Surfboard rack on a motorbike may seem like a gimmick to some, but if you live in Bali and love surfing it’s actually a necessity. The Indonesian island is full of surf spots—and a small bike with a rack is the best way to get there. It doesn’t hurt if the motorcycle looks as good as this Yamaha WR155R disturbed person.
This bike is designed by Dream Fast Co. made for Tiw, the company’s founder Laem Yah Rayong Surf club. Both sides are based in Thailand, but draw direct influence from Bali’s motorcycle and surf culture. Tiw has Balinese friends who use classic enduro bikes to find hard-to-reach surf spots and wanted to capture that feeling on his Yamaha WR155R.
The mission of Dream Fast Co. is to take the modern and reliable WR155R and inject it with a healthy dose of classic Yamaha off-road style. On paper it seems simple, but in practice it means wading through piles of plastic that take away from the WR155R’s contemporary aesthetic.
After Yamaha eliminated plastic, the team at Dream Fast Co. Started making my line again. The subframe was removed and a new subframe fabricated, this time with a raised ring at the rear. A new chair sits on top; it’s designed for one person, but there’s a bit of space in the back if you and your passengers want to get super cozy.
The team looked to Yamaha’s history for further inspiration, crafting an aluminum fuel tank to mimic the design of the iconic Yamaha XT500. They also fashioned a set of aluminum fenders, again inspired by old bicycles. Along with a set of hand-crafted side skirts and custom radiator guards, the new bodywork provides a classic look.
Dream Fast Co. Keep only the suspension and brakes but upgrade the forks with rock guards and neoprene sleeves to keep them protected and free of dirt. The OEM wheels were replaced with new gold rims from RCB in Thailand, then wrapped with new dual-sport tires.
Moving to the cockpit, the guys crafted a set of tall and wide bars to create a classic scrambler look. They are equipped with slim mirrors and blue ODI grips, with the original control panel mounted right at the front.
A generous LED headlight illuminates the road, mounted in a custom surround and flanked by a pair of small turn signals. Dream Fast Co. designed the headlights to resemble the extreme brightness settings used on the Baja 1000 race car at night. The rear fenders carry vintage taillights found at a swap, with the rear turn signals mounted to tabs on the frame rails.
A burly sump guard would perform the lower task, as Tiw would most likely send the WR155R off the track. And while the exhaust is a custom part, it’s integral to the type of mufflers you often see on older mountain bikes.
Then there is the removable surfboard holder. It’s a simple and clean design, with a double bassinet that attaches to a custom stand just below the seat. Look closely and you’ll spot another mounting point up front; Dream Fast Co. adding that so Tiw can extend the rack if he wants to carry a longboard.
It’s a great set of mods, enhanced by an even better livery that will be familiar to fans of the classic Dakar rally. Dream Fast Co. borrowed the colors and graphics from Yamaha’s 1990s Sonauto-sponsored racer, adapting them to the lines of the WR155R. The frame has been re-colored blue to match.
But the icing on the cake is the scrambler-inspired seat cover. This is the work of Ya Seat Custom in Bangkok and features stitching that evokes the feeling of ocean waves.
We’d be lying if we said we weren’t jealous of Tiw and his sharp new running style. We couldn’t imagine a better way to get from surf spot to surf spot along the Thai coast.
Dream Fast Company’s Instagram
