They say once you experience German engineering, you never go back. And this is certainly true of BMW Motorrad’s legendary motorcycles. BMWs feature unique flat-twin boxer engines, unmistakable style, and renowned mechanics that must live up to Berlin-level performance standards.
Launched in 1923, BMW has long been lauded for its line of airhead engines (1969–1995). The well-known R nineT and R80 series of Beemers (among others) have become the basis for many masterful builds covered on these pages—and the newer R18 is heading down the same track.
Wandering between a sea of custom motorcycles at the Handbuilt Show in Austin, Texas last month, our Stateside team had the arduous task of picking the best bikes in three categories. When it was time to dish out the award for the best paint job, this psychedelic BMW R80 was an easy choice. The story…
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Last year, Žiga Petek did something truly refreshing—he built a custom BMW boxer that bucked all custom BMW boxer trends. With sharp lines and not an inch of pipe wrap in sight, it turned heads wherever it went, and it planted the seed for Žiga’s latest build. Based on a BMW R65, this one is…
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Whether you’re about to test for your Class M license, or just itching to add a new toy to the stable, you’d be surprised how far your dollar goes in the entry-level street bike market. Features like standard ABS, inverted forks and slipper clutches are becoming increasingly common on budget-friendly offerings, and most big-name brands…
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There’s something special about taking a classic motorcycle, and transforming it to the point that it’s fit for an entirely different purpose than it what was originally created for. It’s the difference between customization and re-engineering; modern materials and processes augment vintage style, and every last nut and bolt is carefully considered. And that’s exactly…
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We’ve featured some wild customs over the years, and truth be told, we’ve come to expect the unexpected. In the last year…
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Custom motorcycles come in all shapes and sizes. But the more style variations a custom shop adds to their portfolio, the more…
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As the custom arm of an official BMW motorcycle dealership, VTR Customs is well-versed in the art of modifying BMWs. But that…
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The BMW R nineT Urban G/S is a tough pill to swallow. From a styling standpoint, we totally get it; the original…
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This sounds terrifying. The 1894 Hildebrand & Wolfmuller motorcycle that recently sold at a Bonhams auction proves that old-school motorcyclists were built…
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Here’s a custom motorcycle matchup we never expected: the wily custom bike builder, XTR Pepo, and the monstrous BMW R18. But the…
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BMW’s K-series is legendary, but its legend was not made on racetracks or crossing deserts. No, the large block-shaped engines, lovingly known…
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THESE ARE NOT BIKES for sensible people. Sensible people don’t want a vintage, rusting, non-running motorcycle in their garage. Alas, we are…
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