Tag Archives: R nineT

This Apocalyptic Cyberpunk Cafe Racer has a humble BMW R Nine T underneath it

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The R nine T is perhaps BMW, nay, the world’s most customized bike. Ognjen Docic remixed this versatile classic into something virtually unrecognizable but vastly more eye-catching. Dubbed the Rat Race, this cafe racer isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s skeletal yet meaty, and explores unique design directions like using transparent plastic as a part of its overall fairing. This post-apocalyptic beauty also seats just one, because if Hollywood’s taught us anything, the apocalypse always creates lone wolves!

Designer: Ognjen Docic

The Rat Race’s aesthetic explores the addition, removal, and reinforcement of its overall structure. Certain parts of the fairing are removed because they add no value. Others are given further reinforcement like the fuel tank (perhaps to deter theft), and the overall chassis gets a secondary frame to make it stronger for more aggressive riding.

“I transformed the iconic BMW R9T model into dream vision, seamlessly blending vintage aesthetics for a retro old-school vibe with futuristic elements. By merging the past and future in design, I believe it transcends a specific era, becoming timeless,” says Serbia-based designer, Ognjen Docic. “In my rendition, the bike retains its original structure with subtle modifications to the frame. Introducing “Rat Race,” this concept embodies the timeless struggle, capturing the essence of life’s rat race.”

When asked about the Rat Race’s specs, Docic mentions – “Specifications of the motorcycle are unknown! Crafted within the confines of my mind, it borrows foundational elements from the R9T model. My imagination took residence in an underground motorcycle tuning garage in the outskirts of Belgrade.”

An interesting touch is Docic’s use of transparent materials in the motorcycle’s body design. A panel around the headlight almost looks like a transparent skull for the bike, enveloping its headlight and a portion of its handlebars. The base of the automobile has it too, as does the end, where Docic cleverly implemented edge-lighting to create a rather unique-looking taillight. This use of transparent plastic adds to the structure without adding to the bulk or volume.

The result of the entire endeavor is a bike that’s practically unrecognizable, but somehow still manages to have its own distinct character (and possibly a very interesting backstory). It looks like it’s been through hell and back, and still has the willpower for handling some more. Those ridiculously chunky tires are proof that the Rat Race was built to get you anywhere you want to go – no questions asked… and the lack of rear-view mirrors is proof that where you’re going, there’s no looking back!

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Stunning BMW R nineT custom with a curved aluminum body looks like something out of an alternate reality

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Designed to look like the kind of motorcycle Robocop could ride, this custom BMR R nineT comes with a bespoke hand-crafted curved metal fairing.

This majestic curvilinear beauty is courtesy of Wayne Buys, better known by his internet moniker FabMan Creations. Wayne, who works out of his home and garage in South Africa, designed this piece for a client who commissioned the project and even supplied him with an R nineT to work with. The final build, which he refers to as ‘Storm’ takes inspiration from the aerodynamic forms seen on aircrafts. While the Storm can’t fly like its inspiration, it evokes a feeling of weightlessness in whoever rides it, thanks to its form that slices through the air the way an airplane would. The custom R nineT even sports two massive air scoops on its base that keep the motorcycle’s boxer engine cool and breezy.

Designer: Wayne Buys (FabMan Creations)

Wayne’s build has an undeniable organic appeal, akin to something from the mind of iconic designer Luigi Colani. There isn’t a single straight line on this bike and that’s honestly refreshing after the Cybertruck copycats we’ve been seeing for the past 3 years. It’s worth noting that the bike’s aluminum fairing was built entirely by hand, but more importantly, it was built freeform, without any prior sketching, modeling, or template-building. If that wasn’t impressive enough, Wayne’s metal-forming skills are also entirely self-taught.

Designing and building the bike was an eight-month-long endeavor from start to finish. The client provided Wayne with a low-mileage R nineT, and for the most part, the entire motorcycle uses pretty much all the original stock parts on the inside, although Wayne had to make a few customizations and rearrangements to bring his design to life.

