Lioness: CW Zon modifies the massive BMW K1600 GTL

Six cylinders, 1,649 cubic centimeters, 113 liters of space for storing, and extra digital aids than you’ll be able to shake a stick at; the BMW K1600 GTL is a high-tech behemoth, constructed to devour miles in supreme consolation. It’s the primary bike we’d decide for a cross-country journey, grinning broadly as its six inline pistons spool up like a row of offended hornets. But it surely’s the final bike we’d wish to customise.

Fortunately, Yuichi Yoshizawa doesn’t share our reservations. The frontman of the hit-making Japanese workshop, CW Zon, is understood for making use of his signature type to essentially the most unlikely of bikes. So a {custom} BMW K1600 GTL with polished bodywork and a radically modified body is simply what we’d count on from him.

Yoshizawa-san’s plan was to place a café racer spin on the monstrous K1600. However as soon as the bike was stripped right down to its engine and body, a plethora of hurdles revealed themselves. CW Zon needed to cope with the BMW’s huge radiator, elongated swingarm, and hopelessly difficult wiring loom.

Extra crucially, the chunky forged aluminum body needed to go. CW Zon arrange a jig, then minimize out all however essentially the most vital junctions, earlier than fabricating a trellis body with elegantly gusseted engine mounts. The entire unit is slimmer than earlier than, emphasizing the heft of the BMW’s engine.

CW Zon retained the K1600’s OEM swingarm and shaft drive, however touched them up with contrasting polished and black finishes and added a number of tasteful adornments. The swingarm is related to the 17” wheel from a BMW R nineT, which needed to be flipped round as a result of the R nineT’s single-sided swingarm sits on the other aspect to the K1600.

There’s one other R nineT wheel up entrance, and each ends are wrapped in sporty Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa tires. CW Zon additionally specced the bike with Öhlins Blackline suspension and Beringer braking components.

Layered excessive of the brand new chassis are a hand-crafted gasoline tank and tailpiece, complemented by a pair of {custom} fenders. The polished bodywork is muscular, flowing harmoniously from the modified steering neck to the tapered rear cowl. Leatherwork by Kuureiyonsoku provides a classy contact.

Attractive particulars abound—from the BMW roundel and air scoop atop the tank to the engraving that bears the bike’s nickname, ‘Lioness.’ There are subtler issues too, like the best way through which the entrance fender doubles up as a fork protector.

Up entrance, you’ll discover a set of custom-made yokes, flanked by Gilles Tooling clip-ons. They’re fitted with grips, micro switches, bar-end flip indicators, and mirrors from Motogadget. The speedo is a Motogadget half too—mounted entrance and middle in a hand-crafted bracket that bolts to the highest of the higher yoke.

Different modifications embrace an LED headlight, new foot controls, and a {custom} radiator shroud. The burly asymmetrical exhaust system is CW Zon’s doing too, melding six headers into two belligerent mufflers.

We’d be too nervous even to vary the grips on the extremely technical BMW K1600 GTL, so we’re in awe of Yuichi’s imaginative and prescient—and his capacity to comprehend that imaginative and prescient. From a hefty tourer to a streamlined 160-horsepower café racer, Lioness has shot to the highest of our ‘should experience’ checklist.