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.
The BMW K100RS was borderline futuristic when it hit the scene in the 1980s. Between its blocky horizontal inline-four engine and its geometric fairings, it was a significant side-step from the boxer models that the marque was famous for. Sure, it still looks like it came from the 80s, but that doesn’t make it a…
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A mystic combination of dual sport and cruiser, with a little bagger sprinkled in for good measure, adventure bikes are the ultimate Swiss army knife of motorcycling. Beyond the ability to make long treks comfortably, a good ADV bike has enough dirt prowess to tackle gravel roads and fire lanes, all without sacrificing its street…
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Lionel Duke builds a little bit of everything. His Nice, France-based custom shop, Duke Motorcycles, has transformed Honda Goldwings, Kawasaki ER6s, and Ducati Scramblers into unique one-off creations in recent years. But the most interesting thing to come from his garage actually isn’t a bike at all—it’s a box full of parts. More specifically, a…
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With BMW Motorrad turning 100 this year, it’s natural to expect a slew of limited edition centenary models. But here’s one we honestly didn’t see coming. Meet the new BMW R 12 nineT—an evolution of the much-loved R nineT, ten years after its debut. Confusing nomenclature aside, there’s a lot to love about this face-lifted…
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Wandering between a sea of custom motorcycles at the Handbuilt Show in Austin, Texas last month, our Stateside team had the arduous…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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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