Project BMW R1100S is one of the wildest custom builds the motorcycle world has seen, a stripped-down BMW R1100S reborn as a sculpture in metal. Created by Milanese workshops Radikal Chopper and Officine Mermaid, it won Best in Show at the Verona Motor Bike Expo 2020 thanks to its hand-made girder forks, exposed trellis frame and titanium exhausts. It is part motorcycle, part art piece, and very little of the original BMW remains.
Who built this custom BMW R1100S?
This particular bike, or work of art, is a collaboration between Radikal Chopper and Officine Mermaid, two Milan-based shops that won the Best in Show award at the Verona Motor Bike Expo. It began life as a standard BMW R1100S that was stripped down to its bare essentials, paving the way for a plethora of handcrafted metal parts to find their way onto this boxer-engined machine. Every surface has been reworked, leaving only the 1085 cc boxer engine recognisable from the donor bike.
What makes the design so distinctive?
It is hard to know where to start when describing this motorcycle. First, the girder front forks give the bike a strong frontal presence, while a singular robot-eye headlight up front adds to the effect. These forks connect to an intricate web of metal tubes that make even a motorcycle frame look exciting, leading to a flowing fuel tank joined to the seat with its pointy tail. Comfort may be questionable, but the form is genuinely stunning. You can see the full feature on New Atlas and additional coverage on Bike EXIF.
How was the engine and chassis treated?
The wheels have been heavily reworked into an intricate, razor-thin spoke pattern. The underside of the motorcycle is all about brutalism and exposing the beating heart of the machine. Titanium exhausts wrap themselves around this monster of an engine with detailed, insectile welds. It all feels like a chaotic mix of metal forged into an artful sculpture, yet this bike actually runs. You may never want to ride it, but it does work, which is exactly what sets a great custom apart from a static showpiece.
Discover more custom BMW motorcycles
If this Project BMW R1100S inspires you, explore the curated custom builds at TheArsenale. Browse the full TheArsenale motorcycles collection, or check out related BMW customs such as the Nmoto Nostalgia 001 custom BMW, the BMW R1200R LC "Eddie 21" and the BMW R9T Gelber Baron.
