Few new bike launches have been as controversial as the BMW R18. Seeing a German contender in the cruiser market has perplexed many people, and some of the styling touches?such as the fishtail mufflers?have furrowed a few brows.
But as multiple road tests have since pointed out, the R18 is a cracking good example of the genre. And custom builders have been quick to whip out the grinders and reconfigure the biggest ever boxer.

The latest workshop to tackle the R18 is FCR Original, led by Sébastien Guillemot. With the help of the Parisian BMW dealer Bärenstark, he got a brand new R18 delivered to his workshop?a four-hour ride south, in the small rural town of Chauvigny.
Sébastien and his crew have gone for a sporty vibe, dialing down the classic elegance of BMW?s ?First Edition? styling and amping up the muscle factor?a German FXDR, if you like. They?re calling this machine the ?Sport Edition,? and planning is already underway for a short run of customs in this style.
It?s an unusual approach for FCR, who usually go for a classy, nickel-plated vintage style. But BMW have already nailed that angle with the stock bike.
The biggest change to the character of the bike is the new exhaust pipework, which is virtually straight through. Sébastien describes the sound as ?raucous and powerful,? and we believe him.

It?s matched to a new intake system, ?to replace the original plastic parts that are too big,? says Sébastien. ?Our design office redrew the intake pipes in 3D a...