When it comes to motorcycles, some live and die for two wheels, a few hundred cc's and the feel of the wind pushing against them as they're propelled along an open road. Some simply love to marvel at the craftsmanship of a clean, uniquely made machine. Others would rather travel without seeing the blur of concrete directly below their feet.

No matter the category you fall into, custom bikes should be appreciated for the effort their builders put into them. Custom bikes are pieces of art. Custom choppers and bobbers - bikes stripped of all the "unnecessary" parts - are reflections of their builders' imaginations, created with ingenuity, with the abandonment of what's considered traditional.

This list of custom choppers and bobbers is sure to pique curiosity and make anyone stop and stare.

Related: 16 Custom Motorcycles Clearly Designed by Mad Geniuses

15 Federal Moto's BMW

A stanced BMW Bobber
Via: BikeExif

Chicago's Divisionist Films approached the local custom shop, Federal Moto, to build a bike for them. The result was a beautiful, blacked-out BMW Bobber fashioned from a 1978 BMW R80/7. It's simple and lean. The essence of what a bobber is meant to be, with an appeal that's difficult to ignore.

14 Omar Jumiran's Bone-X

The Bone-X stanced in front of its shop
Via: Bikes Republic

The Bone-X is the creation of Malaysia born Omar Jumiran of Eastern Bobber Custom Cycle. At first glance, it may be difficult to tell the front from the rear, leading some to think this strange masterpiece is purely for show. However, the Bone-X can be ridden, and when it is, it's sure to turn heads. Maybe even cross a few eyes.

13 Nick Acosta's Harley 883 Sportster

Stanced Harley 883
Via: BikeExif

Harleys will forever endure as iconic and versatile machines, and this custom, born from a 1993 XL883, is the creation of Nick Acosta who hails from Ontario, Canada. Drawing inspiration from classic '60s choppers, Acosta created a beautiful minimalist bike he named "The Panster." The bike's sleek frame is powered by a 1,200cc engine, considerable power for a light bike only sporting the essentials.

12 The Hell Cycle

The Hell Cycle stanced behind a velvet rope
Via: Twitter

This is one hell of a bike. This demon chopper from the film Ghost Rider is an actual bike built in Australia from scratch. At 11 feet long and weighing more than 500 pounds, it is fully operational, though not street legal. What would you expect from a bike straight out of Hell?

11 Eastern Spirit Garage's Yamaha X650

A stanced Yamaha XS650
Via: BikeExif

This stripped-down X650 is breath-taking in its elegance. The seat floats above the rear chassis, giving more credence to the bike's lighter-than-air aesthetic. However, the bold 16s wheels give this X650 a ferocious demeanor. Adding to the regality of this machine is its predominantly black body with gold and brass accents.

10 2002 Bourget Python Chopper

Stanced Bourget Python
Via: West Coast Classics

This stand-out chopper was built by Bourget's Bike Works in Phoenix, AZ. The purple and yellow flames on top of the red base were inspired by Batman's most recognized villain, The Joker. The color scheme and, especially, the pinstripe flames on this Python is reminiscent of custom works by the late, great Jeff McCann.

Related: 10 Wild Facts You Didn't Know About Choppers

9 Yuichi Yoshizawa's Knucklehead

Stanced custom knucklehead chopper in front of Custom Works ZON
Via: Pipeburn

Inspired by the 1947 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead Chopper, this bike by Yuichi Yoshizawa and Yoshikazu Ueda of Custom Works ZON in Japan is a gorgeous reimagining of a classic. For a short period of time, Harley-Davidson built motorcycles in Japan, so it's not surprising that this beauty came from the illustrious island.

8 Fred "Krugger" Bertrand's Triumph Bonneville

Tilted Triumph Bonneville Bobber
Via: BikeExif

Nicknamed the "Bobber Basse-Bordeux", this manufacturer (Triumph) commission by Fred "Krugger" Bertrand is a streamlined masterpiece. This low-slung bike hugs the pavement and has the look of a bike meant for a head-to-head drag race. The polished simplicity of this bike is striking.

7 Satya Kraus' Indian Scout

Satya Kraus standing before his custom Indian Scout
Via: Ultimate Motorcycling

The Indian Scout is a motorcycle that was seemingly made to be customized. From 1919 until now, Scouts have been chopped and modified at the discretion of their owners. It's a true American classic, never lacking in style. The winding, high-mounted exhaust was inspired by the popular "scrambler" bikes, and it's one of the more eye-catching features on this Scout

6 Habermann-Performance's Predator

Habermann-Performance's Predator barreling down the road
Via: Pintrest

With its dark, slim and elegantly curved frame, this chopper has the look of a bike that was designed for a Tim Burton film. This custom comes out of the Habermann-Performance shop in Germany. Dubbed the "Predator," imagine this statuesque beast roaring past you on the highway.

5 Revolt Cycle's Kawasaki Vulcan S

Leaning Kawasaki Vulcan S
Via: Bike Bound

To some, a cruiser is the most boring style of motorcycle there is, so what happened when Revolt Cycles got a hold of a Kawasaki Vulcan S? A cruiser with a 649cc parallel-twin engine? "Toro" is what happened, an unexciting cruiser turned sports bobber. It's a fierce-looking bike with a gun-metal finish, a badass on the road.

4 Galaxy Custom's "Duke" Yamaha XS650

Parked custom Yamaha XS650 in a garage
Via: Pipeburn

Out of Bulgaria, Galaxy Custom created the second XS650 on this list. Though it's a bobber, the body of this bike is intricately designed with subtle, yet arresting, details. It has a steampunk-esque appeal that screams futuristic and retro at the same time.

Related: 20 Facts Everyone Should Know About Yamaha Motorcycles

3 2011 SPCN Custom

Stanced SPCN Custom Chopper in a garage
Via: West Coat Classics

This custom chopper is an absolute looker, and it's all in the details. It's metallic "Red Dragon" paint job is its most prominent feature. Then there's the back fender, designed to resemble a dragon's tail, which sits over a huge rear tire. Not easily seen in the photo is the bike's kickstand which is a skeletal hand flipping the bird. This bike is full of attitude.

2 2Loud Custom's Kawasaki W650

A custom Kawasaki W650 in front of a cityscape
Via: BikeExif

2Loud Custom is a Taiwanese based shop that created this bobber for a client who bought it for himself as a birthday present. How thoughtful of him to gift himself something so cool?! This stripped Kawasaki W650 is a looker with added power; Revolt swapped the stock motor with an 803cc kit. With more of a kick and an immaculate silver and blue paint job, the client surely surprised themselves with their own birthday gift.

1 Renard Speed Shop's BMW

Stanced BMW Bobber
Via: BikeExif

It's fitting to end a list that began with a BMW bobber with another BMW bobber. Take your pick. This bobber coming out of the Renard Speed Shop in Estonia has a gritty, industrial appeal that evokes simplicity and power. The "One Sixty" printed on the wheels refers to Renard's smokehouse. This bike is absolutely smokin', so who could blame them for the advertisement.

Next: 14 Disturbing Photos of People Who Modified Their Bikes