Motorcycle specifications AudetteThe Velos 2023 Small ode to big passion

Craftsmen have an advantage that manufacturers can only imagine: creative freedom. Honda, Ducati, Triumph, Voge, Harley or any of the major brands have to juggle research departments, marketing strategy, design departments and industrial logistics - and keep everyone happy. Smaller brands, on the other hand, work all this out in their own way, and can indulge themselves with THEIR complete vision of the machine.

Audette is one of them. One of these somewhat confidential enthusiasts, spending nights on diagrams and tools. Tony Audette has given his name to the brand he has just created, and offers a top-range motorcycle: The Velos. A strange name for a muscular roadster.

Sculptural. It's the only way to think of it. This anterak is suavely bestial, with a sense of technique that's skin-deep. The rear end is reduced to a single-seater suspension seat, while the heart of the bike is displayed like an ox heart in a shop window. In the land of Uncle Sam, where creativity is dominated by customs, cruisers and choppers, The Velos has chosen the path of the combative, almost sporty roadster.

Underneath the looks, Tony has opted for a big-bodied twin. A big lung, from a great American name: Indian. Usually, tuners and other custom builders shop at S&S. Not Audette, who preferred Indian's Thunderstroke. Once at home, the 49° twin is put through its paces. Its displacement rises to 2147 cm3 (other displacements are available), giving it nearly 130 hp. Torque becomes "gigantic", blowing 21.5 mkg at 3150 rpm. Almost the value of a Triumph Rocket III.

But there are other modifications to achieve this result. Tony fitted Wiseco forged pistons, Carillo connecting rods, Kibblewhite valves, different camshafts and a Rekluse clutch. Inspiration flows through an air intake system developed by Audette, more efficient than traditional systems. On the exhaust side, stainless-steel manifolds lead to a titanium/aluminum silencer with a ceramic inner lining, all by Toce Performance.
Note the window in the center of the V, revealing the gears.

there's a bit of France in this Audette, with Aerotec brake calipers from Beringer. The rest of the chassis is just as exuberant: carbon rims (BST or Rotobox, customer's choice), RaceTech suspension, Galfer brake discs, reinforced CNC-machined aluminum frame and swingarm.

A van is a little truck; a briefcase is a little trunk; an Audette is a little ode... to typically American expressionist mechanical passion. The machine is surprising, provocative, extremely elaborate, sturdy and financially demanding. The Velos is asking $89,000.... as a base price! A motorcycle quite similar to the Avintons, in its own dimension.

Options include an electronics package with 3 riding modes, cruise control and rear cylinder deactivation, or a batch of carbon parts, or titanium parts, an integrated blinker system. If your wallet allows it, you'll also need a little patience. Tony only plans to produce around twenty Audette The Velos a year.

M.B - Manufacturer's photos