Welcome to Dune. Not the book, the movies or one of the many spin offs, but an all-adventure motorcycle customised with a 1,200 mile trip to north Africa in mind. This DR350 has all that’s needed for the next edition of Scram, a custom bike adventure starting and ending in Barcelona and taking in Morocco and the Sahara desert along the way. No sand worms anticipated, honest.
Customisation is by French outfit Le Cent Vingt Cinq, a one person labour of love workshop based just west of Versailles whose motto is “we believe in small engines”. Arnaud Cailly, who runs it, says of this project: “It gives me that Baja racing vibe but it also has space for a blanket, made by my friend Camille at The Wild Whispers,” a fabric and jewellery enterprise. This detail - you can see the blanket strapped to the front of the bike - is emblematic of the comradeship that gives Dune its special air.
Not that there’s anything sentimental about the details of this build, even if it began with loss. Arnaud Cailly’s beloved Kawasaki KLX300 was stolen and he realised there was a classic scrambler shaped hole in his life. “I kept it in good shape,” he says, "for the occasional ride with my dad.” Enter the DR350 and the idea of entering into the latest Scram, organised each year by Fuel Motorcycles, the next one being the eight day Moroccan adventure mostly involving sand dunes.
A bike with style
And so project Dune began, beginning with a digital render and then help from bike imaginers 2R14 Design to bring it to life. You’ll have noticed the intricately painted fuel tank, larger than standard and sourced from a 1974 Husqvarna CR250. North African Berber culture inspired the paint job, executed by Rob-Art Custom. Crash bars front and rear as well as a new sub frame were manufactured in Le Cent Vingt Cent's workshop.
Maxxis tyres on 18 inch Excel rims finished in gold to match the patterning replace the original items. LED spotlights to the crashbars help avoid rocks and wildlife. A reassuringly tough sump guard protects the meticulously refinished engine. You’ll experience this machine through a new set of enduro handlebars with Beringer controls. Leopard print suede is a witty touch to the saddle.
Arnaud Cailly likes to say that he creates bikes with style, meaning and a true soul, so they’re happy to construct your next dream custom bike for you. But that doesn’t mean that your personal Dune is unavailable for Moroccan adventures. Because Arnaud and Le Cent Vingt Cinq have decided to put up this one off desert conquerer for sale, and it costs a lot less than that base level electric car that you might have felt obliged to purchase, with a sigh. Just £11,000 and you’re on your way to a trip of a lifetime. We’ll be waiting at the next oasis to hear desert stories over a cocktail or three.
