In London, a well -known personalized motorcycle manufacturer is revolutionizing the world of coffee racer with a series of four retro -style creations, air -refrigerated, and based on the iconic BMW R 1200 GS.
Before following, tell you that this innovative transformation is the work of Sean Sohrabfounder of the workshop Original Café Racer Company, And who found inspiration for this project in an epic trip through Africa with his friend, the acquaintance Charley Boorman.
The first of these creations, baptized as «BMW GS Street Racer«He was born after Sohrabtraveling along the African continent, a unique challenge will be raised: to turn a robust and technologically advanced GS into a stylized and minimalist Café Racer. Obviously, the success of this first model led him to produce a limited edition of four units, of which only one is available.
By the way, its price is 16,500 pounds (near 20,000 euros) and its exclusivity is practically assured, since, as we all know, the BMW R 1200 GS He adopted liquid cooling as of 2013, making air refrigerated versions increasingly rare and coveted.
Sohrab said: “When you travel through the Namibia desert, you have a lot of time to think. I promised that, if I managed to complete the trip, I would transform a GS into a racer coffee ”. The challenge was not less. The BMW R 1200 GS It is a motorcycle full of electronics, with advanced ABS systems and a off-road-oriented design.
This is the BMW R 1200 gs of original Café Racer
To achieve a faithful transformation to the essence Café Racer, Sohrab He opted for an air refrigerated version of the model, avoiding the bulky radiators of the most recent generations.
The first specimen of the series was based on a BMW R 1200 GS of the year 2011. Obviously the entire original body was eliminated, leaving the characteristic boxer engine of 1,170 cc. Then the fuel tank was redesigned to give it a more classic and stylized profile.
The oil cooler was replaced by a more compact and efficient version, located between the exhaust collecting tubes. On the other hand, the standard, voluminous and restrictive escape system was replaced by a SC PROJECT shorter, which enhances the sound of the engine and reduces weight.
As for ergonomics, the original handlebar was replaced by two semi -window sports, much more in line with the desired coffee aesthetics. The original analog watches were maintained, but now framed by a vintage -style round headlight. The seat was completely redesigned and custom made, combining comfort and a minimalist design.
One of the most striking details of this transformation is the combination of tires with tacos and Café Racer posture, an unconventional but surprisingly effective mixture. «It may seem strange, but the motorcycle is handled incredibly well«, Says Sohrab.
Despite its new urban appearance, the GS Street Racer retains the suspensions of the original version, which allows you to maintain excellent behavior. However, the reduction of around 45 kg with respect to the serial version significantly improves its agility and road response.
This limited series of Café Racer based on the BMW R 1200 GS It represents a balance between tradition and modernity, combining the robustness of an adventure motorcycle with the pure and radical aesthetics of the Cafe Racer world. With only one available unit, this work of art on wheels is not only a collection piece, but also a machine ready to devour kilometers.
