Not a lot of people may know this, but Indonesia is home to some of the best motorcycle builders in the world. That’s especially true for Studio Motor, which has given us past masterpieces like the Harley-Davidson Softail->ke1819 Rebellion, the Harley-Davidson Sportster->ke1818 Warrior, and most recently, the Kawasaki Versys 650 Scrambler Temper.

The Versys 650 Scrambler Temper really is something else. I must say, a big chunk of the credit goes to Danny Aryianto who spearheaded this beautiful creation, turning what is already an impressive-looking Versys 650 into a bonafide scrambler that can rock any road it travels on. And if you’ve ever been to Indonesia, that particular skill from a motorcycle will come in very handy.

Aryianto and his crew at Studio Motor actually kept most of the Versys 650’s mechanicals intact. The rolling chassis remains the same and it’s quite obvious by the road stance of the bike. It’s in the bike’s aesthetics where we see the difference, particularly the offset rear shock absorber - a signature design by the Versys - which has been hidden to underscore the swooping changes in the aesthetics of the bike. This kind of aftermarket bravado is typical of Studio Motor so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the custom bike shop made the change at the expense of reconfiguring one of the most noticeable elements of the Versys 650.

Studio Motor didn’t just stop there, either. Most of the body panels were also removed, revealing the bike’s inner guts for all to see. That’s a hat tip to the classic Scrambler look and it works perfectly on the Versys 650. Likewise, the two OEM fenders were removed and replaced with custom-crafted ones that are less aggressive-looking and more in tune with the whole design language of the Tremor. The rear fender, in particular, is smaller than the original, extending with subtlety from the ribbed custom seat.

The front end of the bike offers yet another sign of Studio Motor's comprehensive style customization of the Versys 650. The unmistakable front end of the original Versys 650 was taken apart in favor of a more classic Scrambler look, complete with round headlights and simpler off-road bars that rids itself of the OEM mirrors that extending outward like a sore thumb. In fact, the Tremor doesn’t have any mirrors at all, which might not be the best idea.

Overall, Studio Motor hit all the right notes with this custom project. It kind of makes you wonder why Kawasaki doesn’t just build its own scrambler, especially if it can come up with something that looks as spiffy as the Versys 650 Tremor.

Continue reading to read more about Studio Motor's Kawasaki Versys 650 Tremor.

Why it matters

I was fortunate enough to see some of Studio Motor’s past works in person and for what it’s worth, the custom bike brand’s reputation has been well-earned.

The custom bike shop’s work on the Kawasaki Versys 650 is as strong as it is fresh. I personally didn’t think it was possible for a sportsbike like the Versys 650 to be transformed into a scrambler, but somehow, Studio Motor found a way to make it work.

It’s just too bad that most of us here in the US won’t be able to enjoy the incredible talents of this fine custom bike shop. I know that there’s already a lot of incredible bike shops around here, some of whom are as capable as Studio Motor in building impressive custom bikes. But for what it’s worth, I think that this Indonesian company would fit right in with some of the finest American tuners in the country.

In case you’re curious to see some of its past works, I’m inviting all of you to check out the company’s website. It’s got some impressive aftermarket projects in its portfolio, some of which are Harley-Davidson models. Give it a whirl and you’ll see what I’m talking about.

Trust me when I tell you. Studio Motor knows what it’s doing, and it’s got a whole lineup of projects to prove it.