History

After the First World War, in Nottingham, England, George Brough founded “Brough Superior.” His aim was clear — to create something truly *Superior* (supreme / excellent), surpassing the Brough Motorcycles crafted by his father William Brough. He devoted himself to building machines that embodied speed, beauty, and quality. Each motorcycle was hand-assembled individually, and before shipment, George himself conducted top-speed tests — a testament to his uncompromising standards. These were not mere vehicles, but works of art with a soul. This moment marked the very first step in the journey of Brough Superior.

Shortly after the founding of the brand, George Brough completed his very first model that embodied his ideals — the “Mark I.” It was equipped with a JAP overhead-valve (OHV) engine, regarded at the time as one of the finest available. This choice alone proved that he allowed no compromise in performance. The Mark I astonished the market with its exceptional acceleration and remarkably smooth ride. Beyond speed, its elegant, flowing frame lines and meticulous craftsmanship granted it the presence of an art piece — a motorcycle unlike anything seen before. The brand, born in 1919, took its first definitive form and began its true journey this very year.

In this year, George Brough embarked on yet another challenge. To bring the world of Brough Superior to more riders, he introduced a new specification for the Mark I. Equipped with a JAP side-valve engine, the “Mark I Side-valve” offered greater ease of use and improved reliability compared with the overhead-valve version, while also pursuing stronger cost performance. Maintaining both high performance and high quality, it became a model that opened the door to a wider range of riders. This strategy further solidified the foundation of the brand, allowing Brough Superior to expand its reputation quietly — yet steadily — throughout the world.

The next goal for George Brough was to create a universally recognized symbol of “speed.” In this year, the world’s first production motorcycle guaranteed to achieve an average speed of 80 mph (about 128 km/h) over a measured distance — the “S.S.80 JAP” — made its debut. It was powered by a JAP V-twin engine. Most remarkable, however, was the method of certification: every unit was road-tested before delivery, and only motorcycles that successfully achieved the required speed were released to customers. This was not a promise based on design figures, but a standard proven through real-world performance. The S.S.80 elevated the Brough Superior name to global acclaim and became a true embodiment of its philosophy of performance.

Following the success of the S.S.80, George Brough set his sights even higher. In this year, the world’s first production motorcycle guaranteed to achieve an average speed of 100 mph (about 160 km/h) — the “S.S.100 JAP” — was introduced. It was equipped with a meticulously tuned JAP V-twin engine. As with the S.S.80, only motorcycles that achieved an actual verified average of over 100 mph in road testing were delivered to customers. This was not simply a matter of engineering excellence; it was a declaration of uncompromising craftsmanship and pride. With this model, Brough Superior solidified its reputation for speed, beauty, and enduring legend.

The debut of the S.S.100 led Brough Superior into an even higher realm of speed. In this year, ace rider and brilliant tuner Bert le Vack took on new record challenges astride a Brough Superior. At Pendine Sands, he achieved an average of 117.13 mph (about 188.5 km/h) over the Flying Mile, and 116.66 mph (about 187.8 km/h) over the one-kilometer course. These feats demonstrated not only momentary speed, but the sustained performance that defined Brough Superior as a true speed machine. No longer merely a luxury motorcycle, it was recognized worldwide as a machine of genuine, world-class performance.

The hunger for speed showed no signs of slowing. In this year, Bert le Vack continued his relentless quest to break new records. Riding a further refined S.S.100, he reached a peak speed of 124 mph (about 199 km/h). Although not officially certified, this achievement demonstrated just how boldly Brough Superior was pushing the boundaries of what was mechanically possible. Passion for speed and a commitment to exquisite craftsmanship — these twin pillars shaped the brand’s identity. Brough Superior continued to captivate the world as a truly unique presence, uniting speed and dignity in perfect harmony.

The pursuit of new records continued, and George Brough himself took the handlebars. In this year, together with Freddie Dixon, he rode the S.S.100 across Pendine Sands and achieved an average speed exceeding 130 mph (about 209 km/h). This was not a momentary burst of speed, but a sustained average over a long distance. With this achievement, Brough Superior further solidified its reputation as the “world’s fastest production motorcycle.” The brand’s spirit — never ceasing its challenges and constant evolution — opened the door to yet another enduring legend.

