Speed Read: A razor-sharp BMW R1300GS from Switzerland and more

The Swiss masters at VTR Customs provides the first custom BMW R1300GS we’ve seen, while Radical Speedshop builds a custom Moto Guzzi. cafe racer like no one else. We’re also looking at a neat Yamaha XT500 restomod and a stunning 1949 Triumph Speed ​​​​​​Twin bobber.

BMW R1300GS by VTR Customs When BMW announced its new flagship adventure motorcycle, the BMW R1300GS, we knew it was only a matter of time before we saw it customized. Thanks to Switzerland Customs VTRwe didn’t have to wait too long.

Big adventure style bikes with fast parts are all the rage right now. Machines like the Ducati Multistrada V4 RS and BMS M1000XR are geared for riders who want adventure bike ergonomics in a performance-oriented road package. This is probably what inspired the mad scientists at VTR Customs.

Its construction still resembles a BMW R1300GS, but it is much leaner. To slim down the front, they replaced the windshield with the shortest one available, removed the handguards, and added short brake and clutch levers. A short front fender has been fitted under BMW’s signature nose, providing the engine with a touch more protection from whatever comes off the Metzeler Supersport tires.

Kellermann Atto turn signals were installed up front, with a matching set of three-in-one units added to the rear. The rear section has been reduced considerably, thanks to a custom hood that replaces the OEM shift knobs and license plate holder. Along with a custom saddle from Yves Knobel, VTR’s changes made the tail of the R1300GS even more cutting-edge.

The M-inspired gray prime paint was set by Freuler AG, and goes a long way to further reduce the visual volume. The rocker covers have been coated in wrinkled black, the exhaust headers have been covered in black heat tape, and the muffler has been finished in black (although we’ve never heard of “Attrapovič”).

In stock form, the BMW R1300GS lacks some visual cohesion. But VTR’s version trims the fat to reveal the muscular, road-focused machine underneath. Their R1300GS wouldn’t be our choice for off-road excursions, but we’d sure love to carve canyons on it. [VTR Customs]

Moto Guzzi café racer by Radical Speedshop We have been big fans of Stefan Bronold’s work since he launched Radical Guzzi. His workshop may have changed its name to Radical Speedshop, but he still churns out some of the best modern Moto Guzzi customs in the world.

The Bavarian started tinkering with Moto Guzzi as a teenager and never looked back. His specialty is tuning Moto Guzzi’s 8-valve engine to within an inch of its life, which is exactly what he did on this build, the “Fugitive MK2”.

At the heart of the bike is a 1,200cc four-valve Moto Guzzi engine – one of the most powerful engines produced by the Mandello del Lario factory. Stefano doesn’t do things by halves, though.

First, he bumped the capacity to 1,400 cc by transplanting the cylinders and pistons from a California 1400. Then, he modified the intake and exhaust channels and installed a new cam with a stronger performance profile. There’s also a pair of huge stonking Keihin carburetors pumping fuel down the Guzzi’s gullet.

This Italian stallion has been mounted in a Moto Guzzi Bellagio frame. The Bellagio started life as a 940cc two-valve cruiser, but the frame shares more than a little DNA with Lino Tonti’s masterpiece – the Le Mans 850. With huge power and a torque bump, the Bellagio frame now has the engine it deserves.

The bike also got Marzocchi front forks from an MV Agusta F3 (with Wilbers internals), a fully adjustable rear shock from YSS, and a custom swingarm. Beringer brakes provide stopping power for the beast, which now weighs in at under 440 lbs.

The front fender is carbon and the exhaust is a custom piece from Mass Moto. The long aluminum tank has been polished to a perfect shine, which fits perfectly with the overall atmosphere. The modern cafe racer aesthetic continues at the back, with a custom seat resting on the chopped subframe. A few Motogadget parts help keep the cockpit pretty simple.

At this point, we don’t just want to drive a Moto Guzzi built by Radical Speedshop…we need to. [Radical Speedshop | Images by, and with thanks to, Sacha Nagel]

Yamaha XT500 from Motogadgets tea Yamaha XT500 He didn’t really have any competition when he burst onto the scene. Yamaha aimed to create a big-bore trail bike that wasn’t horrible to ride on the road, making the XT500 a dual-sport motorcycle before dual-sport motorcycles existed. It was also a very beautiful motorcycle and the design still holds up today.

This 1981 Yamaha XT500 is the work of Jeffrey Wardenaar – a Dutchman with a penchant for big singles.

Jeffrey started his workshop, Motogadgets (not to be confused with the German electronics brand, Motogadget), in 2003. He made a name for himself specializing in Yamaha singles, the Yamaha XS650 twin, and the series Honda XR and XL, so he. knows a thing or two about improving Japanese trail bikes.

XT’s 499cc single cylinder mill was never easy to start with a kick starter, so Jeffrey installed an electric start. The engine was also treated to a full rebuild with upgrades made along the way. The work increased the output to 40 hp – an increase of 25 percent over the stock.

Up front, Jeffrey fitted the inverted fork and disc brake from a Honda dirt bike. A tall front fender has been carried over from the original bike, sitting below a new headlight and a full suite of new rider controls.

The subframe was cut by a few inches and the stock seat bench was shortened. The XT500 seats were well padded and Jeffrey kept that old rally bike aesthetic in this regard, which we like. Making the ride even plusher is a set of new longer YSS shocks.

The rear fender has been reduced as well, and has an integrated LED headlight, with the turn signals relocated to either side of the seat. A racing muffler, knobby tires, and a new TZ Yamaha inspired paint job complete the build.

What’s not to love? [Source]

1949 Triumph Speed ​​​​​​​​​Twin bobber by Paul Berger Even as an Australian, Paul Berger has always loved British bikes. The dash was carried over from his father – so when his mother died 11 years ago, Paul bought a 1949 Triumph Speed ​​​​​​​​Twin that he and his old man could rebuild together to keep them busy.

Starting with just a frame, engine and gearbox, Paul knew they had their work cut out for them. Both blocks are installed on a hotrod bobber style, with an emphasis on simplicity. Paul’s father was kept busy with the extensive engine and gearbox rebuild, while Paul himself focused on the rest of the bike.

“Having something that looks simple and right is incredibly difficult,” says Paul. “I think the biggest challenge was not what to do, but what not to do.”

Spitfire Motorcycles in California hooked the guys up with a scaled-down Harley-style front fork, with a bump-smoothing Fox mountain bike shock. A new set of Borrani 21F/19R rims and classic Avon tires allowed Paul to flaunt the stance, while a dual tip shoe brake was fitted up front for extra stopping power.

Roland Sands Design bar risers hold the 32-inch-wide handlebars in place, which are equipped with Kustom Tech controls. Being a vintage bike, the lack of switchgear gives it a clean look, but there is a small GPS speedometer. The bike retains its original six-speed electronics.

The split tanks are another Harley-Davidson part, but they have been extensively modified to fit the Triumph frame and flow well with the lines of the bike. Since it’s a hardtail, the only suspension is the springs under the Biltwell Slimline seat. Cooper Smithing Co are the legends behind the tidy rear fender.

The engine was fitted with a pair of 26mm Amal carbs and a Mooneyes oil tank slung under the seat. The beautiful shoe was made by Bob at Classic All Parts, while the experts at Blu-Chrome did the extensive plating and polishing.

Finished with silver paint from the modern Triumph Thruxton, this vintage bobber is low, lean and incredibly clean. [Source]