Tropic Thumper: Yamaha 225 “Stiletto” Scrambler

Bali has become a hotbed of custom motorcycle culture. The volcanic mountains, rich jungle trails, and endless miles of beach simply beg to be ridden on dual-purpose machines, and the custom scramblers and trackers built on this 95-mile-wide Indonesian island continue to inspire builds across the rest of the world. You can see some of the Bali-built customs we’ve featured here — quite the stable!

Recently we got in touch with a new friend, Fikri (@fiikam), who works at Yamaha Bali. His job requires a lot of outdoor activity on the island — lucky him! — and his go-to machine has been a Yamaha WR155R — a street-legal dual-sport inspired by the larger and much-lauded WR250R. However, Fikri wanted something with a bit more character and vintage charm:

“I just bored with a regular factory motorcycle even though it gives a better riding experience.”

We know that feeling! He’d been wanted a custom bike of his own since high school, and last year he finally had the opportunity. The base for this build is a bike we see a lot in the Indonesian market, the Yamaha Scorpio 225, also known as the SX225.

It’s become such a popular platform because it’s affordable, reliable, plentiful on the used market, and the air-cooled technology lends itself to vintage-style builds. What’s more, the Scorpio is pretty dang fugly in factory trim — making it a prime candidate for customization.

Fikri says he was inspired by the motocross bikes of yesteryear:

“I was inspired by vintage MX bike silhouettes, but I wanted it to be safe to ride on a daily basis, so I added lights, etc. on it.”

We’ve been seeing bikes done up in this style a lot of late — modern bikes with a vintage, nostalgic aesthetic.  Retromods, we’re calling them. Fikri outfitted the bike with KLX150 forks, twin-shock KYB suspension, 21″/18″ TK Racing wheels wrapped in Dunlop rubber, custom fenders/subframe/swingarm, and handmade VMX-style tank and handlebars.

The result is a reliable, street-legal 2010 thumper that looks straight out of the late 70s — like a smaller sibling to the XT500.

Below, we talk to Fikri for the full story on the build, and share more photos from photographer @krhisnade.

Yamaha “XT225” Scrambler: Owner Interview

• Please tell us a bit about yourself, your history with motorcycles, and your workshop.

My name is Fikri, I live in Bali, Indonesia. I’ve been interested in the motorbike scene since I was in high school, but I was only able to make my own motorbike last year, 2020.

• What’s the make, model, and year of the donor bike?

The donor bike is a Yamaha Scorpio 225, 2010 (Indonesian market).

• Why was this bike built? (Customer project, company promotion, personal, etc.)

It’s my personal project. Since I work at Yamaha Bali, I do a lot of outdoor activity that requires a dual-purpose bike, so I came up with an idea to build my own bike. I used to ride a Yamaha WR155R before, but I just bored with a regular factory motorcycle even though it gives a better riding experience.

• What was the design concept and what influenced the build?

I was inspired by vintage MX bike silhouettes, but I wanted it to be safe to ride on a daily basis, so I added lights, etc. on it.

• What custom work was done to the bike?

• RM125 fuel tank — handmade replica
• TK Racing 21” front wheel and 18” rear wheel
• Dunlop D952 tires
• Kawasaki KLX150 front fork
• KYB rear suspension
• Rear subframe work
• Handmade vintage MX handlebar
• Customized front and rear fender

• Does the bike have a nickname?

I called my bike “Stiletto.”

• Can you tell us what it’s like to ride this bike?

Riding a 225cc single-cylinder in a tropical country, your right hand is always twisting, especially when going off-road.

• Was there anything done during this build that you are particularly proud of?

Honestly, the fun thing is in the process. When you go back and forth to the workshop to see how far your motorbike has come. And when it’s done, you can finally ride the motorbike that’s been in your head for months.

Follow the Owner: @fiikam

Photographer: @krhisnade