The Best Custom Bikes Of 2019

From drag-racers to board-trackers to cafe racers and everything in between…

Over the last half-decade the so-called “new-wave” custom motorcycle seen has experienced a marked rise in popularity, creating minor celebrities out of big-name builders and spawning a host of styles, features, and trends that have played an increasingly instrumental role in influencing the designs coming from today’s major motorcycle manufacturers. Though there’s undeniably no shortage of stellar one-off machines gracing the pages of PipeBurn, BikeExif, RotCR, TheBikeShed, and the like, there are a number of builds that, for one reason or another, distinguish themselves from the rest and demonstrate their respective creator’s raw talent and skill.

As a regular contributor to a number of (aforementioned) big-name customs sites, I feel confident in saying I know a thing or two about bespoke bikes. And, with so many new builds popping up on a daily basis, it’s easy for two-wheeled masterpieces to fade into the background without getting the credit and recognition their build(s) deserve(s). So, with that in mind, let’s unpack my personal picks for the best custom motorcycles of 2019.

Jake Drummond’s Yamaha MT-07 “The Omen”

Built by a 25-year-old engineering student, this build started life as a brand new MT-07. Jake pulled the parallel twin from the donor before relegating the remainder of the Yammy to the rubbish bin. The full-time student then fashioned a custom perimeter frame with a matching swing-arm that sports a single swooping lines all the way from the back wheel to the bespoke frame’s headstock. A minimalistic seat, tail, and tank were also in the cards, as were a myriad of motocross-inspired touches like the toothed pegs and front-number plate. Custom meshed intakes also hide a set of R1 headlights, and burnt fumes are now spit from a segmented two-into-one exhaust. Based on the level of skill exhibited in his first build, I really can’t wait to see what Jake cooks up next.

Simone Conti Motorcycles’ Aprilia SXV 550

Despite rocking a rigid, hardtail frame, this ultra-creative build from Italian designer, Simone Conti is very much deserving of being on this list. The Noale-made supermoto has been stripped down and redressed in sharp, angular bodywork, complimented by a girder-inspired modern front-end and solid wheel inserts. The pair of under-seat GP cans and red pin-striping on the bare metal help to tie the whole thing together, and its wildly-egressive stance leaves little doubt about the personality of this fiery 550.

Elemental Rides X Capêlo’s Garage’s Yamaha XSR700

The purpose of Yamaha’s Yardbuilt Program is to show the motorcycling public the vast potential the tuning fork brand’s machines have for customization. And while the world-renowned program has spawned some incredible builds, none this year were able to hold a candle to this retro-themed XSR. Built as a joint effort between Portuguese shops, Elemental Rides and Capêlo’s Garage, the Japanese 700 boasts old-school enduro-style plastics, long-travel suspenders, full skid plate, off-road tires, and a two-into-one, scrambler-style exhaust. The one-off paint job is a clear nod to Yamaha’s vintage IT dual-sport range, which works perfectly with the characteristics of the bike.

Craig Rodsmith’s Front Wheel Drive Dream Machine

If you follow the custom scene, then you’re no doubt familiar with the name Craig Rodsmith. (If not, do yourself a favor and google it!). Even with Rodsmith’s world class level of experience, this unique one-off build presented a real challenge for him. The build was commissioned by Bobby Haas of the Haas Moto Museum in Texas and is based off of a 1930’s bike that used a radial engine mounted inside of the front wheel. Because he was unable to source an original powertrain from one of these idiosyncratic machines, Rodsmith instead got his hands on a trio of 60cc two-stroke engines that combined, tuned, and then stuffed in the front wheel. The art deco bodywork and all-internal routing are just extras as far as I’m concerned.

