The ‘airhead’ boxers and R-series models are a good choice for BMW cafe racer projects. More recently, we’ve seen the rise of modern-day specials based on the R nineT.
Here you’ll find everything from traditional 60s-style cafe racers to neo-retro builds based on the newer models, including the K-series ‘flying brick’. It’s a good starting point to find the parts, seats and performance upgrades that’ll take your own BMW to the next level.
BMW R nineT owners are spoiled for choice when it comes to personalization options. The bike has been out long enough that every major player in the aftermarket industry now has an array of bolt-on bits for it. But if you want something truly unique, you’re better off turning to a pro—like Dirk Oehlerking. Operating…
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In the mid 90s, the K1100 RS sat at the top of the BMW range. It was the sport tourer par excellence, at home on the autobahns and interstates. A fully-loaded RS would be nudging 600 pounds on the scales, but that mattered less than its ability to cruise at triple-digit speeds all day long.…
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You don’t often see custom shops collaborating. But as they say, a rising tide lifts all ships—and a joint venture between two leading builders from the Netherlands has resulted in this wild café racer concept based on the BMW R9T. If you’ve been riding along with Bike EXIF for a while, you’ll likely know one…
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When a workshop focuses very tightly on one model of bike, it’s usually a good thing. They get to know what to modify, and what to leave alone. And where to get the biggest bang for the buck. That’s the philosophy of the Brazilian shop Retrorides by Lourenço. Founded by brothers Gustavo and Rodrigo Lourenço…
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If there’s anything we like better than discovering a new builder, it’s discovering a young builder with potentially decades of work ahead…
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You never know what to expect from TooHard Motor Co. A few months ago, the Spanish garage wowed us with a stunning…
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In the rarified world of artisan bike builders, Shiro Nakajima stands apart. His bikes are usually functional, and sometimes even practical: the…
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They say if you do what you love, you’ll never work a single day in your life—but they also say never to…
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The phrase ‘renaissance man’ is thrown around too loosely these days, along with ‘legendary’ and ‘iconic.’ But there’s no other way to…
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We’re kicking things off with something fast this week: a race-bred BMW boxer that’s been made street legal. We’ve also got a…
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There aren’t many new ways left to customize classic R-series BMWs, and that means it’s harder to make them stand out. You…
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We’re racking up the air miles this week, with a stunning new build from the top Japanese workshop Hidemo, a new chapter…
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