Introduced in the early 90s, the Aprilia RS50 became a breakout hit in 1999 thanks to an aluminum frame (making it the first mass-produced 50cc with a die-cast aluminum frame) as well as a styling update reminiscent of Aprilia’s GP race bikes. European youths were all over it as licensing rules were relaxed for <50cc motorcycles and scooters.
1983 Ducati 900 MHR
Built to celebrate Mike the Bike’s comeback triumph at the ’78 Isle of Man TT, the Ducati 900 MHR (Mike Hailwood Replica) was initially produced solely for homologation purposes. As such, just 200 were built in 1979. But demand was so high that Ducati decided to keep production going, and by the end of the run in 1986 the Italian …
1973 OSSA Pioneer 250
OSSA was a Spanish firm that offered a wide variety of dirt bikes to cover anything that an off-road enthusiast could want to do. The Pioneer was OSSA’s enduro bike, though realistically the pavement experience was limited to putting around in town. In the dirt, it was quite impressive for something that was street legal. In fact, in a 1969 …
1968 BMW R60US
The BMW R60US was a 30 horsepower classic that typically included telescopic forks and higher handle bars as part of the “US” designation. US models also came without sidecar lugs, one of the few distinctions that separated it from the Euro models.
2000 Triumph Speed Triple T595 Custom
In partnership with Accossato Racing, MetalBike Garage created the MBG_001 concept out of a Triumph T595 Speed Triple. Metalbike was founded by Simone Lecca, former member of storied Italian design firm Bertone.
Original Owner – 1980 Suzuki PE175
I recently complained about the over use of “1 owner” in bike sale descriptions, which is why I’m glad to say that the seller of this example is the same person who purchased it new in 1980. Even better, his asking price is quite reasonable – just $1,100!
Video Intermission – Hercules W2000 In Crate!
In the early 70s, Suzuki, Norton, and DKW all brought rotary-powered bikes to the market, but DKW was the first. Outside of the UK, it was sold as the Hercules Wankel 2000 (W2000), and while the engine was unconventional, everything else was as you’d expect. Bike magazine called it “an outstanding machine in its own right”, even ignoring the novel …
Surprise ADV – 2006 Suzuki SV1000
The SV1000 wasn’t as popular as the SV650, but it offered a lot of the same benefits with a bit more oomph right off the dealer floor. This one’s quite a bit different than how Suzuki chose to offer the machine, as it’s been converted to an unexpected ADV machine.
First Ride Review – 2021 Aprilia Tuono V4 & V4 Factory
View Post500cc Swap – 1985 Honda ATC250R
Silodrome called the Honda ATC250R the “fastest three-wheeled death machines in the West.” So I’m highly curious about what they’d call this example, which instead features a 500cc two-stroke engine!
“Double Espresso” – 2005 Ducati Monster Custom
Created by Chris Stout of Stout Engineering, this custom Ducati Monster is called Double Espresso and it’s been featured on sites such as Pipeburn and Revival Cycles.
What Do You Want To Know? 2021 Aprilia Tuono V4
UPDATE: Here’s my review! No posts today (Thursday) as I’m at the US launch for the new Aprilia Tuono V4. Like the new RSV4, it gets a new face, a new swingarm, and…that’s mostly it. But seeing as last year’s model was incredible, it’s not like big changes were needed anyway.
1 of 10(?) – 1990 Ducati 900SS
Americans received the “new” SuperSport in 1991 as a 900, however Ducati had actually introduced the model in 1987 in other markets with a 750cc engine. It did not go well, and the next year they tried again with a Pantah-based 904cc engine – this 900SS was produced between 1988-1990 and it sis a rare predecessor to the much more …
Rare in the US – 1993 Yamaha SRX400
While Yamaha offered the SRX in the US as a 600 and a 250 (one year only for each), they also sold an in-between version in their home market of Japan to compete in the highly-contested (due to license restrictions) 400cc market.
1990 Suzuki VX800
The Suzuki VX800 is an interesting cult bike that was discontinued in the US after 3 years after disappointing sales, though the European market saw production run from 1990-1997. A classic looking naked bike, it had comfortable steering geometry and a torquey engine that helped make this bike a fantastic all-arounder, despite its 500+ pound curb weight.