What happens when you combine the artistic flair of a custom motorcycle build with the capabilities of a high-performance rally racer? The result is this stunning WR450F, meticulously crafted by the French duo of Le Motographe.

Le Motographe is a small shop run by two passionate individuals: product designer Jérôme Mawois and fabricator Yvan Bertona. Nestled in the quaint town of Castries in southern France, they specialize in creating one-of-a-kind custom motorcycles tailored to the unique visions of their clients; no flashy showpieces here.

This particular project was inspired by a previous build by Le Motographe, known as the "Skeleton," which was based on an older WR450 model and successfully raced by Bertona in multiple categories at the 2019 Wheels and Waves event in Biarritz, France. The Skeleton's distinctive naked appearance and handcrafted tubular frame caught the eye of a customer, leading to the creation of this updated version.

Starting with a modern, fuel-injected, aluminum-framed WR450F as the foundation, Le Motographe stripped away nearly everything, retaining only the engine cradle and the engine itself, which received enhancements through new fuel-injection mapping.

One of the most notable features of this build is the exquisite trellis frame designed and crafted by Le Motographe, providing support for a custom-made aluminum fuel tank and airbox. While the tank offers a capacity greater than the stock eight liters, it doesn't aim to rival Yamaha's factory Rally 450, which boasts a massive 32-liter tank. The customer's priority, in this case, was achieving a lightweight and slim overall design rather than pursuing rally victories.

Meticulous attention to detail is evident throughout the motorcycle, from the intricately diamond-engraved aluminum fenders and skid plate to a straightforward yet efficient display on the airbox, providing real-time information on throttle position, RPM, and temperature. Le Motographe has also integrated a traction control system, adjustable in 10 increments via a dial knob.

At the front, the navigation tower houses a roadbook and slots for GPS and repeater units commonly used in rallies. The LED lighting, including a long-range unit, is elegantly cradled in a custom-machined mount and shielded by thick Plexiglass. Many components on the bike, such as the fairing, are designed for easy and quick removal using twist fasteners.

While the engine remains in its stock configuration, Le Motographe has added larger radiators rated at two bars (approximately 29 psi) to enhance cooling. Additionally, a fan and stainless steel radiator protector have been incorporated. The weight-saving and performance-boosting benefits of a titanium Devil exhaust system are also part of this remarkable build.

Handling and suspension are top-notch, with custom Ohlin forks in Nekken triple trees at the front and a custom Ohlins shock at the rear. A Scotts sub-bar mounted stabilizer enhances control at high speeds. The wheels, laced to Haan aluminum hubs, feature a substantial 310mm Motomaster disc attached to a custom caliper at the front, ensuring formidable stopping power.

In terms of aesthetics, the motorcycle strikes a balance between a "naked" and "rally" look, exuding a slim and muscular appearance. According to Le Motographe, the bike weighs 137 kilograms (approximately 300 pounds), produces 60 horsepower, and boasts a range of about 136 miles. The entire design and construction process took 500 hours to complete, with a total cost of around 50,000 Euros, equivalent to approximately $59,000 USD.

Upon delivery, Le Motographe conducted extensive testing, allowing the customer to take the bike on a full-day ride through the mountains to ensure its impeccable performance. Additionally, seven-time Dakar entrant Michael Metge had the opportunity to put the bike through its paces on his training grounds, confirming its optimal tuning and performance.

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