Within the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, is the Guggenheim Museum where on display for more than a year, has been one of the most extensive and most historic collections of motorcycles ever assembled: “The Art of the Motorcycle.” In this segment of the show, Corbin’s Ride On host, Brian Jackson got the inside tour of the exhibit and we had a chance to view some of the greatest bikes ever made! All the aspects of America’s love affair with the motorcycle are celebrated here including the beauty of function, design, technology and speed, fantasy, romance, rebellion, danger and of course, freedom.

For true enthusiasts, you would never have trouble convincing them that motorcycles are works of art, but the Guggenheim Museum has created an exhibit destined not only to impress motorcyclists, but also the general public as well. Sponsored in part by BMW, and with more than 120 motorcycles of classic design on display, this exhibition had just about something for everyone in the way of two-wheeled transportation.

At the beginning of the tour, we came in contact with one of the earliest examples in this historic display, an original 1868 Michaux-Perraux, a bike considered to be the first motorcycle! This bike was basically a velocipede with a steam engine strapped to it! Next, we saw a milestone in motorcycle design and performance, the BMW R32. Among other notable motorcycles on display were a host of vintage Triumphs, Nortons, Indians, Hondas, and of course, Harley-Davidsons, including a replica of Peter Fonda’s “Captain America,” chopper from the movie Easy Rider. This bike is one of the most popular attractions at the exhibit.

The Art of the Motorcycle runs through January 5, 2003, so if you are headed out west, make sure to take it in. For further information you can contact the Guggenheim Museum in Las Vegas at http://www.guggenheimlasvegas.org/lv_home.html .

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