Photo: Oberdan Bezzi
For all those who have enjoyed the release of the BMW R nineT, here’s a bike which unfortunately will not be built, at least not by BMW. The AR in R1200AR’s name stands for American Roadster, and you’re looking at Oberdan Bezzi’s latest creation, a machine derived from the iconic flat-tracker bikes, but built with the modern heart of the R1200 Bavarian beast.
A classic bike down to the bone, the American Roadster embodies the spirit of the custom Californian scene, with a massive dose of traditional scrambler DNA and only the basic elements retained for a neat, tidy build.
Bezzi only retained the engine and the shaft drive assembly, matching them virtually to a new lightweight tubular trellis frame, a smaller, racey-looking fuel tank and a bespoke seat pan integrating the whole tail section of the bike. Some could probably argue that putting together the modern R1200 boxer engine icon and the slash-cut tail is a bit forced, but I’d say these two look great together. What could seem a rather unnatural mix is elegantly complemented by dual high, upswept silencers which add their unmistakable classic scrambler to the American Roadster.
Funny thing, this bike is quite feasible, provided a frame builder can come up with a new chassis. If anything, the very R nineT frame can be used, even if some adjustments would probably be necessary to accommodate a new seat pan. As for the tank and tail section, they’re not exactly rocket science to make, even from scrap, with the former being even possibly sourced off other older machines.
All in all, we’d really like to see such a machine on the roads and judging by the looks alone, riding this contraption could also be quite a blasting experience, especially as the R1200 boxer has plenty to offer to the skilled rider.
Bezzi only retained the engine and the shaft drive assembly, matching them virtually to a new lightweight tubular trellis frame, a smaller, racey-looking fuel tank and a bespoke seat pan integrating the whole tail section of the bike. Some could probably argue that putting together the modern R1200 boxer engine icon and the slash-cut tail is a bit forced, but I’d say these two look great together. What could seem a rather unnatural mix is elegantly complemented by dual high, upswept silencers which add their unmistakable classic scrambler to the American Roadster.
Funny thing, this bike is quite feasible, provided a frame builder can come up with a new chassis. If anything, the very R nineT frame can be used, even if some adjustments would probably be necessary to accommodate a new seat pan. As for the tank and tail section, they’re not exactly rocket science to make, even from scrap, with the former being even possibly sourced off other older machines.
All in all, we’d really like to see such a machine on the roads and judging by the looks alone, riding this contraption could also be quite a blasting experience, especially as the R1200 boxer has plenty to offer to the skilled rider.
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