World’s First ‘Tattooed’ Harley-Davidson Costs $1 Million

With nearly every surface covered in leather, a tattoo artist went to town on this one-of-a-kind Harley-Davidson Softail.

Visor Down turned us on to this wild custom Harley-Davidson Softail from Poland. Built by Polish custom shop Game Over Cycles, this is said to be the world’s first tattooed motorcycle.

The custom motorcycle is dubbed the Recidivist. A recidivist is a criminal who re-offends once they get out of jail. It’s a sophisticated word to describe a real brute of a person, and it suits the motorcycle well in that way.

Nearly every surface of the motorcycle is covered in leather. Cowhide replaces sheetmetal on the gas tank and fenders, as well as wrapping around the oil tank, exhaust heat shileds, and even whitewall inserts in the tires. of course, the saddle is leather, too…but you knew that, right?

Instead of a paint gun, the shop broke out the tattoo gun. Game Over Cycles claims that this wild custom took over 3,000 hours to build, and another 2,500 hours to tattoo.

Each tattoo on the bike tells a story. Like prison tattoos, the ink on this motorcycle can hint at crimes and affiliations on the inside. According to one scene depicted on the bike, the Recidivist robbed a bank – and it probably will again (more on that later). Other tattoos depict people close to Game Over Cycles.

With all of the tattooed cowhide on display, it’s easy to ignore the actual bike itself. The shape is completely original and unique, like no other Softail we’ve seen before. The gas tank resembles a bulging bicep, and the unique headlight bracket reminds us of human bones.

It’s a very organic, yet mechanical design. It’s a bit creepy and wildly cool at the same time. This bike seems like it’s just in time for Halloween. Other details on the bike, like the exhaust and front fork, are designed to resemble tattoo equipment.

The custom is apparently for sale, with an asking price of $1 million. That price includes a matching sidecar and the satisfaction of owning the world’s first tattooed motorcycle. Better start planning your heist now.

Photos: Visor Down

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Cameron Vanderhorst

Cam VanDerHorst has been a contributor to Internet Brands' Auto Group sites for over three years, with his byline appearing on Ford Truck Enthusiasts, Corvette Forum, JK Forum, and Harley-Davidson Forums, among others. In that time, he's also contributed to Autoweek, The Drive, and Scale Auto Magazine.

He bought his first car at age 14 -- a 1978 Ford Mustang II -- and since then he’s amassed an impressive and diverse collection of cars, trucks, and motorcycles, including a 1996 Ford Mustang SVT Mystic Cobra (#683) and a classic air-cooled Porsche 911.

In addition to writing about cars and wrenching on them in his spare time, he enjoys playing music (drums and ukulele), building model cars, and tending to his chickens.

You can follow Cam, his cars, his bikes, and his chickens at @camvanderhorst on Instagram.

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