Passion meets Precision 

In the ever-thrilling world of motorcycle customization, where passion meets precision, Triumph Motorcycles stands as a beacon of innovation. With the recent unveiling of their 2024 model of the Triumph Rocket, enthusiasts worldwide are buzzing with anticipation, eager to experience the next evolution of two-wheeled exhilaration. Yet, amidst the fervor surrounding Triumph’s latest masterpiece, there exists a tale of ingenuity and audacity that deserves its moment in the spotlight – the story of the Triumph Rocket 3R transformed by the visionary artisans at Roké Motors.

Masterpiece in the making

Picture this: a sleek and formidable machine, born from the marriage of cutting-edge technology and boundless creativity. This is the Triumph Rocket 3R, a powerhouse on two wheels, poised to conquer the open road with unrivaled ferocity. But for Roke Motors, the Rocket 3R was more than just a bike – it was a canvas begging to be transformed into a masterpiece.

“Why did you build this bike?” When asked, Roke Motors’ Chief engineer Bas Kentrop response is as bold as it is unapologetic: “No particular reason, just to prove it can be done.” It’s a sentiment that resonates with anyone who has ever dared to dream beyond the confines of convention, fuelled by a relentless desire to push the boundaries of what’s possible. And so, armed with nothing but his imagination and a thirst for adventure, Bas embarked on a journey to unleash the full potential (and more!) of the Triumph Rocket 3R.

Ideal canvas

The choice of the 2023 Triumph Rocket 3R as the base for their project was a stroke of genius. With its muscular silhouette and commanding presence, the Rocket 3R was the epitome of raw power, just waiting to be harnessed or perhaps even better, unleashed. “Because the bike standard is already a beast,” explains Roke Motors, “I want to turn it into a real monster.” And thus, the stage was set for a transformation of epic proportions.

Drawing inspiration from their past builds, particularly the 2017 Thruxton R compressor project, Roke Motors set about realizing their vision with unwavering determination. Their goal was clear: to enhance the Rocket 3R’s already formidable capabilities without sacrificing an ounce of its sleek and stealthy aesthetic. It was a delicate dance between form and function, requiring equal parts technical expertise and artistic finesse.

No boundaries

With no budget constraints to hinder their creativity, Roke Motors spared no expense in their quest for perfection. Low compression JE pistons, modified cams, and a TTS compressor kit formed the backbone of the mechanical upgrades, while fuel injectors with a higher flow rate and a modified fuel pressure regulator ensured optimal performance under any circumstance. Meanwhile, the integration of a boost-sensitive voltage clamp and custom-made software added a layer of sophistication to the bike’s already formidable arsenal.

 

But perhaps the greatest challenge lay not in the technical aspects of the build, but in preserving the Rocket 3R’s trademark smoothness and reliability. It was a challenge that Roke Motors embraced with gusto, pouring countless hours into fine-tuning every aspect of their creation to ensure that it ran as seamlessly as the original – if not more so. And in the end, their efforts paid off handsomely, with the Triumph Rocket 3R emerging from its transformation as a paragon of performance and poise.

Dream on wheels

As Roke Motors proudly proclaims, “the result” is what they cherish the most. From crafting bespoke software to overcoming unforeseen technical challenges, every obstacle overcome was a testament to their unwavering dedication to their craft. And the result speaks volumes – a Triumph Rocket 3R that not only looks the part but rides like a dream.

In the midst of Triumph’s latest Rocket offering, Roke Motors offers a tantalizing glimpse into a parallel universe where customization reigns supreme. Their Triumph Rocket 3R with a compressor stands as a testament to the enduring allure of motorcycle customization and the indomitable spirit of innovation. It is a machine born not out of necessity, but out of sheer passion and a desire to push the envelope. And in doing so, Roke Motors has created a true masterpiece – a beastly beauty that captivates the imagination and inspires awe in all who behold it.

Attention please!

