Speed Read, December 11, 2022
Two thumpers lead the charge this week; a KTM 640 Duke from Spain and a Suzuki DR650 from Australia. We also take a look at the limited edition MV Agusta Tamburini Corse F43, and Heiwa MC’s latest Triumph.
Read more »Heiwa Motorcycle
Heiwa Motorcycle is the famed Hiroshima workshop started by Kengo Kimura. Since his early twenties, Kimura has been passionate about motocross, and originally funded his passion by working as a mechanic at a motorcycle dealer—while making his own custom parts and bikes on the side. Then in 2005 he opened Heiwa (‘Peace’) Motorcycle, and focused on customizing and servicing British and Japanese-made bikes.
Kimura is also devoted to the American lifestyle and products from the 1950s and 1960s, the kind stocked by the Poppo general store adjacent to his Heiwa workshop. Once a year, Kimura goes to the USA to buy used bikes and parts, and meet with custom builders in the States.
Just the Basics: Heiwa’s custom Suzuki TU250 Grasstracker
High-end custom motorcycles are often criticized for favoring form over function, but Kengo Kimura rides that line masterfully. As Heiwa Motorcycle, he’s racked up numerous awards—including multiple wins at the prestigious Mooneyes show. But he’s also fond of building real-world beaters like this sassy little Suzuki scrambler. Simply dubbed ‘GrassTracker No0006,’ the bike was commissioned…
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Three Arrows: Heiwa’s show stopping Triumph Trident
The famous Triumph Trident name is back in the news these days, with the launch of the excellent 660 roadster. The original was a highly lauded too, despite being launched shortly before the iconic Honda CB750. The Trident T150 was quicker than its Japanese counterpart, and handled better too. It would also lap a track…
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Speed Read, 14 February 2021
This Valentine’s Day, we’re kicking things off with something red: a burly Honda Grom kit from K-Speed. Plus we look at Indian’s new Chief, a Japanese custom show that happened in a mall, a reissued favorite from the gear company Icon 1000, and a pint-sized electric motorcycle from Volcon.
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Peace Scrambler: A Suzuki TU250 Grasstracker by Heiwa
We’re always curious to see what bikes the world’s top custom builders choose to ride themselves. Because more often than not, they’re…
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Essence of a Motorcycle: Heiwa’s Suzuki ST250 scrambler
Kengo Kimura is one of the world’s most versatile bike builders. He can create high-end customs that win ‘Best In Show’ prizes…
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Bull Face: An R nineT Pure from Heiwa Motorcycle in Japan
The best thing about the Japanese custom scene is that it defies all conventions. Stroll around the annual Mooneyes show for example,…
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Mooneyes Highlight: Heiwa’s award-winning BMW R75/6
Yesterday it felt like the entire custom world was in Yokohama, Japan, for the famous Mooneyes show. Officially called the ‘Hot Rod…
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Exclusive: Heiwa’s Mooneyes-winning Triumph TR6
If you want a snapshot of Japan’s incredible custom culture, you’ll find it at the annual Yokohama Hot Rod Custom Show. This…
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BMW x Heiwa: The R nineT Scrambler Custom Project
BMW has an illustrious history of working with Japanese customizers. Witness the extraordinary R nineT Custom Project of three years ago, with…
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A Lesson in Sano: Heiwa’s Kawasaki W650
While most of us are trying to shake off the festive season’s indulgence, I’d wager that Kengo Kimura is already back in…
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Custom Bikes Of The Week—League Of Nations Edition
This week we’ve got a Gold Wing from Sweden, a Cagiva from Portugal, a KTM from the USA, a Triumph from Japan,…
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