Bike EXIF
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Rear of the Year: KTM 690 ‘Daisy Duke’ by Federal Moto
The modern custom scene was built on a sturdy foundation of cafe racers, bobbers and trackers. But there’s a new wave emerging—modern customs that eschew tried and tested formulas.<p>It’s led by workshops like Classified Moto and Ad Hoc Cafe Racers. And now Federal Moto US have thrown their hat in the …
Café RacersBlack magic: Ventus Garage’s Moto Guzzi V65
No corner of the world is immune from the alt-moto custom scene: This remarkably stylish Moto Guzzi V65 comes from the ancient city of Kraków in Poland. And it holds its own against most of the Guzzi builds we see from western Europe.<p>It’s the work of a small shop we haven’t come across before, …
Café RacersSleek: Cafe Racer Dreams revamps the Honda Transalp
The Spanish shop Cafe Racer Dreams has now built almost a hundred customs, with no sign of slowing down. It’s a remarkable track record in our very fickle industry, but founder Pedro García has a sharp eye and runs a tight ship.<p>Pedro has now taken things up a notch with two new partners helping to …
HondaWhen the pavement runs out: Vintage Electric’s scrambler
Four years ago, designer Andrew Davidge started building electric bikes in his parents’ garage in California, helped by a couple of friends. Today, he runs a Silicon Valley company with 15 employees, a permanent factory in Santa Clara, and a global dealer network stretching from England to New …
VintageCustom Bikes Of The Week: 18 September, 2016
A Honda CB750 rebuilt no less than three times, a stunning go-anywhere Yamaha MT-07, and a carbon fiber Gentleman’s Racer costing a cool €150,000. Meet the bikes that filled our fantasy garage this week.<p><b>Yamaha MT-07 by JvB-MOTO</b> Earlier this week, photos surfaced of a Yamaha MT-07/FZ-07 based ADV …
HondaBehind the scenes with the BMW R nineT designers
In the short time that the BMW R nineT has been around, it’s established itself as a strong contender in the heritage segment. And now the Scrambler’s landed in showrooms—the first nineT derivative, with a reported two more on the way.<p>The R nineT is actually a bit of a departure for the German …
BMWCalifornia Dreamin’: Triumph Bonneville by FCR Original
We’re often asked how we choose bikes to feature. In reality, there’s no real science—but we <i>do</i> have a few criteria.<p>Is it an original concept? Or a copy of someone else’s work? Is the fabrication and finish good, or does it fail close inspection? Does the bike move the scene onwards, or is it just …
MotorcyclesEngineered to Ride: WiMoto’s Suzuki GS550E
Wacky engineering always makes for good eye candy. But every time we see it, we think the same thing: does it work?<p>For Dutch builder Wido Veldkamp, that question is a deal breaker. Bikes that come from his shop WiMoto have to perform as good as they look.<p>“Our slogan is ‘We build show bikes for the …
SuzukiPretty, fast: This stunning BMW from 46Works wins races
On the surface, building a custom and building a race bike are pretty similar endeavors. And there are quite a few builders with track records: in the US, there’s Roland Sands, Michael Woollaway of Deus, and Richard Pollock of Mule Motorcycles.<p>Their road going bikes differ in style, but all have …
DesignRetro Modern: An Italian spin on Japanese sport bikes
Some would argue that versatility is the mark of true talent. By that measure, the guys from North East Custom sure are talented.<p>The last North East bike we featured was a classy BMW R100RS. Now brothers Diego and Riccardo Coppiello have hit back—with two very different Japanese machines from their …
MotorcyclesShop Visit: Legend Motors, Lille
If you’re in the market for fine vintage machinery, grab your passport and book a ticket to Lille.<p>Lille is France’s fifth largest city—an hour from Paris and an hour and a half from London. And it’s home to Legend Motors: a chic and charming store specializing in rare vintage motorcycles.<p>You’ll …
LilleThe Strada 800: Fuel’s retro Ducati cafe racer
What happens when a Ducati Scrambler rolls into a workshop famous for building tough vintage dirt bikes?<p>Karles Vives of Fuel Bespoke Motorcycles is the organizer of Scram Africa, a rough-and-ready tour through the deserts of Morocco—so we expected him to ramp up the Scrambler’s off-road cues. But …
CaféGiant Killer: The Harris-framed Suzuki that ruled Glemseck
We’re the first to admit that many of the bikes we show are not particularly practical. But this is probably the most bare-bones machine we’ve ever featured—with no bodywork, a tiny tank and the most vestigial of seats.<p>For once, roadworthiness doesn’t matter. Built by the Berlin-based workshop …
SuzukiWoodface: George Woodman’s Honda SS50 custom moped
Punk’s Peak is a highlight of the growing Wheels & Waves festival in France. It’s a hill climb that happens on the Jaizkibel, a mountain just over the border in Spain and less than an hour’s ride from the festival grounds in Biarritz.<p>When entries opened for this year’s race, George Woodman couldn’t …
HondaCustom Bikes Of The Week: 4 September, 2016
Deus reworks the MV Agusta Brutale into an Agostini tribute, Zagato has a crack at the F4, and the tweedy chaps at Old Empire Motorcycles take the SR400 back in time. Meet the bikes that revved our engines this week.<p><b>Buell Blast by Ivan Moto</b> When I went through a rider training course 16 years ago …
