When you’re a world champion and you want to show off your stuff, why not create a museum that includes some memorabilia from your buddies, your heroes, and even a rival or two? Jorge Lorenzo tried it for himself – the #99 he wore in MotoGP inspired the name – so here’s a quick photo tour.
Guess That Bike – Front Wheel Edition
Our last Guess That Bike was with a new motorcycle – this time we’re going old-school. Can you identify which bike this front wheel is from?
In Ireland – 1997 BMW R80GS Kalahari
Post Listing Update: This R80GS Kalahari did not get any action at the opening bid ask of $15,000 on eBay in Cork, Ireland. Here’s one that I had never heard about as it was never offered in the US – the “Kalahari” version of the BMW GS lineup. All the times you’ve heard someone talk about how they wish a …
25th Anniversary – 2007 Honda VFR800
In 2007, Honda celebrated the 25th Anniversary of their venerable sport tourer with a special red/white/blue paint job. I always thought this paint scheme looked amazing, though the stock black wheels were a mistake – they should have been white! This example is in great shape and comes with some modifications that every sixth gen viffer should have.
In Canada – 1963 BSA Rocket Gold Star
Post Sale Update: sold for $19,500 after 12 bids on eBay in Scarborough, Ontario, Canada. One of BSA’s most legendary motorcycles, the Rocket Gold Star was a limited production special built in 1962 and 1963 that owes its existence to a British Dealer named Eddie Dow (who himself earned the nickname of “Mr. Gold Star”).
1,123 Miles – 2002 Honda RC51
Post Sale Update: sold for $11,500 after 29 bids on eBay in Collingswood, New Jersey. The RC51 combined Honda reliability with the joy of a V-Twin engine, beating Ducati at its own game with multiple World Superbike Championships and a AMA Championship. In 2002, Honda made some revisions to create the SP2 variant.
Guess That Bike Revealed – Stand Edition
Congratulations to Wally, who was the first to identify that this sidestand/centerstand combination comes from the new Curtiss!
Toaster Bitsa Scrambler – 1988 BMW R-Series Custom
Post Sale Update: This custom BMW sold for $6,000 after 27 bids on eBay…to Bike-urious reader Carl L! The seller of this custom calls it a “Urban Toaster Scrambler”, with “the idea to build a reliable daily modern classic motorcycle that can go anywhere.” This combines a toaster tank R75/5 with the chassis from a BMW R100RT.
Guess That Bike – Stand Edition
Most stands on motorcycles look very similar, so it’s always fun to see when a company goes nuts (like Honda with the NR750).
2004 MZ Baghira Black Panther
Post Listing Update: did not meet reserve with 15 bids up to $2,375 on eBay in Raleigh, North Carolina. Normally a manufacturer releases a bike with multiple color options and it’s not a big deal. But when MZ wanted to update their “Street Moto” model called the Baghira with different colors on the plastics, they created separate model names such …
1959 Ducati Elite 200
Post Listing Update: did not get any bids at the opening ask of $17,000. The Ducati 200 Elite was the Italian firm’s largest-displacement bike when it was introduced – a whopping 204cc when they bored out the popular 175cc engine.
4-into-4 Exhaust – 2018 Kawasaki Z900RS
The new Kawasaki Z900RS was built as a visual tribute to the Z1, but one of the things it lacked due to cost and weight was a 4-into-4 exhaust like the original bike. The original owner of this machine sourced a set of pipes from Japan for approximately $2,400 – how do you think it looks?
1937 Ford V8-Powered Custom
Post Listing Update: did not meet reserve with 29 bids up to $7,225 in West Granby, Connecticut. Per the seller, “we started in 2005 with a 1937 Ford V8 60 tin side, a 1937 Ford stock three speed and a dream!”
Still New In England – 2003 Bimota V-Due Edizione Finale
Much has been written about the V-Due and how it ruined Bimota when it was introduced in 1997. By 1999, Bimota was bankrupt after having to allow owners to return their poorly-running bikes (it was the first production fuel injected two-stroke). The Italian firm made some fixes (like ditching the fuel injection) but it was too little, too late. After …
2020 Ducati Panigale V4R
Ducati says the V4 R “is the maximum expression of Ducati’s racing DNA, more similar to a racing prototype than any other bike.” Last year, it was the most expensive machine they offered at $40,000 – though it’s since been blown out of the water by the $112,370 V4 Superleggera. Still, 221 horsepower and the latest/greatest from Ohlins and Brembo …