The spunky Moto Morini STR Sport goes under the knife at Biltwell Inc., while Vietnam’s NUEN Moto begins shipping out its first production electric motorcycle. Over in France, FCR Original treats the BMW R 12 nineT to a slick makeover.
Moto Morini STR Sport by Biltwell Inc.
The Moto Morini STR Sport is something of a sleeper. Propelled by a 650 cc parallel-twin mill, it’s a nimble street carver with sharp looks, decent components, and an attractively low price tag. And, as our friends at Biltwell Inc. have just proven, it responds well to light fettling.
Rather than radically overhaul the STR Sport from top to bottom, the Biltwell crew executed myriad small changes to amplify its best qualities. The minimalist approach also meant they could navigate around the techy bits that make the bike street legal and Euro-compliant.
The team started by stripping off all the Moto Morini’s superfluous factory bits, like the reflectors, decals, and clunky passenger peg brackets. A tasteful tail tidy job took care of the extended license plate bracket, while Motogadget LED turn signals trimmed the bike down further.
The bodywork was subjected to subtle changes. Biltwell cut up the OEM stock covers and added brass screens to them, and ditched the tail section’s rear cowl. Duane Ballard was called in to re-cover the seat, with contrast stitching and mesh-lined grommets adding a hint of hot rod style.
The Moto Morini STR Sport’s candy paint was handled by Hot Dog. Parts that were previously unpainted, like the radiator shrouds and tail section, were matched to the rest of the bodywork, giving the bike a more luxe vibe. The wheels, handlebars, and engine covers were all treated to a gold Cerakote finish, with fresh titanium bolts adorning the motor.
The exhaust was modified to accept a stainless steel Leo Vince muffler, and the tires were swapped for new Pirellis. The guys also added gold-coated Biltwell Inc. foot pegs and CRG bar-end mirrors.
Once the STR Sport was all buttoned up, Biltwell and Moto Morini USA took it on the trade show circuit to show it off. Once its tour of duty was complete, it was handed over to its current owner—Biltwell’s self-taught web developer and long-time staffer, Kenzie Rosenquist. [More]
The NUEN N1-S starts shipping
Every motorcycle startup raises the question: Will this make it to production, or is it vaporware? We featured the first production-ready electric motorcycle from NUEN, the NUEN N1-S, just under a year ago—and we’re pleased to report that the Vietnamese company is about to start shipping units out.
“After months of refining, testing, and securing partnerships with top suppliers, we’re about to deliver the first 100 units—all pre-ordered here in Vietnam,” says the company’s founder, Gia Nguyen.
Now kitted with top-shelf parts from Bosch and J.Juan, the NUEN N1-S features an aluminum frame, 17” wheels, and a sharp neo-retro scrambler aesthetic. Its motor has a maximum output of 24 kW and 190 Nm, with a top speed of 130 km/h. Gia tells us that real-world testing shows a city range of 200 km [124 miles], but the bike has a theoretical range of up to 245 km [152 miles] if you baby it.
The N1-S’s 8.0 kWh battery can be charged from 20% to 80% in two-and-a-half hours at home, or in 45 minutes at a DC charging station. Modern amenities include regenerative braking, ABS, cruise control, and switchable rider modes. The dashboard is an LCD unit with Bluetooth connectivity.
Available in black, blue, and red, the NUEN N1-S retails for the equivalent of $7,000 to $8,000. It’s quickly gaining ground on home turf, with plans to expand beyond Vietnam’s borders already on the cards.
“Demand is already here,” says Gia. “Sales in Vietnam have grown seven times since the gas bike ban in Hanoi’s city center, with even more growth expected before 2026’s full ban in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. We’re also in talks for 300 units in pre-orders from European distributors.” [More]
BMW R 12 nineT by FCR Original
The successor to the BMW R nineT, the BMW R 12 nineT, is still a relatively fresh face on the scene, but it’s quickly gaining traction among custom bike builders. France’s FCR Original has just taken a crack at it, with a sporty street scrambler that takes advantage of the R 12 nineT’s best features.
FCR’s big goal on this project was to add as much visual lightness to the R 12 as possible. Taking advantage of the rear end’s bolt-on construction, they fabricated an elegant subframe while deleting the airbox and relocating the electronics. The wiring now hides under a bespoke tuck-and-roll seat, while the engine breathes through K&N filters.
Small LEDs are tucked into the ends of the subframe’s lower rails, acting as taillights and turn signals. The license plate holder sits lower down, attached to the swingarm.
FCR outfitted the nineT with forged aluminum wheels and Michelin Road 6 GT tires, chosen to give the modern BMW boxer a sporty edge. New LSL handlebars were added for a more aggressive riding position, with Motogadget bar-end turn signals and mirrors adding a touch of class. A blacked-out Titanium exhaust adds an appropriate rumble to the package, while suspension tweaks ensure a plush ride.
The workshop used the project to develop a range of bolt-on BMW R 12 accessories, too. The license plate bracket is one of those parts, as are the radiator guard, headlight grill, and gas cap.
Finished in vivid metallic paint, with striking black and contrasting finishes sprinkled all over, FCR’s BMW R 12 nineT looks like barrels of fun. It’s also the first of many—FCR plans to offer various variants of this design, with a host of personalization options for potential clients.
Tempted? [More]
This article contains affiliate links, which means Bike EXIF may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something we referenced.
