This Honda-powered OMT 450c is set to swap dirt for ice

Picasso Engineering’s ground-breaking OMT 450c race bike is set to swap dirt for a frozen ice lake, at the International Concours of Elegance event in St Moritz, Switzerland. 

You may not have heard of Picasso Engineering, or its OMT 450c flat track motorcycle before, but we think that should change. The OMT 450c is a race bike that’s more than just that, as it features carbon fibre frame technology which offers progressive stiffness. The system used by Picasso Engineering is the first of its kind for a race bike in its class.

The bike has previously been seen at prestigious events such as the EICMA show in Milan last November, but its upcoming ice track debut in St Moritz is not quite what we expected next. The event takes place on 29–30 January.

The St Moritz weekend sees drivers and riders compete on a large open area, where cars and bikes use specific ice tyres. The event features a Concours d'Elegance, invitational racing, and public demonstration sessions.

The OMT 450c pairs a modified Honda CRF450 engine with its own hand-built Picasso chassis and geometry. But for this weekend’s event, the motorcycle has undergone revised suspension settings to manage things such as traction spikes and sudden load transfers that are unique to ice racing.

Company founder Stefano Picasso said this about the bike’s upcoming appearance in the Swiss Alps: 

“St Moritz is unlike any other event and we are delighted to be making our debut there. The icy lake gives you grip and speed that surprises even experienced racers, but at the same time every lap is different. The ice teaches you things about chassis flex and balance that you simply cannot see on dirt.”

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