Street Tiger: Honda Tiger Revo 200 Custom

Honda GL200 Tiger Revo CustomHonda Tiger Revo: A Handmade Transformation for Urban Streets…  

The Honda GL200, also known as the Honda Tiger Revo, is a 200cc single-cylinder street bike popular in Indonesia. Production began way back in the early 1990s, and although the bike went through several redesigns of the years, it remained true to form as an utterly reliable naked bike. The air-cooled SOHC engine put out about 17 horsepower, and the Tiger attracted a large following over the years.

Honda GL200 Tiger Revo CustomToday, the GL200 and Tiger Revo make great platforms for custom builds. They’re plentiful, affordable, mechanically simple, and no one is going to shed a tear at transforming the rather uninspired OEM aesthetics.

The 2017 GL200 / Tiger Revo you see here was a collaboration between three key contributors: Kevan Cahyadi (designer / architect), Juli Purwantoro (execution lead / contractor), and Brilliant Motorcycles, the workshop where the build was carried out. Together, the team wanted to create a custom that would work well in the concrete jungle of their home nation’s cities, built for a slightly taller than average rider:

“Designed specifically for Indonesia’s urban streets, this build balances precision, aesthetics, and practicality, making it perfect for riders over 170 cm tall.”

Honda GL200 Tiger Revo CustomKevan did an amazing job designing the bike in 3D with a keen eye for balance, harmony, and proportion, while Juli and the Brilliant Motorcycles crew executed the vision to perfection. The sheer amount of fabrication that went into this build is seriously impressive.  The tank, swingarm, fenders, bash plate, side covers, subframe, seat, and bracketry were all hand-crafted just for this build. The result is a completely one-off urban “Street Tiger” with vintage enduro style and production-level execution.

Honda GL200 Tiger Revo Custom

Below, designer Kevan gives us the full story of the build, including the thought processes, challenges, and custom work that went into the build. It’s especially neat to see the design stage of the build, and how well the actual bike matches the render. Well done, guys!

In the Builder’s Words…

Honda GL200 Tiger Revo Custom

The Challenge: Dimensions and Proportions

The primary challenge was redesigning the subframe to create a new wheelbase and ground clearance. These adjustments ensure the small single-cylinder engine appears larger and more proportional to the overall bike and its rider. Every measurement was meticulously calculated to achieve a balance between aesthetics and functionality—be it the subframe length, the front wheel rake angle, or aligning the headlamp with the tank.

Honda GL200 Tiger Revo Custom

A Handmade Masterpiece

Nearly every component of this bike is handmade. The tank, front and rear fenders, engine mudguard, side covers, subframe, seat, brake caliper brackets, and even the swingarm were crafted manually. Each element was carefully shaped and refined to ensure harmony between form and function, catering to the demands of urban traffic, flyovers, and congested streets.

Honda GL200 Tiger Revo Custom

A Collaborative Effort

This project came to life through a seamless collaboration between three key contributors:

Kevan Cahyadi (Designer)
Kevan played the role of the “architect,” crafting the concept and detailed design. He focused on proportional accuracy to ensure the final product was both functional and visually striking.

Juli Purwantoro (Execution Lead)
Acting as the “contractor,” Juli directed the metal shaping process and ensured quality control. His expertise brought the design to life, with precision in shaping the tank, subframe, seat height, and aligning the headlamp with the tank.

Honda GL200 Tiger Revo Custom

Brilliant Motorcycles (Workshop)
As the hands-on workshop, Brilliant Motorcycles executed the technical build under Juli’s guidance. This collaboration ensured every detail matched the vision, much like constructing a finely tuned piece of architecture.

Honda GL200 Tiger Revo Custom

Designed for Urban Functionality

The bike was tailored for daily urban use, handling Indonesia’s bustling city streets, flyovers, intersections, and traffic jams—where highways or toll roads are not an option. The design ensures agility and comfort in tight spaces while maintaining a striking presence on the road.

Honda GL200 Tiger Revo Custom

The Result: A Handmade Statement

This project demonstrates how creativity, collaboration, and attention to detail can transform a modest motorcycle into a standout piece of functional art. Without relying on expensive parts, this build emphasizes handcrafted excellence, delivering both practicality and character for urban riders.

Honda GL200 Tiger Revo Custom

Follow the Designer / Builder

Design: @kevancahyadi
Execution: @julipurwantoro x @brilliantcustom.motorcycles

One Comment

  1. Brilliant design and execution! We see many beautiful bikes come out of Indonesian workshops, time after time.
    The only thing I would change to suit my personal taste is a slightly bigger headlamp; this one looks a bit “lost” at the top of the forks.
    Also, the minimalist mud-guards are not practical: when it rains in Indonesia, it pours seriously.
    But once again, a very beautiful bike.

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