Having ridden the British-built Métisse Mk3 motorcycle that he'd prepared with his close friend and stunt rider Bud Ekins in 1966, Steve McQueen declared,
"This rig is the best handling bike I've ever owned".
Six decades later, exact replicas of McQueen's favourite Desert Racer are still being built to order in Oxfordshire and are available from Mason & Sons who are donating 100% of their sales commission to Boys Republic.
Steve McQueen and his Métisse Mk3
As highly accomplished motocross riders in the 1950s, brothers Derek and Don Rickman transformed their passion into a thriving business in 1959 with the introduction of the Mk1 Metisse. Their success - both on the track and in motorcycle design - earned their company a distinguished reputation that endured for decades.
In 1962, the legendary Mk3 made its racing debut, serving as a catalyst for Metisse’s legacy of innovation and engineering excellence. In motocross, victories accumulated in the Moto Cross des Nations, 250cc and 500cc Grand Prix races, and numerous national events.
Steve on the cover of Popular Science (1966)
In the November 1966 issue of Popular Science, Steve McQueen explained the development of his special Métisse Mk3:
“First of all, I don’t set myself up as an expert on either setting up machinery for racing, or in the actual sport of racing itself. But after 2 1/2 years of desert riding in Southern California, TT scrambles, Hare and Hound, and a bit of racing in the wet Six Days Trials in East Germany in 1964 - I sure hope I picked up a little bit about motorcycles and riding along the way.”
"It hasn't hurt either, being partners with Dave and Bud Ekins in a motorcycle shop in the San Fernando Valley. That's been a keen education - like going to school. Dave won two gold medals, and Bud picked up three, representing our country in the Six Day Trials, and they are two of the best desert bike riders this country has ever produced".
“I use a Rickman-Metisse frame - a revolutionary piece of equipment that does away with the oil tank. The oil circulates through the tubes of the frame, which keeps it cool. I used a 650cc Triumph engine as the powerplant for this bike. The drivetrain and gearbox are also Triumph. It has Ceriani forks with 7 1/2 inches of travel for a real smooth ride, and a BSA crown. The fiberglass fenders and tank hold the weight down to a notch under 300 pounds. The rig is the best handling bike I’ve ever owned. And the power– it’s like supersonic.”
McQueen and the Métisse on the road
McQueen owned a total of six Métisse motorcycles that he rode both on and off road, undoubtedly helping to boost the popularity of the prize-winning bike into the 1970s. Continued export success led to the company being awarded the Queen’s Award to Industry in 1974. At the turn of the century, Métisse was acquired by its current owner Gerry Lisi, who approached Steve's son Chad in 2008 with the idea of building a faithful replica of the legendary Desert Sled.
Chad McQueen gets acquainted with Métisse
Steve at home with his Métisse Desert Racer and Jaguar XKSS
The Métisse Mk3 Steve McQueen Desert Racer