orange county choppers mike corbin saxon motorcycles invade 2006

IRON HORSETHE REAL HORSE RIDES AGAINHARLEY’S 2006 LINE-UP:A MUST-SEE!EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWORANGE COUNTYCHOPPERSPAUL SR. & PAUL JR.ON THEIR LATEST CREATIONFIRST TIME IN PRINTNEW BIKESSAXONMOTORCYCLESINVADE 2006AN OVERVIEWIT’S THEIR YEAR!MIKECORBINTHE MAN,THE COMPANY,THE BRAND2005 BEST OF THE BESTRALLY RECAPTIPS ON PREPPING YOUR BIKEFOR WINTER STORAGE

FUTURE BMWS:BY SHAHRAM SHIVAR 1200 GS - Adventure, R 1200 S, K 1200 RT,and the new F 800BMW Motorcycles’ massive push torevamp their entire line-up withmore powerful, hipper and lighterbikes will continue well into thenext year or two. Their new offeringsare winning accolades and awards frombike reviewers on our shores as well the rest ofthe world. National motorcycle magazineshave chosen the K1200R as the best motorcycle,the R1200RT as the best touring bike,the R1200ST as the best sport tourer, and theR1200GS as the best enduro of the year.According to one British publication, theR1200GS has outsold the ever-popularYamaha R1 in England.In the next few months BMW will introducea brand new entry-level model, an F800to compete directly with the well-liked SuzukiSV650. This super-lightweight and relativelyinexpensive – about $9,000 – BMW will bepowered by a parallel twin engine and boast80hp in its “sport” package, with a belt finaldrive and ABS. Younger BMW enthusiastshave been asking for such a bike for years, soit seems BMW has another successful modelon its hands.The all-conquering R1200GS will soon beoffered in a global touring package. Dubbedthe “Adventure,” it will feature increased fuelcapacity, a more robust suspension system,and many additional goodies that no twowheel“Adventurer” should be without: a moredurable luggage system whose capacity hasbeen expanded, driving and fog lights, a GPSnavigation, and more. A lower gearing mayalso be in the works. Actor Ewan McGregorrode the R1150GS-Adventure in the Bravotelevision series “Long Way Round,” catapultingpublic awareness of the bike. The nextgeneration Adventure would pay homage to itsiconic predecessor and will raise the bar withmore power and agility and less weight – thinkof it as the Humvee of bikes. Look for theR1200GS-Adventure in your showroom bymid-2006 with a sticker price around $16,500.One future BMW bike that excites me isthe R1200S, as it will be the most ferocioustwo-cylinder BMW has ever designed. Rumormills are working overtime with speculationon specs and styling. This new flagship boxerengine motorcycle is said to weigh only 410lbs (dry) and produce close to 125hp at thecrank. The styling will be an evolution of thecurrent R1100S model. Beemers with Boxerengines are legendary for their corneringprowess. Claims have been made that thisfuture model is the best-handling BMW everdesigned, and therefore, one of the best-handlingbikes in the world.The K1200S and K1200R Superbikes willhave a new model in their midst, theK1200RT. This in-line four boasts 167hp witha top speed of 175mph, and will feature creaturecomforts such as electronic cruise control,heated seats and grips, an electric windshield,electronic suspension adjustment for pre-loadand rebound, ABS, and a computer displaydetailing fuel usage, average speed, ambienttemperature and more. Large-capacity hardcases will most likely be offered as standardfeatures. The K1200RT will raise the bar forluxurious accommodations while riding twoupat supersonic speeds.Whether you are a baby-boomer lookingfor rare high-speed thrills in comfort andsafety, or a sophomore looking for his firstBeemer, the German manu has you covered.Judging by the positive vibe surroundingthese new machines, they have every intentionclaiming the 21st century as their own.The BMW renaissance is in full swing: thetable is laid out, the chef has been perfectinghis recipes for more than 80 years, and nowthe feast is ready to be served. ❂10

