360 DEGREES Weblog

Shinya Kimura from Adam Richards on Vimeo.

Two icons of authentic sporting style come together in classic British outerwear brand Barbour’s cool new limited edition collection designed in homage to the great Steve McQueen, set to launch this fall. In celebration of the 75th anniversary of their iconic International clothing range, which the King of Cool wore while motorcycle racing in the 1960s, the capsule collection of 19 pieces features several new jackets, shirts and sweaters inspired by archival photos of the actor racing motorbikes and driving his collection of classic sports cars. McQueen first donned a Barbour International jacket when he represented the United States team in the 1964 International Six Day Trials (ISDT) motorcyle race in East Germany. The ISDT (now known as the International Six Days Enduro), one of the most challenging moto racing events in the world, requires each rider to cover 200 miles a day over hellish terrain.

Prior to the event in ’64 Steve McQueen and other members of U.S. team stopped off in London and bought six-pocket Barbour Internationals, derived from a one-piece racing suit first offered by the firm in 1936, as a defence against the vagaries of European weather. McQueen quickly became enamored of the International’s weather-defying qualities and rugged utility, wearing it in several grueling moto races over the years. Classic images of McQueen in his Barbour grace the linings of the jackets in the new collection.

TAG Heuer has come out with a limited edition motorcycle helmet inspired by the King of Cool, who wore a Heuer Monaco watch in the film. The retro-styled fiberglass helmet, which features a racing stripe matching the colors on McQueen’s driving gear, vintage Heuer logo, steel hardware and leather trim, is priced at about $650.

Confederate Motors is now taking orders for the new C3 X132 Hellcat, the company’s third generation Hellcat at its online store Work & Cycle. The all-new 2012 Confederate Hellcat combines 132 cubic inch Copperhead power with the Confederate powertrain technology. The unitized case construction is machined from a 400-pound block of 6061 aircraft grade aluminum. The new C3 X132 Hellcat is being claimed by the company to be the toughest motorcycle ever made. Limited to 150 units, the Confederate C3 X132 Hellcat is priced at $45,000 and the deliveries are expected in the Q2 of 2011.

Luxury Parisian motorcycle helmet maker Ruby has produced a limited edition TRON themed helmet for the official French release of the movie January 2011. Colette will be offering a series of themed collaborations, including the helmet that we showcase here. Something to look out for.

Protect you, your companion, and your bike on overnight adventures in the Nomad Motorcycle Tent ($400). Made from coated ripstop nylon with a polyester floor, the Nomad offers 30 square feet of interior room, weighs just 13 lbs. when packed, and requires only three poles for assembly. It sure beats sleeping on the ground with your head inside a helmet.

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With old-school looks and useful tech, the Ural Patrol T Motorcycle ($12,400) is just the thing for poor-weather riding. Most notable on the Patrol T is its sidecar, which gives the bike its World War II feel ? think Indiana Jones vs. the Nazis ? but it’s also the sidecar that gives it its stability in bad weather, thanks to the world’s only on-demand two-wheel-drive sidecar drive shaft. Other features include an OHV air-cooled 4 cycle opposed twin cylinder engine, Herzog gears, Brembo brakes, a true reverse gear, a large sidecar storage compartment, straightforward maintenance, and true Russian heritage.

Harleys are cool and all, but they can’t compare to the macho muscle of Deus Ex Machina Customs ($TBA). Based in an old factory building in Sydney, Australia, Deus celebrates classic custom motorcycle culture by cranking out their own unique takes on Kawasakis, Yamahas, Triumphs, and yes, even Harley Davidsons, giving each bike special treatment to take it from mass produced machine to one-of-a-kind mechanical art. If you’re based in the L.A. area, make a stop by the company’s Secret Service shop on Industrial St. in downtown and see for yourself.