Speed Read: The Ready-to-Race 2026 KTM 450 Rally Replica and more

Planning to tackle the Dakar Rally? The 2026 KTM 450 Rally Replica has you covered. If modern café racers are more your thing, we have a Honda CB550 from The Netherlands and a Ducati SportClassic from Australia to sate that appetite.

2026 KTM 450 Rally Replica The biggest news from KTM’s camp recently was the massive cash injection from its long-standing partner, Bajaj, that brought it back from the brink of bankruptcy. But despite the rollercoaster that the embattled Austrian marque has been on, it hasn’t skipped a beat with new product releases.

KTM’s newest release is good news for privateer rally racers; the 2026 KTM 450 Rally Replica is here, and it’s as desirable as ever.

For the uninitiated, the KTM 450 Rally Replica is the physical embodiment of the brand’s slogan, ‘Ready to Race.’ It comes equipped with everything you need for professional rally racing, tuned with data gathered from the big hitters that have piloted KTM’s bikes to victory over the years.

A 450 cc fuel-injected engine powers the KTM 450 Rally Replica, helped along by a hydraulic clutch and a six-speed transmission. Dual radiators are primed for desert use, while the bike’s three fuel tanks hold a combined 34.5 liters [9.1 gallons] of petrol.

The Rally Replica’s frame consists of laser-cut and hydroformed sections, featuring an aluminum swingarm at the rear. Pro-grade WP Suspension components complement the chassis, offering high levels of compliance and adjustability. There are also CNC-machined triple clamps and a Scotts steering damper.

You also get a fully-loaded cockpit, featuring a rally-specific fairing mounted to a carbon fiber navigation tower, KTM’s proprietary rally dashboard, and LED lighting. Tasty goodies abound—like the titanium Akrapovič exhaust system—and the bike is finished in a mostly-white paint scheme, leaving plenty of space for sponsor logos.

KTM is only producing 150 of these, along with five hyper-exclusive Sanders Edition replicas. These five bikes celebrate KTM’s return to the top step of the Dakar Rally podium this year with rider Daniel Sanders.

Each is wrapped in a full Red Bull KTM Factory livery and comes with a smorgasbord of upgrades ranging from look-fast parts to bona fide go-fast parts.

If you’re able to pony up for one of the ultra-limited super-special edition models, you’ll also get a VIP package for the KTM Europe Adventure Rally—a three-day, brand-specific event, at which Sanders himself will hand over your bike. [Source | Images by Marco Campelli]

Honda CB550 by Nius Moto Chiel Nipius exploded onto the custom motorcycle scene a few years ago—going solo as Nius Moto after making his bones at the famed Dutch workshop, Ironwood Custom Motorcycles. The youngster wowed us with a pair of flawless Honda CB550 customs on his debut, and now he’s back with another.

Chiel’s guiding principle on this Honda CB550 project was minimalism. He started by lopping off the Honda’s subframe and welding in a custom-made loop. Next, he cleaned up any exposed bits of the frame so that nothing would look out of place.

The CB550’s OEM fuel tank is still in play, but the fenders are hand-rolled parts. Jowi Paulissen took care of the leatherwork on the bespoke saddle.

Chiel threw a handful of big-ticket items at the CB550, including Avon Roadrider tires, YSS shocks, and Delkevic exhaust headers that terminate in an SC-Project muffler. A Motogadget speedo sits up top, with a Koso LED headlight mounted up front.

The front forks were rebuilt and treated to a set of covers with integrated headlight mounts. A billet aluminum Nius Moto speedo spacer is attached to the front wheel, replacing the original speedometer pickup. “It’s perfect for running a digital speedo to clean up the front,” explains Chiel.

Chiel sells the speedo spacer via his web store, along with a couple of other machined pieces—like a plug to cover the original tacho drive and billet aluminum valve covers. “The aluminum parts were inspired by Justin Webster,” Chiel tells us.

“I saw his CB550 years ago on Bike EXIF and it was honestly the best one I’d ever seen. He created some CNC-machined parts for it, but they are nowhere to be found. So I can’t take all the credit.”

There’s a healthy balance between modern and retro details on Chiel’s CB550. The billet parts are juxtaposed with the engine, which sports alternating brushed and polished finishes. Peak under the hood, and you’ll find a modern wiring harness, built around a Motogadget mo.unit box.

Tying everything together is a timeless livery, based on Jaguar’s Sherwood Green color with brushed silver details. A textured matte black finish adorns the frame, while Nius Moto logos on the side covers ape the debossed style of the Honda tank badges.

