Have you ever thought of taking your final ride in a motorcycle hearse? As an avid motorcycle rider, you hopefully had the opportunity to see many things in your lifetime, and ridden more miles than you can remember. As a motorcyclist, you have dodged deer on the roads, people that can't drive, pot holes, the weather, and just about everything you can think of.
Unfortunatley, it's your time and the bike reaper was finally able to catch up to you after all these years. It's your time to ascend or descend depending on how many stupid things you've done in your life. So, what's next for your mileage ridden body and that last ride, the motorcycle hearse?
Eternal Dirt Nap
Well, how about one more ride before your body takes the eternal dirt nap? Here's your chance...In Berlin, Germany, that " last ride" utilizing motorcycle hearses is a booming business.
Joerg Grossman specializes in designing unique Harley-Davidsons and metric cruisers outfitted with a special side car to act as the ultimate biker's hearse. Each one of these units is specifically designed for Harley-Davidson motorcycles, and is patented.
European Pricing
The last ride in the motorcycle hearse will cost you, oops, I mean your family around $1,600. I'm not sure where you get to go, but for $1,600 it should be anywhere you want. If you are one of those people that like to plan ahead for things, you can purchase one of these machines for a measly $78,000-$85,000, depending on the features you want on the bike.
Who in the hell would want to buy one of these, or go the cheaper route of renting one for the recently departed? Apparently, a lot more people than you think. Joerg is expecting around a 1,000 bookings a year and is in the process of building 10 of these Harley-Davidson motorcycle hearses, which will be completed later this year.
U.S. Black Diamond Motorcycle Hearse Services
Black Diamond Motorcycle Hearse Services was established in January 2006. Kenny "Krazylegs" Rosati and Garland "Crabb" Crabb built their first motorcycle hearse by hand to give the motorcycle enthusiast that last ride.
Krazylegs and Crabb got the idea after several of their friends who passed spoke of a non-traditional funeral. This gave them the inspiration they needed for the motorcycle hearse. Riders themselves, they took a 1992 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide and turned it into a trike. The trike provides more stability while towing the motorcycle hearse to a rider's final resting place.
Pricing
With European pricing topping well over $1,600 per ride, Black Diamond Motorcycle Hearse Service offers families more realistic and affordable pricing. $400 will get you up to 25 miles with the motorcycle hearse, including the driver. After 25 miles, expect $1.40 per mile.
For Police, Firefighters, EMS, Soldiers, etc...not killed in the line of duty, Black Diamond Motorcycle Hearse charges $300. For those who have fallen in the line of duty, they have discounted that to only $200
Boating Hearses?
For boating enthusiasts, Black Diamond Motorcycle Hearse Services also offers a boat hearse. For those who love, or have loved boating as much as those who love motorcycles, that final boat ride is available. For pricing and further details, visit their website.
When all is said and done folks, I think these guys have a creative and non-traditional way of showing your love and respect to those who have passed. Also, it allows everyone to be a part of something they loved to do, and who they were while they were alive.
