Modern dirt bikes are the epitome of form following function. Narrow fuel tanks are easier to grip with your knees, flat seats enable you to shift your weight around, and plastic bodywork can be replaced after a crash. It’s why they’re so formulaic in their design.
Vagabund Moto are here to inject some style into the genre. Founded by Paul Brauchart and Philipp Rabl, the Austrian outfit is part of a growing breed of custom shops that blur the lines between motorcycles, design and fashion. Their builds are modern and edgy, and are built using the latest manufacturing techniques.

If this svelte KTM leaves you with a sense of déjà vu, it’s because it closely resembles another KTM that Vagabund built earlier this year. But there’s one major difference?this one’s based on the electric-powered KTM Freeride E-XC. ?We started this project with the general idea of creating a super agile urban commuter,? says Paul, ?while still keeping the option to go for some after-work fun in the woods. We were really happy with the outcome of our previous KTM ‘Safari 350’ build, and the general quality of KTM. Plus it?s an Austrian brand, and we like the idea of reinterpreting a ‘Ready to Race’ bike to our idea of using it.?

Both KTMs share a modular aesthetic and monochromatic color scheme, but this was no copy-and-paste job. The two bikes are vastly different, so there wasn’t a single part that could be replicated as-is. So the...