It was a year of elections and the Olympics, and although we skillfully managed to avoid both, we’re here to pick a winner and award the Gold for 2024. It was another blinder for Ducati on the track, but it’s not all rosy in Europe with KTM in serious financial trouble. In the world of custom motorcycles, things couldn’t be stronger, new shops were popping up and all the big shows were at capacity, proving this scene is no flash in the pan. No single style dominated, but as we went through every bike we’ve featured on these pages over the last 365, it was clear that more than ever, people are building bikes that are all about the ride. The show machines are still around, but the spirit of the street looms large and it’s exciting to see motorcycles that look a million dollars and can back it up with mega performance. So, without further ado, here’s our Pipeburn Top Ten Bikes of the Year…
10 – Ducati 900 Monster by XTR Pepo
The Ducati Monster is the motorcycle that literally saved the Italian brand, but sadly, this example just might be the last custom build we ever see from the legend that is Pepo Rossell of Spain’s XTR Pepo. Few people have had such a storied career in the industry as Pepo, first with Radical Ducati and then with XTR, and this incredible Endurance Racer build shows exactly why.
But there is also a story in the bike’s name, ‘Do Not Finish’, as once again the man himself was left holding the bag as a customer bailed without paying the bills. Only time will tell if this is the last we see of the Spanish legend, but if it is, he’s gone out in serious style. [ Full story ]
9 – BMW R90 from Roughchild
Robert Sabel is a genuine modern Renaissance man, and the Porsche expert who spent years restoring those classic German sportscars has since turned his hand to building BMW motorcycles and does it oh so well! Brad Pitt is a client and owns a killer Bimmer built by Robert, but it was this Green Bavarian that stole our hearts this year.
Perfectly engineered, Robert builds bikes that perform as good as they look, and this R90 has it all. From a barnstorming engine package to the best in brakes and suspension, every little detail has been thoroughly thought through, and the vintage good looks are just the cherry on top. [ Full story ]
8 – BMW R100RS from Heiwa Motorcycles.
Two BMWs back to Back, prove that the Bavarian brand is still a favourite amongst the world’s best builders, and they don’t get much better than Kengo Kimura. It’s a rare year when Heiwa, situated on the Hiroshima Harbourside, doesn’t have a bike in our top ten and this machine known as Salty Green was a hit with the crowds.
From the big Japanese shows to being seen all across social media, there is always something special about the signature style of Kimura-san. The hand-shaped bodywork gives this BMW a look no other R series can claim, and the long and low profile does wonders for centring the ever-popular Boxer Twin. [ Full story ]
7 – Suzuki ‘DRZ Scorpion 434’ by Parr Motorcycles.
When we talk about motorcycles which are built to be fast out on the street, few build a better bike than Spencer Parr. What the American builder does so well, is combine the looks of the dirt bikes we all grew up loving, in a package which is designed to be a rampaging road monster.
Parr believes this is the best bike he’s built to date, which is a big call because every single one of his creations has been incredible. But the attention to detail and the little touches that he spends his time perfecting are what have him at the top of his game, and consistently amongst the world’s best bike builders. [ Full story ]
6 – Triumph Tiger TR6R by Defined Motorcycles.
The Triumph Twin Bobber is one of the defining motorcycles in all of custom culture and to ensure that no stone was left unturned, Michael Scott spent a decade building this beautiful girl he calls ‘Evelyn’. It’s truly the classic case of taking a basket case mess and then slaving for years on end to create a masterpiece.
There was no budget or end date, just taking the time needed to ensure that every aspect of the build was done to perfection. And Michael hit it out of the park, from the flawless panel and paint job, to that smoothed-out front end and brilliant hand-bent board tracker bars; it’s a bike you could simply gaze at for days. [ Full story ]
5 – EVE Odyssey by Bandit 9
If we want to get tongues wagging and the internet to crash, all we have to do is wait for the latest release from Bandit 9. The sci-fi-inspired machines of Daryl Villanueva are literally rolling art and everyone with a keyboard is a critic. But those in the know appreciate the skill and creativity required to pull off these incredible creations, and you’ll find Bandit 9 bikes in museums like the Petersen, M.A.D., and GOMA, and he was commissioned by the late great Bobby Haas.