From its compact proportions to its perfect stance and impeccable finishes, Nius Moto’s Honda CB550 is the definition of tasteful. [Nius Moto | Images by Paul van Mondfrans Lindén]

Ducati SportClassic by Purpose Built Moto Given its cult following, customizing the legendary Ducati SportClassic is risky business. But that hasn’t deterred Australia’s Purpose Built Moto. Shop boss Tom Gilroy reckons that they’ve built more Ducati SportClassics than any other Ducati model.

“I’ve always loved the style and ride feel of the two-valve, air-cooled Ducati 1000,” he explains. “I understand how they operate and know how to style them—whether that means major modifications, or subtle touches that enhance the bike’s already iconic styling.”

The commission for this 2008-model Ducati SportClassic came from a customer who was familiar with PBM’s work—specifically their portfolio of SportClassics. So he knew right away that his bike was in good hands. The brief was to retain a measure of the SportClassic’s DNA, while amplifying its performance and style.

PBM focused on the front end first. The fairing had been modified previously and was showing signs of damage. So the crew replaced it and braced it with an upgraded bracket. The client requested two trims for the bike—full- and half-faired—so PBM responded with fairing lowers that can be swapped out in 20 minutes.

Moving to the tail end of the SportClassic, PBM fabricated an aluminum rear hump that echoes the lines of the original, but is slimmer overall. The subframe was massaged to suit the new design, while Jamason at Timeless Auto Trim covered the saddle in Alcantara and leather.

PBM also kitted the bike with stunning 17” wheels from Jonich in Italy, built to the shop’s spec. Delivered in a striking gold finish, they feature polished stainless steel spokes, some of which were coated in gold to add extra detail. They’re shod with Pirelli Diablo Rosso tires.

Not wanting to neglect the Ducati’s engine, PBM added high-compression pistons, performance cams, and a DNA Filters airbox upgrade, with Cube Performance dyno-tuning the bike to the tune of 95 horsepower. A pair of asymmetrically mounted hydro-formed mufflers add an appropriate soundtrack.

Ride Dynamics sorted out the suspension, equipping the forks with Öhlins cartridges, a gold nitride coating on the stanchions, and a black anodized finish on the uppers. Fully adjustable Öhlins TTX shocks were fitted to the rear.

There are tons of details to take in—like the handmade front fender and laser-cut belt covers. But the real highlight is this Ducati’s slick red and black paint job. Handled by frequent PBM collaborator Popbang Classics, it also boasts exquisite gold leaf striping.

“The end result is a motorcycle that any Ducatisti will instantly recognize as a SportClassic, then be drawn in by the finely executed custom parts,” says Tom. “While bikes like this sometimes upset the purists, they always strike intrigue in any rider who understands the intense focus and patience needed to create a bike that’s both true to its form and completely unique.” [Source]

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Dirty Deeds, Done Well: A Honda XL500 Flat Tracker by Gas & Oil

Taking on someone else’s motorcycle project is a gamble. Low prices can lull you into a false sense of security, especially when you’re motivated and capable—two qualities that Gas & Oil Bespoke Motorcycles have in abundance.

Polished, high-end custom motorcycles are Gas & Oil’s usual fare, so this fantastically filthy Honda XL500 flat tracker is a little left field for them. It was originally delivered to their Prague workshop in numerous boxes, but because it was an XL500 and the price was right, shop boss Matěj Sysel bought it.

As soon as the basket case was spread out on the workshop floor, the team experienced the more painful side of buying an unfinished project; numerous parts were broken or missing. With this realization, the excitement of a new project waned, and the Honda XL500 was mothballed until they could decide what to do with it.

One thing was certain, though—the bike was destined for race use only. “A: we were drawn to flat track racing,” explains Matěj, “and B: the bike didn’t have registration papers. Progress was slow, and we used leftover parts from customer builds, because we didn’t want to put too much money into it.”

Choosing a flat track race bike made the build process simpler, since many of the parts that were missing or broken were now obsolete. Working between more pressing projects, the Gas & Oil crew gradually transformed the ratty Honda into a dirt track-ready machine.

Their first step was to adjust the XL500’s geometry to suit flat track racing better. That meant changes to the subframe, suspension, and wheels.

BMW K100 front forks were lowered and fitted with a new steering stem. The rear shocks are basic units that were sourced from the Gas & Oil spare parts pile, but Matěj suggests that they’ll likely be upgraded soon.