MV AgustaNew and Noted: Motorcycle Gear
Icon 1000 launches a new collection, Dickies moves into motorcycle apparel and Saint produces a technical Parka. Here’s what’s happening in the world of stylish moto-gear.<p><b>Icon 1000 Axys Leather Jacket</b> Icon 1000’s new Axys jacket carries the same no-nonsense aesthetic that we’ve come to expect from …
MotorcyclesGo Rental: A CCM street tracker for hire
Supermotards are more fun than you can shake a stick at. Especially when they’re infused with a hefty dose of flat-track style.<p>This CCM from South Africa’s Wolf Moto is the poster child for the motard-tracker hybrid. You’ll find it ripping up Cape Town as part of Wolf’s rental fleet.<p>It’s based on …
MotorcyclesThree Martini Lunch: ICON 1000’s mean green Thruxton
When the guys at ICON 1000 aren’t designing gear, they’re working on bikes. The customs that roll out of the Slabtown headquarters mix retro cues with future tech—a twisted cocktail that strangely works.<p>This Triumph Thruxton is the latest build from the Portland, Oregon crew, led by design director …
Café RacersReality Check: A tweaked BMW R nineT from Analog
We have a guilty secret: As much as we love poring over the high-end builds, with their exquisite fabrication and styling, we also love checking out ‘regular’ bikes that have been discreetly fettled with smart upgrades.<p>There’s something to be said for having a modern bike in the garage that will …
AnalogPure Escapism: South To Sian by Deus Ex Machina
Deus Ex Machina has always celebrated the spaces where motorcycling and surfing co-exist. And this breathtaking film takes the escapism to a new level, set against the surreal backdrop of Indonesia.<p>Directed by award-winning photographer Dustin Humphrey, South to Sian blends elements of a bike film, …
MotorcyclesCustom Bikes Of The Week: 28 August, 2016
A baby blue BMW R100, a brilliant orange Ducati 900SS, and a murdered-out Harley Street scrambler. It’s all about the color this week.<p><b>Ducati 900SS by CC Racing Garage</b> World Ducati Week is a three-day celebration of Bologna’s absolute best, and Ducati’s way of giving thanks back to fans. Three days …
DucatiSteampunk’d: Urban Motor’s Jawa Sprint Motorcycle
Glemseck 101 is just around the corner. Set in southern German town of Leonberg, it’s a two-wheeled celebration of gasoline and good taste.<p>It also attracts some of the most outrageous customs on the planet. We’ve seen everything from turbocharged boxers to fire-breathing Yamaha XJRs. But a 350cc …
MotorcyclesSpecial K: Pan Speed Shop launches with a wild BMW K1200S
Not all custom BMWs are airhead boxers: The classic four-cylinder K-series is gaining a cult following. But tearing into a more modern K takes a special kind of nuts.<p>So let us introduce you to the Spanish outfit Pan Speed Shop. They’re fresh on the scene, which is why the name won’t ring any bells. …
BMWReview: The 2017 Yamaha SCR950
Before, during, and after, only one thing matters: how does it make you <i>feel?</i> Tech specs can never do a motorcycle justice. The ride is the product.<p>How I felt about the 2017 Yamaha SCR950 <i>before</i> was erased <i>during</i>. And how I felt <i>after</i> can be wrapped up in a word: hooked. This is the story of a changed …
YamahaBlue Is The Color: An ice-cool Yamaha XS650 bobber
Sensibility be damned: this bobber has no front brake, no rear suspension and a suicide shifter. But just look at it.<p>Like any self-respecting bobber, this Yamaha XS650 is an exercise in supreme minimalism. But the work goes far beyond just tossing random parts in the bin.<p>It’s a 1972 XS650, built by …
YamahaCustom Bikes Of The Week: 21 August, 2016
A KTM 690 Duke given the retro scrambler treatment, Ducati lets Roland Sands loose on the XDiavel, and one of the best BMW airhead customs we’ve ever seen. Meet the machines that revved our engines this week.<p><b>Ducati XDiavel by RSD</b> Since its launch in 2010, the Diavel family of bikes has always …
DucatiAre we ready for an electric chopper?
Are electric bikes the future? We’re not sure—but with EU regulations getting progressively more restrictive, it’s not completely unfathomable.<p>If that day ever comes, put us down for one of these. Yes, you’re looking at an electric chopper—and a damn pretty one at that.<p>It’s the brainchild of …
Electric BikesUsed And Abused: Revival Cycles’ Buell Ulysses scrambler
The thought of a liquor brand commissioning a bike conjures up images of gaudy, logo-slathered choppers from the West Coast. But Revival Cycles had other ideas when Rebel Yell knocked on their door.<p>They took a stock Buell Ulysses XB12X, and transformed it into the dirt-shredding monster you see …
Café RacersSpecial Delivery: An ex postal service Suzuki GN250
Customizing bikes is all about seeing potential. Case in point: this cute little ’92 Suzuki GN250 from Portugal’s Dream Wheels Heritage.<p>Back in the day, the GN was the go-to bike for riding schools and the Portuguese postal service. But this one’s been resurrected as a neat-n-tidy café racer, for …
SuzukiSwedish minimalism: Marcus Carlsson’s Honda Tracker
We’ve always pictured Scandinavia as the home of grisly crime fiction, weird pop music and IKEA. But it looks like there’s a growing custom scene too.<p>Shops like the Wrenchmonkees and Unique Custom Cycles need no introduction. But straight after last week’s Norwegian Yamaha GTS comes this radical …