THE CYCLONE: HAXCHMOTO’S MODERN ENDURANCE ICON
CYCLONE 001 AND THE PURSUIT OF PROPORTION
When the visual nostalgia of late-80s and 90s Suzuki factory endurance racers meets the hyper-focused performance of a modern GSX-R1000R, the result isn't a mere replica. It is a masterclass in proportion, material execution, and brand identity. Marc Bell, the mind and hands behind Haxchmoto, has accomplished precisely that: taking a 2022 GSX-R1000R and reimagining it as the "Cyclone"—a bespoke, carbon-clad endurance weapon strictly limited to five individually numbered editions.
THE CYCLONE 001
„It’s about capturing the design language of iconic endurance machines while building something genuinely original rather than an exact replica.“
Engineered over hundreds of hours in the workshop, every line on the Cyclone serves a purpose. The nose features a standout piece of engineering: a custom headlight machined from a solid block of billet aluminum, housing dual Koso LED lights inside a 3D-printed housing with a heat-formed acrylic screen. Beneath the custom carbon fiber tank cover sits a hand-fabricated aluminum fuel cell. Combined with full Maxton race suspension, Jetprime billet switchgear, and an upgraded AIM digital dash, the Cyclone delivers raw track-focused dynamics wrapped in vintage endurance proportions. Built by a craftsman living out of his van to keep the dream alive, the Cyclone represents the pinnacle of independent British motorcycle engineering.
THE BUILDER
Name: Marc Bell / Haxchmoto
Base: UK
Garage / Life: Dedicated full-time custom builder, currently living in his van to keep overheads low while collaborating with Suzuki UK.
THE MACHINE
Model: Haxchmoto Cyclone (Base: Suzuki GSX-R1000R, Ultra-limited 1 of 5)
Spec & Mods: Full custom carbon fiber bodywork, hand-fabricated inner aluminum fuel tank, bespoke billet aluminum headlight housing with dual Koso LEDs, AIM race dashboard with custom carbon mount, Jetprime billet race switchgear, full Maxton suspension setup front and rear, custom top yoke with individual serial numbers (001 to 005), and custom customer-tailored liveries.
IN CONVERSATION WITH MARC BELL
RWN MOTOZINE: Reimagining an icon like the late 80s/90s Suzuki factory endurance racers on a modern GSX-R1000R chassis is a bold move. What was the exact moment or spark that made you say: "I need to build the Cyclone"?
Marc Bell: I had a customer get in touch who had seen the Slabshot build from 3 years ago & wanted something similar, but based on the newest model GSX-R1000R we could find, so that was the starting point. We found a 2022 model, which is essentially the same as the 2026 model, & then I set about creating a design with influence from late 80's & early 90's Suzuki race bikes, RGV's & GSX-R's to capture the style of those bikes but also to build something original rather than trying to create an exact replica.
RWN MOTOZINE: Replacing factory plastics with completely custom-designed carbon fiber bodywork and billet parts is a massive undertaking. Which specific component gave you the most sleepless nights to get the proportions and fitment just right?
Marc Bell: That's the hardest part of every build, figuring out the design & proportions, I spend 100's of hours obsessing over it & find it the most interesting aspect too, how to capture the style of Suzuki or Yamaha or which ever brand of bike I'm building, capture the design language but then make it unique as if they could have designed it. There are really subtle differences that give each brand their own identity.
The most difficult component was the billet aluminum headlight machined out of one block to house two small Koso LED lights, it then slots into a 3D printed housing with a heat formed acrylic screen sealed between the two, that was tricky to design. The aluminum fuel tank that sits under the carbon tank cover was also a challenge fabricate & to line up with a bolt through custom designed fuel cap housing.
RWN MOTOZINE: You’ve combined modern superbike dynamics with visual nostalgia. For the lucky 5 owners who will get to ride one: What does it feel like when you fire up the GSX-R1000R engine, look down at the dash and top yoke, and take that first corner?
Marc Bell: It feels pretty special, nothing from the stock bike remains at the front end, the dash is an upgraded AIM unit with Lap timer, the dash holder & fairing stay surround is all custom made in carbon, & the switch gear is Jetprime billet which makes it feel like a real race bike, the exhaust note sounds amazing too, & the riding position is quite aggressive, plus with the Maxton suspension front & rear it handles really well through the corners, great fun to ride!
RWN MOTOZINE: With each of the 5 builds being tailored to its owner (from component spec to paint job), how closely will you collaborate with the buyers to shape their individual vision of the Cyclone?
Marc Bell: Each one will be built specifically for the owner with suspension made for their weight & usage, the spec of parts can be tailored too along with the paint work, I’d like each one to have a different colour scheme, & the top yoke of each will have the number of the edition, 001 to 005.
RWN MOTOZINE: The Cyclone sets a serious benchmark for what you stand for. What’s next for you, and where do you see Haxchmoto evolving in the future of custom motorcycle culture?
Marc Bell: This is something I spend a lot of time thinking about, most of my waking hours are spent thinking about the builds & where it’s all going. I’m in the workshop everyday putting the hours in, however this year things are different as now I’m working full time on the bikes, which means I need to think about the business side of things too. Over the last few years I’ve been running my metal fabrication workshop full time & building bikes on the side, however this year due to an order for a Thunderbolt build from the U.S, & a collaboration with Suzuki, plus finishing the Cyclone, it’s has gone full time, which is exciting, however now I’m looking forward to see where I need to focus.
The plan at the moment is to finish the GSX-8TT build & launch that in Nov with Suzuki UK at the motorcycle live show in Birmingham, & then to offer a limited run of those of up to 10 builds. I think small limited runs is the way to go. I can offer the Cyclone, Thunderbolt or the 8TT to order, which vary across a price range from the Cyclone at the top to the 8TT being more affordable & the Thunderbolt in the middle. Which make the builds more accessible to more people.
Theres no framework to follow really for custom builders, those few that make it into a full time job all have different models & I think you have to figure that out as you go to see what works, in the meantime I’ll keep living in my van to keep the overheads down & try to keep the dream alive!
RWN MOTOZINE: Marc, thank you for the craft, the time, and for keeping the raw spirit of the culture alive.
Photos by Marc Bell - Story by Sascha Köhmstedt