What makes EVE Odyssey so special is the handbuilt aluminium chassis and the bullet-like bodywork. Some have claimed it was all CGI, but then thousands saw it in the flesh and had to tip their caps to one of the industry’s leading lights. [ Full story ]
4 – Yamaha XT500 from Purpose Built Moto.
It’s been another huge year for Tom and his ever-growing team at the Gold Coast’s PBM, and frankly, just about every one of their bikes could have been in the top ten this year. But it was this simply excellent XT that proved to be a fan favourite and got the slot.
Tom has coined the term ‘RetroCross’ to describe this style of motorcycle that he builds, and the combination of Vintage Moto Cross good looks and modern performance and tech, ticks all of the right boxes. Built to a world-class standard, the bikes are blisteringly fast, reliable as hell, and the looks just hit everyone in their nostalgia feels. [ Full story ]
3- Harley Pan America by Black Cycles.
Stepping up onto the podium and claiming the Bronze, Noel Muller makes his second entry for the year and once again proves that he can indeed make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear. Once we’d done the new bike review, I never imagined we’d see a Pan America on these pages again, but then Noel took the wonky American adventure bike and built the Scrambler of the year.
The sheer genius to be able to deal with a chassis and body that is so unfriendly to customisation is just insane. But then to be able to slim it all down, up the performance and deliver this bad-ass beast in black. Noel, we’re simply not worthy! [ Full story ]
2 – Ducati MHR Mille by BCR
He’s one of the OG’s of the game, Benjie Flipprboi, but despite his enormous success, he had his work cut out in convincing the masses that cutting up a Mike Hailwood Mille was going to turn out just fine in the end. And boy did it, there is no doubt the MHR is a collector’s item, but when Benjie found one in unfixable condition, he set his sights on building something better than even the Bologna factory could imagine.
And with a stunning carbon fibre body and wheels, a torque monster twin as the powerplant and endless engineering excellence, BCR managed to build a Ducati that doesn’t just have looks to die for, but has the performance to put on a show, and claim silver! [ Full story ]
1 – Yamaha ‘SR540MX’ by GM Motorcycles.
To take the top spot and win the gold in 2024, meant having to deliver a one, two-punch, and that’s exactly what we got from Giovanni of GM Motorcycles and his remarkable 1988 Yamaha SR400. The young builder set himself a hell of a task, first building a bike in just six months that was good enough to win trophies at the 2024 Machine Show, which he did. And then throw on the helmet and have a track weapon to win the sideways slide at the dirt track.
And he not only pulled it all off but did it in serious style. Mind-blowingly good bodywork, flawless fit and finish, excellent engineering and one thunderous thumper for an engine. It’s everything any custom motorcycle fan could dream of, and in 2024 it went to number one with a bullet! [ Full story ]
Staff Bike – Harley-Davidson V-Rod by Black Cycles.
The man, the myth, the legend, our own Mark ‘FKN’ Hawwa wears many hats; founder of The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride and Drive, the Throttle Roll Show, Donut Garage and a hell of a lot more. And as part of team Pipeburn he knew that when it came to having his dream bike built, there was only one man for the job, Noel Muller.
The genius behind Black Cycles Australia created this, the V-RACER Harley-Davidson V-Rod, and miraculously transformed the super large liquid-cooled HD, into a slick and sleek cafe racer. [ Full story ]
Young Builder – Harley-Davidson XL1200 Sportster by Cody Jermyn.
It’s the award which proves that our industry is in excellent hands, and our 2024 Young Builder of the Year is Cody Jermyn and his show-stopping Harley-Davidson XL1200 Sportster. What makes Cody’s achievement so incredible is just how many world-class skills he has at such a young age. All of the metal mastery on this magnificent machine is his handy work, from shaping the v-centred tank and killer tail, to sand bending those gorgeous pipes. Cody sweated it out in the paint booth to lay down the beautiful paint, but it was all worth it, with a Best of Show at Choppaggedon and now another award to add to his collection. [ Full story ]
Lastly, we’d like to thank all our readers, the brilliant builders, friends across social media, and all the good people who make the comments section a fun place to compare notes. Stay safe, ride hard, and have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from all of us here at Pipeburn.