From its meticulously crafted components to its thunderous roar on the open road, every aspect of the Roke Motors Triumph Rocket 3R demands attention and admiration. All elements work in perfect harmony to unleash an unrivalled surge of power, propelling the Rocket 3R into the stratosphere of performance motorcycles. And with fuel injectors boasting a higher flow rate and a modified fuel pressure regulator, every twist of the throttle delivers an adrenaline-fueled rush unlike any other.

But it’s not just the brute force of 360 Nm in combination with 307 Hp that sets the Roke Motors Triumph Rocket 3R apart – it’s the meticulous attention to detail that elevates it to a league of its own. The integration of a boost-sensitive voltage clamp and custom-made software ensures that the bike’s performance remains consistent and reliable, regardless of the conditions. From city streets to winding mountain roads, the Rocket 3R handles with the grace and precision of a finely tuned instrument, effortlessly carving through corners and devouring straightaways with equal aplomb.

We had the extreme pleasure of riding the Rocket on winding country roads. The handling is superb and the combination with all that raw power available at the flick of your right wrist turned the ride in to a thrill. 

Next level

Yet, for all its power and prowess, perhaps the most remarkable aspect of the Roke Motors Triumph Rocket 3R is its ability to retain the essence of the original while pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. From a distance, it may appear as just another Rocket 3R – sleek, stylish, and unmistakably Triumph. But beneath the surface lies a symphony of innovation and engineering excellence, waiting to be unleashed with the twist of a throttle.

As the motorcycle world has recently been heralding the arrival of Triumph’s latest 2024 Rocket offering, Roke Motors stands as a shining example of the boundless potential of motorcycle customization. Their 2023 Triumph Rocket 3R with a compressor is more than just a bike – it’s a testament to the enduring allure of the open road and the indomitable spirit of those who dare to dream. And as riders around the world embark on their own journeys of discovery, one thing is certain: the legacy of the Roke Motors Triumph Rocket 3R will live on, inspiring generations of enthusiasts to push the limits and chase their wildest dreams.

Out of the silence, a screeching sound and a sudden wobble wake me up in an uninviting way – the train is reaching its next station. I’m on my way to Munich, where the all new Indian Scout will be revealed, the second iteration of the model that revived the long gone legend. 

My lack of sleep goes back to another machine of the american brand, a friend’s 1928 Indian Scout 101 that we have been working on these last days (Bernhard Elflein, Herzbube Motorcycles, Revival of the machine: Herzbube’s Indian Scout 101 | Bike EXIF). He’s had the 101 for ages, one of those perfect, hard to finish projects. We spent long hours giving the old Scout its life back, the perfect anticipation to seeing the new icon, almost a century after its forefather was first brought to life. Midnight wrenching proves to be a great metaphor to describe the character one could associate to Indian: a restless, driven, maverick attitude. And I’m about to find out what has been made out of it.

Meeting other attendants upon my arrival already gives a small preview of what could be expected: actors, racers… a wide array of backgrounds with a motorcycle brand as the touching point. Unusual, considering the homogeneity that brands tend to breed. But nothing about this reveal seems to be usual in any way. The chosen place for the occasion: Motorworld Munich, the automotive mecca of the German city, a huge event location packed with the rarest, most impressive machines of recent history. 

Soon after entering the room where the reveal will take place, we notice the covered silhouettes of the bikes we are here to see, parked on the side. Standing in the center, another beauty of early Indian years, this time courtesy of the Indian Motocycle Club Germany. You read that right, Motocycle, without the r, as read on original bikes. Indian people have been riding their lane since the very beginning, when attempts to register the full name led to dodge regulations by letting a letter out of the equation. Clever gentlemen. Christoph – caretaker of the old machine above – also had plenty of other stories to share. It seems like you might meet the nicest people on a Honda, but those with the greatest stories ride an Indian.

After warming up the atmosphere, those responsible for the launch take the stand to introduce the brand and the man leading its renewal, Ola Stenegärd, who guides the public through the creation of the latest machine, in a way very appreciated by anyone with a background in design or motorcycle building. In Ola’s words, the team focused on timeless aesthetics, concentrating on making stuff lean and clean while always keeping customizing in mind. The inspiration? The hot rod scene with legendary cars like Zephyrs, and the unmistakable lines of the original Indians. The design of the new Scout was considered through every layer, giving attention one can notice in every read: from afar, closer or in the smallest details, in the words of the designers.