Never satisfied with the previous year’s achievements, George Brough set his sights even higher. In this year, he returned to Pendine Sands with a further-refined S.S.100, achieving an average speed of 130.6 mph (about 210.2 km/h). It was the determination to push the limits even a fraction further — not a competition of numbers, but a pursuit of the very aesthetics of speed. By breaking his own records with his own hands, Brough Superior fortified its unshakable status as the world’s fastest motorcycle.

For those who pursued speed, the limits were always something to be challenged. In this year, Bert Le Vack — the man who helped build Brough Superior’s golden era — lost his life in an accident. His relentless passion for records, his sharp intuition as an engineer, and his extraordinary skills as a rider — all of these elements sustained the prestige of Brough Superior. His death marked the end of an era for the brand, yet the faith in speed he embodied continues to live on deep within the spirit of Brough Superior.

Overcoming the loss of Bert Le Vack, Brough Superior ventured into a new realm of engineering. In this year, the company unveiled the prototype “Straight Four,” equipped with a MAG water-cooled inline-four engine — an exceptionally innovative design for its time, though it never reached commercial production due to its complexity and cost. Meanwhile, the practical large-capacity model “10-15 JAP” was introduced, earning high acclaim as a torque-focused machine suited for police use and sidecar hauling. Through these developments, the brand opened a new path — the coexistence of high performance and genuine utility.

In this year, Brough Superior embarked on a direction distinct from its traditional large-capacity, high-performance lineage. The company developed the compact 500cc class model “500 Overhead,” releasing it to the market in limited numbers. Its lightweight and easily manageable design appealed to urban riders and practical-minded users alike. Expanding its lineup beyond pure luxury and sporting performance, the brand began exploring new possibilities, opening its doors to a broader range of riders.

Brough Superior entered a new phase of diversification this year. Following the 10-15 JAP, the company unveiled an experimental machine equipped with an automotive engine — the unusual “Austin STRAIGHT FOUR.” In addition, the compact and more affordable V-twin model “689 Junior” was introduced to broaden the brand’s reach. This period saw Brough Superior quietly exploring two directions at once: bold innovation and practical usability, expanding not only its high-end sport lineage but also its presence across a wider market. The same year, Australian racer Allan Bruce piloted a Brough Superior sidecar-equipped motorcycle, “Leaping Lena,” in Vienna and became the first in history to break the 200 km/h barrier (recorded approx. 122 mph) for a sidecar world speed record. The name “Leaping Lena,” born from this achievement, continues to be celebrated as part of the Brough Superior legend and has been revived as the concept name for modern sidecar projects.

Amid the changing times, Brough Superior entered a new partnership. This year marked the debut of the “S.S.80 Matchless,” equipped with a Matchless-built V-twin engine in place of the long-trusted JAP unit. The sturdy and easy-to-handle Matchless engine blended beautifully with the refined Brough Superior chassis, creating a model praised for its touring capability and comfort. Even as the era shifted, Brough Superior remained steadfast in preserving its unmistakable character and enduring sense of dignity.

To pursue further evolution, Brough Superior introduced the “S.S.100 Matchless” this year, equipped with a high-performance overhead-valve engine manufactured by Matchless. The legendary S.S.100, endowed with a new heart, retained its timeless elegance while gaining even greater power. Reaching speeds of up to 110 mph (approx. 177 km/h), the machine quietly yet vividly expressed the brand’s unwavering passion for speed.

An unrelenting pursuit of speed propelled Brough Superior even further. In this year, Eric Fernihough challenged the world speed record aboard a specially refined S.S.100. On the test course in Gyón, Hungary, riding a supercharged model, he achieved an astonishing average speed of 169.79 mph (approx. 273.25 km/h). This achievement stands as one of the greatest feats in motorcycle history, etching the name of Brough Superior forever into the annals of speed. The belief in pursuing absolute velocity— it was the truth that guided every challenge they undertook.

In its unwavering pursuit of innovation, Brough Superior embarked on an unprecedented challenge in this year: the creation of the experimental “Dream.” Equipped with a horizontally opposed twin-cylinder engine and wrapped in a striking gold-painted body, the Dream featured a dual-crankshaft configuration—an embodiment of both technical ingenuity and artistic ambition. Although it never reached production, its existence left a vivid and enduring mark, reflecting the brand’s boundless spirit of exploration and its profound devotion to mechanical beauty beyond mere speed.

