LA - BARSTOW TO VEGAS ENDURO RIDE –

Photos by: Brett Beadle (@brettbeadle), Brent Akhurts (@brentakhurst) & Ben Couves (@elliottbenjaman)

Shop buddy Brett Beadle (out in Vancouver, BC) recently did the LA - Barstow to Vegas Enduro Ride for the first time with a few buddies of his and after some serious FOMO from the instagram shots from his ride/trip, we asked if him and the guys would be down to send us some pics and tell us about it. Here's what Brett had to say:

My buddies Brent Akhurst, Ben Couves and myself headed down to ride the 30th annual La-Barstow-Vegas enduro ride this year. Steeped in history, this two-day 450 mile off-road organized ride makes it's way through the Mohave from Palmdale, California to Las Vegas, Nevada.

Brent, Ben and I trailered our bikes down in two days, with a stop in Boise. (Brent on a WR450, Ben and I on XR650Rs)  I rented a U-haul to take us from Vegas to Palmdale with the bikes so our vehicle would be waiting for us at the finish line. It was amazing seeing 500+ dual sport bikes ready to rip the first morning in Palmdale. The entire town seemed to be filled with the noise of BRAP BRAP BRAP and a lot of very stoked riders.

The first morning was challenging because visibility was pretty much nil. With so many riders starting out, there was a lot of dust and sand being kicked up by the riders in front of you, which gives you very little room to see whats coming. I would say this is one of the major challenges I found with my first time riding in the desert, getting used to all that SAND and DUST!

We made it through both days of riding with only one major breakdown and one major crash, Ben went over the bars after ripping through a rocky single track section and hit a washout in 3rd or 4th gear, which sent him flying. He dusted himself off and finished the day with us, with a few big bruises to show from his spill.

Sunday morning was another early start. Without having to go through registration like we did on the first day, the Saturday morning was pretty much "get up and go." This meant we were riding directly into the rising sun and also through some of the most treacherous sand we had faced. Although it was challenging riding, with a lot of riders stuck in the sand and at the side of the trail, we made it through and continued on our day.

We ripped through miles and miles of deep sand to find our way at the Red Rock Canyon. This was the last stop before Vegas. A technical rocky ride was a lot easier on the smaller bikes but on big 650s it makes it a bit more challenging. We made our way up the canyon with the rest of the pack and snaked our way down into Red Rock Canyon park on the other side, and rode out to Vegas. The night was filled with beers and good times meeting a lot of fellow riders in the afterparty that night at The Orleans hotel.

After a couple days recouping and relaxing in Vegas, Brent flew home for work and Ben and I made our way to Utah to ride the White Rim Trail in Canyonlands National Park. It was hands-down one of the most amazing rides of our lives. The scenery in incredible and we had the entire park to ourselves. The 100-mile trail snakes it's way along the canyons and buttes of this magical part of Southern Utah.

After that, it was time to make our way home. With a pit stop to rip the Bonneville Salt Flats in Wendover, a beer at Dechutes Brewing in Bend, a good soak in Bagby Hot Springs outside Portland, and a quick Portland visit, we were home washing the heaps of caked desert dust off our bikes and getting the ready for the next adventure.

See everyone at LA-Barstow-Vegas 2015!!!!

- Brett Beadle, Ben Couves & Brent Akhurst

from http://townmoto.com

Pipeburn’s 2014 Bike of the Year Award

Hot damn – where’d that year go? So with New Year’s so close you can almost smell the tequila, it’s time to look back at the past 12 months to see what rides really took our fancy. We’ve been doing a top 10 list for the past five years, and for the past two years we have been giving out the very shiny, very weighty Pipeburn trophy you see above to whoever takes the No.1 spot. In an art form with a distinct lack of real-world recognition, we like to think of it as our way of rewarding all the builder’s blood, sweat and tears. So we’ve gone back over every bike from this year to count your comments, tally Facebook likes and scientifically measure ‘woah’ to come up with our top 10 bikes for 2014. Enjoy.

10. Harley-Davidson 883 Iron by TJ Moto

How many builders do you think can claim that their very first bike stirred up enough interest to be counted as a contender for a Bike of the Year? Well, here’s an addition to what must be the world’s smallest list. Their name is TJ Moto and, even more impressively, they are based out of New Delhi, India. Now, can you imagine their next build? More here.

---

9. Triumph Scrambler – Dagger Cycles

There’s no doubt that scramblers are undergoing a renaissance of sorts; Ducati’s recently-announced foray into the segment is proof positive of that. But we can’t help but think that they’ve been out-cooled – and by none other than a bunch of feisty Milanese. What’s more, they’ve done it on a British bike. It’s enough to make Pavarotti turn in his grave; especially if you rode this matte black, punk rock bastardo over it. More here.

---

8. ‘79 Honda CBN400 – Ed Turner Motorcycles

It was built by a French shop with a pun as their name. It’s style is almost impossible to pigeonhole. And it’s a Honda that looks like the result of a one night stand between a café racer and a supermoto in a 1970s amusement park. In our books, all that can only be a good thing. More here.

