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1973 Suzuki GT550

In Japan, Standard by Chris CopeLeave a Comment

You may have seen recently that Kawasaki is bringing two-strokes back. Whether it is promising a street bike (probably not) or something more off-road focused is uncertain. It’s been quite a while since two-stroke engines featured in street bikes. Even 52 years ago, when this GT550 was produced, it was clear that the end was nigh. Or, well, it was …

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Picture Intermission – A Motorcycle in Alaska

In Intermissions by AbhiLeave a Comment

When Vy and I travel, I like to get photos of motorcycles in the area to share. We recently found ourselves in Fairbanks, Alaska to ring in the New Year and catch the Northern Lights but the temperature ranged from a toasty -5 degrees to a less-toasty -38 degrees the whole time we were there and as you can imagine, …

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1916 Cleveland 1-B

In America, Vintage by Chris CopeLeave a Comment

I have some questions about this bike, so proceed with caution. It was listed on eBay back in December and doesn’t appear to have been sold. Now, in addition to being listed on Auto Barn’s site, it can also be found on Facebook with a minimalist description: “All original complete running bike.”

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1978 Kawasaki KZ1000 A2

In Japan, Sport by Chris CopeLeave a Comment

It’s probably the Kawasaki owner in me that loves these bikes so much. Back in November, I drew your attention to a customized 1978 KZ1000 A2. But here’s an example that’s much more in line with what the manufacturer originally intended. The bike has been restored, but the seller says that it’s been kept “as stock as possible.” Without question, …

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3 KM in Germany – 2006 Bimota DB4

In Italy, Sport by AbhiLeave a Comment

The Bimota DB4 Tricolore followed the Italian firm’s modus operandi of taking a well established engine from another manufacturer and surrounding it with beautiful Italian bodywork. Using a frame similar to the Bimota Mantra, this successor wasn’t much of a technological advancement. Think of it instead as a moving piece of art.

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1987 Yamaha SRX250

In Japan, Sport by AbhiLeave a Comment

For decades, Kawasaki ruled the 250cc ‘sport’bike market – though Honda has recently taken a chunk of the market with their CBR250R. Honda also challenged the little Ninja in the 80s with the VTR250, though it did not have much commercial success. For one year in the States, even Yamaha threw their hat into the ring with the Yamaha SRX250.

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2003 Suzuki SV650S

In Custom, Japan, Sport by AbhiLeave a Comment

Other models have surpassed it since but the SV650 has been a favorite of many riders for over two decades – it was introduced in 1999 and is still offered in showrooms today! In 2003 and 2004, Cycle World praised the SV650 and the SV650S as the Best Standard Bike, noting that “SV” could have stood for “Suprisingly Versatile.” This …

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1974 Moto Guzzi V7 Sport

In Italy, Sport by Chris CopeLeave a Comment

The V7 remains as Moto Guzzi’s most iconic platform, with a history stretching back to 1964, when it was initially created to serve as a motorcycle for Italy’s Polizia Stradale (highway patrol). Two years later, in 1966, Moto Guzzi started producing models for foreign markets. Interestingly, it didn’t produce V7s for Italian riders until 1967. Back then, the V7 was …