Origins of Glory ── 1919, The Dawn of a Legend

Brough Superior was founded in 1919 in Nottingham, England, by George Brough. Having honed his engineering foundation at his father William Brough’s motorcycle company, “William Brough & Sons,” George soon envisioned a machine that transcended the pragmatic ideals of the family workshop. His aspiration was clear: to create a motorcycle that embodied the highest echelon of quality, uniting beauty and performance at a level no one had dared to pursue.

While William favored horizontally opposed twin-cylinder engines for their smoothness and steadfast reliability, George was captivated by the potential of large-displacement V-twin engines—machines that spoke not only through mechanical excellence but also through expressive, dynamic aesthetics. With this divergence of philosophy, George chose independence, embarking on a journey to bring his own ideals into form. The name “Superior”—a bold declaration of being without parallel—carried both a respectful challenge to his father’s creations and an unwavering conviction in his own craftsmanship.

As the years progressed, Brough Superior shattered conventions with unrivaled quality and performance, establishing its machines not merely as tools of transport, but as works of mechanical art— embodiments of dignity for those who rode them. The most radiant symbol of this philosophy emerged in 1924: the S.S.100. Capable of exceeding 100 miles per hour, it became the world’s first production motorcycle guaranteed to reach that speed.

Every machine delivered to a customer was personally tested to surpass 100 mph, a testament to an uncompromising approach to craftsmanship. The S.S.100 would go on to set world speed records in 1924, 1929, and 1937, securing its place as a timeless icon— a legend etched into the very fabric of motorcycling history.

Lawrence of Arabia and the S.S.100 ── A Machine that Carried the Dreams of Men

When speaking of the Brough Superior S.S.100, one cannot avoid invoking the name of a singular and legendary figure: Thomas Edward Lawrence — T.E. Lawrence, known across the world as “Lawrence of Arabia.” A British Army officer, a scholar of rare brilliance, and an ardent devotee of the motorcycle, Lawrence was utterly enthralled by this machine. Over the course of his life, he owned eight Brough Superiors, each one affectionately given a personal name. For him, the S.S.100 was not merely a vehicle; it was a form of expression, a companion whose beauty, precision, and unprecedented speed stirred something profound within him.

A man who read ancient languages by lamplight, who commanded forces across the shifting sands of Arabia, and who, astride his motorcycle, became one with the wind— for Lawrence, the S.S.100 may well have been another version of himself, resonant with every facet of his extraordinary life.

Yet fate bears its own quiet cruelty. In 1935, while riding his seventh Brough Superior, Lawrence suffered a fatal accident. Striking a dip in the road, he swerved to avoid two boys on bicycles, lost control, and was thrown violently from the machine. Without a helmet, he sustained severe head injuries. Taken to Bovington Military Hospital, he remained unconscious for six days, passing away on May 19 at the age of forty-six.※1

His tragic end imparted a deeper mythos to the S.S.100— a machine that bore the trust, passion, and final moments of a hero. This single truth elevated the S.S.100 from mechanical masterpiece to timeless symbol, a motorcycle that lived alongside a legend. Even now, the story continues to be told, and the S.S.100 endures as a radiant emblem whose light does not diminish with time.

The Return of the S.S.100 ── Tradition Reborn Through the Artistry of Modern Engineering

In 2013, after decades of silence, Brough Superior once again took center stage at EICMA — the Milan Motorcycle Show — and proclaimed the triumphant resurrection of the S.S.100. This was no mere reproduction, but a profound re-creation: a project that honored the original DNA while refining it through contemporary innovation. The legendary machine that once carved its name across the frontlines of motorcycling history had returned to the world with quiet authority and unmistakable presence.

And within this reborn S.S.100, there existed nothing resembling imitation or nostalgia— only the distilled intent and passion of those who dared to pursue perfection. The goal was not to trace the past, but to question what must be inherited, what must be renewed, and ultimately: “What motorcycle would George Brough create if he were alive today?” The answer emerged not as a machine alone, but as a philosophy cast in metal and motion.

Tradition is not the static continuation of memory. It is the conscious act of confronting that memory, reshaping it into a new form of value. The return of the S.S.100 is the embodiment of this very act. Thierry Henriette, who led the project, honored the legacy yet refused to be bound by it. His aim was the spirit of George Brough himself— the relentless pursuit of “What does it mean to be the best?” and the challenge of re-asking that question through the lens of the modern age.

The revived S.S.100 carries the echoes of its former silhouette and ideals, yet it stands as a being with its own new life, a presence imbued with thought, almost philosophical in its stillness. More than a motorcycle, it becomes a mirror that reflects the values of the one who beholds it. “What is speed?” “What is beauty?” “What is heritage, and what is innovation?” When one listens to these questions, the S.S.100 transforms from a machine into a quiet oracle. And perhaps one wonders— what would George Brough think of this S.S.100? Even that imagined reflection becomes another thread woven into the living philosophy breathing within this machine.

Fusion of Innovation and Heritage ── A Precision Heart and Peerless Dynamic Performance

At the core of the S.S.100 lies a 997cc water-cooled V-twin engine, its cylinders set at an uncommon 88 degrees— a configuration shaped by influences from Italy’s great marques such as Ducati and Moto Guzzi, yet unmistakably breathing with the singular cadence of Brough Superior. Delivering 102 bhp (75 kW) at 9600 rpm under Euro 4 compliance, and weighing in at under 190 kg dry, the machine offers an immediacy of response that stirs the rider’s senses with every pulse.

