The German boutique motorcycle manufacturer Krämer blasts onto the page this week with the lightweight Krämer APX-350 MA race bike. Also on offer are a retro-fabulous Ducati 848, a Yamaha Virago café racer, and Thornton Hundred’s hopped-up Triumph Bobber.
2025 Krämer APX-350 MA The lightweight racing world has a new kingpin—the 2025 Krämer APX-350 MA. Designed to separate the wheat from the chaff in the MotoAmerica Talent Cup spec-series, it’s a precision tool crafted for riders serious about honing their craft.
At the heart of the APX-350 MA is a 350 cc single-cylinder engine from a KTM EXC-F enduro bike that cranks 55 horsepower through a 6-speed transmission. That might not seem like a lot, but the bike only weighs 109.8 kilos [242 lbs] so it has a fantastic power-to-weight ratio.
The lightweight design is thanks to Krämer engineering the machine with a race-bred chromium-molybdenum trellis frame. This offers optimal rigidity and balance for the rider while remaining ultra-light. All of the carbon-reinforced fiberglass bodywork is functional—engineered for aerodynamics and further weight savings.
Adjustability is a key feature of the bike, so almost every aspect of the APX-350 MA is tunable to suit the rider’s preferences. The headstock angle, triple clamp offset, swingarm pivot, footpegs, clip-on handlebars, and seat height can all be tailored for different riding styles or track conditions.
Krämer has combined the adjustability with WP APEX suspension, top-shelf Brembo Stylema brakes, and Dunlop slicks wrapped around 17-inch wheels. Thanks to this spec, the APX-350 MA is built to handle tight corners and fast straights with equal prowess.
The bike comes equipped with Mectronik’s MKE7 race ECU, which ties into the ride-by-wire throttle controller, and a range of data acquisition capabilities. A bright, race-oriented TFT display from ECUMaster keeps riders connected to critical information, while a GPS-powered lap timer ensures they can track every tenth of progress.
With a price tag of $22,495, the APX-350 MA isn’t for the faint of heart (or light of wallet). Krämer will be ramping up production for the 2025 MotoAmerica season, with priority sales going to MotoAmerica participants. If you’d like to get yourself a piece of this lightweight pie, you’d better be quick. [More]
Ducati 848 by Rind Performance Robin Ludwig and his Rind Performance crew are back with another European twin-cylinder masterpiece. Heavily inspired by the legendary Ducati Desmosedici RR, Robin’s latest creation is a Ducati 848 built with a nod to classic Ducati styling.
To inject some of that style into the 848, the bodywork has undergone a complete transformation. A new front fairing transforms the angular aesthetic of the 848 into something more akin to the Ducati 750SS. 3D-printed air ducts feed the 849 cc L-twin, and a custom windscreen takes the pressure off Robin’s chest while also cutting a fine silhouette.
The rear subframe, tail section, and Alcantara seat are all custom-made, giving the bike a sleek yet timeless profile. Robin has managed to make the factory tank work nicely with the new front and rear ends, despite the modern lines and construction. Upgraded Öhlins suspension, Brembo brakes, and a set of Marchesini wheels from a Ducati 998 provide subtle upgrades in the looks and performance departments.
The custom exhaust system terminates in a pair of GPR mufflers that poke out from beneath the tail. A low-profile radiator and LED lighting all around add a touch of modernity. Classic Ducati lettering on the Desmosedici-inspired bright red bodywork beautifully bridges the gap between past and present.
Perhaps the most charming feature is the bike’s nickname—’Desmospagedici’—a playful nod to the Desmosedici that hints at Robin’s passion for Italian engineering and cuisine. And really, who can blame him?
It may not have the fully-fledged Desmosedici DNA, but Robin’s Ducati honors the marque’s racing pedigree while adding a healthy dose of character, creativity, and custom flair. We bet it’s a hoot to ride, too. [Source]
Yamaha XV920 Virago by BTC Garage When Yamaha developed the Virago, they probably had no idea that custom builders would go ham on it in the future. With its pressed-steel frame, mono-shock rear suspension, and a huge lump of an engine, the XV has become quite popular for café racer conversions—against all odds.
This custom 1987 Yamaha XV920 comes from Anton and Silvester of BTC Garage in Bulgaria. The XV920 isn’t the lightest of bikes, so a front-end swap is worth it for the braking upgrade alone. Anton and Silvester adapted a complete Yamaha R1 front-end to fit the XV’s steering head, before bolting on an LED headlight, clip-on handlebars, and a new dashboard.
The fuel tank is from a Honda Hornet and looks right at home on the Yamaha frame, painted in a stunning Gulf Racing livery. The rear subframe was made from scratch and finished with a custom solo seat trimmed in grey suede. A thin taillight peeks out from the rear, with the new handlebars and seat necessitating rear-set footpegs to improve the riding position.
The same R1 that supplied its front end also donated the rear shock for a sportier ride, while the rear wheel features a solid cover and a side-mounted number plate. Seeing as the factory rear end was completely removed, Anton and Silvester relocated the battery to a custom battery box, hidden under the swingarm.
To help the engine breathe, the airbox (which is also the frame’s backbone) was upgraded with a new high-flow air filter. Exhaust gases exit hastily through a custom stainless steel two-into-one system that looks appropriately loud.
Anton and Silvester’s Yamaha XV920 is the perfect example of how a simple base can be transformed into something unique—without breaking the bank. [BTC Garage | Images by MadeVision Studio]
Triumph Bobber by Thornton Hundred Thornton Hundred continuously walks the line between heritage and cutting-edge engineering, and their new EVO Triumph Bobber is the latest proof of this. Using the eponymous Triumph Bobber as a base, Jody Millhouse and his incredibly talented team have taken the 1,200 cc bar-hopper and turned it up to eleven.
Manufactured in the famous Motorsports Valley in the UK (home of most Formula One teams), Thornton Hundred has utilized the expertise of the incredible engineers they call neighbors. The custom frame, carbon fiber tank, and revised suspension are the result of their relentless pursuit of perfection. The suspension, supplied by K-Tech, has been updated with sportbike-like geometry for a playful ride, while the Thornton Hundred-branded brakes are custom items from HEL Performance.
Powered by the wonderful Triumph 1,200 cc parallel-twin engine, the EVO Bobber would’ve been fine with the factory power output. However, Thornton Hundred doesn’t do ‘fine.’ Power output has risen from 79 hp to a whopping 120 hp.
Thanks to the custom frame and carbon bodywork, the overall weight of the EVO Bobber is just 169.6 kg [374 lbs]—which makes the improved power delivery even more potent. That’s a full 79.8 kg [176 lbs] less than the factory Triumph Bobber and, as cheekily mentioned on the TH website, 126 kg [278 lbs] lighter than a Harley Davidson Fat Bob.
Suffice it to say, that weight loss translates into increased agility, sharper handling, and blistering acceleration. To match the performance, the bike’s electronics have been upgraded with a slew of Motogadget parts, custom wiring looms, new LED lighting, and a keyless ignition.
The EVO Bobber is also set apart by its exclusivity. Thornton Hundred has limited the series to just 25 units with each one tailored to the specifications of its owner. That makes this bike not just a custom motorcycle but a collector’s piece—an investment in both craftsmanship and engineering excellence. [More]