A set of super stylish leather motorcycle / Vespa helmets is the latest luxe offering from Italian label Tod’s, famed for its iconic driving loafers, shoes and chic bags.

Tod's introduces leather motorcycle and scooter helmets.

Featuring a microfiber lining, stainless steel hardware and flip-up plexiglass eye shields, the helmets are priced at about $1,000 and come in glove soft, saddle stitched black, white and vacchetta leather.

The helmets are made by hand entirely in Italy, in a painstaking process ensuring their quality and durability, and adhere to rigorous road-going safety standards in a marriage of timeless style and contemporary luxury.

Tod’s has been expanding its offerings of late and also recently introduced its first line of sunglasses. Meanwhile, the firm’s dapper owner Diego Della Valle just published a book titled Italian Touch extolling the virtues of the stylish lifestyle embodied by the brand.

It seems that the promise of recognition through electric motorcycle racing is bringing out an increasing number of unlikely competitors to the racing fray. Add newly-born American motorcycle manufacturer Roehr to that growing list as the company has just announced its intentions to offer both

Roehr offers electric superbike for street and racing.

racing and street versions of the eRoehr electric motorcycle.

Roehr’s first motorcycle, the 1250sc, offers up 180 horsepower via a modified and supercharged Harley-Davidson Revolution motor. That’s plenty of power, but electric motors have a reputation for being major torque-monsters, and the AC induction unit specified for the Roehr eSuperbike is no exception. How does 96 hp and 210 pound-feet of torque sound?

A 10 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery pack will provide the power for that machine, which Roehr plans to enter in the U.S. TTXGP Series later this year. A second version with a similar motor offering 48 hp and 105 lb-ft paired with a 6kWh battery will reportedly have enough juice to hit 100 miles per hour.

What we don’t yet know are expected base prices, the performance expectations of the higher-spec eSuperbike or the range of either machine. In other words… stay tuned.

None other than Steve McQueen’s 1940 Indian Chief motorbike will soon be hitting up an auction in Los Angeles come November 14.

One of the most prized of his motorcycle collection, this 1940 Indian Chief was even pictured on the cover of the book Steve McQueen: The Last Mile astride this very bike.

Estimates are looking at around $20,000 – $30,000 for the bike.  What will your offer be?

It’s that time of the year boys and girls!

Neiman Marcus unveils their 2009 Christmas Book.

Neiman-Marcus has unveiled the 2009 Christmas Book.  Oh happy days and damn any recession because we have visions of cupcake-shaped electric cars for the kiddos, the world’s fastest electric motorcycle, and dinner with some of today’s bestselling authors.  These are just a few of the fantasy gifts for sale in Neiman Marcus’ 2009 Christmas book.

Dallas-based Neiman Marcus made a conscious effort to offer more affordable options while not disappointing loyal luxury shoppers as it unveiled its Christmas Book at the Dallas Contemporary.

Among this year’s offerings are a customized Cupcake Car for kids that costs $25,000 and reaches top speeds of 7 miles per hour. For adults, there’s a 2010 Jaguar XJL super-charged sedan, priced at $105,000. Neiman Marcus customers will be the first to be able to purchase the vehicle, which comes with a 5-piece set of luggage that matches its leather interior.

This year’s his-and hers gift – an annual tradition – is an ICON A5 sports aircraft, with pilot training for two. It costs a mere $250,000.

At $200,000, the Algonquin Round Table Experience includes dinner for two at New York’s Algonquin Hotel with Malcolm Gladwell, John Lithgow, Nora Ephron with eight famous authors, including and Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

About 40 percent of this year’s catalog items are priced under $250.

The luxury retailer’s his-and-hers gifts and other over-the-top holiday gift ideas represent a tradition that dates back to the 1950s. Stanley and Edward Marcus started picking attention-grabbing gifts to get the store on national TV, and it still works.

Last year, the Dallas-based retailer offered all 530 square yards of one of the end zones at Texas Stadium and a party to go with it for $500,000. His-and-hers gifts were life-size Lego likenesses of the buyers for $60,000 apiece.

A limited-edition 2009 BMW Individual 7 Series sedan offered a year ago didn’t sell out. Thirty-one were offered to represent the number of years that BMW has been selling in the U.S. A car has been part of the catalog for many years and has been known to sell out in a matter of minutes.

Luxury has been hard hit by the recession and has experienced some of the biggest sales declines. Neiman Marcus is adding more merchandise in its middle price points this year, while it continues to sell its highest priced luxury brands.

For the second year, Neiman Marcus is publishing a separate holiday book featuring “giftable” items, many under $100.

Speaking as a biker, I am constantly amazed by how many people are unaware that Triumph has some stellar bikes out

2010 Triumph Rocket III

these days.

Case in point: the Triumph Rocket III.   For the 2010 model, the bike will sport 165 lb of torque in a 2.3 liter inline triple engine which will provide about a 15% improvement over this year’s model.

Further, with 146 horsepower at 5,750 rpm and weighing in at a solid 807 pounds, you’ve got yourself a serious machine between your legs.

Triumph has also updated the brake components, updated Brembo brakes, and suspension. Further, there are 43mm upside down forks join the twin Kayaba shocks to keep the beast under control.

Now that you know some of the perks about the internal, we hit the external.   It comes in black.  You are allowed the choice of glossy or matte.

~~ Raine Devries

It’s been a long time coming and now Italian motorcycle maker MV Agusta Group has unveiled their first new models in 10 years.  MVA believes that their purchase by Harley-Davidson, Inc. in 2008 is now beginning to pay off.

MV Agusta Launches New Models For First Time In A Decade

HD’s purchase of MVA for $10M was a strategic move to broaden HD’s presence in Europe. While many mistakenly believe that most HD’s are sold in the U.S., this market actually accounts for less than 50% of new HD sales as the majority are in foreign markets.

There are two new bikes which are geared towards an affluent younger demographic of rider. The new versions are from the Brutale sport bike family and great for those that enjoy a sporty ride.

The 2010 Brutale 990R has a 990 cubic-centimeter engine and will be priced at $15,000 when it goes on sale in the U.S. at the end of this year or early next year.

The 2010 Brutale 1090R has a more powerful engine and will cost $18,000.

~~ Raine Devries

Touring the French countryside — in car, walking tour, bicycles.  It’s all be done time and again.

But now with Columbus International, you can truly embrace the sexy asphalt curves around Provence on a Ducati.  You can

Tour France in style on a Ducati motorcycle.

choose from a Streetfighter, Monster S2R 1000, Hypermotard 1100, and Supersport 848.

Based in Cannes, the company also offers varieties on their programs including the Gourmet Tour which takes you to starred Michelin restaurants, High Octane which will have you driving an F1 on a racetrack, the Nature Tour which features natural parks, restaurants, and a private yacht, and the Offshore Ride tour which includes yachting and barracuda fishing.

If you aren’t up for the summer heat, get brisk with their winter tours which will have you riding in the morning and skiing in the afternoon!

Tours begin at $7500.

As the glories of spring are upon us, the air is filled with the vibrations of V-twin motors  taking to the streets.  Alas, you’ve procrastinated on signing up for your weekend class to learn how to ride a motorcycle so you are on the sidelines looking for that strapping man with hot metal between his legs.

You need to look the part.  You simply must.

Christian Louboutin is to the rescue with the sublime Astraqueen as they allow you to tap into biker chic with these studded shoe boots. A great style to wear with skinny jeans and a biker jacket for day, then cocktail dresses at night.

It’s time to get your motor running girl.