Optimus Praëm BMW S1000RR special Photo Gallery

This insane looking retro-modern race bike has come together by collaboration with BMW Motorrad France and Paris-based custom house Praëm. Run by Sylvain and Florent Berneron, Praëm is well known for its beautiful 1970s and 80s-inspired endurance racing machines. With wild paint schemes, scanty fairings and relaxed regulations, we can see why this was the best theme for the choice.

This S1000RR has taken the Suzuka 8 Hour bike as inspiration and the brothers set about re-designing the ballistic 200bhp BMW.

The ‘Optimus Praëm’ comes with an exhaust from Competition Werkes, Rotobox has made the wheels, Rizoma supplied things like footrests and bars and the tyres are Pirellis.

Praëm says that the bike is around 20kg lighter than the stock bike. The bike was not held back like a piece of art instead it was taken straight to the track.

The classic looking offset headlight which will not actually light up anything. The air intake duct and old-school screen are aesthetically pleasing.

The bike is clearly not a fully faired motorcycle, with the enormous four-cylinder engine on display. The custom made engine covers to make the motorcycle look vintage are done really well.

It’s not all show with this special. The rear features an all-new subframe, which supports a tail section inspired by the iconic Suzuki XR69 and a beautifully with the modified aluminium fuel tank.

We also love the Stäubli endurance-style quick-fill fuel cap system, which suits the overall styling very well. The retro colour scheme is a homage to the first BMW 3.0 CSL art car.