One thing thatbig Mike always tellsus uo do when we get a chance to test one of his bikes is "Ride the hell out of it-the bike can take it!" and he's right; the bike can take it. He should know because he's the owner and designer of big Mike's Choppers (Bmc).
This particular beauty, an '06 Hooligan 541/240, had staff members arguing about who would get to ride the bike first. Although another staffer got the first ride, we had our turn after the shoot, and the BMC delivered the performance to match its good looks.
Mike starts each Hooligan 541/240 with a specifically designed BMC rigid frame with 35 degrees of neck rake with 2 inches added to the downtubes. A set of BMC Wide Glide triple-trees is bolted to the neck, along with a pair of 41mm telescopic legs built 2 inches over stock. DNA 60-spoke wheels ride at either end of the bike: a 21-inch in the front and an 18x8.5-inch in the rear. Mike chose Metzeler rubber for the machine, with a 90/90/21 between the fork tubes and a 240/40/18 in the back. Deceleration is handled by DNA 11.5-inch rotors coupled with Brembo four-piston calipers on each wheel.
Providing more than enough power for the little bike is a third-generation 100ci RevTech-and it comes with a new, unheard-of three-year warranty. The wrinkle-finish motor features polished fins, a Mikuni 45mm carb, and a 50-state-legal two-into-one Kerker exhaust pipe. A CCI six-speed trans (with a five-year warranty) is secured to the frame and connected to the motor via a CCI enclosed primary.
There were no sheetmetal changes this year for the Hooligan lineup, but rest assured that the gas tank, fenders, and oil bag all stand up to BMC quality. This year BMC changed the paint options available for this model. Our test bike shows off one of the new options in Royalton blue with gloss-black metalflake flames.
The bike is finished off with an assortment of proven products, including BMC foot controls and footpegs, taillight, and license mount; CCI hand controls, turn signals, headlight, mirrors, and handlebars; an AutoMeter 2-5/8-inch speedometer; and a BMC Corbin seat.
Not only does the bike look cool and perform well, but it's also the same price as last year's model (and that one had a smaller 88ci motor with a five-speed trans and was only offered in black). While the bike is bargain priced, don't forget how fun it is to ride. We did our best to break the bike during testing but failed. Then again, Mike already knew the bike could take the abuse.