If you’re an antique motorcycle lover, then you’ll probably start drooling when we tell you about the auction that will soon be hitting Bonham’s first annual Las Vegas Motorcycle Auction.

Come January 6 of next year you can take a bite out of this 115-year-old Hildebrand & Wolfmüller Motorcycle from a private American motorcycle collection.

The bike is truly special since it was the first powered two-wheeler to enter series production and is the first vehicle to receive the name “motorcycle” (motorrad in German). Earlier this year, Bonhams sold another Hildebrand & Wolfmüller for £86,200 (about $137,250). The 1895 model up for grabs in January is expected to sell for between $130,000 and $150,000.

A motorcycle signed by President Barack Obama himself is being auctioned off with all proceeds going to the Fisher House Foundation to benefit military families.

The custom chopper will also bear the signatures of Vice President Joe Biden and National Security Advisor James Jones. Built by Hardcore Choppers of Sterling, VA, the United States Army Chopper was designed to recall the European race cars of the ‘50s. It features an intricate Army P40 Warhawk theme paint job and sprints from zero to 60 mph in 2.7 seconds with a top speed of 160 mph. It has a six-speed transmission and a 150-horsepower engine.

We honestly don’t mean any disrespect, but who would want a chopper signed by a president?

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.

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.

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?

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.

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

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

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.

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.