UPDATE: Here’s my review on ADV Pulse! I’ve said for years that if I was forced to only have one motorcycle, it would most likely be the newest BMW R-GS that I could afford. I will admit that I’ve had some reservations about my opinion as the big GSes have been getting way more complicated from a technological standpoint over …
First Ride Review – 2019 Kawasaki Z400
View Post1953 Bianchi Bianchina
Post Listing Update: This Bianchi did not meet reserve despite 16 bids up to $3,300. While the “Bianchina” name was also used for a car made by a spinoff of Bianchi (called Autobianchi), in this case it applies to a 2-stroke 125cc motorcycle with an elegant pedestrian slicer.
Sonic Weld Frame – 1967 Triumph 750 Street Tracker
Post Sale Update: This Triumph sold for $7,400 after 36 bids on eBay. As flat track racing enjoyed a dramatic rise in popularity in the US, companies were formed to support the burgeoning scene. One popular firm was Sonic Weld, which was created in 1967 by Neil Keen. Sonic Weld would eventually be marketed under the Trackmaster brand, but no …
1992 Yamaha FJ1200 with EML Sidecar
Post Listing Update: This Yamaha rig did not meet reserve despite 27 bids up to $6,750. A simple sport tourer, the FJ1200 has a lot of passionate fans as it was comfortable, reliable, and featured an engine that put down a lot of usable-in-the-real-world power.
Auction Preview – Mecum Phoenix 2019
In two weeks, Mecum will be hosting their first-ever auction in Arizona. The plan? Auction off a bunch of cars and, more importantly, 100 bikes at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Here’s a list of all the lots (cars and bikes), and below are 5 of my favorites:
Championship-Winning Thunderbike – Survivor Customs’ Rotax Flat Tracker
Building a high-caliber race bike starts with the addition of race-grade, bespoke and aftermarket components, though it’s the countless hours of expertly dialing each element in that really separates pro-level racers from the rest. And that’s exactly what we’ve got here, a professionally-built competition machine from Mike Hill of Survivor Customs.
2019 Kawasaki Ninja 400 vs 2019 Yamaha YZF-R3
View PostCafe’d Smoker – 1972 Yamaha R5 Custom
Post Listing Update: This R5 did not get any interest at the BIN of $8,500. There’s something really special about two-stroke cafe racers, and this one-off Yamaha is a prime example. This build supposedly started out as a ‘72 R5 that received a refresh with the air-cooled parallel-twin getting all new rings, gaskets, and seals, while the carbs were rebuilt …
2001 Ducati 996S
Post Listing Update: This 996S was pulled off of eBay because “there was an error in the listing.” The Ducati 996 needs no introduction. Superbikes in general are better because the 996 existed, and every detail was designed to be beautiful as well as functional. 2001 was the last year of production before the 998 engine, and Troy Bayliss gave …
6 Miles – 2015 Kawasaki Ninja H2
Post Listing Update: This H2 was pulled off of eBay, final sale price unknown. Forced induction bikes have been done before, and it looks like we’re headed back in that direction. But in 2015, the Kawasaki H2 was a game changer. A 998cc inline four cylinder paired to a supercharger that Kawasaki had to build in-house cranked out 189 hp …
Rebuilt by Colorado Norton Works – 1975 Norton Commando
Post Listing Update: This Commando did not meet reserve despite 36 bids up to $18,362 on eBay. The 1970s Norton Commando was one of several notable products coming from the British motorcycle industry. As electric starters, disc brakes, and smooth operation became mainstays of Japanese competitors, British bike sales declined and quality stayed the same. Then, in 1975, the Mark …
Restored Vintage Enduro – 1980 Yamaha IT175
Immediately after Yamaha unveiled the IT400 in 1976, a trio of Yamaha riders nabbed gold medals at the Austrian International Six Day Trials on the newly debuted IT’s. With the success of the 400, the Tuning Fork Company opted to expand the IT — or “International Trial” — range the following year to include smaller displacement variants, one of which …
1978 Kawasaki Z1-R
Post Listing Update: This Z1-R did not meet reserve despite 3 bids up to $10,500. Wayne Moulton has had quite a career in the motorcycling industry, including roles as President for Triumph Motorcycles America and Vetter Fairings, as well as Vice President of Kawasaki. He was known for a philosophy that “a popular motorcycle can have four different variations – …
Ready to Race – 1992 Yamaha TZ250D
Post Listing Update: This TZ250 did not meet reserve despite 20 bids up to $10,177 on eBay. 2-26-19 Update: Two years later, Mazlow Petosa notes that this TZ is back up for sale. It’s got a new racing number, a new home, and it looks like it’s covered about 120 miles since it was last offered for sale. Find this …