Analogue motorcycle build Nicky Hayden tribute bike
The American custom bike builder created the flat tracker with the help from the AMA
NICKY HAYDEN’S has been honoured by the AMA (American Motorcyclist Association) and a Chicago based custom bike shop called Analogue Motorcycles with this stunning flat track inspired Honda XR650L.
Built to coincide with ‘The Kentucky Kids’ induction in to AMA Hall of Fame, the bike pays homage to Hayden’s early years in motorcycle racing, which saw him flying around dirt ovals at up to 140mph – sideways!
As reported on Bikeexif, the XR650L includes a bespoke fuel tank and seat unit, custom mudguards, and a modified rear subframe to suit. The front forks are KTM 690 Enduro items which were retuned to suit the stance of the flat tracker. The engine also received a shot in the arm by way of a revised intake manifold, Keihin FCR41 carb and de-smog kit removal to help the engine breath more freely. Finishing the look are flat track appropriate 19” Sun rims with Dunlop DT3 tyres. The paint on the Honda is inspired by Hayden’s 2002 AMA Honda RC51 (VTR1000 SP1).
Some people are now coming around to the idea that flat track racing could be a perfect way to practice for road racing classes like World Superbike and MotoGP. It’s thought that the amount the bike moves around develops bike control skills that can’t be learned in any other form of motorcycle sport. MotoGP racers like Marc Marquez, Valentino Rossi, Dan Petrucci all use flat track, among other activities, to hone their MotoGP reflexes. Rossi even has his own private oval track, called The Ranch, which his uses to hone his own flat track skills and those of his VR46 Riders Academy.
Simon (AKA Toad) has been working within the motorcycle industry for more than twelve years, and a member of the motorcyclist family since birth. Growing up around British-built single and twins, it was inevitable that a life on two wheels was on the cards, from a very early age!