All the anticipation leads to the covers being finally removed, revealing five models based on the new Scout: the Scout Classic, Scout Bobber, Sport Scout, Super Scout, and 101 Scout (a homage to the original 101, called the best motorcycle Indian ever made). All five share the same tubular frame design that has cleaned the overly heavy, casted feel of the previous model, a design that favors a connection to the vintage Scout and the current Chief. It now features a smaller radiator between the downtubes, neatly integrated rear shocks and that classic Indian downtube line. Features like shock travel, fenders, seats and wheels vary across the line, just like the final trim the customer can choose.   

The new engine – called the Speedplus – has been completely redesigned, bored out to 1.250 cc and now pulls between 105 and 111 horsepower at 7.250 rpm, with 108 Nm of torque at a slightly lower 6.300 rpm. Many will miss the machined engine covers that contributed to the industrial look of the first modern Scout, but there is a general smoothness the bike has in its lines, angles and details that feels coherent and thought through. A very clean look altogether. Of course, it’s not the 1930’s anymore and no manufacturer will offer an exhaust system that doesn’t look like it belongs as a fuel tank in a multiplanetary rocket, but considering everything, the job done is more than acceptable.

Making a bike look like those built 90 years ago only goes so far, and so does losing oneself in poisonous terms like heritage. Throwing some chrome on everything won’t make anything better, neither will doing as if not a single decade has passed, and I think Indian have managed to create a modern machine that knows where it belongs, while not forgetting where it comes from. They put their hands in the fire and cast one hell of a piece out of the heat. Judge for yourselves.

Check out our impressions of the new Indian Scout launch on YouTube!

“Tricolore” is the latest creation of XTR PEPO, which is short for extreme and Pepo Rosell…

Pepo is the owner and creator of XTR PEPO and ‘extreme’ sums up the philosophy behind his workshop – “Less business and more fun!! Because you must live the life…. Be Extreme!!!”

After creating radically customized Ducatis for more than a decade under the aptly named “Radical Ducati” brand, Pepo took some time off to rethink his life. The conclusion was however that bikes are his life, so he started again in 2015 with XTR PEPO – with the explicit goal to have more fun!

XTR PEPO has created quite a few beautifully customized bikes since then (have a look at https://www.pepoxtr.com/copia-de-pepo-s-legacy), mostly Ducatis still with the odd Bultaco or BMW thrown in for (more) fun…

Pepo’s latest creation is the Tricolore, yes a Ducati-based bike and yes clad in the three colors of the Italian flag – green, white, red, as a tribute to the first Ducati 851 Tricolore.

This is a ‘from the ground up’ build, starting with the frame from an early Ducati Monster 600, reinforced to withstand the increased forces it would have to deal with. The rear subframe was replaced by an aluminum Ducati 851 piece, and YSS delivered an adjustable rear shock made specifically for the bike!

The engine is a heavily modified Ducati Monster S4RS motor (999 Coppa Bassa engine), with for instance an aluminum TSS light flywheel, and XTR’s own high volume airbox adding horsepowers to the already impressive power of the original engine. The exhaust features spaghetti pipes topped off with Sil Motor Roche replica carbon fiber silencers.

The bodywork is inspired by and partly sourced from the Ducati 851, with an 851 fairing, modified to house a Cagiva Mito 125 Lawson replica front light, and a homemade Ducati 851 glass fiber gas tank, with a transparent stripe on the side so you can always check the fuel level…

The list of high performance components Pepo sourced for the Tricolore bike is quite long, with quite a few parts made in-house, such as all the aluminum fairing brackets, the CNC-machined clip ons, carbon fiber mudguard, or the hand-made seat and upholstery…

All in all, Tricolore, XTR PEPO’s latest extreme custom bike, is a really lightweight – 165 kg – and powerful bike, which should be a real joy to steer around the racetrack – while it’s also fully street-legal…

pictures – Sergio Cardeña

The only custom show fully dedicated to Indian Motorcycles is gearing up for its third edition, with registrations open as of today!

