One of the most iconic automotive enthusiasts in the comic book universe is playboy, philanthropist, and industrialist Bruce Wayne. On film, we’ve seen him driving everything from classic Aston Martins to Lamborghini supercars and even a rather inconspicuous Honda CB750 cafe racer. However, as enviable as those vehicles are, the ones driven by his alter ego, Batman, always excite fans most.
In the 2022 movie ‘The Batman’, Catwoman’s Catcycle was built on a BMW R9T platform by Japanese workshop Cherry’s Company. Following in those footsteps, Indonesian workshop Smoked Garage has produced its own version of a Batcycle at the request of a local Batmaniac.
“We had a client who walked into Smoked Garage Jakarta with a childhood dream—he wanted his BMW R nineT transformed into an iconic Batman motorcycle hommage,” says Smoked Garage frontman Nicko Eigert. “As a boy, he had been fascinated by the sleek, futuristic bikes from the Batman movies, and now, he sought to bring his fantasy to life in a modern café racer design.”
Rather than replicating Cherry’s R nineT, Nicko and his team set out to create a motorcycle that is the embodiment of the Dark Knight’s universe. After tearing down the client’s 2019 model BMW R nineT, they settled on an aggressive cafe racer theme with generous helpings of matte Batman black. The first step in achieving the R nineT’s new look was to fabricate bespoke bodywork. To keep weight to a bare minimum Smoked has opted for a mix of carbon fiber and aluminum components, all made in-house by their capable fabricators.
The new fuel tank is a carbon fiber creation with muscular proportions, classic knee dents, and a modern CNC quick filler. An assemblage of handmade alloy panels surrounds the tank to achieve an integrated look reminiscent of the bodywork of Batman’s rides. At the front is a panel that incorporates the ignition barrel and neck of the frame. Beneath it, a custom radiator surround and joining them all together a set of side panels with grilles that feed the air box. The tail unit is another carbon creation that converts the R nineT into a single seater and it sits on a tightly proportioned custom subframe.
The standout piece of the new bodywork is the front fairing. The bulk of it has been formed from transparent acrylic rather than just the windscreen. This approach gives it the look of a helmet visor and is one of the most unique front fairing we’ve ever seen. The transparent fairing also allows onlookers to admire the premium accessories Smoked has equipped this R nineT with. These include a speedo, mirrors, bar end turn signals and grips by Motogadget, CNC milled clip-on handlebars, levers by Brembo, and a trick LED headlight. Additional aftermarket accessories include tiny Motogadget mo-Blaze Tens3 tri-function LEDs on the tail unit, a custom-made seat, and a set of slick tires.
Content with the engine’s performance, this R nineT’s 1170cc flat twin remains untouched. A pair of Smoked Garage mufflers free things up a little, but most of the performance upgrades are handling-focused. For extra stopping power, the front and rear brake calipers are now Brembo components. The front forks are stock but their internals have been upgraded and there’s a fully adjustable monoshock in the rear. These changes along with the the reduction in weight thanks to the carbon and alloy bodywork undoubtedly sharpen this R nineT’s handling.
To complete the new look, the Smoked team has finished the R nineT in a Dark Knight-themed color scheme. The primarily matte black paintwork covers most of the bodywork, engine, and running gear. Glimpses of carbon add a distinctly modern look to the bike and touches of silver mimic the look of Batman’s gear.
“When the build was complete, the bike looked like it had leaped from the pages of a comic book,” says Nicko and we’d have to agree. Although not as outlandish as his motorcycles tend to be, Batman would look right at home atop this R nineT.
