It became popular It’s customary for major OEMs to launch new bikes by introducing custom versions of them. And we’re here for it—especially when those companies choose the right workshops and the results are this good.
You’re looking at a custom TVS Ronin—a brand new 225 cc modern classic, custom-made by our friends to great effect smoked garage in Indonesia. If you don’t know TVS Motor Company, you really should. They are India’s third largest manufacturer, selling three million units a year and owning Norton.
To celebrate the launch of Ronin, they delivered four bikes to some of the best tuning shops in the world. Smoked cut back — and responded with a custom beach disturbance person sharp as a katana.
The Ronin is best described as an easy-to-access single-cylinder classic. It looks glamorous when it comes out of the factory, but is also equipped with modern amenities like ABS, driving modes and Bluetooth connectivity. And, as Smoked pointed out, it’s also customizable.
Inspired by Ronin’s name, Smoked designed this car as an homage to Miyamoto Musashi. Born in 1584, Musashi was a writer, philosopher and ronin; a samurai without an owner. He is considered a swordsman; a swordsman of legendary skill, directly translated as ‘holy sword’.
The bottom half of Smoked’s custom Ronin is typical fat tire beach cruiser fare. The bike’s original 17-inch wheels have been swapped out for 18-inch-wide front rims and 180-inch-wide rear rims. But the conversion is not plug-and-play.
Fascinated by Ronin’s original frame, Smoked realized that reworking the front forks and lengthening the swingarm would do wonders. So they just lowered the original front fork a bit to complete the look.
Behind is a more tedious job. First, the team built an extended rear swingarm with enough space for a large rear tire. But they soon realized that the new setup conflicts with the OEM monoshock layout.
After much deliberation, Smoked realized that a horizontal suspension would do the trick, with the added side effect being almost invisible. Neither the front or rear suspension tweaks are predictable; Smoked tested both to make sure the bike was still in good working order.
Next, Smoked turned their attention to the bodywork, and it was here that samurai similarities came first.
Similar to how samurai wielded two swords, the fuel tank cap and front air duct were shaped like two blades cutting through the air. The curved blade of a katana and its tapered tip create the silhouette of a custom tail.
Completing the bodywork is a set of all-carbon fiber wheel covers. Smoked added them to reduce drag from the wheels — although they did leave gaps on the front cover, to minimize the impact of headwinds on highways.
With most of the important stuff highlighted, all that’s left to do is sort out the smaller details—such as lighting. The team came up with a lot of headlight ideas, but in the end, they actually went back to using the original TVS headlights. A custom stone guard has been made, with a ‘T’ design matching the daytime running lights on OEM equipment.
Smoked also wanted to install a pair of LED fog lights below, which prompted them to build a pair of fork fenders. TVS Ronin’s original speed switches and switches are still in use; since they include everything a rider needs to pair their smartphone and switch driver modes, Smoked thinks they should be left alone. However, they moved the speedometer to the side of the bike to clear the cockpit.
The final piece is the exhaust. Smoked started out by building a short, low-set exhaust—but it ended up detracting from the car’s sleek aesthetic. So they built a shield that not only covers the exhaust but also protects the engine from stubborn stones.
Opting for a rough aluminum finish to emphasize the contours of the fuel tank cap, Smoked finishes the rest of the bike in black, with some striking gold accents on the front forks. The effect is amazing—This custom Ronin is minimalist, sharp, and at the same time serious and playful.
Finally, Smoked rolled off the bench, out of the workshop, and into the surrounding streets, beaches, and jungle. They are pleased to announce that this bike is perfectly suited to ride, no matter the terrain.
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