IH: What is OCC’s total production volume andhow has it changed over the years? Also, isthere a pre-owned custom chopper market?Paul, Sr.: We are now at about 100-plus bikesa year, and a few years ago we were at around30 bikes. We have a network of dealers thatwe work with. As for the market for our preownedcustom bikes, they work like any otherbike. You can trade them in or sell them outright.Our network of dealers usually handlesthat; we don’t take in bikes at our factory.IH: Because of the success of TV shows likeyours, the custom chopper market has explodedin the past few years. What’s your sense for itsfuture? Do you think it has peaked already, orwill it just keep growing?Paul, Sr.: I think it’s eventually going to stabilize,like everything else I’ve experienced. Justto give you an example, we are in the steelbusiness too; when the economy is good,everybody buys a welding truck and weldingequipment; they all become welders all of asudden. And when the economy slows down,most fade away and the strong survive. I thinkthe same thing is going to happen to ourindustry. I think it’s great that the industry hasflourished, but there are so many builders andso many parts now that it can’t survive forever.When it’s good, it’s good, but not everyonewill always be able to live off of it. It will eventuallystabilize, which will be good for us andall the other builders out there that can survive.I think it will be even better then.Paul, Jr.: I think obviously if you look at themotorcycle industry there is a trend. It hastaken about 30 years for choppers to comeback. They’ve made a comeback and are nowas popular, if not more, than they were backin the \60s and \70s. I don’t see the popularitydecreasing anytime soon, mainly due to theshows like Biker Build-Off, Motorcycle Maniaand American Chopper. All these shows putthe choppers out into the public, whereasbefore the TV shows, only a select few reallyknew about builders like us. So this high levelof exposure, which hasn’t really been donebefore in our industry, is exposing the youngergeneration to the idea of real choppers and notjust motorcycles. All these younger peoplewho are being turned on to the idea of achopper will carry this onward. We never hadthat before in our industry, you know, the phenomenonof television and the Internet. So it’shard to say how far it might go.Paul, Sr.: Kids really watch us; I mean even smallchildren watch our show. Two-year-old kids. Youhave lawyers and doctors buying choppers now.The exposure is getting widespread.Paul, Jr.: I think the coolest thing with the kidswatching it is that there are almost no showson television where kids feel inspired to bemechanical, to work with their hands.Especially today, all kids are playing videogames, you know. It’s ridiculous how in thepast decade it’s been so much about computersand nothing to do with mechanics. I think thebiggest thing that our show can offer the kidsis that you can work with your hands; you canbe mechanical and make a good living.IH: How have your daily lives been affected bythe whole Discovery Channel phenomenon?Paul, Sr.: Well, we are a lot busier now, so wehave to dedicate a lot more of our lives to work.The main thing is that you lose your ability tobe out in public, you lose that. It is difficult.Paul, Jr.: It’s hard, but it’s a trade-off. At thesame time there are some benefits to it as well.You have an impact on people and a positiveinfluence on the general public. So, definitely,you know, coming from a small town and likingyour privacy, you lose that. It’s a transition thatyou have to get adjusted to.IH: What do you do to unwind, since your showPaul, Jr. sitting on a Senior Series old-school chopper built by his father, who stands behind him in their shop in Rock Tavern, NY.ADDiscovery Channel’s AmericanChopper series is an internationalphenomenon that everyMonday invites millions ofviewers to watch Paul, Sr.,Paulie and Mikey live theirlives on camera and createsome fantastic machines inthe process. In four short years, OrangeCounty Choppers has managed to set a recordfor two-wheel success that rivals companieswith decades of history. Their annual productionis now well over 100 custom choppers,most costing over a hundred grand each — awhopping 400% expansion. Add to that theseemingly unlimited range of merchandise andlicensing agreements, and it’s easy to see whythey’re a custom-cycle juggernaut.The Teutuls run a smart company and haveno intention of slowing down. Next on theirlist is a brand new OCC Experience pavilion,a 70,000-square-foot all-glass-front buildingjust off the New York State Thruway that willhouse the cycle shop, their offices, a retailstore, a museum and a theme restaurant.OCC’s phone rings all day with calls fromfans who want to share their appreciation forthe Teutuls. While we were there, a grandmotherfrom North Carolina called and askedthe receptionist to convey her thanks to OCCfor being such an inspiration to her entirefamily, especially her kids. The receptionist listensto each caller pleasantly and patiently, likea professional therapist, and ends with a “Thankyou for calling Orange County Choppers.”This is the coolest place to work, we hearda few times during our visit. OCC’s relaxedatmosphere, pleasant staff and free access tothe onsite professional gym which boasts a basketballcourt and a tanning salon, contribute tothis way-cool work environment. “This issomething that I like to see go down for generations,”said Paul, Sr. Long-term success isnever an accident, and Orange CountryChoppers seems to have found the right ingredientsto manifest their vision.Iron Horse spoke with Paul Teutul, Sr. andJr. at their office in Rock Tavern, NY.5657

Paul, Sr. reminds Paul, Jr. who’s the boss.Discovery Channel's American Chopper cameras look on as the team builds the Space Shuttle bike.Paul, Sr., Vinnie and Rick, building Rick Petko’s custom.Paul, Sr., Paul, Jr. and Vinnie working on Rick Petko's chopper.5859

