This version of Velocity Learn would possibly simply boast the most important distinction in engine dimension we’ve ever featured. We go from a monstrous nitrous-fueled BMW R18 from Roland Sands Design, to a 49 cc Suzuki scooter from Taiwan’s MetalCave. We additionally take a look at the restricted version Ducati Monster Senna, and a lightly-fettled Indian FTR 1200 from Motocrew.
BMW R18 by Roland Sands Design California’s Roland Sands Design was one of many first workshops to customise the BMW R18 when it first hit the market. Their debut R18 was a muscular, nitrous-fed drag bike—however no matter its unapologetic nature, it wasn’t fairly as excessive as RSD supposed it to be. That challenge coincided with the event of a bunch of RSD R18 components, so the choice was made to maintain the bike roughly streetable.
For his or her newest customized BMW R18, RSD has thrown these limitations out the window. This one takes cues from its predecessor, dials the insanity as much as eleven, and provides the Daytona Orange livery from RSD’s well-known ‘Idea 90’ BMW R nineT. Oof.
The vibe is full-bore Professional Inventory drag racer. A bespoke trellised subframe traces a line from the again of the gas tank to the rear wheel, eliminating the rear suspension. The axle plates, wheelie bar brackets, and beefy rear wheel are all from Grothus Dragbikes.
Making room for the gargantuan 8.5-inch-wide Mickey Thompson rear tire meant having to drastically alter the R18’s ultimate drive setup. RSD labored round the issue by eliminating the driveshaft and shifting the rear drive hub to in entrance of the wheel. It now acts as a jackshaft, with a sequence sending energy to the rear wheel.
The brand new association not solely appears to be like cool as heck, but in addition provides the crew the liberty to play with completely different sprocket ratios. RSD reduce and widened the rear fender to cap off the R18’s tail part.
Different Grothus components embrace the entrance forks, 18” entrance wheel, and brake discs. They’re matched to customized yokes with built-in handlebar mounts, Brembo brake calipers, and a mixture of inventory and aftermarket controls. Notable particulars embrace the Race Torx thumb brake and Pingel electrical shifter; mixed, they remove the necessity for any foot controls.
RSD’s inventive technique of integrating the R18’s chunky nitrous oxide bottle deserves particular point out. Reasonably than tuck it away underneath the bike, the crew modified the OEM gas tank to solely carry gas on the left aspect after which redesigned the right-hand aspect to create a channel for the bottle to take a seat in. The chromed nitrous reservoir pops towards the gorgeous orange paint, whereas the traditional roundels level to the BMW’s boxer heritage.
Remaining particulars embrace a beneficiant Saddlemen seat, wide-open exhausts, a smattering of RSD R18 dress-up components, and sufficient tiny particulars to spend hours poring over. All in all, this would possibly simply be probably the most excessive customized BMW R18 we’ve seen but [More | Images by Dual Studios]
Suzuki Choinori by MetalCave Ever heard of the Suzuki Choinori? Produced between 2003 and 2007, it was a teeny tiny 49 cc scooter constructed for short-distance commuting and operating errands. Suzuki designed it to attenuate the quantity of supplies used, thereby additionally lowering the associated fee to provide (and buy) it.
A byproduct of this minimalist strategy was that the Choinori regarded impossibly lovely. One way or the other, although, the Taiwanese customized store MetalCave has managed to make it look even cuter than earlier than.
MetalCave’s motto is that “each automobile has a soul, and a soul is just not inherent, however fairly formed by the consumer’s funding of time and use—projecting themselves and their creativeness onto it.” Within the case of this tradition Choinori, that philosophy interprets into a captivating runabout that wouldn’t look misplaced at the back of a classic Volkswagen Bus. (Certainly, the long-lasting Volkswagen T1 served as inspiration for the construct.)
The pint-sized Suzuki’s fetching new paint job is a transparent winner, however it solely tells half of the story. The most important change is MetalCave’s considered redesign of the scooter’s cockpit.
Gone are its mini-ape bars, changed by a set of swooping bicycle handlebars. MetalCave tailored a biking steering stem to accommodate them, then wired in a single Motogadget three-switch unit to deal with primary features. The wiring runs contained in the bars, with traditional white grips including a classy of completion.
