This Insane Twin-Turbo Subaru WRX-Engined Motorbike Is Garage Project Building At Its Best

We love a good project build, and this custom-designed motorbike with the modified boxer heart of a Subaru Impreza WRX has floored us
This Insane Twin-Turbo Subaru WRX-Engined Motorbike Is Garage Project Building At Its Best

This is all you need to see if you ever wanted an explanation of why we love all things petrol-powered. It’s a jaw-dropping combination of brutal power, (nearly) flawless aesthetics and, above all, amazing dedication. Also, possibly beer. Lots of beer.

A New Zealand toolmaker by the name of Marcel van Hooijdonk is the man responsible for this, the Mad Boxer. It’s built around an old 2.5-litre Subaru WRX engine, which pretty much earns the bike’s name on its own.

Image: Lindsay Gibb
Image: Lindsay Gibb

The four-cylinder EJ-series boxer lump is one of relatively few tuner-appropriate engines that are readily available in New Zealand. With official approval granted for his design sketches and build plans, Marcel got to work on his handy CNC milling tools and lathe. It’s always an advantage if you’ve got that sort of stuff in your garage…

Amazingly, he didn’t exactly take the easy route. Conventional-style forks were an option but Marcel plumped for the much more exotic – and technically vastly more difficult to build and set up – single-sided steering arm. The rear suspension uses a single-sided swingarm as well; the whole thing is stunning, with just a hint of steampunk, especially around the swingarms. A rim-mounted disc at the front is squeezed by a six-piston caliper.

Image: Lindsay Gibb
Image: Lindsay Gibb

The turbo was switched from the standard WRX snail, a big individual unit for maximum boost, to a smaller twin-turbo setup lifted from a Subaru Legacy. Size constraints mean it has no flywheel to speak of, but the claims say it runs amazingly smoothly.

With this much power and torque a gearbox is pretty much superfluous. It has a Japanese two-speed automatic and simple chain drive to sent power to the back. With no clutch needed, the two handlebar levers are brakes, like on a mountain bike or a moped.

Remote video URL

There are one of two signs of shedgeneering, like the wonky rear mudguard (or fender, if you prefer). What a beast of a project, though! Marcel, we salute you. We only have brief footage of the bike testing, but we’d love to see more.

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Comments

SAVAGE DOGG (Ping-Pong Gang) (Corvette Squad)

He could name the bike after a boxer because of the engine 😏

10/12/2017 - 08:37 |
10 | 4

Muhammad Ali?

10/12/2017 - 08:56 |
16 | 2
Anonymous

This is possibly what any carguy and any bike guy wants.

10/12/2017 - 08:57 |
18 | 0
Anonymous

Dodge: pfft

10/12/2017 - 08:58 |
134 | 0
Adrien Duval

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Maserati: pfft

10/12/2017 - 10:47 |
72 | 0
Olivier (CT's grammar commie)

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Oh boy the original Tomahawk, I completely forgot about this concept

10/12/2017 - 10:47 |
6 | 2
AAA Insurance

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Random man: pfft

10/13/2017 - 03:56 |
4 | 2
H5SKB4RU (Returned to CT)

When you are a biker but rallying is life

10/12/2017 - 09:05 |
32 | 2
TheRealBouss

This. This is why we love cars, bikes, and all kinds of automobiles. This is probably my dream bike. I’m seriously having a moment of epiphany

10/12/2017 - 09:23 |
10 | 0
Anton 3

Ever heard of Boss Hoss? V8 in a motorcycle.

10/12/2017 - 10:10 |
4 | 0
Nicolas Scagnoli

In reply to by Anton 3

I think they have the same transmission?
2 speed bar shift.

10/12/2017 - 14:01 |
2 | 0
EJ22 (A&P Performance co-owner)

Was expecting a low, deep rumble of the S-Boxer. Got a yelling R2D2

10/12/2017 - 11:25 |
52 | 0
Jamezzz92

Why can I hear R2D2 screaming? Is he in there?

10/12/2017 - 20:06 |
2 | 0
Spartan Night Glider

Neat idea, and I do love the concept of having that boxer rumble on a motorcycle, but how is the owner gonna vape while he rides?

10/13/2017 - 01:33 |
4 | 0