In what smells like a clear attempt to gather attention for their under-selling new-gen VMax, Yamaha and celebrated fashion house Hermes have conceived a leather-bound bike, presumably because they could!

The bike was launched at the recent 2011 Intermot motorcycle show in Cologne, Germany. With words like “to combine mechanics and leather”, to “fulfill the dreams of motorcycles” and to “reinforce the sculptural lines of this unique object and underline its emotional power”, both Yamaha and Hermes supplied enough irony to reflect the funnier side of this publicity stunt – and more power to them if it worked.

Photo: Yamaha

For the record, the fuel tank, seat, mudguards, headlight cover, exhaust silencers and grips were all wrapped in buffalo leather – no mention of the smell and looks of overheated or wet leather on this bike that will never see production.

But talk about a conversation piece for your living room!