When Daryl Villanueva burst onto the custom motorcycle scene some fifteen years ago, some saw his designs as too avant-garde for the time. But rather than changing to simply fit in, the boss behind the Bandit 9 brand continued to push the boundaries of what one can both conceive and then create. Deeply inspired by Sci-Fi and the space race, the EVE series of machines has been a constant in the company’s evolution, with new models released throughout the years, each crashing through the ceiling of what we all thought was possible. Now, Daryl and his Ho Chi Minh City-based team have emerged from their cave of creation to launch their breathtaking new bike, EVE Odyssey.
The impact of Daryl’s work has extended far beyond the custom bike scene; he has collaborated with major manufacturers, been featured in global publications like Forbes and Esquire, and his automotive works of art have been displayed at museums like the Petersen, M.A.D., and GOMA. When he was commissioned by the late great Bobby Haas to produce pieces for the Haas Moto Museum & Sculpture Gallery, Daryl didn’t just find a creator who adored his work but also a mentor. In his eulogy for Bobby, he referred to him as his ‘Yoda’ and recalled the way Bobby explained that “achieving greatness is a life-long pursuit.”
Fuelled by this level of encouragement, there was no doubt that the next EVE to emerge would be something truly incredible. “Bandit9 launches the new EVE into the space race with an even sleeker design, upgraded materials, and insane mileage to get you to the edge of space and back. Compared to its predecessors, the EVE Odyssey is bigger, lighter, tougher, faster,” Daryl explains. But it’s unlikely you will be testing the range of a motorcycle like this; it is as much for display as a brilliant piece of art as it is for short blasts around your local streets.
It took a year for Daryl and his team to develop the latest incarnation of EVE, and the big goal was to find a way to unify the tank, seat, frame, and bodywork into a single piece. “This is the real magic behind the new EVE,” says Daryl. “By creating our own frame, we were not dependent on anyone’s predetermined structures. This is no modified, customised piece. This is a brand-new product entirely.” The chassis features a box-section style architecture and is made entirely out of aluminium to keep the weight to an absolute minimum. By creating their own frame, the team was able to place all the mounting points exactly where they wanted them.
This meant that when it came time to create the signature ‘bullet-shaped’ bodywork, it could be done in a way that made it appear almost as if it was floating over the frame. In fact, it is almost impossible to work out exactly how the large unibody piece is placed over the chassis, and that’s a secret that will remain with Daryl. The tank section really embraces the projectile-like aesthetic, and the lower section, which surrounds the front light, resembles a hollow-point bullet preparing to peel apart. The rear end, on the other hand, is as streamlined as a shape gets, with the small taillight being the only thing preventing a razor-sharp rear tip.
The strength of the material means it’s not the easiest to work with, but everywhere you look, the shapes are flawless. To create some contrast to the finish, there is a mix of polished and brushed aluminium detail. Daryl is quick to point out that none of this is done by machine; it is all achieved by old-fashioned elbow grease and done purely by hand. The engine is the ever-popular 125cc single-cylinder unit, a popular choice for Bandit 9, which receives a hop-up with a new Mikuni carb. But again, that focus on full integration means that the exhaust exits out of the frame itself, genius.
But it’s not all handmade masterpieces; the team is just as skilled on a mill, with a host of mini masterpieces turned out to perfection. From the custom switch gear to the fluid reservoirs, it’s all one-off stuff, designed and executed exclusively for EVE. To take things even further, the foot controls are shaped to match the bodywork, with their working mechanisms hidden in the panelling and the same 7075 alloy chosen for their construction. The suspension is another upgrade for this latest edition of the model, with the telescopic forks receiving a unique set of covers and the single-sided swingarm adding some true Euro styling.
The EVE Odyssey is now ready to be ordered and can be shipped to you anywhere in the world. Just like a motorcycle from your local dealer, there are options too, with leather or neoprene for the seat, and titanium as an option for the exhaust. At just 120 kg, it’s also a lightweight masterpiece, but don’t expect delivery overnight. “With its complex curves and finishes, the EVE Odyssey can only be built by hand. It takes three months for a single craftsman to complete one.” There is no word on pricing just yet, but Bandit9 bikes have always been a bargain, and who can put a price on a piece built by an artist of such acclaim?
[ Bandit 9 ]