The Budweis Custom Indian Motorcycle Show will take place again in České Budějovice – aka Budweis – in the Czech Republic, from June 13 to 16, 2024.

Ola Stenegärd, Director of Product Design for Indian Motorcycle, is a strong supporter of the show: “There isn’t much in life that gets me more excited than a custom motorcycle show. As a designer and custom builder, I really feed on that creative energy. As a long time Indian Motorcycle fan from way back as a kid, the growth of this show in such a short time is food for my soul.”

Registrations for the Budweis Custom Indian Motorcycle Show are open as of today, the organizers are inviting builders of all levels, from aspiring rookies to seasoned veterans…

You can enter your custom Indian Motorcycle for one of the seven classes:

• Indian Scout
• Indian Chief / Non-Fairing
• Indian Motorcycle Bagger
• Indian Motorcycle Vintage
• Indian FTR / Sportbike
• Indian Motorcycle ClubStyle / Performance Bagger
• Indian Motorcycle Freestyle

The ClubStyle/Performance Baggers class is new for this year, welcoming this exciting new trend to the show.

And the Freestyle class is also new, this is also the only category where entrants do not need to be road legal. However, entries in all classes must be able to start and ride their builds onto the podium to accept their awards.

Finally, one build will be awarded the Best In Show trophy…

The Budweis Custom Indian Motorcycle Show has gathered a really impressive judging panel to evaluate the entries for all these classes. Brian Klock, President of Klock Werks, is joining as President of the Jury. Brian – aka the “Godfather of Baggers” – confirmed taking this role for the 2024 Show, saying: “Indian Motorcycle is near and dear to my heart. Having been part of the aftermarket advisory team since 2014 and designing many of the limited editions coming out of the factory, just like Ola, a custom show dedicated to Indian Motorcycle is something I’m really excited about. I cannot wait to meet everyone at Budweis next year and see their craftsmanship and incredible skills.”

Brian will be joined in the judging panel by other dignitaries, including his wife Vanessa, Ola Stenegärd and Onno Wieringa (Official AMD World Championship photographer), to evaluate the entrants.

So if you want to show off your custom Indian Motorcycle with the chance to win a prestigious award in one of the seven classes, pre-register your bike between now and Friday, May 31, 2024, at: www.budweiscustom.show/#BCS24form.

And if you are not ready by that time, ride-in entries will still be accepted until Saturday, June 15.

For more information about the 2024 Budweis Indian Motorcycle Show visit www.budweiscustom.show

And in case you missed the 2023 edition of the Budweis Indian Motorcycle Custom Show, check out the Indian Riders Fest 2023 Official Video!

Timothy Somers is a relative newcomer on the motorcycle scene –  certainly compared to an oldtimer like me who got on a bike for the first  time in 1980… 

But he – and his company Powerbrick – have really started to make an  impression in this two- wheeled world, and certainly among aficionados of  the K-series BMW’s. That’s where the roots of the company are, the 80’s to  early 90’s K-bikes from BMW, with the big rectangular engine blocks  hanging under them – hence the name ‘Powerbrick’.  

Timothy started riding in 2018, got a motorcycle driving license and  bought a BMW K100 at a good price. This was at the same time as he quit  his job at his design agency, having worked on the design and  production of many different consumer goods.  

As the K-100’s styling was really not to his taste and he had the time, he  started customizing the bike in his shed almost right-away, designing and  then making the first specimen of the part himself. And put every stage of  the transformation on instagram, which pretty soon had a steady inflow of  followers, who then also started asking for him to sell them these parts he  had designed.  

Powerbrick – the company – was born. He started to have the parts  produced in larger quantities and selling them  though his insta page. As a professional designer, Timothy completely  develops his products on his computer in 3D-rendering. And these designs  can be sent right over to the factory to be moved into production!  

