Photo: Thunderbike
Batman is a very careful individual. It's in the nature of his job, I suppose, to make sure he doesn't only defeat his foes, but that he also remains a mystery to them – you don't have to imagine what supervillains would do if they found out who is behind the mask. But what if the Dark Knight stopped giving a damn?
You all know how, despite its distinctive shape and uses, all of the Bat's gear is always surrounded, just like Bruce himself, by a shroud of mystery: cars, bikes, and aircraft come in black, with no distinctive markings, they always lurk in the shadows, and they always strike without warning and almost unseen.
I always liked to believe that's because, aside from fitting in with the rest of the character, such an approach ensured the hero's survival in a world where almost everybody is out to get him by not providing a single hint as to his real identity.
But the Bat Wheeler is the exact opposite. Flashy, present, and unmissable, the Harley-Davidson Breakout conversion is like something Batman would ride if he decided to pull all veils and go public. That's because in darkness-stricken Gotham riding something as eye-catching as this red apparition would immediately draw attention to yourself.
That's exactly the effect the guys from over at German custom crew Thunderbike went for with the project they call Bat Wheeler. It's a machine made at the request of a customer, and, if you ask me, beautifully put into practice.
The Breakout was at the receiving end of a wealth of custom parts, larger or smaller, each chosen for a specific purpose. We get a large complement of covers where covers were due, new fenders pulled over the cast wheels of undisclosed size, and even a fork-lowering kit and an air suspension for a more aggressive stance.
But none of the 24-or-so custom elements that went into the ride is as impressive as the paint job slapped on the fenders, spoiler, and fuel tank. It's on this massive element fitted on top of the frame where all the magic happens.
We get to see the silhouette of a bat, overimposed over something that looks like the burning skyline of Gotham itself. Up on top of the tank, a honeycomb pattern ties the entire design together.
The red and black play is visible all over the ride, but the bat motif can only be found in a single other place, on the edge of the seat. The colors are complemented by the shine of the chrome that's still present on the bike in large enough quantities.
The total cost of the Harley-Davidson Bat Wheeler, paint job and man hours included, is not known. We do know however that many of the parts used on the build (minus the wheels and the custom exhaust system) amount to roughly $6,700.
I always liked to believe that's because, aside from fitting in with the rest of the character, such an approach ensured the hero's survival in a world where almost everybody is out to get him by not providing a single hint as to his real identity.
But the Bat Wheeler is the exact opposite. Flashy, present, and unmissable, the Harley-Davidson Breakout conversion is like something Batman would ride if he decided to pull all veils and go public. That's because in darkness-stricken Gotham riding something as eye-catching as this red apparition would immediately draw attention to yourself.
That's exactly the effect the guys from over at German custom crew Thunderbike went for with the project they call Bat Wheeler. It's a machine made at the request of a customer, and, if you ask me, beautifully put into practice.
The Breakout was at the receiving end of a wealth of custom parts, larger or smaller, each chosen for a specific purpose. We get a large complement of covers where covers were due, new fenders pulled over the cast wheels of undisclosed size, and even a fork-lowering kit and an air suspension for a more aggressive stance.
But none of the 24-or-so custom elements that went into the ride is as impressive as the paint job slapped on the fenders, spoiler, and fuel tank. It's on this massive element fitted on top of the frame where all the magic happens.
We get to see the silhouette of a bat, overimposed over something that looks like the burning skyline of Gotham itself. Up on top of the tank, a honeycomb pattern ties the entire design together.
The red and black play is visible all over the ride, but the bat motif can only be found in a single other place, on the edge of the seat. The colors are complemented by the shine of the chrome that's still present on the bike in large enough quantities.
The total cost of the Harley-Davidson Bat Wheeler, paint job and man hours included, is not known. We do know however that many of the parts used on the build (minus the wheels and the custom exhaust system) amount to roughly $6,700.
Google News