---

7. ‘14 Yamaha Star Bolt – Hageman Motorcycles

Doc Chops, AKA ‘Greg Hageman’, repeats his 2013 performance with a mid-field placing on this beautiful, very factory-looking Star Bolt. He’s been working with Yamaha in the US; let’s hope that a little bit of the Doc rubs off on the suits who sign the cheques. If we all could buy a bike like this right off of the showroom floor, there’s no doubt the company would be bigger than Steve McQueen. More here.

---

6. BMW R100 by Nozem Amsterdam

Beemers make up 40% of this year’s finalists and they‘ve also managed to group themselves together – presumably in an attempt to storm the top spot in a four-pronged attack. Leading the charge is Amsterdam’s Nozem, with their sweeter-than-sweet R100. The bike has wood. So do we. And just look at that exhaust set-up. Excuse us for a moment, won’t you? More here.

---

5. 1979 BMW R 100/7 – Kingston Customs

Of all the finalists this year, we’re pretty sure that Dirk Oehlerking from Germany’s Kingston Customs will be the calmest of the lot. Why? Because the guy’s already got a bunch of metal on his mantelpiece after taking the German National Enduro Championships as a kinder. But an enduro bike this ain’t. And the coolest-looking old-school café we saw all year, it definitely is. More here.

---

4. BMW K75 by Renard Speed Shop

You gotta love BMW’s flying brick; and love’s exactly what Estonia’s Renard Speed Shop gave this K75. With a seat to die for and one of the coolest rear suspension set-ups we’ve ever seen, surely this has the Bavarian boffins rethinking their shelving of the beloved ‘Ziegel’. Fingers crossed. More here.

---

3. ‘83 BMW R80 – The GasBox

There are clean builds. Then there’s clean builds. Then there’s the stuff that NASA builds. Then there’s GasBox’s BMW R80. With attention to detail and polish that would leave BMW themselves looking second best, we’re proud to say that Ohio’s Jesse Bassett has built a bike that’s landed him in 3rd place overall. Nice work, Jesse. More here.

---

2. Ducati 900SS ‘Typhoon’ – Old Empire Motorcycles

Here’s one that split us right down the middle. For all the frowny naysayers, there seemed to be an equal amount of boisterous fans whipping themselves into a lather over this, the latest build from Blighty’s Old Empire Motorcycles. And from our experience, it’s only the very best of bikes that do that. Facebook may spy, but it doesn’t lie; six thousand of you cared enough to give it the thumbs up. And after the dust has settled we’re still left with something that looks like a boardtracker with a Ducati v-twin transplant. What’s not to like about that? More here.

---

1. ‘65 Harley Ironhead – Hazan Motorworks

What can we say about Maxwell Hazan and his creations that hasn’t already been uttered a million times before? We guess that’s what happens when your name starts to appear in the same sentences as Shinya Kimura’s. That’s right, for the second year running Max has managed to take top honours in our Bike of the Year awards. Surprised? You shouldn’t be – just look at the thing. If there was a God of Metal, this bike would be what he’d ride. Congratulations Max! More here.

We’d also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who helped us make this award and Pipeburn itself happen. Cheers to our writers Tim, Ian, Marlon, and Martin. Massive thanks to Paul McKinnon from Evolution Motorsports in Sydney who makes our trophies, and to Junior Burrell at Retro Moto for letting us use his shop for the trophy photo. We’d also like to express our heartfelt thanks to all the builders and readers who supported us in 2014. If you listen carefully you’ll hear the sound of our greasy, leather-gloved hands clapping for you all. See you in 2015.

via PIPEBURN

VW Beetle Custom

Beetle in the art deco style. Opened the engine, paired 4-cylinder boxer engine. Frame.
via Solifague Design

Dinner 4x4 - Range Rover Generations

This brings new meaning to the expression 'cold buffet'. Yes, it's well below zero, but with some warm clothes and friends about to turn up any minute, what could be better than an alfresco fondue in the Alps? And getting there? By Range Rover, of course...

BMW R100 by Nozem Amsterdam

Written by Martin Hodgson.

At first glance this is a café racer based on a BMW boxer obviously built by a talented team. But as you take it all in you realise it’s builds like this that finally and empathetically make the statement that the elite of custom bike building is no longer exclusively a V-Twin domain. It’s no surprise then to see big names like Roland Sands and Marcus Walz turn their hands to Metric bikes. But this is what Lorenzo, Delano and Daniel from Nozem Amsterdam do, take metric, often unconventional bikes and turn them into elite custom creations.

The basis for the build is a BMW R100 but to hear Daniel describe it you imagine he sculpted it with the caress one offers their lover “This is why we chose to give the lady a nice curved bottom”, well you can’t argue with that! So as to accentuate the best bits of the build the bike was stripped down and everything surplus to requirements thrown in the bin. The frame was detabbed and all the unnecessary brackets removed creating a smooth as silk look.