The parts-business actually flourished during the covid years. I guess as  lots of enthusiasts were stuck at home with a K-series bike in the shed, had the urge to make it perform and look better, had time to scour the Internet  for ideas, but then also the time to actually do something about it…

Most sales originate from Powerbrick’s Instagram presence, maybe a bit  via Facebook, but all without spending money on marketing! More  recently, Powerbrick started to promote the brand at motorcycle shows,  like the BMW Motorrad days in Berlin and the BikeShed MotoShow in  London this spring. 

As to be expected for an internet-era company, Powerbrick’s clientele is  truly international, with lots of orders from the United States and Australia,  and relatively few from its ‘home market’, the Netherlands. 

Over the past couple of years, more motorcycles were bought as a  development platform for his parts on one hand, and to show off the parts  that he is producing on the other. These motorcycles are then sold when  finished, making Powerbricks a custom shop on top of a parts design and  manufacture business.  

Last year (2022), Powerbrick realized two of such full custom conversions,  they are planning to do three this year and then keep on a steady but controlled growth path – 4 full conversions in 2024. Timothy wants to  keep full control of his customs, building them in accordance with the Powerbrick style and not limited by demanding customers. The Powerbrick set-up in Schiedam, in the Netherlands, reflects this very well: a spartan but well-equipped workshop – come office and warehouse – in a soon-to-be-torn-down industrial space, and just  Timothy and Sasza, his trusted sidekick, doing all the work…  

Powerbrick produces and sells custom triple clamps, subframes, air-filter sets,  headlight covers, tank caps, exhausts… All in all some 70 different parts,  all designed in-house, and produced exclusively for Powerbrick. Mostly for BMW’s K-series, but more recently they are expanding to the R-series  as well.  

And, right now, Powerbrick stands at the beginning of an exciting new  adventure, taking on Harley Davidsons. For the Amsterdam/Rotterdam HD  Dealer, Powerbrick is starting to convert 3 brand- new Harleys; a Sportster,  an adventure-touring model, but also an electric bike , the LiveWire. We  are excited to see what those bikes are going to look like!

Flat Track racing may not be that well-known here in Europe, but it is certainly one of the most fun, and – importantly – most accessible forms of motorcycle racing out there. So, when Royal Enfield invited me to try it out, I was quick to accept and showed up for my day of training at the Flat Track in Noordeloos (South Holland).

Royal Enfield already has started these so-called Slide Schools in India, Thailand, the USA, the UK, and Italy. Now Royal Enfield Europe is also launching this in the Benelux, under the name of “Flat Track Academy powered by Royal Enfield”

What these Slide Schools have in common is that the riding is done on flat-track prepared Royal Enfield Himalayan 411cc motorcycles… What does that mean? Well, these bikes are stripped down versions of stock motorcycles – no mudguards for instance, but what jumps out immediately is that there is no front brake!

The other thing with flat track riding that really pulls you out of your comfort zone – as a more or less experienced motorcyclist – is the steel shoe you get to put on your left foot. Put on your gear, strap on the steel shoe and on to the track! An oval track, dirt or gravel with short straights and a 180-degree left hand corner at both ends, it’s that simple.

But that does not mean Flat Track is easy though! You have to forget a lot of stuff – like having a front brake… There is none so the only way to slow down is the engine and the rear brake.  And then putting your left leg out to slide on the metal also takes some time to get used to! The idea is to hit top speeds on the straight of the oval before leaning over, sticking your left leg out and sliding into the corner to make the 180-degree turn, and then race back down the other straightaway. That slide into the corner is really what makes Flat Track very different from any other kind of racing I have done….

Maikel Dijkstra, our fully licensed motorsport trainer and international Flat Track racer, started us out with trying to make really small ovals, to get a feel for sliding with your left foot out, as your main cornering technique. Then on to practice runs on the whole track with some cones laid out to get to the optimal lines. Maikel showed us the basic techniques that will allow you to get around the track, but there are more – harder – ways to round that oval track much faster… Flat Track as it turns out is a sport that is easy to ride, but hard to master!

Anyway, by the end of just a couple of hours we got to do some real laps, even a quick race or two, and that really was a whole lot of fun!

Flat Track racing is one of the fastest growing motorsports, and Royal Enfield and the Flat Track Academy are obviously keen to have many more folks getting into it… To celebrate the launch of the Flat Track Slide School in the Benelux, they are giving our readers a chance to win one of these courses!

