Brands like Harley-Davidson, Kawasaki, Honda, and Indian Motorcycle are modern-day giants of the motorcycle industry. But what about those from the past? One of the best-known historical brands for motorcycle enthusiasts is Brough Superior.
Brough Superior motorcycles were originally built for sport and to offer high-speed thrills for riders. Later, they would develop touring bikes built for comfort. The brand would be dubbed the "Rolls-Royce of motorcycles."
Brough Superiors are among the most collectible bikes ever made. Indeed, they're highly sought-after pieces of engineering. With only a handful of bikes being built during the company's short history, each one that has survived is a must-have for enthusiasts. But what made this bikemaker so special?
Let's take a deep dive into everything you should know about Brough Superior motorcycles.
Brough Superior Began With A Family Feud Of Sorts
Brough Superior began producing motorcycles in 1919 after its founder, George Brough wanted to suppress his father's own motorcycle company. George Brough's father built motorcycles which were named after his surname. However, Brough Jr. decided he too wanted to build motorcycles, and so Brough Superior was born.
Although much-loved around the world, Brough Superior motorcycles weren't actually built in-house back in the day. Instead, they were assembled with the best available parts on the market. In total, 3,048 motorcycles were manufactured using high-quality parts. Brough Superior branched out to build motorcars, but it's mainly known for the bikes it built.
Despite only trading until 1940, Brough Superior's 21 years in business have not been forgotten by the motorcycle community. The availability of the relevant, high-quality parts stopped due to the Second World War, which put an end to this iconic motorcycle brand. Unfortunately, the beloved brand would fall on the eve of World War II, but it wouldn't be the end for Brough Superior.
Brough Superior Recently Made A Comeback
Although Brough Superior was discontinued in 1940, it made a comeback 70 years later. The brand was revived in France, and new motorcycles are being produced with a hint to the past machines built by the original company. With dealerships dotted all over the planet, it is once again possible to ride a Brough Superior with glee.
The vintage motorcycle manufacturer has its flagship Lawrence model, which is a celebration of Lawrence of Arabia. Lawrence of Arabia owned several Brough Superior motorcycles during his life and was killed while riding one. To honor this historical figure, Brough Superior created 188 editions of the Lawrence to celebrate his birth year, 1888.
In addition, Brough Superior offers the Anniversary, Pendine Sand Racer, and Super Sports 100 for its modern catalog.
The revived motorcycle brand also teamed up with Aston Martin to create a special racing motorcycle in 2019. Notably, this was the first time that the famous Aston Martin wings adorned a motorcycle. Dubbed the AMB 001, only 100 models were made of this limited edition racer.
Record Auction Price And Famous Owners
Brough Superior motorcycles went out of production in 1940, however, their legacy continued through their 'superior' engineering and fun-to-ride bikes.
The more riders raved about their Brough Superior motorcycles, the more others wanted to get their hands on one of these amazing 20th-century machines. Naturally, Brough Superior bikes would eventually end up at auctions, drawing in motorcycle fans from all over the world to bid on them.
It's not uncommon for Brough Superior motorcycles at auction to fetch several hundred thousand dollars. In fact, the world record sale for a Brough Superior bike is $584,000, according to the motorcycle magazine More Bikes. The SS100 was supposedly ridden by famed 1920s rider FP ‘Gentleman’ Dickson and was sold at auction in 2018.
We've touched upon the fact that T.E. Lawrence, A.K.A. Lawrence of Arabia, loved Brough Superior motorcycles. Lawrence owned seven Brough Superiors and was even pictured riding one during his military career. The writer, army officer, and archaeologist wasn't the only lover of Brough Superiors, though.
George Bernard Shaw, the Irish playwright, and winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature, was another huge fan of the motorcycles during the 1920s. There's evidence that Shaw and Lawrence regularly corresponded during their lifetimes. They might have even swapped riding stories; such was their love of Brough Superior.
Another of Brough Superior's most famous owners is none other than Jay Leno, the comedian and celebrity gearhead. Leno is a TV icon, but he wasn't around during the motorcycle company's heyday. He is, however, an avid collector of automobiles, and he can claim to have at least one Brough Superior hiding in his garage.
The SS100 Is Perhaps The Best Brough Superior
Arguably the most loved and celebrated Brough Superior in the company's history is the SS100. Built with a JAP 1,000-cc engine, which was pretty special for a 1930s motorcycle, the SS100 was considered an absolute thrill almost a century ago. The name, SS100, is thanks to the company's guarantee that each bike it produced could reach 100 mph.
Jay Leno owns a 1930 Brough Superior SS100 in his garage and shared it on his YouTube channel, Jay Leno's Garage. In the video, Leno highlights many of the motorcycle's best features and even takes it out for a ride to showcase what it can do. Anyone interested in a historical model might have a fight on their hands to get one at auction.