Keanu Reeves & Gard Hollinger on Building Arch Motorcycles & Fuelling New ‘Visionaries’ Series
Ever wondered what happens when an iconic action hero falls head over handlebars for the rush of motorbikes? It’s what we call Keanu Reeves. The Matrix actor has cemented his status as today’s top-tier movie hero, but he’s also an avid biker, something he’s relished since he was 22. It’s no surprise that he co-founded Arch Motorcycles in 2011 with longtime collaborator Gard Hollinger. If Reeves is the face and engine of the brand, then Hollinger is the fuel behind the unique design and gear.
While Reeves, 60, brings his artistic sensibility and deep appreciation for the creative process into every aspect of Arch Motorcycles, Hollinger, a seasoned designer and engineer, provides the technical expertise and meticulous attention to detail that bring Reeves’ vision to life. Together, they have challenged the conventional notions of American motorcycles, pushing the boundaries of design and performance. It’s a collaboration they describe as a “fun, creative journey.”
“I’ve never been one of those people who’s trying to go as fast as they can.”
Keanu Reeves on motorcycling in new series, “Visionaries.”
This journey has transcended the realm of motorcycle manufacturing, leading them to produce The Roku Channel’s Visionaries, a docuseries that celebrates creativity and innovation.
I’m seated for an interview with Reeves and Hollinger in Arch’s Hawthorne headquarters in California, where their first KRGT bike collaboration is perched in the lobby. A few minutes into our conversation, it’s clear to me that making the docuseries has ignited something within Reeves — he’s reserved, but visibly fired up as they talk about Arch Motorcycles and how it fuelled their show, likening it to a canvas that allowed them to explore and inspire.
The duo share a deep love for the open road and the freedom it offers. They find solace and inspiration in the rhythm of the ride, the wind in their hair and the ever-changing landscape. Their rides are not just about reaching a destination; they are about the journey itself.
Reeves admits, “I’ve never been one of those people who’s trying to go as fast as they can.” Instead, he’s drawn to the “physicalness” of it, the raw connection with the elements, the way a motorcycle allows you to truly feel the world around you.
Their love for riding is deeply intertwined with their love for California, with Reeves describing it as “spectacular” — it’s where he currently resides and it’s Arch’s factory headquarters. The iconic Pacific Coast Highway, with its breathtaking views and winding roads, is his sanctuary for biking. He once described capturing the feeling of riding along the coast, the ocean breeze on his face, with the sunset in the distance — like a real (and reel) hero.
Their ideal California road trip involves routes that wind through the scenic landscapes of California, where they explore the iconic roads of the Santa Monica Mountains. For them, the local roads are special. “We’ve spent a lot of time developing our motorcycles in the Santa Monica Mountains. So there are some very special roads up there, Mulholland and Kanan and Angeles Crest. It’s a wonderful state to ride in because of the weather and amazing roads and typography that changes,” Hollinger said as Reeves agreed in unison. They cherish the camaraderie of the ride, the shared stories and the simple pleasures of stopping at local haunts like Neptune’s Net, Waypoint Kitchen, and Sunset Grill for sandwiches and fries.
Just like Arch, Visionaries feels like a tangible manifestation of their deep-seated desire to explore creativity, ambition, and art. It’s this very mission to inspire and be inspired that led them to make the seven-episode show, which takes viewers on a global journey alongside Reeves and Hollinger as they meet people who are pushing the boundaries of creativity and innovation. The duo engage in thought-provoking conversations with a range of visionaries, like aerospace pioneer Tim Eilliot and light artist James Turrell.
Reeves relishes the intimate conversations with artists, scientists and innovators. He’s not just interested in what these creators do, but why they do it — “I really enjoy interviewing people,” he tells me. For him, it seems every person is a story waiting to be told, a narrative waiting to be uncovered. He delves into their past, seeking to understand the events and experiences that shaped their creative journeys, much like an actor developing a character’s backstory. This curiosity stems from his years of embodying characters and being a curiosity-driven storyteller.
Reeves credits Hollinger’s significant input in the show’s design and crafting. For Hollinger, the series provided an opportunity to “exercise some curiosity” and “help people tell some stories, maybe inspire people to pursue their own creativity.” He said it was crucial that each visionary had to help shape and change the world.
Hollinger learned a lot about Reeves while collaborating on the series, noting “his creativity, his passion, his ambition, who he is as a human, but also, inspiring from a creative and a work ethic standpoint.”
It’s clear that just as the Arch V-twin roars with endless possibilities, Reeves’ quest for understanding never truly ends. With his insatiable ‘what if?’ energy (Visionaries is solid proof of this) and a longtime friend in tow, he’s diving headfirst into the creative vortex, reminding us that the most thrilling adventures are the ones fuelled by pure, unadulterated curiosity.
For the full interview, keep an eye out for the Spring-Summer issue of The Book For Men.
Visionaries is now streaming on The Roku Channel.
