Motorcycle specifications Brough SuperiorLawrence Nefud 2023 Made of arms and sand

The legend of Lawrence of Arabia began with a daring operation. The capture of Aqaba, by sending troops inland. This meant crossing the Nefoud. A dune field in the heart of Saudi Arabia. Hostile yet fascinating for desert lovers.

A fitting name for the off-road variant of the Brough Superior Lawrence. 105 years later, the two surnames are joined once again. To offer that sensual fragrance of arid lands, after a few modifications transforming the precious machine into a scrambler.

The Lawrence Nefud is first and foremost a superb piece of design. A mechanical jewel worthy of a watchmaking complication. Each part is admirable, evocative and meticulously crafted. The ochre hue recalls the colors of the red sand that covers the Nefoud as a result of sandstone erosion. You can almost feel the heat emanating from this long reservoir, like a stone baked in the sun.

The painting is just a prelude. In front of Nefud, the Lawrence receives a few touch-ups to change its orientation. The new wheels retain their 19" and 17" dimensions, but the profile of the rubbers changes radically. From a cruiser mount, the tires become adventurous with Michelin Anakee Wild - in 120/70 and 170/60. With this choice, Brough goes much further than with the Pendine and allows the Nefud to sniff the horizon. You'll almost want to believe it, with the presence of a small engine cowl, a headlamp protector, a mini windscreen and a double lateral exhaust system. Again, a beautiful piece that puts elegance before the preservation of the rider's legs. Watch out for the right calf, it can get hot.

the ride will be different too. Raised handlebars and lower foot controls raise the rider's posture. The 997 cm3 twin and its hundred-strong cavalry will then be able to open up the field of possibilities. There's no need for more, and few owners will dare push the machine to its limits. When you've got in your hands the equivalent of a small studio in Courchevel, the desire to mess around is quickly anesthetized.

Because the Nefud is a Brough Superior through and through, hand-built with passion and a selection of the finest materials. It's all machined parts, carbon, magnesium and even titanium for the frame. Some peripherals are painted black, such as the swingarm and the sculptural Fior kinematic front end. Impressive - that's the only word to describe this part, fashioned from a block of aluminum and controlled by an unusual set of connecting rods and shock absorbers.

The Franco-British brand adds a half-ochre, half-chrome-plated seat cover to accompany the saddle with flanges and topstitching. A generous braking system completes the package, with 320 mm discs bitten by 4-piston calipers.

Like all Brough Superior models, the Lawrence Nefud tells a story or symbolizes a key moment in the brand's history. It has its eye riveted on a flame, impervious to the violent winds of the Arabian desert. It will probably never see a single stone, but that doesn't matter; its heritage is enough to stir up a storm of fantasy.
94 examples will be built. The unaffordable price tag is not appreciated in the same way in this category of motorcycles. Like a Rolex: who cares if it tells the time?

M.B - Manufacturer's photos