Bryan's Blog

For those who haven’t heard, Lorenzo Lamas, a TV personality and former star of the series ‘Renegade’ in which Lamas portrayed a motorcycle-riding bad boy bounty hunter called Reno Raines, is starting his own limited-edition production motorcycle company. Saw him at the Legends Ride where he was hawking Lorenzo Cycles t-shirts for the Make-A-Wish foundation while simultaneously promoting the new bikes, and again at the AMD World Championships where he was entered in the Production Manufacturer Class with a bike called the ‘Badlands Bomber.’

From what I understand, Lorenzo Cycles is aiming to build four different models, the Reno Rocket, Knockout Bobber, Badlands Bomber, and a bagger called the Power Sled. Production numbers have been set at 40 bikes per year and will source S&S powerplants and run on Avon Tires. His Badlands Bomber rolls on a Chopper Guys frame with a 6-speed Harley transmission mated to a 124 cu. in. S&S, while the Reno Rocket is built on a US Choppers frame with a Baker tranny and a 113 cu. in. engine. Lorenzo stated that he wants the bikes to have a ‘Wild West Vibe.’ Hi, Ho, Silver, Away!
 
But it appears that ol’Lorenzo has already run into his first snag. Originally he had teamed up with custom builder Ralph Randolph to design and market the bikes. Seems like that original collaboration only lasted a few months and the two had a falling out in Sturgis, because right after the rally, Lorenzo Cycles announced that it was now teaming up with famous custom builder Eddie Trotta instead.

Now, I respect that the dude’s been biking for 30 years, and I know Trotta isn’t going to have his name associated with a crappy bike. But it’s hard to take the new start-up company seriously. The timing is bad, I haven’t seen a price point yet but I can only imagine what his ego is going to ask for a motorcycle that bears his name, and there’s already dissension in the ranks. I know Ralph Randolph. He’s not the kind of guy that would put up with a celebrity getting up in his face, and I have a feeling Lorenzo was trying to tell a guy who has already made a name for himself in the biz how to build bikes.

Maybe when the line is ready I’ll get a chance to test one and see if they’re all hype or whether they actually ride. I trust Eddie’s work. But I’m still not sure about the ‘Renegade.’ Only time will tell if I’m wrong.
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