We kick this Weekend edition of Speed Read off with two very different BMW K100 styles. Then we bring you a Yamaha Virago, a 250 cc BMX-Cub hybrid and the world’s first flying motorcycle.
Jerem Motorcycles’ BMW K100 Jérémie Duchampt has a knack for slim construction cafe racer off the bike with the big power plant. This time he worked his magic on one of the biggest engines: BMW K100.
There’s a strong sense of mechanics here, thanks to Jérémie’s choice of bodywork. The reserve fuel tank is still intact, but it has been subtly repositioned. At the rear is a custom-built tail section, complete with a pair of exhaust pipes nicknamed the ‘Top Gun’.
Those spoons aren’t just for decoration, either. The air filter is actually located inside the tailgate, with a custom stainless steel manifold to control airflow.
Jérémie also built a new subframe for BMW and mounted the rear on a shock-damped Yamaha R1 with custom linkages. Suzuki TL1000S forks and brakes do the front duty, along with a modified Triumph fender. Wheels from Suzuki GSX-R (front) and BMW K1200GT (rear).
The car has been rewound and now features keyless ignition and full LED additions. Jérémie also removed the original ABS system and repackaged all the electronic bits in a handcrafted fiberglass box under the barrel.
The cockpit features new grips, grips and levers, plus an aftermarket digital speedo. Finishing touches include an interior fender at the rear, swingarm-mounted plate racks and a four-in-one exhaust system. Jérémie has also moved the side rack to the right side of the bike (if you’ve ever owned a BMW K-series, you’ll know why).
Wrapping everything up is a very eye-catching Alpine Blue, borrowed from the Renault catalog. Elegant blue accents elevate the style, with a satin black finish adorning most of BMW’s hard parts. [Jerem Motorcycles | Images by Jonathan Silène]
Moto Rebuild’s BMW K100 If cafe racers don’t butter your toast, how about a rival– BMW K100 has alternative flavors? Striking in matte burnt orange metallic paint, this fun K comes from Maarten Bressers, who runs the Moto Rebuild workshop with his father. They built it much earlier in the year, but it just went up for sale.
Originally, the guys aimed to create something sleek and well-balanced, without neglecting the K’s angled gas tank. It now brings new side panels, a matching belly pan, and The slim tail section rests on a custom subframe. The chair is from Cafe4Racer, with the upholstery treated by Miller Kustom Upholstery.
Cafe4Racer also offers a unique rear suspension, equipped with YSS forks. Dual sport tires by Michelen Anakees.
Up front is a custom spoke rim, fitted with an LSL bar and a Koso accelerator. LED headlights illuminate the way, with Motoism turn signals making everything street legal.
Most of the bike has been painted black, but a close inspection reveals some 3D printed badges and covers. The lack of refreshed graphics and BMW 3D circles adds a particularly nice touch.
We’re not sure we’ll be running this K in the dirt, but we’re happy to tear the streets on it. If you like it, you can always go to Maarten and make him an offer. [More]
Pinguin Customs’ Yamaha XV750 Virago If there’s one bike that’s harder to beautify than a K-series BMW, it’s Yamaha Virago. But Andreas Tauschek of Pinguin Customs has done an outstanding job with this 1981 XV750.
Andreas’ custom Virago combines different types of cafe racer and bobber elements for maximum effect. Gone are the XV’s original laid-back stance; Andreas raised the rear and adjusted the angle of the OEM tank to steer the entire vehicle forward.
He also fully assembled the front end of the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R. And we really mean finished — Kawasaki has lent its forks, front and twin brakes, forks, brake calipers and even its switches. The cockpit is complete with new grips and a neat Koso accelerator wheel.
At the back, Andreas ditched the Virago’s subframe for a custom seat frame. Placed above is a single seat from Biltwell Inc., with the rear Tarozzi forks completing the driver triangle. The car has also been rewound and now has Shin Yo LED headlights and Highsider taillights.
Down below you’ll find a two-in-one exhaust system, with an SC Project silencer and just a bit of neatly wrapped sleeve. A ‘Pinguin’ logo on the engine cover adds a cute touch to this ugly machine. [Pinguin Customs]
Kawasaki Ninja 250 Torque BMX Cub by Enggal Modified If you haven’t seen the ‘BMX Cub’ before, here’s a crash course: they’re essentially BMX-style bikes built with parts from Honda Cubs (or Cub clone). Indonesian company Enggal Modified has built a lot of them, but their newest one is a bit wackier than most.
Most BMX Cubs come with 125 cc or smaller engines – but this one runs the liquid-cooled 250 cc four-stroke from the Kawasaki Ninja 250SL, which makes around 28 hp. And if that doesn’t sound like much, we want to remind you how tedious this custom scooter is.
The Ninja engine is housed in a custom chassis, complete with custom swingarms and motorcycle shock absorbers. Inverted forks from Suzuki GSX-R do the job at the front and the bike rolls on 19F/17R wheels in Shinko rubber.
BMX style handlebars match actual BMX seats. At a glance, it’s worth noting that this crazy motorcycle also has disc brakes on both ends.
This is the first time Enggal has built a BMX Cub with a 250 cc engine, but we bet it won’t be the last. As soon as the store posted the finished build to their Instagram account, it went on sale… so there’s clearly a market for these. [More]
Aerwins XTURISMO hover-bike launched The future is here: Aerwins just introduced their XTURISMO hover bike at the Detroit Auto Show (you can see video is here). So if you’re a sci-fi geek with insignificant money burning a hole in your pocket, get ready to order.
XTURISMO specifics are slim, but here’s what we do know: it uses six fans for takeoff and flight, a 40-minute flight time, and a claimed top speed of 62 mph. Aerwins lists its weight as 661 lbs — but its maximum weight is only 220 lbs, which is confusing to this writer. The engine is described as a “gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain”, but that’s all that’s been said so far.
The original plan of the company was to sell XTURISMO in Japan. There, the law doesn’t really classify it as an airplane – so you don’t need a special license to fly it. They will likely expand to the US next year, once they manage to adjust to local regulations.
The current model is expected to cost $777,000 when it releases (output), with a smaller model planned for the future expected to cost close to $50,000.
Is the idea of a hover bike completely ridiculous and unrealistic at all? Sure. Is there a better way to get around? What the hell. [Source]