So, do you want to win a Slide School course, worth €190,-, given by the Flat Track Academy powered by Royal EnfieldBenelux?

The Flat Track Academy organizes these 3-to-4-hour courses at tracks in Vledderveen or Roden in the Netherlands. All you have to do is send me a note (jaco@bikebrewers.com)  telling me why you would like to win this Flat Track course… Please send in your entry by July 22 to be eligible to win! Keep in mind that the winner must be 15 or older, and you will have to bring your own motorcycle-riding gear (helmet, gloves, protective jacket/trousers and shoes over the ankle) to the course, date and place to be arranged with Maikel.

Disclaimer: By participating in this promotion, you give MotoMondo (Royal Enfield’s distributor on the Benelux) permission to use your personal data. MotoMondo processes your personal data for marketing purposes and will treat your personal data confidentially.

As I’d never been to the BikeShed Motoshow and just knew it by reputation – as one of the premier custom motorcycle shows in the world – I was thrilled to have two of my Hard Motos bikes chosen to be exhibited there. Couldn’t resist, even if it meant travelling from Amsterdam on Pentecost weekend – and that I had to spend a couple days polishing my bikes to make them look the part!

So off to London and the venue, Tobacco Dock near the Thames River and the Tower of London…

That was the first thing that struck me, such a great place – old buildings but tastefully restored with a couple of old sailing boats outside for decoration. Loads of rooms, all laid out for the hundreds of bikes on display. And for the various bike brands showing off the best customs based on their various models… Plus a sampling of motorcycle-related vendors ranging from clothing obviously, to art, to tea – how British!

Second thing I noticed was the efficient organization and great (mostly volunteer) staff on hand to help you get sorted. Loads of security – such as individual tie-wraps on the bikes, so you could only remove your own at the end of the show. And by having security staff everywhere.

Not that I felt it was needed, the atmosphere was genuinely friendly and relaxed all through the event, even on Saturday morning when the lines went for hundreds of meters before the show opening at 10:00AM.

And then the bikes! The theme this year was ‘Past, Present and Future’, and numerous bikes fitting all three categories present…

For ‘Past’, loads of great bikes, going from pre-war restored to better than original, to choppers, bobbers and caféracers.

For ‘Present’, quite a few retro-bikes, new but converted/modified to yes – choppers, bobbers and caféracers. But remarkably there is another type of custom becoming quite prominent in this category, enduro bikes! A lot more colorful on average than what we are used to from custom bikes – with the possible exception of choppers from the seventies.

‘Future’ – quite a few electric bikes of course, including what Dutch law considers bicycles – fat bikes like Super73.  I saw a prototype of a more performant bike though, so that may be coming…

There also was a virtual presentation of a sort of chameleon bike – taking different shapes for different rides – that you could access by scanning a QR code, but I guess I’m old-fashioned; prefer to see the real bike…

There was a pre-opening evening on the Friday for press and VIP invitees, with some nice music but endless lines at the three only food vendors open that night, so we snuck out to get dinner at the Smoking Goat – near the BikeShed HQ in Shoreditch – amazing!

So got there Saturday early to find a mind-blowing number of folks already in line waiting for the opening of the show. Luckily, we could get in around back – just by showing our exhibitor wristband. And indeed, Saturday was crowded, but never overcrowded, the venue is large enough to accommodate a vast number of visitors without it feeling cramped.

Sunday was a bit less crowded, so enjoyed taking in the 300-plus marvelous bikes on display again!

There was entertainment – both live music at all hours in the main hall and presentations plus panel discussions in the Shed Talks building. There was food and drinks galore on the Saturday and Sunday, a variety of food trucks were parked just outside the venue. Nice weather, so getting a bit of a tan while having a nice latte was definitely part of the morning routine…

All in all, one of the nicest motorcycle shows I’ve seen, definitely worth it, I’ll be back for more!