A shiny set of 19” Excel rims was bought from a friend of the shop (finished in gold, as is the law for vintage Honda enduro bikes). The front hub came from a Honda CRF250, so a custom front axle was made to slide into the BMW forks. The front brakes were removed too, so the only stopping power now comes from the XL500’s OEM rear drum brake. Shinko flat track tires were spooned onto the new rims, ready for action.

The front end also sports a custom flat track number plate and a set of fork boots to keep the dirt out of the seals. But other than that, there isn’t much to it.

Tall Renthal flat track bars sit further back, with squishy Progrip grips at each end. A tethered killswitch was installed, along with a new throttle assembly and clutch lever.

The short, narrow tank came from a Yamaha RD, and was slightly customized to fit the Honda. It’s attached to the backbone via custom brackets, and sits ahead of a custom-made Alcantara seat.

Gas & Oil modified the subframe to suit the new shocks, which are mounted lower and further forward to optimize the rear geometry for racing. The combination of the kicked and looped subframe and the skinny aluminum fender creates a great mix of classic enduro and flat track styles, while simple number plates double up as side covers.

The engine that’s currently in the bike is an amalgam of three different XL500 units—so the team is keeping a close eye on it. But since it’s a single-cylinder Honda, it’s safe to assume that it will stand up to the constant abuse that comes from racing.

The burly stainless steel exhaust was built in-house, with the twin exhaust ports coming together in front of the bottom end, before terminating in an upswept Sharon muffler.

Since Gas & Oil’s Honda XL500 flat tracker was unlikely to stay clean, the crew picked a livery that they knew would look good when filthy. They painted it in a classy black and gold scheme, complemented by Honda-stylized Gas & Oil logos on the tank. Then they took it to the track to finish it off in layers of hard-fought dirt.

Gas & Oil Bespoke Motorcycles | Facebook | Instagram | Images by Ondrej Zdichynec

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European Auto Repair Dallas: Why Paradise-Performance is the Premier Destination

In the heart of Dallas, where luxury European vehicles grace the streets, finding a specialized repair shop that truly understands the intricacies of these prized automobiles can be challenging. European Auto Repair Dallas technicians can be costly, Paradise-Performance is the difference. Combining technical expertise with personalized service, every interaction feels authentic and one-of-a-kind.

Table of Contents

1. The European Auto Repair Difference
2. Specialized Expertise for Luxury European Brands
3. State-of-the-Art Technology Matches European Innovation
4. The Value Proposition: Dealership Expertise Without Dealership Prices
5. Beyond Repairs: Building Relationships
6. The Paradise Performance Difference in Dallas
7. Experience the European Auto Repair Excellence

The European Auto Repair Difference

European automobiles, including those from BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Porsche, and other prestigious European companies, have unique engineering in comparison with those from America or Asia. To fix these powerful cars, you need knowledge, tools, and parts that are available only in qualified European auto repair stores.

Paradise Performance has established a good reputation by paying attention to the important differences. The technicians at European car garages have extensive education that prepares them to work on everything from simple upkeep to difficult problems most other garages wouldn’t know how to tackle.

Specialized Expertise for Luxury European Brands

If you use a dedicated shop for European cars in Dallas, you are sure to find experts who only deal with these sophisticated cars. Working on European cars, the technicians at Paradise Performance truly understand how each brand is different in their engineering.

Because of their specialized knowledge, they may recognize possible problems before they turn into bigger issues. The knowledge that the team has allows them to give exact diagnoses, complete repairs quickly, and ensure their clients get great service.

What truly distinguishes Paradise Performance from other European Auto Repair Establishments In Dallas?

To start with, Paradise-Performance is very knowledgeable about European vehicle systems. Their technicians continue learning from European makers to ensure they always work with the latest auto technology. Because they always keep learning, they know about the newest models and technology before many Dallas cars have even been introduced. Besides, their specialized machines are configured to European requirements, which guarantees precise repair each time.

Paradise Performance technicians also maintain extensive documentation on each vehicle they service, building a detailed history that helps predict maintenance needs and prevent unexpected breakdowns. This proactive approach to European auto care translates to exceptional vehicle longevity, allowing Dallas owners to enjoy their prized European automobiles for years beyond typical expectations. Many clients report their vehicles performing better after Paradise Performance maintenance than when they first drove them

State-of-the-Art Technology Matches European Innovation

European automakers are at the forefront of automotive technology, continuously pushing boundaries with advanced engineering solutions. Properly servicing these vehicles requires equally advanced diagnostic equipment and tools.

