It is that point of the yr once more. We have scoured our stats, executed the sums, and compiled the 2025 version of the infamous Bike EXIF High 10.
For the second yr operating, we have thought of knowledge from the beginning of December final yr till the top of November this yr, which implies that any bikes that popped up late within the yr received a good shake. We have additionally targeted solely on our web site statistics, leaving social media out of the equation.
As we have come to anticipate, the ultimate choice was not possible to foretell. There aren’t any clear traits right here—though it’s value noting that half of the bikes featured are Harley-Davidsons. So pour a measure of your favourite beverage, sit back, and benefit from the choice.
10. Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 by Wannabe Choppers
This yr produced a slew of Royal Enfield-based customs, most of which had been commissioned by the Indian marque itself. However just one made it into the High 10—a gleaming Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 café racer with gleaming sand-cast aluminum bodywork.
It is the work of Enrico de Haas, who runs Wannabe-Choppers in Germany. His vibe is rustic machines with uncooked metallic textures that put on their imperfections with delight. So that is the route he took with the Continental GT.
The construct course of melded previous and new strategies collectively. Enrico and his crew designed the bike’s key elements digitally first, after which 3D-printed molds that had been used to solid the ultimate items. A mid-Twentieth-century milling machine was used to complete every merchandise off, whereas larger elements, just like the fairing and monocoque physique, had been constructed from smaller elements that had been welded collectively.
With polished aluminum as a base and myriad brass particulars creating an eclectic really feel, Wannabe’s Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 is among the most intriguing Royal Enfields to roll out in 2025. [More]
9. Metisse-inspired Classic Motocrosser by Frontwheel Motors
We featured 4 {custom} bikes from Indonesia’s Frontwheel Motors this yr, all equally noteworthy. But it surely was this classic motocrosser, pieced collectively from Honda, Yamaha, and Kawasaki elements, that rose to the highest of the pile.
Drawing inspiration from the enduring Metisse desert sleds of the Sixties, Frontwheel began with the 150 cc motor from a Honda MegaPro (also referred to as the CB150R), wedged right into a Yamaha Scorpio body. The crew modified the body’s steering neck and fabricated a brand new subframe, earlier than putting in the forks, yokes, brakes, and swingarm from a Kawasaki KLX.
Different main modifications included a single- to twin-shock conversion on the again, 21F/18R Excel rims, and Suzuki TS125 handlebars. The bodywork was handmade out of metallic—from the thin scrambler gasoline tank to the quantity boards and fenders. The seat, one other {custom} half, is a play on traditional Bates competitors saddles.
Completed in a fetching duplicate Metisse livery, Frontwheel’s VMX masterpiece turned out means higher than a Frankenbike has any proper to. [More]
8. Yamaha XJ650 by José Montes
Produced by a first-time {custom} builder, this minimalistic XJ650 stands proud among the many pro-made bikes on this record. It belongs to José Montes, a Spanish pc engineer who, on the age of 47, determined to strive his hand at motorbike customization.
It took José 4 years to take the 1984-model Yamaha XJ650 from ratty donor bike to svelte {custom}. His workshop time was restricted to weekend evenings and trip days, and he was adamant about doing all the things himself. Consequently, he picked up quite a lot of new expertise alongside the best way.
José’s XJ650 is a delightfully delicate tackle the previous four-cylinder UJM. It now wears a Kawasaki KZ gasoline tank, completed in a traditional Yamaha hue and adorned with the enduring tuning forks badge. A thin leather-based seat sits additional again, perched atop a {custom} subframe, whereas a hand-crafted cowl holds the requisite tail accoutrements.
Completed off with elements from Biltwell Inc., Motogadget, Highsider, Koso, and Motone, José’s XJ650 has all the things he wants and nothing he would not. It is an train in restraint, and a worthy addition to our annual High 10. [More]
7. Harley-Davidson Road Bob by Tough Crafts
Winston Yeh has proven us that he is simply nearly as good with European and Japanese bikes as he’s with Harleys, and that he can play with coloration when the event requires it. However this menacing Road Bob is proof that the traditional Tough Crafts recipe of American muscle and brooding finishes at all times hits arduous.
It is quintessential Tough Crafts fare, by and thru. A {custom} gasoline tank, sporting the model’s hallmark scalloped sides, sits forward of a bobbed saddle and under-seat blank-off plate from Poland’s BT Choppers. A {custom} fender pokes out the again, with a rib throughout the highest that echoes the tank’s design.
