Rind Performance builds a street-legal Super Hooligan…
One of the world’s best-known custom bike builders, Roland Sands, has an impressive racing pedigree: He was the 1998 AMA Pro 250GP National Champion. Over the years, he’s worked to develop racing series that lower the barrier of entry for would-be racers and merge the custom and racing worlds in new ways.
The RSD Super Hooligan series is a product of that work — a championship series featuring heavyweight, street-based machines racing head to head:
“Super Hooligan racing features 750cc and up twins, 420-pound-plus, air-cooled, water-cooled and electric, high-bar motorcycles with racers competing on a multitude of surfaces.“
The series started on flat tracks around the country, but has now moved to road race circuits with a 2022 championship that includes four events in conjunction with MotoAmerica.
Here at BikeBound, we’re huge fans of Super Hooligan-style bikes, and so is our friend Robin Ludwig of Rind Performance, whose high-performance BMW “Flatbanger” builds we’ve featured on the blog. Now Robin is back with a 2014 BMW R nineT:
“Initially, I bought the motorcycle to tour on, but that changed a bit because I like Super Hooligan racing too much. So I decided to build my one of my own.”
The modifications include Brembo brakes, Kineo Racing wheels with Cup2 rubber, an Öhlins TTX rear shock, a custom tail section made from an old Honda unit, genuine BMW paint, and an original Super Hooligan front number plate, provided thanks to Roland Sands Design. Says Robin of the riding experience:
“It’s very powerful but also easy to ride, because a good bit of weight has been subtracted. The rims and tires alone saved 6kg. It’s a pure fun bike that stands out. I would advise every R NineT owner to install the damper from Öhlins. It is worth every penny.”
Below, we talk to Robin for the full details on this “Super Hooligan R NineT.”
Super Hooligan R NineT: Builder Interview
• What’s the make, model, and year of the donor bike?
Its a BMW R NineT euro3, the first model from 2014.
• Why was this bike built?
Initially, I bought the motorcycle to tour on, but that changed a bit because I like Super Hooligan racing too much. So I decided to build my one of my own.
• What was the design concept and what influenced the build?
The design was inspired by the Super Hooligan racing series by Roland Sands. I thought the R NineT would be a great basis for that. In the Super Hooligan field, there is one rider who races an R NineT.
• What custom work was done to the bike?
Brembo M4 brake caliper, Brembo RCS19 brake pump, RCS16 clutch pump, Magura handlebar, Kineo Racing Wheels, Cup2 tires, Akrapovic manifold, Öhlins TTX damper, custom-made rear tail from an old Honda and small self-made diffuser, original Superhooligan front plate, and paint is “Twilight-violett” from BMW.
• Does the bike have a nickname?
“SuperHooligan R nineT.”
• Can you tell us what it’s like to ride this bike?
It’s very powerful but also easy to ride, because a good bit of weight has been subtracted. The rims and tires alone saved 6kg. It’s a pure fun bike that stands out. I would advise every R NineT owner to install the damper from Öhlins. It is worth every penny.
• Was there anything done during this build that you are particularly proud of?
I’m very proud of the rear end of the motorcycle. The Honda tail fits perfectly with the R NineT, and I also really like the original Super Hooligan front plate. Thanks to Roland Sands Design. ✌
Follow the Builder
- Robin Ludwig: @mr.ludolf
- Rind Performance: @rindperformance
“YIKES”…”WOW”…and those sort of exclamations!