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 quite a few masterful builds covered on these pages.
There are one hit wonders, and then there’s Dirk Oehlerking. The German custom builder can’t put a foot wrong, churning out hit after hit from his Kingstom Custom garage. There’s one Kingston classic BMW in particular that really left a mark on the scene: an R80RT with intriguing bodywork, dubbed ‘White Phantom.’ Dirk has now…
Read more »
If you’re unsure whether classic BMW airheads are still popular custom donors, just ask Ironwood Custom Motorcycles. The Dutch outfit has been going since 2012, but hit top gear a couple of years ago—and have racked up almost a dozen Beemer commissions to meet demand. Many of these builds are based on their blacked-out ‘Death…
Read more »
After three years and several cracking custom builds, the Rotterdam-based duo behind Smokin’ Motorcycles are parting ways. That sounds like bad news, but it’s not. Rob van der Heijden and Maarten Timmer aren’t downing tools for good, they’re just not working under the same banner any more.
Read more »
If we had to pick an adjective to describe Revival Cycles, we’d say unpredictable. You just never know what Alan Stulberg and Stefan Hertel are going to come up with next. We’ve had a Honda CBX with hub center steering, a Ducati-based sidecarcross racer and a modern-day reinterpretation of the Ernst Henne Landspeeder. And now…
Read more »
BMW airhead customs are like AC/DC songs: after a while, it’s hard to tell them all apart. And that’s not necessarily a…
Read more »
In this era of high tech, when every motorcycle spec sheet seems to contain a dizzying array of acronyms, it’s reassuring to…
Read more »
Kingston’s classic BMWs are elegant customs that take our breath away, time after time. But there’s something we haven’t seen Dirk Oehlerking…
Read more »
If there was ever a golden age of motorcycle racing, we’d pin it on the late 70s and early 80s. Those were…
Read more »
Most custom builders are juggling careers, building bikes as a side gig. Adrián Campos falls into that category: he’s the sporting director…
Read more »
A year ago, we revealed Diamond Atelier’s new ‘Mark II’ series of BMW café racers. Based on the classic R-series, the Mark…
Read more »
The BMW F650 Funduro will probably never reach the same classic status as some of its stable mates. But despite its unfortunate…
Read more »
Any garage accustomed to working on older motorcycles has to shift their thinking when customizing a modern machine. With a brand new…
Read more »
