Remade Roadster from Italy’s Francesco Paura…
Introduced in 2006, the BMW R1200R was a big Boxer roadster whose high-cam, four-valve 1170cc flat-twin was good for 109 hp and 85 lb-ft of torque — a 28% increase from the old R1150R. It was also lighter, with a new steel-based chassis, sporty steering geometry, and BMW’s unique Telelever and Paralever suspension designs.
Many reviewers highlighted the new Boxer engine as their favorite part of the bike.
“Famed reliability meets the tuning fingers of a joker. There’s a fair wallop of bottom end grunt and top end kick — more than any naked bike has a right to have. Even though the old flat-twin is very old design-wise, modern internals, electronics and injected fuelling ensure the Boxer motor lives on for a while longer to keep BMW purists happy.” –MCN
While the R1200R made a superb all-rounder in terms of performance, reliability, and old-fashioned fun, it scored poorly in the design department.
“It’s hardly a looker. Not that the 1200R is ugly, it’s just so, well, boring. ‘A dynamic, modern but timeless design,’ says BMW. Frankly dull, says me.” –Visordown
Fortunately, there are folks like Italy’s Francesco Paura who have the vision and skills necessary to transform such a machine into something much more pleasing to the eye. The owner of this 2007 R1200R rarely used the bike because he disliked the outdated style, so he sought out Francesco for a more contemporary look.
“He entrusted it to me, leaving me total freedom. Except on color.”
Inspired by modern Benelli and Husqvarna naked bikes, Francesco drew up a design for a new pair of tank covers and worked with Luca Colucci (@customizermoto) to produce them from fiberglass. They help transform the aesthetics of the bike, making it look more like something you might see in a modern showroom.
Francesco and Custom Workshop SB then modified the subframe, fabricated a swingarm-mounted license plate holder, fit a Honda front fender, and overhauled the lighting.
“For the rear light I used laser-cut plexiglass. For the front light I adapted a LED headlight thanks to 3D printing in ABS.”
They painted the exhaust, engine, forks, and front Telelever, and reshaped and recovered the seat to Francesco’s taste. It’s now running an Akrapovic silencer, but Francesco and crew made no chassis or engine modifications, as the project brief was for an aesthetic transformation only — the original BMW performance was just right for the original owner.
This muscular BMW bruiser looks exponentially better than the original — and more pleasing than most of the insectoid offerings of today’s manufacturers — while retaining its great all-around performance and functionality. Un super lavoro, Francesco! Complimenti!
BMW R1200R Custom: Builder Interview
• What’s the make, model, and year of the donor bike?
BMW R1200R from 2007.
• Why was this bike built?
It was made for a customer. He had this little-used bike because he didn’t like the style. He entrusted it to me, leaving me total freedom. Except on color.
• What was the design concept and what influenced the build?
I wanted to make it contemporary. Inspired by the lines of the new Husqvarna and Benelli naked bikes.
• What custom work was done to the bike?
We created two covers on the fiberglass tank. From scratch. Based on my original drawing. And we have modified the rear part of the frame.
We created a license plate holder to go above the rear wheel. We painted the exhaust, engine, fork and telelever. The front fender is from a Honda.
For the rear light I used laser-cut plexiglass. For the front light I adapted a LED headlight thanks to 3D printing in ABS.
We reshaped the saddle and lined it to my taste. Everything else is standard BMW. We have not made any mechanical or chassis modifications. Only aesthetics.
• Is there anything done during this build that you are particularly proud of?
The fiberglass parts totally changed the aesthetics of the motorbike. So I’m proud of it.
• Can you tell us what it’s like to ride the completed bike?
The motorbike is a touristic one suitable for travel. But now it gets more attention even when you drive it in the city.
• Is there anyone you’d like to thank?
Thanks to Sandro Barbaro and Luca Colucci.
Follow the Builder
Paura Rockets 030 aka “Globetrotter”
Design director: @Francesco_Paura
Owner: @vollonomax
Custom Workshop: SB
Fiberglass Works: @customizermoto
More Francesco Paura Builds
Boxer Bruiser: BMW R1200R Custom Roadster - Remade Roadster from Italy’s Francesco Paura… Introduced in 2006, the BMW R1200R was a big Boxer roadster whose high-cam, four-valve 1170cc flat-twin was good for 109 hp and 85 lb-ft of torque — a 28% […]
Bulldog to Bull Terrier: Yamaha BT1100 Custom - Francesco Paura and friends transform a V-Twin Bulldog… In 2001, Yamaha introduced the BT1100 Bulldog, a naked V-twin designed and produced in Italy. Italian style and Japanese build quality is one solid combination, and the […]
Cookie Monster: Yamaha MT-01 Custom - Got Torque? 1.7L V-twin from Francesco Paura… Yamaha’s popular MT series is said to stand for “Master of Torque.” However, one bike in the MT lineage has stood above the rest in that department, the […]
El Calcolante: Honda Hornet 600 - Italy’s Francesco Paura builds one bad black Hornet… Introduced in 1998, the Honda CB600F Hornet — known as the 599 here in the States — quickly earned a strong reputation among racers, couriers, and commuters […]
I prefer the original . . .
Nice, but you need mirrors, for safety. Maybe bar ends if you don’t like the originals sticking up? Just wondering, it’s your vision.