Though only established recently, the Austrian workshop Vagabund is making waves with their innovative takes on classic motorcycle designs. Their ability to enhance these rides in unique and surprising ways is best exemplified in their custom built BMW R100R. Part scrambler, part café racer, the bike from conception to completion is a textbook example of Vagabund’s craft at work.
The main body of the bike is centered underneath a two-tone fuel tank, giving the frame an ethereal quality as if no element of the motorcycle is excessive. But while efficient, each element shines with the care only a handmade part can deliver, from the silver-trimmed fins to the handcrafted aluminum headlight. And though this attention to detail may make the bike seem more like a piece of art than a workhorse, the rugged tires tell a different story, bringing a sharp contrast to the crisp lines of the body. This is a bike that you can take from the track to the dirt with no problem, and afterwards will still be ready for more. The level of craft found in the BMW R100R is the kind one expects from a workshop that’s been established for decades, but is significantly more impressive when you consider just how young Vagabund is as a company. We can only hope their future designs are as insightful as the BMW R100R, and while for now they’ve barely dipped their toes in the water, it’s clear that they have already made quite a splash.
