BMW R1200R by Lazareth

The restrained Lazareth build

Calling any Lazareth build restrained feels risky, but the BMW R1200R custom is subtle compared with the workshop's V8 quads and film vehicles. The commission came from a French client who wanted a neo-retro scrambler. Lazareth answered with a motorcycle that kept the boxer engine and rear Paralever suspension but rebuilt the rest of the visual and structural character.

The result sits between cafe racer and scrambler. It has the compact tail and forward visual weight of a cafe build, but the chunky Continental Twinduro tires, upright stance, and simplified bodywork point toward scrambler territory.

Quick facts

What Lazareth kept

The heart of the R1200R remained BMW. Lazareth kept the boxer engine and the Paralever rear suspension, two pieces that define the R1200R's mechanical identity. That decision was smart: the exposed boxer cylinders give the finished custom a recognizable anchor, while the shaft-drive rear keeps the bike from becoming a generic cafe silhouette.

Everything around those pieces changed dramatically. The stock Telelever front end was removed, the chassis was replaced with a new tubular structure, and the bike's mass was visually pushed forward through the short tail, broad front tire, and large headlight.

Front-end conversion

One of the most important engineering moves was replacing the BMW Telelever setup with widened Yamaha YZF-R6 sportbike forks. The swap gave the bike a more conventional custom-motorcycle profile and allowed Lazareth to fit the chunky Continental Twinduro tires that define the build's stance.

The braking package also became more aggressive, with large front discs and multi-piston calipers. That was not just a visual upgrade. A heavy boxer roadster with a custom chassis and grippy tire package needs braking hardware that matches the new intent.

Design details

The cockpit was stripped back to essentials: simple bars, bar-end mirrors, minimal lighting, and a small analog instrument. The bodywork avoids decorative excess. Instead, the bike relies on proportion: short seat, exposed frame, broad front end, visible boxer engine, and high-impact tires.

The Ixil exhaust with dual sculpted aluminum mufflers adds a sharp modern detail without overwhelming the retro-scrambler theme. It is a good example of why this build works: the parts are aggressive, but the total shape still feels disciplined.

Why the R1200R stands apart

CustomAutoMoto already has a BMW R nineT guide, but the Lazareth R1200R is a different subject. The R nineT became famous partly because BMW designed it for customization from the start. The R1200R was a more conventional roadster, so Lazareth's transformation required deeper structural work.

That distinction matters for enthusiasts comparing BMW customs. The R1200R shows what happens when a builder starts with a less customization-focused BMW platform and changes the chassis, front end, stance, and visual balance around the boxer engine.