Jay Leno’s Garage Doesn’t Just Contain Cars
After Jay Leno left The Tonight Show, he hosted quite a few more television shows before his current stint, the long-running ‘Jay Leno’s Garage’ that started in 2015.
(Image: Freshness Mag)
The show revolves mostly around automobiles, with American muscle cars and the like often being at the forefront of the show.
But the former late-night host is just as passionate about motorcycles, and just as knowledgeable. Leno has one of the most interesting collections of two-wheeled machines in his museum-like gallery.
Included is an extensive collection of Brough Superiors which are regarded by some as the finest motorcycle ever made, and which Leno calls ‘the first superbike’. His first Brough was a 1939 model bought in the 80’s for $5,000.
“People thought, that’s crazy — five-thousand dollars,’” Leno said. “But now they’re half-a-million-dollar motorcycles.”
The machines were known for their speed at a time when most motorcycles didn’t go very fast. It required a lot of attention and consistent maintenance, although it might still fall apart event hen.
Vintage motorcycles definitely has its charms, some maintained to its original condition and therefore, can still be used daily. But even Leno acknowledges that there are faster and safer motorcycles that can be bought for a lesser price.
Leno added, “You control your own destiny. If it stops running, you try to get a spark and some fuel and some air and you get it running again. You feel like you’ve really accomplished something.”
Despite being 67 years old, Leno said that he wants to continue riding despite the increasing risk of falling and its effects on his body.