It’s big. It’s exclusive, and worth half an apartment (maybe even a whole one, depending on the city you live in). But when people are ready to pay more than half as much for a factory produced motorcycle, Rs 59 lakh, ex-showroom in Delhi, for a custom chopper from the world’s largest custom motorcycle builder doesn’t seem all that improbable, does it? Enter the Big Dog K9 Red Chopper – 111. The debut of this massive 108-inch (2,743mm) long motorcycle also marks the entry of Big Dog Motorcycles, formerly Kansas Motor Works and the world’s largest custom bike builder, to India in partnership with Big Motorcycle Company.
Back to the bike, the K9 Red Chopper is a one off build that is unlikely to be duplicated for such is the nature of custom choppers. In the age old traditions of chopper building, the bike is powered by a 1807cc 45-degree V-twin with a six-speed gearbox and a belt drive, the latter sending a load of torque to that obese 250-section rear tyre.
But this is a bike that is less about the engine and more about the design and there are few bikes in India (if any) that will stand out as much. The motorcycle is built to true American chopper tradition with an incredible 37-degree rake and an equally incredible 82 inches (2082mm) for its wheelbase. Ground clearance is 115mm and seat height is a low 24.5 inches (622mm). As is the custom with custom bikes, the front wheel is larger – 21-inches, than the 18-incher rear wheel. And all of these aspects come together to give the bike its unique look.
Big Dog Motorcycles will also have customising options for owners to personalise their bikes even more, at an extra cost of course. These will include design options, exotic seats, sissy bars, additional seat, drag pipes, stator and rotor kits and even fatter tyres to name a few.
“For decades, I was planning to get this motorcycle here in India and now finally my dream has come true. I believe that this motorcycle will attract the right rider who is looking for a unique, ‘one of one’ custom chopper which will make its presence felt on the road, and guess what this is completely street legal in India,” said Samar J S Sodhi, founder, Big Motorcycle Company (Big Dog’s Indian partner).