Most custom motorcycle builders take existing bikes and bolt on different parts until they look sufficiently modified. Bandit9 throws that playbook out the window and starts from scratch, hand-fabricating every component to create something that looks like liquid metal given form. Their latest creation, based on the Ducati Monster 821, looks less like a traditional motorcycle and more like what would happen if the T-1000 from Terminator decided to become a speed machine.
What started as a one-off commission from a San Francisco collector who wanted something fast enough for mountain roads has evolved into a limited production run of just nine units worldwide. And we’re absolutely here for it.
Liquid Metal Made Real
The first thing that hits you about the Bandit9 Ducati 821 is how it appears to be carved from a single piece of metal. The polished aluminum bodywork flows seamlessly into carbon fiber sections without any visible panel gaps or mounting points. It’s the kind of design that makes you want to touch it just to confirm it’s actually real and not some kind of holographic projection.
Every component has been redesigned and hand-fabricated from scratch. The LED lighting system disappears completely into the bodywork when not illuminated, the exhaust outlet is barely visible, and even the gas cap is aluminum-milled to match the overall aesthetic. The single-sided swingarm keeps the rear wheel visually clean, while custom foot pegs, mirrors, and controls continue the theme of functional sculpture.
Performance to Match the Looks
Underneath all that liquid metal beauty sits Ducati’s 821cc Testastretta 11° L-twin engine, producing 110 horsepower and 65.8 lb-ft of torque. The bike can hit 60 mph in just 3.3 seconds and reach a top speed of 125 mph – numbers that prove this isn’t just a rolling art piece. At 386 pounds dry, it’s not exactly featherweight, but that’s to be expect here considering the materials, including the custom tubular steel trellis frame with cast aluminum sections.
The suspension setup includes non-adjustable 43mm Sachs forks up front and a preload/rebound adjustable Sachs rear shock. For stopping power, Bandit9 spec’d dual 320mm Brembo discs with four-piston monobloc calipers up front and a 245mm rear disc, both with ABS. The 16-liter fuel tank also provides about 145 miles of range.
Built for Mountain Roads, Designed for Museums
The original commission brief was simple: build something that could devour winding mountain roads. The aggressive riding position and 870mm seat height put you in a proper racing crouch, while the high-performance Pirelli Diablo Rosso III tires provide the grip needed to exploit that 110 horsepower on twisty tarmac.
As Bandit9 puts it, this is “engineering that belongs in a wind tunnel, and design that belongs in a gallery.” The bike took over a year to develop which breaks out into six to eight months in engineering and design, then another six months to hand-build each unit. The result is something that feels like it could hang in your living room as sculpture when you’re not ripping through the canyons.
Obsessive Craftsmanship
The attention to detail reaches almost absurd levels. Every cable is internally routed, every screw is polished, and the two-tone finish combines race-grade aluminum with optional carbon fiber upgrades. The split-body design uses aluminum for the main reflective surface while carbon fiber handles the rear and seating areas, improving balance and rider feedback.
Even functional elements like the fork covers, mirrors, and fenders are custom pieces that maintain the bike’s flowing aesthetic.
Spec Sheet
Model: Bandit9 Ducati 821
Engine: 821cc Testastretta 11° L-twin
Power: 110 HP / 65.8 lb-ft torque
Weight: 386 lbs (dry)
Top Speed: 125 mph
0-60 mph: 3.3 seconds
Frame: Custom tubular steel trellis with cast aluminum
Suspension: 43mm Sachs front / adjustable Sachs rear
Brakes: 320mm dual Brembo front / 245mm rear (ABS)
Fuel Capacity: 16 liters / 145-mile range
Body: Hand-polished aluminum / carbon fiber
Production: Limited to 9 units worldwide
Build Time: 6 months per unit
Pricing & Availability
The Bandit9 Ducati 821 is priced at $44,900 with worldwide shipping available. Each bike is made to order with a six-month build time. With only nine units planned, these are likely to sell out quickly to collectors who understand the difference between transportation and rideable art.
Recap
Bandit9 Ducati 821
The Bandit9 Ducati 821 combines a 110-HP Ducati engine with hand-crafted liquid metal bodywork in a limited production run of just nine units worldwide, priced at $44,900 for those who want sculpture that can hit 125 mph.
