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 …
Picture Intermission – A Motorcycle in Alaska
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, …
Video Intermission – How to Win the Biggest Race in Supercross
Ever since Yamaha took me to check out a Supercross race in San Diego a couple of years ago I’ve been hooked – the racing is fantastic and the spectacle is impressive if you’re able to catch it in person, I think MotoGP could learn a few things from them. There’s also stuff that SX can learn from other organizations, …
1916 Cleveland 1-B
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.”
1978 Kawasaki KZ1000 A2
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, …
3 KM in Germany – 2006 Bimota DB4
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.
1987 Yamaha SRX250
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.
Solvang Motorcycle Museum – Velox 125cc DOHC
The curiousities continue from Solvang: here’s a bike I had never heard of before and it’s apparently one of one. Meet the Velox!
Customized 2009 Ducati SportClassic 1000 S
Slightly reminiscent of the Paul Smart LE model that I wrote up earlier this month is this unique beauty born of the same family. That is to say, it has the same basic building blocks. The bike that you see here is a long way from stock.
Solvang Motorcycle Museum – 1904 Mitchell
Time for another quick look at the cool stuff in the Solvang Motorcycle Museum – this time with one of the oldest offerings they’ve got!
Solvang Motorcycle Museum – Moto Guzzi V8 Replica
In my recent post about attending the Quail (which you should join me for), commenter Starmag mentioned the replica Moto Guzzi V8 at the Solvang Motorcycle Museum and it reminded me that I still have some bikes to share from my visit there on the way back from last year’s Quail. Let’s get back to it!
No Reserve – 2008 Ducati Desmosedici RR #669
Over at Iconic we’re doing something a little risky – we’re selling a Desmosedici with no reserve! Who knows what it will sell for, but it’s guaranteed to find a new home…
2003 Suzuki SV650S
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 …
Join Me – The 2025 Quail MotoFest 5/17
I’m going back to the Quail Motorcycle Gathering (which has been renamed to the Quail MotoFest) – come join me!
1974 Moto Guzzi V7 Sport
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 …