The Watkins M001 is a one-of-a-kind hub-center steering custom motorcycle built in Poland by an anonymous designer who goes by 'Jack Watkins'. Starting with the boxer engine of a 2002 BMW R1150RT, he created a radical machine with origami-like laser-cut steel bodywork and a front end that brakes hard without dive, making it one of the rarest custom builds in the world.
Who built the Watkins M001?
'Jack Watkins' from Poland, obviously not his real name but his chosen nickname in the custom scene, has built one of the most confusing yet amazing custom motorcycles we have ever seen. As the head of a 30-designer team at an industrial company in Gdansk, this mysterious Mechanical Design Ph.D created the bike starting from the engine of a 2002 BMW R1150RT and then experimented with it as far as imagination allows.
How does the Watkins M001 hub-center steering work?
We had not seen hub-center steering motorcycles since Bimota explored that rough territory with the Tesi 3D. While cornering takes a bit of an impact, the steering system allows for stronger braking because there is no brake dive. This special hub steering system requires no heavyweight front-end, and it looks like a minibike sitting atop a normal one. As New Atlas details, hub-steered motorcycles avoid the geometry changes that telescopic forks suffer, allowing harder braking deep into corners.
How was the Watkins M001 built?
By 3D scanning the structure, exact mount points were marked, and Watkins created the frame and bodywork by laser cutting and bending sheet steel. The headlight is housed in a round chrome bucket, the seat is just some padding on top of steel, and the fuel tank is hidden under the seat. This understated look hides one of the most well-engineered custom builds we have seen. Custom twin exhausts from the boxer engine intertwine beautifully on the underside, leading to a double-layered steel box. As Silodrome notes, the build took years and consists of nearly a hundred precisely engineered components.
Where to find rare and custom motorcycles like the Watkins M001
The Watkins M001 belongs to a rare breed of engineering-led custom motorcycles. TheArsenale curates that same spirit in its motorcycles collection. For another rare hub-center steering machine, see the Vyrus Alyen 988. Fans of BMW-based custom builds like the M001 should also explore the BMW R100 Scrambler #32 and the BMW K100 Sir Ulrich.
