BMW Motorrad Unveils Sophisticated Art Deco-Style R18 Motorcycle

By Izza Sofia, 20 Jan 2021

Image via BMW Blog

BMW Motorrad has teamed up with Kingston Custom to transform its R18 motorcycle into an Art Deco masterpiece.

Dubbed the Spirit of Passion, the motorcycle has an impressive appearance featuring Kingston’s unmistakeable fairings. Founder of Kingston Customs, Dirk Oehlerking, said that he has left much of the R18 underneath intact, but decided to continue the paintwork and lines found in the base of the bike.

Oehlerking also expanded the design ideas that BMW already had instead of building an entirely new structure. “The BMW R18 is so perfect I left the technology as it is. The frame is 100 percent original and so sophisticated that nothing should be changed here,” Oehlerking said.

The bike boasts a customed saddle, Kellerman indicators, an LED headlight integrated into the front fairing, and a completely original front wheel and tank.

Oehlerking said this project is “the most impressive of [his] career.”

“It means a lot to me—if not everything at this moment. The trust that BMW Motorrad has placed in me once again is hugely important to me. I’m very grateful for that,” he explained.