This BMW R nineT Scrambler custom build started with a clear idea: not to overdesign the bike.
The 2024 BMW R nineT Scrambler already comes with a strong base—BMW’s air/oil-cooled boxer twin, upright ergonomics, twin high-mounted exhausts, and the unmistakable stance that makes the platform such a good foundation for custom work. Instead of trying to turn it into something completely different, we wanted to refine the original motorcycle with a cleaner design language and a stronger sense of purpose.
The main inspiration came from the BMW R 80 GS and Dakar models from the mid-1980s. More specifically, we were drawn to the tank proportions, the honest bodywork, and the utilitarian character of that era. Those motorcycles were simple in the best way. They were not overloaded with unnecessary forms or styling tricks. Their function shaped their look, and that restraint became the core principle behind this project.
This bike belongs to Selçuk, an enduro rider from Istanbul. After recently becoming a father, the more aggressive side of riding started to feel like more of a liability in his life. Today, he rides a Vespa for everyday use and this custom BMW R nineT Scrambler for lighter adventures. That shift naturally shaped the direction of the build. The goal was never to create something extreme. It had to remain practical, enjoyable, and full of character, but in a more balanced and mature way.
The biggest visual change came from the new BMW R nineT Scrambler front fairing and front fender setup. We redesigned the front section to give the bike a more compact and purposeful face, closer in spirit to the older BMW GS models that inspired the build. The headlight assembly was raised by around 3 cm, and the front fairing was designed to integrate a Denali S4 fog light without adding clutter. That was an important part of the project: every new function had to feel like a natural part of the bike rather than a separate accessory.
The tank became another key part of the transformation. Although the original steel fuel tank remains underneath, the visible upper form is a custom outer shell designed by us. Inspired by the BMW R 80 GS and R 100 tanks from the same era, this new design reshapes the visual weight of the bike and gives it a calmer, more classic profile. The new setup holds 15.5 liters instead of the original 17 liters. The paintwork also takes cues from BMW’s 1980s racing graphics, but in a restrained way that stays in line with the overall design.
Beyond the tank and front end, we also developed a full set of matching custom body parts for the BMW R nineT Scrambler. These include the air intake cover, side trim pieces, custom seat, side panels, rear fairing / rear tail section, rear fender, taillight area, rear rack, and engine skid plate. The aim with all of these parts was not to make each one scream for attention, but to make the whole bike feel tighter, simpler, and more connected.
All of the custom body parts on this build were made from glass fiber reinforced plastic. That material gave us the right balance of strength, weight, and shaping freedom. It also reflects the way we work today: with current developments in 3D printing and engineering filaments, it has become much easier to prototype, test, and refine parts before producing them in final composite form. That process lets us develop cleaner and more resolved designs while keeping the parts suitable for real-world use.
In the end, this project is our interpretation of a more restrained BMW boxer scrambler. It keeps the original character of the BMW R nineT Scrambler, but filters it through an older design mindset—simpler, more functional, and less crowded. The result is a bike that feels more intentional from front to rear, while still staying true to the platform that made it worth building on in the first place.
For us, that is what good custom design should do: keep what matters, remove what does not, and turn the motorcycle into one complete idea.