ARCH Motorcycle KRGT-1 Road Test

Exclusive first ride on the Arch Motorcycle 124ci V-twin built for sale by the Los Angeles-based company owned by movie star Keanu Reeves and his partner, Gard Hollinger.🏍️ Origins of a Legend

Born from Hollywood star Keanu Reeves’s quest for a high-performance American cruiser that actually handles, the ARCH KRGT‑1 was co‑founded with motorcycle builder Gard Hollinger in 2011. Their collaboration began with Reeves’s heavily customized 2005 Harley‑Davidson—a bike that eventually retained only its engine as the rest evolved into a brand new machine. By 2014, the KRGT‑1 entered limited production at ARCH’s Los Angeles headquarters. Motorcycles are once again a must-have accessory for Hollywood’s rich and famous. But let’s be honest—very few movie stars are skilled enough to perform their own motorcycle stunts, like Tom Cruise does in the Mission Impossible films! There’s one big-name star, though, for whom motorcycles are truly a way of life. Meet Keanu Reeves—about to turn 60, and as passionate about riding as ever. Since 2011, he’s even co-owned his own motorcycle company, Arch Motorcycle, based in Hawthorne, California (right at the heart of Los Angeles’s custom car and bike scene).

One legendary story says Keanu once rode his Norton all the way from Canada to Florida in 1990 just to hand-deliver the script for My Own Private Idaho to his co-star River Phoenix, after Phoenix’s agent refused to show it to him. His attitude? Why fly when you can ride?

Whenever Keanu shoots movies on location, he has a fun tradition: he buys a local bike to ride for the duration of the shoot, then sells it back to the dealer when filming wraps. These "ex-Keanu Reeves" bikes—from a 1978 Moto Guzzi T3 and an ’88 Suzuki GSX-R750 to a Harley Shovelhead or a Kawasaki KZ900—have become prized finds in some secondhand markets. While shooting The Matrix in Australia, he picked up a 750 Norton; for the sequel, he went with a Harley Sportster.

Back home in California, Keanu keeps a garage in the Hollywood Hills filled with four different Norton Commandos—his favorite cornerstones of his collection. Other bikes, like various Harleys, come and go, but the Nortons always stay. It was while searching for a cissy bar and throne seat for a half-finished Harley Dyna in 2006 that Keanu met Gard Hollinger, a well-known custom bike builder and TV veteran. What started as a commission to build a custom hotrod based on Keanu’s Dyna soon turned into a friendship. Keanu had some very specific ideas—he wanted something that combined the power of an American V-twin with the spirit of his beloved Norton Commandos.

And that, in many ways, was the beginning of Arch Motorcycle.

🏍️💨 Engine and Performance

Engine: 

The heart of the KRGT-1 is a big, air-cooled 2,032cc V-twin engine supplied by S&S Cycle. While the company doesn’t advertise an exact horsepower figure, real-world riding suggests it makes about 105-110 horsepower and a massive 156Nm (115 lb-ft) of torque at 3,200rpm.

Transmission: 6-speed Baker gearbox with a dry clutch, and a chain final drive for strong, direct power delivery.

Power Delivery: Torque is the star. The bike pulls strongly in any gear, even at low speeds, you can feel the power build smoothly and quickly, making overtaking and acceleration feel nearly effortless.

🏍️ Suspension and Brakes 

Suspension: Premium, fully adjustable Öhlins suspension front and rear. This setup is sporty and firm for precise control, but not uncomfortably stiff—an impressive achievement for a cruiser with this much power and size.

Brakes: Swedish-made ISR brakes, with huge six-piston calipers at the front and four-piston calipers at the rear, offer excellent stopping power along with Bosch ABS for safety.

🏍️ Chassis and Build

• The KRGT-1 uses a combination of a steel tube frame and CNC-machined aluminum for strength and lightness.

• The swingarm and many parts are sculpted from solid aluminum billets, which gives the bike its solid feel and exquisite finish.

• The bike rides on lightweight carbon fiber wheels: a wide 18-inch at the rear and 19-inch up front.

🏍️💨 Fuel System and Performance

The fuel system is smartly engineered, with a special downdraft intake designed just for this bike, giving both better performance and more room for the rider’s legs.

The dual gas tanks are machined from solid aluminum and together hold about 19 liters (5 US gallons)—enough for about 320km (200 miles) before refueling.

🏍️ Riding Experience 

At idle, you feel typical V-twin vibrations, but once you’re rolling, the engine smooths out impressively.

In the corners, the KRGT-1 defies expectations: despite its long wheelbase and fat rear tire, it handles twisty roads with confidence. Once leaned over, the bike holds its line and allows surprisingly deep lean angles—more than most cruisers.

Acceleration is strong but manageable. Reviewers noted that you rarely need to rev the engine high because so much torque is available everywhere in the rev range.

🏍️ Technology and Features 

At idle, you feel typical V-twin vibrations, but once you’re rolling, the engine smooths out impressively.

In the corners, the KRGT-1 defies expectations: despite its long wheelbase and fat rear tire, it handles twisty roads with confidence. Once leaned over, the bike holds its line and allows surprisingly deep lean angles—more than most cruisers.

Acceleration is strong but manageable. Reviewers noted that you rarely need to rev the engine high because so much torque is available everywhere in the rev range.

🏍️ Customization 

Nearly every detail can be tailored to the owner’s preferences. Each motorcycle is built to order, with roughly a three-month wait from when you place your deposit.

💨 Final Thoughts 

With a price well above $75,000, it’s a premium product for experienced riders wanting something truly special—part muscle bike, part work of art, and all performance.

The ARCH KRGT-1 offers a blend of muscle, custom detail, technology, and comfort rarely found in a production motorcycle, making it stand out in the world of high-end bikes.