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Signed By Schwantz – 2018 Suzuki GSX-R1000R

In Japan, Sport by AbhiLeave a Comment

At the 2022 Vintage Motorcycle Days in Ohio, the AMA Heritage Foundation showed off a ’18 GSX-R1000 created by Suzuki and painted in a tribute to his iconic ’80s Pepsi Racing livery. Schwantz himself was the Grand Marshall of the event – he did a parade lap on it and signed the top of the tank. A year later, the …

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Still New – 2006 Bimota SB8K Santamonica

In Italy, Sport by AbhiLeave a Comment

I think you all know by now that I’m a huge Bimota fan (at least in terms of what the company was before they got bought by Kawasaki). My personal Tesi 3D is one of my favorites from their portfolio, as is the SB8K Santamonica – which is probably the ultimate form of a Suzuki TL1000R. Here’s an example that’s …

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No Reserve – 1994 Kawasaki ZXR400

In Japan, Sport by AbhiLeave a Comment

The liveries of the 90s are some of my favorites, and I think the black/purple/pink paint jobs that Kawasaki and Suzuki offered are absolutely fantastic – but they weren’t offered in the US! Over at Iconic we have a rare-in-the-US example of the ZXR400 rocking a delightfully 90s paintjob.

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GG Retrofitz Kit – 2015 Yamaha R3

In Custom, Japan, Sport by AbhiLeave a Comment

Over at Iconic we have an interesting take on Yamaha’s entry-level (at least in the US) sportbike, the R3. I actually bought this because Iconic is starting a rental fleet at our new location in Rhode Island but it turns out that the tail section has made it too small for Adam and I to comfortably fit on even when …

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2000 Ducati 748R

In Italy, Sport by AbhiLeave a Comment

In 2000, Ducati updated the 748 lineup to offer three variants – the base model, the S, and the R. The R was produced for WSS homologation purposes (750cc V-Twins competed against 600cc inline-4s). Only 2,610 R models were built, 185 of which came to the US.

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1974 Norton Commando John Player Special

In England, Sport by AbhiLeave a Comment

1-21-24 Update: Two years later, this bike is still up for sale and the asking price has dropped by $10k – find it in Greenwich, Connecticut with a BIN of $19,950 or best offer here on eBay. One of the most collectible Commandos was the John Player, a distinctive endurance-inspired Norton with unique bodywork surrounding a completely stock Mark 2A …

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2000 Bimota 500 V-Due

In Italy, Sport by AbhiLeave a Comment

1-14-24 Update: Three years later, this V-Due is up for sale on a different platform and with a cheaper price. Find it in Spreckles, California for $40,000 here on Craigslist. Post Listing Update: This V-Due did not get any action at the BIN of $45,000 on eBay. The V-Due is one of the most interesting things that ever came out …

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1993 Ducati 900 Superlight #948

In Italy, Sport by AbhiLeave a Comment

In 1992, Ducati took their 900 Supersport and added several choice extras to create a limited edition called the Ducati Superlight. The following year they backtracked a bit and removed several of the goodies, leaving just the solo seat, composite Marvic wheels, and fully floating rear brake to differentiate the limited edition from its less exclusive brother. Still, it’s an …

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1988 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10

In Japan, Sport by AbhiLeave a Comment

Built between 1988 and 1990, the ZX-10 (known as the Ninja in the US as well as the Tomcat in some other markets) was the fastest production motorcycle in the world when it was first released. It was able to hit 165 thanks to the 135 hp, 997cc inline four engine and improved aerodynamics in the bodywork. This example (VIN: …

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1951 Vincent Black Shadow

In England, Sport by AbhiLeave a Comment

The Black Shadow might just be the most famous motorcycle ever built, with an iconic history thanks to moments like Rollie Free’s bathing suit speed run on the Bonneville Salt Flats. Black Shadows were handmade, and less than 1,700 were built in total. In the words of Hunter S. Thompson, “If you rode the Black Shadow at top speed for …

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Street Tracker – 1967 Bridgestone 350 GTR

In Japan, Sport by AbhiLeave a Comment

“Bridgestone’s 350 GTR was undoubtedly the finest of the 1960s mid-sized two-stroke motorcycles in both quality and innovation and as a testament it created one of motor-cycling’s greatest myths – that the big four Japanese motorcycle companies forced Bridgestone to stop manufacturing motorcycles.” That’s how Old Bike Australasia opens up their description of the 350 GTR, a bike that all …

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GSX-R1100 Paint Job – 2000 Suzuki Hayabusa

In Japan, Sport by AbhiLeave a Comment

Also known as the GSX1300R, the Hayabusa was an instant legend when it was introduced in 1999 thanks to a top speed between 188-194 miles per hour. That made it the fastest production motorcycle in the world, and thanks to a gentleman’s agreement among manufacturers to keep top speeds under 186mph in 2000, it held that title until 2007 when …

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#132 of 300 – 2015 MV Agusta F3 800 Ago

In Italy, Sport by AbhiLeave a Comment

New for 2014, the F3 800 was more than just an evolution of the F3 675 – Cycle World said, “the 800 simply feels like a completely different animal.” Some of this was due to refinements to the engine management software, but the bigger motor was less peaky and made more power (148 hp at the crank compared to 126).