Art 9T

Dec 20, 2022

Cafe racer conversions are nothing new, especially to us, but this particular build presented a couple of opportunities to do something fresh. The original spirit of cafe racers can be summarised in the immortal words of Colin Chapman "simplify, then add lightness". So when owner Artem gave us the brief to convert a 2014 BMW R nine T into a slick cafe racer, combining the best elements of classic style and modern technology, we couldn't resist.

The donor bike's trellis frame presented a unique challenge to achieving Artems desired aesthetic, not to mention the 1200 boxer that dwarfs most tanks. Jeremy finally settled on a Suzuki GS1100 tank from the 80's for its sportier angles opposed to its 70's predecessors. The tank was then heavily modified by @kansi_giant to allow it to sit deeper in the frame and accept the fuel pump, ECU and ABS module beneath. A custom subframe was then designed to seamlessly extend from the rear of the tank and finish just above the rear axle. Hidden beneath the new seat pan are the rest of the numerous electric gizmos needed to run the R Nine T. The final modifications to the frame include a custom oil cooler mount beneath the head stem to accept the smaller honda unit, a Wunderlich number plate holder with @kellermann_company Atto DF indicators and a super trick set of Sato Racing rear sets to get the riders feet in a more aggressive position.

With the ART9T's skeleton now teeming with tenacity, the stock wheels, tyres, brakes and suspension were not going to suffice. The wheels were sent off to @ashspokedwheelz where they were taken from 17" to 18" giving the beemer some balance. The suspension was disassembled to be anodised before being sent off to be serviced at @shock_treatment_suspension. With the wheels and suspension back in the bike a hefty set of @beringer_brakes_offical calipers and master cylinders complete the handling package nicely.

Up front in the cockpit is where Mr Tagand really pulled out all the stops. The first piece to make it on the bike was a custom CNC top clamp from Ricci Engineering which holds the @motogadget motoscope pro front and center. The Adjustable ABM clip ons hold the aforementioned beringer kit, KTM RC8 throttle, Motogadget Mo.Blaze mirrors and bar-end indicators. A classic 5.75" bates headlight replaces the stock 7" piece. Then the pièce de résistance is the CNC grips which house Grip Ace switches which allow the rider to control the bike with the control pad under the left hand.

With most of the cosmetics taken care of the focus was turned towards the beating heart of the boxer, A custom set of 2 into 2 drag pipe was constructed with cats hidden within to keep the neighbours happy. A DNA stage 3 filter kit was bolted to the intake manifolds and a Dynojet Power Commander 5 gave @RB_racing the ability to tune the air fuel mixture to perfection. To dress up the engine a set of @rolandsandsdesign rocker covers were bolted on, a @rizoma belt cover encasing a sand cast Deus badge cleaned up the front and custom braided oil lines throughout finish the donk perfectly.

Final touches come by the way of top to bottom powder coat to protect all of Jeremy's hard work, Nardo Grey paint and a beautifully trimmed seat from Dave at @badarsetrimco.

A wink to the past, a nod to the present and a helmet full of smiles per hour.

Build: jeremy.tagand
Photos: kenyonbatterson
Words: cam.rogerss

Special thanks to-
@bmwmotorradaus
@mymediasydney
@bikebiz
@motul
@dnafilters
@michelinmotorcycle
@forcitehelmets

ENGLISH TEXT BELOW

Setiap tahun, teman-teman kita Tasix Adventure—penyelenggara petualangan ban berlumpur dan adrenalin berbahan bakar terbaik di Bali—mengadakan acara akhir pekan berkemah yang sangat dinanti-nantikan. Mereka menamakannya “ The Wild,” dan jujur saja, tidak ada kata yang lebih pas dari itu.

Ini bukan sekadar acara; ini adalah petualangan wajib bagi siapa saja yang mencintai tanah, tantangan, dan persahabatan yang hanya bisa terjalin saat tertawa melihat teman lain terjatuh.

Hal tentang The Wild adalah misterinya. Kamu tidak tahu ke mana akan pergi, bagaimana sampai di sana, atau apa yang akan kamu temui—seperti hidup, tapi dengan lebih banyak asap knalpot.

Tahun ini, The Wild yang berlangsung pada 7 Desember 2024, mengumpulkan 135 pecinta motor enduro, trail, dan cross di Desa Kopi, Tabanan. Tepat pukul 9 pagi, kami berangkat menuju Desa Gesing, Singaraja. Rute tetap dirahasiakan hingga hari acara, meningkatkan sensasi penasaran dan antusiasme. Dengan dibagi menjadi beberapa kelompok kecil, kami melengkapi diri dengan perlengkapan motocross lengkap untuk menghadapi tantangan musim hujan.

