Kawasaki KLX650 – Origami For Big Boys

The Kawasaki KLX650 is one of those machines built for a simple purpose: adventure. The KLX650, the more dirt-oriented brother of the KLR650, is widely used across the globe as an inexpensive adventure machine used for long adventurous trips. It’s been in Kawasaki’s lineup for over 30 years. The machine is powered by a 651cc four-stroke single cylinder and water-cooled engine.  A reliable working horse as you can say.

With the ever growing popularity of custom bikes, especially scramblers, the KLX (and KLR) seems a logical pick for custom builders. Just like Billy Pasqua, owner of Benta Handmade Machines from São Paulo, Brasil. The bike you see right here is a cooperation between Billy and Cutterman Co., an independent label of leather apparel and outwear. The bike was built for the launch of the new collection.

“This partnership arose from a passion for motorcycles and a desire to do something innovative with the DNA of the brand,” says Gustavo Oliveira, founder of the Curitiba-based Cutterman Co. “That’s why the Benta Handmade Machines workshop is signed. My Compliments to Billy”.

The donor bike was a 1996 KLX650 with only 8,500km on the odometer. She was discovered in the garage of a friend who “sponsored” the bike for a reasonable price to give the bike a new chance to be ridden. From this point, customizing it to the day of the event has become the goal. “When we introduced this idea to Billy, we saw his eye twinkling. He had a love affair with the Kawasaki and he understood at the time the concept that this bike should have,” says Gustavo. From there it was 3 months of work until the customization was finished.

The most appealing feature of this build is the geometric, Japanese origami-like design with the gas tank as the holy center. Unless the fact that the bike seems heavily modified (and it is), but it’s interesting to know that a lot of the original bike is kept in place. In fact, the only significant changes are the modified frame, custom seat and of course that origami-like gas tank. And of course the removal of all lumpy plastics… The KLR already had a Kabaya USD fork. The seat material is the same used to produce the limited edition jackets. According to Cutterman, the 100% cotton waxed canvas provides waterproof, protection and comfort for those who like to venture on two wheels. The collection features the colors gray and mustard, lightweight flannel lining, leather details and corduroy and caters for all sizes.