ICON: Roland Sands and Roland Sands Design
There are guys who build bikes. And there are guys who build bikes.
For this week’s ESM ICON, we were fortunate enough to feature and interview Roland Sands from Roland Sands Design (RSD). We love everything Roland does, from the bikes he builds, to the videos he posts, to the entire marketing behind his brand. Their latest venture – clothing – is sure to be as good as the rest of his product line.
If you know your bikes and your bike designers, you know Roland Sands is a former 1998 AMA 250GP National Champion road racer, an award-winning designer for Performance Machine, founder of Roland Sands Design and he makes some of the illest, most beautiful custom bikes out there.
One of our favorites - the "Race Rod". Image from www.rolandsands.com.
Given a chance, I would seriously trade in a major body organ for a chance to own one of his custom bikes.
But enough about me, let’s get to our interview. (ESM, Roland Sands)
From your youth, you have been involved in both motorcycle racing and manufacturing. How does this amalgamation of both disciplines in the motorcycle world affect your design sensibilities?
Growing up in a machine shop I was aware of what was possible in manufacturing from an early age.
When I started racing it made me aware of a high level of performance and engineering that was possible with every unique piece of a machine. The final piece of the puzzle was a natural need to produce art and improve existing designs.
All these things combined with a need for cutting edge design at the Performance Machine facility and I had a natural place to funnel my creativity at an early age.
Do you have any other influences that affect the way you do builds, such as art, music and upbringing?
Everything in life is an influence.
Waking up in the morning and opening your eyes to your surroundings and staying open to new ideas, be it music, art, bicycles, architecture, technology or your friends opinions keeps things fresh.
What differentiates Roland Sands Design from other custom bike builders?
I’m sure there are other builders out there that have some of the same influences. But it’s the combination of those influences that makes us all different.
I’m a racer at heart, so that gave me a unique perspective from the start.
Being from Long Beach and growing up in the surf, skate, snow industry in Southern California is a big part of who I am as well as growing up around a machine shop.
My riding ability may be the biggest thing. I don’t know too many bike builders that have National Championships.
Ahh Roland, always popping those wheelies...
What type of customer does Roland Sands Design target?
The individual who wants to build something functional yet radical.
In the past those two haven’t gone together so well. We make that connection possible.
Can anyone have their bike customized by Roland Sands Design? Is there a waiting list?
We’re backed up with projects, but we have some openings.
It really has to do with the project and where it can be placed in our schedule. A bolt on build vs. a 100% hand built, frame up build are completely different animals. Roland Sands Design has completed many builds to date.
One of the builds Roland Sands is famous for. The KRV5 Tracker image from www.rolandsands.com.
If you had to pick one, which would be your favorite build and why?
Shit. That’s a tough question.
I really like the Desmo Tracker we are building right now. I can’t wait to ride it. It’s that childlike anticipation that goes along with a new project that keeps me going.
I love that almost more than the bike itself.
A sneak peek at the Desmo tracker, a bike built from a Ducati Desmosedici. Image from www.rolandsands.com.
In one sentence, how would you describe Roland Sand’s style/design sensibilities?
Hard riding, technically aware, two-wheeled rolling sculptures built to destroy slowly through repeated enjoyment. I think that sums it up.
Do you have any people you look up to in terms of design and style?
I’m more aware of trends in design rather than individuals.
I recently have been pretty excited about future retro as well as ultra clean modern design and some of the ultra-complex modern visions of the future. I think technology can be a big influence on design in so many ways.
Essential Style for Men is all about men’s style. What is Roland Sands philosophy regarding men’s style? What is the team at Roland Sands Design’s philosophy on men’s style?
We are coming out with a line of functional, yet stylish riding wear and leather items including leather jackets, wallets, belts and boots.
There is also some casualwear. We are focused on bringing a much more relaxed style, less branding and high quality product to the market.
This reflects what the crew at RSD would wear and what I would wear personally.
We’re not so into looking like storm troopers on the street. Our high end pieces would be at home in a club or bar and not immediately noticeable as riding wear.
In general, clean and classy, aware of trends, but not following them with function built in. I think this gives a timeless style.
Roland Sands, repping his race/LBC/fresh style.
It looks like Roland Sands Design is venturing into clothing. What is the inspiration for the clothing line?
We really looked at classic, well-loved pieces and expanded those ideas with great materials and unique cuts.
The end result is something that is classy and has a strong presence. It truly makes you look stylish, in the way a road race jacket never could, yet still provides protection.
What can we look forward to in the future for Roland Sands Design?
Every day leads us to something different, so my answer for that question will change tomorrow I’m sure.
Currently, I’m very excited about the Leather we are producing as well as the new hard parts for Harley Davidsons. There’s some next level stuff going down.
So as you can see, we have learned a few things from this interview:
- Roland Sands is one of the coolest dudes on the planet, has a sick sense of personal style and has amazing design sensibilities
- There is a chance to get your bike customized with RSD (if you’re lucky)
- If you can’t afford an RSD bike, you can wear their gear and claim you own a bike designed by RSD, but “it’s in the shop”
For more information about Roland Sands and Roland Sands Design (RSD), you can check out their official site at http://www.rolandsands.com/, “like” their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/RolandSandsD, stalk them on Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/RolandSands and check out their videos on their YouTube page at http://www.youtube.com/user/RolandSandsDesign.
We also wanted to give a big THANK YOU to Summer Hoover, RSD Brand Manager who helped us get this interview. She’s awesome.
Please keep checking back for our new article series featuring a Roland Sands Design build every week - just something to inspire you on a regular basis.
To create Essential Style for Men, mix 2 parts petrol, 1 part secret agent, 1 part rock and roll, 1 part hip-hop and a shot of tequila in a shaker with ice and vigorously shake for 20 seconds. Pour into a martini glass rimmed with explosives and have a supermodel serve for all your friends to enjoy.
[...] than that? You can get the RSD Grand National Limited Edition which was designed by none other than Roland Sands [...]
Man, I think Roland Sands has the baddest shit out there, in terms of design and real rider use. Too many shows have bikes you cant even ride. I’m an Old School Big Bore Kawasaki fan, I wish RSD made some stuff for these type bikes, I know his love is the V-Engine, whatever. Just a thought. Keep on Truckin!
If there was a *like* button on this blog, we would have clicked on it. Thanks for the feedback Roman!