Paradise Performance has invested heavily in factory-level diagnostic technology—the same sophisticated systems used by dealerships, but without the premium pricing. This technological edge allows them to:

• Access manufacturer-specific codes and data
• Perform precise calibrations to factory specifications
• Program and update complex electronic systems
• Diagnose intermittent issues that might elude less equipped shops

The Value Proposition: Dealership Expertise Without Dealership Prices

Many European vehicle owners face a difficult choice: pay premium prices at dealerships or risk subpar service at general repair shops. Paradise Performance offers a compelling third option—dealership-level expertise and equipment at significantly more reasonable rates.

Their customers save an average of 30-40% compared to dealership pricing while receiving the same (and often superior) level of service. The shop achieves this by maintaining a focused business model centered on European vehicles, eliminating the overhead associated with new car sales departments and manufacturer marketing requirements.

Beyond Repairs: Building Relationships

What truly sets Paradise Performance apart in the Dallas European auto repair landscape is their commitment to building lasting relationships with clients. They understand that a vehicle isn’t just transportation—it’s an investment and often a passion.

Their service approach reflects this understanding:

• Thorough explanations of recommended services in clear, non-technical language
• Transparent pricing with no hidden fees or unnecessary upsells
• Flexible scheduling to accommodate busy Dallas professionals
• Courtesy vehicles available for longer repairs
• Digital vehicle inspection reports with photos and videos

The Paradise Performance Difference in Dallas

Dallas drivers have unique needs—from handling the extreme summer heat that challenges cooling systems to navigating urban traffic that puts additional stress on braking systems.

Paradise Performance’s European auto repair services are tailored to address these local conditions.

The shop has served the Dallas European auto community for years, building a loyal following of clients who appreciate their combination of technical excellence and personalized attention. From vintage Mercedes enthusiasts to executives with the latest Audi models, their diverse clientele trusts them with valuable vehicles.

Experience the European Auto Repair Excellence

For owners of European vehicles in Dallas, Paradise Performance offers an exceptional repair experience. Whether clients need routine maintenance, complex repairs, or simply want a second opinion, the team is ready to demonstrate why they’ve become Dallas’s premier destination for European auto care.

Visitors to Paradise Performance discover what true European auto repair expertise looks like—where technical mastery meets exceptional customer care, all delivered with transparency and value that respects the client’s investment.

European automobiles deserve nothing less than paradise. Drivers throughout the Dallas area are encouraged to contact Paradise Performance today to schedule an appointment and join the family of satisfied clients.

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Small Bike, Big Smile: A 125 cc Honda Cub chopper from China

Based in Hangzhou, China, the mononymous RoninSu doesn’t have a bona fide workshop. But what he does have, is a wild imagination, a handful of handy skills, and an undying devotion to choppers.

Those qualities have culminated in this nutty Honda Cub chopper. Built by RoninSu over six months, the stretched Honda underbone has more chopper swagger than some bikes twice its size.

As far as RoninSu is concerned, the key to building a radical chopper is getting the ingredients right. “In my opinion, chopper building is an art of subtraction,” he explains, “but that doesn’t mean you don’t consider every detail and proportion. Each step of the process requires careful consideration before it can be executed.”

RoninSu may have started the project with a humble Honda Cub, but very little of the donor bike remains. For starters, the engine’s been swapped out for a 125 cc mill from the popular Chinese motorcycle manufacturer, Zongshen.

Then there’s the most obvious change—the Cub’s bespoke hardtail frame. RoninSu tells us that he started with a stock frame, but he’s done so much cutting, stretching, and adding, that it’s hard to tell which bits remain.

The resulting twin-beam chassis gives the Cub a 1.54-meter [five-foot] wheelbase, with the front forks measuring a whopping 94 cm [about 3 feet]. It’s a neat design too, with the upper tube flowing seamlessly into the rigid rear triangle. The Cub rolls on 18F/16R wheels, with a handmade aluminum fork brace adding some stiffness to the front end.

CNC-machined yokes hold the forks in place, while dog bone risers clamp custom-made handlebars higher up. The semi-automatic Zongshen engine doesn’t require a clutch lever, RoninSu has removed the front brake, and the Cub is devoid of turn signals or a speedo. So all you’ll find in the cockpit are a pair of chopper grips and a throttle.

Gear shifts are executed via a custom-made hand shifter, mounted down low on the left-hand side of the bike. RoninSu has retained the original footpegs, but he’s also mounted ‘highway’ pegs further forward.

The bodywork consists of a modified six-liter [1.6-gallon] peanut tank and an elegant ducktail-style rear fender. Wedged between them is a classic quilted seat, built on a handmade fiberglass seat pan.