It’s hard not to be instantly drawn to the one piece body work of the BMW, a feat rarely attempted and even less often successful. But as with everything they do Nozem wouldn’t rest until they were completely satisfied. The only remaining BMW bodywork is the front lower section of the fuel tank. The rest is entirely fabricated by hand, forming the sheet metal, offering it up and repeating until the lines were picture perfect. The timber top is crafted from the very best American Walnut and contrasts beautifully with the otherwise mean metal look. The inspiration for this step came from the Riva speedboats, the elite of the water world that also inspired the vented tail section.

Exiting just below those vents is the hand built stainless exhaust that snakes its way from the Boxer headers to the rear of the bike cleverly diverted under the seat for an ultra-clean look. The exhaust has been heat wrapped at the headers and the engine is fed by pod filters but internally remains stock aside from some Nozem TLC. Without any silencing in the exhaust you can hear this classic lady coming long before she shows you her curves.

Then there are the modern touches that are integrated into the bike rather than simply bolted on. The fuel cap is a race item taken from a BMW E30, while the levers are the ever popular Pazzo items. A small open ended spanner holds up the brake fluid reservoir and lighting her way is a small chrome headlight firing a yellow beam down the road. Like all Nozem bikes the wiring is entirely hidden, allowing nothing to interfere with the visual appeal the two graphic designers envisaged.

The stock wheels are black and now visually become one with the tire; there are no socks and sandals here. While the paint work and pin striping only further enhance the lines of the BMW and her body. There is simply no need for graphics and flames with this level of craftsmanship but the Nozem badge reminds all just who fashioned these curves. Dampening the ride of the hard leather seat is a Wilbers monoshock and no speedo will ever be fitted “eventually speed has to be felt not seen” explains Lorenzo. But it will be his best friend Daniel, owner of the bike, who will be the one to take this girl home, appreciate her lines and climb aboard to appreciate just what she’ll do.

[Photography by Gijs Spierings]

via PIPEBURN

Dakar : 9 295 km de Buenos Aires à Buenos Aires

Pour rejoindre l’arrivée le 17 janvier à Buenos Aires (Argentine), les 168 motards engagés au Rallye Dakar devront parcourir 9 295 km au départ de la capitale argentine le 4 janvier en passant par le Chili et la Bolivie.

Après une courte mise en jambe de 175 km chronométrés dans la campagne argentine complétée par une longue liaison jusqu’à Villa Carlos Paz, les concurrents vont plonger dans le vif du sujet dès la deuxième étape avec le premier vrai test de 518 km pour rallier San Juan.

A l’issue de la longue étape de la veille, les participants se dirigeront vers Chilecito, l’une des plus belles régions d’Argentine. Avec « seulement » 220 km chronométrés, ils pourront profiter de la beauté des lieux, de belles pistes de terre rouge, sans pour autant céder à la tentation du tourisme.

La quatrième étape conduira les motards au Chili avec une ascension jusqu’à 4 800 mètres  avant de franchir la frontière au Paso San Francisco. Ensuite, ils devront se confronter aux réalités du désert d’Atacama avant d’aborder lors des 40 derniers kilomètres les dunes et les cuvettes géantes de Copiapo.

La cinquième étape, entre Copiapo – Antofagasta, commune à toutes les catégories, est composée de portions rapides où certains pilotes en profiteront pour tenter de creuser des écarts. Mais ils devront cependant se montrer prudents avec la présence de nombreuses zones de fesh-fesh.

Pour rejoindre Iquique, bivouac de la sixième étape, les motards longeront le littoral pacifique. Mais l’arrivée ne se fera pas par la fameuse descente mais au cœur du centre-ville pour une rencontre avec le public. A l’issue de cette première semaine de course, la première hiérarchie se dessinera.

Au lendemain de la journée de repos, les rescapés vont alors débuter la seconde semaine par une première étape marathon qui les conduira en Bolivie à Uyuni où ils devront escalader à plus de 3 500 m d’altitude. La navigation et la gestion des pneumatiques seront les maitres-mots de cette étape où l’assistance sera interdite à l’arrivée. La deuxième partie de l’étape les ramèneront à Iquique où l’arrivée sera jugée au pied de la vertigineuse descente.  

Pour rejoindre Calama, les concurrents affronteront une dernière fois le désert d’Atacama avant d’aborder des pistes beaucoup moins confortables marquées par de nombreux trous et bosses. Puis ils enchaîneront avec la seconde étape marathon. Le départ de la spéciale sera donnée à plus de 3 600 m et le tracé de la liaison empruntera le Paso de l’Acay, à 4 970 m. L’altitude pourrait mettre à mal les moteurs. La seconde partie de l’étape marathon (étape 11) suivra l’axe de la célèbre Ruta 40 pour rejoindre Termas de Rio Hondo.

Les pilotes encore en lice s’élanceront pour une longue traversée de l’Argentine pour rallier Rosario (étape 12) où la hiérarchie en tête de la couse pourrait être bousculée. La prudence et la concentration seront de rigueur pour l’ultime étape de ce Dakar 2015 pour atteindre l’arrivée à Buenos Aires.

HD