Some people simply have way too much time on their hands. We salute (some) these people, especially Barend Hemmes, an avid motorcycle enthusiast who designed and built a motorcycle in the shape of the classic Jaguar logo. There have been several attempts by individuals and  big-time car manufacturers to have a motorcycle produced in the style of a car. These include Audi, Volkswagen and Dodge. Dodge produced the Tomahawk motorcycle based on their Viper.

The beautiful two-wheeled beast was created as a tribute to the legendary car makers, by a die hard Jaguar fan from the comfort of his own garage. Designed by the artist Barend Hemmes and built by Massow Concept Cycles, the Jaguar leaping cat motorcycle is a 1200cc one-of-a-kind bike based on the British car brand’s “leaper” cat logo. We first heard the news about the Jaguar Motorcycle way back in 2008, but now it has been completed, photographed and captured on video. The leaping cat is rechristened the NightShadow and is perfectly street legal.

The bike’s basic structure is made of high-grad stainless steel and finished in high glossy ebony lacquer. The beast is powered by the Buell 97 S3 Thunderbolt with a top speed which is of about 50mph and sports stingray skin seats. The bike is priced at £320,000 (about $567,000), and Hemmes is currently in talks with Jaguar about using the motorcycle for branding purposes. The  leaping cat is the first of the artist’s concept drawings based on automaker trademarks to be brought to life.

The engine has a  soothing purr, but we will need superior cat-like reflexes to handle this magnificent beast. The only problem  is that it appears that it will be difficult to see the road ahead of us over the bodywork! Whether you like it or you hate it, you have got to be impressed by the workmanship. And as it turns out, the builders of the bike were so pleased with their creation that Hemmes is currently working on a new concept, a bull shaped motorcycle that the Red Bull Energy drink lovers would certainly love.

Here’s the video of the Nightshadow’s maiden voyage.

Below you can check out the video of the conception of the idea.

Via Luxist