Paul, Sr. riding the back roads of Orange County, NY, on anAmerican Choppers-series original bike.Mikey exercising at OCC’s onsite fully equipped gym, which includesa basketball court and a tanning salon.takes up so much of your time? Do you guyscollect?Paul, Sr.: I work out and I like to ride bikeswhenever I get the opportunity to do it. Weare in a nice area here, but I also like to rideout West, in the Rocky Mountains, actually. Idid that last year; I was there for a week. It’sbeautiful out there. As for collecting things, Icollect muscle cars. I have a pretty good carcollection. I also have Senior Series bikes thatI build. But I really enjoy cars from the muscleera, and I have about 17 real nice cars in mycollection now, and I drive all of them. I loveto go to car shows and display these cars atevents, but I just can’t do it myself; it becomestoo hectic. But if I do get invited to a musclecar event, I might be able to send the carswith a representative. I like to show these cars;they are in very good shape.Paul, Jr.: Seasonally, I like to go fishing;that’s probably the most relaxing thing I do.When I can’t fish, like in wintertime, I like towatch football. I don’t have a lot of hobbiesbesides building bikes; it takes up so much ofmy time. I have a little car collection now. Ilike cars and I also started to collect sport memorabilia,all Giants stuff. I’m a big Giants fan.IH: Will you be appearing at any motorcycleshows in 2006?ADPaul, Sr.: We try to do all the main bikeshows, and the best way to find out ourschedule is to visit our web site (www.OrangeCountyChoppers.com). We will be in a few differentcities in \06. We’ll have a merchandisetrailer set up. We try to split up our people soeveryone gets a chance to meet them. We’llhave Vinnie and Rick show up on certain days,and we’ll be there on weekends. So visit thewebsite to find out our schedule.IH: What are some of your plans for the future?Paul, Sr.: We are moving. We’re building anew 70,000-square-foot three-story building,which is located right off the NY State Thruway[I-87], near exit 17. It’s going to be our wholeoperation: factory, offices and a retail store. It’sstill a while away, but it will be an OCCExperience, which may include a restaurant.We’ll have all-glass frontage, around 360 feetlong, so people can see us build bikes and filmour show. Also, there are new hotels being builtright in that area, too, so people can come andstay for the weekend. It will be large enoughthat we can host 500 people in our futurefacility. We’ll also have a museum, which willinclude my car collection, too.Paul, Jr.: So, it really will be an OCCExperience. Where you can see us work,through one-way-glass mirrors, see themuseum of bikes and cars, enjoy our restaurantand visit our store for souvenirs.Paul, Sr.: We are always looking into thefuture. We’re not here just for a quick fix; weare here for the long haul. This is somethingthat I like to see go down for generations. Wedon’t sleep too much over here; we always tryto come up with something new and different.Someday, if the show goes away, we still wantto be doing our thing, you know.Paul, Jr.: The television show has openedup different venues, well beyond just motorcycles.There are all kinds of opportunities outthere. I think the mainstay, our focus for ourcompany, will always be motorcycles, but thesky’s the limit.Paul, Sr.: Everybody wants to be a part ofwho we are. So it’s not hard to draw big interestfrom people or corporations. Pretty mucheverybody is in support of what we do, and inactuality we enhance what they do; that’s whycorporations have us build them a motorcycle.However, we don’t do just anything that comesour way. We don’t just take something on forthe money. We have a board (of trustees), andbefore we do anything, we always meet andmake sure a new project makes sense.IH: Paul, Sr., Paul, Jr., thank you very much forspeaking with Iron Horse. ❂Actor Will Smith enjoys a ride in Orange County, NY on an OCC original with Paul, Sr. and Paul, Jr., after visiting the Teutuls to review plans for the I, Robot bike.6061

Headlight by Ted’s; forks by Mondo of Denvers Choppers.Indian 100-cubic-inch engine with pipes by OCC.Leather grips by Alligator Bob.Unique fuel cap; tank painted by Nubs using House of Kolor Charcoal Flake paint. (photo, below)Leather seat by Alligator Bob.Rims by American Wire. (photo, below)Fuel tank byOCC; paint byNubs; S&S carband six-speedjockey shifter.62 63

Rick Petko’s custom by Orange County Choppers.It took Paul, Sr., Paul, Jr., Mikey, Vinnie and Rickthree weeks to build this bike. The sissybar isfabricated by Paul, Sr., Mikey and Greg.Dino Petrocelli Photographywww.dinopetrocelli.com — 518-785-76566465