The Road Bob additionally wears a smattering of Tough Crafts bolt-on elements, plus goodies from Rebuffini, Arlen Ness, and Koso. The 18F/16R wheels are from Roland Sands Design, the brakes are from Beringer, and the suspension has been upgraded with Progressive elements.
Tough Crafts’ shopper requested for a bit extra “bling” than ordinary, so Winston labored a tiny number of shiny finishes into the black-on-black assortment. Completed off with Tough Crafts’ signature tank badges (handmade by 2 Irregular Sides, as at all times), this Road Bob is a brutal reminder of the model that initially put the corporate on the map. [More]
6. Triumph Scrambler 900 by Heiwa MC
Most Heiwa MC creations use older bikes as donors—however store founder Kengo Kimura is simply as adept at modifying trendy equipment. He knocked our socks off early within the yr with this 2024-model Triumph Scrambler 900, proving that he can apply his artwork to simply about any canvas.
Heiwa’s signature is finest described as mechanical magnificence. Kimura-san sometimes tears every bike all the way down to its bones, earlier than constructing it up once more with numerous handmade elements, every harmonizing completely with the following.
Right here, he handled the Scrambler 900 to a beneficiant entrance fender, a svelte gasoline tank, and a flat track-inspired tailpiece, all hand-hammered out of aluminum. A second gasoline reservoir sits below the seat, designed to host the OEM gasoline pump. Tucked in entrance of it’s a {custom} mono-shock setup, with heavy modifications to the swingarm and subframe to get rid of the unique twin-shock association.
Shakin’ Speedgraphix dealt with the bewitching gray paint job, Ya.Seat.Customized in Bangkok did the upholstery, whereas Kengo received the bike over the end line with a stupendous twin exhaust system. It is one other prime job from one among Japan’s most famed workshops. [More]
5. Harley-Davidson XR750 Tribute by Motonaut
Constructed from the remnants of two traditional Sportsters, and an array of recycled Harley, KTM, and Ducati elements, this tribute to the enduring Harley XR750 flat tracker was constructed by German fanatic Michael Middeldorff. And it’s perfekt.
Working as Motonaut (a reference to the Argonauts in Greek mythology), Michael began with a 1966 XLCH Ironhead motor and a 1979 XLS 1000 Roadster body. The body was closely modified, earlier than being propped up on Ceriani duplicate forks and YSS shocks. A 19” Harley Hydra-Glide wheel went onto the entrance, with a 19” V-Rod entrance rim used on the again.
Michael rebuilt the almost-60-year-old powerplant, including an digital ignition, a Lithium battery, and a NOS Screamin’ Eagle carb left over from the Nineteen Eighties. KTM and Ducati elements made up the braking system, with traditional fiberglass flat monitor bodywork creating an plain nod to the previous.
Completed in Harley’s signature orange racing livery, Michael’s XR750 duplicate made its debut on the tenth Flat Observe Invitational at Valentino Rossi’s VR46 Motor Ranch in Italy. It isn’t only a monitor bike, although—Michael has all of the elements he must convert it for highway use. [More]
4. Harley-Davidson Softail by Gasoline Motor Co.
This closely distressed Harley appears to be like prefer it was transplanted from a seaside race within the Nineteen Forties, nevertheless it’s truly a contemporary Milwaukee-Eight Softail. It was modified by Gasoline Motor Co. in Australia, who drew inspiration from the Race of Gents—an annual seaside racing occasion for classic bikes and sizzling rods.
Gasoline began by chopping up the Softail’s body and fabricating a inflexible rear triangle. A springer fork went onto the entrance, with matching 16” wheels and five-inch-wide Allstate treads fine-tuning the stance.
To mix trendy efficiency with traditional model, Gasoline commissioned Beringer to create an impossibly compact entrance braking system that may be arduous to identify from a distance. Additionally they fabricated twin Knucklehead-style gasoline tanks, with a sprung bobber saddle including to the retro vibe.
The Harley was completed in a period-correct paint scheme with fake patina on the tins and arduous elements. However under the cracked finishes and retro-fabulous air cleaner lies a completely up to date machine. [More]
3. Harley-Davidson Pan America Package by Powerbrick
Tim Somers and the crew at Powerbrick topped the charts final yr, nabbing the highest spot on our High 10 with their interpretation of a Harley-Davidson Pan America. Tim referred to as it “the streetfighter that Harley by no means launched,” and the web agreed.
