunch with the boss and discuss with him the specifications that would make their motorbike unique. Owners of a Brough Superior thus became members of a very exclusive club, a privilege of which they were very proud!
LAWRENCE OF ARABIA, SPEED FREAK
Lawrence of Arabia's exploits during the Arab Revolt in the First World War made him a national hero of almost legendary stature. However, he struggled to accept fame and sought anonymity by enlisting in the lower ranks of the armed forces.
It was the excitement and freedom he found in riding Brough Superior motorcycles at high speeds that comforted him and allowed him to escape from a complex and troubled life. Lawrence was killed on a Brough Superior SS100 in May 1935, near his cottage in Dorset. He came over the top of a hill and collided with a butcher on his delivery bike. Lawrence hit his head and died six days later without regaining consciousness.
The accident occurred just after Lawrence left the RAF. At the time, there were rumours of a high-level government job, which, combined with the lack of witnesses to the accident, contributed to numerous conspiracy theories. These theories helped raise public awareness of the mystery surrounding Lawrence's life and, by association, helped establish Brough Superior as the finest sports motorcycles of their era. Today, the names Brough Superior and Lawrence of Arabia are associated in the public mind.
OVERVIEW OF RECENT SIGNIFICANT EVENTS
THE NEW SS100
After only 3 months of development, a prototype of the new Super Sports 100 was shown at the EICMA exhibition in Milan (Italy).
THE NEW SS100
Three finishes were shwon at EICMA 2014:
- The traditional
- The Full Black
- The Titanium
THE FIRST DELIVERY
The first delivery of the new SS100 was made at the MCN Motorcycle Show in London ot record breaking race Eric Patterson.
THE PENDINE SAND RACER
This new model have been unveiled at the EICMA show, Milano, in November 2017.
THE ANNIVERSARY
To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Brough Superior brand in 2019, the company decided to design an Anniversary model which was presented at the EICMA 2018.
BRAND LEGAL NAME ACQUISITION
In November 2018 Brough Superior Motorcycles SAS has acquired the Brough Superior brand IP for motorcycles, after five years spent under licence for the launching of the project. Brough Superior Motorcycles is now gearing up independently.
NEW COLLABORATION WITH ASTON MARTIN
Aston Martin design meets Brough Superior engineering. Two iconic brands working in partnership to create the AMB 001. A track only, strictly limited edition motorcycle. The unique, elegant, lightweight and powerful sports bike, marks the first creation of the new and exciting partnership between Aston Martin and Brough Superior.
THE LAWRENCE
The new decade represents a turning point in the modern history of Brough Superior, which is breaking away from strictly classic codes to design a motorbike with more musccular lines capable of meeting current standards, without however denying the basics of the brands.
THE NEFUD
Based on the Lawrence modeln Brough Superior designed a scrambler able to get off conventional roads. And particularly suited to venturing into the sands of a desert, such as the Nefud, which inspired its name, dear to the memory of Lawrence of Arabia.
THE GOLDEN DREAM
Brough Superior has not forgotten to look after its classic range, and in particular the Anniversary, which comes in a splendid Golden Dream version, a nod to unique model in the brand's history. With its plain wheels and the gold-leaf gilding, the Golden Dream shines in all its glory.
THE DAGGER
A new version of the Lawrence model is presented at the Milan EICMA Show in Autumn 2022: the Dagger, with geometry and performance close to sports roadsters. With 17-inch wheels at the front and the rear, the Dagger can be ridden "like a razor blade".
THE AMB 001 PRO
Presented at the Milan Motor show alongside the Dagger, the AMB 001 PRO takes a new step forward in Brough Superior's collaboration with Aston Martin, but also in terms of performance. The aerodynamics of this turbocharged sports machine havec been studied in some depth, resulting in a missile-like design on two wheels.
THE ULTIMATES
Before summer 2023, Brough Superior is introducing two limited editions of the SS100 and Lawrence models, equipped with the new CNC machined engine and finished in silver leaf. 19 examples of each Ultimate model will be produced.
THE LEAPING LENA
Brough Superior had produced some famous sidecars during the interwar period, so it was only right that the brand should offer its vision of the luxury motorbike in a hitched-uo version. And so the Leaping Lena sidecar emerged from the workshops in Toulouse, crafted like a work of art in a highly convincing art-deco style, both to the eye and to the rider.
AN EXTRAORDINARY COLLABORATION IN THE SERVICE OF THE EXCELLENCE
Swiss watch brand Richard Mille and Brough Superior, an iconic manufacturer of exceptional motorcycles, have joined forces for an exclusive partnership. This bold collaboration has resulted in a unique creation called the RMB01. Much more than a motorcycle, it’s a work of art that combines craftsmanship, technological innovation and heritage.