Even as the era approached its end, Brough Superior continued to pursue speed with unwavering resolve. In this year, Noel Pope rode an S.S.100 at the historic Brooklands Circuit, challenging the limits of lap speed. He achieved an astonishing average of 124.51 mph (approximately 200.38 km/h) per lap. Furthermore, he established the top-speed record in the sidecar category as well, leaving his mark in both two-wheel and three-wheel competition. With the sound of war drawing near, Brough Superior continued to burn with pride and passion for speed until the very last moments.

With the outbreak of the Second World War and the world once again engulfed in darkness, Brough Superior faced a critical turning point. In this year, the company officially ended civilian motorcycle production and converted all its facilities to military manufacturing. The factory shifted to producing aircraft engine components and military equipment, as its engineers chose to devote their skills to the needs of their country. Although the dream of crafting the world’s finest motorcycles was forced into temporary suspension, the precision, pride, and craftsmanship of Brough Superior continued to live on—even under the harsh conditions of wartime industry.

Even after the war had come to an end, Brough Superior would never again return to motorcycle production. Postwar shortages of materials, shifts in the market, and above all George Brough’s unwavering belief in creating “only the very best” closed the path to revival. The brand concluded its story alongside its brilliant records, yet its glory never faded. It continued to live on in the hearts of riders and enthusiasts across the world. Brough Superior did not vanish— it became a legend.

A quiet chapter in the long-slumbering history of Brough Superior reached a profound turning point. In 1970, founder George Brough passed away at the age of seventy-nine. He was the visionary who created machines hailed as “the Rolls-Royce of Motorcycles,” and who bestowed a new dimension of value upon the very idea of the motorcycle. Though the brand had long ceased production, the philosophy and aesthetic he forged continued to shine quietly, transcending time itself.

After decades of silence, Brough Superior was granted a new heartbeat. In 2008, vintage motorcycle enthusiast Mark Upham acquired the rights to the brand, igniting a challenge to resurrect the once-glorious legend for the modern world. Joining forces with master French designer Thierry Henriette, he set out to create a new Brough Superior— one that would unite tradition and innovation in perfect harmony. Across time, the legend stirred once more, quietly reclaiming its pulse as it prepared to ride again.

Breaking a long silence, Brough Superior returned to the world stage. In 2013, at the EICMA Show in Milan, Italy, the prototype of the reborn S.S.100 was unveiled in spectacular fashion. While inheriting the elegant silhouette of the original, it embraced modern engineering without compromise. Its presence stirred deep emotion— both among those who knew the legend and those seeing it for the first time. Brough Superior— once again a name worthy of global admiration.

In 2015, Brough Superior established a dedicated factory in Toulouse, in the south of France, officially beginning full-scale production. Combining state-of-the-art engineering with traditional craftsmanship, each machine was meticulously assembled by hand. This was more than a revival. It was the continuation of a spirit— the unwavering pursuit of “the world’s finest motorcycle,” first envisioned by George Brough, now realized in a modern form.

Brough Superior advanced boldly into new territory. In this year, the company partnered with the prestigious British automaker Aston Martin to unveil the limited model “AMB 001.” Its turbocharged V-twin engine and avant-garde carbon-fiber bodywork embodied a fusion of tradition and innovation. Produced in a strictly limited run of 100 units as a track-only motorcycle, it captivated collectors worldwide the moment it was announced. It was the instant when two legends resonated—and a new story began.

Brough Superior continues to open new and diverse horizons. In 2020, the brand unveiled “Lawrence,” a tribute to the legendary T.E. Lawrence. This was followed by “Nefud,” named after the desert, and the more sport-oriented “Dagger.” Each model inherits the brand’s distinctive aesthetics while responding to the sensibilities of the modern era. The spirit of “speed” and “elegance” that once astonished the world continues to pulse through every motorcycle today. The story of Brough Superior has never ceased— it continues to evolve.

In 2025, Brough Superior takes yet another step toward greatness. A collaboration with the Swiss haute horlogerie brand Richard Mille gave birth to the RMB01 — a machine created through the pursuit of ultimate performance and artistic expression. Its debut at Le Mans Classic marked a bold challenge to transcend the idea of a machine and redefine the motorcycle as a true work of art.

In 1919, the story began with the passion of George Brough. A belief unwavering — to create a machine not focused solely on speed, but one that carries a soul, elevated to the realm of an artifact. Through the tempests of war and decades of silence, Brough Superior rose once more to carve its name into the world. Innovation and tradition. Speed and elegance. Function and aesthetics. A presence that unites all these continues to ride forward without wavering.

Brough Superior
── A timeless legend that transcends eras and stirs the heart.