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."
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Products, Services & Reviews
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.
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Featured Video
Distinguished Gentleman's Ride NYC 2025 — Nikolai Berger, Zoltan Suhay & Matt Koffel
THE 2025 DGR NYC BUILDUP
Time to get fired up about this year's Distinguished Gentleman's Ride -- May 18, 2025 -- and what better way than a fancy promo video. Can you spot yourself?
Last year's NYC ride brought together more than 1000 gentlefolk and 800-plus classic bikes to raise funds for prostate cancer research and men's mental health resources, with the 'Big Apple' raising a world-topping $208,170 through rider donations and local contributions. Organizers for 2025 again look forward to a host of enthusiastic riders, generous sponsors, dedicated volunteers, and of course the essential participation of the NYPD Highway Patrol.
So start thinking about your dapper attire, how you're going to groom those handlebar mustaches and beards, getting those vintage bikes tuned and shiny ... and about making 2025 our best fundraising year ever.
Get pre-registered for this year's Distinguished Gentleman's Ride in New York City at gentlemansride.com.
And if you're thinking of volunteering, drop co-host Mike Higgins a line at higgins@77stories.com.
Video credits:
Zoltan Suhay: cinematographer, editor (@z_motophoto)
Nikolai Berger: co-director, cinematographer (@_nikolaiberger)
Matt Koffel: co-director, cinematographer
Music: ANBR-Gentleman by Adrián Berenguer | Aves-Rollin by Aves
Check out the eight DGR NYC 2024 Photo Galleries. Or the stunning 2024 NYC DGR Video. 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.
#gentlemansride #distinguishedgentlemansride #movember #dapper #vintage #classicmotorcycles #prostatecancer #mensmentalhealth #globalfundraiser #dgr2025 #dgrnyc2025 #dgrnyc #prostatecancerresearch #menshealth #dapper #newyorkcity #triumph #ilovenyc❤️
@gentlemansride @markhawwa @higginsnyc @allisterk @thruxton999 @nypd_highway_patrol @gothamdepotmoto
Featured Events & Series
We have been involved with this classic global fundraising ride in one form or another for the past 12 years, directing events in LA and helping the incredible organizing team here in NYC. The 'Big Apple' took top global honors in 2024, 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.
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.
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.
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!
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.