Most people don’t realize that Kymco started out as an overseas manufacturer for Honda. In 1993, the Taiwanese company started building and marketing their own two-wheeled products. Today, they’re one of the world’s largest scooter manufacturers, and they’ve supplied engines for the BMW G450X enduro, BMW i3 range extender, and others.
They make a wide range of motorcycles, including the KTR 150 — a popular “white plate” motorcycle in Taiwan, where larger motorcycles are subject to high taxes and twice yearly safety inspections. Recently, we featured Zoth Moto’s KTR 150 street scrambler, and now we’re excited to feature this custom KTR 150 scrambler / tracker from S.M.F. — a repair and customization shop located in Tainan, Taiwan. We especially like the Vince and Sam worked to make the bike appear larger, including a custom subframe, bigger GB250 tank, and burly GSX-R forks.
Below, we get the full details on the project.
KTR 150 Street Scrambler / Tracker: Builder Interview
• Please tell us a bit about yourself, your history with motorcycles, and your workshop.
We’re S.M.F bike workshop from Taiwan. My name is Vince, and my partner is Sam. We’ve been work on the motorcycle over a decade. At the beginning, Sam opened this workshop and I was his customer. Before we built a project bike, we were only just a motorcycle repair shop. After I joined this workshop, I tried to convince Sam that we needed to do something different and became who we are now.
• What’s the make, model, and year of the bike?
It’s 2008 Kymco KTR 150.
• Why was this bike built?
It’s a customer project.
• What was the design concept and what influenced the build?
I try to build a motorcycle which is a little bit more European style.
• What custom work was done to the bike?
The only one thing I didn’t customize is the engine. I tried to build the frame to make it look bigger. Because this is a small engine, and it looked skinny. I chose the GSX-R750 forks and the rear suspension from Gears Racing. I used the fuel tank from a Honda GB250. I made things a little different inside the fuel tank, I tried to keep the wiring harness and the battery under the fuel tank. I want to make everything as clean as possible.
• Does the bike have a nickname?
Not yet.
• How would you classify this bike?
It’s definitely scrambler.
• Was there anything done during this build that you are particularly proud of?
Everything. =)
Love it but…
Twin front discs on a 150?