This edition of Speed Read might just boast the biggest difference in engine size we’ve ever featured. We go from a monstrous nitrous-fueled BMW R18 from Roland Sands Design, to a 49 cc Suzuki scooter from Taiwan’s MetalCave. We also look at the limited edition Ducati Monster Senna, and a lightly-fettled Indian FTR 1200 from Motocrew.

BMW R18 by Roland Sands Design California’s Roland Sands Design was one of the first workshops to customize the BMW R18 when it first hit the market. Their debut R18 was a muscular, nitrous-fed drag bike?but regardless of its unapologetic nature, it wasn’t quite as extreme as RSD intended it to be. That project coincided with the development of a bunch of RSD R18 parts, so the decision was made to keep the bike more or less streetable.
For their latest custom BMW R18, RSD has thrown those limitations out the window. This one takes cues from its predecessor, dials the madness up to eleven, and adds the Daytona Orange livery from RSD’s famous ‘Concept 90’ BMW R nineT. Oof.
The vibe is full-bore Pro Stock drag racer. A bespoke trellised subframe traces a line from the back of the fuel tank to the rear wheel, eliminating the rear suspension. The axle plates, wheelie bar brackets, and beefy rear wheel are all from Grothus Dragbikes.

Making room for the gargantuan 8.5-inch-wide Mickey Thompson rear tire meant having to drastically alter the R18’s final drive setup. RSD worked around the problem...