Ad

The Art of Motorcycles

Image

Prankur Rana : Moto Illustration: The Line of Action

Throw together inking, ‘Made like a Gun’ motorcycles, a little Shaolin Kung Fu philosophy, and a passion for action-based, sometimes ‘wacky’ concept art … and you've got Dehradun-based freelance concept artist Prankur Rana.

From the mountains of Chamoli Gharwal – hatched near New Delhi, India – Rana has been making waves in the moto art world for the past three years with his unique take on motorcycles and the riders who obsess over them.

India is a country with a rich motorcycle heritage and culture: Royal Enfield is based in the Southeast Asian subcontinent, and RE’s highly successful 'Himalayan' was originally developed for the market there. Bollywood films and the streets of major cities like New Delhi and Mumbai are full of chrome-tanked vintage and modern classic bikes, like REs, BSAs and Nortons.

Appropriately, Rana is highly passionate about riding and his motorcycles – both are a key influence and motivator in his artwork.

“Here we used to call REs 'The Bullet' … Enfields were just 'Bullet' for us," Rana said. "It’s still the same. The old cast iron engines with chrome details are still considered legendary here. If you go back to my social media (Instagram) from the last few years, the first ever drawing I posted was an old 'Bullet' engine drawing. Royal Enfield has been the biggest and dearest inspiration for me to illustrate motorcycles and to try to make a career out of it."

Read the Feature

Products, Services & Reviews

Image

g.d.m Offers Moto Storage Alternative

The brainchild of NYC Gotham Riders founder Ronnie Pichson and his husband Stefon Davis, the Gotham Depot Moto Storage – or g.d.m. – opens its doors this month in Greenpoint as the latest of the city’s community garage motorcycle facilities.

It’s everything a boutique facility could offer … wide parking spots, private storage units, individual electric outlets for trickle charging, lounge space and tunes … all in an upscale, designed, almost club-like atmosphere.

A jazzy version of Billy Holiday’s Autumn in New York plays over the speaker system, while visitors are greeted by slate-colored brick walls, stainless steel lockers, dark brown bamboo veneer wall cladding, tin tile wallpaper … reminiscent of British pub ceilings, two covered skylights, black metal roof beams, and black reflective lines on the floor, designating motorcycle spots.

Read the Feature

Featured Video

Distinguished Gentleman's Ride NYC 2023 Video — Matt Koffel, Nikolai Berger & Zoltan Suhay

2023 DGR NYC VIDEO

The 2023 NYC Distinguished Gentleman's Ride united more than 1000 gentlefolk and 800-plus classic bikes May 21 in aid of prostate cancer research and men's mental health resources, with the 'Big Apple' raising a city record $236,442K through rider donations and local contributions to top the world.

This year's inspired video -- courtesy of filmmakers Matt Koffel and Nikolai Berger -- covers the panoramic start at Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan, the ride up the Westside Highway, back down the FDR and and across the Manhattan and Brooklyn bridges before the dapper group lands in the Meatpacking District for après festivities including live music by Julia Haltigan.

Both the riders and the cityscape are key features in the piece which combines Sony a7 sIII camera footage shot on gimbals from Ural sidecars with Mavik Air 2s drone scenes shot above the Manhattan and Brooklyn bridges and down the FDR. Two cameras ... two drones, one operated by Zoltan Suhay (the other by Berger), and two Urals provided by Dapper Tours NYC owner Will Davis and Patrick Brennan.

Many thanks to all who participated this year: the enthusiastic riders, the generous sponsors, our dedicated volunteers, the NYPD Highway Patrol, and the spirited, untiring organizers for a hugely successful event.

NYC ride hosts Mike Higgins, Allister Klingensmith, Chris Logsdon, Hatim Banaja and Rahoul Ghose are honored to be a part of this great experience. Relive the day and don't forget to bookmark next year's DGR date: Sunday, May 19, 2024.

Stay dapper folks ... and keep the rubber side down.

Video credits:

Matt Koffel: co-director, cinematographer and editor (@mattkoffel_)
Nikolai Berger: co-director, cinematographer (_nikolaiberger)
Zoltan Suhay: cinematographer (z_motophoto)

Additional footage: Adam Espaillat (armand1700) & Dante Mojares (crwth.nyc)

Check out the eight DGR NYC 2023 Photo Galleries. And if you have a New York City motorcycle-related video you'd like us to showcase on the site, contact us at rahoul@nycmotorcyclist.com or via IM @nyc_motorcyclist.

Featured Events & Series

Image

DGR : NYC

We have been involved with this classic global fundraising ride in one form or another for the past 10 years, directing events in LA and helping the incredible organizing team here in NYC. The 'Big Apple' took top global honors in 2022 and 2019. The event pairs classic rides and dapper dress to raise funds for prostate cancer research and mental health funding through the Movember Foundation.

Image

Sorez the Scribe

For biker scribe Eddie ‘Sorez’ Pliska, poetry is as much about capturing his passion for the moto lifestyle and the raw energy of two-wheeled travel in prose, as it is about documenting determination in the face of the often-harsh struggles of life. He has had his fair share of both. Sorez the Scribe has graciously agreed to pen some inspiration for the NYC Moto community each month.

Image

NYC Hometown Heroes

While NYC is replete with heroes in the medical field, tackling the battle against COVID-19 head on, the local moto community has also stepped up with some creative and resourceful ways to help out: production & transportation of medical supplies — masks, hand sanitizer; rides for medical staff; and even photojournalistic documentation of the city’s efforts.

Image

Mods vs Rockers NYC

It's an idea we at NYC Motorcyclist have been mulling over for a couple of years now ... reviving the Mods vs Rockers event in New York City. Cafe racers, scooters, a meet-up, a circuitous ride, bands, food, drinks ... pie-in-the-sky aspirations. We are putting out feelers right now to gauge interest from the British Iron set and their Vespa rivals for an event set for 2022. Get involved!

Image

Motos and Photos : NYC

We're building a community of NYC-based motorcycle photographers and artists, promoting interchange, common events, mentorship, education and inspiring content through a regular, off-season, sponsored photo night here in the city. We profile artists, photographers & cinematographers, who offer up their experiences, inspirations and advice.

Partners Past & Present