That bike was by no means meant to be a one-off. Quickly after it broke cowl, Powerbrick set to work refining each inch of it to show the elements right into a bolt-on package. After they had been executed, they launched a pair of matching Pan Americas that after once more melted our servers.
Utilizing a Pan America 1250 Particular [black] and a Pan America 1250 ST [silver] as donors, Powerbrick began by equipping each bikes with 17” carbon fiber wheels from Rotobox. The silver bike was upgraded with a custom-built rear shock from TFX, whereas the black bike saved its electronically-controlled OEM suspension.
Shifting to the bodywork, Powerbrick put in their full front- and rear-end kits, which embrace brackets to decrease the entrance fairing and reposition the dashboard, and new subframes and seats. Additionally they added a smorgasbord of swish ending bits, together with Venhill brake traces, Samco coolant hoses, and custom-made chrome steel exhaust techniques from Nius Moto.
The perfect half? Anybody with a Pan America and an open weekend can construct one among these themselves. [More]
2. 1979 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide by Child Customized Manufacturing facility
Tasked with constructing a good-looking bobber for a gentlemanly shopper, Shintaro Kido, A.Okay.A Child Customized Manufacturing facility, pulled out all of the stops. Beginning with a 1979 Harley-Davidson FLH Electra Glide, he turned it right into a compact hardtail with miles of tasteful particulars.
“Shintaro’s machines are under no circumstances flashy,” stated photographer Kaz Matsumoto when he introduced us this story. “Nevertheless, when you look intently at them, you may see the intricate craftsmanship all through, like stunning artworks.”
Kaz wasn’t exaggerating. Shintaro made intensive modifications to the Electra Glide’s body by fabricating a inflexible rear triangle, shortening the wheelbase, and hollowing out the steering neck gusset. A set of Harley FX forks was put in up entrance, however not earlier than they’d been smoothed down on a lathe.
Shintaro specced the bike with classic ‘Seven Star’ wheels, bespoke bodywork, and a jockey shift with a {custom} linkage system. The person’s ardour for his craft is clear within the bike’s delicate adornments—just like the shifter’s knife-like deal with, which Shintaro made himself after finding out conventional knife-making strategies. [More]
1. Honda Dax 125 by Regular Storage
Mini-bikes are at all times successful round right here, and nobody builds them fairly like Regular Storage. The Californian outfit wowed us, and our readers, earlier this yr with a sassy Honda Dax 125 loaded with radical modifications.
Utilizing the trendy re-issue of the traditional Dax as a donor, Regular partnered with Honda, Vance & Hines, SMR Manufacturing facility, Gears Racing, G-Craft, Chimera Engineering, and Kenda Tires to create a collaboration for the ages.
The end result was a monstrous mini-bike with sufficient angle to tackle bikes 4 occasions its dimension. Highlights included a G-Craft swingarm, modular wheels from Chimera Engineering, and Gears Racing suspension elements. A Baja Designs headlight was fitted in a {custom} housing up entrance, with a one-off seat adorning the rear.
Customized handlebars, raucous twin pipes by Vance & Hines, a hopped-up motor; the work executed to this Dax might fill volumes. Affectionately named ‘Otto’ by Regular co-founder Kevin Dunn’s son, this Dax embodies the precept that small bikes equal huge enjoyable. [More]
Editor’s Notice
Compiling every year’s High 10 is a bittersweet expertise, with a handful of worthy customs often touchdown simply outdoors the record. We might like to provide an honorable point out to Malle’s Continental GT 650s, ShifCustoms’ Moto Guzzi Breva café racer [above], Frontwheel’s Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 flat tracker, Tough Crafts and Faber Studio’s stripped-down Yamaha Ténéré 700, and a trendy BMW boxer café racer from 72 Efficiency USA [below].
Our heartfelt thanks exit to the {custom} bike builders and photographers who frequently feed us content material, our writers, our writer, and the advertisers who preserve our servers buzzing. Completely happy holidays, and you should definitely verify again simply earlier than the brand new yr—we’ll be rounding up our favourite OEM releases of 2025, earlier than unveiling our solely subjective Editor’s Selection High 10.
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