Custom From Start To Finish

The BMW R Nine T was created with customisation in mind.

- Gavin Perry

Therefore, BMW made the rear bar supporting passenger seat and foot pegs comes off with just eight bolts, and the license bracket is removed with another four screws. BMW offers a whole bunch of custom accessories and pipes before you even start thinking of heading to a privately owned customising shop. If you do decide to take it further, who, where and what can you actually do? Naturally, we Google search and see all sorts of amazing international builds and customs on this bike as different and vast as the imagination can think up, but is there a possibility of getting this right here on home soil? I am here to report yes! And over the past three months I have documented a start to finish custom job on a Nine T done by Race that has left my mind blown and truly amazed.

Quickly, let’s cover what the bike is as a base and to start with, just for those not familiar with the BMW R Nine T. The bike is a modern take on a Cafe Racer; it is powered by the final air-cooled version of the venerable opposed-twin Boxer engine, which in dohc form produces a claimed 110 horsepower and 88 pound-feet of torque. While the rear suspension utilises BMW's proven para-lever shaft-drive system, up front is a traditional inverted telescopic fork. Yes, it’s a modern bike, but they haven't gone over the top with adding all the electronics and technology that you might find on today’s bikes, besides ABS which is purely for safety. All in all it’s raw and magical. It is exactly what it is meant to be. As it stands stock standard it’s a great bike, rides so well, turns great and looks the part. And only costs about R159 000.