Boxing Clever: A revamped BMW R1150GS from 46Works
The BMW R1150GS is almost twenty years old, and a future candidate for classic status. And although BMW owners are famously fastidious with their bikes, many R1150s are now going to be looking a little the worse for wear.
If you?ve picked up a tired GS for $3,000 on Craigslist, 46Works has some inspiration for you right here?despite the BMW being a tricky platform to customize.
The huge boxer motor, shaft drive and quirky Telelever front suspension make the R1150GS unique?and they all seem to fit together in just one way. Even though we’ve seen numerous customs based on the original big ADV, most of them just look gawky and unbalanced.
It takes a sharp eye and massive talent to get it right?and master builder Shiro Nakajima has both. He originally founded the legendary Japanese shop Ritmo Sereno, which became famous for its classic Boxer builds.
These days, Nakajima-san lives an enviable life. He lives in a stunning old building in the foothills of the Yatsugatake Mountains, some two hours from Tokyo, where he restores and customizes cars and motorcycles, and even builds furniture.
This R1150GS isn’t the most extreme example of his work that we’ve seen. But it’s supremely tasteful?playing to the big adventure-tourer’s strengths rather than trying to reinvent it.
Shiro tells us he built the GS to be equally comfortable in the city and the dirt. He also wanted to shrink its proportions, shed some weight, and straighten out its distinct ...
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Backcountry Discovery Routes | Ep. 70 Rider Magazine Insider Podcast
27-04-2024 08:34 - (
motorcycle )