- Hand-built American streetfighter with massive 2064cc V-twin
- Designed and built by former US Marine Tony Audette
- Combines aerospace engineering with raw riding character
When Alan Cathcart gets the call, you know it’s something special — and the Audette Velos V2 is exactly that. This exclusive test reveals the story behind one of the most extraordinary hand-built American streetfighters ever created.
Very few motorcycles arrive with a story as compelling as the Audette Velos V2. In fact, most bikes don’t have a story at all — they’re designed in boardrooms, refined in wind tunnels and launched with carefully curated marketing campaigns.
The Velos is something else entirely. That exclusivity extends beyond the bike itself. The first full test wasn’t handed out widely — instead, it went to veteran motorcycle journalist Alan Cathcart, one of the most respected names in the industry when it comes to rare and significant machines.
If you were to imagine a figure from another era — someone returning from conflict with a head full of ideas and a need to create — you’d be getting close to the origins of this machine. Only this isn’t fiction. It’s the story of Tony Audette, a former US Marine whose experiences in Afghanistan would ultimately shape one of the most unusual motorcycles of the modern era.
From Conflict to Creation
Audette’s time in Afghanistan was far removed from anything resembling normality. Operating in remote, unforgiving terrain with limited support, he was part of a unit later referred to as the “Exiled Eight.” It was an environment that demanded resilience, adaptability and the ability to solve problems without the luxury of resources.
Those traits don’t disappear when the uniform comes off.
Returning to civilian life, Audette found himself searching for direction — something to replace the intensity and purpose of military service. Like many riders, he turned to motorcycles, beginning with a Honda CB750 rebuild carried out in his apartment. It was a modest project, but it sparked something deeper.
That interest quickly evolved into something more serious. He studied mechanical engineering, moved into the aerospace sector and began working on high-precision components for military helicopters. The work was technical and demanding, but it also provided the tools and understanding required to pursue something far more personal.
The idea of building his own motorcycle had taken hold.
The Pursuit of Something Real
The initial direction wasn’t necessarily obvious. Audette explored electric motorcycles, even working with one of the early electric bike companies. But while the technology was impressive, something was missing.
“They don’t have the soul,” he says.
That sentiment became the foundation for what followed. The Velos — meaning “arrow” in Greek — would be a motorcycle built around feel, character and mechanical connection. Not something sanitised or overly refined, but something raw and immediate. A bike that rewarded input and delivered an experience rather than simply performance figures.
It was an ambitious goal. And one that would require a clean-sheet approach.
American Muscle, Reimagined
At the centre of the Velos sits a V-twin derived from the Indian Thunder Stroke platform, though in reality it shares little beyond its basic architecture. Expanded to over two litres and extensively reworked, the engine produces a level of torque that defines the entire character of the motorcycle.
Numbers only tell part of the story, but they’re worth noting. With over 200Nm on tap, the Velos delivers its performance in a way that feels fundamentally different to most modern machines. This isn’t about chasing revs or extracting peak power at the top of the range. It’s about what happens when you open the throttle at almost any rpm and are met with a surge of acceleration that feels both immediate and relentless.
It changes the way you ride.
Where many bikes encourage constant gear changes to stay within a narrow powerband, the Velos offers a far broader approach. You can short-shift and ride the torque, letting the engine do the work, or you can hold onto the revs and experience something more aggressive. Either way, the motor dominates the experience in a way that feels deliberate rather than overwhelming.
Engineering as Expression
If the engine defines the Velos, the chassis elevates it.
Audette’s background in aerospace engineering is evident in every aspect of the bike’s construction. The frame is machined from solid billets of 6061 aluminium, a process that is as time-consuming as it is precise. The same approach extends to other components, from the swingarm to the fuel tank, resulting in a motorcycle that feels less like a production machine and more like a piece of functional art.
There’s a clarity to the design that comes from building something without compromise. No cost-cutting, no shortcuts — just a focus on achieving the desired result.
That attention to detail isn’t just visual. The choice of components reflects a desire to create a motorcycle that can actually be ridden hard. Suspension is fully adjustable, braking performance is more than capable of dealing with the engine’s output, and the overall package has been developed with real-world use in mind.
This isn’t a showpiece. It’s a motorcycle.
On the Road
Throwing a leg over the Velos, the first surprise is how approachable it feels. Given the size of the engine and the numbers involved, you might expect something intimidating — a bike that demands constant attention just to keep it in check.
