Trail 150 Concept from Brilliant Motorcycles…
In the early 1960s, Honda’s CT90 — aka Trail 90 — introduced a whole new generation to motorcycles and the adventures that begin when the paved road ends. The Trail 90 had an automatic clutch, bulletproof 4-stroke 89cc engine, and a high/low-range transmission that offered a total of eight speeds, giving the little step-through bike great pulling power for its size.
Today, with scalpel-like 450 enduros and globe-trotting heavyweight adventure bikes, it might be easy to look down at the minuscule CT, but these underbone-style trail bikes were light enough to go where bigger bikes couldn’t. They were also cheap, easy to fix and transport, and just plain fun.
A few years ago, Honda released a modernized version, the Trail 125 (aka CT125). The new model has ABS, fuel injection, makes 8-9 horsepower, and weighs 256 pounds. That might not sound great on paper, but just like the original, the Trail 125 punches well above its weight class in terms of versatility, style, and fun:
“The simple, light fun of a motorcycle like the Trail 125 makes you feel good in a pure way not matched by many vehicles. It’s the combination of its handy, agile chassis, automatic clutch, and a demeanor that says, ‘Relax and enjoy the scenery.'” –Cycle World
However, the Trail 125 is only available in limited markets. In many places, there isn’t much of an alternative for a lightweight, underbone-style bike with off-road chops and modern niceties like fuel injection. In one of the world’s most moto-centric countries, Indonesia, the crew at Brilliant Custom Motorcycles decided to take matters into their own hands. They would forge a Trail of their own…
Their base? Not a Honda, but the more readily available Suzuki Satria F150. The fuel-injected liquid-cooled four-stroke Suzuki is actually a bit of a hot rod for an underbone bike. The 147cc DOHC four-valve engine makes 18 horsepower, and the 240-lb bike is good for 88 mph — that’s double the power and 30 mph more top speed than a Trail 125.
Brilliant Custom Motorcycles did most of the fabrication work on the Honda Tiger 200 we recently featured, which boasted a hand-crafted tank, swingarm, fenders, bash plate, side covers, subframe, seat, bracketry, and more…so you know the BCM crew has some serious fabrication chops.
This build is one of several Suzuki Satria “FU150” Trail concepts they’ve recently created, and they spent around two months converting the modern commuter bike into the machine you see here.
“We made the Satria FU with a special body design, made with our own hands, which definitely changes the appearance of the original…. The material we use is galvanized iron plate; it definitely makes it sturdy and strong.”
Along with the new body, the “FU150” Trail is now running spoke wheels with dual-sport tires, inverted forks, bash plate, high fenders, high-mounted exhaust, rear luggage rack, off-road bars, LED headlight with gravel screen, and more.
The end result is a custom-made Suzuki that echoes both the new Trail 125 and the CT series of the 1960s, but is significantly more aggressive, powerful, and stylish.
Bravo to the Brilliant Custom Motorcycles team for completely transforming a boring commuter into one of the baddest Trail-style underbone bikes we’ve seen. Below is our interview with the BCM team, with a bit more detail, backstory, and detail shots.
Suzuki Satria FU150 Trail: Builder Interview
• Please tell us a bit about yourself, your history with motorcycles, and your workshop.
Our workshop was founded in 2014. We really enjoy working on and building custom motorbikes, from then until now.
• What’s the make, model, and year of the donor bike?
The motorbike model is a 2013 Suzuki Satria 150cc, built into a custom Honda CT125 concept.
• Why was this bike built?
This motorbike is made to order.
• What was the design concept and what influenced the build?
Honda CT125 concept, I think nothing influences it.
• What custom work was done to the bike?
The work process took around two months. We made the Satria FU with a special body design, made with our own hands, which definitely changes the appearance of the original Satria FU150. The material we use is galvanized iron plate; it definitely makes it sturdy and strong.
• Can you tell us what it’s like to ride this bike?
This motorbike is very good to ride, very stable. It actually seems like this motorbike is very good for long trips, such as touring.
• Was there anything done during this build that you are particularly proud of?
Yes, I am very proud to build a motorbike like this, because there are many enthusiasts in our country.
• Is there anyone you’d like to thank?
Thank you to the owner of this motorbike, Instagram user name @reffie_coker.
Follow the Builder
Builder: @brilliantcustom.motorcycles
Parts: @brilliantcustompart.id
Motorbike owner: @reffie_coker
Photographer : @bysptra_99
LOVE IT! Would love it a bit MORE if it had just a bit more cc’s (= MORE HP)!
But looking at the specs…compared to Honda’s Trail 125…I’m impressed w/this bike!
Suzuki should take this concept and run with it! I’d buy one! (Maybe 2!)
“Kudos” to the builder! Outstanding creation…looks like something Suzuki built themselves.
I would buy one myself!
Very hep !
I love the build! However, what is the side black tank? Is it for petroleum storage? How does one place an order through your company? What is the cost?
the black side tank holds extra fuel.
groovy.