On paper, the Motul Hot Bike Tour sounds simple—ride hundreds of miles across some of the best roads in the country with a handpicked crew of builders. In reality, it’s long days, mechanical curveballs, roadside fixes, and the kind of camaraderie that only forms through shared miles and shared chaos.
For 2025, Danny Wilson of Motorwitch Industries showed up with a machine that embodied his philosophy: power with purpose, tested hard, and built to ride. His platform was a Harley-Davidson Low Rider ST, rebuilt from the frame up into a refined performance bagger designed to survive the Tour—and anything else thrown at it.
Unlike many custom motorcycles that spend more time on display stands than asphalt, Wilson’s Low Rider ST is his daily rider. When the Tour invite came, he stripped the bike down and rebuilt it intentionally—every component selected because it works.
The paint reflects that understated aggression: a black base layered with House of Kolor Brandywine red and finished with diamond-red pearl. In the shade, it reads black. In direct sunlight, the deep metallic red explodes with color—subtle but sinister.
Wilson isn’t just a builder; he’s a technician with more than three decades of experience, including training Harley-Davidson techs worldwide. His performance choices aren’t trends—they’re proven combinations.
“I only run what I’ve tested,” Wilson says. “If I haven’t personally beat on it, I won’t sell it.”
At the heart of the build sits a 129ci Wilson-built motor topped with Screamin’ Eagle Stage IV heads. An HPI 64mm throttle body with 6.3 injectors feeds the beast, paired with a Fuel Moto air cleaner, S&S cam chest, and Woods 408 cam. Power transfers through a Baker GrudgeBox transmission and Evolution Industries clutch.
It’s not built for dyno sheets—it’s built for real-world performance across thousands of miles.
The handling package centers around Wilson’s own chromoly swingarm, tested first on his personal bikes before ever reaching customers. GP Suspension components front and rear keep the chassis planted, while a full radial braking setup with Brembo calipers and GBrakes pads delivers serious stopping power.
By the time the Tour rolled out, Wilson described the bike as “dialed all the way around.” Swingarm, suspension, brakes, power—finished.
Over approximately 1,200 miles on the 2025 Motul Hot Bike Tour, the Low Rider ST delivered without a single problem. Wilson even rode it home afterward.
Behind the scenes, Motorwitch Industries also donated its company van and crew as the Tour’s official chase vehicle—helping riders with flats, mechanical failures, or whatever came up along the way.
That mindset defines the build as much as the parts list: no ego, no show pony mentality—just performance that works. HB
Photos: @Steeldog_Photo