Perjalanan? Murni magis. Jalur berkelok melalui permata tersembunyi Bali, di mana setiap tikungan menawarkan pemandangan yang memukau atau hampir membuat jantung berhenti. Rute tahun ini menghadirkan medan tanah liat merah—dijuluki tanah "keramik" karena teksturnya yang licin dan keras saat basah. Untuk melintasinya, diperlukan teknik khusus yang disebut “paddling the throttle,” sebuah manuver yang mendebarkan dengan motor yang sering bergoyang liar. Dari kejauhan, mungkin terlihat lucu, tetapi saat di atas motor? Ceritanya berbeda.

Setelah menempuh 68 kilometer petualangan liar, kami tiba di perkemahan di puncak bukit yang sudah dipenuhi tenda-tenda peserta lain dan deru knalpot. Destinasi selalu mencuri perhatian, dan yang satu ini tidak terkecuali—tempat tinggi dengan pemandangan 360 derajat yang menakjubkan dari laut, gunung, hingga kota.

Saat hujan turun, tenda-tenda didirikan, dan malam itu diisi dengan berbagi cerita tentang penyelamatan heroik dan kecelakaan yang menggelikan. Dan tentu saja, ada balapan. Bayangkan sekelompok pengendara penuh semangat meluncur di perbukitan dalam kekacauan yang terkontrol. Balapan tahun ini termasuk duel 1 lawan 1 yang seru di sekitar puncak bukit, dengan peserta menyelesaikan dua putaran penuh adrenalin.

Bukan soal menang; ini tentang hadir, tertawa, dan menikmati momen. Para pemenang dan peserta tercepat yang mencapai puncak bukit dirayakan dengan hadiah, tetapi senyuman, persahabatan, dan kebersamaan membuat semua orang merasa seperti juara.

The Wild tahun ini benar-benar sesuai namanya, bahkan lebih. Petualangan, tawa, dan cukup banyak tanah di gigi untuk menyebutnya otentik—kami tidak akan menginginkannya dengan cara lain. Terima kasih yang sebesar-besarnya kepada semua peserta yang menjadikannya pengalaman tak terlupakan. Sampai jumpa di petualangan berikutnya!

Every year, our mates over at Tasix Adventure—Bali’s finest purveyors of muddy tyres and fuel-driven adrenaline—host their much-anticipated camp-out weekend. They’ve named it “Wild,” and honestly, there’s no better word for it.

It’s not just an event; it’s a pilgrimage for anyone who loves dirt, daring, and the kind of camaraderie you can only forge while laughing at someone else’s wipeout.

The thing about Wild is that it’s shrouded in mystery. You don’t know where you’re going, how you’ll get there, or what you’ll find—kind of like life, but with more exhaust fumes.

This year’s Wild, held on Saturday, December 7, 2024, brought together 135 enthusiasts of enduro, trail, and cross motorcycles at Desa Kopi, Tabanan. The route was kept a secret until the event day, heightening the thrill of the unknown. At exactly 9 am, they shared the destination, Desa Gesing, Singaraja, Divided into small groups, we geared up with full motocross kits to tackle the rainy season’s challenges.

The ride? Pure magic. Twisting trails through Bali’s hidden gems, where every turn promised either breathtaking views or breathtaking near-misses. This year’s route featured red clay terrain—nicknamed "ceramic" soil for its slick, hard texture when wet. Navigating it required a special technique called “paddling the throttle,” a nerve-wracking maneuver that had bikes swaying wildly. From a distance, it might have looked hilarious, but on the bike? It was a whole other story.

After 68 kilometres of this wild adventure, we arrived at the hilltop campsite already alive with the buzz of activity and the roar of exhausts. The destination always steals the spotlight, and this one was no exception—a high-altitude perch offering stunning 360-degree views of the sea, mountains, and city.

As the rain came down, tents went up, and the evening was all about swapping stories of heroic saves and laughable crashes. And then there were the races. Picture a pack of overexcited riders tearing up the hillside in what can only be described as controlled chaos. This year’s races included thrilling 1-on-1 duels around the hilltop, with participants pushing through two laps of sheer adrenaline.

It wasn’t just about winning; it was about showing up, laughing, and embracing the moment. The race winners and the fastest hilltop arrivals were celebrated with prizes, but the smiles, the camaraderie, and the shared triumphs made everyone feel like champions.

This year’s Wild lived up to its name and then some. Adventure, laughter, and just enough dirt in your teeth to call it authentic—we wouldn’t have it any other way. A massive thank you to all the participants who made it unforgettable. See you on the next adventure!