Biker Battleground Phoenix is a scripted reality television series developed for the History Channel. Narrated by Greg Berger, the series pits five rival bike-builders from Phoenix, Arizona, against each other to see who can design and build the best bike to put an end to their rivalry and smack talking. The first episode aired on Thursday, July 1, 2014, at 10:00 pm.
Premise After legendary bike-designer Paul Yaffe finds out his competition is stealing his ideas and seeing his designs in magazines and his rivals posting them on social media, he decides to answer them by issuing a custom bike-building challenge. He believes the only way to get out of this situation is to challenge his rivals to a "real build" and end this smack talk once and for all. Yaffe says, "Let's compete in our own an old-school of craftsmanship battle of hands and creativity. Five identical bikes, lock yourself in your garage, your tools, your hands, your crew and create what you can." Yaffe contacts his four business enemies and meets them in person at the world-famous Hideaway Grill in Cave Creek, Arizona to discuss the terms before going head-to-head on his bike-build challenge.
Throughout the series, Arizona bike-builders go through numerous challenges, from forging friendships to risking rivalries. Viewers are also given a detailed look at the craftsmanship that goes into making custom Baggers. The Bagger-style motorcycles are cruisers outfitted with saddlebags on their tail which are ideal for touring, hence the name "baggers". The backdrop of Phoenix was chosen because of how well the baggers are represented by the bike shops who produce their own customized cruisers. This signature style of baggers started out there and the local builders set all the latest trends.
Opening Introduction: (narrated by Greg Berger)
The Bike Builders Paul Yaffe – "The Legend" (Paul Yaffe Originals) For the past 30 years, he's dominated the custom-motorcycle scene in Arizona. They call him "The Governor". He made his fame in the 1980s with the Chopper and then later with the Bagger. Brian Jenkins – "The Rebel" (Hatred Customs) He builds every one of his custom bikes from scratch from scrap metal parts from the local junkyard in his own garage. Kody McNew – "The Young Gun" (VooDooo Bikeworks) He made a name for himself last year by winning awards at Sturgis, the largest bike-building competition in the world, by turning his hobby into an empire overnight with his stylistic bikes. John Shope – "The Risk Taker" (Dirty Bird Concepts) Yaffe's number one rival, Shope, has fought his way to the top, and in just eight years, he built a multimillion-dollar empire from the ground up. Len Edmondson – "The Outsider" (Azzkikr Customs) Edmondson is a Canadian billionaire who sold his construction company in Vancouver and moved to Phoenix to start his own custom bike business.
Bike Builder's Throwdown The terms: Five identical stock bikes that each go to a builder's shop with the doors close. The builders can only spend $5,000 on it, and nobody who doesn't work for them can work on the bike. It's whatever they can do to modify that bike as it sits with what they have to work with. And the only one who can fabricate the bike is the owner, however, it's their decision if they want to involve their crews to help. Bottom line - There's a $5,000 limit and the bikes have to be rideable. The timeline is three months.
Yaffe Challenge Rules:
6 week build timeframe to complete their bikes only current employees can work on the bike (no outside contractors are allowed) $5,000 in Harley-Davidson parts (through their sponsoring dealerships) $2,000 of their own money to spend on aftermarket accessories
Results
Sturgis Bike Building Contests
Full Throttle "Baddest Bagger" Contest:
"Mike and Angie Ballard" Award (owners of the Full Throttle Saloon: Brian Jenkins) "Baddest Biker" Award: Tim McNamer of Ballistic Cycles (for his hubless bagger)
The 26th Annual Rat Hole Custom Bike Show:
"Best of Show" Award: Brian Jenkins
''Buffalo Chip'' "Supreme Sturgis Showdown":
Rules/Judges: Five motorcycle industry experts evaluate the bikes for "form", "fit" and "finish".
Results 1st Place: John Shope - "Chrome King" 2nd Place: Paul Yaffe - SRT Bike 3rd Place: Kody McNew - Turbine Jet Bike 4th Place: Len Edmondson - "Race Star" 5th Place: Brian Jenkins - Red Bagger
People's Choice Award: John Shope - "Chrome King"
Episodes
References
External links
Azzkikr Custom Baggers Website Dirty Bird Concepts Website Hatred Customs Facebook Page Paul Yaffe Originals Website VooDoo Bikeworks Website