When BMW Motorrad launched the R18 and the R12, they made their intentions clear: they were coming for the cruiser market. But while the stock bikes are impressive, enthusiasts were waiting for a truly unique custom BMW R18 to show the platform’s real potential on European roads.
Ralf Eggl, the mastermind behind the German workshop Woidwerk, looked at these two machines and saw a blank canvas. He didn’t want to build another chrome-laden cruiser; he wanted to inject adrenaline into the heavyweight boxer engine. The result is a duo known as “The Speed Sisters.” They are siblings, not twins—two distinct motorcycles that prioritize handling over heritage.
A Design Inspired by the Bavarian Forest
The first thing you notice is the livery. It’s not a standard racing stripe. The color scheme—dominated by a stark, crisp white with accents of deep green—is a direct reference to Woidwerk’s home in the Bavarian Forest.
Ralf jokes that in his region, the weather consists of “three-quarters winter and one-quarter cold.” The design reflects this: the white represents the snow, while the green symbolizes the brief burst of spring. It’s a brilliant touch that gives this custom BMW R18 and its sibling a narrative beyond just looks.
The Big Sister: A Radical Custom BMW R18
The stock R18 is a massive motorcycle that dominates any room. However, Woidwerk’s goal for this custom BMW R18 was to perform visual and mechanical liposuction. They didn’t cut the frame, but they drastically altered the bike’s stance to make it more agile.
Ralf wasn’t satisfied with the stock ride height, so he turned to Wilbers Suspension to create a custom shock setup. This setup actually raises the chassis by 20mm. In the cruiser world, where everyone tries to go lower, lifting the custom BMW R18 is a bold move. It sharpens the steering geometry and gives the bike a more athletic posture.
To further shed visual weight, the fuel tank was narrowed by 30mm and lifted. This reveals more of the boxer engine and makes the bike look lighter. The rear end features a “floating” seat support—a handmade piece that keeps the tail looking airy. The performance matches the look, thanks to a braking system swapped from the new BMW R1300 GS and a black ceramic-coated Hattech exhaust system.
The Agile Sibling: BMW R12 Customization
If the custom BMW R18 is the muscle, the BMW R12 is the athlete. This build focuses entirely on rider engagement. Like its big sister, the R12 received a suspension lift (15mm) via a Wilbers shock, transforming it from a laid-back cruiser into something that begs to be thrown into corners.
The standout feature here is the tank cover. Woidwerk designed a bespoke cover using CAD software and 3D printed it. Instead of leaving it as raw plastic, they topped it with Alcantara. The interplay between the cold metal, the 3D-printed composites, and the soft fabric creates a texture palette that feels incredibly high-end.
3D Printing Meets Craftsmanship
What makes “The Speed Sisters” so impressive is how Woidwerk blends old-school metal shaping with modern tech. The fairing mounts and taillight housings were engineered in CAD and produced via 3D printing. This hybrid approach allows for a level of precision that complements the hand-finished details of the custom BMW R18.
Final Verdict
With “The Speed Sisters,” Woidwerk has done the impossible: they’ve taken two heavy German cruisers and taught them how to dance. These aren’t just display pieces; they are re-engineered machines. Whether you prefer the agile R12 or the brute force of the custom BMW R18, both bikes prove that the Bavarian Forest is the perfect place to build world-class motorcycles.
