Sound and Fury: Yamaha WR450 “Skeleton V2” by Le Motographe

Yamaha WR450 Supermoto Custom

The WR450 “Skeleton” returns…in supermoto trim!

Recently, we featured the work of French workshop Le Motographe, builders of this stunning Yamaha WR450F custom enduro — an “extreme scrambler” whose lightweight exoskeleton supported a handmade gas tank, airbox, exhaust, mufflers, headlight, and red leather seat. The bike weighed 22 pounds less than the original, with more power and lots of lovely engraving. The bike was a hit with our readers and even made Bike EXIF’s Custom Bikes of the Week.

Yamaha WR450 Supermoto Custom

Now Jerome and Yvan are back with a supermoto version, the “Skeleton V2 SM.” According to Jerome, they plan to build a few versions of the WR450F Skeleton, each sold with plug-and-play kits allowing for enduro, supermoto, and/or flat track use:

“The Skeleton bike will probably be created in a few copies! It will be sold with 1, 2, or 3 of those plug and play kits, giving the owner the ability to change his bike for different uses, depending on his mood, while still being efficient in those 3 categories.”

Yamaha WR450 Supermoto Custom

We can’t think of a better platform for this modular customization, as the WR450F — the enduro version of Yamaha’s 450 motocrosser — has proven its prowess in each of these disciplines.

Yamaha WR450 Supermoto Custom
“The Sound and the Fury.”

Below, we catch up with Jerome from Le Motographe to learn more about the WR450 custom supermoto, the “Skeleton V2 450 SM.”

Yamaha WR450 Custom Supermoto: Builder Interview

Yamaha WR450 Supermoto Custom

Did you use the same “skeleton” frame as the V1 Enduro? Any differences this time?

For the frame, the concept is the same. It is a lil bit larger, with some shapes differences on the front, which permit us to modify the shape of the airbox and the tank, which is actually 2 litters bigger.

Yamaha WR450 Supermoto Custom

What other modifications did you make to the stock WR450F?

The exhaust is not the same at all, with two mufflers under the aluminium tail fender, the all exhaust is handmade.

Yamaha WR450 Supermoto Custom

The wheels are 17″ for supermoto use.

Yamaha WR450 Supermoto Custom

We also put a Brembo brake system on the front.

Yamaha WR450 Supermoto Custom

Forks and suspension are set up for supermoto, too.

Yamaha WR450 Supermoto Custom

The headlight is not the same either.

Yamaha WR450 Supermoto Custom

The bike is still lighter and more powerful than before.

What do you call this supermoto version?

This version is called skeleton #2 SM. We are probably going to purpose a tracker version too, with a special kit for it (exhaust, fork & suspension, headlight, seat).

Yamaha WR450 Supermoto Custom

 

Where can people see this version in real life?

The bike will be for sure at The Bike Shed London, and then at Wheels and Waves. If anyone misses the bike in those events, don’t worry. It will be exhibited in some other events this year, but nothing sure — we’ll keep in touch 😉

The Skeleton bike will probably be proposed in few copies..! It will be sold with 1, 2 or 3 of those plug and play kits. Giving then to the owner the possibility to change his bike for a different use, depending of the mood and still efficient in those 3 categories.

Yamaha WR450 Supermoto Custom

More Details Shots

Yamaha WR450 Supermoto CustomYamaha WR450 Supermoto Custom Yamaha WR450 Supermoto Custom Yamaha WR450 Supermoto Custom Yamaha WR450 Supermoto Custom Yamaha WR450 Supermoto Custom Yamaha WR450 Supermoto Custom Yamaha WR450 Supermoto Custom Yamaha WR450 Supermoto Custom Yamaha WR450 Supermoto Custom

Follow the Builder

Web (Coming Soon): www.atelierdumotographe.com
Facebook: @lemotographe
Instagram: @lemotographe

 

2 Comments

  1. Ted LeCraw

    I want one

  2. This is a real custom – bloody awesome – great detail finishes – attention to detail and a belief in what they wanted to create. Build is out there and is a tribute to thinking about how the flow of design should be executed. I’m a road race fan not really a supermoto fan but this is the prototype version of what supermoto could be. Think of it as the “Ducati” of supermoto! Cest Magnifique mon ami. Thank god we have a real custom on show and when are you bringing out the cafe racer version? LOL
    oh and whoever made that pipe…i want a version for a 06 FZ1

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