UPDATE: Here’s my review on ADV Pulse! I’ve said for years that if I was forced to only have one motorcycle, it would most likely be the newest BMW R-GS that I could afford. I will admit that I’ve had some reservations about my opinion as the big GSes have been getting way more complicated from a technological standpoint over …
1964 DKW Hummel 115
Post Sale Update: This DKW – sold for $8,700 after 22 bids on eBay. In the early 1960s, Zweirad Union was comprised of DKW, Victoria, and Express. The first two companies shared a model that was boringly named either the DKW Type 115 or the Victoria Type 155. Both bikes got a much more interesting nickname from the public: the …
German Postal Service – 1962 Heinkel Tourist Model 103 A2
After World War II, the Allies banned manufacturers like Heinkel from producing airplanes. They decided to try their hand at personal transport with the production of vehicles like microcars, bicycles, and scooters like the Tourist you see here.
Don Vesco-Bodied – 1982 BMW R65 w/ Rabid Transit Fairing
Don Vesco was a prolific name in the motorcycling world for several decades. On top of being a (US) Grand Prix winner, drag, and dirt-track Racer, he set well over a dozen landspeed records and ran a successful California-based motorcycle dealership. Vesco also famously sold a bevy or moto parts and accessories under the Don Vesco Products banner.
Endurance-Inspired – VTR Customs’ BMW K100 “24 Hour”
BMW motorcycles have become increasingly popular choices of donors for bespoke builds, and while plenty of shops utilize the German machines for one-off projects, very few do it better than VTR Customs. Be it a vintage flying brick or modern R1200R or R9T, the Swiss shop has one hell of a knack for customizing the Bavarian bikes, as demonstrated by …
Sold At Mecum – 1974 BMW R90S
Post Listing Update: This R90S did not meet reserve despite 34 bids up to $10,100. The R90S is a fine motorcycle, but I’m specifically featuring this bike so we can see an example of people trying to make some money after snagging some steals at Mecum.
Upgraded – BMW HP2 Enduro
Towards the start of the 1980s, BMW tasked a small group of designers and engineers to deliver what eventually became the R80G/S — a model that came to define a genre and lead to some of the best-selling models from the Bavarian brand. A quarter-century-later BMW Motorrad greenlit yet another skunkworks project, this time focused on creating the ultimate big-bore …
The Foundry MC Build – 1991 BMW K75 Street Scrambler
A while back I wrote an article about Carlos Ormazabal; a Spanish bike enthusiasts who abandoned the security of his corporate career to pursue building custom motorcycles full time. On top of loving Carlos’ story, I also really dig his work, so when I saw a BMW Scrambler of his was for sale, I just couldn’t resist.
Rare US-Only Scooter – 1955 Zündapp Suburbanette
In a recent feature on a Zündapp Super Sport Combinette for sale, commenter dnaj noted that “the Suburbanette” was the one to have. Even though very few were made, Tim Huber has found one for you:
Guess That Bike Revealed – Engine For Sale Edition
Post Listing Update: This Combinette did not meet reserve despite 18 bids up to $5,800 on eBay. Commenter dnaj was the first to (easily) identify that this motor belongs to a Zündapp Super Sport Combinette, which were built between 1962 and 1966. This specific example has been restored and it’s currently available for purchase on eBay!
2018 BMW HP4 Race
Post Listing Update: This HP4 Race did not meet reserve with 10 bids up to $37,500 on Bring a Trailer. The “HP” initials have become quite significant with BMW Motorrad over the last few years. They simply stand for High Performance, and they graced a few impressive models like the HP2 Enduro/MegaMoto/Sport. The designation was brought back for an track-only …
2007 BMW G650 XChallenge with SherpaX Trailer
Trailers are rare enough in the world of motorcycling, but they’re almost always found on pavement. Well, a Canadian company called KIP Moto has developed an off-road trailer designed to be towed with an enduro. Called the SherpaX, the trailer weighs 30 pounds, offers almost 4″ of suspension travel, and features a cargo basket that’s designed to accept a Rubbermaid …
1977 BMW R100RS
Post Listing Update: This R100RS did not meet reserve despite 16 bids up to $7,200 on eBay. Bikes built in the first model year of BMW’s R100RS were also known as the “RS77”, and they’re worth distinguishing due to year-specific features like silver/blue paint, blue anodized ATE calipers, and blue pinstriping.
Unexpected – 1975 BMW Chopper with R69S Frame
Post Listing Update: This custom BMW did not meet reserve with 20 bids up to $3,338 on eBay. The “R69S Frame” part of the title might upset you, but this is an interesting custom built with a BMW frame/motor (the seller doesn’t identify the powerplant), a Harley-Davidson Springer front fork, and HD Bobtail rear fender.
1995 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, …