Post Listing Update: This Buell was pulled off of eBay due to an “error in the listing”. Erik Buell was a dreamer, and the American sport bike was one of those dreams. We are lucky to still be able to experience them, though sales never quite living up to expectations. There may be some weirdness as is usually evident with …
Wild Custom – Honda Gorilla
Seldom are micro-displacement customs as involved as this one-off Gorilla. An enormous amount of time and resources went into creating this little, fully street-legal two-wheeler, which now boasts a laundry-list of aftermarket and bespoke parts. After spending years in California, this example traded hands twice, crossing state-lines both times, before winding up back in the Golden State with its third, …
Supermoto Setup – 2006 Husqvarna TE510
2006 was the last year of Husqvarna’s operations under the MV Agusta group before BMW bought the company for nearly 100 million Euros. At the time, Husky’s flagship street-legal dirt bike was the TE510. This seller has banked heavily on the “street” portion with a supermoto conversion that would make for a very entertaining commute.
Smallest Harley Ever – 1965 Harley-Davidson M50
The conclusion of the Second World War saw a huge demand for lightweight, economical, two-wheelers, leading to an influx in the segment’s popularity. A decade or so later, and it became increasingly clear to the suits at Harley-Davidson that by neglecting this segment, money was being left on the table. The MoCo did offer a few small-displacement scoots based on …
First Ride – 2019 Honda Monkey
View Post1985 Yamaha BW200
Post Sale Update: This BW200 sold for the BIN of $2,250 on eBay. Built between 1985 and 1989, the BW200 (BW stood for “Big Wheel”) was part of a series of off-roaders with…big wheels. Other displacements were 80 and 350. The motor pushed 15 horsepower and 10 pound-feet of torque through a 5-speed transmission, which is plenty to move a …
1998 Suzuki Katana 750
With teasers from Suzuki suggesting a new Katana is on the way, presumably to compete with Kawasaki’s modern classic Z900RS, it seemed appropriate to feature this blast from the past. The Suzuki Katana was a friendlier version of the GSXR-750, with a retuned engine and a seat that should actually be comfortable for a passenger. It fits best into the …
2007 Suzuki DR650SE
Post Listing Update: This DR did not get any interest at the asking price of $3,200. The recent uprising of supermotos both on the street and the track has driven up the price of dual sports. Even my own search for a traffic axe left me empty handed. However, with some perseverance, you can still find iron workhorses. The Suzuki …
$899 – 2011 Honda CGL 125
Post Sale Update: This Honda sold for the BIN of $899. This model was never exported to the US, though adventurers who have traveled to countries in Asia or Central America should recognize the CGL 125. This example was bought new in Guatemala – the seller then disassembled it, brought it into the US, and put it back together. He …
1983 Honda ATC70
After the success of the Z50 and the CT70, Honda wanted a bike that they could sell in the winters in the US market. They launched a small trike called the US90 in 1969. The success was immediate, and US beaches became Honda’s trike highways. In 1971, Honda acquired the trademark ATC, “all-terrain cycle”, and gave it to their three-wheelers. …
2000 Triumph Adventurer 900
Post Sale Update: This Adventurer sold for $2,150 after 9 bids on eBay. The Triumph Adventurer combines the smoothness of their 900cc triple with a laid back, standard frame. A larger front wheel and longer forks set it apart from the Thunderbird, giving it a relaxed sense and riding style. It can’t be described as sprightly, but is that really …
1984 Honda Gold Wing GL1200 Aspencade
In 1975, Honda released the GL1000 “Gold Wing” – the name referred to Honda’s logo, which is a wing. The huge success of the model coupled with the need of even more comfort led Honda to release the GL1100 Interstate in 1980. The factory full fairing helped define luxury touring for decades to come. In 1984, everything evolved with the …
Early MV Four-Stroke – 1956 MV Agusta Turismo Rapido 125
MV Agusta produced a number of successful lightweight, eighth-liter, two-stroke models in the post WW2 era, but it was in 1954 that the company decided to develop a 125cc four-stroke model to appease a market that’d become increasingly interested in performance oriented four-strokers. Starting that year, the company introduced the Turismo Rapido 125, also known as the TR.
$1,400 – 1983 Suzuki GS1100GK
In 1975, Honda started the legendary Gold Wing line with the GL1000. For the first time, Honda incorporated a horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine which produced 999cc. Five years later, in 1980, Honda launched the GL1100 Gold Wing Interstate. Not only did Honda up displacement by 100cc, but with the Interstate they showed the public what luxury touring looked like with …
1984 BMW R80ST
For two years, BMW created a street-focused variant of the R80GS. They only sold 5,963 examples of what was named the R80ST, and approximately 15% of them were exported to the US.