When it was first released in 1985, the Yamaha V-Max wan an instant hit that was named Bike of the Year by Cycle Guide. The first generation lasted a whopping 22 years with minimal changes, ending when this example was sold in 2007.
Needs Paint – 1978 Kawasaki Z1R
Post Sale Update: This Z1R sold for $8,100 after 8 bids on eBay. The Kawasaki Z1R was the brainchild of Wayne Moulton, known as the “Father of the Japanese Cruiser.” His belief was that a solid motorcycle could be moderately tweaked to form four versions, one of which is a sport-tourer. So he took the KZ1000 and turned it into …
180 Claimed HP – 1984 Kawasaki GPz750 Turbo
Post Sale Update: This GPz Turbo sold for $7,100 after 19 bids on eBay. According to the seller, this custom Kawi has over $20,000 invested in it – at one point it had a “stage 5” turbo that led to 235 horsepower, but that blower needs a rebuilt so the bike is currently equipped with a “stage 2” turbo that …
1983 Honda CB1000 Custom
Produced for just one year, the Honda CB1000C Custom was notable for the TRAC anti-dive system and dual-range transmission (a sub-transmission that let you choose high or low for any given gear, even if people only really used it to act as a sixth gear/overdrive).
Never Started – 1970 Indian Velo 500
In 1967, the former West Coast distributor of Indian Motorcycles (Floyd Clymer) bought the rights to the company’s name and tried to bring it back. He initially tried to partner with some German companies to create the new Indian’ but that never got past prototypes. It wasn’t until he partnered with Velocette that he was able to release the Indian …
0 Miles – 2002 Ducati MH900e Evoluzione
Post Sale Update: This MH900e sold for the BIN of $40,000 on eBay. The last time I featured a 0 mile MH900e, it was a bike that was still in the crate. It sold for $28,600. The asking price on this one’s a bit higher, but that’s what the “Make Offer” button is for.
Electric Conversion – 1985 Trihawk
Designed by Lou Richards, the Trihawk 304 (3 wheels, 4 cylinders) was an interesting trike that was capable of cornering forces similar to a Lamborghini Countach (.91G) thanks to the wide front wheelbase and the low center of gravity. Introduced in 1982, the company was able to produce 96 units before Harley-Davidson bought them out in 1985 and stopped production. …
Reader Poll – Ugliest Bikes of All Time?
View Post1995 BMW R100R Mystic
Available only in 1994 and 1995 in the US, the Mystic was a factory retro based on the BMW R100R. In a 1992 review, Bike magazine called it the best boxer. To make the R100R, BMW went with some old-school peanut valve covers and paired them with 40mm Bing carbs and their first usage of Japanese suspension. In many ways, …
Yamaha XS650 Motor – 2003 Royal Enfield Bullet
Royal Enfield has just released two models powered by an all-new 650 twin motor, but the seller of this bike beat them to the punch. The title tells you what you need to know – this is a Royal Enfield that’s had a heart transplant. The seller says he “decided to change the motor to make it a reliable daily …
1938 Harley-Davidson EL
Post Sale Update: This EL sold for a cool $100,000 after 75 bids on eBay. Harley introduced the Knucklehead in 1936 as a 1,000cc V-Twin. While H-D had been using overhead valves in race bikes previously, this was their first usage of the technology in a production motor. It’s a beautiful motor that has stood the test of time, even …
2001 BMW R1200C Montana
Post Sale Update: sold for $5,400 after 67 bids on eBay. First shown to the world in the 1997 Bond movie Tomorrow Never Dies, the BMW R1200C was Germany’s attempt to break into the cruiser market. There was a lot to like about it objectively, however American riders never fell in love with the distinct styling and the non-V-Twin motor.
Unexpected Custom – Yamaha Seca 2 Dual-Sport
My first bike after undergrad was a beat up Yamaha Seca 2 that I bought for $600. I thought it was a pleasant bike, but I never thought it would make a good platform to go off-road with. Thankfully, the builder of this bike doesn’t think like I do.
190 Miles – 1981 Honda CM400A Hondamatic
In the early 80s, Honda donated a few motorcycles to schools all across the country. The most valuable finds nowadays are the occasional CBX or two that appear with no miles after sitting in a school storage room for decades, but Honda provided some twins and four-cylinder models, too. One example of the former is this CM400, which stands out …
November 2018 Result Highlights
Last month we saw some great bikes – but did they sell? And if so, for how much?