The Sultans of Sprint is a European dragstrip challenge open to custom bikes powered by air-cooled twin cylinder engines. It’s not only focused on speed: it also rewards competitors for ‘style, creativity and craziness.’
There are two classes: the ‘Freak Class’ open to bikes powered by 4-stroke engines up to 1600cc. These often use nitrous oxide injection, ‘square’ slick tires, and turbos or superchargers.
The ‘Factory Class’ has no capacity limits, but the tuned bike is limited by a power-to-weight ratio. The base models can be from Yamaha (XSR700 or MT-07), BMW (R nineT or R1200R), Triumph (Thruxton or Bobber) or Indian (the Scout 1200).
Most Sultans of Sprint events are held at motorcycle shows, including EICMA and the Glemseck 101.
One of the last bikes Barry Sheene ever raced is about to be auctioned off by Bonhams. Plus a look at one of the stars of the recent Glemseck 101 race fest, a Yamaha SR500 that’s still in the crate, and a Honda VFR inspired by Japanese anime.
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There’s hardly a business that hasn’t been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in some way. The Parisian custom shop Bad Winners knows all about it—they’ve had to navigate health regulations, lockdowns and supply chain issues. And they very nearly didn’t get to finish this brutal Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 drag bike. The build was…
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We’ve followed the wacky Sultans of Sprint race series since day one, impressed by the outrageous purpose-built machines that some of our favorite custom builders have produced for it. But the series is much bigger than what we’ve touched on here. Because for every high profile shop or manufacturer with an entry, there’s a hidden…
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A nitrous-fueled Indian Scout racer in Siberia, the first Yamaha Yamaha FZX750 we’ve featured, a classy Monster from Revival Cycles, and what appears to be a two-stroke Suzuki Katana … but isn’t.
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A couple of years ago, Sinroja Motorcycles were one of the first workshops to join Royal Enfield’s new custom program. They built…
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In Europe, the Sultans of Sprint competition produces some of the wackiest drag bikes, year on year. It’s written in the rules:…
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Right now, thousands of fans and motorcycles are converging on Monza for The Reunion—a weekend-long celebration of custom motorcycle culture. It’s also…
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You’d imagine that a company called Mellow builds gentle retro roadsters, or laidback cruisers for old-timers. But that couldn’t be further from…
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In this era of high tech, when every motorcycle spec sheet seems to contain a dizzying array of acronyms, it’s reassuring to…
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Epic 80s endurance racers and over-the-top sprint bikes both get our motors running here at EXIF. Now Workhorse Speed Shop has just…
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If there was ever a golden age of motorcycle racing, we’d pin it on the late 70s and early 80s. Those were…
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It might have immaculate retro style, but you wouldn’t pick the Kawasaki W650 for its performance. With 50 horses on tap it’s…
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