Equal consideration was given to the rider’s perch. The seat now wears white leather-based upholstery with a contact of tweed, and is completed off with a chromed seize deal with. The inventory rear fender nonetheless does responsibility additional down, however it’s been painted to match the remainder of the bodywork for a cleaner look.
Different particulars embrace white wall tires and a stunning little chromed exhaust system. MetalCave’s Suzuki Choinori may not go very quick, or very far, however we certain wouldn’t thoughts being seen on it. [MetalCave]
Ducati Monster Senna Taking a web page out of Triumph’s guide, Ducati is the newest producer to money in with a restricted version bike that’s actually simply considered one of their current bikes with completely different paint. On this case, it’s the Ducati Monster Senna—a Ducati Monster SP with a livery impressed by the legendary Brazilian System One driver’s helmet design.
To be honest to Ducati, the model’s connection to Ayrton Senna goes deeper than most individuals understand. It began when Claudio Castiglioni gifted the a number of world champion a Ducati 851 SP, manner again in 1990. A couple of years later, Senna and Ducati collaborated on the hanging Ducati 916 Senna—a restricted version 916 that was conceived earlier than Senna’s tragic demise.
Senna additionally owned one of many first Ducati Monsters to hit the streets—and even confirmed as much as the gala night of the 1993 Monaco Grand Prix aboard it, dressed to the nines.
The brand new Ducati Monster Senna makes use of the well-specced Monster SP as its base, which suggests you get Öhlins suspension, Brembo brakes, and carbon fiber Termignoni mufflers. The 937 cc Testastretta engine is sweet for 111 hp at 9,250 rpm, and the Senna version goes a step past the usual ‘SP’ spec with solid aluminum wheels and a handful of carbon fiber bits.
Though we’re nonetheless on the fence in regards to the redesigned Ducati Monster, we’ve to confess that it wears its Senna-inspired livery properly. Similar to the F1 celebrity’s unmistakable helmets, the bike is slathered in yellow paint with sharp inexperienced and blue accents, with blue upholstery on the seat including a sporty contact. And the additional upgrades make it the spiciest Monster presently on provide.
If this tickles your fancy, get in line. Ducati will solely be producing 341 models of the Monster Senna, every one numbered. It’s an odd, however important, quantity; Senna received three championships in his profession, with a complete of 41 race wins. [Ducati Monster Senna]
Indian FTR 1200 by Motocrew We like to see what our favourite customized builders do to their private bikes after they’re not busy constructing bikes for different individuals. This sharp Indian FTR 1200 belongs to Chris Scholtka, the behind the Motocrew moniker. And as each day runners go, it’s fairly robust to beat.
Chris purchased the Indian late final 12 months, proper after he bought his Ducati 848. “I used to be searching for one thing particular, and the Indian is it, in my view,” he tells us. “It was clear that I needed to go in an city flat observe path. I just like the look, and I needed a motorbike with a impartial seating place after my Ducati 848—which wasn’t enjoyable to trip additional than 200 km [322 miles].”
Chris introduced the 2019-model FTR dwelling and painted it matte black the very subsequent day. Then he began searching round for a set of 17” wheels from the newer FTR 1200, which he finally discovered by way of a contact in Poland. That set the bike up for correct avenue shenanigans and allowed Chris to suit wider and grippier rubber.
Subsequent, Chris stripped off all the bodywork behind the FTR’s tank. He then fabricated a brand new seat and tail bump, incorporating the OEM taillight into the again of the unit. A modified grime bike shroud sits up entrance, with a Highsider LED lighting the way in which.
Chris additionally fitted decrease handlebars, ProTaper grips, and Motogadget bar-end mirrors, and put in a brand new air filter, courtesy of the oldsters at Ok&N. The FTR is completed off with a customized exhaust system, with probably the most unrepentant pipe wrap job we’ve ever seen. “It’s a really particular thermal isolation wrap by Thermotech, who may be very common within the German automotive tuning scene,” Chris explains.
To verify the FTR had the go to match the present, Chris completed the job off with a Dynojet chip. “It’s probably the most pleasurable bike I’ve ever ridden,” he provides. “It’s highly effective—and it handles like a supermoto.” [Motocrew | Images by kylefx]