The frame and swingarm are constructed from titanium, aluminum, and magnesium— aerospace-grade materials chosen not for extravagance, but for their intrinsic qualities of strength, lightness, and structural integrity. Through these elements, extreme weight reduction and superior rigidity are attained, forming a chassis that borders on the sculptural.

Both front and rear suspension systems are entrusted to Öhlins, with the front end distinguished by an exceptional double-wishbone configuration rarely witnessed in contemporary motorcycles. This architecture grants remarkable stability during cornering, allowing the machine to carve through bends with a poised authority that recalls the grace of the original S.S.100— its spirit revived, its character reborn, and its legendary riding feel reinterpreted for the modern age.

The Zenith of Form ── Craftsmanship That Lives Within Every Detail

The design of the Brough Superior S.S.100 exudes an unmistakable aura the moment one gazes upon it. Its elongated, elegantly drawn fuel tank—faithfully honoring the lineage— the interplay of polished chrome and sculpted aluminum, and the extraordinary 18-spoke machined wheels together transcend functional beauty, emerging as a visual work of art in motion.

Each motorcycle is assembled entirely by hand by master craftsmen whose precision borders on the ceremonial. Many of the components are not outsourced but produced in-house, shaped meticulously as original parts bearing the brand’s soul. Hundreds of hours are devoted to the creation of a single machine, ensuring that every S.S.100 is not merely manufactured, but born as a singular piece of mechanical artistry.

Even the riding position, suspension tune, and ergonomic tailoring are adjusted to suit the preferences of the owner, transforming the machine into a bespoke companion. More than a motorcycle, an S.S.100 becomes a personal instrument of life— crafted to journey alongside its rider with unwavering elegance and purpose.

A Sensory Symphony ── An Immersive Harmony of Sight, Touch, and Sound

Cutting through the wind along winding mountain roads, the S.S.100 moves with sharp precision and extraordinary fluidity. Twist the throttle and the machine responds as though reading the rider’s intentions before they are even expressed, carving lines with uncanny intuition.

Its most remarkable trait is the natural purity of its handling. From low-speed maneuvering to high-speed sweepers, the behavior of the chassis remains consistently transparent, offering absolute trust in every situation. Agility and stability coexist in perfect balance, allowing the rider to sense surface changes and weight transfer as though they were extensions of their own muscles.

Braking performance is entrusted to France’s renowned Beringer system. The precision transmitted to the fingertips is astonishing— delicate, accurate, and fully aligned with the rider’s will. There is a tactile immediacy that no electronic assistance can replicate, a mechanical yet organic resonance that defines the sensual character of its deceleration.

Yet, the true essence of this machine cannot be reduced to numbers. Its allure lies in the intimate dialogue exchanged through the rider’s five senses. The moment one settles into the saddle, the motorcycle ceases to be a mere assembly of metal and begins to respond as though endowed with its own spirit. Riding the S.S.100 is an experience that imbues motion with meaning, emotion, and profound delight— a genuine act of sensory ecstasy.

For Those Who Understand True Worth ── What It Means to Own the S.S.100

The Brough Superior S.S.100 is not a motorcycle designed for everyone. It is not for those who chase specifications, acceleration figures, or numbers on a chart. It exists for those who resonate with the philosophy behind the machine— its beauty, its craftsmanship, and the spirit that has been handed down across generations.

To ride this machine is to transcend the simple act of ownership. It is a privilege reserved for individuals who possess a refined philosophy of “beauty” and “quality” in life— those who understand the meaning of choosing and living with creations of true distinction. Just as the British gentlemen of old once did, owning an S.S.100 is an expression of one’s values and an understated yet unmistakable form of pride.

More than a limited-production machine, each S.S.100 is a singular piece shaped by the will of its owner. No two are identical— finish, configuration, and every fine detail reflect personal intention. Each unit possesses its own reason for being, becoming an irreplaceable companion for its owner.

Its very presence connects past, present, and future, and invites the rider to reconsider the true essence of the motorcycle. Its worth cannot be conveyed through “speed” or “innovation” alone— it reveals itself only through a rich, intimate relationship built over time. It is a living embodiment of its owner’s taste and conviction, and a motorcycle with a soul that breathes beyond eras.

Brough Superior S.S.100
Beyond Timeless Value and Innovation ── Here Begins Your Journey

Brough Superior S.S.100— a machine that lives with history, reaches the pinnacle of engineering, and continually questions the essence of beauty. The moment the S.S.100 comes alive, the rider no longer “controls” a motorcycle; they become part of its world.

The serene tension etched into its form, the precise response hidden within its controls, and the spirit that breathes within its very structure— each element weaves together an experience that feels as though it touches the depth of one’s inner self. Its presence that steals your breath, the texture that speaks when you touch it, and the landscapes that unfold as you ride— the S.S.100 continually reveals new wonders, becoming not merely a motorcycle, but a lifelong companion.

The legend continues to run. And when you take the handlebars, a new story begins—from you.