In keeping with the Storm’s aeronautical theme, Wayne built the entire bike out of aluminum sheeting, with multiple parts coming together and screwing on to look like panels on an airplane. The various body panels interlock with one another, connected via small Allen head fasteners that resemble the rivets you’d find on aircraft. A silver coat of paint gives the Storm its raw appeal, looking like an aircraft sans the aerospace paint.

The custom R nineT has a rather interesting front and side profile, and chances are you’d never guess that there’s a BMW underneath that Iron Giant-esque aluminum fairing. The bike’s front boasts a dome-ish cover that is only punctuated by a single headlight located at the center, almost like a plane’s nose. In keeping with the airplane-inspired enclosed design, Wayne also covered both the front and rear wheels, and also modified the exhaust to make it less prominent. The exhaust now sits right below the boxer engine, with three holes to eliminate hot air instead of having it trapped inside the aluminum body. That scooped air intake on the back? Well, Wayne added that (along with an inner fan) to keep the repositioned oil cooler at a lower temperature.

The Storm also boasts of a unique dashboard, with buttons to control specific functions of the bike, and a central speedometer, looking a lot like something you’d see in a vintage cockpit. There’s also a stealthy seven-segment display hidden under the mesh panels below the dashboard. The Storm also boasts of a keyless ignition, with a remote-controlled start.

While it seems like Wayne has a talent for building custom motorcycles (make no mistake, he definitely does), his original training is as a millwright (designing/building/maintaining grain mills). After spending 15 years in Canada, Wayne moved back to his homeland in South Africa, but found himself without a job. It was around that time that he took to custom bike-building, carrying his prior skills in welding, machining, fabrication, and electrical and mechanical work to his new hobby. The one skill Wayne found himself without was shaping aluminum sheets – something he picked up with relentless practice, hammering the panels out on a tree stump and then finishing them by hand.

Wayne now is the founder and sole proprietor of FabMan Creations, with an upgraded garage and workshop that he uses to build custom bikes and fabricate parts like fuel tanks, fenders, and exhaust systems.

The post Stunning BMW R nineT custom with a curved aluminum body looks like something out of an alternate reality first appeared on Yanko Design.

BMW Motorrad R9T iD:2 stylized for the Gen-Z uses matte black to raise the bike’s aesthetic appeal!

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A true testament to the BMW Motorrad brand, this is the R9T iD:2 – based on the iconic R nineT which is an example of a classic motorcycle build combined with sublime craftsmanship – all set to turn eyeballs.

The BMW Motorrad concept envisioned by Jeroen Claus, Design Director at FRANK Industrial Design, this racing beast shaves off the fat muscle (nothing demeaning though) for a sleeker look apt for the Gen-Z riders. As Jeroen himself defines it as a chopped-off BMW R9T custom motorcycle design. The side fenders flow into the front of the bike, covering off the headlight section, giving it a stealth bomber-like persona.

The original BMW R nine T has a bit exposed side profile to show off the intimidating firepower inside. This remake though drapes some of that with the side body kit that flows elegantly with the aerodynamic build of the motorbike. Right where the bike’s saddle ends on the rear there is a peculiar array of lights right above the brake lights. That’s most probably to add another braking light section to grab the attention of motorists behind on a busy highway. The old-school tachometer display gives way to a more modern digital display, and Jeroen has flattened the fuel tank area to go with the slimmer theme.

The sleek profile of the R9T iD:2 flows in balanced proportions from the front to the rear with an almost edgy-lined aesthetic that young riders will take note of. The sexy body is matched with the perfectly tuned color balance done right in black, grey and blue hues. And of course, the shiny metal rod frame on the sides to protect the shell from damage. Add to this upmarket personality, the BMW Motorrad and R9T Aero branding, and we’ve got a machine that automotive enthusiasts will appreciate from the bottom of their hearts!

Designer: Jeroen Claus

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