When Royal Enfield introduced the 650 Twin, the company asked Analog Motorcycles to create a custom build that would show off what the platform could do.
For builder Tony Prust, it was the perfect chance to make something that would turn heads. Instead of following the popular scrambler trend, Tony decided to go in the opposite direction.
“Scramblers have been the hot trend for years,” Tony says. “But putting off-road tires on a street bike does not make it a scrambler. For most of the riding these bikes do, those tires just do not work.”
That idea became the start of a very different project. Rather than turning the 650 Twin into a dirt machine, Tony wanted to make it sharper and more focused for the road.
The result was the Grasshopper, a street supermoto with the playful attitude of a dirt bike and the stability of a road-going twin.
The team stripped the Royal Enfield to its bare frame. The chassis was modified, cleaned, and powder coated until it looked brand new.
Up front, a KTM inverted fork conversion was installed with custom springs and Race Tech valving, giving the bike precise steering and better suspension control. At the back, custom-built Hyper Pro rear shocks kept the stance balanced.
Seventeen-inch wheels were laced with custom spokes and fitted with Michelin Pilot Power RS tires for maximum grip. Braking power came from a Beringer six-piston caliper and rotor, giving the Grasshopper the kind of stopping performance that matched its new speed and agility.
The parallel-twin engine was tuned to bring out more character. A custom 2-into-2 exhaust system with an X-pipe and Cone Engineering mufflers gave it a deep, crisp note.
The airbox was removed, and the wiring was rebuilt from scratch with a Motogadget M.unit to keep things tidy and reliable. A Motion Pro throttle gave the rider quick, precise control.
Tony’s love of craftsmanship was clear in the bodywork. He shaped an aluminum mono seat and tail section by hand, then added a custom front fender and number plate.
The fuel tank was modified with a welded-in filler cap. The paint was sprayed by Artistiomo, and Brando added fine pinstriping.
Dane Utech upholstered the custom seat, and CNC-machined foot pegs and tank badges gave the build its finishing touches.
The cockpit was designed to make the rider feel completely in control. Magura X-line SX handlebars, Magura HC3 radial master cylinders, and a Magura Hymec hydraulic clutch conversion were installed.
Lighting came from Denali Electronics, with a custom-mounted M4 headlight, B6 taillight, and Analog Motor Goods Mini Bolt LED turn signals for a clean, compact look.
“We wanted a bike you could take out on a Saturday morning, tear through the city, and still be smiling when you came back,” Tony says. “This one was built to play.”
Before the Grasshopper was delivered to its new owner, the team took it even further. The exhaust was ceramic-coated, and the engine was upgraded with a full suite of S&S Cycle performance parts.
It received an 865 cc big bore kit, head work, performance cam, clutch kit, PowerCommander, and quick shifter. When it hit the dyno, the bike made 65 horsepower at the rear wheel, turning it into a backroad rocket.
The Grasshopper is more than just a custom Royal Enfield 650 Twin. It takes the friendly, approachable nature of the stock bike and sharpens it into something lean and playful.
This is a motorcycle that wants to dart through traffic, dive into corners, and make you grin every time you open the throttle.
Some of the Analog Motor Goods components featured on this build, including the Mini Bolt turn signals and other custom parts, are available at the Analog Motor Goods Store.
[ Built by: Analog Motorcycles | Photography: Daniel Peter ]
