Post-Sale Update: This Griso sold for the BIN of $9,800. The Moto Guzzi Griso SE is a (surprise!) special edition of the Griso, set off by beautiful Tenni paint reminiscient of Guzzi’s racebikes of the 1950s. The SE got several extras, including spoked wheels, the beautiful paint (and brown leather seat), and blacked out parts all over the place. Mechanically, …
Eye Watering Price – 2011 FIST Enterprises Biometric Bike
Post-Listing Update: As you probably expected, this bike got no action at the BIN of $125k. Built in 2011 by Paul Jr. Designs, this custom cruiser was commissioned by FIST (Fingerprint Identification Systems Technology) for an episode of American Chopper: Senior vs. Junior as a showcase of their technology that replaces the ignition of a bike with a fingerprint scanner.
2010 Ducati 848 Nicky Hayden Edition
Ignoring the fact that Nicky Hayden never had the kind of success with Ducati that he did with Honda, the Italian firm released a limited edition of the 848 called the Nicky Hayden Edition in 2010. It was an US-exclusive model with custom paint, signed gas tank, and a MSRP of $14,495. The drivetrain wasn’t touched, so you still got …
1972 BMW R75/5
Here’s a solid example (VIN: 2995157) of the 750cc slash 5. It’s been with the same family for over 30 years, and is claimed to ride like a dream though there’s a minor oil leak (“drop or two every month or so”). Obviously it’s got the short wheelbase and the distinctive toaster tank, and it’s only done 21,773 miles over …
German Army – 1961 Maico M250B
I’m hoping one of you out there knows more about this bike than I do, because all I’ve really been able to determine is that the M250B featured a 247cc single-cylinder two stroke that produced 14 horsepower.
Video Intermission – Isle of Man TT Crash and Discussion
First of all, thankfully nobody was hurt due to this wet patch on the course at this year’s Isle of Man. Instead of flying into a wall at 100mph+, Keith Amor was able to just scrub off all his speed by sliding on pavement – not something that always happens at this treacherous course! But there are plenty of crash …
1971 Ducati 450 Mk3 Desmo
Post-Listing Update: This Desmo did not meet reserve, with bidding up to $11,408. Presumably the next Ducati that will skyrocket in value (if it hasn’t already), the 450 Desmo is one of the best singles in history, thanks to the desmodromic system that allowed for 14,000 rpm engine speeds and lovely styling. For some details on what made this bike …
One Owner – 1982 Yamaha XJ650 Turbo
The Yamaha XJ650 Turbo was one of the quintessential examples of the 1980s Japanese movement to bring turbochargers to motorcycles. Right after Honda brought out the CX Turbo (an example of which is found here on Bike-urious), Yamaha brought out a turbocharged variant of their 650 Seca. In my opinion, this was the best looking of the 80s turbo bikes, …
1956 DKW Hummel 50
Post-Listing Update: This Hummel 50 did not meet reserve with bidding up to $2,002. DKW, which stood for Das Kleine Wunder (The Little Wonder) started selling cycles with engines in 1919 – 13 years later they became part of Auto Union:
2001 Kawasaki W650 Scrambler
A reference to the Kawasaki W1, itself a copy of the BSA A7, the Kawasaki W650 is also inspired by the Triumph Bonneville. The W650 actually preceded the rebirth of the Bonnie and for a brief moment in time in the early 2000s, it was the best option for someone looking for classic British looks with dependable reliability.
1970 Yamaha DS6
Here’s a highly original, numbers-matching example of a rare Yamaha – the DS6. An evolution of the YDS line, this was a 250cc class single that had a 5-valve cylinder. It produced about 29 horsepower, and was available in a scrambler variant as well.
1983 Suzuki XN85 Turbo
Post Sale Update: This XN sold for the opening bid of $8,500. On the market for less than a year, Suzuki XN85 was the first factory bike to feature a 16-inch front wheel – previously reserved for race bikes. That wheel, combined with low clip-ons and a Suzuki Full Floater rear suspension made it a nearly peerless handler for the …
1989 Honda GB500
Post Listing Update: This GB500 was relisted multiple times with slightly lower BIN figures. Eventually it got down to $5,000 but that still wasn’t enough to attract a buyer, and it seems like the seller gave up on eBay. Honda’s GB500 has become quite a cult classic (with the selling prices to prove it) thanks to its classic (British) good …
591 Miles – 1981 Moto Guzzi G5 V1000 Police
I’m a sucker for police bikes, which means this Moto Guzzi G5 V1000 Police caught my eye – not to mention it only had about 600 miles of service in Haiti before coming to the US.
6 Miles – 2004 Ducati 998 Matrix Reloaded Edition
As a vehicle aficionado, I thought the best part of the Matrix Reloaded was the incredible chase scene which was basically a GM ad. Just for the movie, production crews built a 1.5 mile freeway on old runways of a decommissioned Naval Air Station. At some point in the scene, a Ducati 996 is featured for some high-speed lane splitting: