One of the hottest topics in the news right now is the border crisis enveloping parts of Arizona, Texas, and California. For years, officers from the Border Patrol and the DEA have been struggling to control the flow of illegal aliens and drugs coming up from Mexico. And as we know, things have gotten difficult over the last several years. Now, a Philadelphia entrepreneur named Steve Christini hopes to put his company in the middle of the action.
Christini's company, Christini Technologies Inc., designs and builds all-wheel drive bikes for military and other off-road purposes. The U.S. Border Patrol recently placed an order for nine of the company's 450 DS bikes to help their efforts in keeping the border secure. With each bike sold, Christini is getting closer to his dream of eventually bringing every aspect of his manufacturing in-house. Currently he outsources quite a bit of work while he builds a business financially capable of sustaining itself.
One-Of-A-Kind Technology
One look at the 450 DS makes it easy to see that this motorcycle is not your average dirt bike. It is a rugged, edgy motorcycle that screams raw power even before you start the engine. What you might not know by looking at is that it is the only patented all-wheel-drive motorcycle in the world capable of safely operating at highway speeds. No one else is doing what Steve Christini is doing at his facility in Philadelphia.
Christini has managed to secure angel investment funding to drive his company into the future. The 450 DS has already proven itself worthy of that funding by way of 25 bikes currently in use in Afghanistan and Africa by the U.S. military. The rugged vehicles take riders where they need to go without hesitation. Christini hopes the combination of more military contracts and U.S. border patrol orders will facilitate the growth he has been looking for.
Room for Innovation
Innovation is certainly a word one would use when talking about Christini motorcycles. However, they are not the only ones pushing the envelope. Last month we reported on a new all-electric motorcycle from Harley-Davidson making its way across the country in a series of dealership events. And last week we previewed the bacon-powered motorcycle sponsored by Hormel. By all accounts, there is innovation going on all around us.
The world of motorcycles is changing; there is no denying that. The one thing that will not change is the biker lifestyle that emphasizes the freedom of the open road and the fellowship of fellow bikers. It is a lifestyle that has remained virtually unchanged since it started at the end of World War II. As long as there are bikes being made, there will be bikers riding up and down America's highways and back roads.
Whether your thing is a touring bike or a low rider, a high-powered racing machine or a mountain bike, it's all good. There are bikes and trikes to meet every preference and budget. So don't concern yourself with what your brother rides. Instead, find a bike you like and go for it. We bet Steve Christini would sell you one of his all-wheel drive 450 DS machines if you wanted one.
