If there is one thing we always love to see from the big motorcycle manufacturers, it’s getting behind a good old-fashioned bike build-off. And Triumph Motorcycles has stepped up and taken things global with its 2025 Triumph Originals competition. This isn’t just about bolt-on bling or chasing likes. It’s a full-throttle celebration of what makes the Bonneville range a timeless canvas for creativity. And now, it’s your turn to weigh in. The global vote is open, and five jaw-dropping builds are battling for the crown.
The theme? Icons of British Originality. But the interpretation? Wildly universal. Triumph tapped a host of teams from around the world: Canada, USA, Mexico, Brazil, France, Italy, Thailand, and the UK, each paired with local custom builders to push the Bonneville platform into new aesthetic and mechanical territory. The only rules: pay homage to British culture and show off master-level craftsmanship. But that list then had to be narrowed down to the final five, and some heavy hitters were called in for the job.
The judging panel reads like a who’s who of moto royalty. Spain’s Quique Berna of Tamarit Motorcycles brings that refined café eye. Portugal’s Ricardo Pessoa from Coolnvintage has a reputation for turning vintage into modern icons. Japan’s Kengo Kimura of Heiwa Motorcycle represents that Zen-like perfection. And finally, Triumph’s own Steve Sargent offers the OEM’s insight into what makes a great bike truly legendary.
Brazil’s offering, the “Gaijin”, hits like a dark uppercut to the café racer genre. Built by São Paulo’s Shibuya, it’s based on the Speed Twin 1200, but it’s more stealth fighter than Street Twin. Highlights include a scalloped paint job that catches the light just right, a reworked rear section that looks like it’s slicing through the air, and subtle tank creases that add motion even at a standstill.
France is never one to shy from elegance, and FCR Original went full retro-futurist with their Speed Twin 1200 RS dubbed “Hail to the Twin.” The real hero here? That parallel twin motor. Everything about this build puts the engine on a pedestal. From the one-off rear wheel to the stripped-back rear, it’s a rolling tribute to Triumph’s 1937 Speed Twin innovation, with hand-plated copper and gold leaf for a little French flex.
From Milan, Giuseppe Carucci of South Garage Motor Co. delivers a neo-deco masterpiece that oozes 1930s and ’40s elegance. Working off the Bonneville Bobber, Carucci didn’t just change parts, he rebuilt the whole damn chassis. Precision forks, tailored bodywork, and a commitment to luxurious understatement make this a two-wheeled time machine for the modern gentleman.
Bangkok’s Zeus Custom went full street-style with a twist of practicality. Their Bonneville T100, titled “Art of Motorcycle,” features a Zeus-signature short exhaust system, laser-etched branding, and perhaps the wildest touch of all, custom leatherwork with a built-in wallet. It’s bespoke, it’s badass, and it makes some other café seats look like Ikea flat-packs.
Finally, the UK brings the thunder home with “The Bonneville Sunraiser.” Built by Stockwell Design at Triumph London, this T100-based riot is all polished aluminium and rock’n’roll swagger. Inspired by the 1960s British music scene, it’s loud in all the right ways, with bright colours, stainless finishes, and a custom cursive Triumph logo that would make Lennon nod in approval.
Voting is now live, and while public opinion will weigh heavily, Triumph’s judges still get a final say. On August 12, 2025, the global winner will be announced. Until then, dive into the builds, cast your vote, and remember: this isn’t just a contest. It’s a celebration of originality, obsession, and the Bonneville’s unmatched ability to inspire custom bike builders around the globe.
[ Vote here ]