Luxurious Motorcycle Collaboration: The RMB01 by Richard Mille and Brough Superior Exudes Stunning Visual Grace
In a groundbreaking collaboration, Brough Superior, the historic British motorcycle marque dating back to 1919, and Richard Mille, the avant-garde Swiss watchmaker known for its technical innovation and striking design aesthetics, have joined forces to create the RMB01 - a limited edition of 150 track-focused motorcycles.
The partnership between Brough Superior's CEO, Thierry Henriette, and Richard Mille's founder, has been 18 months in the making, with more than a dozen iterations to perfect the design. The result is a high-performance track motorcycle that blends sculptural beauty with uncompromising function, much like Richard Mille's approach to watchmaking.
The RMB01 draws inspiration from the Board Trackers, the first racing motorcycles in the USA that competed on steeply banked wooden tracks in the 1910s. These early racers were radically stripped-down machines that emphasized lightness and performance above all else. The RMB01's design pays direct homage to this era with a slimline, highly pared-back body, an elongated fuel tank, visible mechanics, lightweight construction, aerodynamic features, and exposed instrumentation.
The minimalist bodywork reveals the mechanical workings underneath, much like the exposed engines and frames of Board Trackers. The elongated fuel tank gives the RMB01 a distinctive, low, and aggressive profile. The skeletonized structure allows riders to see through the bike, highlighting the craftsmanship and engineering. The use of aluminum, titanium, and carbon fiber reinforces the focus on weight reduction and strength, mirroring both the ethos of Board Track racing and Richard Mille’s watchmaking techniques.
Specially developed aerodynamic “wings” beneath the handlebars and visible ventilation openings increase downforce and stability, modernizing the Boardtracker concept for contemporary track performance. The exposed instrumentation, featuring an aesthetic approach similar to Richard Mille's design playbook, with exposed gearing, meticulously crafted dials, and pointers, further reduces weight while blending function and aesthetic.
The RMB01 is engineered as a purpose-built track bike. Its 997cc twin-cylinder engine delivers 130 horsepower, with a focus on usable power and mechanical feel rather than outright top speed. The bike's fixed, low riding position and minimalist seat are direct nods to the riding stances of early Board Track racers.
Each version of the RMB01 - Nocturnal Sapphire blue, Selene grey with orange details, and Pearl of Speed, a pearlescent white with red details - will be hand-assembled at Brough Superior’s factory near Toulouse. The RMB01, contained within a carbon chassis, is a testament to the shared philosophy between two cutting-edge brands, combining their respective expertise in engineering and design to create a powerful machine that is both a work of art and a force to be reckoned with on the track.
Whether the RMB01 will be used for racing or as an ornament remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: the Brough Superior RMB01 is a contemporary interpretation of the Board Track racers, honoring their legacy through innovative engineering and avant-garde design.
The Brough Superior RMB01, a contemporary take on the Board Track racers, embodies innovative engineering and avant-garde design, much like the approach of Richard Mille in watchmaking and sports technology. The collaboration between Brough Superior and Richard Mille has resulted in a limited edition track motorcycle that offers a unique blend of technological prowess and aesthetic appeal.
