A triple-cylinder hooligan inspired by the Skyline GT-R…
In 1989, Nissan released the R32 Skyline GT-R, an all-wheel-drive street car with a 2.6-liter twin turbo straight-six engine that made 320 horsepower in factory trim…but could and would be tuned to make over 600 hp. The AWD system took inspiration from the Porsche 959, using an electro-hydraulic clutch that allowed the car to remain in full RWD mode on corner exit, which made the GT-R a monster on the racetrack.
The GT-R won all 29 races of the Japanese Touring Car Championship, the 1991 Spa 24 Hour race, a host of other races and championships across the world, and quickly earned the nickname “Godzilla.” It remains one of the most iconic Japanese supercars of all time, a hoonigan‘s dream.
Recently, we heard from our friends at Lisbon’s Unik Edition Custom Motorcycles, who recently completed a Skyline-inspired XSR900 in association with Yamaha Portugal. The XSR makes a fitting donor for such a project — an 847cc / 116-hp triple-cylinder hooligan machine that recalls the Yamaha street bikes of yesteryear:
“Coming from a misspent youth of smoke-belching two-strokes, Yamaha was the brand I turned to most frequently as a spotty teenager in search of cheap thrills…. So when the first proper pictures of the new XSR900 hit the desks at MCN, my jaw dropped.” —Andy Calton, former MCN Editor
For this project, the team started with a JvB-moto kit that included a new front fender, LED headlight and cover, and speedo relocation kit. They painted the bike in an exclusive GT-R color, “Midnight Purple 2,” with gold accents, and fitted a MIVV Ghibli full system exhaust.
The XSR is sporting an arsenal of other additions, including LED lighting and Bridgestone Adventurecross tires. While the bike doesn’t boast as much custom fabrication as some of Unik Edition’s previous builds, it’s one beast of a modern street bike, fittingly nicknamed “Gojira” — an older, alternative spelling of Godzilla. Says headman Tiago Gonçalves of the riding experience:
“A true hooligan bike. It can be very smooth and suddenly at 4000 rpm it turns into a real beast. The exhaust really makes the difference.”
Below, Tiago gives us the full rundown on this two-wheeled Godzilla, with photos from Balaklava.
Yamaha XSR900 Custom: Builder Interview
• What’s the make, model, and year of the donor bike?
Yamaha XSR900, 2021.
• Why was this bike built?
Customer project in association with Yamaha Portugal.
• What was the design concept and what influenced the build?
The concept of the bike was inspired by a Japanese car legend, the Nissan Skyline GTR, which is nicknamed “Godzilla”.
• What custom work was done to the bike?
New paint job in “Midnight Purple2,” which is a Nissan GTR specific color. In the dark it is completely black but when sunlight come it reveals its true color. Yamaha rims, logos, and the Japanese word “Gojira” painted gold.
MIVV Ghibli full system exhaust.
More comfortable and redesigned seat.
JvB-moto kit that includes:
Front fender
LED headlight and cover
Speedometer relocation kit
Motogadget m.blaze pin (front turn signal)
LSL CLUBMAN Clubman mirrors (black)
Rizoma Fox license plate support kit
HeinzBikes BLOKK-Line series LED 3in1 (rear turn signal)
New tires:
BRIDGESTONE ADVENTURECROSS SCRAMBLER AX41S 120/70 R17 58H
BRIDGESTONE ADVENTURECROSS SCRAMBLER AX41S 180/55 R17 73H
• Does the bike have a nickname?
“GOJIRA.”
• Any idea of horsepower, weight, and/or performance numbers?
Engine: 847 cc liquid-cooled DOHC inline 3-cylinder 4- stroke; 12 valves
Power: 86 kW (115 hp) 10,000 rpm
Torque: 88 Nm (65 lbft) 8,500 rpm
Weight: 429.9 lb (195kg)
• Can you tell us what it’s like to ride this bike?
It’s a very impressive and insane bike. A true hooligan bike. It can be very smooth and suddenly at 4000 rpm it turns into a real beast. The exhaust really makes the difference.
Can be very fun to ride. It’s very fast bike that requires concentration to ride hard.
• Was there anything done during this build that you are particularly proud of?
The overall bike concept. Keeping the bike road legal.
Follow the Builder
Web: unikmotorcycles.pt
Facebook: @unikmotorcycles
Instagram: @unikmotorcycles
In association with @yamahamotorpt.
Photographer: www.wearebalaklava.com | @we_are_balaklava | @o_senhor_tigas
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Very nice.
A plea for photographs that are bright enough to see the bike
Beautiful setup with great color scheme and looks ,love it!!