For 2025, Husqvarna announced a limited-edition line of what they called their Heritage models – a special livery offered on all ten models (four MX, six enduro) with blue radiator shrouds, a matching seat, and a colorway that pays homage to what you’d see on Husky race bikes from the 1980s. Here’s a still new example with tons of extras …
Picture Intermission – Motorcycles in Thailand
Vy and I belatedly watched the season finale of White Lotus recently and it made us think of when she went to Thailand for a month last year to film on The Sympathizer. When she was there she sent me photos of some bikes that caught her eye but I never got around to sharing them – now seems like …
1986 Yamaha TT350
Yamaha’s answer to the recently-retired Honda XR350R, the TT350 was a hybrid between their XT dual-sport and the YZ motocross bike. Yamaha marketed it as “Dirt Tough, Street Wise” and “a purpose-built machine that’s perfect for tackling the toughest enduro…or riding to work!” They only sold it for two years, making it difficult to find nowadays.
1965 Yamaha YM-1 Cross Country Sport 305
Described in Yamaha’s marketing materials as a “Cross Country Sport”, the YM-1 was an evolution of the YDS-3 and it was the top of the line Yamaha sportbike of the time.
Deeley Exhibition – 1885 Daimler Reitwagen Official Replica
Getting back to my visit to the Deeley Motorcycle Exhibition in British Columbia, here’s something that goes waaaaaay back in time…sort of.
1965 Fuji Rabbit Superflow S601
I don’t feature scooters much, but the Fuji Rabbit Superflow is definitely worth a look. An impressive 75,000 units left the Fuji Heavy Industries factory, but it’s very hard to find any now. Why is this scoot so interesting? Well, at the time, it was as luxurious as you could get with a scooter.
1959 Ducati 200 Turismo
At the request of their US importer (Berliner), Ducati bumped displacement of the and Super Sport models from 175cc to 200cc – really 204cc, but who’s counting? Berliner sold the model as the Americano but the equivalent in Europe had sleeker styling and a much more international name: the Turismo.
1989 Honda CB-1
Originally built for the Japanese market, the Honda CB-1 was a beautifully balanced motorcycle that lost out in an American market that was obsessed with having as much horsepower as possible. A colleague recently explained to me that these 400cc bikes from Japan are incredibly well developed due to a combination of regulations, licensing rules, and taxes that came together …
1999 Buell X1 Lightning
Post Sale Update: This X1 sold for $3,100 plus the 7% buyer’s fee ($250 minimum) for a total of $3,350 on Iconic Motorbike Auctions. In 1999, Buell updated the S1 Lightning to create the X1 Lightning. Here’s one in excellent shape with a very low reserve that’s already been met!
Video Intermission – Vapor Blast Canada
Iconic has expanded to Canada (specifically British Columbia), so one a recent visit to check out the new digs our new partner Mark took me to meet some of his friends. One surprising stop was at Vapor Blast Canada in Chilliwack, a DIY spot for media and vapor blasting that’s hiding an awesome collection of motorcycles in the back!
50th Anniversary – 2007 Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200 #299/1200
In 2007, Harley-Davidson implemented fuel-injection across the entire Sportster lineup…they also released 2,000 examples of a 50th Anniversary Sportster. Here’s #299!
1985 Suzuki RG400 Gamma Walter Wolf
After Suzuki introduced the RG Gamma series in 1983, the line grew to span displacements ranging from 250-500cc. Of particular note was the RG400 Gamma Walter Wolf, as it was a two year only model that was exclusively sold in Japan. Here’s an example that’s already been imported to the US and has been recently serviced by Steve Long at …
Video Intermission – Cycles 128
A while back I did a Picture Intermission for the Cycles Classic Cafe and Museum in Beverly, Massachusetts. But if you’re more of a video kind of person – then I’ve got you covered here!
1964 Rickman Metisse MkIII Scrambler
Founded in England in 1959 by Derek and Don Rickman, Metisse Motorcycles quickly developed a name for off-road excellence with their custom frame designs for British engines that led to wins in the Moto Cross des Nations as well as 250cc and 500cc GP motocross championships. Their success soon expanded into road racing as well, but they were best known …
Sequential Trio – 1988, 1989, 1990 Honda VTR250s
Sold in the US for three years, the Honda VTR250 has become a cult classic for riders that love small bikes. The liquid cooled 250cc engine was paired with a six-speed transmission, and interestingly, an inboard front disc – though by 1990 the front brake would change to the industry standard. Someone in Wisconsin is selling a pair of them …