Kraftstoffschmiede’s BMW R1250RS

Earlier this year BMW released its new flagship models powered by its revised boxer engine with “Shift-Cam” (variable valve timing) technology. In an effort to drum up some hype, the Bavarian brand gave a few builders brand-spankin’-new examples and let them run wild. Though they were all pretty rad, this particular machine takes the cake. Built to take on the Sultans of Sprint (drag racing) event, this stretched and lowered Beamer boasts full custom bodywork that includes negative space in the tank to accommodate a set of massive pod-filters, plus it’s got a nitrous kit, top-shelf Kineo rims, and overall one of the most factory-level finishes I’ve ever seen. The way the fairing acts as a front-fender of sorts (now that the forks are shortened) is just one of many amazing details on this all-German custom.

Niki Smart’s Honda XL500 “Board Tracker”

It’s not often that a custom bike doesn’t squarely fit into a single category, but that’s very much the case with this one-off Honda from Niki Smart; a seasoned vehicle designer and the force behind the Ariel Atom. Nikki’s build is something of a modern board tracker, powered by a dual-exhaust port single and sporting full carbon fiber everything. The wheels, the girder fork, the swing-arm, linkages, tank, headlight bracket; it’s all done it the modern weave. I had the privilege of seeing this one in the flesh (and speaking to Niki), and while it looks smashing in photos, IRL it’s a whole different story.

Auto Fabrica’s BMW R nineT “Type 18”

BMW’s r nineT heritage range was engineered to be a highly-modular and versatile platform for customization, so it’s no surprise that the model has become the basis for some genuinely bonkers one-off builds such as this show-stopper of a two-wheeler from Auto Fabrica. Instead of going the roadster or cafe racer route, AF opted to do some outside-the-box thinking and conjure up the IRL concept you see before you. The star of the show is without a doubt the bike’s jet fighter-inspired body panels, which shroud the fork and cylinder heads, radically altering the appearance of the donor. LED lighting, a swooping pair of blacked-out Magni-style pipes, a low-profile waspish tail section, and a single-sided swing-arm collectively come together to push this one over the edge.

Hazan Motorworks’ “KNTT”

Built by the Los Angeles-based wunderkind, Max Hazan, this fully-faired V-Twin is one of the most unique and elaborate builds I’ve ever seen, whilst still remaining surprisingly functional. Inspired by Vincent engines, Hazan shoehorned a modified 74i S&S Cycle Knucklehead engine (with two front cylinder heads!) into a fully bespoke chromoly frame, before wrapping the glorious runner in an ‘80s-inspired set of polished bodywork. The icing on the cake has got to be the super trick custom GP-style exhaust.

Simon Leake’s Vincent Black Shadow Cafe Racer

For several decades after its releases, the Vincent V-Twin stood as one of the most powerful motorcycle engines in existence. Even by today’s standards, the British built twins can go, though the Vincent’s running gear hasn’t stood the test of time anywhere near as well. This idea became the catalyst to this Black Shadow build, which uses a highly-massaged Vincent engine in a one-off frame paired with modern inverted forks, brakes, and a mono-shock. Other touches further bringing the legendary Brit bike into the 21st century are LED lighting and bar-end indicators, a winding exhaust culminating in a reverse cone muffler, and copious amounts of polished aluminum. It’s hard to overstate how cool this bike is one several different levels.

Bolt Motor Company’s Honda CB750F

Honda CB cafe racers are some of the most ubiquitous customs on earth, so you really have to come correct if you want to distinguish yours from the rest, but there’s no denying that what we’ve got here ain’t your average CB-uild. Built in a Spanish race shop shared by Spain’s Campos Racing, this Honda boasts an aluminum single-sided swing-arm plucked from a Ducati 1098 (along with its 17” rims), 43mm inverted Showa forks slotted in a custom-machined triple, Brembo monobloc stoppers, and one seriously trick four-into-one exhaust. The bodywork — which consists of a tank, tail, belly-pan, and front fender — looks great, but leaves the crown jewel of the bike (the engine) on full display.

(Editor’s Note: Obviously there were dozens of bikes that could have justifiably made this list, and it hopefully goes without saying that for the sake of narrowing it down, many truly exceptional bikes couldn’t be included.)