The motorcycle industry, at least on the combustion engine side, has not seen a lot of new brands come to life the past few decades. Yes, we did witness the successful resurrection of famous brands from the past, like Indian and Royal Enfield, who are developing and pushing out impressive ranges of truly great motorcycles. But we haven’t seen many new brands of combustion engine motorcycles lately.

However, the birth and subsequent rise of electric motorcycles has resulted in a whole slew of new manufacturers. Zero was an early starter in 2006, and especially in the last few years quite a few new entrants, like Energica and Cake, have emerged.

But for the motorbike enthusiast with a fondness of classic styling – like myself, I have to admit – many of these motorbikes just don’t look right… Mainly due to the necessity of big battery racks I guess, but it seems quite a few new builds either go for sportsbike-like fairings which hide these batteries (like Energica), or for quite radical new styling accentuating the difference with combustion engine bikes (Cake or Sondors). And the ones who take their styling cues more from ‘regular’  motorcycles, look, at least in this author’s admittedly biased opinion, clunky at best…

There are exceptions of course, like RGNT Motorcycles from Sweden, and now there is a promising new brand out of Brazil just starting up, called RTR Electric motorcycles!

Because what better base for a real commitment to classic lines than founders who share a 30-year history of designing and building award-winning custom motorcycles under the label ‘Retrorides By Lourenço’. You may know them from their book “The CafeRacer Bible”, a great “How to build” resource, and from their sublime proprietary suspension for the BMW K100…

So now, following their desire to play their part in creating a cleaner and smarter future for humanity, they founded RTR Electric motorcycles.

Their first model, the 799e, is an electric scrambler targeted at urban use. Its design is inspired by the iconic Scramblers of the 1970s – and it looks the part!

Pre-production exemplars are undergoing the homologation process in Brazil now, production of the RTR 799e is scheduled to start December 2023. They plan to start selling these bikes in Brazil, the United States and in Europe to begin with.

RTR are determined to preserve their custom DNA, their reputation for delivering great motorcycles, and their spirit of “handcrafted by hand”. 

They aim to accomplish this by offering full customization options on the website as part of the purchase process, by using the best high-quality parts and by completely hand-assembling the RTR 799e in Brazil…

On the website, customers will for instance be able to choose the colors, the type of seat, the type of tires, the type of front fenders, the type of headlight, to use side plates or not – making each motorcycle unique. 

High quality also means that these motorcycles are built with noble materials that do not harm the environment, and are built to last while also designed to be upgradable.  A really neat detail is that where gas would be stored before, the 799e has a 7-liter glove compartment to store your stuff!

While the 799e’s range is not stellar today at 120 km with a full battery, RTR are partnering with major battery developers to significantly increase this autonomy. You can charge it by just plugging into a regular 110/220V outlet.

Top speed of 127km/h is certainly acceptable for its intended mostly urban use. And the ‘kick’, as with all electric motorcycles, is the instantaneous torque thanks to the electric motor delivering “everything” at once, which propels you like a bat out of hell as soon as you twist the throttle!

So all in all RTR are well underway on this exciting journey. Driven by passion as they are, they still want to achieve their goals faster and more efficiently, so they are currently selecting investors to help them. But help them in a way that allows them to stay true to their starting points: Really change the way people get around, by providing a cleaner and more sustainable electric alternative, but also to construct these beautiful motorcycles in their native country of Brazil! 

www.rtrmotorcycles.com

Moto Adonis is a custom bike workshop located in the Netherlands, known for their sleek and clean designs. They recently took on a BMW R100RS build, which was a stock bike with an aftermarket subframe and a specific request from the customer for to use the color Carbonschwarz metallic 416.

The Moto Adonis team got to work and transformed the bike into a custom machine with a high level of attention to detail. They added gold double striping to the new paintwork, which matched the golden front fork, and fitted a GSXR front fork, upgraded brakes with GSXR calipers, and a set of Moto Master brake discs with a golden center.

Moto Adonis also incorporated a full Motogadget system, including a speedometer and #mo.blaze bar end turn signals. They used high-quality parts such as Renthal bars, Motogadget mirrors, YSS shocks, Biltwell handlebar grips, and Tarozzi foot controls. They installed a Motone fuel cap and a Sp connect phone mount and charger, along with a custom leather seat by Mr. Miller. To top it all off, they made a stainless exhaust with MAD exhaust mufflers and DNA air filters, resulting in a great sounding bike.

