By Joe Berk
There’s a new motoflick due for release momentarily, and it promises to be a great one. You can’t watch Speed Is Expensive yet, but you will be able to very soon. Speed Is Expensive is the story of Philip Vincent and the Vincent motorcycle. A Vincent was the first motorcycle ever to break the 150 mph barrier (Rollie Free was the bathing-trunks-only rider, who shed all other clothing and rode stretched out on the saddle to reduce drag), and a Vincent became the most expensive motorcycle ever when one sold at auction in 2018 for 1.2 million dollars. They are mythical motorcycles.
The movie will be on Netflix in the near future, or you can pre-order Speed Is Expensive on Amazon now. I’m going to watch it as soon as it’s available. Watch for a review in the near future.
Vincents have always had an aura of incredible power and exclusivity. I see them at the Hansen Dam Britbike meets in my part of the world (it’s where I grabbed the photo at the top of this blog and the others below). The Hansen Dam events occur once or twice a year at Hansen Dam, about 70 miles from my home. All the photos you see here were from events in the 2004-2008 time frame, which means it’s been about 15 years since I’ve attended. I need to get out there again.
I have a few more Vincent photos from Hansen Dam, and I thought I would share a few of them here.
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Thanks Joe. I’ll be sure to see it.
You and I both, John.
Many years ago at the Honda dealer on 36th street in Miami there was a Vincent on the showroom floor. It had Mikuni carbs. The price was $1700.
Next to it was a new CB750, glistening with modernity. I thought to myself, “Who in the world would buy that old clunker when you can get a new 750 for the same price?”
Summer of ’72 worked as a salesmen at VIP Honda Motor Cyles in Plainfield N.J,
I had a chance to ride a used Vincent priced at $1500, fast as hell.
Bought a new Honda CB750 for $1250, loved it.
Good hearing from you, John. I had a ‘71 750. Great bike.
As Bonneville racer and even a record holder I would agree that racing is Expensive. It has been rained out the last two years of racing and really wanted to go this year… but for the first time ever the event was rained out two years in row. I miss it, there is something very special about Bonneville and the people who race there.
I’ve never been to Bonneville. One of these days…
Every time I think about canceling Netflix something like this comes along. Thanks for the heads up.
We’ve watched a bunch of good ones on Netflix lately. Look for Race, the story about Jesse Owens. It’s another good one.
It’s in my list.