Renard is French for fox, but you knew that already. It’s also the name of a storied motorcycle company from Estonia, founded almost 90 years ago - and responsible for the very much 21st century BMW R100 conversion you see here. What’s more it’s for sale, and if you’re at all like us, you’ll take the longest possible way home once you’ve bought it.
It’s fair to say those who run Renard are enthusiasts. Not just of classic motorcycles, but of the enduring legacy of motorcycling in Estonia. "I stumbled upon Renard accidentally … while talking to a motorcycle restorer who had been investigating Renard history,” says current co-owner Andres Uibomäe. Original Renard lasted just six years - until 1944 when its factory was hit by Soviet bombs during the Nazi occupation of Estonia. Obscurity followed, until Uibomäe and his business partners revived Renard and its distinctive fox logo in 2008. And looking at these images you have got to be pleased they did.
The compelling machine you see here is a prototype, one of four made before a limited production run. With a mileage of 600 miles, Renard's R100 Factory Racer is effectively brand new. Look is very much that of a road-racing machine, very far from the staid style of the 1974 BMW R75/6 on which it is based. But looks are one thing. How it is for the rider, quite another. "For me, it is important how the motorcycle rides: the sense of control, dynamics, endurance, performance and other characteristics,” says Renard’s Andres Uibomäe, “building moto-sculptures is not exactly my cup of tea. But our major underlying goal is to restore the Renard brand.”
Renard R100 Factory Racer: The belly of the beast
Renard selected the flat twin-engined BMW as a basis for this bike, precisely because the engine layout provides such a low centre of gravity and thus improved handling. Focus is very much on engineering. Engine benefits from a full R100 kit, equipping the Renard with a full 980 cc and 70 bhp. Racing carburettors are PHM38s by Dellorto, rear suspension is by Öhlins, braking systems by Beringer, those tasty spoked wheels by Borrani. It’s fair to say no detail has been overlooked.
You’ll be wanting to spend as much time as possible in the saddle, and not just because it’s handcrafted leather, with matching hand grips. Bodywork colourway is BMW’s Moonstone Metallic, as available say Renard on a contemporaneous M3 road car. Motogadget supplied speedometer, mirrors and control unit. Custom bodyparts were fashioned in house.
We want this bike, you want this bike. Luckily, as we’ve said, this one-of-a-kind machine is for sale and at a substantial discount to the price you’d pay for a new one today. Order from Renard now and you’d pay £45,000, according to the customisers themselves. This remarkable prototype then is a real bargain, listed at £28,790. If you’re fortunate enough to secure it for your garage, we’ll see you for coffee on the next Sunday morning breakfast run.
Next up: 7 Of the best retro motorbikes for modern riders.
