This weekend, I’ll be attending my first World Superbike race in person at the “MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship GEICO Motorcycle U.S. Round”. Now that’s a mouthful. Nathan and I are riding up early Saturday morning – will we see you there?
Video Intermission – Rennie Scaysbrook’s Pikes Peak Record Run
This year, the motorcycle record at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb was set by Rennie Scaysbrook – his time was 9:44.963. His run was captured with three cameras, and now pretend like you were onboard with him!
R100 Motor – 1982 BMW R65LS
The R65LS gets more attention than it probably deserves thanks to the striking Hans Muth-designed fairing, but one of the common complaints was that the ~45 horsepower twin didn’t back up the futuristic-in-the-80s looks. A previous owner of this machine apparently agreed, as it’s been given the heart of a R100. It’s not clear which form of the R100 motor …
Guest Ride Report – YCRS ChampSchool
Whenever I’m shopping for motorcycle gear in Los Angeles, my first stop is Beach Moto. Usually, I’m greeted by Kate Afanasyeva, and she’s always got a good story to tell about her latest riding adventure. This time around, she had some thoughts on her recent experience with Yamaha Champions Riding School, and she was kind enough to share them with …
1971 BMW R75/5 Custom
Post Listing Update: This BMW did not meet reserve despite 38 bids on eBay up to $8,700 in Richmond, Virginia. This BMW R75/5 was just completed for this year’s show season, and it features a rebuilt motor with a Siebenrock 1000cc kit and plenty of custom touches. What do you think about it?
Video Intermission – Dirt Shark – McMammoth
The newest Dirt Shark video is out and it features Jeremy McGrath enjoying his recently rebuilt 2000 Kawasaki KX500 at Mammoth Motocross. It’s nothing profound – no record setting jumps or pioneering stunts, but it’s beautiful to look at. Plus, they had the sense (which most people seem to forget) to mute the music when Jeremy is winding out the …
Unexpected Custom Ending Soon – 1986 Yamaha SDR200
Post Sale Update: This SDR sold for $5,100 after 20 bids on eBay in San Jacinto, California…to reader Jim A! Originally built just for the Japanese market, the SDR200 was a small cafe racer that predated the Ducati Monster with a trellis frame, naked styling, and the three-spoke wheels. It was only offered for one year, and a tiny amount …
Contest Intermission – Rizoma Design Challenge
Submissions are in for the Rizoma Design Challenge, a competition where they asked “designers, engineers, and students to show us the future of motorcycling” in two categories: motorcycle design and aftermarket product design. Now it’s your time to participate by voting on the winners, because the final say is split equally between public votes and a panel of industry experts.
Never Run – 1970 Sprite 405 Talon
Founded by Frank Hipkin in the mid ’60s, Sprite Motor Cycles (later known as Sprite Developments) as a small British off-road motorcycle company that built trials bikes and scramblers, usually as a kit. One of their bigger efforts was the 405 Talon, and it was exported to several countries under different names: the BVM 405 in Belgium, Alron 405 in …
Gift Intermission – Honda CA160 Engine Beer Tap
After you ride your classic Honda, now you can enjoy a beer poured out of a classic Honda motor!
June 2019 Result Highlights
View PostMade in Portugal – 2018 AJP PR7 Rally
Founded by Antonio J Pinto in 1987, AJP is a Portuguese motorcycle manufacturer that found quick success with national enduro championships. They’re barely known in the US, but nowadays they offer some price competitive enduros that combine Chinese motors with impressive components that include Sachs suspension, DOMA exhaust, billet bar mounts/footpegs/triple clamps, and even an Android tablet for navigation/gauges.
1 Owner – 1983 Suzuki SP500
“Tough. Gutsy. Fun on the road. Even more fun off.” That’s how Suzuki introduced the new-for-1981 SP500. It was durable but a little overweight, and nowadays it’s tough to find a clean survivor.
Unexpected Sidecar – 1995 Yamaha TW200
The seller calls this Tee Dub the “ultimate bugout vehicle, which seems appropriate as it’s a TW and it’ll be capable of going just about anywhere on or off road (albeit slowly). On top of that, it’s got a sidecar and the requisite army green paint.
Bender – 1982 Yamaha Virago XV750 Cafe Racer
Post Sale Update: Bender sold for $6,100 after 32 bids on eBay in Brentwood, California. Named Bender, this Virago was rebuilt as a custom cafe racer that was on display at the 2018 Handbuilt Show and 2019 Mama Tried Show.