Bandit9’s custom Ducati puts raw aluminium in the spotlight and $14,000 towards charity

Vietnam-based custom motorcycle studio Bandit9 has unveiled the Bandit9 (RED) 800, a limited-edition Ducati-based motorcycle that combines sculptural aluminium bodywork with a charitable commitment to healthcare programmes. Its defining feature is a hand-painted finish that fades from deep Racing Red at the front into exposed, hand-brushed aluminium towards the rear, making the metal itself a central part of the design.

Limited to just nine units worldwide, the motorcycle is priced at USD 49,900, with Bandit9 pledging a fixed USD 14,000 from each bike to (RED), the organisation that raises funds to fight AIDS and other preventable diseases. If all nine examples are sold, the commitment would total USD 126,000.

Red paint gives way to sculpted aluminium

The Bandit9 (RED) 800 builds on the studio’s approach to motorcycle design, which places sculptural form and handcrafted bodywork at the centre of the finished machine. Each fuel tank receives a hand-applied gradient, beginning with a rich red finish before gradually revealing the raw aluminium beneath.

Because the fade is applied individually, no two of the nine motorcycles will have exactly the same finish. The bodywork is shaped as a continuous unibody, flowing from the front to the rear without a visible break in its overall line.

The result puts aluminium’s brushed surface and sculptural qualities on display rather than concealing the metal beneath a uniform painted finish. The motorcycle also combines a custom tubular steel trellis frame with cast aluminium sections, bringing the material into its underlying structure.

To know the aluminium casting demand forecast in the transportation sector, explore our report "Global Aluminium Casting Market 2026-2032: Plant Economics, Alloy Segmentation, Pricing Intelligence, Supply Chain Analysis & Strategic Recommendations"

Ducati performance beneath the custom bodywork

Underneath the bespoke exterior sits Ducati’s 821cc Testastretta L-twin engine, producing 110 horsepower and 65.8 lb-ft of torque. With a dry weight of 386 pounds, the motorcycle is claimed to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 3.3 seconds and reach a top speed of 125 mph.

The chassis and braking components complement the engine’s performance figures. Suspension comes from Sachs, with a 43 mm front setup and an adjustable rear unit, while Brembo monobloc radial calipers and ABS provide braking.

The combination of a customised exterior and established Ducati mechanical components gives the Bandit9 (RED) 800 its distinctive character, balancing individual craftsmanship with performance-oriented engineering.

A commitment for every motorcycle

The project also links the bespoke motorcycle to Bandit9’s partnership with (RED), the organisation co-founded by Bono and Bobby Shriver to raise funds for the fight against AIDS and other preventable diseases.

Bandit9 has committed to donating 100 per cent of the proceeds as defined in its pledge: a fixed USD 14,000 for every Bandit9 (RED) 800 sold. At the full production run of nine motorcycles, that would amount to USD 126,000 for healthcare programmes supported by (RED).

The company is asking the same USD 49,900 price for the (RED) edition as it currently charges for its standard Ducati 821 custom. According to the source, the charitable commitment does not come with an additional price premium for buyers.

Nine examples worldwide

Each Bandit9 (RED) 800 will be made to order, with an estimated build time of eight to 12 months. Production is limited to nine examples worldwide, reinforcing the exclusivity of a motorcycle defined by its individually applied finish and handcrafted bodywork.

With its transition from Racing Red to raw aluminium, the project places material treatment and custom fabrication at the forefront of the design. The charitable pledge adds another dimension to the limited-edition release, linking a premium motorcycle with a potential USD 126,000 contribution if the full run sells.

Browse through top global suppliers for automobile components on AL Biz.