Instead, the riding position is natural, the controls intuitive, and the overall ergonomics surprisingly accommodating. There’s a sense that the bike has been designed to be used, not just admired.
That impression holds once you’re moving. Riding the Velos isn’t about chasing outright speed — it’s about understanding what the bike is asking of you, and responding in kind.
The engine’s torque is ever-present, but it doesn’t arrive in a way that feels abrupt or unmanageable. Roll on the throttle and the bike simply goes — no drama, no hesitation, just a steady and increasingly forceful surge of acceleration. It’s addictive in a way that’s difficult to quantify, encouraging you to use it again and again simply to feel that response.
At the same time, the chassis provides a level of composure that belies the engine’s output. The steering is stable without being sluggish, the suspension controlled without feeling harsh, and the overall balance of the bike inspires confidence rather than caution.
It’s an unusual combination.
Managing the Extremes
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the Velos is how well it manages its own extremes. A motorcycle with this level of torque could easily become unwieldy, particularly when paired with a bespoke chassis and limited production.
Yet that isn’t the case here.
The bike feels cohesive, as though every element has been developed with a clear understanding of how it contributes to the overall experience. The tyres, the geometry, the weight distribution — all of it works together to create something that is not only rideable, but genuinely enjoyable.
That doesn’t mean it’s forgiving. This is still a serious machine, and it rewards a rider who is willing to engage with it. But it doesn’t punish you unnecessarily, and it doesn’t feel like it’s waiting to catch you out.
Instead, it invites you to explore what it can do.
“In a world where many motorcycles are designed to appeal to the broadest possible audience, the Velos is unapologetically individual. It doesn’t try to be everything to everyone.”
More Than a Motorcycle
At $125,000, the Velos occupies a space that few motorcycles ever reach. It’s not a value proposition, and it’s not intended to be. What you’re paying for here isn’t just performance or specification — it’s the culmination of one person’s vision, experience and determination.
That’s what sets it apart.
In a world where many motorcycles are designed to appeal to the broadest possible audience, the Velos is unapologetically individual. It doesn’t try to be everything to everyone. Instead, it focuses on delivering a very specific kind of experience — one that prioritises feel, engagement and authenticity.
And in doing so, it becomes something more than just a machine.
“In many ways, it’s the two-wheeled equivalent of a Shelby Cobra — a machine defined as much by its character as its capability.”
Verdict
If ever there was a motorcycle that blurred the line between engineering and expression, this is it.
The Audette Velos V2 isn’t about outright speed or lap times. It’s about connection — between rider and machine, between concept and execution, and ultimately between experience and outcome.
It’s raw without being crude. Powerful without being overwhelming. And rare in a way that feels earned rather than manufactured. In many ways, it’s the two-wheeled equivalent of a Shelby Cobra — a machine defined as much by its character as its capability.
And like all the best motorcycles, it leaves you with a simple thought: We need more bikes like this.
AUDETTE VELOS V2 131ci STREETFIGHTER
Key Details
* Powered by a heavily improved version of the Indian Chief’s air-cooled Thunder Stroke 49° V-twin motor, completely reworked by Portland, Oregon-based Baisley Hi-Performance
* Original 1811cc/111ci capacity raised to 2147cc (131ci) via a stroked crank and forged Wiseco pistons mounted on Carrillo forged steel conrods, giving 11:1 compression ratio
* New 110mm x 113mm dimensions deliver a massive claimed 156ft/lb [211.50Nm] of torque at just 3,150 rpm, with peak power of 117 bhp at 4,850 rpm
* Stock Indian 6-speed gearbox has been retained, but has at least two ratios too many owing to huge torque delivered by the retuned motor
* Unique chassis design is CNC-machined from billet aluminium, delivers improbably poised handling and easy steering for such a massively torquey and heavy motorcycle
* Hefty 207kg/457lb kerb weight doesn’t detract from impressive acceleration, while Beringer radial front brakes bring it to a halt fast and effectively, with controllable response
* Long 1613mm [63.50in] wheelbase doesn’t detract from handling due to narrow 180/55 Pirelli tyre on a 6.00in rim with good ride quality from RaceTech front fork and rear shock
* BST carbon wheels reduce unsprung weight, enhance suspension response, lighten steering, and look good
* This light-steering, easy-handling, streetfighter-on-steroids is downright thrilling to ride