The BMW 416 R100RS build is a perfect example of how Moto Adonis puts their touch on custom bikes, making them not only visually appealing but also enjoyable to ride. As Moto Adonis puts it, “We like to build bikes with high-quality parts and a high level of attention to detail, resulting in great-looking and great-riding machines.”

Moto Adonis has been making waves in the custom bike scene for some time now, and this BMW build is just another example of their craftsmanship. If you’re interested in seeing more of their work, check out our previous article on Moto Adonis’ Harley-Davidson Sportster build, where they turned a stock bike into a beautiful cafe racer.

The BMW 416 R100RS custom build by Moto Adonis is an impressive machine with sleek lines and high-quality parts. Moto Adonis continues to show their expertise in the custom bike scene and makes another customer happy with their dream bike. You can check out more of their work on their Instagram page (@moto_adonis) or their website (MotoAdonis.com).

Are you tired of the noise and pollution of your conventional motorcycle but still want to experience the thrill of riding? Luuc Muis of LM Creations has created a solution that will let you have the best of both worlds. Say hello to the BMW R00, the world’s first bolt-on electric drivetrain for vintage motorcycles.

The idea for the R00 came from the trend of converting classic cars to electric power. While this is relatively easy for cars, it becomes a challenge when it comes to motorcycles. The original design of vintage motorcycles, with their exposed frames, makes it hard to hide the electric powertrain. Additionally, most electric motorcycle conversions lose the iconic characteristics of the bike due to their bulky battery boxes and hub motors. However, LM Creations set out to design an electric drivetrain that would replace the existing crankcase, maintain the gearbox, and keep the motorcycles’ engine characteristics intact.

The BMW R-Series was chosen as the starting point for the R00 due to its iconic engine design and popularity in the custom scene. However, any pre-unit drivetrain, such as BMW, Moto Guzzi, vintage Triumphs, Harley Davidsons, URAL, and English brands, are suitable for conversion. The engineering involved in designing the new casting for the motor housing and battery pack that fits the original frame, as well as all the necessary and safety components, was a significant undertaking.

The LM Creations team wanted to uphold the excitement of riding a custom or vintage motorcycle, including the sound and experience of shifting, revving, torque, and turning heads. The R00 has a unique sound, combining the whine of a supercharger and a JET turbine, along with incredible torque. Instead of a fixed-geared E-drive, the R00 maintains the gearbox, allowing riders to take off in any gear and switch gears any way they like. The ability to play around with the torque and power wheelies was never possible with the original BMW R-Series engine.

In a nutshell, the R00 has a 72V power unit capable of a max peak up to 20kw and 72Nm with a max RPM of 7500. It has a new aluminum cast housing, which comes in black or silver. The urban range is 80km, thanks to the 4.3kwh battery pack that weighs just 24kg, only 2kg more than the original gas tank. The charge cycles are more than 2000, equivalent to approximately 160,000 km. The charger comes in two options, a 1.8 or 3.3 kw 230V charger, and a gel coat paint-ready fiberglass shell. The R00 is bolted on to R-type airhead engines from 1969 to 1995 (R45-R100).

The BMW 11kw EV kit 4.3kwh battery with a 1.8kw charger retails for €8950, while the BMW 11kw EV kit 4.3kwh battery with a 3.3kw charger costs €9450 (excluding shipping). For pre-orders, LM Creations includes a free ROEG helmet. LM Creations also offers an option to have the kit installed for an additional €1450 (cover paint and gearbox rebuild not included), and custom modifications to the bike are available for an extra cost.

The R00 is a revolutionary electric motorcycle that offers the best of both worlds. It maintains the excitement and experience of riding a vintage motorcycle while eliminating noise and pollution. LM Creations has taken up the challenge of designing and engineering a bolt-on electric drivetrain for vintage motorcycles and has done an exceptional job. The R00 is the first of many innovations to come, and we can’t wait to.