In 2009, Harley-Davidson reached into the nostalgia bag and brought out the XR1200. The flat track fenders and raised suspension bore a clear resemblance to the XR750 before I even knew what flat tracking was. Since Harley cancelled the model in 2013, flat tracking has seen a resurgence in popularity, and Indian recently launched their FTR1200 using similar “race inspired” …
Unexpected Custom – 1987 Ducati Indiana Street Tracker
Though Ducati’s Indiana was something of a commercial flop, it does make for a pretty interesting base for a street tracker with its Italian-built V (or rather “L”) Twin and pressed-steel backbone frame. Built by Redonda Motorcycles of Coimbra, Portugal, this one-off 1987 example features a myriad of custom works and aftermarket parts as well as upgrades to some of …
Video Intermission – Wayne Rainey’s MotoAmerica YZF-R1 Custom on Jay Leno’s Garage
Wayne Rainey stops by Jay Leno’s Garage to let Jay try out his custom R1 that’s been designed to evoke the legendary 1980s Yamaha TZ750!
Sitting For Years – 1980 Suzuki GS450
The Suzuki GS450 doesn’t grab as many headlines as Honda’s middleweight competitor, but it was still a machine that was worth of your consideration. Options included a boxy take on the café racer and some more relaxed, cruiser oriented styles. Journalists of the time spoke about bouncy suspension and bad carburetion, but most bikes from the 80s feel soft comparatively …
Early Production eBike – 1999 EMB Lectra VR24
Originally founded in Northern California in 1995 by Scott Cronk and Rick Whisman, Electric Motorbike Inc — or simply “EMB” – was an early eBike manufacturer. Not long after the company’s inception, Whisman jumped ship, though Cron kept at it and was eventually joined by a handful of additional staffers that helped to develop a proof of concept offering. EMB’s …
2 Weeks in the Northeast – Day 1
View Post2019 Kawasaki Z900RS
If the Honda CB750 shaped the UJM as we know it, the Kawasaki Z1 was the hardening process that solidified it. The Z1 was Kawasaki’s answer to Honda’s influential bike, as Kawasaki was already making a 750cc inline four-cylinder motorcycle when Honda released the 750. The CB’s debut forced Kawasaki to pivot, and they responded by upping the displacement in …
Out of Office – Touring the Northeastern US
View PostDon Vesco Prototype – 1974 Yamaha RD250/350
This Yamaha RD started as a 250, though it was “converted to RD350 specs” by none other than Don Vesco. Don used it as a development mule to create his “Cafe Royal” fairings.
1970 OSSA Stiletto 250
Nowadays, the word “stiletto” typically refers to heels. But a stiletto is actually a thin dagger, and that’s why it shares a name with this slender OSSA MXer.
Restored – 1978 Kawasaki Z1R-TC
The Kawasaki Z1R-TC was the first ‘production’ turbocharged motorcycle, and was an absolute game-changer. Only 500 of these bikes were produced: 250 in the first generation in the usual baby blue color, and 250 in the second generation with the black Molly Design paint scheme and a few mechanical changes. While the second gen had less peak power, I think …
Ending Soon – 1976 Honda CB400F
The CB400F wasn’t as fast as its competition, but it was smoother, quieter, and more efficient. It also had some of the most beautiful production exhaust headers ever built. As you may have seen in my review of the CB650R/CBR650R, Honda thought the CB400F’s waterfall pipes were worth bringing back. But why deal with modern tributes when you can get …
1979 Honda CB750F Super Sport
6-19-2019 Update: Eight months later, this CB750F is back up for sale, and the reserve has been met even though the bidding is nearly $1,000 less than the last sale price. How will it end up? The listing ends soon, so find this bike now in Olathe, Kansas with bidding up to $3,050 here on eBay.
Coast to Coast in 50 Hours – Day 3
View PostCalifornia Highway Patrol in Australia – 1938 Harley-Davidson ULH
This ex-CHP Harley has made its way across the Pacific, and it’s now available in Australia.