Awesome Rides

Frank Westfall’s bike is one of the most beautiful custom motorcycles we’ve ever seen. It was built in 1936, based on a 1930 K.J. Henderson. It’s probably more fun to look at than to ride though.

This design for a futuristic yacht by Yuk Dragovic features a retractable swimming pool that can put you eye-to-eye with the surrounding seas. Keeps sharks out, assuming they’re not the jumping type.

Ford packed the new Explorer with improvements both inside and out. It has a newly designed exterior, improved fuel economy and a host of new safety features. Available this winter.

Mercedes’ restyled 2011 CL63 AMG features the new AMG 5.5-liter biturbo engine generating a maximum output (with optional AMG Performance Package) of 563 hp and 664 lb-ft of torque.

Help Car and Driver keep the manual transmission alive – it makes for a safer, more fuel-efficient and more fun ride. Don’t let your kids miss out on the thrill that only grinding your gears can provide.

Carry up to 4 adults and have amenities like a queen-size bed, a sofa, and built-in power supply. Choose from the all-aluminum Trail ($10,000) or the more rugged Extreme Trail ($12,000) Edition.

Adriano Mudri’s concept for the Audi RS7 maximizes the whole rear section (which contains the motor) as a distinct design feature and minimizes the LED headlights to simple lines.

Roehr Motorcycles’ electric performance bikes are available: the 48hp eSuperSport, the eSuperBike with 7.7Kw/h worth of batteries good for 100 miles and the RR with lightweight racing wheels.

Maserati’s 2011 Quattroporte Sport GT S Awards Edition has an exclusive Quarzo fuso finish, 20’’ Multi Trident rims with satin finish and hand-polished front and rear brake calipers.

The latest bike from the house of Ducati features a twin-cylinder 140-hp Testastretta engine and Monobloc technology for maximum braking power. The Superbike is super sexy too.

Fifth Gear takes David Coulthard’s Mercedes Benz SLS AMG and attempts to beat the F1 racer’s record of 160mph on the 563hp beast. Host Tiff Needell almost seems scared of the car’s power.

This 4-wheeled, 4-person recumbent bike is a marvel of modern mechanical engineering. See it up close and personal at Detroit’s Maker Faire 7/31-8/1. Maybe you can beg for a ride.

Go on a romantic date to the bottom of the sea in this 2-person electric sub, capable of diving up to 6 hours at depths down to 1,000 feet, to explore exotic oceanic species. (Thanks for the tip, Ron!)

While the Porsche-based custom 2009 9ff may not have been a real looker, it certainly had the goods under the hood. This 2010 model has the looks to back up the power. All 1120 horses of it.

Significantly upping the ante over last year’s Enertia, the Brammo Empulse can go 100 miles per charge, and crank out speeds up to 100mph. Not too shabby for an all electric motorcycle.

The agile electric Green Samba from Silveira Customs is designed to feel like an extension of the driver’s body. The lightweight craft features military-based twin direct electric propulsion pods.

Building on the awesome 458 Italia, the 458 Challenge gets a gear ratio upgrade to ensure higher torque at low revs, and shaves significant weight off its base model to help it speed along.

Watch as Ford’s team at its Saarlouis plant in Germany puts together the stealthy limited-edition Focus RS 500. Want to own one? Unfortunately, all 500 units of the RS 500 have already been sold.

While there are plenty of wheelchairs out there for athletes, the HXC is a unique beast, providing physically-challenged riders with an BMX-like experience, going just about anywhere.

Did you like the stealthy Audi R8 Valkyrie? Looking for something flashier? Then you’ll love this one, spotted in Moscow, Russia: an R8 wrapped in gold. Our eyes are burning from the shine.

The Gritty from Gary Fisher is a “bomb-proof” (according to their website) steel single speed or fixed gear ride with hybrid tires and urban style for a pretty reasonable price. Available Fall 2010.

New Wave performer Gary Numan conducts an orchestra of car horns playing his classic hit Cars, all powered by a single DieHard battery. Corporate America, this is how to make a viral commercial.

The Marussia is Russia’s first sports car. Featuring dramatic industrial design, the B1 offers up an ample, if not Earth-shattering 300-hp 3.5-liter V6, and can do 0-to-60 in less than 5 seconds.