Motorcycle design is a deeply subjective topic. To one person, a sleek sports bike might be the definition of beauty, to others a custom cruiser, and to others, a kitted-out adventure bike. The motorcycle market has evolved into a diverse place, catering to almost every preference. Unfortunately, it still can’t cater to everyone, and that is where the custom motorcycle scene steps in.
For most people, the first kind of motorcycle that comes to mind when discussing custom motorcycles is a chopper. With no rear suspension and a raked-out front end, choppers are the very definition of impractical motorcycles that are more about show than go. In reality, the custom motorcycle scene is incredibly diverse, and not every custom is a showpiece. In fact, all the custom bikes on this list are built with daily reliability in mind.
In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources.
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Kawasaki Z125
By Icon
From the right angle, this mini bike actually looks like a full-size superbike. Its little 125cc engine has also been hopped up a little, with a big bore kit taking it up to 155cc and a Yoshimura exhaust completing the scaled-down superbike aesthetic. Even with the engine mods, this is still a very practical little runabout that will put a smile on your face every time you ride, no matter how slow you are actually going.
Hooligan Sportster
By Mule Motorcycles
Although this has been prepped by a professional shop, the vast majority of this build can be accomplished with bolt-on mods. The brilliance here is in its simplicity. At its core, it is just an 883 Sportster, but the transformation into a proper flat-tracker has been achieved by a couple of key elements. The engine has been extensively modified and expanded to 1200cc to improve performance, and it has a Yamaha R6 front end as well as K-Tech shocks at the rear to improve handling. This Sportster is ready to race.
Dune
By Le Cent Vingt Cinq
Scrambler builds are a dime-a-dozen in the custom world, but very few builders actually start with a genuine dual-sport. This particular bike started life out as a run-of-the-mill Suzuki DR350 and has been transformed into a functional retro desert racer. The key design aspects that make this bike stand out from any crowd are its fat tires, custom fenders and its Honda Ruckus headlight. Taste is subjective, but there is no denying how unique the styling is here.
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Crow
By STG Tracker
Royal Enfield is one of the few manufacturers that actively promote customization. This is one of several Continental GT 650-based builds that the company has commissioned all over the world, but the extensive use of carbon fiber makes this one of the most extreme– not to mention expensive examples. The mods are not just cosmetic, either, with the stock 648cc engine expanded to 865cc with an S&S big-bore kit. Power is up from 47 to 74 horsepower, and all that carbon fiber reduces the weight by 80 pounds.
Honda Dax
By JZO Crafts/Nemoto
From a distance, this little Dax just looks like any custom mini-bike, but underneath that case lies a rather incredible secret. It boasts a sophisticated air-ride suspension, with all its piping neatly hidden from view. It also has a Grom engine to add a little more punch, but this build is simply an engineering exercise exploring what is possible when a team comes together to produce something unique.
The Privateer
By Eric Minsker
Unlike all the other bikes on this list, which are all built by teams of highly skilled custom motorcycle builders, this was put together by one man. Eric Minsker totaled his beloved Husqvarna Norden 901, but instead of replacing it, he bought it back from the insurance company and set to work. All the damaged plastics were replaced by a carbon fiber rally kit sold by Aurora Rally Equipment. A host of other bolt-on mods completed what we feel is an incredibly well put-together ADV. While most modified ADVs tend to be function over form, this one blends the two seamlessly.
Ducati 749S Café Racer
By Hiroma Motors
The design of the original 749S certainly split opinion. It aged gracefully, but there are still those that resent this generation. This reinterpretation of the old sports bike as a modern café racer is striking. It looks thoroughly modern and highlights the gorgeous steel trellis frame usually hidden by the bodywork. This particular bike is mechanically untouched, which means it will still perform just like the old sports bike.
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Pan America
By Whiplash Speed Company
The 1250 Revolution Max engine remains underutilized in our opinion. Reserved for the Sportster S and Pan America, while its peak performance begs for a hyper-naked model. That is precisely what the Bronx was supposed to be, but Harley-Davidson terminated that dream. That particular dream was reimagined by the Whiplash Speed company, throwing a bunch of carbon fiber at a bare Pan America chassis. The results only serve to underscore how much potential this platform has to offer.
RoughRSV4
By Rough Crafts
Considering the fact that the Tuono 1100 is a thing, this is a bit of a strange build. Rough Crafts tried talking their customer out of converting the 220 Horsepower RSV4 into a streetfighter, but what they ended up doing with it was nothing short of breathtaking. Once again, carbon fiber can be found everywhere here, on a bike that boasts pure superbike performance and a completely unique design, but with more comfortable ergos.
Gixxer Johnny
By Icon
Known for being one of the heavier superbikes to come out of the 90s, the GSX-R1100 was more speed queen than track rat. A complete GP aero package transforms this beast into something completely unique, yet still perfectly usable. Compared to some of Icon’s builds, this is far less intricate, but it serves to underscore how an aging superbike can be transformed with the right plastics and colorway.