In the pantheon of postmodern motorcycling, Deus Ex Machina occupies a space somewhere between a workshop and a cathedral. Since roaring out of Sydney in 2006, the ‘God from the Machine’ has preached a gospel of inclusiveness and run-what-you-brung resourcefulness. They’ve customized everything from the Nut Kwaka W650 to high-tech Yamaha T7s, always proving that the right way to do individualism is simply to do it with enthusiasm.
That philosophy was put to the ultimate sub-zero test for the third edition of the Deus Swank Rally on Ice. Deus traded the dust of the desert for the crystalline white of the Pyrenees. The destination was Circuit Andorra, located in Pas de la Casa. Perched at a staggering 2,400 meters above sea level, it is the world’s highest permanent racing circuit featuring a 945-meter ribbon of ice that plays host to the G-Series ice racing championship.
To tackle this frozen frontier, Deus France collaborated with machining specialist La Manufacture F in Anglet. Their mission? To take Yamaha’s triple-cylinder street-slayer, the XSR900, and turn it into an ice-racing weapon capable of surviving a weekend of sunrise sessions, floodlit time trials, and the inevitable after-party.
The stock Yamaha XSR900 is already a formidable piece of machinery. Its 890cc liquid-cooled CP3 engine delivers a punchy 117 hp and 69 lb-ft of torque, wrapped in a package that weighs just 432 lbs wet. With its 6-speed assist-and-slipper clutch and fully adjustable KYB suspension, it’s a bike designed for carving Alpine passes in mid-July, not necessarily for drifting sideways on a 5,000m snow platform in mid-March.
However, the XSR’s “Faster Sons” DNA makes it a perfect canvas for the Deus aesthetic. To transform it from a retro-roadster into an ice-racer, La Manufacture F had to look past the street-legal niceties to focus on one thing: traction. Or more accurately, the controlled loss of it.
The most radical alteration was undoubtedly the wheelset. To meet the strict rally regulations, the team fitted a pair of knobby tires armed with traction screws. These weren’t just random spikes; they adhered to the event’s 200-stud limit, featuring a 7mm protrusion on the front and 4mm on the rear. A professional studding service was on-site at the track for those throwing caution to the wind and jumping into the event at the last minute.
Knowing that standard rubber-covered pegs would be useless in the slush, La Manufacture F designed, manufactured, and installed a pair of aggressive, custom-spiked footpegs to ensure the rider’s boots stayed planted during high-speed drifts. Underneath, a heavy-duty custom skid plate was mounted to protect the exposed headers and sump from the “very un-street-like” conditions of the frozen circuit.
The exhaust was updated to an Akrapovic exhaust featuring a titanium outer-sleeved muffler with stainless steel internals, with a satin finish that perfectly complemented the icy surroundings. It didn’t just shed weight; it allowed the CP3 triple to howl through the thin mountain air as riders chased the clock under the floodlights.
In true Swank Rally fashion, style was never an afterthought. The bike underwent a ‘race-delete’ surgery, unceremoniously shedding its indicators, mirrors, and license plate mounts. The iconic round XSR headlight and front fairing were replaced by a dedicated number plate. The radiator scoops and fork guards were also custom-made to closely resemble 1990s motocross bikes. The Matching number plates were integrated into the cafe racer-style tail section, giving the bike the silhouette of a vintage racer that had wandered into a winter wonderland.
Finally, Deus ensured the bike wouldn’t be missed against the white backdrop of the Pyrenees. They opted for a retro 90s neon-inspired livery, a vibrant clash of white, hot pink, and lime green. It was a visual middle finger to the somber gray skies of the high-altitude pass, perfectly capturing the “cornucopia of fun” that Deus Ex Machina has championed for two decades.
As the sun set on Circuit Andorra and the sounds of DJ Lengah, the
Fauve Beers, Arty Spirits liquors and Uma Paris soft took over the Deus
Records party, the XSR900 stood as a testament to the Swank spirit. It
wasn’t about the fastest lap; it was about the honesty of the machine and
the sheer joy of doing something completely absurd with the closest
friends you hadn’t met yet.
What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments below.
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