If the Ducati Monster starts out naked, it often only gets more so, and more stylized, in the hands of the world’s master custom builders. The Monster line covers a range of bikes from the smaller 400cc entry-level version to the superbike version with 160hp. Collectively, they account for a major chunk of Ducati sales.
Designed to offer Ducati performance minus the sport bike aesthetic and rider demands, Miguel Angel Galluzzi’s iconic design has spawned many variations on the theme. The design has also put an endless stream of ideas into the heads of builder everywhere; Monsters have been the basis for cafe racers, street tracker builds, and even a few dark strangers you might see in a Batman movie.
It takes a healthy measure of skill and talent to successfully run a custom motorcycle workshop. But even some of the industry’s top shops frequently outsource specialized tasks—particularly things like upholstery and paint. Those that can handle every last job in-house are a rare breed. deBolex Engineering counts themselves among those ranks. The team of…
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The Ducati Monster might have been a parts bin special, but it was also a sales hit—and it’s easy to see why. Riders were enticed by its stripped down design, comfortable riding position and great engine. Designed by Miguel Galluzzi way back in 1993, the Monster all but saved Ducati from financial woe. Ducati’s brand…
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A few years ago, a café racer was usually a classic bike, modified with sleeker bodywork, a tuned engine, and a stubby solo seat. If you had a mental picture, it was most likely a 1970s Honda CB or a 1980s BMW airhead. But as the mainstream factories dress up their bikes with fairings and…
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There’s a sense of self-sufficiency that’s deeply ingrained in the Batman mythos. Bruce Wayne has no superpowers—just his intellect, combat skills and gadgets. That, and a Batcave full of fantastical vehicles. The Batman, directed by Matt Reeves and starring Robert Pattinson, offers a darker and grittier take on the caped crusader than we’ve seen before.…
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Word of mouth is a powerful thing. You might not trust what you read on social media or see on TV, but…
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Flat track racing covers a whole spectrum of participation levels—from pro leagues to grassroots ‘run what ya brung’ events. And that’s great…
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Alex Earle broke onto the custom scene emphatically ten years ago, when he designed a monocoque carbon fiber body for the iconic…
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We’d love to take a peek inside Edi Buffon’s mind. The Sydney-based custom builder specializes in bobbers that deliberately eschew practicality in…
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From one extreme to the other: a wild SRAD Gixxer built for classic racing, and a funky little SR250 that zooms around…
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We’ve always had a thing for the machines that roll out of the deBolex Engineering workshop: they’re sleek, fast and exceptionally well…
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The custom scene in Brazil doesn’t get much recognition on a global scale, which is surprising. Last year, a whopping 900,000 bikes…
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The spotlight falls on Ducati this week, as they reboot the iconic Monster. Plus we have a hot-rodded Buell XB12S from the…
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