VTR Customs Turns Third BMW R1200 R LC Into Epic ‘Spitfire’

Custom-built motorcycles are always fun to look at because it’s a version of artwork we can appreciate, and in some cases attempt to emulate.

But VTR Customs are some of the best custom motorcycle builders around and their skills in producing stunning machines is perhaps unmatched. The latest bike to be completely transformed is a 2017 BMW R1200 R LC. Officially named ‘Sultans of Sprint - Factory Class Bike’, was inspired by a mixture of aviation and an aircraft used in World War II. The bike is completely covered in aluminium which will remind you of old aircraft.

But VTR customs don’t want you to get the wrong idea, this bike is not built solely for showrooms or living rooms. Instead, the company admits it's a weapon built for racing, and doing its name justice, the bike actually spits flames.

This is what TW Steel (partner to VTR Customs) said about the character of its builds: “It’s rebellious by the state of mind. Sometimes you just want to do something because it feels right. At VTR customs we are very focused on details on the story and on authenticity. We are working in a very manual and creative way. So we do this by hand and decision by decision. The connecting dots between TW Steel and VTR Customs is that we focus on exceptional and outstanding pieces no one has ever seen.”

I don’t know about you but when I see this brilliant piece of kit, I think of Anthony Hopkins tearing along at 160mph in “The World’s Fastest Indian” movie. The rider who is seen riding this Spitfire on an old airfield is Amelie Mooseder.

But what inspired VTR Customs to turn their third BMW R1200R into a Spitfire? A statement from the race crew said: “After the overwhelming success of our two R1200 R LC conversions "Goodwood 12" and "Eddie21", which were featured in numerous specialist magazines and on the world's largest custom platforms, we decided to convert another R1200R.

“It was clear that it had to be even more radical and it was also clear that our Amelie "had to" ride the thing again. We affectionately call her "factory rider" and our soulmate has now developed into a real friendship.

“With her exceptionally friendly and natural charisma, she has played a significant role in the popularity of our bikes and, above all, in the fun we have with what we do as the VTR Customs Race Crew.”

According to VTR Customs, this is the hardest build to date and one of the reasons for that was the low-slung look it needed to create. This resulted in them dropping the height of this converted R1200R to just 35 inches. The engine and bike’s electronics were untouched throughout the build. 

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