This is a custom Motorcycle match we never expected: crafty custom bike builder, XTR Pepo and the monster BMW R18. But the results are already there, and they’re amazed.
We have the 911 MX Factory to thank for this. They are a new outfit in Madrid, Spain, with a mission to design and build unique customs—no matter how quirky the brief. The founder of 911 MX Factory, Diego Mena, was inspired by the famous quote of Ferdinand Porsche; “I couldn’t find the sports car of my dreams, so I built it myself.”
There is a context to that spell. Diego has worked for Porsche Spain for more than a decade and now plans to bring a similar sense of exclusivity to the custom motorcycle sector. So he collaborates with top builders, like Pepo Rosell of Pepo XTRto make these dream machines come true.
For the first 911 MX Factory and XTR Pepo collaboration, they completely transformed the BMW R18 to show it off at the Motor Bike Expo in Verona. The event was held last weekend, and it’s no surprise that the R18 was chosen as the show’s best custom car.
Like every bike Pepo touches, the R18 looks stationary, with a paint job that defies flair. In fact, the donor bike is barely recognizable. But what’s really impressive is that Pepo, Diego and their team managed to do this in just three months.
As you can imagine, a lot of adjustments were made to convert the Beemer from cruiser style to durable style. cafe racer. Getting the pose right meant cutting off most of the back of the frame and crafting a slim new subframe to put on top. The team also added a pair of frame struts for extra power, running along the sides of the engine.
The revalued BMW R nineT fork takes care of the duties at the front, while a custom YSS shock absorber takes care of the travel height at the rear. The front wheel is taken from a BMW F800R and fitted with a custom axle. The Brembo front brake is mated to the R18’s original Nissin rear caliper, with upgraded stainless steel brake hoses installed at both ends.
There’s a lot going on between the wheels. The engine has removed the airbox cover and is now breathing through DNA filters. The front of the engine block also has some visual tweaks and an upgraded oil cooler is placed lower.
The exhaust is particularly intoxicating. It’s a hand-crafted two-in-one that runs around the engine and sticks out on the right-hand side. A custom muffler from Spark coats it, along with a neat carbon fiber heat shield.
The ‘Polizei’ graphic on the green fuel tank is clearly a nod to BMWs issued by the German police… but the fuel tank itself comes from an unlikely source. It’s a modern Moto Guzzi V7, tweaked to fit the R18’s frame and fitted with a durability-style sub-cap. An inspiring selection of Diego and Pepo.
As for the chunky bibs and tail, they are hand-formed from fiberglass. The front fender is a modified part of the BMW F800R, and the small rear fender is a product of carbon fiber.
Behind the bib you’ll find a custom stand that also houses the OEM speedometer. The clever little clutch and brake reservoir holders double as drum plates for the original lifter holders, while the clamps replace the R18’s stock handlebars. The rear footrest helps to complete the control buttons, along with a dedicated gearshift linkage system.
Complementing the green fuel tank are splashes of red and yellow, creating an effect that’s a little German, a little Italian, a little Spanish, and totally awesome.
The creation of the 911 MX Factory and XTR Pepo is not only our favorite new R18 customization, but a fitting testament to the new store’s motto; “If your dream motorcycle does not exist, we will make it a reality.”