RoninSu kept the original pressed steel section that lives under the Cub’s saddle, modifying it with new side covers. It now not only hosts the battery but the ignition barrel too.

The Honda Cub’s only lighting is a small headlight up front, with a chromed bucket and yellow lens, and a simple LED taillight. The former is attached to the lower yoke via a hand-crafted mount. The latter is embedded in the bike’s custom sissy bar, which sports a coiled design inspired by safety pins.

The sissy bar holds the license plate too, and is flanked by a perfectly-placed torpedo muffler.

The pint-sized chopper’s livery was designed by RoninSu and executed by his local paint shop. It’s an all-burgundy affair, with enough flake in the mix to make the color flip in the sunlight. Intricate airbrush and silver leaf details on the tank add another dose of quintessential chopper style.

The mere idea of a Honda Cub chopper is hardly conventional, but RoninSu has never bothered with convention. “Almost all worries and fears come from one’s own imagination,” he reasons. “Only when you really do something, will you discover how happy it can make you.”

RoninSu Instagram

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Dusty Smiles for Miles: A Kawasaki KZ750 Scrambler from Poland

Dive into Kawasaki’s lore and you’ll discover machines like the Kawasaki KZ750—a twin-cylinder beast that never quite reached the icon status of the manufacturer’s four-cylinder Zeds. Go even deeper, and you’ll find the mythical KZ750 LTD.

It was common practice in the late 70s and early 80s for Japanese brands to release special versions of their bikes with cruiser underpinnings. And that’s exactly what the Kawasaki KZ750 LTD was. Known as the Z750B in Europe, and sometimes referred to as the Z750 Special, it had a smaller rear wheel, higher handlebars, and a more curvaceous seat than the standard KZ750.

Those features were at odds with the plans Sylwester Mateusiak had for the 1980-model KZ750 LTD, though. Sylwester runs the Polish custom shop Eastern Spirit Motorcycles, which has a knack for creating custom bikes that somehow feel both raw and refined.

Eastern Spirit started the project over a decade ago, but the forlorn KZ750 LTD was constantly shelved to make space for other jobs. It was only recently that Sylwester decided to drag it back onto the slab and give it the attention it deserved. And we’re glad he did.

The idea was to build a scrambler that could bop around the city as well as it could blast down fire roads. That meant that all the KZ750 LTD’s bodywork had to be tossed, along with its subframe. And it meant that the Kawasaki’s laid-back geometry had to be radically revised.

New suspension and wheels were key to sorting out the KZ750’s stance. The upside-down Kayaba forks were lifted from a KTM LC4 Enduro, refurbished, and fitted to the KZ. The rear shocks came from the Polish suspension specialists Sanchez, and were tailored to this project.

Eastern Spirit also ditched the bike’s OEM alloy hoops, fitting the 21F/17R wheels from a Yamaha XT-series bike instead. There’s a drum brake out back, with a Nissin caliper and floating disc from a Honda VFR750 up front. Dual-sport tires from Michelin (front) and Mitas (rear) offer a balance of on- and off-road capability.

With the bike now standing tall, Eastern Spirit fabricated a custom subframe to create a cleaner line across the top. It terminates in a kicked-up loop, sitting above an abbreviated rear fender.

The rear fender is a bespoke aluminum part, as are the front fender, headlight nacelle, and sump guard. Each part is perfectly proportioned—which is probably why Sylwester didn’t apply any paint. A solo seat with suave tan upholstery completes the set.

Stunning details abound. The fuel tank includes a housing for a fuel gauge, secured with a brass ring. The headlight is mounted on elegant handmade brackets, while the taillight sits on a strut attached to the swingarm.

The scrambler-style bars sport a custom brace with bronze brazing at the joints. A Daytona speedo sits off to the side, with a set of LED warning lights tucked against the bar risers.

Going deeper, Eastern Spirit stripped the engine, replaced anything that wasn’t in tip-top shape, and rebuilt it. It looks as good as new, with fresh paint and thoughtful brass details. The shop saw to the wiring too, with a scratch-built wiring harness.

No scrambler is complete without an appropriate exhaust system, and Sylwester knocked this one out of the park. Twin headers snake around the engine, running along the left-hand side of the bike and terminating in a pair of conical silencers. A pair of custom-made heat shields keep the rider’s leg safe.

Eastern Spirit’s Kawasaki KZ750 scrambler is finished off with a removable luggage rack, plus space to mount two Rotopax tanks (one for fuel and one for water). So not only is it sleek and stylish, but it’s ready to munch miles too.

Eastern Spirit Instagram | Images by Mateusz Stankiewicz

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