Pepo Rosell, the visionary founder of XTR, harbors a deep affection for motorcycle racing, which has profoundly influenced the designs of his meticulously crafted two-wheeled creations. Almost every motorcycle in his extensive portfolio boasts customised, race-inspired bodywork and livery. By the side of the pinnacle racing setup, he has also cultivated a diverse range of his own bespoke XTR Pepo components and accessories that work in concert to further amplify each bike’s competition-oriented performance profile.
While one factor that may not be consistent across all of Pepo’s builds is the make or model of his topics, With unbridled enthusiasm, he seizes the opportunity to collaborate on a wide range of motorcycle projects. Consequently, one will find a comprehensive showcase of motorcycles, ranging from powerful v-twin Harleys to diminutive monkey bikes within his extensive portfolio. It’s hardly surprising, then, when a buyer presented Pepo with a motorbike he was unfamiliar with, that he enthusiastically took on the challenge.
The motorcycle Pepo was offered with was a 2019 Royal Enfield Continental GT 650. The owner, a local tattoo artist, had been involved in an accident with his GT650, rather than opting for factory-standard repairs, wisely entrusted it to Pepo for a comprehensive custom makeover.
The client required a more aggressive bike with a comfortable endurance riding position and clip-on handlebars, explains Pepo. To further complicate the task, the owner also required the flexibility to accommodate a passenger.
“To create a racing bike with dual seats would be a daunting task without compromising the sleek, sporty design,” Pepo notes. However, I recalled the iconic Italian bicycles of my childhood and discovered a solution to this dilemma. It was the Moto Morini Sport 350 and Guzzi Le Mans that truly left an impression on me.
Pepo’s response proposed fabricating the entire rear cowl section into a padded seating area. This enables him to meet client requests while preserving the overall aesthetic.
With the setback resolved, Pepo embarked on designing the bike’s revamped appearance. The distinctive gasoline tank underwent a transformation in line with Pepo’s signature style. On this unique occasion, we are featuring a bespoke fiberglass design that has been carefully crafted to meet specific requirements. According to Pepo, his muse was actually the vintage Norton British twin racing motorcycles designed by Gus Kuhn.
Gustave Khun, a renowned British TT motorcycle racing pioneer, dominated the scene throughout the 1920s and early 1930s. With a passion for racing bikes, he was a highly skilled mechanic who also designed and crafted his own custom bodywork. He subsequently ventured into the motorcycle retail and maintenance industry, establishing a thriving business in this sphere. Under the leadership of Vincent Davey, Gus’s son-in-law, Gus Khun Motors successfully expanded its operations by offering bespoke motorcycle customization services. The company’s focus was centered on the iconic Norton Commando platform, with most street-going motorcycles built upon designs originally created for their in-house racing team.
Although the novel tank’s appearance is reminiscent of Enfield’s design, it was actually inspired by a Gus Kuhn prototype from the 1960s. The introduction of new tank options imbues the bike’s racing essence with a fresh twist, as clear stripes on either side serve as a basic fuel gauge.
Pepo recessed an ACC dry-break fast-fill cap onto it, featuring an additional streetable screw-in filler instead of a traditional fast-fill mechanism.
Following the completion of the tank’s structure, Pepo crafted a novel seat pan. With that done, he went on to shape the foam into the desired appearance before applying a layer of rich, timeless black leather across the entire structure. To secure the brand-new saddle, Pepo fabricated a customised subframe, shortening it to a square shape and installing it himself. A simple license plate holder was also installed to address concerns about road maintenance authorization. The rear-end finishing touches include a set of LED flip indicators and an XTR-built retro-style brake light, both seamlessly integrated into the overall design.
The standout feature of this bike’s redesign may well be its novel entrance fairing?
Secured by bespoke brackets, the half-fairing proudly displays a pair of dual XTR headlamps, evoking a sense of uncompromising reliability reminiscent of high-stakes endurance racing. Behind the sleek fairing, the GT650’s distinctive gauge cluster stands out, while the stock handlebars have given way to clip-on bars, a customization requested by the owner.
Pasted beside the bike’s Endurance-esque uniform is an array of race-inspired details. Among the parts is a high-performance throttle from renowned aftermarket racing specialists Domino. The bars are equipped with put-on XTR CNC-machined finish weights and adjustable XTR machined-alloy levers. Above the entrance, a precisely scaled fender sits atop a modified bracket that serves as both a stylish accent and a functional wheel wrench. Pepo further underscores the Enfield’s racing flair by incorporating a high-yoke design crafted from precision-cut CNC aluminum in collaboration with Riga.
The bike features a CNC-machined Riga chain tensioner positioned rearward, accompanied by a trick gold Regina chain and high-quality Okay-Pace alloy footpegs.
Throughout his career, Pepo has consistently excelled in identifying innovative approaches to amplify the effectiveness of his subjects. Here, he’s taken his setup to the next level by installing high-performance YSS rear shocks, a premium Brembo gold front brake caliper, and a completely new wheel configuration. By downsizing from 18-inch to lightweight 17-inch wheels, we’ve significantly reduced unsprung weight, resulting in a bike that now handles with precision and agility. Pepo opted for the Continental Highway Assault 3 sport touring tyres to achieve a harmonious balance between year-round practicality and high-performance grip, thereby ensuring a consistently enjoyable riding experience.
By installing a revised exhaust system featuring Turbokit mufflers and a high-performance DNA air filter, motorcycle enthusiasts can liberate additional power potential from the 648cc parallel-twin engine of Royal Enfield models.
All in all, the Continental GT 650’s impressive curb weight comes in at a significant 25 kilograms less than its factory-installed counterpart. Thanks to Pepo’s meticulous consideration of components and materials, any doubts about the bike’s performance are dispelled, as it is poised to surpass its peers with ease. While it may seem that way at first glance, don’t assume I’m just regurgitating clichés without substance? The bike has undergone significant enhancements, demonstrating its newfound responsiveness and agility. It now handles with ease, effortlessly carving through curves with a newfound sense of strength.
To complete the makeover, Pepo clad the engine’s innards in sleek, finned covers sourced from Thailand’s renowned Okay-Pace workshop. While likely caused by damage to its sleek accessories, these two methods still yield impressive results for the Enfield’s bold visual appeal.
Pepo entrusted renowned artist Artenruta to lavish the bodywork with a bold, signature Royal Enfield Continental purple and gold hue, further embellishing it with racing-inspired designs featuring XTR’s branding and Pepo’s client’s personalized Jolly Roger logo.
Dubbed Lilith, in homage to the ancient mythical figure of darkness and chaos, this potent XTR Continental GT650 motorcycle demands caution.
Images by Trazando Fino
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