Germany has always been synonymous with pared down, efficient, and sometimes brutal design sensibilities. With the Vagabund Moto BMW R100R Cafe Racer, this same sense of minimalism proficiency translates into an elegant, striped back motorcycle.
Yet in paring down the elements and silhouette of the Cafe Racer, the Austrian-based Vagabund Moto hasn’t sacrificed the BMW racer’s performance. Yet in essence, that in itself creates a more complex tactic to achieve the epitome of simplicity and functionality. Though Vagabund has only been in operation for two years, they have managed to break ground with this re-vamp of the BMW R100R.
The customization project came about from a commission from a client who wanted the same amenities of a previous Vagabund R80 ‘V05.’ The 1993 BMW the brand sourced to serve as the basis for their design. Once the Vagabund team began to stripe back the bike, they revealed its bare bones in a sleek and shadowy colored V07 cafe racer, nicknaming it The Whale.
Vagabund replaced the bike’s original set and tank with a brand new bespoke monocoque unit that includes shiny acrylic paneling facing the bike’s classic pop-up gas cap. Vaguely aquatic, flowing aluminum bodywork rightly earn the bike its nickname. Though the vehicle features a minimalist, pared down profile it isn’t bereft of a couple hidden surprises, from a leather valet tray accessible by the cable release system at the bike’s tail-end, to a slim-line lithium-ion battery.