Slash’s lifelong love of two wheels runs deeper than his signature riffs. While fans know him as the top-hatted guitar god of Guns N’ Roses, few realize that before arena-shaking solos, he was chasing adrenaline on BMX and drag-strip-ready Harleys.
From BMX Prodigy to Rock Legend
Long before picking up a Les Paul, Slash was a serious BMX racer. As a teenager, he competed nationally and even rode his bike on tour vans between gigs. “I was obsessed,” he once confessed, recalling his dream of becoming a motocross champion—until “inadvertently” finding a guitar in his grandmother’s closet, which changed his path in 24 hours.
2007 Harley-Davidson Night Rod Special
Slash’s standout bike is the 2007 Harley-Davidson VRSCDX Night Rod Special—a liquid-cooled street-legal dragster. Its Revolution V-Twin 1130 cc engine churns out 121 hp, launching the fat 240 mm rear tire off the line with explosive force. He added custom drag-style bars and forward foot pegs to perfect its “lean, mean” look and feel.
Beyond the Night Rod: The Rest of the Fleet
In 2011, Julien’s Auctions offered Slash’s entire collection, including:
- A second V-Rod powered by the same liquid-cooled motor
- A 1966 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray (427 ci, 435 hp) to match his muscle-bike aesthetic
- Leather Marc Vachon motorcycle jackets and Chrome Hearts biker gear, underscoring his fusion of rock and ride
Slash’s auction proceeds benefited the Los Angeles Youth Network, showing that his biker passion also fuels giving back. Collectors snapped up his leather jackets, accessories, and even the Night Rod itself, turning private obsession into a public spectacle.
How Riding Fuels the Music
For Slash, motorcycle speed and power mirror his guitar solos—both require precision, rhythm, and controlled chaos. He’s said that the rush of throttle twist translates to onstage energy, infusing his riffs with a raw, visceral edge.
Slash isn’t just a guitar icon—he’s a collector whose two-wheeled passion lives alongside his music career. Next time you hear him tear into a solo, imagine him tearing up Sunset Boulevard on the Night Rod, top hat back, engine roaring.
