Triumph was ahead of the retro-curve when they reintroduced their modern version of the Scrambler back in 2005. 865cc’s of no-BS in an on/off-road set-up that’s a nod to Steve McQueen & the enduro dirt dogs of the 60s. Basically, it was cool right out of the wrapper. But then, Philly-based custom shop, Hammarhead Industries, got busy on it.  Stripping it down to its essence, they created the Jack Pine, a bare-knuckle brawler looking so good you may feel bad about getting it all muddy. Actually…no you won’t…you’ll feel like Steve McQueen, himself.

It’s pretty much a given – if it’s Italian and has a motor, it’s gonna be stylish, powerful & superbly designed. It’s tradition. Think Ferrari, Maserati, Moto Guzzi and of course, Ducati. The tradition lives on in their latest superbike, the Ducati 848 EVO. It’s fresh & mean with it’s upgraded 140 HP Testastretta and sings with that signature growling exhaust tone. Viva Italia!

Ever since Victory Motorcycles started turning out American-made motorcycles back in the late 90s, they’ve improved & evolved every year. The 2011 Victory Hammer is their latest creation. A low, aggressively styled cruiser featuring a 106 cubic-inch V-Twin motor and all the creature comforts experienced bikers want from a brand new scoot. In head-to-head tests against its rival – the Harley Dyna – the 8-Ball came up aces. How’s that for an all-American alternative?

Italy is the land of exotic motorcycles. Milan-based, CR&S’s new superbike takes the art form to a whole new level. More than a dozen wizards of bike design & engineering stand behind this soon to-be-released, handmade monster. The powerplant is a new American S&S motor displacing nearly two-thousand CCs, while the rest of the bike is pure Italian machismo. As you could probably guess, the price tag is as bold as the styling.

Everything is Denmark is just cooler: the culture, the history, the nightclubs. And without a doubt, the custom bikes. Copenhagen-based, Wrench Monkees have been at the forefront of the post-modern, custom bike movement for years. Their understated bikes – part powerhouse, part design/soulcraft – are shipped to collectors and fiends worldwide. The Club Black series was made as decoration for a Copenhagen nightclub of the same name. Motorcycles inside a club? Yes…Denmark is just that much cooler.

What started out as a Puch Free Spirit has been reworked into this Boardtrack Racer. Traveling 55mph, the tail-light was salvaged from a ’39 Ford, the gas-tank a reclaimed soda fountain & the kill switch snagged from an old VW. Did I mention the tank is held on with a belt? The guys at 1977Mopeds never cease to amaze. What for most would be a pile of relics has been turned into a sweet ride. If they can’t make this one again, talk to them, I’m sure something equally fantastic is available.

Ecosse’s Heretic makes Harley Davidson look like a bed wetting sissy. Toting a massive, inter-cooled 2 liter 2,150cc engine on an all-titanium chassis with carbon fiber wheels. This beast was born from an affection for airplanes & Euro sport cars – leaving conformity in the dust.

Deus is a group of passionate Aussie biker enthusiasts united in their belief that modern motorcycling has been hijacked by marketing. On a quest to recreate a love of riding through one-of-a-kind custom retrofits – behold the Sacred Cow – a Kawasaki W650 morphed into a Triumph-inspired hard-tail Bobber with a 21″ front wheel, spring-mounted saddle & handmade tan.

1962. Triumph’s Bonneville won Britain’s prestigious Thruxton 500. The manufacturer celebrated by designing the iconic T120 Thruxton. Fifty years later, the classic is reborn. This street fighter’s polished engine cover, low rise bars, sporty riding position, “crystal white” body work and red striping are nostalgic. Underneath the retro design is 21st century engineering with an 8-valve, fuel-injected, 865cc twin engine built on a 360 degree crankshaft.

Arlen Ness’ 2010 Victory Vision is rigged with a massive 103 cubic inch/1690 cc, air cooled, Twin Cam. Sitting a mere 24.5 inches above the road, this ride boasts a 100% command of the pavement below. Brandished with diamond-cut cylinder heads, billet engine covers, Ness graphics and custom-stitched seats – this touring bike’s looks are as aggressive as its performance.

Harley’s 2010 Sportster Forty-Eight is a rabid bulldog with serious cojones. With blacked out styling, fat front tire, 1200cc Evolution V-Twin, classic peanut tank and sitting at a low 26″ – riders will be looking for adventure or whatever comes their way.

Designed in Japan, built in Vegas – Zero Engineering is the land of the rising sun’s foremost name in custom motorcycles.  The Samarai Chopper features a 93″ S&S Shovelhead style engine mated to a Baker 6-speed transmission. This beauty would have been Godzilla’s ride of choice.

The Bullet is a custom Triumph motorcycle.  This drop dead gorgeous machine began as a derelict 1950′s Thunderbird – the bike Marlon Brando rode in The Wild One. LA-based, Falcon Motorcycles pounded 1000+ man-hours into this one-of-a-kind ride that leaves onlookers wondering what was that?

BMW’s S 1000RR storms the liter bike arena making all others in its class look like beach cruisers. It’s spec list speaks for itself – 93 HP, 404 lbs, 999cc and 83 lb-ft – the only other bike putting up these numbers is on the race track. Add the Dynamic Traction Control and Gearshift Assistance to push this missile to its fullest potential.

Combating the misconception electric vehicles lack power, Mission One’s Superbike will have you barreling into a turn at 150 MPH. This ride’s performance and control are just as impressive with race-level handling and a fully equipped data acquisition system.

Easy to ride, secure, fix, navigate through traffic and park – owning a moped in the city makes good sense. Get around town on a vintage bike restored from the ground up by SF based, 1977 Mopeds. No one is more enthusiastic and passionate about scooters than these guys.