Deus Ex Machina X BMW Motorrad:
Reimagining the R 12
For decades, BMW’s GS line has set the benchmark in adventure riding: capable, enduring, and engineered for the long road. While the factory machines are built for performance, the custom world operates on a different wavelength, shaped by interpretation, instinct, and Individuality.
With the BMW R 12 G/S soon to land in Australia, three custom builders were invited to reimagine a BMW R 12 in the lead up. Among them: Nigel Petrie of Engineer to Slide (VIC), Ellaspede (QLD), and our very own Head of Workshop, Jeremy Tagand.
Tagand’s approach began not with action, but observation. Letting the machine speak before tools were touched. “There’s a wildness embedded in its frame, something raw, untamed. My aim was to amplify
that attitude, not mask it.”
The first move was both functional and symbolic: the removal of the airbox. In its place, two DNA filters now sit exposed on the throttle bodies - a direct line to airflow and intention.
But this build wasn’t just about performance. It became a conversation between machine and lifestyle. Referencing Deus Moto gear, in particular a riding jacket, the fabric was deconstructed and repurposed as the seat - trimmed by David at Bad Arse Trim Co. Equal parts irreverent and considered.
The alloy tank and tail section followed, each stripped, sandblasted raw, then masked with a vinyl silhouette lifted from the jersey's graphics.
A final blast over the masked layer revealed a contrast finish: matte and brushed, like industrial intarsia. Tactile, minimal, and unmistakably Deus.
Then came the details. The traditional BMW roundels were removed, replaced with custom-cut Deus badges in electric blue Perspex. The outcome was a quiet nod to the collaborative spirit behind the build.
From there, the R 12 shifted into off-road mode. The stock tires were swapped for a set of Michelin Anakee Wilds, courtesy of Gas Imports, while YSS Suspension delivered a custom, fully adjustable rear shock.
The front end was dialled in to match. While disassembled, the forks, clamps, and bars were stripped and blasted clean. A subtle one-inch rise in the bars
transformed both rider posture and silhouette.
Lighting was refined, not replaced. Stock indicators made way for sleek units by Kellerman, with the fronts discreetly relocated near the oil cooler.
Compact fog lights were added above each cylinder: a nod to true G/S heritage, bringing utility and intent.
The exhaust system followed suit. The factory headers and crossover remained, but the cat was removed and replaced with a custom Y-pipe.
A single SC Project muffler exits stage left, wrapped in black and titanium - a study in controlled chaos, with a sound that speaks for itself.
The result is a machine that honours its lineage without being bound by it: stripped back, purpose-built, and ready to carve its own line.
Featured Articles
Introducing a partnership between MINI JCW & Deus Ex Machina
Deus Ex Machina x BMW Motorrad: Reimagining the R 12
For decades, BMW’s GS line has set the benchmark in adventure riding: capable, enduring, and engineered for the long road. While the factory machines are built for performance, the custom world operates on a different wavelength, shaped by interpretation, instinct, and Individuality.
Deus Spare Parts Division
The Spare Parts project was born out of a desire to clean out the Workshop at Deus Emporium of Post Modern Activities in Venice, CA. Deus ambassadors and resident builders Forrest Minchinton and Ciaran Naran have spent the better parts of their lives racing dirt bikes and most recently contesting the SCORE World Desert Championship full time as the Deus racing team in the Pro Motorcycle Unlimited class.